“Mulan Sitanta, nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you, Teacher Doctor.”
“I’m Gothberg.”
Lars was the Puppeteer, specifically looking for someone skilled in making prosthetics like prosthetic limbs. After a long search, he finally met her.
“I heard you’re called the ‘Sovereign.’ Is that what you prefer?”
“That sounds a bit burdensome. Just calling me ‘Professor’ is enough.”
Currently serving as a professor at Hero Academy, she had a glorious history of treating soldiers on numerous battlefields, crafting prosthetic limbs, and even artificial organs.
Naturally, this treatment was considered heretical in the Kingdom of Law. Therefore, she lived in the Neutral Zone of the Academy.
“So, the hero needs a prosthetic. What do you want? Arm, leg, even intestines, I’ve made those.”
“How about a spine?”
“Is this hero going to be a cripple? That’s a tricky spell. But it’s not impossible.”
Mulan smiled with a grin reminiscent of a demon race that seemed to have conducted hundreds of human experiments.
Actually, she seemed quite trustworthy! After Lars confirmed that the prosthetic samples she brought were rather exquisite, he got to the point.
“I need a whole body.”
“The Empire has finally lost its mind. Are you trying to clone a hero?”
“It’s kind of similar.”
With a flourish, Lars unfolded a large blueprint he had spent a long time drafting, a human anatomy diagram.
“I know this is a tricky job. I’ve already made artificial models for the eyes, lungs, and heart. The hardest parts have been the spine and brain. There were errors, and I need advice. I can get materials like orihalcon or adamantium without any problem.”
After examining the blueprint for a while, Mulan let out a laugh.
“Is this for real? Have you performed anatomical experiments or something?”
“No illegal activities were involved. I assure you.”
Feeling intrigued, Mulan nodded.
“I’ve already made the materials for blood vessels and muscle fibers. You can start by using those.”
With a reliable partner gained, Lars began counseling and diving into prosthetic creation.
The Martial Arts Conference of the Kingdom was rapidly approaching, and finally, the first artificial spine was completed.
“How about us being the symbol of peace between the Empire and the Kingdom?”
Meeting with Princess Persiya, Lars proposed surgery for the prince.
If they replaced the damaged parts of his paralyzed lower body with the artificial spine, he would return to normal.
Of course, it was a high-risk surgery. So far, artificial spines had only been tested on primates.
After discussion, they decided to proceed with the surgery.
And on the day of the competition.
“The winner of the Healer category is— the Empire’s Special Council!”
Lars and the attending physicians successfully won the award with flair.
It wasn’t the Moonlight Palace that carried the name of the Special Council, but because of the Emperor’s decree. It was meant to solidify the influence over the hero.
Although Acella’s influence in the allied forces had diminished, the Empire proudly showcased its national power, resulting in a good outcome.
“The medical technology you just witnessed was originally developed for the hero.”
“The healing medical technology was originally developed for the Hero.”
Lars chose to share the credit for the special conference with Lishe. It was a political move that would please the Emperor as well.
However, Acella was burning with impatience.
“I extend my congratulations to the Empire’s special department for your victory. Let us celebrate this occasion, thanking the Goddess for bestowing the Hero upon us! The Goddess will generously grant her mercy for the victory of the allied forces!”
There were others who were also burning with impatience. That was the Kingdom of Law.
If things went on like this, they would lose their esteemed healer position. The Pope, determined to add a word or two, was getting desperate.
“I have no doubt that before this festival ends, the Goddess will bless us with a Saint.”
For the Kingdom of Law, there was a powerful artifact, the proclamation of the former Saint. If their divine power and faith were strong, they might receive a revelation from this world-class artifact.
The Kingdom of Law was hinting that they would conduct the Saint’s revelation at the after-party. If a Saint were born, their national power would be solidly maintained.
“Ras, march with me at the party.”
Acella demanded this from Lars, who had just returned.
Lars, exhausted from a major surgery, wanted to take a break and postpone the conversation, but Acella held onto him and wouldn’t let go.
“This is a gathering of the continent’s upper echelon. Wouldn’t it be strange if we, who aren’t even the main characters, held a march?”
“Are you saying I’m not dignified enough? Once I become Emperor, they’ll all kneel before me anyway.”
“No, that’s not it….”
“Am I embarrassed? I’m your betrothed.”
Recently, Acella’s grasp on him had intensified. Lars felt a bit of fatigue.
“That can’t be, who are you?”
The anxious Royal Princess was hard to look away from for even a second. It was true that he hadn’t been able to pay her much attention while managing Lishe. Lars decided to spend some time with her for a change.
However, if the Kingdom of Law took action at the party, he would have to intervene.
—Her Royal Highness, the 3rd Princess of the Empire, Acella von Württemberg, and her betrothed, Lord Lars Gothberg, are entering!
Even in a place filled with high-ranking officials from various countries, Acella was dignified.
With Lars confidently declaring that she was his, her pride was on the rise, and she swept through the social circle with elegance.
—Indeed, a place overflowing with the Empire’s peaceful future.
As the atmosphere matured, the Kingdom of Law stepped forward.
Their main event, the Saint’s revelation, was about to commence.
‘The time has come.’
Lars had coordinated in advance with the doctors from Moonlight Palace. Each physician and knight took their positions.
“Your Royal Highness, I will be stepping away for a moment.”
“Where are you going?”
Acella grabbed Lars’ wrist.
“Oh, to the restroom…”
“I’m going with you. I’ve actually been wanting to go.”
“It’s a big one.”
“I’ll wait for you. It would be even better if you come back with a more refined expression.”
“I’ll wait for you. It would be even better if you come up with some more refined expressions while you’re out.”
“Hmm.”
This is unexpected. Looking at the second-floor balcony, Tanya was bringing Ambrosia in and finishing up the preparations.
Lars had planned to momentarily borrow the holy relic by barging in with Tanya and the knights as soon as the Kingdom of Law failed to reach a revelation from the Saint.
There might be a bit of chaos, but if it’s Ambrosia, she definitely has the talent to be chosen as the Saint. The calculation was that if a true Saint appeared, they wouldn’t be able to do anything.
The Kingdom of Law was taking solid action. As the holy relic appeared, the audience gathered in the party venue was filled with admiration.
—Flash.
As the holy relic was placed on the candidate for the Saint’s head, a bright white light surged.
However, it couldn’t progress beyond the limit and failed to lead to a revelation.
‘I need to move.’
Everyone was waiting for Lars’s signal. Acella sensed from Lars’s demeanor that he had a plan.
In that moment.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, all the lights in the party venue went out. At the same time, crash! A bizarre shape burst through the window and launched an attack.
“Aaaah!”
“It’s a vampire!”
The party venue turned into a scene of chaos without warning. Realizing who the enemy was just by the mention of vampires, Lars understood immediately.
“Tanya!”
The Swordmaster responded immediately to Lars’s call. With her aura, she swooped down and swiftly took out three vampires.
“Your Royal Highness, escape immediately! You’ll be safe with Tanya.”
“What about you?”
“I have things to do.”
“Don’t go.”
Acella grabbed Lars’s sleeve. Her golden eyes shimmered sadly even in the dark.
But Lars had no time to hesitate. He shook her hand off as if he was brushing it away.
There was only one goal. The holy relic that had just fallen from the hands of the Pope of the Kingdom of Law.
“Lars!”
Before he knew it, Charles was confidently swinging her sword beside him. The light of the holy sword glinted as it sliced through obstacles.
“We’re almost there!”
“I got it!”
Finally reaching the target, Lars rolled and caught the holy relic. The sharp claws of the vampire grazed his neck.
“Where’s Sister?!”
In the chaos of the darkened party venue, Ambrosia was nowhere to be found.
“Lars.”
Charles’s hand gently grasped his arm.
He felt a bit of courage.
“It can’t be helped.”
Lars smirked and decided to accept the fate that was thrust upon him. He took out a candy from his pocket and popped it into his mouth. The pleasant sweetness eased his tension.
Slowly, he lifted the hand holding the holy relic to his head.
As soon as the soft fabric, softer than clouds, touched Lars’s hair—
—Bam!
A bright light poured down, illuminating the space as if it were daytime.
“Lars, that….”
Charles, who was nearby, couldn’t help but be surprised by the change in him.
A gentle cascade of light flowed through her hair. In the wall-eyed gaze where the pupils faded, divine power coursed instead of mana.
This was a scene that Charles knew all too well. It was the phenomenon witnessed in Neria, the saint of the hero party.
No, it was the moment when the saint, or rather the saintly one, was born.
“Oh.”
Before Lars, the message of the status window appeared.
―――――――――――
· You can unlock the talent of the [Saint].
· You can replace your current talents with the talents of the [Saint].
· Which talent would you like to replace?
[Alchemy] [Medicine]
―――――――――――
‘Saint.’
He would walk the path that Neria had taken in the future.
The possibilities of the skills that would unlock with this talent were endless. More than anything.
‘If I can handle souls….’
Lars turned his head to meet Charles’s gaze.
Charles, still puzzled by his intentions, blinked her large eyes in confusion.
‘Medicine is necessary.’
Lars didn’t ponder for long.
―――――――――――
· Replacing [Alchemy] with [Saint].
· Acquired [Baptism] B.
· Acquired [Spirit Arts] B.
· Acquired [Blessing] B.
· Acquired [Revelation] C.
……
―――――――――――
“Let’s go.”
Lars took out a notebook from his pocket and recited a prayer.
“O Almighty Goddess, protect me with your light.”
Charles had never experienced such a vast amount of divine power before.
A giant spear formed from pure white light assembled before him.
“Holy Spear, Longinus.”
―Fwhoosh!
The spear, shot forth with speed, immediately purified all the curses of the vampires.
The saint, having finished casting, turned back to the hero.
“…Lars.”
Unable to contain the rising joy, Charles couldn’t help but smile.
Ah, once again, you are.
‘…staying with me.’
That certainty washed over him.
―――――――――――
· Normal Ending
· Dungeon ■ is human. 46% → 71%
· Good Ending
· Hero and Saint 55% → 75%
· [Ending Viewing Ticket] has been granted.
―――――――――――
The two’s gazes lingered on each other for a long time.
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