Two days after departing from the town of Minx, moving east.

“Habal, take the one on the left!”

“Leave it to me…”

“Gadi, sorry, but handle the front!”

“Heh, easy!”

“Sorry, Uuta, support me from behind!”

“Got it—! I’ll defeat the Hero big bro’s enemies—!”

We clashed with the Demon King’s army, deploying mainly around the front-line members.

Even Aleid, who was issuing commands, showed no signs of lingering effects from the poison or dulled instincts from rest.

“Muto, don’t rush. Charge it properly first… it’s fine, Aleid and the others will block them, the enemy absolutely won’t reach this far.”

“I-I know… yeah, it feels good, Miril.”

About 15 meters behind Aleid and the others, under Miril’s guidance, Muto held her staff and prepared her magic.

Their role is to attack with magic.

Perhaps confident that Muto’s preparation was going well, Miril began her own casting slightly later, but quickly caught up to the same level.

“We’ll take it slow too. Don’t worry about burdening the front line—staying calm and successfully casting your spell will ultimately reduce their burden.”

“Indeed, staying calm is important. Fuu… yes, I’m ready, Seti-chan.”

Between the front line and rear line stood me, Seitinias the White Mage, and Havera the Priest.

Here as well, under my guidance, Havera is casting support magic on the front line as practical training.

“Yeah, stable. Alright, Miril, we’re ready here.”

“Got it. Once the support magic is applied, you two move left and right. Muto, wait until the path is completely clear before firing, okay?”

“O-okay, once it’s clear, right? Got it!”

Everyone finished confirming their preparations.

Now the real part begins.

“Alright, Havera, follow after me. Once you’re done casting, move right, then circle wide and move behind Miril and the others.”

“Yes, understood. Please lead the way, Seti-chan.”

I simply nodded and focused on the front line.

I have to initiate this timing—making sure all front-line members receive the support buffs properly while not interfering with the flow of battle.

“… …Alright, now! <Mastura Massive> <Fizcul Defair> <Instan Dard>”

“<Sacred Aura>!!”

First, I apply buffs that increase vitality, physical defense, and agility.

Then Havera adds a holy energy coating.

It boosts resistance against debuffs, poison, mental attacks—in short, anything that seems harmful.

Once we confirm the buffs have been applied to everyone on the front line, we immediately jump aside to open up space.

“Alright! Everyone, open the firing line!”

“Understood…”

“Got it!”

Right after, Aleid and the others also shifted positions.

The timing is tricky, but they spread out so a clear line opens from Muto and Miril toward the enemy.

“It’s open! Let’s go, Muto.”

“O-okay! Anytime, Miril!”

In front of their outstretched hands and staff, red magic circles glowed.

““Ready—<Blaze Sphere>!!!””

A mass of crimson flames shot forward at tremendous speed along the ground.

BOOOOOM!!!

It exploded in the area where the enemies were clustered, shifting into orange and yellow light.

In an instant, the ground beneath them transformed from earth into a field of fire.

“Guaaahhh!!” “Fall back, fall back!!” “Aaaagh, I’m burning!!”

The demons screamed.

Around 30 Demon King army soldiers—none escaped without being scorched.

Each one took damage, to varying degrees.

As the flames covering the ground began to weaken, the front-line members, including Aleid, had already moved around and cut off escape routes, striking down the fleeing enemies one by one.

* * *

“Good work, everyone. Those with light injuries, line up here. The severely injured, carry them into the tent—I’ll treat them right away, so don’t panic.”

After the battle ended, I immediately moved to the field camp behind us and raised my voice.

As someone who can use healing magic, the end of battle doesn’t mean rest.

Treating wounded soldiers from the army fighting the Demon King’s forces is part of the job.

“Those with light injuries will be treated in order, so please line up properly. It won’t take long, so please don’t break the line.”

Havera also took her position at the front of the line, handling minor injuries.

She’s still inexperienced as a Priest, but she’s reached the stage where she can enhance her healing effectiveness, so this serves as practical training.

“…And the tough part is over here. Gotta focus.”

After organizing the line, I immediately ran into the tent where the severely wounded were brought.

While the Hero party often fights on its own, we also frequently cooperate with the local army like this.

Sometimes soldiers are even temporarily assigned to our party.

And when that happens, us healing magic users get extremely busy.

“Alright, alright… you did well… it’s okay now. <Heal>”

Glow

As I cast healing magic on one of the severely injured, I spoke to them.

Talking to patients is important—that’s something I learned in my previous life.

Well, mostly from random medical trivia shows, but still.

“Th-thank… you… cough… cough…”

“Hey, don’t force yourself to talk. Just because the wound’s closed doesn’t mean your body and mind aren’t exhausted. Rest.”

The more people who survive and recover, the more fighting strength we retain.

It all comes back around, making things easier for us too.

Still, everyone insists on thanking me.

‘Our country’s soldiers are really polite… that’s a good thing.’

This time, there aren’t many severe injuries.

And thankfully, no deaths.

Even if it’s inevitable, deaths always leave a bad feeling.

* * *

‘Phew… I hope the other areas didn’t take heavy losses…’

I stepped out of the tent and stretched.

The Hero party members who fight on the battlefield are all high-level elites, so we haven’t had a single casualty so far.

But the army isn’t made up entirely of strong individuals, so deaths are unavoidable.

The demons of the Demon King’s army aren’t that different from humans aside from their skin color.

That’s why army vs army combat works.

But since they also deploy monsters, in total strength, humanity is at a disadvantage.

‘…And even so, they’ve held out this well. The people of this world are seriously impressive.’

Not just those alive now, but also those who came before them—nothing but respect.

As I looked up at the sky, I unconsciously raised my hand to my forehead in something like a salute, honoring the efforts and struggles of those who came before.