After organizing a few more details, the meeting came to an end.
However, Acella and I couldn’t return immediately, as the Emperor had summoned only the three princesses to stay behind.
“Heike, Lau, Acella.”
He addressed the three of them.
“Is George still not back?”
“He should be returning to the Imperial Palace shortly.”
“Hmm, then inform me later.”
The Emperor conveyed to the three.
“There is no guarantee I’ll be alive until the war with the Demon King ends. No, it might even be uncertain before the war starts.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Listen. I know my body better than anyone. This physical body has reached its lifespan. Were it not for Gothberg, I would have been bedridden and unable to rise by now.”
The three princesses listened solemnly to the Emperor’s words.
“What do you think, Ambrosia?”
“That is…”
Ambrosia trailed off. There was no way she could lie to the Emperor.
Certainly, thanks to my care, the Emperor’s health is much better than in the original history.
But while I’ve improved his quality of life, his lifespan hasn’t significantly increased.
In the original history, it was recorded that Livio’s assassination was the final blow, and he had already been in ailing condition.
Livio needed the Emperor’s assassination as a result, that’s why he acted as he did. Being ill, it would have been easier to assassinate him.
Though he is younger compared to Falkenhayn or Seymour, his body has reached its limits. He used too much vitality in his youth.
“I am delivering this truth to you four, the rightful heirs and George.”
“Yes.”
The three princesses listened attentively and seriously to the Emperor’s words.
“When the war is over, if I am not around, the one among you who has contributed the most to defeating the Demon King shall become the next Emperor.”
This was a new standard.
Thus, the succession war entered a new phase.
“The political skills and resources you have been cultivating in the palace will serve as the foundation for the upcoming war against the Demon Realm.”
This meant that the succession war that has taken place so far would also serve as groundwork.
“I will establish detailed evaluation criteria. I will entrust the scoring to those loyal to me whom I can trust.”
As the succession war has now fully morphed into competition, it was expected that a common enemy would emerge, transforming it into a dynamic of relatively cooperation and unseen checks.
That said, the Emperor never once thought he would be defeated by the Demon King’s army.
His confidence was tremendous.
“Vürtempfel will win.”
With his declaration, the three princesses dispersed.
*
Preparing for death while tirelessly attending to the Empire left a deep impression on me.
‘Maybe that’s the price for the Emperor’s talent.’
With his extraordinary governing abilities, he had to exert himself to the death.
In a way, the Emperor might never have lived his own life, so it was unlikely to consider him a happy person.
He seemed to have some regrets too.
‘Likewise for me.’
Even if I wiped out all the bad endings and achieved success as a doctor, if I were to die young due to debuffs, that would be useless.
Even now, I had to live off medication candy, so it was an issue I had to resolve someday.
‘Without alchemy, I would have died long ago.’
I couldn’t diagnose and negate my debuffs through medicine. Dealing with supernatural phenomena requires techniques that ignore scientific laws.
‘Someday, I might be able to erase my debuffs.’
Currently, my alchemy skill rank was C.
I pondered whether to focus on this, which was progressing slowly at B, compared to my stagnant medical skill.
“Teacher, the Knights are returning.”
While I was lost in thought, Tanya spoke up.
The Moonlight Palace Knights had just arrived after executing a confidential mission.
Of course, the mission was escorting the Hero.
Since the territory is a remote village without a teleport gate, we had no choice but to bring him directly.
“Whoo.”
Beside me, Acella seemed anxious, tapping her fingers restlessly.
She looked burdened by the significant responsibility of caring for the Hero for the time being.
“Princess, don’t worry too much. Even if the Hero is from the countryside, he probably isn’t that much of a troublemaker. Well, there have been instances of complete misfits being chosen, but I have a good feeling about this one.”
“What? No, I’m not worried about that. If he doesn’t listen, I’ll just beat him until he does.”
Ah, Acella indeed had that kind of style.
“What I’m concerned about is… Ras, can you fix eyes too?”
“Eyes? I can recommend several ways to protect your vision. However, once vision is lost, it cannot be restored through healing spells, let’s see.”
I checked the status window. It seemed that LASIK surgery might be possible.
“Do you mean if it would be possible to restore sight after being afflicted by a sight-obscuring magic?”
“That’s already beyond my expertise.”
“Right… Got it, I misthought that. No matter what, I shouldn’t put you in danger with such risky magic.”
Was it not about her eyes but rather mine?
I wondered how that thought had randomly crossed her mind.
Acella subtly grabbed the edge of my attire.
“Ras, even if the Emperor has assigned you a new duty, you won’t forget your primary role, will you?”
“You mean being the Princess’s attending physician, right?”
“…That’s right.”
Acella’s worry came from that aspect.
Did she think I would become distracted by managing the Hero?
I smiled lightly in response.
“Of course, I understand well. The hero is heavily tied to my duties as his attending physician. It will be a team project with the cooperation of the Inner Palace.”
I slyly grabbed Acella’s wrist and playfully twirled my finger.
“I’ll come to check your pulse first thing in the morning. Promise.”
“Uh-huh, I see.”
After hearing my response, Acella tried to hide her uncontrollable smile by looking up. Her hair elegantly waved in the air.
―Heehee!
The horses pulling the carriage stopped in front of the entrance of the Moonlight Palace.
The knights who completed their mission reported to their Commander and prepared themselves.
As the carriage door opened, one person got off with a knight.
“Wow!”
Her large eyes sparkled as if she had brought the constellations with her.
With slightly reddish hair and skin that exuded a rural earthiness, she was dressed only in a tattered cloth despite the winter chill.
Could she be described as a clumsy country girl?
That’s our Hero.
This was the first impression people had of the woman named Lishe.
However, the health visible in her toned body was undeniable, even with the rural vibe.
“This is the Royal Palace! I’ve never seen such a big building before. Knight, knight, does the King live there?”
The knight, flustered by the Hero’s high energy, slowly responded as he helped her down the carriage steps.
“Um… Our country is an Empire. It’s not a king but Emperor His Majesty who resides here.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“No, and this is the palace run by Princess…”
“Princess! Ah, thanks for the step!”
The Hero hopped down from the carriage and began to look around the Moonlight Palace.
She didn’t follow the paths that were designated for walking but instead darted through the gardens here and there.
Seeing her moved about more energetically than Max, Acella stood there, slack-jawed.
“That’s her.”
“I see.”
Ultimately, the Hero searched until she found Max, who had been lazily enjoying a nap in a corner of the garden, scratched him for a while, and then approached us alongside the knights.
‘What a nostalgic sight.’
Seeing the Hero, Lishe inadvertently raised the corners of my mouth.
She was always that energetic, even in the future. She was the one who would reignite the energy of the party when the Hero party became tired.
As Lishe stood before us, she sniffled and blankly met Acella’s gaze.
“This is the Princess.”
“Oh, Princess!”
Lishe approached Acella with a big smile.
The escort knights tried to intervene, but Acella nodded as a sign that everything was fine.
“I’ve heard about you. They say you are the most noble and beautiful person in the land.”
As Lishe opened with compliments, Acella seemed to ease her previously tense demeanor a bit.
“Oh my, you know quite well.”
“Of course. Seeing the Princess in person made me realize it was true. Wow, I’ve never seen someone as beautiful as you, Princess.”
Her praises, genuine without a hint of deceit, made Acella seem much more pleased than before.
“Show me your hands.”
“Oh, my hands?”
Lishe had been wearing thick gloves on her arms all this time. It seemed difficult for her to take them off alone, so I stepped in to help.
“Thank you.”
“Not at all.”
When Lishe nodded with a slight bow and met my eyes, she blinked a few times in wonder.
“Where.”
Acella checked Lishe’s hands.
On the back of her left hand, a mark was carved like a brand.
It was the mark of the Hero.
“Try infusing it with mana.”
“Mana? Hmm…”
“Close your eyes and concentrate.”
“Ugh…”
Like droplets seeping out from a shallow cut, the mark glowed slightly red.
It was undoubtedly real.
Acella let go of Lishe’s hand and nodded.
“For the time being, stay in this palace. If you need anything, ask the maidservants.”
“Here? Wow, is that really alright? It looks so wonderful. Um, what about the Emperor? Will I not get scolded by him?”
At Lishe’s question, Acella chuckled.
“This palace is mine. I’m the owner, so you only need to worry about being scolded by me.”
“You’re the owner of the Princess… That’s amazing.”
“Do you understand what this mark on your hand signifies?”
“Oh, I’ve heard about it in rough terms. Hehe, but I don’t fully understand it…”
Acella shook her head. It seemed the road ahead was complicated, which was bothersome.
“Get explanations related to it and the situation here from my Head Maid. Also, get checked by the doctor here for your health.”
“Doctor?”
I stepped forward to introduce myself, extending my hand for a handshake.
“I am Doctor Lars Gothberg. I will be managing the Hero’s physical health from now on.”
Lishe eagerly grabbed my hand with both of hers and leaned forward enthusiastically.
“Doctor Gothberg! I, I know you!”
“You do?”
“Of course! You’re the wonderful person who heals sick people. I’ve always wanted to meet you!”
It was quite unexpected. Though I had achieved quite a bit, I hadn’t imagined my name would spread to such a countryside area.
Lishe wouldn’t let go of my hand, blushing deeper as she continued to bow her head.
“Really… I’ve really wanted to meet you.”
Just when I thought the checkup for the Hero would go smoothly.
When I looked back at Acella, she had a face like a devil, glaring at me and Lishe.
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