In response to Maya’s reminder, Finihiya forced a smile and nodded, then knelt before the bed in a posture of sincere prayer.
Because Maya and Balko were watching nearby, she recited her prayer silently.
(Lord, You are the God of healing. Please use Your supreme Divine Authority and compassion to heal the body and spirit of the sick.
Seek out and remove every symptom of illness, granting them strength and the ability to recover through Your Grace and Healing Magic.)
Ankle.
After silently finishing this prayer, Finihiya’s fair hand stretched out from beneath her tightly wrapped gray linen cloak, reaching toward the boy’s injured foot.
“Let the sky be a gift, peace a crystal, sanctity the path. Let the pain fade with time, let the wounds disappear in the light. May your body and soul be healed and restored.”
As the magic incantation was spoken, her hand glowed softly with a light as gentle as clover.
The boy’s terrible, festering wound, oozing pus, visibly began to heal at a remarkable speed, and his previously pale, sickly face gradually regained a healthy color.
In just two breaths, the large wound was completely restored.
This astonishing healing ability left both Maya and Balko staring in shock and disbelief.
Even the most advanced Healing Magic could never heal so quickly.
“Maya…”
Perhaps because his wound had healed, the boy slowly opened his eyes and called out in a weak voice.
Hearing his faint call, Maya snapped out of her astonishment, tears welling at the corners of her eyes as she hesitantly embraced the boy.
“Mock.”
Not wanting to disturb this tender moment, she and Mr. Balko quietly left the room and went downstairs to wait.
Mr. Balko’s fierce demeanor was still unwelcome among the children.
In the corner of the living room, a little girl sat on the floor, holding a small stone and scraping it back and forth against the tiles.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Finihiya couldn’t help but notice her. She slowly approached and bent down beside the girl.
“What are you doing?”
She softened her tone, trying to sound gentle.
The little girl glanced up at her briefly, then resumed scraping the floor with the stone.
After a long silence, the girl finally replied in a tender voice.
“Clover.”
Finihiya looked down at the graffiti etched into the floor tiles by the stone.
“I see, you drew it very well.”
“I want to draw a whole field of clover, hoping Mock will get better.”
“He will get better because of your prayers.”
Better.
Hesitating for a moment, Finihiya chose not to directly share the news with the little girl. She felt it would be better if Maya told her.
As Finihiya watched the girl on the floor, she suddenly heard Mr. Balko’s voice beside her.
“Miss Finihiya, do you like children?”
Like?
The abrupt question caused a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
She glanced at Mr. Balko, then shifted her gaze to the innocent, lively children in the small house.
Gradually…
Those vague, murky memories that had been submerged deep in her mind began to surface.
Finihiya lifted a faint, tender smile.
“Not at all.”
For some reason, Mr. Balko looked surprised, then fell silent and looked away.
After a while, she heard him speak again, but his words were so direct that she was momentarily at a loss.
“Miss Finihiya, you are the Holy Maiden of Humanity, aren’t you?”
“I vaguely felt I had heard your name before, but only when I saw you use human magic did I fully remember.”
Though Mr. Balko’s tone was calm, as if talking to a casual friend, Finihiya found herself unsure how to respond.
As she hesitated and struggled with her thoughts, the old wooden stairs suddenly creaked with a “creak.”
Maya appeared, carrying a candlestick.
This time, Maya’s face was free of the earlier sadness, replaced by a relaxed, happy expression.
“Thank you, truly thank you, Miss Finihiya.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Miss Maya.”
Perhaps influenced by Maya’s mood, Finihiya’s lips curved into a soft smile.
“Mock’s condition is fully healed now, he’s very healthy.”
“That’s good to hear.”
The dusk deepened.
After a brief conversation with Maya, Finihiya had to leave due to the fading light.
She had come alone, and if she stayed out too late, it might not be good. Perhaps Danila would forbid her from going out alone next time.
“Miss Finihiya, Mr. Balko, please be careful on your way home.”
“Yes.”
After politely bowing to Maya, Finihiya’s gaze casually drifted through the open door to the children inside.
***
After a moment’s hesitation, she took the small coin pouch from inside her cloak.
“There isn’t much money here, but I hope Miss Maya—”
“No, no, no…” Maya gasped, stepping back, “You healed Mock without taking any payment. How could I possibly accept money from you?”
“I want to help these children, if that’s alright?”
Finihiya’s words were skillfully put, leaving Maya unsure how to refuse.
After a brief, silent struggle, Maya finally nodded and accepted the money.
“Thank you!”
A dry wind rustled the plantain grass growing at the corner of the alley wall.
Finihiya retraced her steps.
Before long, she arrived once again at the Market of the Demon Race.
After a brief farewell to Balko, Finihiya turned and walked slowly toward the market’s edge.
“Miss Finihiya.”
She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly heard Balko’s voice from behind.
Turning slightly, she tilted her head in confusion.
“Mr. Balko?”
Though Balko was a strong half-orc, at this moment he looked shy and awkward. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke in a serious tone unlike usual.
“To be honest…” He paused briefly, then scratched the back of his mane habitually. “To be honest, before I met Miss Finihiya, I always thought humans were greedy and foolish.”
“But ever since meeting Miss Finihiya, I’ve come to understand that among humans there are gentle and kind people like you. I feel ashamed of my previous prejudice.”
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