'Lord Shanatrice said that we should apply the healing rituals for as long as we can, so Lili and I, who are very good at healing rituals, will take on that role.
'What?　But I'm sure the two of you are tired too, and--
It's fine. It's not only because of today's great success, but also because I and others like me are in the care of my sister on a daily basis.

　Lili puts her hand on her chest.

'I don't mind, either, okay?　It's thanks to Kurohiko-dono that the lives of many members of the Order were saved. Rather, I would rather be allowed to do this much.

　Lili-san seems to agree with Diares-san's proposal.
　But the two of them must be tired, and I feel bad about it....
　When I was hesitating, Currier-san said.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the two of you are willing to do this, so why don't you stay the night?　Considering the condition of my left arm, it would be best not to force it to move, at least tonight. Oh, I'll let Cecily and Ira know from me. And the headmaster might tell them - if I have a chance to see them before tomorrow morning, I'll tell Mia Posta about Kurohiko, just in case. So you can stay the night in peace.

　Currier-san told me that, which was the deciding factor, and I decided to stay in the medical room at the Great Sacred Place that day.




　When I woke up in the morning, Diares-san and Lili-san were not there.
　It seems that I had fallen asleep as I was listening to the problems that the Sacred Tree Knights were currently facing from Diares-san.
　While I was awake last night, I had been talking with the two people who were giving me the healing ceremony all the time to pass the time.
　I had the impression that Ms. Dearles was used to conversation, and the topics of conversation were wide ranging, and the conversation never once ceased.
　Perhaps it's because she's used to listening in and her skill at making me talk to her as much as possible.

　But the topic that left a particular impression on me was the current Holy Tree Order.
　I also talked with Lili, who was replaced during the course of the conversation, and she was concerned about the same problems with the Knights of the Sacred Tree as Diales.
　The lack of manpower was serious, but what was more serious was that the strength of the enemies they had fought recently was at a level that the current Knights' members couldn't stand up to.

　In the Knights, first of all, the strength of the leader of the Order, Sogut Sigismus, was overwhelmingly outstanding compared to the others.
　According to Diares-san's analysis, the two of them, himself and Vanstos Troia, who were in the second place below him, would somehow be able to cross over to the Last No. 8 Funeral Blade the other day.
　The Holy Tree Knights had too much of a gap in strength between the top three and their lower-ranked counterparts.
　In addition, he said regretfully that he had lost his old friend David Hamonis, who had brought out the skillful coordination of the members of the group with precise instructions, in the battle against the four evil plagues.

''That's why I'm looking forward to seeing Kurohiko, Currier and Cecily graduate from the school. Of course, I'm also looking to raise the bottom line for the current group members. Well, I've heard that Drystos Quirsinha and Beoza Fallontessa will be joining the group next year, and Koudelka Ferraris the following year. So, they alone will be enough to increase our strength.......However, as an objective analysis, the presence of Kurohiko and Currier, who defeated the Four Deadly Disasters, is still significant.''

　From my point of view, your presence is especially nice, said Mr. Dearles, smiling at me expectantly.
　I like you, Mr. Dearles, and I feel like I want to live up to your expectations.
　Becoming a holy warrior is one of the goals I have to do in this world.
　Once I've dealt with Hibigami, I'll be able to think positively about it.
　But aside from Cecily, who originally wanted to become a holy warrior, what about Currier-san?
　In fact, I haven't heard any specifics about what she's going to do after graduation.
　If I could, I'd like to stay by her side forever, but...

Blackbird!

　Just then, a girl burst into the room.

'Miss Isla,'
'Currier told me about it!　An enemy as strong as the Four Deadly Disasters appeared, but thanks to Kurohiko's efforts, they managed to drive him back--oh.

　Ira's agitated gaze falls on my left arm as I'm propped up on the bed.
　I beat her to it and softened my expression in an attempt to ease her anxiety.

'Don't worry about this arm, it's fine. It might take a little while for it to heal properly, though.''

　Although through the bandages - whether it was the result of last night's healing ceremony or the benefit of my resilience as a forbidden host - the pain was surprisingly less than the day before.
　I won't know until it heals again, but unlike the left eye I lost in the Battle of Beshgam, I have a sense that it has somehow begun to regenerate.
　If it wasn't for the extraordinary resilience of this forbidden host, I honestly think I would have been in a body that couldn't fight anymore.
　Even though side effects exist, I have a lot to be thankful for the forbidden curse that gives me all sorts of powers.

　I tried to get out of bed.
　Now, how is the body that was wobbling yesterday--

I'm sorry, Miss Isla.

　I wobbled on my feet, and Ira stopped me before I fell to the floor.

'Duh, are you okay?　Blackbeard?
I don't think she can walk with ease just yet, though I'm sure she's in better shape than she was yesterday.

　Even so, I'm grateful that I have almost no pain running through my body anymore, except for my left arm when I move.
　And besides, I'm happy to report that I'm not the only one.

But tomorrow's third game I'll be able to watch it as promised.

　He hugged me tightly.

'Isla, Mr....?'
I wasn't worried about that at all, okay?

　I can't see his expression due to his position, but his voice is gentle.

"I believed that Kurohiko would not lose to any opponent. That's why I focused on my own battle and fought - nope, I could fight.
The results of the second round, Miss Currier told me. You did it, Ira. Congratulations.
'No, I think they've won so far. Me and Kurohiko.

　I think it's a result of Ira-san's hard work, but I guess we should agree here.

'Yes, well I'm just happy to win the second game, of course--'
You're not out of it yet, are you?
''Well it goes without saying. I can use the wheelchair there to move, so why don't we go over tomorrow's matchup list together later?
Yeah.
..........

　It's a time like this, but even through the clothes, a girl's body is so soft.
　I feel like a different creature.
　What a thought, I was about to break the embrace - but Ira-san hugged me tightly again.

Hmm....um, Ira?　What's going on?

　I still can't make out her expression because Ira's prone face is at her neck.

'Good.'

　Something that had been taut from her body felt like it had melted away.
　It was hard and strong, but now it felt like it had relaxed.

I believed in you, right?　But to come back--

　Ira sniffed with a small, swooshing sniff.

'I'm so glad.'