Chapter 173: How to Tame a Saint (3)

It was the fifteenth day of living in the Holy City.

The storm retreated, and The Black Saint's last Special Lecture on Demon Disease also ended.

And as always, one of the Guild Masters who was waiting for me at the Exit of the Lecture hall said.

"Thank you for your hard work over the past two weeks, Lord Saint. Will you be returning to the Academy now?"

"It seems it is Time for me to slowly return to the Academy as well."

I should slowly head back.

Since I had achieved the intended objectives for coming here.

The reason I stayed here after the Council ended.

It was for none other than Demon Disease and Life Magic.

Life Magic is definitely a magic that will become an Inflection Point in Human History.

However, to wield that magic, people still did not properly understand Demon Disease.

That is why I stayed with the religious order for as long as Fifteen Days.

Because there is no knowing what kind of catastrophe Life Magic starting from a lack of understanding might cause.

'Of course, a Time of Fifteen Days was not enough either, but.'

Still, I was able to teach them the Basics regarding Demon Disease.

Autoimmune Disease, Tumor, Ectopic disease, Non-neoplastic hyperplastic disease, Pathological angiogenesis, and so on.

I poured my heart and soul into smashing their complacent mindsets that Demon Disease would be cured At the Click of a Button using a Steroid.

'The Facial expression of the Healers wasn't so great every Time the Class progressed......'

Honestly, I did feel slightly sorry.

They must have harbored hope, but I had essentially shattered it into pieces.

But this was a necessary step.

'Because the reason Demon Disease saw no Development was due to a lack of understanding.'

The past Hundreds of years.

Humanity's Understanding of Demon Disease had not advanced even a single step.

Of course, the influence of the Magic Tower of the 13th Month on this was huge.

However, the religious order's faulty Triage also made a significant Contribution.

'Since they Triaged everything as Demon Disease if the condition worsened after casting Healing Magic.'

For some it was an Autoimmune Disease, for some a Tumor, and for some an Ectopic disease.

Since they lumped all of that together and called it Demon Disease, Research could not help but stagnate.

That is why during the past Fifteen Days, I focused on performing Triage as meticulously as possible on the Demon Disease that the religious order had lumped together.

'With this much, a stupid Happening like them using a Steroid on a Tumor and making a Protest about why it isn't cured wouldn't happen.'

I clearly said as much.

That Demon Diseases are completely different in type, and each Treatment Method is entirely different as well.

But if an Accident still happens despite that, from then on, it is not my Fault or the Fault of Life Magic.

It's the Fault of that bastard for being a Quack.

Anyway, my Setup for distributing Life Magic was finally finished.

"Further details will be taught through formal Classes at the Essenwald Academy and seminars."

So it was Time to head back.

"I am indebted to you for the past Fifteen Days, Sir Guild Master. Thanks to you treating me so cordially, I felt as if I had come to my Hometown during my stay."

This was sincere.

Originally, the reason a distant foreign land feels tiring is because you're out working without even being able to spend money.

If you enjoy a lifestyle of staying in accommodations like a top-tier hotel and being treated to top-tier Banquets for three meals a day, that place cannot help but feel like my Hometown.

It seemed that sincerity was conveyed well.

When I lightly bowed my head, the Guild Master bowed deeply at the waist as if deeply honored.

"No, what Words are those! It was truly a tremendous Honor to be able to host The Black Saint at our guild like this. Rather, while Lord Saint stayed here, our guild's Standing...... Hahaha. I am only sorry that we could not treat you more."

The Guild Master let out a loose laugh as if he recalled his Company's stock graph.

I couldn't help but be puzzled at that reaction.

It wasn't like we had renewed a new Contract, and in fact, that guild had only been lavishing things upon me.

Just what did the stock Experts see to highly evaluate that Company's Standing?

For me, the logic of the Stock Market was incomprehensible.

'They say the Stock Market is a place where paint prices rise just because a Typhoon is coming.'

Well. Since the Guild Master himself says it's good, I have no Words to say.

Soon, the Guild Master rubbed his hands carefully and asked.

"Um, about this Mansion you stayed in, Lord Saint. We would like to decorate and preserve it like a sort of 'Memorial Hall'...... would that be alright?"

"Why are you asking me about that?"

"Oh my, we still have to receive Permission, of course."

At the Guild Master's reaction, I tilted my head but still granted Permission.

It's not that I didn't understand the reason for wanting to make it a Memorial Hall.

Since I was also now at a stage where I roughly realized my Influence.

I had made the Prediction even before moving in that that Mansion would become something similar to a Memorial Hall.

The only thing I couldn't understand was why they were going out of their way to get my Permission for it.

'In my Previous life, they didn't get Permission from The Individual Concerned for such places.'

If you're going to make it a Memorial Hall, shouldn't you just do as you please.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me."

It wasn't like they were going to do anything stupid by selling my name.

There was no reason to stop them from just wanting to create a tourist attraction.

At my nonchalant Permission, the Guild Master cheered as if he had gained the whole world.

*

After finishing the Farewells like that.

I boarded the Airship to return to the Academy.

Before taking off.

I unpacked my luggage in the plush First Class seat, secretly smacking my lips in Appetite.

'Honestly, it's a bit regrettable, though.'

Since I am only human too.

I lost track of Time due to the VIP treatment I received every day in the Holy City.

Of course, it is now possible to recreate that treatment no matter where I go.

If I told them to build my Mansion near the Southern Front right now, they could build it immediately.

However, the Thrill of treatment provided by others and treatment enjoyed by spending my own money is fundamentally different.

Besides, no matter where I went in the Holy City, people welcomed me like a superstar, so the feeling was great too.

But in the end, I have to return to the Academy.

It's not like I can postpone the things I need to do forever.

'Because there is one more thing to slowly detonate.'

It wasn't as grandiose as the Steroid, a Cure for Demon Disease.

However, it was something I had poured Effort into preparing for quite a long period.

It was to the extent that I even created a new Disease Triage under the pretext of Setup before introducing this.

'Strictly speaking, the Diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder was also created because of this.'

It was a matter I had prepared so carefully to the extent of creating a concept called Substance Use Disorder.

Thus, I couldn't drag my feet forever.

It was the moment I was waiting for the Airship's departure, lost in Idle Thoughts like that.

"......?"

I saw familiar faces boarding the Airship.

It was The Saint of Radiance, Lauren, and his Nanny whose Life had been saved through Surgery not long ago.

Feeling puzzled, I looked at Lauren.

"Lord Saint? Do you perhaps have some business at the Academy?"

Sunlight shouldn't shine down much there, though?

To The Saint of Radiance who suffers from Incompetence when it rains, that region was like a permanent Debuff Field.

It might not be at the level of raining, but wouldn't he enter a Semi-incompetent state?

While I harbored such rude thoughts, Lauren spoke with a stiff posture.

"As The Saint of Radiance, I wish to experience a wider world rather than staying like a Frog in a well. Therefore, I have decided to Transfer to the Essenwald Academy for the second semester."

"Ah, I see."

"......And by watching your Great Performance there, I wish to become an Excellent Healer like you."

The moment I heard those Words, the corners of my mouth almost went up automatically.

Because there is no greater praise than that for a Surgeon (Surgeon).

'No way! Really?!'

Originally, the Surgery Department is a department that mostly humans filled with the Thrill of surgery apply for.

Some from dramas, some from Observation in Practical Training, some during Training, and some from their own family members surviving.

These situations that culminated in the phrase Surgeon's high were the catalysts that made a Surgeon.

And Doctors who entered the Surgery Department intoxicated by that high, all wish at least once that they themselves become the catalyst for their Juniors.

Just like me.

'Unlike my Previous life, just showing them Surgery a few times makes everyone fall for it, as expected.'

In my Previous life, I had to resort to all sorts of Desperate measures just to get people into the Surgery Department.

Saying that a Surgeon's pay was secretly decent, embellishing it as much as possible, (Although in Reality, with that Effort, one would get paid three times more in a different department)

Saying that Work-life Balance was also on the secretly decent side, (Limited to days when Emergency surgery isn't scheduled.)

I even frequently bought them delicious things, saying I would implant good memories as much as possible.

......Although it mostly had no Effect.

Fuck.

Even I would probably do the same, to be fair.

Why I went crazy and followed that person in is still a mystery even to me.

Perhaps that person had a Brainwashing app.

'Ah shit. The darkness of my Previous life is returning again.'

Anyway.

In that sense, Lauren's Words that he was heading to the Academy following me were quite pleasant to hear.

More than any praise I had heard during the past Fifteen Days.

"You will do well."

"......Would I perhaps fail to catch up because I am late?"

"Actually, it wouldn't be late even if you enter a year later."

What he was concerned about was natural.

Since he is doing a Transfer in the second semester of his First year, he must be full of Worry about whether he can keep up with the Classes.

But there would be no such thing happening.

'Since the first semester of the First year is a Time when one just learns the History and basic Theory of the Healing Arts day and night anyway.'

Even though Lauren is a human who has lived building a wall against studying by rolling a pen, one must not forget.

This human.

Even if it's just an ignorant method of pouring in Divine Power, he first of all knows how to wield a Highest-grade Miracle called Regeneration (Regeneration).

From that point, he was already functionally far superior to most Healers.

A Transfer could easily be covered by his Practical skills, wouldn't it?

'The saying Seeing is believing doesn't exist for nothing.'

Medicine is ultimately a field where experience is king.

A human who directly jumps into the Scene is far superior in both Theory and Actual combat than a human who studied for a hundred days.

For Lauren, Adaptation to the second semester probably wouldn't be difficult.

Not long after, the Airship took off.

Since it was a First Class cabin with few seats to begin with, Lauren and his Nanny naturally sat side by side right next to our Party.

Around the Time the ship rose above the clouds and the Holy City outside the window turned into a dot.

The cabin became quiet.

"......"

"......"

It was the Fault of running out of any Topic of conversation.

At that Time, Lauren's Nanny stared intently at Perisia, who was sitting behind me.

Soon, she carefully opened her mouth.

"Um...... By any chance, haven't we met somewhere before?"

At those Words, Perisia replied with an Expressionless Face.

"Yes. I saw you two years ago when the Elves' Coming-of-age Ceremony was held in the south. You passed it well."

Hearing that conversation, I suddenly remembered the customs of the Elves.

Perisia had told me in the past.

That the Elves' Coming-of-age Ceremony involves safely making a Pilgrimage to the 'Southern Demonic Realm' where the Stump of the World Tree remains, and returning.

That was the Elves' Coming-of-age Ceremony.

Naturally, as an act of going outside the Fortress, it was very dangerous.

They said the number of Elves who lost their Life while taking the Coming-of-age Ceremony was countless, all the Fault of Malaria and the barren environment.

'Did Perisia say she took her Coming-of-age Ceremony...... almost 50 years ago?'

I don't remember well, but she said it was around that Time.

She said Perisia also almost died at that Time.

However, that was also an old story from long ago.

"There have been no members of The Deceased since your Coming-of-age Ceremony, right."

"Yes. To be exact, I heard from the Elders that there have been no members of The Deceased from the Generation above us to this Generation."

Hearing Perisia's Words, the Nanny discretely checked my expression as if realizing something and said.

"I heard the Death rate decreased to single digits after Quinine was made and His Highness Edmund carried out a Recapture of the Southern Front."

"Thanks to that, it seems it was easier for me to operate as the Safety Officer as well."

Aha.

Only after hearing those Words did I understand the reason why Perisia emptied her seat for about a week every year.

It seemed she had gone south to work as a Security Guard for the Coming-of-age Ceremony.

"......Come to think of it, Lord Saint has essentially saved me twice."

Lauren's Nanny slightly bowed her head to me while seated.

Beside her, Lauren, who had been pretending to seriously stare at the In-flight meal menu, also

let out a Dry Cough once and awkwardly nodded his head toward me from over the menu.

I slightly lifted the brim of the hat I had pulled down tightly and returned the Farewell.

Then, pretending to be calm, I leaned deeply into the comfortable backrest and slowly closed my eyes.

'Still, this Thrill is why one plays the role of the Protagonist.'

Although it's busy, hectic, and sometimes hard.

The reason I continue doing this kind of work because of things like this despite that.

It was because there was a Thrill in Goodwill and Connection coming full circle and being Rewarded in such unexpected places like this.

"......By the way, I have a Question."

While flying through the sky like that.

When each of us was ordering our In-flight meal.

It happened that Perisia was taking out 'something' from a bag and eating it deliciously.

Gregor, who was carefully observing that snack(?), asked the Nanny.

"By any chance, just how harsh is the Coming-of-age Ceremony that you Elves end up eating anything well?"

"......What do those Words mean?"

At Gregor's Question, the Nanny tilted her head.

"What do you mean, 'Elves'?"

"I am curious if Elves who have returned from the Coming-of-age Ceremony...... um...... like Lady Perisia...... can consume peculiar Ingredients without any aversion."

"By peculiar Ingredients, you mean......?"

"I mean this."

Gregor pointed at what was held in Perisia's hand.

At first glance, it looked like a snack.

However, looking closely at it, one could tell that it was not an ordinary Ingredient.

Confirming this, the Nanny's complexion flushed with Pallor.

"I-I'm sorry, but I don't know what those Words mean. Even among Elves, an Insect is not a common Ingredient...... but...... uh......"

The Nanny studying Perisia's reaction.

She seemed to be wondering if her upper Generation was harsh unlike her own, hence the reason.

Then, Perisia, who had been quietly listening to this conversation, opened her mouth.

"I hope there is no Misunderstanding. Among my Peers, I am the only one who eats these kinds of things after finishing the Coming-of-age Ceremony."

"......Is it perhaps an emotional scar gained while ensuring Survival back then??"

"What do those Words mean?"

Perisia, tilting her head.

"Of course, it is true that the Coming-of-age Ceremony was the catalyst, but......"

Munch.

"Apart from that, I merely came to realize from my Survival experience back then that this kind of Insect is also edible."

"......Then what is the reason you go out of your way to eat that when there is also an In-flight meal?"

"That is......"

Perisia, having emptied the bag before anyone realized, said.

"Wouldn't it be efficient to fill up your stomach in advance when you don't know when you might end up Getting stranded?"

"......"

Leaving those Words behind, Perisia naturally ordered her In-flight meal.

In the front seat, I, who was silently listening to that conversation, thought.

'......Is this also Pica?'