May I Diagnose You for a Moment?

Medicine, and pharmacology…..

All of these were inevitably bound to be rejected in this world.

With the superior healing method of holy power available, it wouldn’t be strange to misunderstand that seeking other means of treatment is antagonizing the gods.

“But that too is ultimately a story of the past. During the more than half a century of being swayed by war, people on the battlefield realized the limitations of holy power.”

The essence of holy power is not healing itself, but restoration.

It’s nothing more than inducing the state of the body that has received holy power to ‘return to the state it should originally progress to’.

Naturally, holy power alone can’t resolve hunger without consuming nutrients. Although it can recover from infectious diseases, it can’t build immunity, so when an epidemic starts, if prevention fails, one has no choice but to suffer from a pandemic.

It can’t extend the lifespan of a human who has reached the end of their life, and above all, since it’s difficult for clergy to step into harsh environments, they must end up as rear support in places like battlefields.

What complemented these clear limitations was none other than medicine and pharmacology, which they had repeatedly rejected.

“Of course, most clergy felt skeptical about such medicine. Because awakening faith means having blind belief.”

To claim to be able to solve things that can’t be solved by holy power in front of such people is essentially no different from saying that human power can confront the gods.

After all, a society that had been maintained for thousands of years by relying on gods.

Even in the harsh environment of war, medicine was a discipline that could be eliminated at any time.

“It was then that the Cleas Order appeared… They were the ones who wrote the history of a new being called the God of Medicine.”

Yes, the order to which the woman following them now belongs was historically unprecedented anywhere.

They awakened faith for the reason of worshipping the dignity of life, but also affirmed the discipline of medicine.

‘Endless exploration and true faith can coexist.’

Cleas could be called ‘pioneers of the religious world’ who proved what no one in history had ever achieved.

On the other hand, they were a group that could be rejected without being strange because they were so different from the existing methods.

In fact, when Cleas appeared, other orders even attempted to form an alliance among themselves to erase their name from this continent.

“…Vincent.”

Until Haide, who recognized their existence, refused that cooperation.

“Do you think the order’s decision to support them was wrong?”

Although everyone accepts it now, it was closer to reluctant compliance after seeing the scale and role of the order called Haide.

In fact, there were not a few within Haide who expressed skeptical opinions about it.

“If I dare to express an opinion as a knighted person…”

But that’s not everyone’s opinion.

Vincent, the sword of the saint who has protected Haide for a long time, said.

“I don’t think that choice itself was wrong. Their ideology can be said to be rooted in Haide’s doctrine in the end.”

Haide, the God of the Underworld.

The public misunderstands that those who serve him yearn for death, but the reality is the opposite.

While death is the final fate that comes equally to everyone and can’t be resisted, the process can’t be said to be the same.

Because humans wish for that process to be more valuable than anything else, they desire for the funeral that will be held in the place they leave to be solemn and beautiful.

Yes, the funeral that Haide has mainly pursued is like a solemn festival that embodies such aspirations.

Not worshipping death itself, but giving meaning to life by worshipping death could be said to be the foundation of their belief.

And medicine is a technique that makes such life last longer.

In terms of worshipping the dignity of life, it would be no different from Haide pursuing funerals.

“Haide has served in more places than anyone else until now. Especially during the half-century-long war, we went through many changes to the extent of even modifying our existing doctrines.”

And as times change, people’s thoughts and perceptions are bound to change.

In an era where death was inevitable, the final moments had to be considered heroic and tragic, but now the time has come to bury such things in the past.

“For us, what the Cleas Order pursues is something that should be respected.”

Not because they believe that an era of peace will come, but to make it possible even if it’s impossible.

Vincent had such a sense of mission, and he hoped the saint would have such a sense of mission too.

As the ‘Black Saint of Haide’ after all.

“But even so, I hope you don’t become too immersed in them. Cleas still has a short history, and the world is not ready to accept its ideology.”

Yes, what they should do is just provide an opportunity for the small order called Cleas to grow. Not to change everything about Haide to follow them.

What’s allowed is respect, not reverence.

“…I understand.”

As the saint expressed agreement to such a summarized story, the shout of the holy knight at the lead began to resound through the group.

“Commander, we’re arriving soon.”

“Alright. Everyone prepare!”

With cheers, spurs were applied to the group of carriages.

The place they finally arrived at was built on ruins located on the border between the Empire and a kingdom, a place that was once directly exposed to the effects of war.

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Pilgrimage ritual.

An event where those belonging to the order wander certain places and offer prayers, and this was no exception for Haide’s envoys who were trying to establish themselves in Maris.

Before heading there in earnest, let’s briefly seek out those who need their grace.

The pilgrimage ritual that started with such an intention was planned to continue based on several villages built near the border they passed through.

“We meet the believers of Haide.”

“Please grant peace to the victims.”

Most of those staying in such villages were people who had lost their hometowns and families in the battlefield that existed nearby, or their descendants.

For such people, although it was just a stop along the way, the visit of Haide’s believers was considered very welcome.

Because the servants of the God of the Underworld pray sincerely for their repose, even if they are unrelated to themselves.

“Then let’s begin.”

After that, Haide’s believers who walked out from the group guided by the villagers.

In the place protected by the holy knights, there was also the saint with her face hidden by a black veil.

“Is that the saint of Haide.”

“…Even from afar, one can feel she’s extraordinary.”

The moment the villagers’ gazes focused on the procession.

Although not clearly visible as she was tightly surrounded by holy knights, there was still an aura that couldn’t be hidden through those gaps.

And that was certainly not an illusion.

The moment the believers stood in front of the memorial, everyone present could realize that fact.

“One who is more merciful and just than anyone else.”

As soon as the saint opened her mouth, the believers gathered around her joined their hands and fell into silent prayer.

“Please allow us to mention the names of those who have rested in your embrace for a moment in this place.”

“Please allow those left behind to remember them, and bless the places they protected and left with abundance.”

With the prayer to Haide, light gradually flowed from their bodies. Above the place where that light gathered, slowly, a shadow enveloped in that radiance began to reveal itself.

A bleak existence covered in black cloth.

The form, which was not lacking in symbolizing death itself, was the Halo of the underworld god Haide whom they serve.

No, to be precise, it was just a fragment of it.

The symbol of a god nurtured by faith over thousands of years was not easy to implement even if many believers worked together.

“Oh, ooh……”

But that alone was enough to draw admiration from those around.

To the extent of evoking awe that Haide was looking down upon them.

“Then, let’s start soon.”

After finishing the memorial with the Halo at the forefront, the believers who traversed the place where the shadow had disappeared began to move towards the people in the village.

What needs to be done after finishing the ritual is to take care of the living.

Soon, the clergy began to approach the residents in the village and infuse them with holy power.

“Haide, please grant us strength.”

As soon as the light shines, their minor wounds and symptoms begin to gradually improve.

A phenomenon that deserves to be called the power of omnipotent healing.

Of course, it’s a power that should be cherished as it has limitations, and due to the problem of supply and demand, it’s a principle to accept substantial offerings from users.

But exceptionally, during pilgrimage periods like now, they don’t collect offerings.

Giving free service is in itself an act that can be called training.

Although the immediate holy power will be consumed, good deeds without demanding compensation will make one’s heart more noble.

For this reason, the pilgrimage of believers was in itself an opportunity and blessing for those who find it difficult to use clergy.

“…The condition isn’t improving.”

But such mercy wasn’t bestowed upon everyone.

“Cough.”

“Are you alright?”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I know well that my body has weakened.”

Holy power is not just about improving diseases and wounds, but closer to ‘restoring’ the state that person should originally progress to. Therefore, there are those who can’t receive its protection.

The old woman receiving holy power now was like that.

Because the weakness due to aging is a fate that inevitably comes.

“Well, I’m old now, so it’s time for me to be buried in the ground.”

The old woman, seeming to know this point, tried to smile at the believers worrying about her.

A very detached response despite facing death.

Is that also the attitude that humans should rightly take?

“Even I can see…”

“No.”

Vincent restraining the saint who was trying to approach out of concern.

The saint turned to look at him, but the eyes under the helmet were firmly hardened.

“Even if you step forward, nothing will change.”

“I know. But…”

“Holy power is not infinite. Your light must be used in more meaningful places.”

It was cold but correct.

Their responsibility was too heavy to spread light just for the reason of comforting an old woman whose lifespan was running out.

“Excuse me, priest. Could you please step aside for a moment?”

But there was someone who boldly stepped forward to the scene even amid such conflict.

“A believer of Clea? What on earth are you trying to do…”

“What am I doing? Just trying to be faithful to my main job.”

One of the believers startled and glared at her, but she merely pushed him aside without much concern.

After that, the woman in a white gown sitting in the square faced the old woman.

“May I diagnose you for a moment?”

Seine Velvet.

She who reached out to a being even the gods had given up on was known to the world as a doctor.