If you had to be hurt yourself in order to help someone, how much could you endure? The manga “Kizu Darake Seijo Yori Houfuku wo Komete” is a revenge fantasy that poses such a poignant question. The protagonist, Lua, is a saint candidate with the power to heal people's wounds and illnesses. However, that ability came with a price that was far too cruel. Her healing is a special type that works by transferring the other person's symptoms onto herself. In other words, every time she saves someone, Lua herself must bear the pain and suffering. Despite helping people so devotedly, she ends up being looked down upon by those around her as a “defective saint.” Far from being thanked, having only the flaws of her ability blamed is terribly unreasonable, isn't it? Even so, seeing her continue to heal people gives a sense of kindness, along with a somewhat perilous spirit of self-sacrifice.

For Lua, the emotional support she relied on was her close friend, Arianne. An existence who always shielded her, even when harsh words were showered upon her by those around her. No matter how painful the situation, she could persevere as long as Arianne was on her side. To Lua, Arianne must have been that important of a person. However, that trust is shattered in a cruel manner. Amazingly, Arianne, whom she thought was her sole confidant, had a hidden true nature. The development where the person who was supposed to be protecting her actually becomes the cause of despair makes one's chest tighten. A betrayal from a friend who was completely trusted leaves far deeper wounds than people who show outright hostility. The shock Lua received must have been incomparable to the pain she had accumulated up to that point. And this incident comes to drastically change her destiny.

Having reached the limit of her heart due to her close friend's betrayal, Lua, who had lived while being hurt for the sake of others until now, finally resolves: “I will not heal anyone anymore.” In these words, one feels that not only simple anger, but also grief over her unrewarded devotion is contained. The one who suddenly appeared before her was the second prince, Sven. What he brought was neither comfort nor salvation, but a bold proposal: “Won't you take revenge together?” Recommending retaliation to a wounded saint despite being in the position of a prince makes him quite an unexpected figure, doesn't it? Furthermore, Lua had another ability that she kept hidden from those around her. That was a “sadistic ability” to inflict suffering on the opponent. Holding both the power to heal people and the power to harm them, her teaming up with Sven drives the story rapidly into a new phase.

What is particularly interesting about this work is that Lua does not simply become stronger, but attempts to change her very way of living up to this point. Having taken on someone else's pain and endured unreasonable treatment, this time she attempts to give retribution to those who hurt her. It is truly a dramatic transformation from saint to villainess. However, her vengefulness cannot be dismissed as simple malice. This is because it can also be read as a story of a person who continued to make sacrifices for others for a long time rising up to protect herself. Furthermore, what motives Sven had in offering cooperation to Lua is also of interest. How the relationship between the two will change, along with the outcome of the revenge, cannot be overlooked.

What supports the interest of “Kizu Darake Seijo Yori Houfuku wo Komete” are the two abilities possessed by the protagonist. The healing ability to take on the opponent's pain, and the sadistic ability to inflict suffering on others. At first glance they are opposite powers, but the point that both are established around pain is impressive. Until now, Lua saved people by sacrificing herself. However, if she releases her hidden power, this time she will stand on the side of giving suffering. This contrast depicts the change in her state of mind even more vividly. Additionally, the point that makes one contemplate just how much the surrounding expectations of “a saint should be kind to everyone” cornered the person herself cannot be missed. Are being good and continuing to sacrifice oneself truly the same thing?

The appeal of this work is not just the stimulating development of retaliation for betrayal. There is also a major highlight in the figure of a person who lost trust trying to reclaim her own life once again. Will Lua be saved by accomplishing revenge, or will she come to bear new suffering? And what changes will the cooperative relationship with the second prince Sven bring to her? It is a manga recommended not only to people who like stories where a protagonist who received unreasonable treatment turns to counterattack, but also to people who want to enjoy complex human relationships and psychological depictions. The life as a villainess chosen by the scarred saint. Please see for yourself through the story whether true happiness lies beyond that.