Ch.528Two Weeks of Convalescence

Lacy put in a lot of effort to help me recover as quickly as possible.

She liberally used all kinds of medicinal herbs that were supposed to help restore energy, even consuming high-quality holy water like it was nothing. She even placed a sacred relic said to be blessed by Elpinel at my bedside.

Apparently, keeping it in the room would drive away negative energy and boost vitality. I heard it was originally being used by former Cardinal Drexler for his health management.

“Is it really okay to keep something like this here? This sacred relic seems like it would be much more necessary for that old man than for me.”

When I saw him before, he looked like he was on his deathbed. If we take this away from him, wouldn’t he go straight to meet Elpinel?

…Surely that’s not what she’s hoping for.

Now that she has completely taken control of the Church of Elpinel, perhaps she thinks it would be cleaner and less troublesome if the former Cardinal were to “pass away” rather than “recover”… She couldn’t be having such ominous thoughts.

…Right?

“Lord Drexler is doing fine now. Since he began his recovery at a villa on a remote island, having set aside all his duties, he’s been regaining his health with each passing day.”

“Is that so…?”

Isn’t sending a powerful figure to a remote island more like exile than recovery?

“Yes. Though we cannot restore his position, he can live out his natural life without any worries, so I’m sure Lord Drexler is satisfied.”

Lacy affirmed with an incredibly sweet smile that Drexler would spend the rest of his life on that island.

She said that except for not being able to leave the island, they would accommodate all his requests, so he could live the rest of his life without any lack.

“This should have happened much sooner. Lord Drexler had a bad habit of not taking care of his body and pushing himself too hard. That might have been understandable when he was younger, but he needs to consider his age now. The responsibilities he once shouldered will now be handled by Sir Richard, so Lord Drexler can enjoy his remaining years with peace of mind.”

Her tone was like that of a granddaughter who had gifted her elderly grandfather a retirement retreat.

Perhaps Lacy herself sincerely believed this. When I asked if it was really necessary to confine him to the island, she replied that if he had contact with the outside world, he would take on responsibilities again and strain himself both physically and mentally.

—-

I spent nearly two weeks either lying or sitting in bed.

All I could do was mentally replay the combat sensations I had experienced when vanquishing the demon. It was an incredibly boring time.

If friends hadn’t visited my sickroom to keep me company, I might have merged with the bed out of boredom, becoming the progenitor of a new human-bed hybrid species, like some senior soldier who had given up on life.

Millia and Demian would bring up the topic of reaching the realm of heroes whenever they had the chance, having perhaps found clues to transcend their current level during the fight with Eljur.

They would ask what specifically changes when one moves beyond being a Master, or beg me to explain how to use one’s soul as a source of power, things like that.

“So… the accumulated Karma that exceeds your previous limits strengthens not just your body but your soul itself…? Something like that.”

I explained what I knew, but since using one’s soul manifested in Karma is more about sensation than theory, I wasn’t sure if my explanation was properly conveyed.

Even to me, my explanation about the Tale of Heroes sounded like grasping at clouds.

“It’s like your soul becomes stronger than that of an ordinary person, and your beliefs, desires, wishes, or values melt into your Karma and manifest in concrete forms…? What you desire most, or the fundamental thoughts you usually hold, become realized to a limited extent. Though it’s limited to combat situations.”

“That’s kind of vague… I feel like I almost understand, but it’s like my brain is being tickled.”

“Well, that’s how enlightenment works. If you’re ready to reach the realm of heroes, you’ll naturally understand it someday.”

If someone could perfectly grasp it just from another person’s explanation, we wouldn’t call it enlightenment. If that were possible, everyone and their dog would be a hero.

Since the thoughts contained in one’s soul differ from person to person, to break through that wall, you ultimately have to contemplate it yourself—what your essence truly is.

—-

Demian and Millia were almost always together, but occasionally they would separate for personal matters. It was during one of these times that Demian visited my sickroom alone.

I greeted Demian while sitting up with my back against the pillow.

After hesitating for a moment, perhaps because it was something he couldn’t bring up with Millia around, Demian finally revealed the reason he had come to my sickroom alone.

His secret—that he had been merely imitating emotions without actually feeling them—was apparently known to Millia.

Surprised, I asked for details and learned about what Millia had declared to herself in front of Eljur.

It made me feel foolish for having agonized over whether to tell Millia about Demian’s secret or keep it to myself. Millia had already accepted the fact and even reached her own conclusion about it.

I wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or to think that love was too heavy a burden… but at least one worry had been lifted.

“So, what’s the problem? If Millia understood and accepted it, isn’t everything fine?”

If one source of anxiety had disappeared, he should be happy about it. I didn’t understand why he was wearing such a serious expression.

Of course, that expression was probably just an imitation anyway. Still, the fact that he was making such an expression meant there was something serious to discuss.

Demian’s expressions weren’t about hiding his true feelings and showing false emotions, but rather expressions he created based on his experience and observation, judging what expression would be appropriate for a given situation.

“Well… since that day, Millia has been refusing contraception…”

…What did I just hear?

Though I hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol, my head was spinning as if I were drunk, with a headache suddenly washing over me.

Contraception, contraception… Right. This is a serious matter indeed. If Millia were to suddenly become pregnant, we’d lose one of our main combat forces.

Knowing Millia’s personality, she wouldn’t leave her child with a nanny or someone else; she would definitely stay close and take care of it with utmost devotion.

But still.

“So… what do you want me to do about it…”

I placed my hand on my forehead to ease the dizziness and let out a deep sigh as I lowered my head.

What does this guy think I am, coming to me with this kind of consultation?

Even if he considers me a friend rather than a superior, this isn’t something you discuss with a friend of the opposite sex. There’s nothing more uncomfortable than hearing about acquaintances’ bedroom activities.

Well, he’s the type who lacks that kind of tact, so I guess it can’t be helped.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you advice on this kind of problem. Personal matters like this should be handled between the parties involved. Do I need to plan your family for you too?”

I kicked Demian out of the sickroom. I really had nothing to say. I couldn’t possibly intervene in matters like this.

Millia might follow my advice if I said something, but as a friend, it was my duty to respect her choice if that’s what she wanted.

—-

It wasn’t just acquaintances who visited my sickroom. To be precise, there was exactly one person who wasn’t an acquaintance.

A priestess named Bethania. A healing priest sent by the Church of Astraea, and an educator who came to teach me doctrine in place of Ceylon, who was still recovering.

“Doctrine education? I’m sorry, but I don’t need it.”

Of course, I tried to refuse. Even though I had received the Stigmata of Astraea, I had no intention of joining the church and becoming a paladin.

Rather than wracking my brain memorizing old-fashioned doctrines, I’d much prefer to spend that time watching my comrades spar while smoking a cigarette.

However, very unfortunately, Bethania was not someone who would accept my refusal.

“I see…”

As soon as I refused the doctrine education, she bowed her head deeply and pulled out a leather whip from inside her robe.

Thinking she might be planning to lash me with it, I flinched and instinctively prepared to counter, but then she loosened the top of her priest’s robe and struck her own back with the whip. Hard enough that blood droplets flowed from her reddened skin.

I jumped in shock.

“No, what are you doing?!”

“To think I cannot even convey the goddess’s words to the saint who received the Stigmata of Astraea… In life, I have no face to show the Cardinal, and in death, I cannot raise my head before the goddess… It’s all because of my inadequacy…!”

Bethania whipped her own back while sobbing in a depressed tone. Her snow-white back quickly turned red. Her flesh split open and blood streamed down.

“Alright, I’ll learn it, I’ll learn it!”

With arms that barely had strength, I managed to grab her hand and negotiated that I would listen to the doctrine education, finally stopping her self-harm.

Although she was a stranger to me, she had diligently treated me while I was asleep, and I wasn’t cold-blooded enough to ignore someone harming themselves right in front of me.

If she had demanded that I join the Church of Astraea, that would be different, but listening to doctrine was something I could compromise on.

“Thank you. Astraea will also welcome the saint’s choice.”

Looking down at Bethania as she stopped her self-harm and offered a prayer, I let out a deep sigh in my heart.

Ernlitter, that person. He said he would send a healing priest, but what kind of crazy fanatic did he send? I couldn’t help but sigh.

—-

It was about two weeks after I woke up that I recovered enough to walk around. Of course, this just meant I could move around like normal people; combat and such were still out of the question.

Wearing only a light gown instead of my armor that had lost all its scales, I wandered around the Elphinel Cathedral to alleviate my boredom.

I would visit Lena to praise her for mastering the miracle of healing, meet with Lacy to discuss future plans, or watch Nigel and Leonore spar as part of my rehabilitation.

And then, my daily routine included listening to the doctrine of the Church of Astraea from Bethania who came to find me, and responding appropriately.