Chapter 164: Council (1)

Several days after the Meeting with Duke Keres.

Imperial Prince Edmund sent a Summons for me after a long time.

So I cleared my Schedule for the first time in a while and flew to the Capital.

The Annex Palace of Imperial Prince Edmund, located on the outskirts of the Capital.

It was not my first time coming here.

However, every time I came, I couldn't erase the Impression that it was a truly unique place.

'Looks like he changed his Desk.'

For an Imperial Family member, Gold leaf or Gems were hardly visible, and instead, it was a room filled with practical wooden furniture.

Looking only up to this point, one might think of him simply as a frugal and pragmatic Soldier.

However, the problem was the taxidermy hanging on the Wall.

Instead of an expensive masterpiece, the carapace of a giant Insect Demonic Beast that revealed his Great Performance on the Southern Front was stuffed on the Wall.

......Damn it. I made eye contact with a centipede.

'What a unique taste......'

Even this was an Improvement.

Originally, there were these stuffed animals in the hallway too, but he exhibited them only in his room citing that it was bad for the children's emotional Education.

Naturally, from a guest's Stance, seeing such a Monstrosity was quite a Perplexity.

"It's been a while, Lord Yulian. No, should I say it's the first time seeing you, Lord Saint?"

Inside that hideous space.

The Imperial Prince sitting across from me in civilian clothes smirked and threw a joke.

"I would be grateful if you treated me as usual, His Highness."

"Haha, shall I? I find this way more comfortable too."

The Imperial Prince treated me naturally just like before.

"I still can't believe it. To think that the Personal Physician who brought me a reason for living was a Saint. Haha. It still feels like a dream."

Then, Imperial Prince Edmund made a Facial expression filled with Playfulness.

"I will ask on this occasion. You refused in the past, but I still want to ask. How about it? Do you have any thoughts of becoming our Aster's Godfather?"

"I am honored, but I will decline."

I refused without a second of hesitation.

Perhaps it was my Fault for refusing so flatly.

Imperial Prince Edmund's eyebrows twitched in Perplexity.

"I thought you would at least consider it. How disappointing. Let's hear the reason."

"I am the Personal Physician of the Imperial grandchild Aster. If a Doctor and a Patient hastily form a personal connection, one's judgment is bound to be clouded."

"Every time you speak like that, I covet you even more."

The Imperial Prince burst into a hearty laugh.

"Well, this Uprightness is precisely the reason I entrust my Treasure to you. I understand. It's not a Request to be forced anyway."

Nodding coolly, he set down his Teacup.

Then the atmosphere subtly sank.

As expected.

There was no way the busy Chief of Personnel would call me just for Small talk.

Soon, the Imperial Prince looked at me with cool eyes and opened his mouth.

"As you might have made a Prediction, there is another reason I called you. It is a somewhat important story, so speak when you are ready. I can give you enough Time to take a sip of tea and gather your thoughts."

"I am ready. Please speak your Words."

"You're so entirely free of tension that I'm the one feeling embarrassed."

Smacking his lips with a sour Appetite, the Imperial Prince finally brought up the Main Point.

"The reason I called you today is because of a Title of Nobility."

The Imperial Prince flipped his Fountain pen and lightly tapped the Table.

On the Table lay a file folder that had been weighing on my Nerve since earlier.

"Originally, the Empire was preparing to grant you a Title of Nobility of The secular world. However, because you revealed your true identity, things became very awkward for us. You are a Saint who received Canonization, but according to the law, we cannot grant a secular Title of Nobility to a Cleric."

"I see."

"Of course, honestly, until now it would have been comfortable for us to just quietly hand you over to the Sect. But not anymore. From the Empire's Stance, losing you has become too much of a waste."

The Imperial Prince stared at me intensely to the point of being burdensome.

"Since the topic came up, let me ask. What do you think a Title of Nobility is?"

"Isn't it Privilege and Duty?"

"You are only half right. A Title of Nobility also contains a Declaration that the Empire gives you Acknowledgement as a Gem."

He put strength into his Voice as if to emphasize it.

"Starting with Quinine, you created Penicillin, and recently the White Death Disease Medicine. Although it hasn't gone through Disclosure yet, a Cure for the Demon Disease will also be made. I believe you know well just how great a weapon those are for Humanity."

No. I don't know well.

Of course, it's not that I don't know at all.

I know that their existence is enough to turn the tide of the war.

However, I am not a military Expert, so I do not know their specific military value.

I only understand it to the extent that there is less Loss of military strength thanks to the fact that people who would have died didn't die.

However, I didn't reveal that fact on my Facial expression.

Instead, I nodded as if I knew.

"I have a vague idea."

"Right. But what would happen if some mishap befalls you, or you reach the end of your Lifespan and suddenly die? Who would introduce to the world the Research and Medical Arts that you couldn't reach Completion on?"

"If it is for that reason, doesn't the Church have a Sect?"

If it was such a problem, the alternative called a Sect already existed.

Even if they weren't beings connected by blood, there were plenty of beings who would carry on my will.

Naturally, the Empire wouldn't be unaware of this either.

"I am already nurturing Healers at the Meyer Infirmary who will carry on my will. I understand the part you have Worry over, but there is no need to forcefully bestow a Title of Nobility."

It would be great for me to receive a Title of Nobility too.

But you just said there's a Rule for that too.

Containing that meaning, I pushed it away once.

Of course, it wasn't out of genuine Humility.

It was a sort of customary push-and-pull.

You have to refuse something like this at least once for it to be left as a beautiful anecdote.

Whether I should say it was fortunate,

The Imperial Prince also reacted fittingly to that Intention of mine.

"That is not the problem. If your ability was purely just knowledge, the Empire would have obediently entrusted you to the Church. But isn't that not the case. It means your Black magic is an Arcane Magic."

Aha.

I understood.

If I had only been endlessly creating medicines or Treatment Methods, the Empire wouldn't have tried to give me a Title of Nobility by pushing this far.

However, recently I cured the Demon Disease with Black magic.

And the Empire seemed to be under the Misunderstanding that this was an Arcane Magic I developed.

'Hmm...... What should I do.'

I pondered for a moment.

Should I reveal that this isn't an Arcane Magic.

Saying it's a Secret Technique like this and just piggybacking on the flow didn't look bad either.

However, the deliberation was short.

'If I say it's a Secret Technique, I won't be able to spread this Treatment Method widely.'

Arcane Magic is for a talented few.

This corresponds to the exact opposite of my goal.

I want my Treatment Method to spread widely and elevate my Fame; I don't want to live alone holding a Monopoly over the Treatment Method.

A genius who is brilliant all on his own only shines brightly in that Era,

Because a genius who lends their Shoulder to the Future generation is bound to remain in History for a long time.

That's why I gave a Correction to the Imperial Prince's misconception.

"I understand His Highness's Intention, but there is one thing I must point out. That Treatment Method is not an Arcane Magic."

However, the answer that returned was an unexpected one.

"I thought you would say that since you are full of Humility. But you are saying that because you do not know much about Arcane Magic."

"What part do you think I don't know well?"

"You thought that the Magic you made didn't require the Talent unique to Arcane Magic, right?"

"......"

It was a Bullseye.

The Black magic treatment I created did not require a special Talent like a typical Arcane Magic.

If I had to be particular, it was enough to just have a level of Talent in General Magic, with nothing to call a Secret Technique.

It was a Magic that didn't require Talent, to the point where even I, who practically lacked Talent as a Mage, could activate it.

That's why I said it wasn't an Arcane Magic......

"Let me give a Correction to one of your misconceptions. All Arcane Magic started out like yours."

"......Could you explain in detail?"

"They say Arcane Magic requires a Unique Talent flowing in the blood of that family, right? For example, just like how I can currently see the gloomy gray Mists in this room."

The Imperial Prince, who casually blurted out a Clue about the Imperial Family's Arcane Magic.

For a moment, wondering if it was okay for me to hear this, I looked around.

Then I saw the Head Butler who was already covering his ears.

Aha.

It's a Secret.

......Is it really okay for me to hear this?

Ignorant of my internal thoughts, Imperial Prince Edmund continued his explanation.

"The Nihilrit Baronial Family you belong to is said to be born with the Talent to 'hear' something, right?"

What that 'something' is, even I don't know well, but.

Seeing as Freya and Mother say they can hear something, it seemed to be a required Condition for Arcane Magic.

"Like this, Arcane Magic requires a Talent called a 'Blood Mark'."

Blood Mark.

A supernatural Talent passed down through the Bloodline of Nobles. The Talent unique to Nobles that lets them hear what cannot be heard, see what cannot be seen, and understand what cannot be understood.

This acted as a wall that prevented others from learning it even in the event of a Leak of Arcane Magic.

"However, not all Arcane Magic demanded a Blood Mark from the beginning. The founders of all families did not possess a Blood Mark at the Time they were taught the concepts of General Magic by the Great Sage. Then, as time passed, those who manifested a Blood Mark to better handle their honed Magic remained as the families."

"If that's the case......"

"The Magic you created is an Accomplishment worthy of becoming a 'founder' in the Empire. Your descendants will manifest a Blood Mark and have a Duty to somehow hone that Black magic."

In other words, to summarize the meaning of the Imperial Prince's Words,

"I do not know what kind of Blood Mark that Magic will demand. But since it is an important Magic, we must manifest that Blood Mark even if it means making you a noble. No, we will make it manifest."

It seemed there was no free will for me here.

It was a World Setting where one had to Worry about Tomorrow's Survival right away rather than debating democracy, so this kind of totalitarian thinking couldn't be helped.

"There is another reason for this. Recently, as you began treating the Demon Disease, The Military is also paying attention to the Theory that the Demon Disease is actually the Result of a Blood Mark running rampant."

The Theory Perisia had told me in the past came to mind.

That perhaps the Demon Disease was an illness that occurred because magical Talent was excessive.

Even at the Time, I thought it was a fairly credible Theory.

Erika and Count Barlot's son, who possessed outstanding Talent in Blood Magic, manifested blood-related Demon Diseases.

The Duke's Daughter Keres, who possessed Talent in Wind Magic, manifested a respiration-related Demon Disease.

However, it seemed I wasn't the only one who began to pay attention to this Theory.

"This Theory itself is old, but I didn't take much Interest in it either. Since they were people who would die young due to the Demon Disease anyway. But now that you can treat it, the story has changed."

If the Demon Disease could be cured.

And if the Demon Disease was the resulting product of a rampaging 'Blood Mark'.

Then Humanity would be able to utilize overwhelming Talent without any risks.

"That is why The Military intends to turn your Demon Disease curing Magic into an Arcane Magic no matter what."

"......"

I couldn't bring myself to say it wasn't to that extent.

Seeing the impassioned gaze of the Imperial Prince sitting across from me, I couldn't bear to say such Words.

"That is the reason. The reality is that the Empire wants to grant you a Title of Nobility no matter what."

"I understand."

So that's why he called me today.

"You want me to step down from the Saint position."

So he was saying he would give me a Title of Nobility, so I should step down from being a Saint.

I spoke while thinking that.

However, the returning answer was outside my Prediction.

"No? If I did such a thing, the Church wouldn't leave me alone. Before that, why would I commit such an act of Impiety?"

"Yes?"

Then why did you call me.

"We want you to receive the Title of Nobility while simultaneously being a Saint. So we've been continuously sending an Official Request for Cooperation to the Church's side, but they imposed a Condition instead."

"What Condition is it?"

"They are saying you should personally attend the 'Council'."

The Council.

It's like a meeting situated halfway between a hearing and an Inquisition.

It's also a place where various witnesses and cases are exchanged when the Church needs to change its Doctrine interpretations.

"They are saying you should personally provide Proof of whether a man named Yulian is worthy enough to change the Doctrine interpretations that have been passed down for Hundreds of years."

The Imperial Prince shrugged his Shoulders.

"Well, since it is a matter of overturning a Tradition of Hundreds of years, I understand their Stance of wanting to be careful, but......"

He trailed off.

His Facial expression looked oddly Uncomfortable.

"To speak honestly, I find that Council unpleasant. Perhaps I'm not the only one thinking that way, as there are some disturbing rumors circulating too. Rumors saying they plan to make a Declaration of you as a Heresy right then and there."

The Council often degenerates into an Inquisition.

Changing the Doctrine usually happens when a certain 'case' occurs.

Therefore, they summon witnesses related to that case,

And while continuing the hearing like that, the moment they think 'Look at this guy?', an Inquisition immediately begins.

This is also why those declared as a Heresy are frequently seen among the people summoned to the Council.

Such rumors probably spread because of this kind of History.

"......A Heresy, you say?"

"Right."

The Imperial Prince clicked his tongue, Tsk.

"The problem is that it is entirely possible, to the point it's hard to dismiss it as a mere rumor. Even if I were the Church, I would have been afraid that you might establish a new Religion."

"I have no intention of establishing a Religion, though."

"Even so, a Religion is formed. Because faith is bound to follow a Miracle. Whether you harbor ulterior motives or not, once followers gather centered around you, that's when a Religion begins."

The Imperial Prince snorted in disbelief.

"In other words, their Livelihood is in danger, so they might try to keep you in check."

"If that's the case, all I need to do is ease their Worry."

The Church is my biggest business Partner.

It means we are in a relationship where we both need each other.

Our relationship must never be soured by such a Misunderstanding.

"I will explain myself."

"Haa...... What has it come to. Those who call themselves a Religious Person are filled with the Demon of suspicion, while someone who hasn't even learned Theology is rather religious. I don't know if the world has turned upside down, or if I am standing upside down."

Sighing, the Imperial Prince clicked his tongue continuously.

"Well, understood. Then I will take it that you are participating in that Council. If they frame you as a Heresy there, tell me immediately."

"Please don't Worry. I won't cause His Highness any trouble."

"That's not what I mean. If you become a Heresy, I'll take this opportunity to be the first to convert to your side."

"......"

"Don't look at me with those eyes. It was a joke."

The Imperial Prince let out an awkward Dry Cough.

I remembered what the Imperial Prince's Adjutant had mentioned in passing before.

That man Richter said the Imperial Prince's jokes were terribly unfunny.

I thought it was a joke at the Time, but it was actually true.

*

Heavy, tiring, boring, and pedantic......

Well, after the talk about the Council ended.

Since I visited the Annex Palace for the first time in a while, I decided to take care of other tasks while I was at it.

"It just so happens that today is the day of His Highness Aster's Vaccination and the Imperial Princess Consort's Regular check-up."

A few months ago, the Imperial Princess Consort entered Pregnancy with her second child.

It was an impulsive, planned Pregnancy.

To explain what that means, because of her Chronic illness, the Imperial Princess Consort had to take medicine in advance to safely achieve Pregnancy.

That Chronic illness was Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

It is an illness with a high possibility of Miscarriage if Aspirin isn't taken from before the Pregnancy.

So before having their second child, the princely couple received medical care from me just like with their first.

— "Let's set a date first and start from then."

Since it was a planned Pregnancy I was participating in, I set the Schedule for roughly One month later.

But the day after making the plan, the Imperial Prince packed up a bunch of miraculous blue pills and left,

— "Um...... Lord Yulian?"

— "......"

— "Could we move the Schedule forward?"

Just like with their first, he made Contact with me holding two lines in just Several days.

That's why I called it an impulsive, planned Pregnancy.

In the sense that it was clearly planned, but there was a minor slip-up.

Moving on.

Today, I plan to check on the Imperial grandchild Aster's Vaccination and make a Diagnosis on the condition of the Imperial Princess Consort carrying her second child.

'The second child was...... right. It was Stelle.'

The second child's Fetal nickname was Stelle, exactly the same as the first.

The reason it was named that way was because of the Imperial Prince.

It was for the reason that since they had a son, he wanted a daughter to come out this time.

Surprisingly, the Imperial Princess Consort also seemed to want a daughter.

Aster already takes after his father and is quite energetic as it is,

She felt that if she had two sons, her body wouldn't be able to handle it.

'First, I should check on the Vaccination.'

I headed to where Aster was under the Guidance of the Imperial Prince's Close Associate, Richter.

"His Highness Aster should be in the garden. Shall I call him to the room?"

"No, I will go pick him up."

Also to do some sightseeing in the garden while I'm at it.

I decided to go pick him up myself.

I entered the garden containing the inner room where the Imperial grandchild was said to be.

There, I saw a familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar face.

That unfamiliar figure bowed his head to me.

"......Older Brother. Hello."

Only then did I realize who that person was.

My youngest sibling, Fried Nihilrit.

The Child who had been a Premature Baby I delivered and treated for Respiratory Distress was already looking at turning 10 years old.

It feels like just yesterday he was tossing the Carrot he hated into Erika's Bowl.

Just looking at that face brought back those memories of the past vividly.

Bow.

Fried, wearing a stiff Uniform that didn't even fully fit his body yet, greeted me while creaking.

Beside him, the three-year-old kid, Imperial grandchild Aster, was tightly holding Fried's hand.

To minimize the risk of Assassination, the Imperial Family keeps a Noble's Child of a similar age—who will become their Close Associate and Bodyguard—by their side from a very young age and raises them like cousins.

In this world where trust is a resource more scarce than anything else, it was to secure trust in the name of affection.

Imperial Prince Edmund and his Close Associate Richter are an example of that.

And Fried was also selected as Aster's Close Associate.

There was one reason.

It was for the reason that he was my younger brother.

'Actually, there was a lot of talk because of this.'

Right after Fried was selected as Aster's Close Associate, there was quite a lot of noise from the surroundings.

There was no one Pointing out about Fried's Trust Level.

Well, it's not like there was no one.

It would be more accurate to say there was no one anymore because Pointing out meant a 24-hour Meeting with the Imperial Prince was waiting for them.

The part that became a problem was his Social status.

For a guy who came from a mere Viscount Family,

To be assigned as the Close Associate to Imperial grandchild Aster, who is the star and Treasure of Imperial Prince Edmund.

The whispering and subtle Pressure from the Nobles saying it didn't fit his standing were endless.

However, after the fact that I was a Saint was revealed, those noises completely disappeared like a lie.

Rather, these days it even reached the point where Words of envy came out saying Imperial grandchild Aster had hit the jackpot.

Ah, for reference, I wasn't the one who did the Investigation for all the facts above.

I came to know because Freya told me.

Anyway, the point is that Fried's life in the Annex Palace got much better after I made a Disclosure of my identity.

"Right. Have you been well? The Uniform suits you well."

I lightly patted the head of my Youngest sibling, who seemed a little tense.

Only then did the stiff Shoulders of the guy, which had been frozen by the surrounding gazes and heavy pressure, relax slightly.

He was a Youngest Child who suffered a lot at a young age.

To think he had to suffer from the surrounding gazes and Pressure while everyone else went around playing.

I patted the Youngest Child's Shoulder with a Feeling of Guilt and a bit of Compassion.

"Let's have a family meal together sometime soon for the first time in a while."

"T-Thank you for the P-Proposal, Older Brother."

I chuckled and turned my gaze to the Imperial grandchild.

The inner room in the garden was relatively well-cleaned.

It seemed fine to do the Vaccination here.

"Now then, shall we take a look at our His Highness the Imperial grandchild."

I opened my Bag For medical use and took out a Syringe.

Since his third Birthday passed this year, it was Time timing-wise for him to get his Measles Vaccination.

I rubbed the kid's pale forearm with an Alcohol swab.

At that, Aster, before the Needle even touched him, flinched and trembled.

And the moment he saw the sharp Needle in my hand.

"Uwaaaah!"

The three-year-old Imperial grandchild freaked out and hid using Fried as a Shield.

Fried looked awkward and coaxed Aster.

"His Highness, it will be over soon. It will just be a quick sting."

"......It reminds me of Fried's old self. You also hid behind Freya."

"Older Brother. Why bring that up here......"

Ah, why not.

Teasing your sibling at work is fun, you know.

I wanted to try doing it at least once too.

"Ahem. Hem. His Highness. It's something I received as well, so it's okay."

"Nooo!"

However, despite Fried's sweet and gentle persuasion,

Aster shouted at Fried, already showing a monarch's Potential.

"Frieeed! That person is mean! That Mister always bothers me! I said I didn't like that Mister! Royal Father won't listen to my Words either! So, Fried! Kick that Mister out!"

Imperial grandchild Aster, bitterly crying and accusing me.

I put on a bitter smile and briefly stared at the Ceiling.

'Why do kids dislike me so much......'

Not even knowing that I was the Teacher who delivered them.

Is it because in those children's memories, I'm always holding a Needle.

Now that the blood on their heads had dried a little, they couldn't remember when they were born and would be hostile to me like this.

How can a Doctor live with this kind of sorrow.

Meanwhile, Fried's eyes darted around.

From the Stance of the three-year-old Imperial grandchild, he had merely asked the Hyung-a who usually played with him the best to defeat the bad Villain.

"Fried, you're strong! Spank him!"

"......"

When they're young, it's also a Child's habit to think the older neighborhood Hyung-a they know is stronger than Adults.

The problem is that I am the older brother of that Hyung-a he knows.

"His Highness. Don't be like this and......"

"Is Fried not going to listen to my Words either?"

"No, it's not that......"

Fried sweating bullets while being unable to stay still.

It was the sorrow of a person caught in the middle.

Watching that sight naturally brought out a Dry laugh.

Fried requested help from me.

"Um...... that thing where you sing and do it naturally like before, can't we do it like that, Older Brother?"

"That only works up to 1 year old."

Getting their attention stolen because singing is fascinating only lasts up to 1 year old.

Back then, their Intelligence is a bit low, so if I just sing, they easily forget that they're in front of an injection Needle.

But not from then on.

Even at just 2 years old, they would notice whatever trick I was playing by singing.

Aster was also vaccinated like that when he was a Baby, but after 2 years old, a different method had to be used.

Fortunately, I had a method right now.

"Sir Richter."

"Yes, Lord Yulian."

"Would you hold him down for me."

"Isn't that what His Highness sent me for."

Richter, the Imperial Prince's Close Associate and equivalent to a cousin, grabbed Aster.

And rolled up the Imperial grandchild's sleeve to make the vaccination easier.

Held by the Uncle he knew, Aster's eyes were dyed with a feeling of Betrayal.

"Richter! Let go! Let go!"

Aster struggled in his arms, but,

It wasn't even close to working on the strong Uncle who could easily snap the neck of a Demonic Beast.

In the meantime, I inserted the Needle into Aster's unmoving arm.

"Relax. It hurts if you tense up."

Just because you tense up doesn't mean the Needle won't go in.

So just relax.

I swallowed those Words and administered the Injection.

Poke!

"Aaaaaah!!!!!!"

Aster screamed as if he had suffered some sort of Poisoning.

However, surprisingly, no one paid any Interest to this side.

Because everyone knew that today was the day Aster was getting an Injection.

Watching that sight of Aster brought his father's image to mind.

'The Imperial Prince is like that too, are Imperial Family members genetically afraid of Injections?'

Today, Imperial Prince Edmund also received a Vaccination just like the Imperial grandchild.

Is it because it's an Era where a Vaccine is being made.

Unlike my Previous life, there are many cases where Adults receive it belatedly.

The problem was Imperial Prince Edmund's Stance when receiving the vaccination.

— "His Highness. Why are you looking for a Gag?"

— "Richter. Make sure to hold me tight."

— "......Why is someone who didn't even bat an eye after getting his leg bitten by a Spider afraid of a Needle?"

— "That's that, and this is this."

He was preparing to get the Injection with a Gag in his mouth, looking as resolute as Guan Yu.

Furthermore, as a Superhuman, he was tensing up while cloaked in his Fighting Aura, so the Needle wouldn't even go in.

It was only after Richter slapped his forearm several times and pressed him to relax that I could finally insert the Needle.

— "Lord Yulian. Is there by any chance no oral medicine for the Vaccine?"

— "Would there be one."

— "Then at least Anesthesia......"

— "Anesthesia uses a Needle anyway."

— "Hsss......"

And now.

The Imperial grandchild Aster was showing the exact same appearance as his father.

The Imperial grandchild, who suffered Treason(?) from his Close Associates at a young age, rubbed his arm and huffed.

"I'm going to tell Royal Mother......"

"......"

"Sob......"

Good grief.

He's crying so bitterly it makes me feel sorry.

Having finished that commotion, I let out a Sigh while organizing the Needles.

'Ah, come to think of it, Shallot and the other kids need to get the Vaccine too.'

Shallot is terrible at getting Injections too.

I wonder if the Marquis Hausen Family is genetically afraid of Needles too?

I organized my Doctor's Bag while having such useless thoughts.

And headed to the next Patient, the Imperial Princess Consort.