Treating the plague required concentrated effort and could not be resolved overnight like other natural disasters.
Because of that, I had to visit each and every sick person gathered in the square.
I would hold the hands of the sick people stained with pus and pray to the goddess, and Delton, who was next to me, would quietly give them abilities.
As the white light containing Delton's energy swept through the patient's body, the pus flowing from his body stopped, the fever subsided, and later even the wounds disappeared as if they had been washed away.
“Oh, how could this happen... This is a miracle!”
“Sob, sob, I thought I was dead and could not move...”
“Father, I’m alive now! I don’t have to lie in bed anymore!”
“Ah, Hans! My son. To see you rise again, looking so fine.”
They, who had wished for a quick death rather than suffering excruciating pain, thanked me with tears like chicken droppings.
“Thank you, Saintess. How can I repay this favor...”
“The Saintess is our benefactor.”
“Long live the Saintess!”
They bowed their heads deeply and even prostrated themselves on the floor as if they were welcoming a goddess and praising me.
“It seems that the goddess Hethel has recognized your strong will to not give up on life even in extreme pain. The goddess loves those who do not easily give up no matter what kind of adversity or hardship they face.”
I looked at them and smiled softly.
“So, you must not give up your desire to live and live steadfastly. That is the only way to repay the goddess’s grace.”
At my words, they shed tears and swore firmly.
“I will do so, Saintess.”
“No matter how difficult it is, I will never give up on this second life that the Saintess has given me!”
“I will not let your efforts be in vain. Thank you, Saintess.”
Even though they gave all the credit to the goddess and themselves, I was still the one they were thanking.
I smiled silently at them and continued my treatment.
The number of patients treated in this way must have been around a thousand. The Crown Prince, who had been watching me from a distance, approached me.
“It’s late at night, so I think we should stop here for today. We’ll treat the remaining patients tomorrow.”
“Ah, it’s already time...”
I looked up at the sky that had suddenly become dark, and got up after finishing treating the last patient.
“Are we staying in Delucia today?”
“It would be a waste of time to go up to the capital and then come back to Delucia... Wouldn’t it be better to resolve everything while you’re here?”
“Well, that’s convenient.”
“I’m glad we share the same thoughts. The Lord of Delusia has agreed to give us his mansion, so let’s stay there for a night and continue the treatment when the sun rises tomorrow.”
"Yes."
It was at that moment that I was about to head back to my lodgings after finishing my conversation with the Crown Prince.
Sir Arthur caught me.
“Saintess, we have guests.”
“Guest?”
“Yes, they're been waiting since around lunchtime.”
I tilted my head.
'Who would come to visit me in such a plague-ridden area?'
I stared at him intently, wondering if he was in critical condition, but Sir Arthur simply said that he would guide him to the waiting area and quickly walked away.
My steps following him became more urgent due to an inexplicable sense of uneasiness.
After a while, I stopped walking after Sir Arthur and was so shocked that I froze in place.
"Miss!"
Beyond the iron gate, which was lined with sharp iron pillars like spears, a dozen or so people were waving their hands cheerfully at me.
Although the only visible parts of their bodies were their eyes, as they were wearing protective suits, I could tell at a glance that they were servants of the Duke's mansion.
'Even the nanny and the butler...'
It felt like all the fatigue from the day was gone when I saw familiar faces after a long time.
But that was only for a moment. I approached the iron gate with a stern expression and asked urgently.
“What’s going on? Why are you all here? Has the plague spread to the capital?”
Otherwise, they would never have come down here, a three-hour drive one way from the capital.
I looked at them with a worried expression.
There was no sign of any particular pain, but that didn't make me feel any relief.
Because symptoms may start from places you can't see.
While I was struggling to shake off my anxiety, they laughed bashfully and shook their heads.
“No, what about the plague?”
“Don’t worry, we’re fine.”
“I just came to see you, young lady.”
“...Come see me?”
“Yes, I haven’t seen you for a long time because you suddenly went into the temple.”
“I came because I was worried that you might be hurt somewhere.”
“...”
I was speechless for a moment.
You came all this way, to a region rife with a terrible infectious disease, just to see me.
I felt something welling up in my chest, but I couldn't just be happy.
“But what if you come here? This place is so dangerous!”
“It’s okay, I’m wearing protective gear. I didn’t even go inside Delucia!”
“No matter what, it’s like that. You’re all fearless, really.”
As I was gasping for breath, the nanny strode toward the iron gate.
“Our young lady, I thought you would die as a sacrifice in place of an illegitimate child, but you have grown into such a respectable Saintess... The goddess has helped you.”
There was a dampness in the voice that was spilling out, unable to hide its emotion.
Following the nanny, the other servants also began to cry.
“The goddess Hethel has taken notice of our young lady’s grievance.”
“You are truly fortunate, Miss.”
Seeing them sobbing and now sobbing, I remembered the day I was dragged away as a sacrifice.
“Don’t worry, young lady. You will definitely go to the goddess’ side.”
“That’s right. You’ve spent your whole life giving to others and doing good deeds, so it’ll definitely happen.”
“Now the goddess Hethel will protect you, young lady.”
“The Duchess, who went to the goddess first, will also be waiting for you.”
They had been trying to speak cheerfully with faces that looked like they might cry at any moment, fearing that I might get scared or that I might not be able to leave comfortably because they were worried about themselves being left behind, but now they were finally able to shed tears freely.
Seeing me alive and well, without a single scratch on my head.
It was a sight that proved that they cared for me very much, that they thought of me as more than just a simple employer and employee, but as a daughter, a younger sister, and an older sister.
I bit my lip to hold back the tears that were welling up in my eyes.
“So where are you all these days? How are the other employees?”
It was a topic I deliberately changed to avoid getting caught up in my emotions, but it was also something I had been curious about all along.
Although I had organized and distributed my personal belongings before leaving for the cave, I was very worried about them as they had no choice but to leave the place they had lived their whole lives and settle somewhere else.
However.
“Where do we stay? We stay at the Duke’s residence.”
“What? You’re still staying at the Duke’s residence?”
“Well, where else would we go?”
“The other employees are still there.”
“I originally wanted to leave right away because I didn’t want to see that Duke and his subordinates, but the house was left empty after those guys got caught.”
“I couldn’t just leave that historic place alone, and I was just going to keep it until someone took over, but the owner changed back to the Princess. So I had no reason to leave.”
“Huh, so you’re still living there?”
I was truly shocked when they said that they were still living as servants in the Duke's residence.
“Are you all stupid? Why do you keep sitting in a house that doesn’t give you a penny?”
“Hey, I have some money that His Highness gave me.”
“I got paid more than I would ever earn in a lifetime, so I’m not working for free.”
“Thanks to you, we are eating well and living well, so you don’t have to worry about us.”
“These idiot fools...”
I found myself furrowing my brows as I watched them smiling so brightly while doing work that didn't even provide compensation.
But it was also true that I was glad that they had not dispersed and were still waiting for me at the Duke's mansion.
Because it meant that even if I left the temple later and returned home, I wouldn't be alone.
I opened my mouth again, suppressing my surging emotions.
“Yes, I’m glad everyone is doing well. However, it’s dangerous here, so go back for now. I’ll go up to the capital later and find the Duke’s residence.”
“I will do that.”
They nodded obediently, perhaps thinking that they would only be bothering me if they lingered here. However, there was a deep regret on their faces.
They, who had been unable to take their eyes off me, finally remembered something and said, “Ah!” and held out a large basket.
“Miss, this is it.”
"What's this?"
“I brought you some of your favorite foods. My young lady, you’re secretly a picky eater.”
“Everyone is worried about the young lady. Even the servants who couldn’t come.”
“It’s good to fulfill your responsibilities as a Saintess, but you must also take good care of your body, young lady.”
“Just call us whenever you need us. Yes?”
Their words, one by one, made me finally explode with the emotions I had been holding back.
“This is driving me crazy. Do you think I’ve taken care of all your personal belongings for you? You’ve spent your whole life taking care of other people’s business. Now, you idiots, you can enjoy yourself! Why do you volunteer to be a servant without any compensation?”
"Miss..."
I was shedding tears and I was startled when I saw my nanny sticking her hand between the iron pillars to hug me.
How dare you hug me, after all day wandering around among the plague patients.
They were truly foolish people with no answers.
Previous Next
Because of that, I had to visit each and every sick person gathered in the square.
I would hold the hands of the sick people stained with pus and pray to the goddess, and Delton, who was next to me, would quietly give them abilities.
As the white light containing Delton's energy swept through the patient's body, the pus flowing from his body stopped, the fever subsided, and later even the wounds disappeared as if they had been washed away.
“Oh, how could this happen... This is a miracle!”
“Sob, sob, I thought I was dead and could not move...”
“Father, I’m alive now! I don’t have to lie in bed anymore!”
“Ah, Hans! My son. To see you rise again, looking so fine.”
They, who had wished for a quick death rather than suffering excruciating pain, thanked me with tears like chicken droppings.
“Thank you, Saintess. How can I repay this favor...”
“The Saintess is our benefactor.”
“Long live the Saintess!”
They bowed their heads deeply and even prostrated themselves on the floor as if they were welcoming a goddess and praising me.
“It seems that the goddess Hethel has recognized your strong will to not give up on life even in extreme pain. The goddess loves those who do not easily give up no matter what kind of adversity or hardship they face.”
I looked at them and smiled softly.
“So, you must not give up your desire to live and live steadfastly. That is the only way to repay the goddess’s grace.”
At my words, they shed tears and swore firmly.
“I will do so, Saintess.”
“No matter how difficult it is, I will never give up on this second life that the Saintess has given me!”
“I will not let your efforts be in vain. Thank you, Saintess.”
Even though they gave all the credit to the goddess and themselves, I was still the one they were thanking.
I smiled silently at them and continued my treatment.
The number of patients treated in this way must have been around a thousand. The Crown Prince, who had been watching me from a distance, approached me.
“It’s late at night, so I think we should stop here for today. We’ll treat the remaining patients tomorrow.”
“Ah, it’s already time...”
I looked up at the sky that had suddenly become dark, and got up after finishing treating the last patient.
“Are we staying in Delucia today?”
“It would be a waste of time to go up to the capital and then come back to Delucia... Wouldn’t it be better to resolve everything while you’re here?”
“Well, that’s convenient.”
“I’m glad we share the same thoughts. The Lord of Delusia has agreed to give us his mansion, so let’s stay there for a night and continue the treatment when the sun rises tomorrow.”
"Yes."
It was at that moment that I was about to head back to my lodgings after finishing my conversation with the Crown Prince.
Sir Arthur caught me.
“Saintess, we have guests.”
“Guest?”
“Yes, they're been waiting since around lunchtime.”
I tilted my head.
'Who would come to visit me in such a plague-ridden area?'
I stared at him intently, wondering if he was in critical condition, but Sir Arthur simply said that he would guide him to the waiting area and quickly walked away.
My steps following him became more urgent due to an inexplicable sense of uneasiness.
After a while, I stopped walking after Sir Arthur and was so shocked that I froze in place.
"Miss!"
Beyond the iron gate, which was lined with sharp iron pillars like spears, a dozen or so people were waving their hands cheerfully at me.
Although the only visible parts of their bodies were their eyes, as they were wearing protective suits, I could tell at a glance that they were servants of the Duke's mansion.
'Even the nanny and the butler...'
It felt like all the fatigue from the day was gone when I saw familiar faces after a long time.
But that was only for a moment. I approached the iron gate with a stern expression and asked urgently.
“What’s going on? Why are you all here? Has the plague spread to the capital?”
Otherwise, they would never have come down here, a three-hour drive one way from the capital.
I looked at them with a worried expression.
There was no sign of any particular pain, but that didn't make me feel any relief.
Because symptoms may start from places you can't see.
While I was struggling to shake off my anxiety, they laughed bashfully and shook their heads.
“No, what about the plague?”
“Don’t worry, we’re fine.”
“I just came to see you, young lady.”
“...Come see me?”
“Yes, I haven’t seen you for a long time because you suddenly went into the temple.”
“I came because I was worried that you might be hurt somewhere.”
“...”
I was speechless for a moment.
You came all this way, to a region rife with a terrible infectious disease, just to see me.
I felt something welling up in my chest, but I couldn't just be happy.
“But what if you come here? This place is so dangerous!”
“It’s okay, I’m wearing protective gear. I didn’t even go inside Delucia!”
“No matter what, it’s like that. You’re all fearless, really.”
As I was gasping for breath, the nanny strode toward the iron gate.
“Our young lady, I thought you would die as a sacrifice in place of an illegitimate child, but you have grown into such a respectable Saintess... The goddess has helped you.”
There was a dampness in the voice that was spilling out, unable to hide its emotion.
Following the nanny, the other servants also began to cry.
“The goddess Hethel has taken notice of our young lady’s grievance.”
“You are truly fortunate, Miss.”
Seeing them sobbing and now sobbing, I remembered the day I was dragged away as a sacrifice.
“Don’t worry, young lady. You will definitely go to the goddess’ side.”
“That’s right. You’ve spent your whole life giving to others and doing good deeds, so it’ll definitely happen.”
“Now the goddess Hethel will protect you, young lady.”
“The Duchess, who went to the goddess first, will also be waiting for you.”
They had been trying to speak cheerfully with faces that looked like they might cry at any moment, fearing that I might get scared or that I might not be able to leave comfortably because they were worried about themselves being left behind, but now they were finally able to shed tears freely.
Seeing me alive and well, without a single scratch on my head.
It was a sight that proved that they cared for me very much, that they thought of me as more than just a simple employer and employee, but as a daughter, a younger sister, and an older sister.
I bit my lip to hold back the tears that were welling up in my eyes.
“So where are you all these days? How are the other employees?”
It was a topic I deliberately changed to avoid getting caught up in my emotions, but it was also something I had been curious about all along.
Although I had organized and distributed my personal belongings before leaving for the cave, I was very worried about them as they had no choice but to leave the place they had lived their whole lives and settle somewhere else.
However.
“Where do we stay? We stay at the Duke’s residence.”
“What? You’re still staying at the Duke’s residence?”
“Well, where else would we go?”
“The other employees are still there.”
“I originally wanted to leave right away because I didn’t want to see that Duke and his subordinates, but the house was left empty after those guys got caught.”
“I couldn’t just leave that historic place alone, and I was just going to keep it until someone took over, but the owner changed back to the Princess. So I had no reason to leave.”
“Huh, so you’re still living there?”
I was truly shocked when they said that they were still living as servants in the Duke's residence.
“Are you all stupid? Why do you keep sitting in a house that doesn’t give you a penny?”
“Hey, I have some money that His Highness gave me.”
“I got paid more than I would ever earn in a lifetime, so I’m not working for free.”
“Thanks to you, we are eating well and living well, so you don’t have to worry about us.”
“These idiot fools...”
I found myself furrowing my brows as I watched them smiling so brightly while doing work that didn't even provide compensation.
But it was also true that I was glad that they had not dispersed and were still waiting for me at the Duke's mansion.
Because it meant that even if I left the temple later and returned home, I wouldn't be alone.
I opened my mouth again, suppressing my surging emotions.
“Yes, I’m glad everyone is doing well. However, it’s dangerous here, so go back for now. I’ll go up to the capital later and find the Duke’s residence.”
“I will do that.”
They nodded obediently, perhaps thinking that they would only be bothering me if they lingered here. However, there was a deep regret on their faces.
They, who had been unable to take their eyes off me, finally remembered something and said, “Ah!” and held out a large basket.
“Miss, this is it.”
"What's this?"
“I brought you some of your favorite foods. My young lady, you’re secretly a picky eater.”
“Everyone is worried about the young lady. Even the servants who couldn’t come.”
“It’s good to fulfill your responsibilities as a Saintess, but you must also take good care of your body, young lady.”
“Just call us whenever you need us. Yes?”
Their words, one by one, made me finally explode with the emotions I had been holding back.
“This is driving me crazy. Do you think I’ve taken care of all your personal belongings for you? You’ve spent your whole life taking care of other people’s business. Now, you idiots, you can enjoy yourself! Why do you volunteer to be a servant without any compensation?”
"Miss..."
I was shedding tears and I was startled when I saw my nanny sticking her hand between the iron pillars to hug me.
How dare you hug me, after all day wandering around among the plague patients.
They were truly foolish people with no answers.
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