SLDS 54

A saintess is, by nature, a special existence. Unlike the high priests who only prattled on about oracles and such, she was a being who was closest to the goddess Gaia, and her abilities were incredibly mysterious.

Moreover, whenever Yuria prayed, a visible phenomenon would occur, and there were more than one or two people who had received God’s grace and been saved by her.

The evidence was overwhelming, so no one could doubt the wonder of the saintess.

“…Yes, Johan. The saintess is staying at the Imperial Palace.”

“Couldn’t I meet her just once? It’s my lifelong wish.”

“Well, I’m not sure about that.”

“Please, I’m begging you. I absolutely have to meet the saintess this time! In fact, that’s why I came as the representative of the delegation.”

Johannes was excessively obsessed with meeting the saintess. Cecil swallowed a sigh, trying not to let it show. He understood. It was because Johannes’s situation was that desperate.

Johannes Albrecht IV was currently suffering from an incurable disease. And a year later, he would die prematurely at the young age of 21.

Although he maintained a healthy appearance now, it was certain that his condition would rapidly deteriorate in just a few months.

It was certain that no one, except for Johannes himself, knew about his incurable disease. His kingdom had no order of succession to the throne, and they were in the midst of a fierce competition to decide who would ascend to the throne.

Fearing that his illness might be revealed and he would be pushed out of the fight for the throne, Johannes was being extremely cautious.

He thoroughly concealed his illness, and this fact was only revealed after he died. Thus, Johannes’s death came as a sudden shock to everyone. That was also the case for Cecil.

At that time, Cecil had traveled all the way to the Kingdom of Temion to attend his funeral. The corpse of his friend, lying in a transparent glass coffin and hardened like wax, was one of the memories that still came to mind vividly. To see that same Johannes smiling now with a face full of life was simply heartwarming, joyful, and sad.

Cecil knew well how painful it was to keep a secret all by oneself. That was why he felt even more for him.

“Johan, how is your health? Are you sick anywhere?”

He cautiously began to speak, mixing in the nickname he used when they were young. At the probing question, Johannes jumped up and shouted.

“What are you talking about! Absolutely not! I’m perfectly fine! Healthier than anyone!”

“I know, I just wanted to ask how you were doing.”

“Can’t you tell by the fact that I came all the way to this distant Verca Empire as the representative of the delegation? Don’t worry, Cecil. Your friend is so healthy he’s practically flying.”

Then, Johannes asked again to be allowed to meet the saintess. He begged so persistently that Cecil, who was listening to him, was getting exhausted.

Cecil first tried to calm Johannes down.

“I don’t know what you’re expecting, but the saintess doesn’t have the ability to heal someone, bring them wealth, or change their future. She just prays for them and bestows God’s grace.”

“So at the very least, God’s grace is certain?”

“What makes you think God’s grace is so great? It just brings a little bit of luck and well-being. In the end, it all depends on your mindset. The saintess’s prayer is just like sprinkling a little stardust on top of that.”

“Perfect! That’s more than enough for me!”

“Wow… you really are impossible to talk to.”

As the conversation continued, a headache began to set in, and Cecil squeezed his eyes shut and then opened them. Before him was still a face full of longing.

After deep contemplation, Cecil could only let out a long sigh.

“I’ll try asking His Majesty the Emperor.”

“You’re the best! Cecil. Thank you so much!”

“Don’t get your hopes up. His Majesty the Emperor is quite fond of the saintess. He’s the type to flatly refuse even the nobles’ requests, worried that her divine power might wear out.”

“Of course, of course! Absolutely!”

Later, at the welcome banquet for the delegation, Cecil discreetly made the request to the Emperor. As expected, the result was a refusal.

Johannes was very disappointed when he heard the news and was steeped in gloom throughout the banquet. Cecil felt very sorry for this and pondered other ways. In the end, there was no alternative but Alexis.

“Your Highness. The representative of the Kingdom of Temion’s delegation wants to meet Yuria. Would it not be possible to give him just one chance?”

“……”

“He is a very precious friend to me. I will never ask for such a favor again, so please help me just this once.”

Clear blue eyes gazed steadily at Cecil’s face. Under the gaze that felt like it would pierce through his skin, Cecil could only bite his lip. He knew without hearing the answer. Alexis was extremely displeased with this request.

As expected, he also rejected Cecil’s request in a clear-cut manner. Not only that, he even got a little angry, asking if Yuria was the empire’s tourist attraction. Everything he said was right, so Cecil had no choice but to accept and retreat.

The only problem was how to convey this to Johannes.

In any case, Yuria’s divine power could not cure Johannes’s incurable disease. Johannes just wanted to find some comfort, and that desire was just too earnest.

Cecil thought and thought again.

This might be their last meeting. He couldn’t just let his old friend leave like this.

The face of the deceased Johannes kept flickering in his mind. Knowing his future made Cecil’s heart even heavier.

“Right, God’s grace isn’t the only thing that can give comfort.”

Cecil made a difficult decision. He decided to endure the pain for Johannes’s sake.

That evening, Cecil returned to the Peridot Palace and began to prepare thoroughly. After taking a painkiller in advance, he called Johannes to his bedchamber.

When Johannes entered with a gloomy face, Cecil dismissed all the attendants in the room and sat facing him. He first served warm tea to calm his heart.

“Johan, unfortunately, there is no way for you to meet the saintess in person.”

“…I see.”

“Instead, I asked the saintess. To pray for Johannes Albrecht IV.”

Johannes’s eyelids shot up. As if surprised by the unexpected answer, the disappointment on his face cleared away, and a light slowly began to shine.

Cecil took a deep breath.

“So this is… the answer the saintess received after praying to God. You must not tell anyone. Can you promise?”

It was an unfortunate thing to do, but he had no choice but to borrow Yuria’s name for a moment. Since it was virtually impossible for Johannes to ever meet Yuria, he thought this much would be fine.

“I promise! What is it, hurry up and tell me!”

“You are suffering from a serious illness right now. You might be fine for the moment, but you will die soon. Eight months from now, that is, on October 16th.”

“What? …I’m going to die on that day?”

Johannes covered his face as if he couldn’t believe it.

No, in fact, he had vaguely guessed that he would not live long. But to learn the exact date of his death was a little difficult to accept.

“…My goodness. God can know even that.”

“Are you receiving treatment?”

“No, no one in the kingdom knows about my illness. I got a diagnosis from abroad instead. I’m also secretly bringing in and taking medicine.”

“Is there really no way to cure it?”

Johannes shook his head. He rubbed his flushed, tearful face roughly with his palms.

“They said there’s no way. It’s a disease where the lungs harden like stone. I’m holding on with medicine for now, but if I develop a tolerance someday… it will be unstoppable.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Was there anything else, any other words? Like whether the child my wife is carrying is a prince or a princess. Or who will be the next king of Temion.”

“Your child is a handsome prince. She said he looks just like you.”

“Hah, I see. A son, it was a son.”

Johannes was overcome with emotion, his expression a mix of smiling and crying. The face of his newly pregnant wife came to mind. There was nothing more tragic than to die without even seeing his child’s face.

“I was told that the next king of Temion will be Dietrich.”

“So it will be my eldest brother after all.”

“Dietrich will be an excellent ruler.”

Cecil gripped Johannes’s shoulders tightly and added his advice. The reason he told him the future was so that he could steel himself and prepare for death. He couldn’t just remain steeped in grief like this.

“Johan. When you return to the kingdom, tell Dietrich about your condition. Trust him and ask him to take care of your family.”

“Yes… I should do that.”

Johannes was now in a state of slight resignation. He slowly stood up and patted Cecil’s head.

“Thank you, Cecil. Thanks to you, I feel like I’m getting a clearer picture. I’m going to give up the throne. I don’t have much time left, so I can’t waste it on futile things.”

“Johannes. If you ever need help, just say the word.”

“Okay. I hope you have a peaceful night too.”

Johannes soon went out of the bedchamber. As soon as he heard the sound of the door closing firmly, Cecil bent over and let out all the breath he had been holding in at once.

“Ah, ugh.”

His heart began to pound and tighten uncontrollably. The price for divulging the future had begun in earnest.

He had been able to endure it until now thanks to the painkiller. Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the pain rushed in like a flood as soon as Johannes left.

Was the goddess Gaia greatly angered? The scope of the pain far exceeded Cecil’s expectations. The pain from that time, when his flesh was being torn and his heart was being stabbed repeatedly, was being reenacted exactly.