The Peerless Kobold - Chapter 96
From the plaza in front of the auditorium of the Royal Academy of Magic, the white-masked entity that had escaped through the haze of blood sluggishly ran through the city streets late at night.
“I… I re-rece-received… t-too mu-much da-damage…”
Why am I being chased away like this? Alvesta thinks with a mind that no longer works, and an obsession with a deep-rooted delusion.
“C-co-could i-it be, be t-the sm-smell of… b-blo-blood?”
Normally, he would have noticed it sooner, but… the delusion that had not ceased since he took on this form 200 years ago had prevented him from making sound decisions.
Yes, even at this moment, it would not let him make the decision of withdrawing from the Royal Capital either.
“…I-I c-ca-can’t… st-stop…yet, I…have to….wa-wake up… as-as ma-many o-of, of my brethren a-as I, I…c-can!”
…………
………
…
Looking back, everything started to get out of control when an injured adventurer from the Eastern Woodlands returned to the city of Edona.
“Uh, uah…”
When the male adventurer was brought to the treatment center of the Holy Church, he had a high fever and was vomiting blood, although in small quantities.
“… What do you think, Father?”
“It seems to be a fever with bleeding, but… Healing magic does not work on it; The only thing we can do for him is to pray, so I would like to speak with his companions…”
Aleph had a somber look as he replied to Jill, the nun who was standing behind him.
As always, I can only pray for the people who have a low survival rate because healing magic would not work on them. I have been a priest for over 10 years now, and I have found myself praying for people who are dying more often than not.
In the general theory of the Church, the “redeemed” and the “unsaved” are defined by God’s will according to their daily behavior. This doctrine is a deep-rooted majority in the Holy Church, and I have been taught that since I was an apprentice.
In other words, God’s salvation is extended to those who have done good deeds and who have a high level of faith… not that there was ever any doubt.
Does this mean that the people suffering from sickness and death have not done any good deeds? Can you say that to a family holding a patient’s hand in prayer?
“… It’s outrageous that I would dare question God’s will.”
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and bowed my head, ashamed of myself for having thought such an insolent thing even for a moment.
“Is something the matter?”
“… No, it’s nothing. Jill, there is a possibility of being infected, so please rinse off the blood on your hands and change your clothes, I’ll do the same.”
“Yes, Father. It would be terrible if the children in the orphanage were also infected by the disease.”
Afterward, I informed the adventurer’s companions of the same thing and also asked them to contact the owner of the inn where they had stayed. In hindsight, there may have been other measures that could have been taken if I had any knowledge of medicine.
But as a priest acting on behalf of God’s miraculous Holy Magic, I was afraid to study medicine because I doubted its power, and there was no way I would have that knowledge.
I have heard tales of doctors saving patients of whom Healing magic was ineffective, but they were saved by the Lord’s Will and not by the Doctors… not at all.
(If I had poorly studied medicine, then it would create doubt in my mind about the Lord… how frightening!)
But, little did I know that I would later on despise that idea with all my heart…
The next day, following the first adventurer, the inn-keeper’s daughter and the adventurer’s colleagues presented with the same symptoms and arrived at the treatment center on wobbly legs.
“Father, this is…!!”
“We don’t know yet how serious this disease is, but… it’s definitely an infectious disease! Send word to the Feudal Lord’s deputy and urge him to take measures against it.”
“Yes, I will send Anna over!”
“I present to you a miracle of healing, EX Cure Light!”
“Uhh….ugh… Father…”
A strong Holy Light enveloped the innkeeper’s daughter Liana as she lay in bed, but her condition showed no signs of abating.
I know that Healing magic is not a panacea. It’s not just a simple injury, but the fact that it doesn’t work on some diseases is confirmed in the history of the Holy Church.
“Liana, stay strong. I am well aware of your faith and your daily actions. Surely, the Lord will not forsake you.”
I called out to her as the fever made her restless.
“Hahah, maybe I’m not so good then. I’ve killed quite a few monsters, after all.”
The female adventure next to us joked. She may be sick, but she probably hates the gloomy atmosphere.
“You have also saved people by killing those monsters, and the Lord knows that.”
“I hope so.”
Both this cheerful female adventurer and the good-natured Liana were unable to walk on their own after ten days or so, just like the first adventurer.
