Having let the sea monster escape into the deep, I returned to the village.
While I was at it, I used my magic to tow the surviving fishing boats back to shore and haul them up onto the beach.
"Rest-san, are you all right?" Celestine asked as I approached.
"I’m fine. What about the fishermen I pulled out of the water?"
"I’ve just finished giving them first aid. Their lives aren't in any danger."
On the beach, the fishermen were embracing their families and comrades, sharing the relief of having survived.
"T-Thank you... my lord. Thanks to you, everyone in the village is safe..."
An elderly man, presumably the village head, approached me and bowed low.
"We will surely find a way to repay this... Truly, thank you so much, sir...!"
"No... don't mention i—er, don't worry about it."
I had almost spoken in my usual polite manner, but I quickly corrected my tone. Even if he was my senior in years, I was a noble now. If I spoke with too much humility, it would only make him more uncomfortable.
"More importantly... shouldn't we treat the injured?" I asked.
Though no one had drowned, several men were battered and bruised from being tossed against the hulls of their boats. It was best to treat them as soon as possible.
"Sigh... we would love to, but we have no healer or apothecary in this village... and we lack the coin to summon one from the neighboring towns."
"Ah... I see."
"We buy medicine from traveling merchants when we can... but we’ve exhausted our supplies treating previous injuries..."
That was likely the harsh reality for most typical farming and fishing villages. It wasn't uncommon for a settlement to lack anyone with knowledge of medicine or the ability to use healing magic.
"I suppose I have no choice. I’ll treat them myself."
"Are you sure, Rest-san?" Celestine checked.
"Yeah. I’ve already come this far; I might as well finish the job."
Normally, receiving treatment through healing magic required a substantial fee. It was a specialized, professional skill, not something to be handed out for free.
"If I turn my back on them now, I’ll never feel comfortable staying in this village... I should follow the Queen Dowager’s lead."
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager—Shoko—had provided various forms of support to this village. Out of respect for a fellow reincarnator, I decided I could put in a little extra effort.
"So, let me see the injured."
"Th-Thank you! Thank you so much, sir!"
The village head looked overwhelmed with gratitude, bowing to me over and over again.
I shrugged and walked over to where the injured were lying on the sand. The man lying closest to me was a sun-baked elder, blood seeping from a wound on his leg.
"[Heal]"
As I activated the spell, a soft light enveloped the fisherman. When the light faded, the injury on his leg had completely vanished.
"I-It’s healed!"
"Incredible... the young lord is a mage!"
Witnessing my magic, the villagers began shouting words of praise and admiration.
"What a blessing, what a blessing..."
"I never thought I’d see a mage with my own eyes before I died. Truly a blessing..."
Some of the villagers even pressed their hands together as if in prayer. They were treating me like some kind of living deity. Being thanked this much made me feel more awkward than happy.
"I should finish the treatments quickly and head back to the inn..."
Unable to bear the scrutiny, I picked up the pace, moving from person to person. I wasn't particularly specialized in healing magic, but since I could compensate for my lack of technique with my infinite mana, it wasn't a burden at all.
"U-Um... Noble Lord..."
"Hm...?"
As I was working my way through the injured, I felt a tug on the hem of my coat. Looking back, I saw the young girl who had first pleaded with me to hunt the monster.
"My daddy is... sleeping at home, too. He’s hurt..."
"Ah... I understand."
I really was committed now. I shrugged and gave her a nod.
"I'll go to your house and take a look. Show me the way once I'm done here."
"Yay!"
"Forgive us, my lord! I am so sorry for my daughter’s insolence!"
While the girl cheered with joy, her mother turned pale and repeatedly apologized for her child’s forwardness.