185 – 189
Intelligence Report from the Information Department.
“Hmm… my covert actions have been exposed. I must refrain from further covert activities.”
It was reported that Senator Dera of the Imperial Faction, who had seen me outside and advocated for assassination, was currently detained and being punished by Theodore.
It was indeed too presumptuous to spread rumors about assassinating me, especially when I have no heirs.
Spreading rumors about assassinating me, and if unnecessary gossip were to circulate, it would lead to the worst possible outcome.
It was only natural.
After reviewing the subsequent reports,
it was confirmed that Sabirelli had taken office as Minister of Justice, causing the Imperial Faction to gain momentum, and a report stating that Rocust had disappeared from Ejeob, with the locust attacks subsiding.
After reading and addressing various matters, and giving orders…
“Huh?”
The vision in my left eye felt slightly darker than usual.
What’s this?
I blinked my left eye a few times and looked again, finding the left side slightly blurry, so I closed my right eye and looked at the paper.
The sight was blurry, like looking at a lit candle in the dark of night.
I guess… I need to seek medical attention.
Past lives and present.
Having experienced this for the first time in two lifetimes, I felt uneasy.
Heavens… my body must remain intact.
From Noble mtl dot com
In the Empire’s predominant culture, Roman culture, there is a peculiar belief.
If there is a major disability in the body, it is seen as having earned the wrath of the gods and thus must be expelled.
Because the Empire is an ancient nation, cultural practices from ancient times have persisted to this day.
Hence, in the past, during the process of dealing with dissent, it was common to impose permanent disabilities as punishment on the other party.
Creating a cripple… or cutting off limbs.
Originally, the culture of Nikea had a longer history than the Empire’s, but in the early days of the Empire, many aspects of Nikea’s culture, which flourished more splendidly than the Empire’s, were admired and adopted, leading to the settlement of a significant amount of Nikean culture at that time.
Regardless.
It must not be revealed that there is something wrong with my body.
Especially now, with the precarious situation, who knows if it might collapse.
Those devil-worshipping fanatics might instigate and claim that my illness is a punishment from the gods.
“Anyway… I might need to seek treatment from outside.”
Lately, due to exchanging numerous personal letters with the Pope.
I take out a white paper from the drawer and write on it.
-Swish…
I jot down the desire for a secret medical examination by the Pope and emphasize the need for strict confidentiality, seal it in an envelope, melt red wax, and seal the letter.
And…
-Thud!
I stamp my seal.
“Ugh!”
My back feels stiff.
Lately, sitting for too long, my hips and back ache.
“I don’t remember sitting like this even during the college entrance exam.”
Back in my past life, when I worked at a company. I only worked like this during busy seasons.
I don’t recall ever working like this every single day.
“I’d rather go back to those days.”
The major difference between working at a company and in government… is the weight of responsibility.
No matter how big a mistake I make at the company, it can usually be rectified, but in government, it’s harder to fix.
If I carry out a certain policy or business, it could cause significant harm to others.
If it’s just financial damage, compensation might be possible, but there could be situations where someone dies or a hardworking individual’s business collapses, leading their family to end up on the streets.
Of course, in government, there will inevitably be cases where someone dies or fails.
If it benefits the majority and brings long-term gains, even if someone suffers in the short term, it must be done.
That’s why I meticulously review my work several times.
To see if it will bring long-term gains, if it’s essential for the Empire’s progress, and to find ways to minimize unnecessary sacrifices.
“Sigh… I’m tired. Exhausted.”
With that, I let out a sigh and continue working.
***
In response to my letter expressing the desire to receive medical treatment within the Papal Office, I received a quicker reply than expected.
“No matter what… come immediately.”
I thought it would take some time.
I’m sure I sent the letter in the morning, yet I received a brief response in the afternoon.
[Come to the Papal Office right away.]
Thanks to that, I stopped working and took the carriage provided by the Papal Office.
Upon arriving at the Papal Office…
Seeing that we were heading towards an unfamiliar place instead of the main entrance of the Cathedral, I felt puzzled, opened the window connected to the coachman, and asked, “Aren’t we supposed to be heading to the main entrance of the Cathedral?”
The coachman speaks as he drives the carriage.
“It’s an order to escort Your Highness to the carriage house.”
Though his words made me a bit uneasy…
Well, the Pope has no reason to kill me.
Thinking so, I calmly await arrival at the carriage house.
And upon reaching the carriage house…
“Your Holiness?, Sister Senna?”
The Pope and Sister Senna were already waiting there.
“Oh, Your Highness, please come in.”
The Pope welcomes me with open arms, and I awkwardly embrace him.
Oh my…
“May God’s protection be with you.”
“May God’s protection be with you.”
-Tap, tap!
Feeling awkward watching the Pope pat my back in welcome.
Seems quite cordial now that I’m holding a demon worshiper.
I smile without revealing such thoughts.
“Your Holiness, why have you summoned me here?”
I clearly requested a check-up, didn’t I? Why bring me to the carriage house?
As I ponder this.
The Pope smiles and says, “If rumors spread of Your Highness being unwell, it would make your political life quite difficult, wouldn’t it? I called you here to avoid alerting others of your illness.”
His words make me nod.
Indeed, I could receive a check-up at the palace, but in case of a permanent disability, it might become troublesome in many ways, so I asked the Pope for this favor.
Illnesses requiring surgery or medication should be seen by a doctor, but simple check-ups or minor injuries don’t always need a physician.
“Well then, please board that carriage quickly.”
Senna opens the door of the slightly larger carriage pointed out by the Pope.
“This carriage is for important individuals of the Papal Court to receive medical attention.”
As she said, various medical tools are packed inside.
“Sister Senna is a top-tier doctor who obtained her medical license at the Academy.”
Huh?
I’m a bit surprised by this news.
It’s impressive to have obtained a medical license at such a young age.
While the medical standards here may not be modern, without exceptional talent, it’s difficult to practice medicine.
Even though this place belongs to the medieval era, after thousands of years of medical research, I know that infectious diseases, medications, and medical techniques are not bad.
In fact, surgeries are performed here, and the survival rate post-surgery is quite decent.
Unlike the medieval or early modern Earth, they have the concept of sterilization here.
Anyway, I didn’t know Senna was so talented.
“You’re remarkable at such a young age.”
As I praise Senna, she smiles warmly and responds.
“Your Majesty, even though there’s not much age difference between us, you are ruling the empire excellently, aren’t you?”
I chuckle at her words.
“Please, have a seat here and open your sore eyes wide.”
Sena, holding a large magnifying glass in one hand and something resembling a small pen in the other, speaks.
As instructed, when I open my left eye wide, a small light pours into my eye from the small pen.
“Endure the brightness for a moment.”
I bear the glare as instructed, waiting for the examination to finish.
How much time has passed?
Sena examines my right eye as well.
Eventually, she lets go of my eyelid and speaks with a somber expression.
“Your condition is not good. If you don’t undergo surgery soon, you might go blind.”
The mention of blindness shocks me.
“So… my condition is not good?”
Having recently experienced frequent symptoms and rapid vision deterioration, I had feared going blind if luck wasn’t on my side.
Sena nods slightly at my words, and the Pope sighs.
“If I undergo surgery… will I be okay?”
Sena nods subtly at my question.
“But we can’t be sure. Eyes are delicate organs… But if left untreated in this state, it could take 1-2 years at best… or maybe even sooner for your left eye to go blind. Also, your right eye has high pressure, so both eyes need surgery.”
Sena’s words send shivers down my spine.
“The right eye too…”
“If surgery is performed… will I be able to resume daily activities?”
If it’s simple and inconspicuous, I’m willing.
But contrary to my expectations…
“Probably… for a month or two, you’ll have to cover both eyes.”
I respond to her despairing words with a glimmer of hope.
“Then, can’t we do one eye at a time?”
Sena shakes her head at my suggestion.
“Since the surgery involves inserting medication into a bundle of nerves in the eye, even if you undergo surgery one eye at a time… it will affect both eyes.”
Covering both eyes means not showing oneself in public for quite some time in formal settings.
That… is not acceptable.
I barely managed to contain the confusion.
But now, I have to acknowledge my own weakness.
Thinking about reform ahead, my authority and power must not waver.
No matter how overwhelming my influence over the imperial faction is, if the minor nobles, neutral faction, or even the imperial faction get any ideas, another tedious civil war might erupt.
It’s not just politics.
To swiftly handle the unknown actions of the Locusts lurking in the shadows, a powerful ruler is necessary.
And the worst-case scenario is the Magus worshipers becoming bolder alongside the civil war.
To avoid that at all costs, my mind becomes tangled.
“Well… I understand. It seems surgery right now might be difficult after all.”
With that, I rise from my seat and speak.
“If I were to leave now, the carefully maintained order would collapse… and the locusts wouldn’t miss that opportunity.”
At my words, the two individuals let out a short sigh.
“Ah… Your Highness…”
“Ah… Your Highness…”
To them, looking bitter and sorrowful, I respond with a bright smile.
“But do not worry, I will swiftly drive out the locusts and the cultists to undergo the surgery.”
I boast in front of them, trying hard.
It might not be feasible… but it’s the only way.
The fear of losing my sight.
Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet.
I’ve never lived such a life before.
Just… feeling like, ‘Oh, is that so.’
I find it odd that the idea of going blind is not hitting me.
“We will do our best to assist. So… do not give up and hold onto hope.”
I force a smile in response to their words.
“Thank you for saying that. Please keep this matter… a secret.”
Seeing the two nod at my words, we exchange farewells and head back to the palace.
He is truly pitiful… and they want him to make babies too!
I was hoping for Theodora to connect the dots and understand that if she gets pregnant, Devian will be in danger, thus letting him rest… but she didn’t.
Thanks for the update.
Yeah I also waited for her realization but maybe it will happen soon.