As mentioned before, when we talk about asceticism, the basic method was to travel around the world continuing with good deeds.
However, most priests and nuns were not properly trained and did not possess strong powers, leading to many casualties during their ascetic practices.
Ultimately, it became clear that continuing with the same method was not feasible, which led to the decision to allow participation in high-rank quests as healers.
For adventurers, unless they were S or A rank, it was nearly impossible to bring a priest or nun capable of healing along.
Even those who were higher-ranking priests usually acted within the local churches rather than joining parties.
Most adventurers relied on potions made in magic towers.
Even the lower-grade potions could at least ensure that they would not die from serious injuries.
From mid-grade potions onward, they could turn severe wounds into minor ones, and high-grade potions could cleanly heal serious injuries, so their quality was quite high.
The prices were exponentially higher, so only adventurers on B-rank missions could barely get their hands on mid-grade potions.
In games, even consuming lower or mid-grade potions was sufficient, so high-grade potions felt more like elixirs and were less likely to be consumed.
In any case, these relatively ordinary adventurers below B-rank sometimes had opportunities to work with clerics who could provide healing.
That was the case when the cleric had walked the path of asceticism.
“It’s great that there’s a cleric, but… is this really okay? I can’t see or hear them, you know?”
A man with a slightly lighter voice spoke with distrust.
“Won’t it be a burden?”
Another male adventurer voiced similar concerns.
In the game, it felt like entering a random party and heading off for a random mission among B-rank quests, so I had expected this to happen…
“Should we at least use them as a pack mule?”
“How can we trust someone who can’t see or hear? It’s too risky!”
“What good is someone who can’t even carry our load? And if they really can’t see or hear at all, they wouldn’t be here, so they must be able to hear everything we’re saying.”
That’s right.
It seems that having someone with personal reasons for joining the party due to asceticism is not particularly well-received.
From the tone of their voices, it feels like they plan to torment me throughout this journey.
‘Will this be okay?’
At the very least, I shouldn’t die.
I wonder if I can safely make it out of this party without dying…
Still, they said this party has a very high success rate, so even if unexpected situations arise, I think they will handle them well.
No, they have to.
As I fiddled with the flask in my arms, I thought to myself.
The quest was said to be a village that would take a week of walking to round trip from the capital.
It’s not too far away, thankfully, but for an untrained young girl, just reaching the requested village was an ordeal.
“Hah… hah…”
I couldn’t stop using divine power to assess my surroundings while walking to avoid tripping over anything, so it was mentally exhausting.
Moreover…
“Ah~ so comfortable~”
“Why give such a trivial load to that girl…”
“Because it’s trivial~ We don’t need healing anyway.”
Is this their way of keeping a watchful eye?
Or perhaps it’s resentment since they had never gone on a quest with a nun before, but thanks to the two female adventurers who were relentlessly tormenting me, it was unbearable.
‘I feel like I’m being abused…’
In such a situation, it feels strange to be oddly pleased with myself.
Of course, I couldn’t reveal that because it would defeat the purpose of my plan, so I kept my complaints to myself and tried my best to keep pace while holding the burden.
‘This is tough…’
If one could say anything about the adventurers, their speed of movement was incomparably faster than ordinary people.
Despite constantly activating my divine power to invigorate my body, I was merely struggling to keep up, and I was already panting heavily.
Honestly, I think this is quite impressive.
Thanks to the demerit I took for extra points, my body was much weaker compared to my peers.
My current form is weaker than that of girls my age.
I had managed to endure up until now by constantly circulating divine power to heal my body.
But given how weak I am, even with divine power surrounding me, there were clear limits because I was also carrying a load.
Ultimately, my trembling legs gave out from underneath me, and I fell forward.
“Ugh… haah… haah…”
The weight on my back pressed down against me as it fell.
I felt a pleasant pressure that almost took my breath away.
“Haah…”
“What are you doing if you can’t even carry this? With a body like yours, claiming you’re undertaking some kind of asceticism… tsk.”
Hearing the sigh-laden voice of a woman, I smirked inwardly.
The more they scolded me, the better I felt.
I trembled in strange pleasure already.
With this weak body of mine, having lost my sight and hearing, I was enduring this torment while carrying out a quest.
Entering the church every day as a diligent nun had made me feel bored to death, so this situation turned out for the better.
‘Hah…’
To them, that would be a natural response.
As they said, if a burden like me, who was completely useless, kept increasing, it would make them uneasy.
This mission goes beyond being merely bothersome; it’s a matter of life and death. Having a burden like me, who had spent my days in prayer like a potted flower, wouldn’t sit well with them.
In short, would they take responsibility if it led to their demise because of me?
‘Well… I’m sorry to say this to them, but…’
I already knew this quest inside out from start to finish.
I hadn’t seen the party’s level yet, so I couldn’t be sure it would be resolved without any harm.
But…
‘If no one gets hurt and it succeeds, that would be a problem too.’
How could I not create dramatic situations, right?
I pondered as I fiddled with the flask in my arms.
They would have to work hard for my sake.
I won’t let them die, after all.
—
Just because it’s near the capital doesn’t mean there aren’t any monsters.
We were steadily progressing towards the village while dealing with the monsters that attacked us one by one.
My pace had slightly slowed down since I was carrying a load, but it didn’t seem to matter much.
Aside from that, they complained about their homecoming being delayed because of me.
If that was the case, they shouldn’t have entrusted me with the burden in the first place~
Thanks to that, I was able to fulfill my desire and build up my experience sufficiently.
Before I knew it, night had fallen, and it was time to set up camp.
After establishing our location and starting the fire, I approached the male adventurers while waiting for the female adventurers to prepare the meal.
They looked a bit flustered, as if they hadn’t expected me to approach.
“What is it?”
Although his voice seemed cold at first, I sensed a bit of worry and compassion within it.
In truth, the women from earlier weren’t all that bad.
Well, it’s hard to say they’re kind, but most adventurers are like that.
I consider myself fortunate to be in a party of ordinary adventurers who are neither particularly kind nor bad.
“[Are you hurt anywhere…?]”
It may be hard to open the hearts of such people, but probing into their feelings isn’t that difficult.
The man who looked puzzled by my question waved his hand, indicating that he was fine.
Unfortunately, it’s important not to delve deeper from here.
“[Is that so… I’m glad to hear that.]”
I replied and returned to my spot.
As mealtime approached, I had to skip eating due to the ascetic practices.
Why is it that one can’t eat during ascetic practices?
I have no idea…
Time passed, and night fell. It was time to decide who would keep watch, and once again, I volunteered for the duty.
Everyone looked unsure of me, but since another person would be standing with me, they probably felt it was fine and went off to sleep.
“…”
In the end, I was left with the muscular, large male adventurer who had asked if I was injured earlier, sitting by the campfire.
‘Hmm…’
I wished it could have been someone else, but well… there’s still time left.
I clasped my hands together and offered a prayer.
In times like this, the atmosphere is vital.
It’s not awkward at all to be praying, absolutely.
…
It’s true.
