My top priority was to make money so I could survive. I knew that. And it made me tilt my head in confusion.
How does one make money?
My family had been paid a large sum, a dowry of sorts, when I was taken in as the saint. Not only that, they’d exploited my image to extort a not-at-all-insignificant amount of money from tourists. But me, personally? I’d never really earned a living.
Let’s see, what can I do? I can...perform ceremonial prayers as the saint.
But I couldn’t do that. Prince Alex had declared that Mary was to be the country’s new saint. Thus, I wouldn’t be allowed to pray for the nation as its saint anymore. Besides, my “payment” for said ceremonies was the fact that by praying to disperse noxious energies and keep monsters at bay, I kept my own country peaceful. It wasn’t something I could exchange for coin.
Besides that, I only have healing magic, I think. My specialty.
Though I hadn’t had many opportunities to use it.
Wait, no, but this could be good, right? Apparently, very few people could use healing magic at all, so there should be reasonable demand. Maybe. And even if my powers had grown weaker, I was still a former saint. The average healer had nothing on me! Or so I hoped.
Yes! This is it!
With that in mind, it was time for me to act. I started walking around the royal capital, partly to get a grasp of the geography. After about an hour of walking while rubbing my stomach, it occurred to me!
I was definitely not going to find any injured people just by walking around.
The Holy Kingdom of Snasile had good relations with its neighbors and was a peaceful nation that hadn’t been at war in decades, so of course there wouldn’t be any wounded just lying about.
And it’s probably a good thing that I can’t find anyone to heal!
Really, I wanted everyone to be happy, healthy, and free of injury and illness. From the bottom of my heart! Even if my empty stomach was still protesting. The world was peaceful, and because of it, I was about to starve to death. Great!
“Ow!” came a cry from somewhere, cutting loud and clear through my stupid thoughts.
I gasped. Without thinking, I took off running toward the source of the voice: a completely run-down back alley. The atmosphere was entirely unlike that of the main street.
When I carefully peeked in, I spotted a black-haired boy with his back turned.
Is he dragging one leg? I wondered. I called out gently, so as to not startle him, “Hey, are you all right?”
The boy’s shoulders jerked, and he whipped around. Based on his appearance, I estimated him to be about twelve years old at most. He glared at me fiercely with captivating golden eyes like those of a wary beast.
What pretty eyes.
“Who the heck are you?” he asked with suspicion.
“Me? I’m Evelyn,” I replied.
The boy sighed. I blinked in confusion.
“Half the city has that name, I swear,” he grumbled. “These parents have no shame, naming all their kids after the saint or whatever.”
Wait, really?!
Apparently the royal capital was now full of Evelyns. I was learning so many new things today! I wanted to ask for details, but now didn’t seem like the time for that, so instead, I stepped closer to the boy and summoned my courage.
“Sorry for startling you,” I said. “Say, I can use healing magic. Could I use it on your leg?”
He didn’t respond at first. I started fidgeting and wringing my hands nervously.
“That’s not a funny joke,” he muttered.
“Huh?”
“Healers are super rare, and the only people they use their magic on are rich or noble born.” He snorted and gave a bitter sneer. “Don’t tell me you’re a mugger. Do I look like I have anything for you to steal, lady?”
I took a closer look at him. The lighting in the alley was dim, but I could tell his clothes were quite dirty. And, despite being a growing boy, he looked horribly emaciated. It made my heart hurt.
And just a walk’s distance away, we have a luxurious royal palace...
How outrageous I must’ve seemed to this child. Still, I couldn’t falter. My own situation, too, was nothing short of desperate.
“A-Actually, I was hoping you could pay me for healing your leg,” I said.
The boy’s eyes narrowed as though he’d been expecting this. I wanted to give up but managed to bow my head.
“Please! Just one bronze piece will do!” I pleaded. “I’m in dire need of coin!”
“What?”
I-Is he mad at me?!
I panicked. The books I’d read weren’t very detailed when it came to money, so I had no idea what a fair price was.
“Is that a rip-off?! Then how about just one copper?!” I asked.
“Wait. Wait a second. I’m not following.”
“Oh. Oh no. Is there any amount smaller than a copper coin?!”
“No! There isn’t!” he shouted. Very loudly.
Reflexively, I shouted back, “I’m sorryyyyyyy!”
“Lady, have you ever been outside?”
Wait, is he calling me sheltered? No, right? I’m not sheltered. Am I...?
In case I was, I decided to ask this boy—who seemed to know more about the world than I did—about something that had been bothering me.
“S-So, would you...happen to know how much it costs to stay at an inn?”
“Uh, it depends on the place, but the cheapest inn at the capital would cost about three bronze pieces for a night,” the boy replied.
“I see!” That was good to know! “So if I heal three people, I can secure lodging for tonight!”
Finally, I could see some hope!
Seeing my excitement, the boy said in a very small voice, “I should point out that price doesn’t include food.”
“What?”
“If you want to eat too, that’d be five pieces.”
I dropped to my knees on the spot.
“Have mercy, O Mother Goddess! Forgive my impious thoughts! I should never for a moment have wondered whether I could find five injured people...!” I pleaded, sobbing. “O bountiful Mother Goddess! O beautiful Mother Goddess...!”
The boy looked at me, aghast. “Don’t kneel on the ground like that! You’ll get all dirty! Then you won’t look so nice anymore!”
I sniffled and smiled through my tears. “Thank you. You’re so kind.”
“J-Just so you know, I meant you’re dressed nice, okay?! I don’t mean you look good or anything!”
I wasn’t even thinking that! Now I felt even more dejected. Wow.
“Also, were you telling the truth earlier?” the boy asked, his eyes shifting left and right for some reason.
“About what?”
“Saying you’d heal my leg for a bronze piece.”
Immediately, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and beamed. “Of course! Leave it to me!”
Healing was now my one and only skill, after all. I’d make sure to put in even more effort than usual.
Eyeing me suspiciously, the boy stood up with his hand against the wall and rolled up his right pant leg. My eyes widened—a terrible cut, which looked like it had been gouged with a blade, ran from his knee to his calf.