(Easy treatment... What is this person talking about? Touching and treating... I've never heard of such a thing. But...)

Sylvia's thoughts were dulled by excruciating pain and blood loss, and she desperately tried to comprehend the situation.

As he said, if she can get treatment, that would be fortunate. But is it really possible to find a skilled healer in such a remote place?

However, his ability to accurately identify the wounds as if he had seen inside his own body during that brief examination is a feat that only a top-tier healer could achieve.

Moreover, the man in front of her is proposing treatment with a straight and dignified attitude, even though she is on the brink of death without any hint of panic.

His calm demeanor strangely eased her anxiety.

(Even if he was a healer... these wounds are beyond what ordinary recovery magic can handle. Even if he could heal me, it would take several days to recover, and there would definitely be aftereffects. That is... more painful than dying as an adventurer... but.)

The harsh reality of being an adventurer crosses Sylvia's mind.

Her arm might not move properly again. Her legs might not be able to move as they should. If that happens, she won't be able to be an adventurer anymore. This was what she dreaded the most.

For Sylvia, the thought of no longer being able to be an adventurer was a more unbearable humiliation and despair than death itself. If it meant being saved only halfway and living with wounds and helplessness that would never heal for the rest of her life…

Moreover, the phrase "touching the body" also caught her attention. As far as Sylvia knows, there is no need to touch the body when using healing magic.

Healing magic is fundamentally cast from a distance. Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult for a healer to treat their allies' wounds during battle.

As a resistance born in her heart, the feeling of wanting to die just like this.

Within Sylvia, the calm judgment of an adventurer and the final instinct for survival in the face of death fiercely clash.

There is no guarantee that this man is a genuine healer. However, if she does nothing, she will surely die. And if by any chance he truly has the power to save her—

Sylvia suppressed the faint feeling of resistance that had just arisen.

"Please... treat me."

At Sylvia's hoarse voice, Christophe nodded quietly.

"...Understood. I will definitely restore it to its original state."

Christophe smiled, as if sensing even Sylvia's unease.

In his eyes, there was an unwavering determination to do everything in his power to save the life before him as a healer. After seeing this, Sylvia decided to entrust her life and her future as an adventurer to this unknown man.

The man slowly touched Sylvia's chest.

Until now, Sylvia had never been touched by someone of the opposite sex, and while she was slightly surprised by the sensation, she silently accepted it.

Sylvia involuntarily holds her breath at the tension of the treatment about to begin.

The doubts about whether the treatment can be done have not completely disappeared. However, there is no turning back now.

Christophe said nothing and simply placed his right palm gently over Sylvia's wound. As he touched it, a slight pain coursed through her.

When Sylvia stared intently at his face, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The air around him trembled ever so slightly.

In the next moment, a gentle warmth flowed from Christophe's palm into Sylvia's body. It felt different from any healing magic she had received before.

(...Huh?)

At first, Sylvia didn't understand what she had done, but she quickly grasped the situation.

The excruciating pain that had been tormenting Sylvia's body was fading away.

The bleeding stopped, and the torn wound swelled from the inside, closing up rapidly, which she could feel herself. The broken bone in her arm creaked as it returned to its proper position.

The sensation in her battered feet gradually starts to return.

At that change, Sylvia couldn't hide her surprise.

(This is a lie... such... such healing magic... a healer... impossible...!)

Sylvia could only feel the miracle happening in her body, her eyes wide open in astonishment.

―Is this the power of the man in front of me? Isn't he just a humble village healer?

In the direction of her gaze, Christophe continued his treatment quietly.

And in just a few minutes, her body had returned to normal.

Not only were the wounds closing, but the lost blood was being replenished, the broken bones were reconnecting, and the impaired functions were being restored.

(...What on earth is his healing magic? Not only can he heal so quickly, but he doesn't even seem out of breath after using such a large amount of recovery magic... How much magical power does he have...! I have never heard of or seen anything like this... W-Why is such a skilled healer in a place like this...)

It was something that could no longer be described as merely "treatment."

"For now, this completes the treatment. How does your body feel? Is there any pain left?"

"Y-yes..."

(Ah... my body feels light. It doesn't hurt...! I'm... still alive...)

Sylvia was enveloped in a feeling as if she had been reborn.

She couldn't help but shed tears of joy, and it was then that she tried to express her gratitude to him, who introduced himself as Christophe.

"Ah..."

Her body tilted slightly. Even though the wound had completely healed, her consciousness was rapidly fading.

"...You must have been tired. You should take a good rest now."

Christophe caught Sylvia's body.

Sylvia found herself nestled against his chest, and a sense of shame began to arise.

However, due to fatigue, her eyes slowly began to close.

"Thank you..."

Even so, as her consciousness began to fade, she expressed her deep gratitude to him, and Christophe smiled warmly.

Chapter 3