As the group moved through the camp, Lilith was thinking. 

So, these people at least trust me enough to listen to me, but that’s in absence of any higher authorities like Milo, the knights, or anyone else. I think Milo’s on my side, but I’m not sure how he’d react to me attempting [Consecrate]. 

Speaking of [Consecrate], what does it consider a ‘settlement’ to consist of? Who’s considered part of any settlement? Is it just everyone who’s at the settlement at the moment I cast the spell, or is there a certain amount of time you have to live there for?

Wait, where does a settlement even end? I know there’s some farmland around the village, so if someone’s out there when I cast [Consecrate] does it affect them? Would it affect the knights, or the kidnapped women?

I’ll see if Medenta knows next time I meditate.

Coming out of her thoughts, Lilith saw in the distance more combat. Another group of villagers had engaged with several goblins. 

Alright, planning time. “I’ll head into the center so I can use my [Protection] spell on as many people as possible. I won’t be able to put up shields when I’m far away from you, so be careful,” she called to the rest of group one.

“Got it.”

Now, how did Kass do it? Casting [Static Blast], Lilith felt the mana ripple through her body, focusing in her feet, then using the blast to leap into the middle of the battlefield. 

It feels like I should have a shovel right no-

“OW!” When Lilith landed, however, she heard a nasty snap in her leg.

Not to self: Never do that again.

Normally, she’d be able to wait for it to heal, but her regeneration was only barely keeping up with [Protection], and looking around, she saw several goblins approaching. Thinking quickly, she cast a barrier around herself and grabbed the bottle of milk Amelia had given her. 

Let’s see how much this helps me heal. Uncorking the bottle and pouring the contents down her throat, she felt a rush of power, as the milk restored her MP and HP. She couldn’t check how much, but it was enough for her leg to be repaired. Now, let’s get to work. 

Despite the initial shock of seeing a woman fly into the middle of a battle, scream in pain, and then do magic, the other group got over their shock well enough. With the goblins being flanked, paired with Lilith’s [Protection] spell, the two groups soon managed to defeat the goblins; Lilith herself taking out two of them single-handedly.

As everyone took stock of the situation, luckily without casualties, Casey and his assigned knight- Seth, if Lilith remembered correctly- came up to her.

“So, how long could you do… that?”

“Are you referring to the jumping, the healing, the shield, or making everyone more resilient?”

“All of it,” the knight said. “How are you able to do magic?”

“That is a very long story that I’ve already promised I’ll explain to the other knight. For now, just know that I am; on your side, capable of using magic to protect and heal, and in a LOT of pain on account of just breaking my leg and taking half the injuries of everyone here. So if you could just give me a second? That’d be great.”

While Seth was taken off-guard, Lilith pulled up her menu to check how much MP she had left.

Only 15, huh? That’s three [Protection]s, or five heals. That milk gave me a little back, but not too much, considering how much I’ve used for heals, shields, protection, and that one [Gimlet] spell. I’ll have to figure out which is most useful going forward.

The [Protection] spell is good, to protect large groups, but it’ll probably start outpacing my regeneration soon, especially if I’m also fighting.

Leveling up the skill, Lilith felt her hair untangle slightly, and the pain fade away faster. Closing the menu, she looked back at Casey. “We found the kidnappees and sent them back with the knights. Kass is off fighting on his own near the center of the camp, so he suggested we work around the edges to meet up with groups like you to make sure none of the goblins escape.”

“Alright. We’re going to continue moving the way you came from, so I’d say you keep going to meet up with the other group. By the time we meet up again, most if not all of the goblins should be dealt with.”

“Got it.”

 As the two groups reorganized and continued in their directions, Lilith turned to the rest of group one. “I’m running low on magic power, so I’m going to go meet up with Kass quickly. You guys, continue around the perimeter. I’ll try to move quickly.”

“Sure thing. We’ll move a bit slower, though, to make sure nobody gets seriously injured while you’re unable to do healing.”

“Good plan. See you soon.”

Hey, Kass?

Yeah?

I’m running low on MP. Do you still have the bottle Amelia gave you?

Yeah. Why?

I’m coming your way to pick it up. Don’t worry, though, it’ll just be me.

Alright. Can you contact me a bit later. In the middle of something.

Oh, sure.