Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Battlefield of the Half-Breeds (6)
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End the war quickly and return safely.
So, what would be the most effective and fastest way to do that?
Should I get stronger myself and join every battle to take the enemy commander's head?
No, war isn't that simple.
War is a clash between groups.
No matter how strong I am alone, it doesn't mean much.
To win, it's not just me who needs to get stronger—the entire unit does.
"Captain."
"Oh, what is it, newbie?"
"It seems like our 2nd Reconnaissance Unit has... an unusually high number of sick and injured."
I woke up in the morning, had breakfast, and surveyed the unit members.
The reconnaissance unit had about fifty members.
Half of them were wounded.
"Can't be helped, newbie. We carried out some pretty dangerous operations before you joined."
"What kind of operations?"
"We were thrown into a diversion to secure this camp. That's the damage from then. We had even more people before that."
"Hmm..."
My unit is the 2nd Reconnaissance Platoon.
From now on, I'll have to carry out missions with these guys whether I like it or not.
War is a fight of many against many, as I've said repeatedly.
No matter how strong I am, I can't face a horde all by myself.
'Maybe it's time to pray.'
I made up my mind and stood from my seat.
"Hm? Finished already?"
"Yes, excuse me."
"Oh, sure, sure. Take it easy."
I slipped into the tent assigned to me while everyone was at breakfast.
Since it was a shared tent, now was the perfect time to pray in private.
"Ancestor who is stronger than any villain and extends a hand to the weak..."
I immediately called upon Astril.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Your voice echoes through the Feast of the Stars... Responding Ancestors: 4 Ancestor 'Star Prophet' gazes upon you. The top priority for our unit right now is, obviously, treating the patients.
We can't use even half our capacity like this.
"Your descendant seeks your aid."
I phrased it indirectly, asking for a gift—specifically, something healing-related.
The conditions would surely be met.
I'd just accomplished a feat recently, and I'd done plenty of volunteer work in the slums.
All that was left was to sway her heart.
And that wouldn't be hard.
"I want to ease the suffering of those who sacrificed for their families... Please grant me the power to act on your warm heart."
I glanced subtly at the empty air.
And right then, a message arrived.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ancestor 'Star Prophet' falls into contemplation. 'Why the hesitation...?'
There shouldn't be any issues.
The only ability I'd gotten from Astril so far was Auto Healing anyway.
Of course, ancestors only give gifts when they feel like it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ancestor 'Star Prophet' nods. "Oh...!"
A positive response came.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ancestor 'Star Prophet' bestows a gift upon you. You have acquired the skill 'Touch of Sacrifice'! "Tha... Touch of Sacrifice..."
But the messages didn't stop there.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ancestor 'Star Prophet' imposes conditions on the gift! Gift Quest has begun! Quest: Volunteer Work ⭕ Receive thanks from people around you every day. [Warning: Failing the daily quest may result in the gift being revoked.] It had been a while since I'd seen a message like this.
A daily quest in exchange for a gifted ability.
'The quest is cute enough, no big deal...'
The quest itself was fine.
But what bothered me was the ability I'd received.
Touch of Sacrifice.
It was a power that could only heal others, not myself.
Well, with Auto Healing, I didn't need to heal myself anyway.
The real issue was the details of the ability.
It was sacrifice—literally.
I had to bear the patient's pain along with healing them.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Captain."
"Hm? Oh, newbie. Weren't you resting? What's up?"
Karlov, just finishing his meal, looked at Number 17 approaching with puzzlement.
And Number 17 got straight to the point.
"Could I see the most critical patients?"
"...Patients?"
It was an unexpected and baffling request.
"Why do you want to see the patients?"
"..."
At the obvious question, Number 17 averted his eyes with an uncomfortable expression.
It almost seemed like he was in pain.
Can't answer?
Karlov thought so and nodded.
"Well, if it's you, you must have your reasons. This way."
"Yes."
Since the prisoner rescue op, Karlov had decided not to doubt Number 17.
So he led him to the tent with the patients.
Three patients lay on simple cots there.
"Ugh... haa... krrgh..."
"C-Cap... tain..."
The least severe one weakly lifted his head, but Karlov gestured for him to lie back.
"The worst cases. Mostly internal injuries. Lots of blood loss. Honestly... it's just a matter of time."
"..."
"So, why'd you come here?"
Karlov asked Number 17 again.
He still looked reluctant, his face dark.
Without answering, Number 17 just walked to the patient.
Karlov watched silently.
Soon, Number 17 placed his hand on the chest of the man who'd just greeted him.
"Wha— who... are you...?"
"Shh."
At Number 17's sudden action, the man asked anxiously, but Number 17 smiled reassuringly.
And then.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Touch of Sacrifice Whoooosh—!!
"Wh-what is this...!!"
"Wha— ugh...!"
Pure white light poured from Number 17's hand, resonating through the man's chest.
And moments later.
The light slowly faded, then vanished completely.
Karlov, watching in shock, cautiously spoke up.
"N-newbie... what did you just...?"
"Wh-what the hell?!"
The man, who had been groaning weakly moments ago, shouted loudly.
He even sat up in bed, frantically feeling his stomach.
"What?! What's going on?!"
"Captain... my gut... it was pierced by their spears..."
"Your gut?! Wait, how are you even sitting up?!"
"My stomach's fine now!!"
"What...?"
Only then did Karlov look at the patient's face.
When he'd lifted his head earlier, it had been ghostly pale.
But now, he was beaming with healthy color.
'What in the world...'
As Karlov stared in confusion at the suddenly healed man.
"Guh— guuuuaaaagh...!"
"H-hey!? You okay?!"
"Newbie?! What's wrong with you...!!"
Splatters...
Number 17 suddenly vomited beside the patient.
Bright red blood.
And soon, a faint light shimmered around his body.
Shhh...
Once the light settled, Number 17 finally raised his head and wiped his mouth.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Don't worry? You... "
"More importantly, I'll treat the next patient."
"Treat...? So you healed Downer?!"
"Yes. I have mana left for one more."
"One more...? You just vomited blood..."
"I'm fine."
"..."
"This is for all of us."
Karlov stared at Number 17 with a stiff expression.
'This guy...'
Vomiting blood was clearly the backlash from healing Downie.
He'd brushed it off and wiped his mouth, fine.
But to heal another?
Karlov didn't question how he had such power.
Healing magic wasn't out of the question for him.
But it clearly took a toll on him.
Even so, as Number 17 placed his hand on the next patient's chest.
Karlov watched in silent awe.
Whoooosh!
And soon after.
"Guh— guuuuaaaagh...!!"
"Ugh... huh... where...?"
"Rail!! You're awake!! You okay?!"
"Captain... I was sure the axe got my gut..."
"This... this man saved you...!"
"Pardon...?"
At Karlov's words, the man named Rail urgently looked at Number 17 collapsed beside him.
Downie and Rail hurriedly got out of bed to support Number 17.
"Th-thank you...! My body... it's because of you!"
"Truly, thank you...! I thought I was done for...!"
Genuine gratitude poured in from both sides.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Ancestor 'Star Prophet' beams brightly! But Number 17 couldn't smile.
'It fucking hurts... shit...'
Touch of Sacrifice was one of the most efficient target healing spells.
With enough mana, it could heal any wound.
But that efficiency came with side effects.
The caster took on part of the target's damage.
A true sacrificial spell.
Shhh...
'Without Auto Healing... I'd be screwed...'
But the patients were in such critical condition today.
Unable to withstand the mental damage, Number 17 blacked out.
Thud.
"N-newbie!! Hey, wake up!!"
"Are you okay?! No...! You can't die!"
"Damn it, don't jinx it! Get him on the bed and fetch water!!"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At that moment.
In the elven city of Bellora.
Elena Silbaren savored her black tea with a pleased smile in her luxurious mansion.
"Mmm~, as expected, our peaceful city beats those barbaric outsiders."
"The trip must have been exhausting, miss."
"A bit of a headache."
Elena replied to her maid with a delighted smile.
But her mood was excellent right now.
Soon, she could kill that loathsome mongrel.
And tarnish her sister's reputation in the process.
"Sigh... all that's left is finding the Great Master's laurel wreath..."
Of course, that was only a matter of time too.
She'd pinpointed it was in a labyrinth, and recently narrowed down the likely ones.
Thanks to that, Elena had been in high spirits these past few days.
Things were going so smoothly it was almost unnerving.
"Mmm, good aroma."
"Heehee, glad you like it."
Sip.
As Elena took another sip.
Knock knock.
"Hm? Who is it?"
[It's Elbano, miss.]
"No way...!"
[Yes, news on the labyrinth.]
"Come in now!"
The news she'd been waiting for had arrived from her subordinate.
"Well?! Did you find it?!"
Elena demanded of Elbano, forgetting decorum.
It was only natural.
Elisis's laurel wreath was proof of kingship.
The finder would claim the long-vacant throne.
It was her only way to surpass her sister, a top elder candidate.
"We found it. It's definitely the trial place made by the Great Master."
"Yes—!!"
Elena clapped gleefully at her subordinate's words.
Like a child getting their dream birthday gift.
"Prepare at once! I'll go too! Which labyrinth? This afternoon even...!"
"B-but miss..."
"What?"
"A tiny... problem."
"Problem...? What problem? We found the labyrinth hiding the wreath!"
"That labyrinth... according to the survey team's report on the depths... requires a key."
"A key...?"
Elena tilted her head puzzled at her subordinate's words.
"What's the big deal with a key? If it's locked, smash it."
"Not a physical door."
"Then what?"
"...It's a kind of magic."
"Magic?"
"Yes. Without the key, the hidden pocket dimension won't open... that's the structure."
"..."
Elena eyed Elbano sweating nervously, avoiding her gaze.
What was the key?
The unspoken question hung.
And Elbano answered heavily.
"It's a lost art... one of the Great Master's five elemental magics. Specifically, the Quartet of the Wind she favored most."
"...Pardon?"
Quartet of the Wind.
A spell all too familiar to her lately.
Used by that despicable man.
And conveniently, she'd sent him to the battlefield to kill him.
"...Huh?"
Elena's dumbfounded voice echoed in the heavy silence of the room.
