Just a simple job of giving a light warning

It was time to officially receive the Divine Artifact from His Majesty.

Granny Maria would take the mailbox to the castle for me, so I was disguised as Healer, waiting for the signal.

Once I got the signal, I'd receive the Divine Artifact from the king, and while I was at it, give him a light warning like "I'll let it slide this time, but don't go stealing from people." Just a simple job.

… Oh, the signal card just came through the mailbox. Alright, here I go!

 

*

 

It was a fairly luxurious room despite having no windows. Apparently a hidden chamber in the royal castle.

Healer popped into existence at what appeared to be a hastily constructed altar.

Besides me, there were three people present.

One was Granny Maria. She was in noble lady mode, wearing a chic dress, more formal than when we had tea the other day, standing beside the mailbox that had been placed on the altar.

One was the king. Wearing his crown and draped in a red mantle, looking every bit the king, he was kneeling toward the altar… or rather, toward me.

The last one was the large bodyguard I'd seen the other day. He was also clad in blue armor, kneeling diagonally behind the king.

"… You may raise your head."

When I said my line as rehearsed with Granny Maria, the king looked up at Healer.

… Um, what was I supposed to do next again? I glanced at Granny Maria.

"Emissary-sama. This is the king of our nation, King Paverkant III."

"Y-Yes. We met the other day. My apologies for not being able to speak with you much."

"Not at all! Emissary-sama, we were the ones who were terribly rude the other day!"

The king said, bowing his head once more.

Rude? Was there something…? All I remember is us being rude to them.

"Emissary-sama, our Royal Guard Captain Gowei pointed his sword at you, I'm told."

Wait, he didn't actually draw his sword, did he? He just put his hand on the hilt?

"Did such a thing happen? I only recall him as a fine retainer faithful to his duties. Cherish him."

"Th-Thank you so much, Emissary-sama!"

Even though they were on the red carpet extending from the altar, the king and his guard were bowing so deeply their heads nearly touched the floor.

I mean, I'm being super high and mighty here. This is so awkward…

Granny Maria, this is right, isn't it? You told me to act all high and mighty!

"Your Majesty, the Emissary-sama appears troubled, so perhaps that's enough."

"Understood."

The king raised his head once more.

"It pains me to take up Emissary-sama's precious time, so let us proceed with the Divine Artifact."

"Yes. Gowei."

"Sir."

With that, the large bodyguard—the Royal Guard Captain—produced the Divine Artifact "Wall Breaker" from a small bag… or rather, the fake one. It's hollow inside, light as can be, can't break castle walls, and just goes piko. A legit squeaky hammer.

It was first handed to Granny Maria. Then Healer received it.

"I have received it. —Ah, yes. As a reward for returning this Divine Artifact, I shall forgive the theft this once. There was a lack of communication on my part as well. I shall speak to Tessin myself."

"… Yes! Thank you so much!"

The king's face showed obvious relief.

"To explain again… the sheer number of Divine Artifacts has put the world's energy balance in the negative. Therefore, I have been commanded by the gods to collect them. However, this does not mean the world will end in ten years. As long as the gods watch over this world, things are still manageable for now."

"I-I see. I jumped to conclusions…"

"Maria-b—ahem. Mariabel. It seems there was a misunderstanding on that point."

"I am deeply sorry. It was my failing."

"Very well. I have obtained one Divine Artifact, after all."

Then I opened a hole in the ceiling with Spatial Magic.

Beyond it was a "ridiculously glowing, blindingly bright space." I then gently floated the fake Divine Artifact into it using Spatial Magic.

"Ohhh… so this is the work of the gods…!"

Actually, this is a presentation we've been working on with Mie-chan and the others for the Divine Artifact Return Ceremony.

Seeing how moved the king is, looks like we can officially adopt this one.

"Ah yes, while we're at it, let me heal some of your physical ailments."

"Huh?"

I hopped down from the altar with an "oof" and lightly touched the king's head.

With Massage Lv 5, even this much contact is plenty effective. Time to fix that stiff shoulder!

… Whoa, his insides are a mess. Being a king must be rough. His stomach's wrecked from all the stress…

… This is stomach cancer. Scan… Hmm, no metastasis. Well, since I'm here anyway, let's excise it with Spatial Magic. Fill in the empty spot by tidying things up and copy-pasting.

Way easier than growing limbs back!

"Th-This is… my body feels so light… the pain in my organs is gone…!?"

"Indeed. It seems you had some illness. There was a lesion, so I removed it."

"Th-Thank you… Emissary-sama…!"

The king shed tears, droplets rolling down one after another.

You're welcome. I know your job is tough, but hang in there.

"Now then, I shall take my leave. Don't overwork yourself."

"The Emissary-sama is departing."

Granny Maria's eyes were screaming "What did you just do!?" Taking full advantage of the king crying and not being able to see, she was making quite a face.

Uh, was healing him a bad move? Looks like we're going to have a debriefing session later… Can't I just skip out?