Chapter 31

When the party wasn't on a mission, visiting the refugees had become a habit for Rena. Sometimes she would bring Elius, and other times she would go alone if he had something to do.

That day, she went alone, helping the refugees and treating the sick and injured.

"Thank you, Holy Maiden."

"It's fine."

By now, everyone knew that her skills were those of a Holy Maiden. A few months ago, when an adventurer had mocked Elius, she had blurted out:

"Elius is a person I, who possesses the Holy Maiden skill, have recognized! I won't tolerate any insults!"

The rumor spread quickly, and she was even invited by the kingdom's army, but Elius had declined on her behalf. She regretted causing him trouble again due to her foolish behavior, but it was too late.

After treating the injured, she was about to head back to the inn when a man approached her. He was a face she didn't recognize here.

"Hello, Holy Maiden. I'm a new arrival here. I have something I'd like to give you."

"To me...? What is it?"

"Here it is..."

The man handed her a thin, black glove.

"This...?"

"It's a holy relic passed down in my village. It's said to enhance the power of healing magic. I managed to save it when the village was attacked by monsters."

Holy relics are special magical items believed to have been left behind by gods or sages. Due to their rarity, their value is immeasurable.

"Oh... such a valuable item, I can't accept it."

"No, if I keep it, it will just be a waste... and if I sell it, I don't know if it will end up with someone who will use it well. I want to give it to someone who can truly help people!"

Moved by the man's earnest plea,

"If you insist..."

Rena took the glove. Despite being passed down for generations, it was in pristine condition.

"However..."

"..."

The man hesitated and then said apologetically,

"There is one more thing about this glove. It's said that while it's fine to use normally, if you use magic beyond your limits, you will have to offer your future."

"Offer my future...?"

"Yes, I don't understand the meaning of it either..."

It was a rather unsettling legend. Having accepted it, she felt it would be rude to return it, but she didn't feel like using it much.

---

"Help! Someone, please help!"

Holding the glove she had just received, Rena was drawn to the urgent cry. When she reached the source of the voice, she saw a gruesome scene. From the situation, she deduced that a child had been run over by a carriage. The child's leg was nearly severed, and blood was pouring from their mouth.

"Please, Holy Maiden, help my child!"

Seeing the desperate mother, Rena, based on her experience, knew...

(This can't be saved.)

Her healing magic wasn't powerful enough to heal this. The best she could do was to ease the child's pain.

Sitting beside the child, she noticed the glove in her hand. Almost reflexively, she put it on, but she remembered the man's warning.

(I mustn't exceed my limits.)

Rena was already capable of using advanced healing magic. The only thing that could surpass that was divine-level healing magic.

She knew the incantation, but...

(I can't. I have... a mission. To guide Elius to defeat the Demon King.)

She would not exceed her limits. Chanting the advanced healing magic, she directed the light at the child...

The wounds closed rapidly. She had used advanced healing magic many times before, but the effect was clearly stronger.

The child's breathing stabilized quickly. The nearly severed leg reconnected, and all external injuries disappeared.

"This should be fine... I think."

"Ah, Holy Maiden! Thank you so much!"

While listening to the mother's gratitude, Rena's mind was on the glove she had just put on.

---

"Was there someone like that?"

"You don't know him... I'm sorry for taking your time."

"No, it's fine, Holy Maiden. You've been so kind to us. I'm the one who should apologize for not being able to help."

Rena tried to find the man by asking around, but no one seemed to know him. He must have left after giving her the glove.

In any case, the time was right. She had significantly improved her skills, and by chance, she had obtained a tool that would enhance them even more.

"Elius, I need to talk to you."

Late at night, Rena visited Elius's room. She had some reservations about visiting a man's room at night, but she couldn't risk being overheard by others. Fortunately, he was still awake despite the late hour.

It was a difficult thing to say, but she had to be clear.

"My skills have been significantly honed. I don't think we need Elaine anymore."

When Rena spoke, Elius was silent. Without waiting for his response, she continued.

"Listen, Elius. The battles will only get more intense. You and I, who can fight, are one thing, but Elaine, who can't fight properly, will surely die if she faces the Demon King. It would be kinder to let her go now."

Elius should understand this logic. However, he was kind. Rena had noticed this. Elius treated everyone fairly, but he was particularly concerned about Elaine, even if he tried not to show it.

She also felt a twinge of jealousy, but this proposal wasn't driven by jealousy. She tried to convince herself as she continued.

"Let's dismiss Elaine. If you tell her clearly, I will follow up with cold words to prevent her from having any lingering attachments."

She had been keeping her distance from Elaine and treating her coldly for this very reason. If Elius still didn't agree after this, there was nothing she could do. She would leave it to his judgment as the leader. As she waited for his response...

"Alright, Rena. You're right. I'll tell Elaine tomorrow. So... you should get some rest."

"Okay. Elius."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

She thanked him and left the room.

---

The next morning, she also asked Faran for his cooperation in dismissing Elaine. She knew she was asking him to do something harsh, despite his gruff exterior, he was a kind person.

At first, Faran was reluctant, but he eventually agreed.

"Yeah... She's been helpful, but we can't let her keep relying on us and risk her life."

When everyone gathered at Elius's call...

"Elaine, I'm sorry, but you need to leave... You are being dismissed."

With those words, it began. Rena was even colder to Elaine than before, and Faran followed suit. She thought it would end there, but something unexpected happened.

Elius suggested giving Elaine a parting gift.

Rena didn't think it was a good idea. If he was too kind, Elaine might develop lingering attachments to the party.

"If you're going to give her a parting gift, it would be better to donate it to the church..."

Elius stopped her with a hand and said,

"We are an S-rank party. Even if she wasn't very useful, it wouldn't look good to send a former companion away with nothing... But maybe that doesn't matter... You're right, Rena..."

"Wait, wait... Yes, you're right. If we don't give her any help, even if it's just temporary, it would go against the will of the gods."

Rena always tried to behave in a way that befit a Holy Maiden. She didn't particularly care about her own reputation, but if she acted strangely, it would damage the party's, and by extension, Elius's reputation.

She had to prevent any rumors from spreading. However, if Elius gave her something too valuable and Elaine developed lingering attachments...

Elius gave her a low-grade healing potion. That should be fine.

"That's just a low-grade healing potion. Elius, you're so mean. But maybe it suits Elaine?"

It didn't feel good to say, but it was for her own good.

Faran looked at her with a bewildered expression, and Rena forced a smile.

---

After Elaine left, Rena visited Faran's room.

"Faran, did I handle it well?"

"Yeah, Rena. You didn't act like a Holy Maiden at all. But... you did your best."

Hearing his unusually honest words, she cried on his shoulder for a while.

---

She never expected this to happen.

A few months later, Rena heard about Elaine's success.