"By the way, is it okay for her to work this much?" Rina asked.
"Yeah, it's okay. She's talented and a genius. Besides, I've limited the number of people, so it's fine," Lucan said.
He had already set a limit, and according to him, the limit was low: two hours a day to heal others. But Rina saw it as too much when, in reality, Maris could heal others for days without getting tired.
As for when Maris learned healing magic, it was, of course, from her master, Lucan. He taught her healing spells, and she learned them in one glance. Not only healing magic, but any magic Lucan performed, Maris learned instantly. Of course, it took her some days to master it, but it was still too shocking for Lucan.
He couldn't understand why this Maris and the game's Maris were so different.
It took him years to learn the magic and more years to master it, but Maris learned it in one look and mastered it in a few days.
In the game, Maris, taken in by the Great Temple, faced severe bullying, possibly due to her exceptional talent. What others learned through hardship, Maris picked up effortlessly. Some might harbor resentment and envy for being overtaken so easily.
"Hm," Rina nodded, then leaned forward and looked at him. "I think Maris isn't the only reason the temple is bustling."
"…What do you mean?"
"It's also because of your virtue, priest," Rina stood straight, walking in front of Lucan. "People were uneasy about the young priest, but seeing you help adventurers during that incident made many recognize you."
Lucan had only recently arrived in this town, and many locals hadn't yet trusted him.
Perhaps it was a bit prejudiced, but rural towns are often closed and resistant to change. The previous priest, a local who had served for decades, was well-respected. When he retired due to old age, a priest from the city, rumored to be of noble birth, replaced him, causing many residents to distance themselves from the temple.
However, when the story of Lucan desperately saving adventurers spread, the townsfolk began to accept him. Nowadays, some even visited the temple just to chat in the chapel. Lucan hated that; he felt he should have let those adventurers die. He should have said he used all his energy in saving Rina and couldn't save others. Anyways, what's done is done. He could only look forward.
"By the way, priest, is that rumor true?" Rina lowered her voice and asked.
"Rumor? What are you talking about?"
"You know, about Maris's parents…"
"Oh, that… yes, it's true. He came begging to get her back, but I kicked him between the legs."
Not long ago, the head of the Karen Trading Company, Maris's abusive father, tried to take her back, claiming he had realized the importance of family and wanted to atone for mistreating her. The real reason was likely her newfound value.
Maris had pink hair, ocean-colored eyes, porcelain-like skin, and a perfectly sculpted face. At ten years old, she was already stunning and would likely become even more beautiful as she grew older. Plus, she could use holy magic, making her flawless.
Her father, now seeing Maris's worth, wept crocodile tears in front of Lucan, begging to have his parental rights back and even offering five times the amount of money Lucan had given him. However, Lucan refused, and when he said he wouldn't leave until he got his daughter back, Lucan kicked him hard between the legs, causing him to faint from the pain.
"That's good… the Karen Trading Company has had shady rumors for a long time."
"…You knew?"
"Just rumors. It's best not to let Maris go back to them. Protect her well."
"I intend to… though she's becoming less in need of my protection," Lucan said as he saw a stuffed toy behind Maris.
Moreover, he was waiting for Maris's father to do something, so he could get evidence and let the authorities arrest him.