The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

I couldn't stand the sight of Shea being enveloped in light.

The thing inside Shea that is not Shea.

It is tormenting her and trying to do something.

I really wanted to save her, but I don't have the power to do so.

I'm sorry, guys.

So I chose to stay by her side.

I feel really bad about what I did to Usato and the others.

They tried to help me and look for Shea together, but I ended up acting selfishly and causing trouble.

But ...... I was still worried about her.

"Wow!"

The moment I was enveloped by the circle of light, I was in another place.

A large stone building.

It was a small place compared to the ruins I had just been in, but I moved to that place in an instant and looked around me in confusion.

"Whew, that was a lot of work. ......"

"Shea ......"

Shea, who was nearby, was standing tall.

She took one look at me as I called out to her, and then spoke to the demoness who was controlling the strings.

"He's a nuisance after all, isn't he?

"Why didn't you just disable him right then and there?"

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.　You saw how he repelled the light magic with his bare hands?　That's not human skill.

You're right, Usato's moves are not human.

But the bitter look on his face suggests that he is telling the truth.

"You think if you take away his cage hand, he'll be a little upset, but he doesn't react and tries to fight back, doesn't he?　I was so chilled that time. ......!"

The trowel he took from Usato?　Shea's shoulders slumped as she looked at the bracelet-like object she had taken from Usato.

"And then there's Kannagi and Koga, the former corps commander. If we had fought in that situation, we would have lost.

"If you're holding hostages, you have the upper hand in the fight, don't you?　What if they're dead?"

That's a lie.

"Huh?"

......!　Was it a lie ......?

You said you didn't care about Shea. .......

"I'll be in real, real trouble if this body dies. It's going to ruin everything. She was acting like she could afford it, but secretly she was in a big hurry."

"Huh, ......, that's too haphazard, isn't it?"

"I wasn't worried about being killed if I was dealing with a lifeguard who prioritizes human life and a kanagi. The only uncertainty was Koga, but Esta had him under control. That was a big help. That's my best man."

"That's no problem."

Having said all that, Shea stands tall once more.

"I know Usato is a pain in the ass, but considering what we're planning to do, we're destined to be involved no matter what.

"I don't want anything to do with that thing. I've had a really bad experience with him."

"Specifically?"

"....... I don't want to tell you."

Shea's words made Esta hold his forehead, his bloodless face smeared with exhaustion.

Chuckling at him, Shea puts his hand on his cheek.

"Unlike a brave man, he is not bound by his position and can go wherever he feels the need to go. The worst part is that he belongs to the Kingdom of Lingle. ...... that kingdom will not spare Usato's help."

"Can you predict where he'll go next?"

"I can, but ...... uh, this could get messy again. Well, ...... we can talk about this later."

Shea breaks off the conversation and looks down at Aul, who is lying on the floor tied up nearby.

Shea smiles at Esta, who is barely conscious, her eyes vacant and her mouth moving slightly, as if she is satisfied.

"Take her to your room. I'll play with her later.

"You're going to wipe out my mind?"

"Don't be afraid. That doesn't make any sense. Your original mind is still here, and it can be used as a weapon against Usato.

"......"

For a short time, we were companions in the ruins together.

I have no power to stop him when he is about to suffer so badly. .......

I feel a frustration in my body that I have never felt even in the forest where I grew up.

I still have to be with her,...... and I have to be with her,.......

"Well..."

Shea finally turned her attention to me after seeing Esta off with Aul.

Shea stared back at me with fear in her eyes, which were cold and not kind, and for some reason his smile deepened.

"I didn't expect you to come this way ......, but I welcome you. Rune."

I'm not going to help you do anything bad.

That's fine. I just needed a sponsor.

A caretaker?

What do you want me to do?

Shea ignores my question and holds up two fingers.

"There are two rules. The first is that you don't leave this building. Don't even think about running away, okay?　You'll be dead then, won't you?"

"...... What's the second rule?"

She kneeled down on the floor so that she was looking at me.

She brought her face close to my ear and whispered,

"You must not reveal anything about me."

As soon as she said these words, her body became weak and she collapsed against me.

I rushed to catch her in my arms, and she looked up with a soft "no......" in her voice.

"......Ah, what's that?　Why am I here......?"

"...... Shea?"

"What, Roone?　You brought me here?"

Shea had no idea what had just happened, and I couldn't hold back the tears that welled up in my eyes.

It's Shea.

Not cold eyes, but warm and kind.

With my vision blurred by tears, I hugged her.

"Siaaaaah!!!"

"Noooooo!　She is so strong!　What's inside is coming out!

I hugged her as hard as I could.

When I released her arms, she looked around me and at my face alternately in confusion.

"What the hell is going on?　We were in the forest before we fell asleep, weren't we?　I have no idea what's going on!

I finally understood the meaning of the word "caretaker" here.

I am the one who takes care of the bad guy in Shea while he sleeps .......

I can be there for her when she suffers, but I can't do anything about the cause of her suffering.

---I can be there for her, but I can't do anything about what's causing her pain... but I chose that.

There is no turning back now.

I chose to be there for Shea in a selfish way.

---But I'm not the only one trying to help her.

I was only with her for a short time, but I understand.

I know that Usato will come to save her.

"I'll do my best too. ......!!!"

My job is to support and protect her until then.