Hell Mode: Volume 11, page 29
“I’m not sure, but I’ve gotta try! Healing Rain!”
He raised his hands toward the heavens. Beneath the darkening sky, a warm orange glow gathered atop them and scattered like rain over the people around him.
“Huh? Dad?” the girl in her father’s arms muttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
“Y-Your leg...” murmured the woman who had brought over the man with the missing leg. His breathing was stabilizing, and his leg had slowly started to regrow.
“Wh-What the...” a man gasped. “M-My arm’s growing back too!”
Cries of joy and delight filled the area, but Dorothy paled.
“H-How?” she muttered. “Healing Rain only closes wounds and stops bleeding...”
However, the villagers did not hear her. They were too busy celebrating, gathering around Helmios to thank him.
“Thank you, little Saintess!” a villager cried.
“I’m a boy...” Helmios replied.
“You created a miracle here. We ought to thank you,” another villager said.
“But how?” a third asked. “We can’t give him any money.”
“Saintess—I mean, Boy of Miracles! Is there anything we can do in return?”
Helmios thought for a moment. “Then can you save this woman and her child here?”
He turned to the family that had been attacked by goblins earlier. The villagers widened their eyes and turned to the woman, then roared with laughter.
“Of course! That’s nothin’!” the burly man shouted as he let his now-healed daughter down from his arms. “This village is chock-full of people who lost family members when their homes were attacked by monsters. Everyone fled here and formed a little community. Looking after each other comes with the territory, so it’s no trouble at all!”
“I see...” Helmios said, his expression having darkened after hearing of the atrocities. “Well, that’s a relief.”
He felt just as powerless as he had several minutes earlier, when he had been told that he could not chase after the kidnapped father. Is there anything I can do? Can I fight goblins like I did last year when I went to pick medicinal herbs for mom? But I don’t even know where they are. Glancing over at his friends, he noticed a troubled Dorothy, along with Gatsun and Ena celebrating alongside the joyful villagers. Dragging them into this mess was something he could not do.
There must be something I can do. Lord Elmea told me in my dream that I was given a Talent that could very well save the world, so doesn’t that include people like them too? Then that has to mean I can do something other than heal wounds. But what? Helmios racked his brain, searching for a solution.
“Boy of Miracles, you didn’t come here just to save us, did you?” the burly man asked. “What are you really here for?”
“Um...” Helmios started, unsure of how to respond.
“He has some business with the village chief,” a familiar voice called out. Helmios turned toward the voice and spotted the sentry he had met outside the village standing there.
“Fair enough. They’re from the Talent School, after all,” a villager said.
The burly man nodded as well. “Then we can guide you there. We should think about how we can thank this kid before he leaves. And Jo, head on home.”
The girl who had been limp in his father’s arms now energetically smiled and nodded while the burly man walked ahead.
“Hey, didn’t we promise to be back home before the sun sets?” Dorothy asked quickly.
“We still have time,” Helmios replied as he chased after the man.
Dorothy and the others followed Helmios. They walked down a narrow alley and turned a corner, stopping in front of a particularly large building. It was clearly far sturdier than the rest of the hovels in the village, and behind it, one could see the outer walls of Howlden City. Helmios could even hear the sound of water, leading him to assume that the village had been built near or possibly around the drainage channel coming from the city.
Two men with shortswords stood guard outside the building. The burly man spoke with them, and they nodded and turned to Helmios and his friends. The burly man then beckoned the kids over.
“You’ll get to meet the village chief soon,” he told them. “Kid, thanks for saving my daughter. I promise I’ll repay your kindness—don’t you forget it.”
He left, and one of the men standing guard opened a door to the building, encouraging Helmios and the others to head inside. Within the building was a spacious hallway lined with candles, giving it a warm but dim light. Moreover, Helmios noticed that unlike the dirt floors present in all the other buildings, this one had a wood floor. While the kids were busy being surprised by the interior, the man who had guided them in knocked on the door at the back of the hall.
“Kids from the Talent School are here to see you, sir,” he called.
“Let them in,” replied a voice beyond the door.
The man opened the door and ushered the kids inside. When they walked through the door and saw the village chief, they gasped in astonishment.
“Principal Muhato?!” they all cried in unison.
A man who was the spitting image of the Talent School principal sat within the dark room, illuminated by candles as he gazed at the children.
“Ha ha ha!” the man laughed. “I don’t blame you. I’m Gahato, Muhato’s older twin brother.”
The village chief chuckled again, and the man behind the awestruck kids spoke up.
“Ahim guided them over, and he mentioned that they healed the villagers with miraculous spells. Did you not ask your brother to send them?”
“Ah, well, why don’t we leave it at that,” Gahato replied. “Please tell the villagers as much.”
The village chief then encouraged Helmios and the other children to step forward, toward the center of the room.
“So? What’s the real reason you came here?” he asked softly. “Surely you didn’t actually come here at Muhato’s behest.”
“No, um, we want to learn more about this village,” Helmios replied.
“You said you’re the principal’s older brother, right, sir?” Gatsun asked. “Why are you the chief here?”
Gahato gave a wry smile. “My brother and I used to work in the imperial capital—we were both officials. We then became instructors at the Academy, though we were in completely different departments and Academies. We just so happened to change jobs and retire at around the same time, and we both ultimately returned to our hometown as well. But things changed when we did. The war against the Demon Lord Army had already begun, and those with Talents were dispatched to the war zone in the north. As a result, two problems occurred. First are the Talent hunters who kidnap kids, and second is this very outskirts village.”
“I’ve run into a Talent hunter before,” Helmios said. “Why do they do something so horrible?”
“As I just mentioned, those with Talents are sent to the northern front to fight in the war. But not everyone is blessed with a Talent, and we cannot control where people with Talents are born. Nobles across the land are terrified by this. If there is a year where a child with a Talent isn’t born in their land, they will be unable to offer new soldiers to the empire as a show of their loyalty. The war against the Demon Lord Army seemingly has no end, and should a lord be unable to supply the empire with a Talented child in a given year, they will be deemed unsuitable to rule a fief. In the worst case, they will be stripped of their title, and so they sometimes hire ruffians to kidnap kids who have undergone an Appraisal Ceremony and are confirmed to have a Talent. That way, kids with Talents can be consistently offered to the empire.”
“That’s...horrible.”
“I agree. A Talent is a gift given by Lord Elmea, and we humans have no control over it. Even so, we’re blinded by greed and the future right in front of our eyes. Some get overwhelmed with panic and act foolishly. People wishing to protect these kids built a Talent School, and Muhato begged to become the principal of that institution.”
“I had no idea... Then was it your idea to build this outskirts village, Chief Gahato?”
“That’s right. Those with Talents being sent to the battlefield in the north has left villages and small towns with no one strong enough to protect them from monsters. Many had to abandon their homes and gather in Howlden City. And now, the streets are flooded with immigrants. Because the city has a Talent School to raise kids like you, fewer people are allowed to live within the city. The locals began to complain about the influx of people, which led to the ousting—I’m sorry, that’s a difficult word, isn’t it? It led to immigrants being chased away. People from outside the city are no longer welcome.”
“But then...the people were chased out of their villages and fled for their lives, only to be kicked out of the city too?”
“Indeed. And it’s those without Talents who are first on the chopping block. This isn’t happening in just Howlden either. People are being chased out of every city. But they can’t simply be left for dead. They are thus welcomed into outskirts villages, where outsiders are unofficially allowed to stay near the city. The lord of the land himself personally lowered his head and asked me to become the chief of this village.”
“But then why... Just today, a person was apparently attacked and kidnapped by goblins.”
A tear glimmered in the corner of Gahato’s eye, prompting Helmios to fall silent. “I’m sorry. Without the Talent School, we can’t protect kids like you, and this empire would eventually fall to the Demon Lord Army. In other words, we can’t have soldiers with Talents standing guard, protecting the people of this village, who were chased out of the city and their homes, from the clutches of monsters.”
Helmios did not know what to say. He merely stood there, dumbfounded, and Gahato flashed a soft smile.
“It’s gotten dark,” he said. “You should head back to the city. Give Muhato my regards.”
“Um, Chief Gahato? May I come here again?” Helmios inquired.
“Why?” Gahato asked in response, a perplexed look on his face. “Do you have business with this village?”
“There has to be something I can do.”
The village chief smiled once more. “I see. Then you must study hard under Muhato and learn more about this world. One day, perhaps you can bring back the hope that we abandoned long ago.”
Helmios nodded. That day, he learned that he wished to save those who were powerless, downtrodden, and oppressed by society from the hellish world they lived in.
Bonus Story: Pelomas the Merchant’s Wedding Venue
Three days had passed since Pelomas had risked his life to give Fiona a Tear of the Holy Fish Macris and successfully proposed to her. The two sat next to each, across a table from Allen. Sandwiching the happy couple was each of their parents, Deboji and Chester, while Allen sat between Cecil and Shia.
The seven of them had gathered in the meeting room in Count Granvelle’s manor. Pelomas and Fiona wanted to consult the count regarding their wedding, and Cecil and Allen were acting as the middlemen. Now that Pelomas and Fiona were engaged, they had quickly moved on to wedding preparations. They were trying to select a suitable venue, but they were torn between Krena Village, Pelomas’s hometown, and a hotel in Granvelle City that was owned by Fiona’s father, Chester. They could not choose.
It was then that Allen had appeared for some inexplicable reason and stated that a person could get help with their wedding from the lord’s manor or the Church of Elmea if they were in a position of power or had made great contributions to the land. He had suggested that they ask the count if they could use the church in the Granvelle fief as their venue, and the couple had decided to go along with that for the time being.
The other members of the No-life Gamers refused to stick their nose in Pelomas’s business, and they had all gone their separate ways, returning to their homes to rest for a while. Only Shia had stepped forward and asked to tag along. With the help of Allen’s Bird A, Shia could easily head to her home country of Albahal, which lay beyond the ocean, but the Summoner did not feel right asking why the Beast Princess wished to stay in Granvelle.
“Hey!” Cecil snapped from beside Allen. “Stop showing that off already! My gosh!”
She glared angrily at Fiona, who sat in front of her. Meanwhile, Pelomas’s fiancée grinned as she showed off the Tear of Macris in her hand, gloating to Cecil.
“My word. ‘Showing off,’ you say?” Fiona replied. “Cecil, you received a Holy Orb from Master Allen, did you not? Though I suppose he gave it to you as a friend, so I can see why you’re so jealous.”
“What?! J-Jealous?! Me?!”
Hoping to be kept out of the pair’s exchange, Allen raised the cup in front of him and downed the rest of his now-cold cup of tea. Then, to switch topics, he spoke to Deboji, who sat beside Pelomas.
“The count seems very busy today. Would you like to visit him another day?”
“Th-That sounds like the best course of action,” Deboji replied nervously.
A manservant of House Granvelle arrived with a teapot in hand. He had been Allen’s senior when the Summoner had been a servant himself. Allen was deeply indebted to him.
“Would you like seconds?” the servant offered.
“Y-Yes please. Thank you,” Allen replied gingerly. As he was poured a second cup of tea, Cecil turned to Fiona.
“I’m sorry. And after you came all this way,” she said. “Ever since father was made a count, he’s been very busy. The wedding isn’t for quite a while, so could you visit us another day?”
Count Granvelle had been bestowed with his title earlier in the year, and he had immediately begun working within the Ratashian royal castle, away from his fief. It was now December, and he had been allowed to temporarily return home, but not so that he could rest. This was his first New Year’s as a count, and he had to greet the nobles around him. Yesterday, he had visited the Elmean church within his city’s capital, and today, he had left early in the morning for the Adventurer’s Guild. He was so busy visiting those who supported him that he hardly had enough time to even take a short breather.
Fiona huffed angrily. “Then that’s all the more reason to stay. Our only chance to meet the count is now, when he’s back in his city. Ah, Cecil, do you perhaps not want us to have a wedding?”
“Why in the world would I want that?!” Cecil snapped. “Are you sure you’re not just here to show off, Fiona?”
“Astonishing! How did you know? I thought I’d show you what true happiness is. This seemed like the most perfect of opportunities.”
One could practically see sparks fly as Cecil and Fiona glared daggers at each other. Thankfully, there was a knock on the door. Everyone turned toward it as the head butler, Sebas, entered, followed by Count Granvelle. Allen and the others stood up to greet him.
“The Adventurer’s Guild wouldn’t let me return so easily...” the count muttered.
“Oh, please don’t be so bothered,” Chester swiftly replied. “I’m honored that you’re taking the time out of your busy day to meet with us.”
The count sat beside his daughter, Cecil, and everyone else in the room sat back down.
“Ah yes, you’re here about Pelomas and Fiona’s wedding venue, aren’t you?” the count asked.
“Correct, my lord,” Pelomas replied. “It’s still a long way off, but for our wedding, I’d like to invite my family and friends, my coworkers, and Fiona’s relatives as well. I’d also like to invite my future father-in-law’s clients to this joyous occasion.”
Pelomas boldly spoke his mind to the count, and Allen was happy to see how reliable the merchant had become.
“We’d like the venue to be located in the city since it has such a convenient transportation system, but we cannot decide from there,” Pelomas continued. “My father-in-law’s hotel seems like a suitable location, but we also kicked around the idea of using the Church of Elmea. If you don’t mind, my lord, we’re here to ask for your advice, as well as to possibly make a request.”
A wedding required that invitations were sent out and the guests’ replies recorded. It was a laborious process that would take several months, or perhaps more than a year in some cases. Naturally, a venue had to be chosen before the invitations were sent. Count Granvelle was certainly aware of that, and Allen had expected him to quickly nod his head in agreement, but he fell silent for a while instead. The Summoner watched him quizzically, and as Shia’s demeanor turned stern, the count broke his silence.
“About that... I cannot quite give you the answer you seek,” he muttered.
“Father?!” Cecil shouted, her face red. “You don’t have to be so mean to my friends!”
Count Granvelle let out a deep sigh. “Don’t misunderstand what I said. I’m more than happy to lend a hand for their wedding, be it lending my manor or asking the Church of Elmea. I’ll do what I can. But I’ve got some news. Don’t be alarmed when you hear it.”
“Wh-What news?” Pelomas asked nervously as he watched the count.
“Pelomas, Fiona, I’ve received many gracious suggestions that your wedding be held in the Ratashian royal castle,” the count replied, looking equally anxious. “His Majesty and his wife, along with the rest of the royal family, and many nobles and ministers would like to attend as well.”
“The...royal castle?” Fiona asked. “The king and the royal family? That seems like a very sudden request.”
“Count Granvelle, when you were called to the royal castle, did you mention Pelomas, making his wedding the talk of the castle?” Allen asked. “A child of the village chief within the kingdom got his hands on a Tear of the Holy Fish Macris!”
“If you’re asking if I boasted about Pelomas to the royal family, I did no such thing,” the count replied. “You made so many grand preparations for your friend that everyone knows that he not only obtained a Tear of the Holy Fish Macris, but also that his proposal was a great success, with Empress Rapsonil personally in attendance for the event. Everyone in the royal castle knows that, and of course, the king does as well. And before Empress Rapsonil is allowed to join the Five Continent Alliance conference next year, the king wishes to meet her. Hence, many officials have suggested hosting the wedding at the castle.”
