19
“…Understood. I will follow your instructions. But, is there really a way to cure her?”
“Yes, prepare the herbs I mentioned.”
The demonization cure was part of the main scenario quest, and I knew the recipe for the medicine.
‘I have to succeed this time. If I don’t, the devil’s saint will die. My sweet life will also come to an end, so I must succeed no matter what.’
“Prepare medical books as well.”
“…Pardon?”
Especially those related to the human body diagrams concerning mana flow.
“…….”
I knew nothing about this field, so I had to study first.
Doubt filled Ryan’s eyes.
“…Can you really cure it?”
“Of course. Or is there someone else who can? If there is, you can leave it to them.”
Indeed, a Black Flame Dragon.
Now, brimming with strong confidence for the urgent task at hand, Ryan nodded under the overwhelming self-assurance.
“I, I didn’t mean to doubt. I trust only you, Master.”
There was no time.
While Ryan hurriedly gathered medicinal herbs, I frantically crammed medical knowledge necessary for treatment.
The more I studied, the more sweat poured down.
“…Is the treatment success rate really 83.5%? It’s so difficult.”
Mana flow.
It was the path of mana.
In this world, mana was as important as blood, and most diseases and treatments were closely related to mana.
Understanding the human body structure in relation to mana made it more than just a moderate challenge.
“Is this versatile nature of a thousand transformations really functioning properly?”
In the midst of an anxious heart, I checked the success rate again, but it remained unchanged at 83.5%.
Hmm, as I pondered, the time for treatment approached.
“Master Kong, the preparations for treatment are complete.”
The Demon Saint was in hiding within the Dragon Fortress.
Upon arrival, an unfamiliar figure, other than Liran, occupied the space.
“Master Observer, do you really intend to entrust the Saint’s treatment to this person?”
A stern gaze in a white robe.
I could roughly guess the identity.
‘The healer of the rebellion.’
A face that absolutely couldn’t agree to entrusting me with the treatment.
‘I understand. I can’t trust myself either.’
Liran spoke to the healer.
“Haven’t you also seen the demonization suppression medicine made by Master Kong?”
“Ugh, well, of course. I don’t understand how the author knows the recipe for such a miraculous medicine, but I still can’t believe it.”
The healer declared, looking at me as if I were a swindler.
“When the author treats the Saint, I will also treat alongside!”
Liran looked at me apologetically.
However, I inwardly celebrated.
‘It’s for the best. I can share responsibility when things go wrong.’
After all, what is the foundation of social survival tactics in life?
What I did well is my virtue, and what you did wrong is your responsibility.
“Whether you participate in the treatment or not doesn’t matter. However, let me warn you in advance. Do your best to not hinder me. It’s because it would be troublesome if your lack of skill causes any problems.”
“!!”
This is laying the groundwork to shift the blame when something goes wrong in a subtle way!
I raised the corners of my mouth with an unlucky expression.
“If you lack confidence, you can give up now. You’ll just be a nuisance.”
“Iseul, how dare you…!!”
The moment the therapist provoked me with confidence.
Suddenly, everyone’s spines chilled.
Thud!
A sinister aura surged from inside the room where the devil’s saint was.
It was the devil’s aura, malice!
“!!”
Everyone fell silent.
“Could it be…?”
I nodded heavily.
“It’s the blossoming phenomenon.”
* * *
As I stepped inside, I swallowed my saliva.
“The devil transformation has completely surfaced.”
Devil’s Son Johann.
This is the formal title Johann acquires in the latter part of the scenario, but there was a different nickname people actually called him.
– Deer Saint.
It was an affectionate nickname, given his gentle personality.
His appearance was also deer-like.
Small stature, soft brown hair, cute, round eyes.
He wasn’t exactly my preferred protagonist, but I remember he was quite popular among women.
However, Johann had another nickname.
– Blackened Stag.
As the scenario progressed, influenced more and more by the devil’s aura, Johann transformed into something devilish.
‘…It’s ironic that he becomes even more popular as he darkens. I wonder why people like obsessive characters.’
Anyway, what I see before me now is a figure close to ‘Blackened Stag.’
‘With Johann’s current power, he can’t withstand that devilish aura.’
Later on, as his power and the devil’s aura find a balance, he’ll be able to endure the transformation, but not now.
He’ll be swallowed by the instrument.
“Unleash the Holy Magic that suppresses the instrument.”
“W-what did you say?”
“Hurry! There’s no time to hesitate!”
Even my voice became urgent.
The intimidation of the black flame dragon intensified, and the healer closed their mouth, following my instructions.
“The medicine has been administered as I instructed, correct?”
“…Yes.”
“Bring the treatment materials.”
I took a deep breath.
The preparations were complete.
Now, all that remained was the ‘procedure’ to remove the demonic transformation.
“Here they are.”
Clang.
Silver spikes sprawled out, gleaming.
“It’s impossible to remove the root of the demonic transformation, the ‘seed.’ Instead, we must sever the stems with these silver spikes.”
I had previously administered the medicine to weaken the demonic stems.
The issue was the precise location of the demonic stems.
They were in the mana road.
“A highly sensitive location.”
I had to cut only the demonic stems accurately.
If the mana road was damaged, it could lead to a fatal problem.
“I must handle this carefully.”
“Healer, what’s your name?”
“…Galac.”
“All right, Galac. Once I cut the demonic stems, your role is to heal the damaged mana road.”
“!!”
“Remember. Your failure could have fatal consequences for this boy.”
It wasn’t just a scapegoat trying to shift responsibility.
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There couldn’t be even the slightest mistake. A small slip could be the end.
Garrick swallowed hard with tension.
“T-t-that…!”
“There’s no time to waste. Shut your mouth and focus!”
I grasped the silver spike with determination.
Tracing the instrument, I identified the path of the demonic energy.
I had to cut off each of its branches one by one.
-Deep in the Mana Road, right in the center of the tangled roots of the demonic energy. I have to cut off the pathway through which the instrument flows.
I recalled the words I heard during the scenario.
-It’s something only a skilled healer can do in this world.
I moved my hand.
Deep in the Mana Road.
Toward the central pathway amidst the tangled heap of thin threads.
An act only a skilled healer who has treated countless Mana Roads can perform.
But why?
As I pierced the spike, the unease in my heart vanished.
In its place, a single word came to mind.
“I can do it.
Unfathomable confidence.
It was not a lie.
As I twisted the stem of my dagger.
-Kyaaah!
With a eerie scream, one of the demonized leaves that had emerged on Johan’s body disappeared.
“Oh, no?! How?!”
Healer Galac exclaimed in astonishment, but it was barely audible.
The surroundings faded from perception.
Only Johan and me in this world.
No, only the stem of the demonized.
As if seeing only the surgical field in the eyes of a doctor.
It was a hyper-focused phenomenon.
‘This is the versatility of celestial transformation.’
I swallowed my saliva.
-Regardless of the field, possesses ‘unprecedented talent’!
It was a fact.
My hand moved as if possessed.
The stems of the remnants all pierced through the dagger.
The once splendidly spread leaves all snapped and disappeared.”
“Mother, is this even possible?! Your Grace, wasn’t that man the Vanrekki Master? Could it be that the hidden identity under the veil was the Vanrekki Master?!”
“…That wouldn’t be the case.”
“Oh! I can’t believe I underestimated someone with such remarkable skills. How foolish I must have looked.”
…Amidst the unfamiliar chatter of the healer, the scent of the middle-aged sorcerer, Mr. Eunje, became familiar.
Finally, I reached the last stage.
Having removed all the debris, I now had to sever the stem connected to the flower bud.
The most dangerous stage.
As my cowardly nature began to resurface, I desperately pleaded with the healer, Galak.
“This is a crucial stage. Suppress any counteraction with holy magic. The outcome of the treatment is in your hands, so stay focused.”
It’s your responsibility if anything goes wrong!
That’s what I was saying, but the response was peculiar.
“To entrust me with such an important role. I will do my best!!”
“…Very well.”
I nodded and then moved the silver nail.
Snip.
At the moment the last stem was cut, a change occurred.
Swoosh.
The mana began to flow out like a flood!
“The concentration of mana is much more serious than anticipated.”
I wore a troubled expression.
The stem was cut, so it was inevitable that the flowing melody of the instrument would leak to some extent.
The problem was, as mentioned earlier, the state of Johan.
At Johan’s current level of magical power, even an instrument like this could be fatal.
“What are you doing blankly? Quickly unfold the holy magic!”
“Un, unfolding it! Crunch!!”
The healer Galac shouted loudly.
He couldn’t handle the instrument.
‘The concentration of the instrument is too strong. Even a high-level healer can’t suppress it.’
I had to come up with another way.
‘Me using holy magic? No way. I can’t suppress it with just my one mana.’
I bit my lip tightly.
There was one way.
Like gambling.
I didn’t want to do it, but it wasn’t a situation to be picky.
‘Goodness, the principle of business is give and take. Make sure you fight for the world instead of me!’
I held Johan’s hand.
Was it an illusion?
I felt Johan’s hand twitching.
“In the name of the Ecclesia, I declare that I will never leave you to die.”
In this situation, with the cheesy remarks of the dark dragon, my gamble began.
Johann’s instrument flowed into my body.
* * *
“You are a great person who will illuminate us.”
In the deep darkness.
Johann’s consciousness was floating.
“Oh, great saint.”
“…Boring.”
Johann thought absentmindedly.
Many people have praised him, but he knows.
That he is not a magnificent being like a saint.
Rather, he is just a despicable existence.
“I’m going to die like this.”
Johann calmly accepted death.
For a despicable being like himself, it might be better to die now.
But.
“I…declare it with my name.”
A voice came from beyond the darkness.
“I will never let you die.”
Ah.
Who could it be? It was a sublime voice that he had never heard before.
A being entirely different from someone like a false saint.
Yohen’s heart trembled suddenly.
“…I don’t want to die.”
He wanted to hold the hand of the owner of the unidentified voice.