21 — “Luciell” the S-Rank Healer

21 — “Luciell” the S-Rank Healer

Once Merratoni was visible in the distance, we could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Forêt Noire had been feeling unwell since that morning, and no amount of magic seemed to help, so I was riding in the carriage for a change. Lionel rode at the front, alert and on guard—mostly looking for opportunities to tease Ketty and Kefin, who sat in the driver seats. Estia was with me, but she had been looking down the entire trip and was a less than ideal conversation partner. So really, could anyone blame me for likening the journey to a dark cavern?

Lionel spoke to the guard for us when we reached the gate. I heard their voices start to rise.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“An imposter wearing your name seems to have passed through just recently,” he replied.

On break again today, Monsieur Luck? Fine, I get it.

I stepped out of the carriage and faced the guard. “Is there a problem?”

“Present identification,” the sentry said.

A new guy, maybe? I didn’t begrudge him for not knowing my face, of course. On the contrary, I respected him for doing his job.

“I’m here on business with the Healer’s and Adventurer’s Guilds. Here’s my identification.”

“Thank you, s—” His eyes went wide. “Is this real?”

I cracked a smile. “You can accompany me to the guild if you don’t believe me. I could go for a walk, actually.”

Estia still worried me slightly, but she had worked in this town before. I shot her a glance as she hopped out of the carriage, and it seemed like she was feeling better. Perhaps she had just been motion-sick.

Everyone else dismounted, and I stowed away the carriage and horses, sparking a few surprised gasps from the guards. Then, I retrieved my S-rank card from the sentry and set out.

It wasn’t long before old faces, including adventurers, started to call out to me.

“Mister Luciel, gimme a healing!”

“Teach these healers how it’s done!”

“You shoulda told us you were comin’! I’d have bought ya some more clothes!”

“Can ya drink yet?”

“I opened up a new restaurant! Come stop by!”

The sentry looked more than uncomfortable with all the attention, but hey, I figured he wouldn’t forget my face after this. The warm welcome was nice. It felt like coming home as a hero.

Kefin spoke to the guard for information about the imposter while I took in the familiar sights. Seeing all the architecture in a new light, recognizing the magic and dwarven construction, was a lot of fun, and I would have gotten carried away if I hadn’t forced myself to stay on the road to the Healer’s Guild. I really could’ve used a strong individual like Kururu to add some color to the day.

But first, I encountered the reason for the sentry’s initial suspicion.

“That’s him, sir,” Kefin said. “The one using your name.”

Before us was a carriage in the middle of the road. An exceptionally gaudy and decorated one.

“That’s some taste,” I said. “Well, maybe we just share a name. Let’s head inside the guildhall.”

I grinned at the others and they smirked back. Nice work, mister imposter. Thanks for helping to fix the awkward atmosphere. Maybe now I wouldn’t sue him.

“How many, you think?” I asked.

“Three in the carriage,” Lionel said.

“What’s the plan?”

“If they really are stealing your identity, let’s watch and see how they react,” Kefin suggested.

“You and Sir Lionel stay out here,” Ketty instructed us.

With that, the two of them rushed up to the carriage.

“Hey, nice parking job, jerk!” Ketty shouted.

“You better be glad you didn’t hurt nobody!” Kefin jeered.

It took everything I had not to bust out laughing. This was the most surreal B-movie I had ever seen.

A woman emerged from the vehicle while a man stood up from the driver’s seat.

“Cut your barking, you animals! This is the great and illustrious carriage of the great and illustrious S-rank healer, Luciell! Do we need to put a couple of muzzles on you?” The man jumped down and drew his sword, but he looked about as intimidating as a smartass who’d had one too many drinks.

The woman sighed. “I try to tell him that these beasts can’t be reasoned with, but I’m certain Mister Luciell will be merciful. Have some shame and leave now, will you?”

Wow, screw those guys. Was this what human supremacists were like? If so, this was about as stereotypical as racists could get.

“Lionel, how common is crap like this?” I asked.

“It happens occasionally,” he answered. “I vaguely recall wiping blood off my blade that once belonged to one such jokester in the past.”

Even discounting the fact that they were my companions, seeing people looked down on like that was starting to make me see red. But I couldn’t interfere with Ketty and Kefin’s act.

“If they don’t come clean, we might have to make them,” I muttered angrily. “My first time coming home in years and this is what I get.”

“There are witnesses,” Lionel said calmly, restraining my frustration. “Let’s continue to observe.” Thank goodness one of us was level-headed.

“Making up for that bomb you dropped on them earlier?”

“I wasn’t myself at the time, sir.”

An effect of the overflowing dark aura? I had to ask the Spirit of Dusk next chance I got.

“Keep an eye out for anyone who might be inside the guildhall,” I told him.

“Understood.”

I continued to watch the scene unfold in front of us, and things were starting to heat up, but Ketty and Kefin looked thoroughly amused.

“They’re a good team.”

“Indeed.”

The sentry shook like a leaf as we spectated. Just then, the man struck Kefin with the hilt of his sword.

The woman turned her back on Ketty to boast at him, “I tried to warn you. You animals need to learn your place in the natural order.” Ketty said nothing. “Now, what’s the matter with you? Cat got your—” When the woman turned back, Ketty was already gone. “Hmph. Ran away. Smart.”

Suddenly, the man leaned onto the woman’s body. “Ugh, reel it in, pal,” she spat. She moved and the man fell right to the ground. “Uh, excuse me?”

Ketty suddenly reappeared behind her and knocked her out with a swift chop to the neck. “What’s wrong, cat got your tongue?”

“Pretty bad security for an S-rank,” Kefin noted.

“You’re not foolin’ anyone, pal,” Ketty shouted at the carriage. “Move your damn carriage.”

The man inside stepped out. He was tall and scrawny. “You’re both quite strong,” he said. “New adventurers, are you? Well, you’ll be glad to know that I am impressed, assuming your goal was to market your skills to me.”

“Wow, is that how I’d look if I didn’t train?” I remarked. “Where’s he getting all that hot air from?”

“He has your hair and height, but you really look nothing alike,” Lionel stated. “Frankly, I’m amazed no one questioned him.”

That made two of us. Seriously, how had he gotten away with this? It was just plain stupid.

“The least he could do before committing identity fraud is a little research,” I grumbled. People were starting to gather around the scene, and my head was starting to hurt.

“Well?” Ketty urged. “Why’re you parked out here?”

“Because, you see, I am an S-rank healer,” the man scoffed. “Surely you have heard my name.”

“Nope,” Kefin said flatly.

“And this is why we don’t associate with animals. I am Luciell, you beast! Healer of the rank of S!”

Luciell... I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something about that name didn’t feel right.

“This is getting weird. How’s this guy passing as an S-rank?” I wondered aloud in bemusement.

“Shall we apprehend him?” Lionel suggested.

“No, I’ll make an entrance. You make sure no one leaves the guildhall.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Guard, come with me,” I told him.

“Y-Yes, sir!” he stammered.

He seemed convinced that I was the real one now, at least. As I approached, Ketty and Kefin were so into their roles that they took a knightly knee before me.

“Who is this? Are you the owner responsible for these two?” the man demanded. “Look at what they’ve done to my people! Do you know who I am? I am an S-rank! If I weren’t so merciful, I would have your head, but you’re lucky this day. I’ll consider this matter settled for a mere ten platinum pieces.”

“You’re too kind,” I said. “Shall we make it a contract?”

“A what?”

“An oath before the gods.”

“I knew that,” he shot back. “I’m asking what it would entail.”

“You prove that you’re an S-rank healer, and I’ll pay the ten platinum. If you’re lying, you’ll make amends for your crime for the rest of your life.”

“I agree to the terms, of course, but have you even the coin to—”

Before this “Luciell” could even finish, I produced the money. “Yes. Do we have a deal?”

“Very well. May I be brought to justice should my words prove false!” he proclaimed.

“Great. He’s all yours,” I told the guard.

“I’m very sorry about this, sir,” the guard said in turn.

“What is the meaning of this?!” the imposter shouted.

“Nice to meet you, Luciell. Allow me to introduce myself,” I said. “My name is Luciel, S-rank healer of the Church of Saint Shurule. The only S-rank healer, I should add.”

The crowd that had gathered suddenly broke into cheers and insults directed towards the fraud.

“Wait, you’re—”

“Yep. Your friends are going in for questioning too, so I’d join them without a fuss.”

The man slouched over, drooping his head as more guards came to apprehend him and his accomplices. They walked him back to the guardhouse.

“Wasn’t expecting to meet another you, Chief,” Ketty remarked.

“They say imitation is the best form of flattery,” Kefin added.

“Pardon me for not being flattered in this instance,” I answered with a groan.

The awkwardness was gone, people were smiling again, and my doppelganger had been apprehended. The stage was nice and clean for Lionel and Brod’s rematch.

“You’re famous everywhere,” Estia finally chimed in quietly.

“You think so?” I said. “Well, I hope they at least like me here. This place is like a second home to me.”

She smiled but it was distant. “I’m jealous.”

I hoped she would find her own home one day.

When we entered the guildhall, we found a man tied up on the ground...with Kururu stepping on him. I froze for several seconds before I found my voice.

“Hey, Kururu,” I said awkwardly. “We can, uh, come back later if you’re busy.”

“Oh, hello, Luciel!” she replied. “He’s not a friend of yours, is he?”

“Not me. A guy named Luciell, who we just helped to arrest earlier.”

“Perfect. Gimme a moment to tidy up.”

The guildmaster hoisted the man up and carried him outside, laughing sadistically.

“Who is she?” Lionel asked.

“Well, I thought I knew the answer to that question,” I replied.

I couldn’t offer a straight answer. Instead, I made my way to the lounge room and contemplated life to kill some time.