Chapter Thirty-Seven: Is This... a Healer?

She was momentarily taken aback when she saw Mu Chen’s face, then immediately traced a cross on her chest with her right hand, bowed her head slightly, and spoke in a gentle voice, “I am a preacher of the Gospel, Ivy Victoria. You may call me Ivy, my lord.”

“Hello, Miss Ivy. You can call me ‘my lord’ or simply Mu Chen, either is fine,” Mu Chen replied as he opened her personal information panel.

[Gospel Preacher: Ivy Victoria.]
[Level Two Preacher of the Church of Holy Light—a compassionate, gentle priestess who brings healing.]
Affiliation: Recruited by Mu Chen.
Condition: Hungry
Constitution: 25
Spirit: 18
Mana: 500/500
Loyalty: 50
Strength: Phase Two
Status: Hungry
[Skills: “Robust Health,” “Sweeping Kick,” “Straight Punch,” “Gut Strike,” “Enhanced Knockback Judgement,” “Crippling Blow,” “Spear of Victory,” “Holy Shackles,” “Thunder of Repentance,” “Blessing of Courage,” “Sanctuary of Light,” “Purification,” “Hymn of Rebirth,” “Holy Light Healing,” “Banishment.”]
...

“Huh? Miss Ivy, something seems off about your stat allocation and skills...” Mu Chen couldn’t help but comment as he glanced at the voluptuous healer before him.

The order of the skills indicated their strength, and by that measure, this healer’s offensive abilities far outweighed her healing ones...

Comparing her stats to his own, Mu Chen estimated that even ten of him combined wouldn’t stand a chance against her in a fight.

Of course, he kept that thought to himself for fear she might unleash a deadly combo on him.

Moreover, Mu Chen noticed that the cross in her hand seemed to be made of iron...

In a way, recruiting such a powerhouse healer was a stroke of incredible luck. Even putting her advanced skills aside, Ivy actually knew “Banishment.”

Ivy glanced around, her gaze lingering especially on the distant crimson mist, her expression a mixture of astonishment and doubt.

“My lord, has this world been cursed by an evil god?” Ivy inquired softly.

“Uh, maybe. Everything was fine not long ago, but lately, things have gotten... like this,” Mu Chen replied absentmindedly, his attention still caught on Ivy’s skills.

“Great Michel, may you save this chaotic world,” Ivy murmured, her eyes reflecting a hint of compassion as she walked toward the barren grounds, praying to the blood-red sky.

Just then, Numbers Seven, Eight, and Nine came walking over from the rear of the courtyard.

“Honored master, the level-one wells have all been completed. Please issue your next command.”

“That was fast. Let’s go take a look,” Mu Chen said.

Led by the three servants, the group of six made their way to the four wells.

Looking at the four identical level-one wells, Mu Chen felt a sense of satisfaction. After all, each well could supply two people’s daily water needs; now, four wells meant water for eight.

Ivy peered into one of the wells, her delicate brows knitted in concern.

“My lord, may I examine these wells more closely?”

“Of course, of course. This will be the water supply zone for everyone in the territory. If you need water, feel free to take it yourself.”

Ivy circled the wells several times, even drawing some water from the earliest one built.

“There’s a problem with these wells. I could try purifying them if you’d like my assistance, though my ‘Purification’ is not perfect.”

He hadn’t expected her to notice anything amiss. Perhaps she really could resolve the level-one well issue. Mu Chen stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Yes, please—no need to stand on ceremony with me,” he replied.

“Praise your wisdom,” Ivy said, stepping to the center of the four wells and raising her iron cross high.

The sudden, willow-uprooting gesture startled Mu Chen greatly—one blow from that cross and the wells might not survive.

“Careful—don’t break them…” Mu Chen blurted out instinctively.

“Pardon?” Ivy’s cross began to glow with pure white light, but she paused and turned her head at Mu Chen’s words.

“Ahem, it’s nothing. I meant I’ll prepare some food for you in a bit…” Mu Chen quickly coughed and shifted the topic.

That didn’t sound like what you just said... Ivy hesitated, but she had been focused on casting “Purification” and hadn’t quite caught his words.

Still, she didn’t dwell on it and concentrated on her spellcasting.

Brilliant white light radiated from the cross, bathing the four wells in its glow.

Even though he wasn’t inside the circle, Mu Chen could feel a profound sense of comfort and ease wash over him.

When the spell ended, everyone turned their attention to the wells.

[After a round of overtly miraculous manipulation, all water in the level-one wells has been perfectly purified. However, fixing the root problem is impossible unless the wells are upgraded to level three.]

...

Ivy looked at the water brimming in the wells, her expression tinged with disappointment.

“My lord, my Purification spell had no effect on the structure itself—I’m sorry to have failed your expectations.”

“No, no, not at all!” Mu Jiu’er interjected quickly, beating Mu Chen to the reply.

“Ivy, you did wonderfully! Your purification spell was as beautiful as you are!”

“Thank you for your praise. I realize I never asked your name—please forgive me,” Ivy said, bowing to Mu Jiu’er, which caused Mu Chen’s gaze to flicker uncomfortably.

“No need to apologize. My name is Mu Jiu’er, and he’s my brother,” Mu Jiu’er replied playfully, pointing at Mu Chen.

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Mu Jiu’er,” Ivy said warmly.

“Ahem... It’s not that you failed expectations, Ivy. In fact, your Purification may not fix the wells entirely, but it does cleanse the water. It’s just that new water mixes in and dilutes the purified batch. If you don’t mind, perhaps you could handle purifying any water we draw in the future,” Mu Chen suggested soothingly.

“That’s the least I can do.” The holy priestess Ivy smiled, clearly pleased by the rare compliment.

“Come, have something to eat. Once you’re done, we can get moving—uh, I mean, we can get to work...” Mu Chen said, retrieving two pieces of bread and a chicken leg from his pack and offering them to her.

At the alluring scent, Ivy’s eyes lit up—she was indeed starving.

But as she reached out, she suddenly seemed to recall something, and, like a startled rabbit, quickly withdrew her hand. She swallowed nervously, her clear eyes dropping to her toes as she murmured softly, “There’s meat in this... Such food must be precious, enough to save a life. If given to a wounded person, it might help them survive their pain, perhaps even save them…”

“Please, keep it safe—there’s no need to waste it on me. I can eat other things. Even though I was summoned here, I believe I still have a little food left myself…”