Chapter 46: Judgement

We dealt with the rest and left their bodies behind. Before we engaged in battle with the boss monster, I asked Mayer, “Shall I cast some spells for you?”

“I do not believe you need to take the trouble… but perhaps you should do it to gain contribution.”

I agreed. I couldn’t let a chance to get piggybacked like this go, especially considering that my level wasn’t that high yet. “Mighty Strength!”

I cast a simple attack boost spell on Mayer. Unlike healing magic—which had a fixed healing value in this world—support magic was mostly based on relative value. In other words, the higher the stats of the spell target, the greater the boosting value. And in Mayer’s case…

The air around him shimmered fleetingly as his stats increased. It was nothing but a 10% attack boost, yet that 10% alone far exceeded my offensive capability. Perhaps it was his first time receiving support magic as Mayer seemed amazed by the overflowing power he felt. “Exactly how much has my power increased?” He muttered.

“10% for now. It’s an ordinary attack-boosting spell.” I explained. “I can cast up to three stacks at once. Shall I?”

With three stacks, the bonus would be 33%. I was probably the only one capable of doing this much, a fact which I was slightly proud of. However, Mayer shook his head in refusal. “No. I feel tipsy.” He was repeatedly clenching his hands and every time he did so, it felt as if he was pulverizing the very air inside his palms. “Did Wipera say he could double his original ability?”

I nodded. “It’s possible to do that much, but there are great restrictions. In his case, life was the cost and the target of support was limited to himself as well.”

As far as I was concerned, it was a truly useless spell despite its high efficacy. What use was there in increasing my power? Zero would always result in zero, regardless of the multiplier. Hearing my answer, Mayer murmured, “I see… I can somewhat understand why Wipera would have gone so far.”

“Is that so?”

“The power he gained must have truly felt like his own. And power can be more addictive than drugs… It would not have been easy shaking off its allure.” A bitter smile hung on Mayer’s lips. Perhaps he empathized with the desperation to grow stronger no matter what. “However…” he added, face hardening as he tightly gripped his bloodstained sword. “His actions were unforgivable. When you sin, you must pay the price for it,” he uttered in a tone similar to the swearing of an oath.

As it was meaningless to waste any more time, we entered the final area of the dungeon—the boss’s chamber. Mayer defeated the boss monster with such ease that I felt awkward for using support magic on him. It was my first time seeing him in action, yet I didn’t get to see much before the monster croaked. It ended so fast that I had taken more time casting the support spell for Mayer before the battle.

While I was still dumbstruck by the outcome, the exit portal opened. If Mayer hadn’t pulled me out, I might’ve stood there zoning out and would have ended up trapped in the dungeon. The gate closed not long after we passed through.

It turned out that the sword Mayer had picked up couldn’t withstand his strength: it began to crack apart. What a fearsome man. “…I’m glad it only broke after you defeated the monster. You almost ended up fighting barehanded,” I commented in a half-joking tone. Honestly, though, I was sure Mayer could’ve gone barehanded and won just fine.

Somebody approached us then. “Your Excellency.” It was August, who had been waiting for us.

“Did anything happen of note?” Mayer asked.

“No, sir. But… Seeing that only the two of you have come out, that must mean…”

“Indeed. It was as we expected.”

August, who knew about the situation to some extent, lowered his head mournfully and made the sign of the cross. “Who could have imagined they would use the blessing of Saint Marianne to do evil… It is a tragedy.”

For a moment, I thought he felt sad at the deaths of the Blue Flames, but it turned out he was more concerned over the misuse of power. I had briefly forgotten that the religion in this world placed more importance on responsibility for the blessing of God—magic—than life. Nevertheless, it was disconcerting to see a priest reacting in a manner that suggested he didn’t give a fart about the importance of life.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

As I was lost in uncomfortable thoughts, Mayer abruptly pulled me into his arms and dragged me closer to August, saying, “In any case, you came just in time. Reverend August, heal the vice-captain at once. She was kicked and stabbed all over, I tell you.”

I immediately protested, “But I’m not hurt anywhere.”

“Ignore what she says.” Mayer retorted curtly.

I didn’t know what sort of face he was making as I had my back to him, but I could tell by his voice alone that he wasn’t happy. I grumbled inwardly. It wasn’t like over-healing a healthy person would boost their energy or anything. It was just a waste of holy power! Did August have nothing but power to spare?

The look on the priest’s face as he healed me suggested he shared my thoughts, but as there was no way around it under Mayer’s strict watch, the meaningless treatment continued… during which Mayer continued to nag incessantly. “We have big things to achieve, you and I, together! How could you abuse your body like this already?”

“Yes, okay.” I nodded noncommittally.

“Your body no longer belongs solely to yourself. You must feel more responsibility and…”

“Alright, of course.”