Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

――My consciousness surfaced.

……What was I…… doing? My thoughts were hazy, and I couldn’t recall anything on the spot. My field of vision was blocked by something, and I was in such a confined space that I could barely move my body. Right before my eyes, the “Protection” that had cracked and shattered vanished, leaving behind a faint glow.

“……!”

Instantly, a heavy weight pressed down on my body. The sensation of lukewarm body heat and hard, taut muscles. Right now, I was being pinned down by a man…

“Wha…!?”

In an instant, my fear escalated to the brink of panic, and I instinctively tried to push the person on top of me away.

Slip.

Something slid away as if peeling off, leaving a damp sensation behind, and my hand clawed at empty air.
This… The events leading up to this moment began to replay in my mind as my brain finally started to function properly again.

—A flash of light.

—A deafening roar.

Even though the two of us together would’ve made us that much heavier, the oncoming shockwave blew us away like a piece of paper, and I was engulfed by the flames that had been chasing me…
That’s right, at that moment, I…

“…Well… looks like… you’ve… woken up…”

A voice from above. This was the voice I’d only just started hearing today… yes, Vice-san’s. Just as that realization hit me, the weight pressing down on me rolled off, and the setting sun’s rays stung my eyes.

“…Hah… Told you, you’re just a kid… You’re stiff, skinny, and don’t feel good to hold… Gah!”
“Vice-san!! …Huh!?”

As I finally grasped the situation and jumped to my feet, what met my eyes was Vice-san—unrecognizable from just a few moments ago—his entire body covered in severe burns, his clothes torn away to reveal bare skin that was charred black and red in places, with blood seeping from every wound…

I didn’t feel anything unusual anywhere… I couldn’t believe this was thanks to just a single Protection in that situation. In fact, Vice-san, who was caught up in it with me, was in such a pitiful state. Two… two Protections, and a human shield—is that why I came out of that situation unscathed…!?

“I’ll, I’ll treat you now… Ouch!”

The hand I frantically reached out with was slapped away with a sharp crack.

“No, need… Forget that… You’ve got something to do, don’t you… huh?”
“But—at this rate, you’ll…”
“Shut up! Shielding you is my job…! Your job is… over there, you idiot!”

Drawn by that fierce outburst, I instinctively looked in the direction he pointed, his voice strained as if he were coughing up blood—and the battle was still raging there. The Goblin General was trying to shake off Sol-niisama and Rage-san, who were clinging to him in frustration. That meant the Goblin General, too, was in a tight spot. That move just now was probably his last-ditch effort… …to snatch me away and make his own escape. But that plan had fallen apart; if we could just regroup here, everyone would surely finish them off.

But… ah, but…

Sol-niisama, somehow holding his ground on the front lines, was wielding his shield with just one hand… while his other hand, unable to grip his sword, hung limply at his side, pointing in a strange direction. Rage-san, who had been darting around trying to cover for Sol-niisama, suddenly clutched his chest and coughed up blood. The rest of our mercenary group was in a similar state… battered and bruised—that was our current reality.

“…Don’t… get the wrong idea… I… didn’t save you just to hold you back…!”
“…!”

I clenched my lips tightly and stood up. That’s right—I had something I must do. As the one entrusted with the lives of everyone here, I had a duty to make a choice.

—Which takes priority?

It was obvious. To be blunt, Vice-san alone wasn’t that high on the list. The people still fighting over there, who were holding the front lines right now, obviously took priority. Because if they collapsed over there, the rest of us here would be powerless to do anything—and that would be the end of it. It’s something I know all too well. It’s what I’ve been doing for a long, long time—ever since the game began. But this time, it was real…

“—Cest Shest Ele, Vanne Fushia, Lea Ea, Lea Linarita, Lea Rafat *(Eleventh Tier Purification Mantra: Embrace us with compassion; O Light, Heal us, O Light, Regenerate us, O Light, Cure us)*….”

I knew. I just knew. This would completely deplete my mana. I had no reserves left. It was the highest-tier wide-area healing spell from my secondary class, Bishop. The strain was immense on my weakened body, but to break through this situation all at once, I had no choice but to use it. A vision of the spell’s area of effect—one I’d cast countless times—flashed through my mind. With only a few seconds left until the incantation was complete, I desperately searched for a way to somehow include everyone within its range.

……But they were simply too far away. My wishes were in vain, and my mouth was relentlessly moving to complete the spell.

I’m sorry.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry!

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!

“……Gis Afzeria Direte *(The Blessed Goddess’ Breath)* ! ‘Goddess Divine Embrace’!!”

Traces of light streaked across the desolate land in countless lines. They formed a three-dimensional magic circle that expanded into a hemispherical shape, warmly and gently enveloping the wounded. Greenery began to sprout on the scorched earth, instantly healing every injury and ailment.

…Except for me and Vice-san.

All the mana in my body was mercilessly sucked into this spell, draining me in the blink of an eye.

All my strength rapidly fled, and my knees buckled. But, using my staff for support, I managed to hold myself up by the skin of my teeth. I couldn’t collapse yet. I had all but lost my five senses; the only sound that echoed unpleasantly was the weak, rasping “huff, huff” of my labored breathing. It was clear I had long since surpassed my limits; I had already lost all sensation in my limbs. Even so, I had to see this through. After all, I had sacrificed one person to save everyone else.

—But I guess there’s no helping it, is there…? I did push myself to the absolute limit, to the point of such exhaustion…

Through my blurring vision, the scene of the battle came into view. Without my noticing, Rage-san and Sol-niisama—who had unleashed their racial abilities—were locked in a fierce battle, as if their earlier disadvantage had never existed. Behind them, the mercenaries, having regained their former agility, were clearing out the surrounding area and providing cover for the two of them under Phirias-san’s command.

I did my best.

I gave it my all. Desperately.

Since I gave it my all… am I going to give up?

Now… with a life vanishing right before my eyes… am I going to give up?

.

…No. I won’t.

…I don’t want to give up.

…I don’t want to… give up…!

There’s gotta be more left! Desperately, I scraped together what little magic remained from every limb, like squeezing out the last dregs. It wasn’t enough… it wasn’t enough! But I had to do this! I wouldn’t give up—I absolutely refused to give up! I’ll be damned if I give up!!

A faint, fragile light glowed in my hand. It wasn’t enough—I didn’t think this would be strong enough to have any real effect. Still… still! Please, I beg you, please…! Just a little more—lend me your strength, my body!!

“…P-please… I’m begging you!! Just let me try a little harder!!”

The mana I squeezed out, crying and whining pathetically, showed a faint sign of activating ‘Heal’ —Just a little more!!

“Uuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”

I didn’t care if my throat split open. As I let out that scream, I forced the “Heal” spell to activate. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw its light feebly enveloping Vice-san—and that was the last thing I saw before my consciousness sank deep, deep into the darkness—……

.

.

.

.

.

“…You’re awake… thank goodness.”

A deep sigh of relief drifted over from my side. Was that… Rage-san?
Against the backdrop of the ceiling in my borrowed room—a sight I’d grown accustomed to—I could vaguely make out Sol-niisama’s worried face. Milly’s expression—part angry, part tearful. The sensation touching my whole body—was that Phirias-san, with a serious expression?

“I’m touching your hand right now—can you tell? …Now your ankle. How many do you see…? It seems your vision isn’t fully back yet.”

Phirias-san’s hand gently gripped various parts of my body as she asked these questions. I answered each one in turn. I could feel everything just fine, but my vision was blurry, and I couldn’t see a thing. On top of that, an intense wave of exhaustion enveloped my entire body. I didn’t feel like I could even move a single finger.

“You’re completely drained of man. As long as your body is in self-preservation mode, it won’t allow you to expend any magic externally. You won’t be able to use magic for a few days until you’re back to normal.”

A voice from a distance… Was that Walter-san?

“The battle ended yesterday. You’ve been asleep for a whole day, young lady.”

“…How is…!?”

That’s right—I couldn’t just stay like this; I had to treat his injuries. As I tried to force my unresponsive body to move, Phirias-san held me back.

“Don’t worry, Vice-kun is fine. He might have a few scars, but his life isn’t in danger. Everyone else is safe, too—except for you.”

Hearing those words, all the tension drained from my body. Thank goodness… I was really, truly relieved.

“Honestly… You really shouldn’t have used up all your mana like that—it’s far too dangerous. You could easily have died… I suppose it was lucky that your stomach was stuffed full of potions. But please, don’t ever do that again.”

Phirias-san’s voice was firm as she stressed her point. Her tone was so serious that I tilted my head in surprise.

“Th-that’s… an exaggeration…”
“Don’t call it an exaggeration!!”
“That’s right! Doing something so… so reckless!!”

A hand was placed roughly on the side of my head with a thud. I didn’t react enough to even flinch… but where my trembling gaze fell, I saw Rage-san looking at me with a face on the verge of tears, and Milly-san glaring at me with the angry expression of a mother scolding a child.

“Calm down, both of you. What good does it do to scare her?”
“……My bad.”
“……I’m sorry.”

Sol-niisama, who had just scolded the two of them, turned his gaze toward me… The look in his eyes made my words catch in my throat.

“That said, I’m angry about what happened this time, too. I won’t let you call it an exaggeration.”

With a deep sigh, Sol-niisama continued in a weary voice.

“…Your heart actually stopped a few times.”

Hearing those words, I gasped, “Hii!” I realized I’d truly been on the verge of not waking up. I hadn’t realized it was that dangerous. Even now, I felt a chill run down my spine.

“……I’m… sorry.”
“No, I’m the one who should be apologizing. I’m sorry I pushed you so hard.”
“For now, just get some rest. You look terrible right now.”
“……Yes.”

After replying to Walter-san and Phirias-san’s words, I closed my eyes as everyone watched over me. My body, desperate for rest, quickly succumbed to sleep, and my consciousness sank into darkness.

.

.

.

It took two days before I was finally able to get back on my feet. Finally permitted to go out nearby, I supported my unsteady steps with a cane—since I couldn’t use enhancement magic—and the first place I headed was… The person I was looking for was standing beside the town’s well.

“…Excuse me.”
“Ah, you’re awake. That’s good.”

He… Vice-san replied brusquely without looking up from the vegetables he was peeling.

“I heard your punishment to peel vegetables was waived after what you’ve done.”
“They forced me to take a day off, and since I had nothing better to do anyway, I volunteered… Sit down. It makes me uncomfortable having someone with a cane standing there.”

Obeying his brusque command, I struggled to sit down on a stone step nearby that was just the right height.

“…Mana depletion, huh? That must be inconvenient.”
“…I’m used to it, so…”

Silence fell again for a while.

“…So, you’re left with a scar, huh?”

The left half of his face was marked with keloid-like burn scars in several places. It seemed my healing spell at the time managed to heal most of the life-threatening injuries, but it wasn’t a complete cure—I was told he’d also been treated with a large number of potions, so presumably, even under his clothes…

“I don’t mind. They say it doesn’t affect my ability to draw a bow, so that’s fine… In fact, I’m just grateful to be alive—I’m thankful for what you did.”

Hearing those words, I shook my head from side to side. I had no right to be thanked—because back then, I…

“…I’m sorry…!”

I had decided not to cry. Yet tears streamed down my face.

“I… back then… I took your life for granted…”

I reduced his life to a mere number. And I placed his life at the very bottom of the list. You, who risked your own life and suffered such severe injuries just to save me. Overwhelmed by guilt, I couldn’t even look him in the eye as my unstoppable tears fell in heavy drops onto the ground.

“Ah… seriously, this is exactly why kids are such a hassle.”

As I sobbed, *Hic, hic*, the view right in front of my eyes suddenly darkened.

“Hic… eh…?”

His fingers—forming a loop with his middle finger and thumb—were right in front of my eyes… Huh?

“…Ouch!?”

Suddenly, I felt a light impact and a sharp, tingling pain on my forehead. Startled, I put my hand to my forehead and blinked… Did he just flick me?
As I stood there, confused by the sudden event, his finger was thrust right in my face.

“Listen up. You saved everyone in the band. That’s your job—something only you could do. And thanks to you, I’m still alive, too. If I’m angry at all, it’ll be about how you did it that I’ve only heard about later—but hey, you’re alive too. So what more do you want?”
“Uh… b-but that’s just hindsight…”
“It’s fine. Call it hindsight or any other crap. Everyone’s alive and we can prepare for this party. Isn’t that good enough?”

Looking thoroughly exasperated, he scratched his head vigorously as he continued.

“Captain Walter said it. He said to be proud. He said the scars you get from protecting a woman are medals of honor. So what if I’ve got scars? This is fine. He said, ‘If you’re going to do anything, send something positive instead of an apology.’”

A basket of vegetables was shoved toward me. Startled, I blinked rapidly, my tears suddenly stopping.

“You’re learning how to cook, right?”
“Y-yes, just simple things so far. But… what’s that got to do with it?”
“Well, go make something. Tonight’s dinner is a celebration for finishing the raid—which got delayed because you didn’t wake up. So if you make even one dish, everyone will be happy.”
“…O-okay!”

Wiping away my tears with a rough motion, I staggered under the weight of the basket but managed to stand up, leaning on my staff with one hand to support my weight. If there was something I could do, I couldn’t just stand here like this.

“Then, I can’t make anything too fancy, but I’ll do my best!”

Saying that, I hurried back the way I came.

“……Damn it, that kid really throws me off my game.”

Hearing the voice muttering curses behind me, I gave a wry smile. Our first encounter had been terrible, but he wasn’t as bad a person as I’d thought. Turning back, I spoke in a loud voice so my heartfelt words would reach him clearly.

“I’m sorry for saying such horrible things the other day! You’re actually a much nicer person than I thought!”
“Huh!? W-what…!?”

Seeing him flustered for some reason—the vegetable slipping from his hand—I couldn’t help but smile as I turned on my heel. My steps felt much, much lighter.

Well, since I’d made a promise, what should I make? I’d have to go home and ask Aunt Miranda for advice. As I made my way home, I pictured a few dishes I could make with the vegetables I’d picked up.

.

And so, the huge pile of potato salad I made for dinner sold much better than I’d expected—it was a huge hit and apparently disappeared right into everyone’s stomachs.