This is why I can’t quit religion.

Before the war…

Even centuries before that, there was a time in this world called the “Forgotten Era.”

Unlike now, the continent was teeming with all sorts of magical beasts and plagues, and people in each region sought survival in different ways to avoid such dangers.

Modern historians, while excavating records from that time, claim that scholars led the growth of civilization during that period.

Those who sought to learn about the world could have accelerated the growth of civilization by exploring and utilizing all things, especially using ‘mana’, which has the property of imbuing objects.

But perhaps because they too were human?

No matter how wise and excellent a scholar was, they weren’t free from diseases, and so the rulers of the time had no choice but to become more dependent on Holy Power, the only means of healing.

The moment those who sought to explore all things paradoxically handed over power to religious people who respected the inherent nature of all things.

As the friction between academia and religious orders intensified in this process, the ruled class who craved power attempted to scheme by persuading religious forces to push out the ruling class of the time.

The knowledge that is gradually being unearthed in the present era was buried during this process.

Chemistry, considered an advanced stage of alchemy; engineering that creates complex mechanical devices using the very essence of things; transcendent techniques at the boundary that can’t be explained even by existing magic systems such as engraving, spirit magic, and summoning magic…

And even medicine that can treat the human body without using Holy Power.

‘Asclepius. The first doctor who attempted to popularize medicine in a society highly dependent on Holy Power.’

Mana, the main axis of exploration, cannot investigate life with self-awareness because of the conflict of will…

Despite such challenges, she devised several practical medical treatments, and the records left at that time have now been established as a discipline led by medical powerhouses centuries later.

She can be considered the mother of modern medicine.

Although she was accused of being a witch and burned at the stake at the time, the records she left have been passed down to the present era, awakening faith in those who encountered them.

That’s how Clea, the god of medicine, and the Cleas Order that serves her, were born in the middle of the war.

“Lady Clea.”

However, since the person who should be prayed to is asleep, the reason for her descent here must be due to someone else.

Unlike her, who only manifests ‘hands’, if it’s possible to manifest the entire body so clearly…

“Perhaps the reason you descended here is because of the teacher’s…”

Just as that speculation was about to leave my mouth.

-Shh.

As a faint sound was heard, her finger was gently placed on her lips.

Not much force was applied, but it was very warm and soft.

As I watched her smiling at me in that state, I found myself smiling involuntarily as I understood the meaning.

“…I see, I understand.”

Not even wanting speculation to be spoken.

It seems that the one who sent her here is quite a shy person.

Thinking that this too might be love, Seine moved away slightly and said.

“Then, at least tell that person this: Thanks to her guidance, many people have been able to move towards the right path.”

-Flutter.

Wings spread out at the end of those words.

After they blocked my view and then disappeared, only the light shining from the window remained where she had been.

Only the fluttering wings there told of her existence.

But even that eventually disappeared as if absorbed into the light, and the usual scenery of the infirmary unfolded as if nothing had happened.

“…Huh?”

It was at that moment that she, who had been sleeping all along, woke up.

As I watched the woman raise herself from the desk, I chuckled and prepared to approach her side.

“Teacher Seine.”

“Ah, I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t sleeping, so please don’t write me up… Huh?”

Did she belatedly become aware of my presence?

As she, just waking from sleep, turned her dazed gaze towards me, I chuckled and quietly said to her.

“It seems you have quite a good family, teacher.”

“…Family?”

“Hehe.”

Seine smiled silently in front of her who expressed doubt.

My mouth was itching to speak, but for the sake of the shy person involved, it was something I had to endure.

Having organized my thoughts that way, I soon adopted a demure posture and answered her.

“Good morning, teacher.”

With a greeting accompanied by bright sunlight.

Preparing to enjoy a day like any other.

---

…What’s this?

Why did the Saint suddenly mention my family?

It bothered me all morning, but the Saint seemed to be in a good mood, humming and focusing only on reading.

Of course, they say a smile is the source of happiness, but don’t people sometimes laugh when they’re frustrated?

Moreover, that woman is still staying in this city.

I’ve heard through the grapevine that the guy is pretending to be a mercenary for Lagrid while hiding his identity, but regardless of the reason, as someone who holds a grudge against religion, we can’t rule out the possibility that he might cause a big incident.

Can’t be helped. If it’s true, I’ll have to rush over and crack that blockhead’s skull.

Even if it’s not, I’ll crack it later anyway…

“Teacher Seine. Why do you look so upset?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. What did you just say?”

During the break time given during lunch.

Taking advantage of that time, I sat on a bench in the school garden and spent time reading a newspaper held in my hand along with Teacher Lloyd sitting next to me.

No matter how much of an infirmary dweller I am, I can’t just stay there all the time.

Sometimes it’s good to share friendship with colleagues by using the allowed leisure time, so I decided to chat using the newspaper that Teacher Lloyd, who happened to have some time, brought as a topic…

In the midst of that, suddenly frowning and getting angry on my own, it’s natural to be surprised.

“I said, ‘Such things happen in the world.’ Who would have imagined that a virgin giving birth would occur in our time?”

“Ah, yes. That part?”

Come to think of it, such a thing happened recently.

Seeing it reported prominently on the front page of the newspaper several weeks later, I was freshly impressed by how slow the information transmission of this era is.

Well, even high-ranking officials can’t easily use communication-type magic, so it’s not easy to exchange news.

Naturally, the speed at which knowledge becomes common is as slow as a snail crawling, so even if they report unbelievable facts in a big way, most people would find it hard to understand.

As a result, what was written in the newspaper was just a ridiculous conclusion based on eyewitness accounts and circumstantial evidence that a virgin had given birth…

“The reincarnation of a saint who died embracing original sin thousands of years ago.”

A nonchalant expression forms on my face as I utter that sentence.

Teacher Lloyd, watching me from the side, began to smile ambiguously.

“…You have a bland reaction to such amazing news.”

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

I had expected it to some extent, but I didn’t think they would write exactly as expected like this.

But from my perspective, this is rather fortunate.

Arian and that child will be protected by Lagrid as the reincarnation of the saint and his mother, and if I had put my name out there unnecessarily, it’s obvious that attention would be focused on me as ‘the doctor who delivered the saint’.

There’s nothing good about getting involved with narrow-minded forces like religious orders just for a taste of power.

Of course, the religious order will monopolize the rights that come with it, but even so, it’s not entirely bad from my standpoint.

The other side did say they wouldn’t forget about me and would compensate me generously…

As they are also clergy, even a verbal promise would have to have absoluteness.

“By the way, do you think this is true, Teacher Lloyd?”

So, let’s focus on the present for now, putting aside thoughts about compensation. As I asked, Teacher Lloyd groaned while resting his chin on his hand.

“Hmm, looking at just this, it’s hard to believe… But if it’s making the front page of the newspaper, there must be some reason.”

Well, the common people who only know magic as a mysterious power might not know, but someone who’s qualified to be a teacher at this school would know something about how the world works.

Rather than believing this content at face value, they would first think about their own circumstances or political reasons.

The fact that such news is officially reported in international articles means that it has gained recognition in society, which also means that there’s a possibility that Lagrid’s scale will grow again.

“On the other hand, it’s reassuring.”

And what Teacher Lloyd, who had read such trends, uttered was none other than affirmation.

“Reassuring… It seems you don’t have negative thoughts about religious orders, Teacher Lloyd.”

Even though it’s better than before, there are still many people who dislike them, calling them tyrants’ henchmen or close-minded.

“Ah well, I don’t particularly have good feelings about that religious order either… But when a powerful force becomes unstable, it affects international affairs just as much.”

“…Well, even though they’re not what they used to be, they’re still the second largest order after Haide.”

Isn’t this a time when diplomacy is actively taking place beyond politics?

In such a situation, if a large group collapses, the aftermath would have to be shouldered by the entire continent, either indirectly or directly.

From the perspective of a third party watching from afar, it might be better for any force to remain intact.

“And it’s not like it’s an absolutely impossible thing… These days, even medicine, which is your specialty, is making a full-fledged entry into academia, right?”

“Yes, well, that’s true.”

“Since research on the human body has hardly been conducted until now, there might be some medical basis for something like this too. What do you think about this, teacher?”

Haha, medical basis, you say.

For me, who already knows everything from cause to effect, it’s not something I can just brush off.

“…Well, it could be possible.”

-Ding dong dang dong.

The bell rings just as I’m giving a vague answer.

It probably means lunch time is almost over. Hearing that bell, I rolled up the newspaper I was holding and stood up from the bench.

“Then let’s go back to our respective places. If we have a chance, let’s meet again later.”

“Ah, yes. Then, until next time…”

Teacher Lloyd gradually leaving as time is up. As I distanced myself from him, I took the time to review the newspaper I had read earlier while walking through the school grounds.

“…An era where even the birth of Jesus can be explained medically.”

In this world, it’s Yeshua, not Jesus, but whatever.

Originally, the developers are humans from the original world, so there’s no need to distinguish such things as far as my inner thoughts are concerned.

“Well, assuming that all the content in the Bible is fiction, it’s still more convincing than being conceived by the Holy Spirit.”

People in the original world would probably think the same.

For those who don’t believe in religion, rather than accepting the comical exaggeration of a virgin, they would rather base it on existing cases.

Of course, most of those cases are said to be horrific and bizarre, but still…

If there’s a possibility that such miraculous things could happen without even the mysterious power of Holy Power like in this world.

If such a thing happened right before my eyes.

Wouldn’t anyone think about miracles at least once?

“…This is why I can’t quit religion.”

The red cross necklace still hanging around my neck.

Once again realizing the meaning contained in it, I prepared to return to my workplace with a light heart as always.

Hoping to the heavens that there won’t be any seriously injured children today.

“Teacher! Teacher!!!”

…Ah, of course.

Life doesn’t always go as planned.

Hearing a serious voice coming from the opposite direction, I immediately checked its owner.

A blonde girl with a very small build…

No, looking closely, it’s a male student.

He hadn’t been coming to the infirmary for a while, focusing on the final exams, but seeing him again like this made me feel glad.

“It’s been a while, Dale. I saw your final exam results, you got first place again…”

“Teacher, that’s not important right now!!”

Oh my, look at this kid? Is being first in the grade nothing to him now?

As I was pondering how to interpret this laughable yet admirable statement.

Suddenly, I could see that Dale was dragging something in both hands as he approached the infirmary.

No, looking closely, it’s a person.

And it’s a girl with long red twin-tails.

There’s blood flowing from her head as if she’s received a big shock, but despite being dragged in that state, there’s no particular movement from her body.

Did she lose consciousness from a shock to the head?

“Who’s this?”

“Sh-She’s Beans… Ah, you know her, right?”

“Ah well, I remember.”

I thought it might be someone, but it’s that child who clashed with Dale.

I had forgotten about her as there was no news until now, with the semester ending after the midterms, but given the content of today’s newspaper, it’s a bit bitter.

“Teacher, what should we do? Beans… Beans…!!”

“Calm down, Dale. No matter if she’s second place, it’s rude to say it twice.”

Whatever it is, if it’s a patient, I should take care of them.

After that, I lifted Beans, whom Dale had been dragging, under my arm and laid her body on the infirmary bed, then turned my gaze back to the newspaper in my hand.

The next most important news after the reincarnation of the saint.

[Viscount Jogret’s head of family, Gilbert Jogret. Currently temporarily detained by the Imperial Army on charges of rebellion, expected to be brought to trial after the investigation is completed…]

“My, my. I wonder how the world is going to turn out with things like this happening.”

I understand reducing the military in times of peace, but to imprison a military advisor on suspicion of rebellion?

This might lead to something big happening soon.