Chapter 21

It began from the perspective of the holy maiden.

From this chapter, I plan to incorporate not only the first person but also the third person perspective in the novel. This time, due to the change in perspective, I have used a bit of third person, but from now on, I plan to use third person in battle scenes and the like.

I look forward to your feedback.

"Good morning, Father."

I, who am both a holy maiden and a princess, came to my father, the king.

I already knew the reason. It was about the treatment of my mother, the queen, who had contracted a mysterious illness.

"Good morning, Luna. The reason I called you here is about my wife. I want to ask you, Luna, who is also a holy maiden, to treat her. Can you do it?"

"…I can't guarantee that I can cure it, but I will try."

My father nodded at my words and said, "Then I'll leave it to you," before returning to his work.

"Mother, I'm coming in."

Calling out from outside the room, I entered without a response. My mother was lying on the bed, asleep, but her complexion was poor, and she did not seem to be sleeping comfortably.

I undressed her and searched for the characteristics of the strange illness.

There were several black spots on her back and a few more on her arms. It seemed that these were the characteristics of the illness.

"Mother, I will start the treatment now."

The healing magic generally known is 'Heal,' but in fact, healing magic is not limited to that.

First, if this illness is caused by poison or something similar, the healing magic to be used is not 'Heal' but 'Poison Heal.'

Additionally, if the illness has caused fatigue, 'Refresh' may also be necessary.

However, even after using 'Poison Heal' and 'Refresh' multiple times on my mother, the spots on her arms and back did not disappear at all.

When I informed the king that the treatment had failed, he was so grief-stricken that he could not do any work that day.

"…I'm sorry, Father. It's because my power was not enough…"

I felt ashamed to face my father and mother due to my own weakness…

The next day, when I woke up in my room, I felt unusually lethargic.

…Perhaps I had used too much magic during the treatment yesterday.

Despite this, I couldn't abandon my duties as a holy maiden, so I started to change into my nun's habit in front of the mirror in my room.

Suddenly, I noticed something black on my arm.

Could it be…? When I looked at my arm, there were the same black spots as the queen.

At that moment, I realized for the first time that this illness was contagious.

I should have considered this yesterday, but I had forgotten it in the midst of my mother's crisis.

I immediately headed to the king's room. Fortunately, because it was early in the morning, there were no guards outside the king's room.

"Father, I'm sorry to wake you so early, but are you awake?"

"…Yes, I'm awake."

My father's voice still lacked the usual vigor, as if he was still affected by yesterday's events.

"Please, let me speak from here."

To prevent the king from being infected, I asked for permission to speak through the door.

"Actually, the illness I went to treat yesterday seems to be contagious, and I have also been infected…"

"What!?"

"Don't open the door!!"

Surprised by my strong voice, my father stopped trying to open the door.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can cure this illness. Since it seems to be contagious, please move me and Mother to a room at the edge of the castle. After I leave, please order the room to be ventilated immediately."

"…I understand. I will do as you say…"

After hearing this, I returned to my room, prepared the minimum necessities for living, and went to the assigned room.

My mother was moved to a room under strict supervision.

A few days have passed since then. Meals are delivered to the front of my room three times a day, but it has become difficult for me to even go and get them. I can feel that my face has become thinner due to the lack of proper meals.

…After all the effort I put into learning healing magic, will I end up dying without even being able to save my mother…

Unable to stop the tears that fell, I pressed my face into the pillow for a long time.

…

Suddenly, I woke up to the sound of commotion outside my room.

It was not the usual sound of the meal being delivered. Listening closely, I could faintly hear the guards' voices, indicating that thieves had invaded the castle.

…Judging from the sound I heard just now, the thieves must be outside the door.

Struggling with my heavy body, I picked up a sword that was inexplicably left in the room.

…

…The door began to open—

I swiftly swung the sword I held at the arm visible through the gap in the door—