Chapter 4: The Encounter Between the Hero Alto and the Saint Tiana

From the hero's perspective

The Encounter Between the Hero Alto and the Saint Tiana

It was all too late.

I was able to face my own emotions and be honest with myself.

I was able to tell Tiana that I loved her.

But it was too late.

I was already on the verge of losing her.

What a stupid and ridiculous story.　

Even though the evil god who caused the conflict was behind it, I killed Tiana.

Fresh blood was flowing endlessly from her chest as she was held in my hands.　

"Don't die! Tiana! Live! Please! Come on, you'll heal like you always do, right? Use your healing magic! Use it! So... don't leave me... Don't leave us behind!"

With the exception of Tiana, all of my companions who can use healing magic are unconscious except for me.

And Tiana, who was a professional in healing magic, said that it was already too late.

But I couldn't accept it.

I tried using healing magic, which I'm not used to, but the wound didn't close at all and blood continued to overflow.

It was clear to me that it was already too late.　

"No! Don't die! Tiana! I love you!"　

The words that came out of my mouth were a confession of love.

The emotions that had been suppressed until now are spilling out.　

"Hehe... it's a coincidence, isn't it... I... loved... you too... so... you're alive..."　

She responded to my wishes.

However, after the momentary joy passed, my heart was once again filled with the fear of loss.　

"No!... Stop... Tiana... Don't die! Don't go!"　

I could see the color gradually fading from Tiana's beautiful, clear blue eyes.

She can't last any longer.　

"Ahh... my darling... thank you... for teaching me... about love..."　

A dazzling light began to scatter from the ends of her limbs.

"Tiana.... Tiana? ... Ah... ah... ah... ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"　

Tiana drew her breath.　

Then her body dissipates, leaving only her equipment behind.

This showed that she was a being created with the intention of an evil god.

All I have in my arms are Tiana's damaged clothes and a little bit of her warmth.　

All I could do was hold what was remain of Tiana close, letting out voiceless sobs so as not to lose her warmth.　

---The time goes back to when I met Tiana---　

A new member has joined our party.　

Her name is Yentiana.

She seems to be a saint sent by the church.　

As a Saint, there's no doubt she can use healing magic.

It was a godsend for us, as we were short on healers...

When I heard she was connected to the church, I was terrified, thinking she must be a very strict clergyman.　

However, contrary to expectations, Tiana was a friendly woman.　

"I'm Yentiana Lovecas, from the church. I'll be your healer. I'll heal all wounds and purify curses. Oh... and since it sounds a bit pretentious, you can just call me Tiana."

She wears a white clerical robe and a veil on her head.

Gold decorations are applied in places, emphasizing its purity and majesty.

Looking through the veil, her long, shining golden hair and beautiful, shapely face are visible.

Hee clear blue eyes seem to see right through me.

She has a well-endowed physique for a woman, with a firm abdomen and ample breasts and buttocks that seem to seduce men.

It was an attractive body that could not be hidden by the cassock.

A sinister emotion that should not be harbored towards her as a saint crossed my mind.　

"Oh umm, when you stare at me like that... it's a little... well... embarrassing haha♡"　

Thinking about it now, it might have been love at first sight.　

"...! Sorry, I didn't mean to."　

However, humans and demons are currently fighting for their own survival.

I suppressed my feelings for Tiana with reason.　

At first, everyone except me was suspicious of Tiana.

However, Tiana joined us and soon became active.

I was surprised to find that she had become quite close with my friends before I knew it.　

Our party doesn't have a healing expert.

Although always as supplementary, we relied on healing potions.

However, during battle, attacks are limited by the action used.

My fellow magicians can also use healing magic.

But when fighting consecutive battles, it would be pointless to run out of magical power when you come up against a monster with physical resistance.

So Tiana was there to fill the gap in our party.　

As a result, we charged forward and Tiana repeatedly cast healing magic, causing her to collapse due to lack of magical power.　

"...Hmm... It's okay... Please don't worry about me. As long as you're safe, Alto-san, I'm fine. So... please feel free to use me to your heart's content."　

I even felt threatened by Tiana's selfless devotion to her comrades.

However, contrary to those feelings, we became dependent on Tiana.　

"Leave the healing to me. I will heal all wounds and purify any curses."　　

There was no lie in what Tiana said.

Her recovery magic has already reached the level of a masterful technique.

Tiana was able to completely restore and heal the injury that left people with part of their body missing.

Tiana fully recovers the teammate who was on the verge of death.

Tiana can remove all kinds of abnormal conditions, including poison and paralysis.

It also helped greatly that Tiana herself could use offensive magic for self-defense.

I was curious though, as occasionally she would use rare chaos-element flames.　

In any case, as a result, everyone in the party soon came to place their complete trust in Tiana.

One day.

At the camp, Tiana and I were tasked with keeping watch over the bonfire.

Although a barrier has been set up to ward off monsters, there is still a chance that bandits might attack us while we sleep.

So when we go camping, we always take turns keeping watch.　

Meanwhile, Tiana volunteered to take on the role.

It was a selfless offer typical of her, wanting to give everyone a break.

However, since she is unfamiliar with traveling and camping, I feel bad leaving her alone.

However, I thought it would be rude to turn down the offer, so I decided to go along with it.　

"The bonfire is warm... Alto-san, come closer... come on, let's lean shoulder to each other."

"Huh...?! Wait."　

I was shocked by Tiana's unexpected behavior.

"If you're not going to move, I'll excuse myself... with a yippee..."

"No way... Wait... Tiana, too close."

She sat down next to me and leaned in close so that her shoulders were pressed against mine.

"Hmmmm... this is... quite something... Alto-san... you're really... cool ♡"

"Ugh... Stop flattering me now... it's embarrassing."

I can't look Tiana in the face.

Also, she smelled really nice.

"By the way, Alto-san, once this conflict is over, what do you plan to do?"　

After spending all my time training and fighting, an unexpected question came to me.

"Hmm? Hmm... That's true... Now that you mention it, I haven't had the time to think about that until now... I don't think there's anything in particular. Is there anything you want to do, Tiana?"　

"I haven't decided yet either... Ah, I want to open a bakery! I'd like to build a small church and run a bakery on the side!"　

Tiana's dreams were modest.

If we were to win and the conflict were to end, Tiana, the Saint, would be elevated to the position of a member of the church.

Such a life would be impossible.

However, it would be rude to ruin the atmosphere, so I refrained from pointing it out.

"Hehe... that's typical of you."　

After that, we continued to have casual small talk.

I saw a side of her that I don't usually see.

I feel like my bond with Tiana has deepened over this night.　

Also, Tiana smelled really nice.