A Genius Healer Who Can Treat Instantly but Was Banished From Party Considered Doing Nothing - CH 23

Chapter 23 :  Meanwhile, Aston Party  (III)

“Well, we’re finally here. Damn, it’s a long way for nothing.”

Deep in a forest of snow-covered trees.

Looking at the cave spread out in front of him, Aston swore.

The Fire Fox to be defeated was said to live in a cave in the northern snowfield forest.

The carriage could not go into the forest, and they had to walk some distance along the snowy road.

“You’re making me use up all this extra energy.”

The party members who followed Aston also complained one after another.

“Oh no, I’m not finished my wine yet,” said Gyle, the assistant mage.

“Let’s get this over with and go back to town for a drink,” said Yuma, the archer.

“That’s right. The girl in the tavern, her eyes changed color as we told her we are Phoenix of Steel,” said Andres, the Destruction Mage.

The fame of the party on the rise, which had defeated a number of A-class demonic beasts without a scratch, seemed to be roaring even in this remote area.

“Hey, Andres. Don’t go running off like that, I’ve got my eye on that girl, too.”

“That’s where the early bird gets the worm, Yuma.”

“Hey, hey. Don’t get into a fight over a girl in a bar. From now on, whether she’s a nobleman’s daughter or not, we’ll be able to do whatever we want.”

They all smiled back at Aston’s words.

As they move deeper into the cave, the chilly air begins to mix with the heat.

The Fire Fox is a rare magical beast that lives in the north and is known to stay in caves at this time of year to raise its young. This is the time of year when its fur turns hot and bright red, but it is also the time when it is at its most temperamental, so local adventurers are said to stay away from it.

However, the rank for defeating them is B+.

For Phoenix of Steel who had defeated many A-class magic beasts, that is couldn’t even be considered an foe, .

When They reached the back of the cave, they saw two adult Fire Foxes.

Behind them were several small children mewing.

The Fire Foxes, who seemed to be their parents, were stooped over and snarling ferociously.

They seemed to have already noticed the presence of Aston and the others.

“Heh, looks like they’re pretty wary of us.”

“The best hunter in the world is here, so it’s can be help. Which one do we do?”

“Looks like you can get more money from a kid’s fur because it’s softer.”

“Ha, why don’t you just hunt them all? Lord Fennel will be pleased.”

Aston said, and pulled out the sword at his waist.

At that moment, the Fire Fox’s fur took on an even redder tinge, and it was enveloped in red lotus flames.

“Entertain me at all costs. Gyle, just in case we need some protective magic.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Gyle quickly drew a magic circle on the ground and held up the protective talisman.

With the chanting, a green light envelops the party members.

Garrrrrr!!!

The Fire Foxes attacked them.

Aston slashed at one of them, but it ducked and he was hit from the side.

“Tsk, you’re a lot quicker than I thought. But you’re too quick for that stupid body blow.”

Aston felt an intense pain on his left arm where he was hit.

When he looked at it, the skin was red, swollen, and blistered.

“Eh?.. W… What is that…?”

“Gyaaaaah!”

A short distance away, the archer, Yuma, shouted.

Another Fire Fox was biting at his shoulder.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!”

“Damn, what’s he doing?”

Aston tried to cover him, but the other one was spitting fireballs out of its mouth one after another, and he was too busy fighting it off.

“Andres. Hurry up with the destruction magic.”

“Yes, I’m on it.”

Andres, at the far end of the line, held up his cane and exuded impatience.

Destructive magic is very powerful, but it takes time to prepare and chant the magic circle.

Aston held his ground in the front line and Yuma distracted him with his bow to buy time.

The usual pattern was to finish the chanting during that time.

“Too late, what the hell are you doing?”

Aston managed to dispel the fireball with his sword and shouted.

He doesn’t remember why, but this sword is a masterpiece Zenos sent to take away in the underground labyrinth as punishment for something.

If you bring back even one treasure, you can get a big reward from the guild, but Zenos came back with seven treasures when he thought he was going to run and burst into tears. For some reason, he wasn’t hurt, and he remembered thinking that he was just a lucky person.

Most of them were exchanged for gold or given as gifts to women, but this sword was so sharp that he kept it.

However, even with that, the heat from the fireball gradually scorched Aston’s skin.

“Hurry up with the destruction magic, Andres. Don’t you dare to sleep!”

“That’s why I told you I’m working on it. You’re the one who needs to hold out a little longer!”

“Damn, you’re incompetent.”

Andres will be fired soon, Aston thinks.

The pain in his left arm is getting worse and worse, and he has no strength at all.

He could think of only one reason.

“Hey, Gyle. Are you sure you’re doing your protective magic right?”

“I-I did. I-It’s just that I’m not feeling well.”

“Huh, too much to drink? Dont me……”

“Aghhhh!”

Yuma’s scream echoed through the cave.

“Damn it!”

He can’t do any of them. He just can’t afford to lose any more strength.

Aston managed to get rid of the Fire Fox that had bitten Yuma.

The two foxes, covered in flames, roared in warning.

Andres, still holding his wand over his head, opens his mouth fearfully.

“Wh… What are we going to do, Aston?”

“…… Damn, I don’t have a choice. We’ re going to retreat once, damn it.”

Biting his back teeth, Aston dragged the limping Youma back to the cave entrance.

Fortunately, the Fire Fox’s attention seemed to be on the child, and it didn’t come after them.

“You guys, what the hell are you doing with a demonic beast that’s only B+ level?”

“You didn’t fight very well either, did you? What’s with the sluggish movements?”

“Ahh?”

When Aston and Andres were about to grab each other, Gyle blurted out.

“…… Hey. Did you think it’s possible that the…… Zenos bastard was telling the truth…….?”

When they was injured, they recovered instantly with healing magic.

He also used protective magic and ability-enhancing magic to prevent injury in the first place.

“That can’t be true. You’re drunk.”

“T, That’s right, S, Sorry.”

Gyle nodded several times.

Aston frowned at the pain in his arm and murmured as an idea occurred to him.

“……, but maybe we could hire a healer. A skilled healer, as opposed to an incompetent lowlife like Zenos.”

There’s still time to meet the deadline for defeating the enemy.

They have enough money to hire someone on short notice.

There is a glorious road ahead of them.

They can’t afford to be stomping their feet in this place.

“Good. Once we get back to the nearest town, we’ll talk to the guild. You shouldn’t drink, Gyle.”

“Oh, yeah.”

The sound of doom was fast approaching at the feet of their party.