Chapter 328
Chapter 328: Thoughts and Tricks
“…Cough, …Cough.”
Well, here I am, the Hero Alexander, back at the inn, but I can’t stop coughing.
“Are you okay…?”
It’s tough lying down, so I’m sitting on the bed, and Leila is worryingly rubbing my back.
“I’m fine. I won’t die.”
Yeah, it’s not serious, just feels like my lungs are stuffed with a clump of dust, making it really hard to breathe and I get winded easily.
‘In a real pinch, this won’t help in a fight…’
But no problem, I can just use the Teleportation Spell…
“I wish I could use a healing miracle,” Leila said, sounding down while rubbing my back.
With her possessing light magic, she indeed has the potential to handle healing miracles.
The problem is that the White Dragon doesn’t really… believe in the light gods. The dragon race, due to their high biological resilience, seems to lack the notion of worship.
While Forest Elves and humans believe, “We have thrived under the favor of the gods,” the dragon race thinks, “The gods created us in this land. The rest? We live as we please!”
Basically, prayers and miracles are an accumulation of faith in the gods and intergenerational myths. What Liliana used, the “Myth Reenactment,” is the pinnacle of this, while the miracles handled by the Holy Church priests could be seen as much smaller-scale versions.
‘In short, it’s a downgraded version.’
Don’t call it a downgrade! It’s just more flexible! Anyway, even someone like Leila, with stronger light magic than humans, finds it tough to master healing miracles due to the whole lack of belief and myths.
Above all, there’s no one to teach her.
‘You can’t use it either, can you?’
In my past life, I had fire magic, and I wasn’t particularly religious either… Humans can, after soaking in light magic while training, sometimes develop light attributes, but heroes get thrown into the frontlines without that training, so I have no practical knowledge.
If only I had been able to spend more time with a lucid Liliana, I might’ve learned the Forest Elf-style miracles. I’ve heard that if you have a sharp perception of magic and a knack for manipulating it, it’s easier to learn than the human style.
Leila, being a strong magic user (compared to humans), might have a chance…
“Alex. I have an idea!”
Leila looked at me with determination.
“Please transfer that lung disease to me with the Teleportation Spell!”
Cough! “N-no, that’s not—!”
“It’s fine! I’ll heal it with self-enhancement magic!”
She clenched her fists, invigorated.
Ah, right, just like when we fought Faravgi, the White Dragon had self-enhancement magic. It should boost her healing abilities.
“But can you even use it while in human form?”
“I can… probably.”
“Hmm… Cough.”
If it’s possible… that’s a very practical choice. But as a person, as a man, I can’t help but feel resistance…!
“Alex. I want to help you…”
She grips my hand, looking sincerely at me. Her words are right, I know that.
‘Oh wow!’
And you’re enjoying this person’s suffering, aren’t you!?
“…Alright. Thank you, Leila.”
“Yes!”
I entwined Leila, who was smiling happily, with dark magic—
“[Teleportation]”
—And suddenly, my chest felt lighter. Is this what it’s like to have healthy lungs, free from disease…!?
“Hmm.”
In contrast, Leila frowned. I get it, I completely understand. That must be hard for her…
“Well then… huff. Let’s give this a try.”
Suppressing her cough, Leila stepped back from me. In the corner of the room, her magic activated, and her golden eyes sparkled with a rainbow glow.
“[Let all behold the incarnation of light]”
Leila was enveloped in a sunlight-like radiance. Thank goodness I closed the shutters.
Ah—what a nostalgic light. Faravgi was unbelievably strong…
“Ugh… uuuuhh…!!”
But suddenly something unusual happened, and Leila, shimmering in light, started trembling and charged toward me.
“Leila!?”
What’s wrong!?
“Phew! Phew! Alex…! Alex…!!”
She breathlessly lunged at me, pushing me down on the bed, and ended up right on top of me.
Oh no, her eyes look unhinged.
Oh no, this… is she going out of control…?
‘It’s self-enhancement magic that charms yourself, ho-ho!’
Looks like you’re having fun with this suffering, Antendeixis…
“Alex… mm, phew, uuhh…!”
Leila pushed her face closer to mine, and I—
“[Forbidden to Rampage]”
I tapped her forehead lightly, and the strange rainbow glow vanished from her eyes.
“…Huh!?”
“Are you alright, Leila?”
“Ah… ahh! I’m sorry… that…!!”
Leila, flushed red, quickly jumped off me. Thank goodness—she regained her sanity in an instant.
‘Hah—what a jerk you are!! Ha—!!’
Shut up! Don’t scream inside me!!
“So, how about it? Is it all healed?”
“Y-yes! Perfect!”
Leila blushed, but she tightened her fist and showed me.
A somewhat forced smile.
I gently touched the strap around Leila’s neck.
‘—I really feel like I’m about to cough, though—’
…Looks like it didn’t heal.
‘—Yeah… in human form, it seems I don’t have enough power—’
Leila sighed and coughed, as though resigned. They said only an advanced miracle could cure this lung disease. It was likely tough in her human form compared to her dragon form.
‘—I’m sorry for not being able to help you—’
No, that’s not true! You don’t need to apologize! I hadn’t even thought to pass this onto you… While it’s difficult in a place like this, in the outdoors, it might be possible, so our tactical options have broadened. I’d rather not have to use such a forbidden technique, but…
Above all, I’m grateful that you’re worried about me; it’s a kindness I don’t deserve, and I can’t express it well… but truly, thank you. Leila always helps me.
‘—…—’
Joy, frustration, a kind of helplessness, and mixed emotions from Leila flooded into me.
—[Teleportation].
I pulled the disease eating away at Leila’s lungs back to myself. Ugh! The moment I returned, it hit me hard. Isabella, how did you endure this?
Mothers really are strong…
‘Hmm, well then. So it’s about human transformation magic, alright!’
Suddenly, Antendeixis flew out from within me.
“I shall lend you my strength!”
Then he used the human transformation magic, turning himself into a living being.
“Pour it onto me!”
“Ah, I see! That’s the way! [Teleportation]!”
“Wait, no hesitation!? Ugh, cough cough, what’s this—!?”
Antendeixis was choking and writhing.
How does it feel to suffer like a mortal…!?
“…You really are merciless to Antendeixis.”
Leila said, pouting her lips.
“Yeah… but that’s just who he is…”
I pointed at Antendeixis writhing on the floor, exclaiming, “Ugh, this great demon god ruling the Demon World is being reduced to a coughing lump because of a lung disease—cough cough.”
“…”
Leila seemed utterly lost for words.
“So, what happens if you cancel the human transformation?”
“Let’s see…”
Calming down, Antendeixis straightened up and canceled the human transformation.
His form transformed from a mortal’s to that of a formless demon.
“…Hmm. I see now.”
Antendeixis, patting his chest, wore a disappointed face. When he transformed back to human—
Cough!
He started coughing.
“Not good. It seems wounds or illnesses gained while in human form carry over even when reverted.”
…Looks like there are no easy solutions.
