Until the Substitute Saintess is Loved: The Sister Sent to the Convent as the Villainess Heals Everyone's Hearts with Her Healing Powers - Chapter 23

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Passing through the city gates of the Rolt March—protected by a magical barrier—the carriage entered the town of Rolt.

(It seems quite prosperous.)

This was the rural border territory that Sister Lupina so despised.

Yet the townscape, while not as grand as the royal capital, was lively and beautiful.

The prevalence of stone houses, more so than in the capital, was likely due to the constant threat of monsters. In the capital, many houses had stone first floors but wooden upper stories.

The city walls were also built higher than those of the capital. It seemed another barrier, separate from the magical one on the gates, enveloped the town.

In a world constantly bordering on demonic beasts, such defenses were necessary.

And we were heading out to slay the very source of that threat—the Demon Beast King.

Unconsciously, my body began to tremble, but I gripped my arm to stop it.

The carriage glided smoothly to the castle.

“Lupina.”

This time, I accepted Lord Landrick’s offered hand without hesitation.

“Eh? We won’t be meeting the Margrave?”

I couldn’t help but question the maid of Rolt Margrave’s castle.

Upon arriving at the castle, Lord Landrick, the knights, and I were each shown to guest rooms to freshen up.

A bath had already been prepared, and it was a pleasant surprise, different from the welcome I had imagined.

I had expected to be sent straight to the Demon Forest in the clothes I was wearing.

Perhaps this treatment was only because Lord Landrick, a member of the royal family, was present. It seemed the Rolt Margrave’s anger had not subsided.

His beloved daughter had been insulted by Sister Lupina.

Now that the object of his hatred had arrived, I expected fitting treatment.

Normally, there would be a banquet to honor the long journey and an exchange of information regarding the Demon Beast King.

But if we couldn’t meet the Margrave, that changed things.

“The lord is attending to his daughter, who has fallen ill. You are instructed not to leave your room until further orders.”

‘His daughter, who has fallen ill.’

I didn’t think it was my imagination that particular phrase was emphasized.

Though her wording was polite, the maid’s hostility toward Lupina was palpable.

(Of course…)

The Rolt Margrave had about two sons, but only one daughter—Lady Mimiera.

Being the youngest, she was doted on not only by the Margrave but also by her elder brothers—to the point of spoiling her, I’d heard.

And Sister Lupina had humiliated that precious daughter in front of many nobles.

“Might I be permitted to pay a visit to Lady Mimiera Rolt…?”

The moment I softly suggested it, one of the maids slammed the tray she was holding onto the floor.

“What foolishness are you speaking?! How could we let you—no, you—the one causing Lady’s suffering, see her?!”

“Wait, what are you saying?! Lady Lupina, I deeply apologize for this one’s rudeness. I am terribly sorry.”

The eldest maid forcibly bowed the head of the trembling, angry maid.

“Lady Roberta, why to someone like this—”

“Be quiet!”

The elder maid, called Roberta, dragged the resentful young maid out of the room. The remaining maid silently picked up the tray and also left the room promptly.

That was a careless remark.

If she was unwell, I thought my healing power might help.

But Lady Mimiera’s ailment seemed to be of the heart.

Because I, as Sister Lupina, had come here.

Though I hadn’t removed my veil since leaving the convent, I gripped it tightly.

I must absolutely avoid revealing this face.

This face, identical to Sister Lupina’s, would surely hurt Lady Mimiera’s heart.

——The unprecedented banquet held in the Margrave’s absence was as silent as a funeral.

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We were to depart for the Demon Forest without delay.

Located northwest of the Margrave’s territory, the Demon Forest was two days by carriage from Rolt Margrave’s castle.

As we approached the Demon Forest, the beasts seemed to grow more ferocious.

We encountered them several times along the way, but they posed no obstacle to the Royal Knights’ advance, so progress was generally smooth.

The knights of the Rolt March visible from the carriage window moved with disciplined coordination, showing no suspicious behavior.

(Though Lord Landrick told me never to leave the carriage.)

Lord Landrick was not riding in this carriage now.

The Rolt Margrave had expressed displeasure at me, a criminal, sharing a carriage with Lord Landrick, a royal. Though Lord Landrick showed concern about being separated, he was now riding alongside Lord Forthner, the Margrave’s son.

Beside me were Lady Vetta, a court mage reportedly chosen by Lord Landrick, and Sir Cherid Bottler, the guard knight always at Lord Landrick’s side.

I was acquainted with Sir Bottler, as he had been Lord Landrick’s guard knight even at the convent. And Lady Vetta somewhat resembled Mona. Perhaps it was her smooth black hair. Though her eyes were black, not silver, I felt a sense of familiarity.

Frankly, I was glad I wasn’t sharing the carriage with people from the Rolt March.

The maid who threw the tray wasn’t the only one who particularly hated Sister Lupina.

Lady Mimiera Rolt was a beloved princess in this land—not only by her family but by the people as well. I felt that painfully through everyone’s gazes.

The attitudes of the March knights were forceful, just short of disrespect.

Especially Lord Forthner, Lady Mimiera’s brother, strongly despised Sister Lupina. No wonder Lord Landrick was worried.

Through the window, my eyes met Lord Forthner’s.

He scowled so fiercely I almost expected to hear a click of his tongue, and I gently averted my gaze.

‘No matter what your achievements were in the monster-free capital, here you’ll learn firsthand they’re child’s play.’

The words he spat before departure made even the knights from the capital momentarily tense.

Lord Forthner’s hatred for Sister Lupina seemed to translate directly into distrust of the capital’s knights.

And the border knights seemed to share Lord Forthner’s opinion.

Even though we must cooperate, must we head to the Demon Forest under these circumstances?

(If at least a saintess other than me had come, would the situation be different…?)

Since it was the Rolt Margrave’s summons, there was no right of refusal, but I felt my spirits sink under the atmosphere of conflict even before entering the Demon Forest.

I glanced at guard knight Cherid and court mage Vetta.

Cherid seemed to be silently vigilant of our surroundings, but Vetta was engrossed in a book. Even with a battle against demonic beasts ahead, she seemed remarkably composed.

“Vetta’s always like this; it’s better not to mind her.”

Noticing my gaze, Cherid whispered softly.

“Does she read even during combat?”

“No, she knows better than that. Probably. Yeah, she should be fine.”

I wondered why he sounded slightly unsure.

“You two know each other, then?”

“Yes. I’m always at the royal castle as Lord Landrick’s guard knight, and Vetta is a court mage. We naturally have many chances to meet.”

“Have you gone on subjugation missions together before?”

“A few times. Vetta’s support magic enhances a wide area. It strengthens not only the body but also magical power. It should enhance Lady Lupina’s healing magic too, making it easier to heal than usual.”

“That must be quite rare, isn’t it?”

Mages who can strengthen others’ abilities to that extent are few, even in the capital.

“…Cherid. That’s enough chatter.”

Vetta, who had been silently reading until now, snapped her book shut.

Tension flashed across Cherid’s face.

“They’re coming.”

I started to ask ‘What is?’ but gasped.

A giant black shadow had appeared outside the window.

“A demon bird?”

“Likely. A stray, probably. Not worth us intervening, but Cherid, guard the door.”

“Understood.”

The moment the carriage stopped, Cherid leaped outside and stood before the door.

With an unfamiliar cry, the giant demon bird flew toward us.

A large shadow enveloped the party.

“Lady Lupina. No matter what happens, you must not go outside, alright?”

“Y-yes.”

Urged by Vetta, I nodded.

(But what if someone gets injured?)

I can’t heal from inside the carriage.

The glimpse I caught showed it was very large. Like a black crow, its spread wings seemed larger than a person.

“Not just one, huh?”

Vetta muttered, still glaring out the window.

The carriage shook violently along with the horses’ whinnies. I nearly fell from the seat and was supported by Vetta.

“Pardon me.”

Vetta moved seats and sat beside me.

“The horses seem agitated. I’ll suppress the shaking now.”

Vetta muttered some incantation, and my body was enveloped by something invisible. Simultaneously, I stopped feeling the shaking.

“Cherid! The horses are quite frightened; what’s taking so long?”

“It’s a demon bird, but its movements are odd. But it’s only two. They’ll be dealt with soon.”

Within the visible range from the window, I couldn’t see Lord Landrick.

Lord Forthner swung his sword wide, slicing through the sharp claws of a demon bird diving steeply.

The screeching demon bird flapped its wings powerfully, stirring up a gust.

The knights’ cloaks fluttered, and dust swirled.

(Eh?)

Before I knew it, many demon birds had gathered.

Compared to the first two, these were smaller, like ordinary crows, but their eyes were red.

With noisy cries, the flock of black demon birds began assaulting the knights one after another!

“No good. I won’t let you go.”

As I instinctively tried to go outside, Vetta grabbed my shoulder and stopped me.

“But they’re injured; I must heal them immediately.”

“If you get attacked now, there’ll be no one to heal. Keeping you safe while fighting is easiest if you stay inside this carriage.”

I gritted my teeth.

Certainly, rushing out into this flock wouldn’t end well.

But to only watch while everyone fights…

Through the carriage window, I saw Cherid fighting. A small demon bird dug its claws into his arm. He was dragged down as if falling backward, and another small demon bird dove straight for his face!

I nearly screamed.

“Tch, troublesome.”

Vetta snapped her fingers, and the small demon bird charging at Cherid burst into flames.

It veered off course and crashed right beside Cherid. Then Cherid sliced off the claws of the small demon bird embedded in his arm with his sword and impaled the creature.

“Hey, Vetta! Use a safer spell, would you?!”

“What, better than having your face gouged by claws, no?”

Retorting lightly, Vetta snapped her fingers several times.

Each time, the shrieks of small demon birds echoed around the carriage, and flaming corpses pattered down.

“Lady Lupina. No need to tremble so. We haven’t brought anyone who’d sustain serious injury from this level of threat.”

Only then did I notice my body was shaking.

Even if not seriously wounded, everyone must be injured.

Cherid returned to the front lines immediately, but blood seeped from his arm where the small demon bird had clawed him.

(If it were Sister Lupina, could she have healed them even from inside the carriage?)

I can’t heal unless I touch the person’s body.

(Please, let it end soon…)

All I could do was pray.