Chapter 38

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"Dissociative Disorder" is a rare soul disease that affects people who have experienced critical illness or severe injury and have recovered. It refers to a state where the connection between the soul and the body becomes weak, making it easier for the soul to separate from the body.

"There is no cure. Moreover, if the separation between the soul and the body becomes more severe, the life force weakens, making death more likely. This is not a good story."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

"However, there is a way to deal with it. The good news is that the method to deal with it is surprisingly simple."

"Simple..."

Princess puffed out her chest with a "hmm." Is this a signal to ask a grand question?

I was a bit at a loss for how to react, but then Regulus, who had been holding the hem of my shirt, let go and ran up to Princess. He then gripped her beautiful draped garment tightly.

"Ah!? Regulus!?"

The ominous word "blasphemy" flashed through my mind. As I tried to stop Regulus in a fluster, Princess looked at me with a somewhat exasperated expression.

"What is this, making such a loud noise is unseemly. Chick, what's the matter?"

"Brother's illness, can it be cured?"

"Yes, it was difficult for you, Chick. Your brother's illness cannot be cured. However, there is a way to prevent it from getting worse. I will tell you, so listen carefully."

"Aye!"

Regulus waited with a more serious face than mine. I tightened my lips and prepared to hear Princess's words.

"Strengthen the magic nerves."

"Strengthen the magic nerves..."

"The soul and the magic nerves are like the heart and blood vessels in the body. If the connection between the body and the soul is weak, the idea is to strengthen the connection between the soul and the magic nerves and use the magic nerves to bind the body."

"Is that so...?"

"I was given a complicated explanation, but I forgot it. In any case, strengthening the magic nerves is the symptomatic treatment for 'Dissociative Disorder.'"

Princess puffed out her chest and snorted, and Regulus tilted his head like a bird and then raised his hand enthusiastically.

"Question! How do you strengthen the magic nerves?"

"Good question, Chick. The more you use the magic nerves, the more they are strengthened and grow thicker."

The total amount or development of magic nerves is said to be determined at birth.

Some people have magic nerves running from the top of their head to the tips of their toes, while others have them only in their head, one hand, or even just their little toe.

This is purely a matter of luck and cannot be changed, which is why nobles try to incorporate those with a talent for magic into their bloodline to increase the total amount of magic nerves.

Putting that aside.

Even if the total amount of magic nerves cannot be changed, they can be made thicker through training.

The thicker the magic nerves, the more magic energy they can store, and the stronger the effect of the magic becomes.

A person with magic nerves running throughout their body but as thin as a hair and a person with only a little toe's worth of magic nerves but very thick can produce magic of similar power.

The magic nerves are connected to both the soul and the body. By making the magic nerves thicker, the connection to the soul is strengthened, and the connection to the body is also strengthened, which means the connection between the soul and the body is reinforced... right?

"Fortunately, you have magic nerves running from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. All you need to do is use magic to make them thicker. This is also a simple matter; just sing while being aware of your magic nerves as you have been doing."

"Hmm? Being aware of the magic nerves is the same as using magic...?"

"To perform magic, you need to imagine the desired outcome. For example, offensive magic develops from the image of burning the opponent with fire. Conversely, when I made you sing, why did I make you focus on your magic nerves?"

"Because the pitch was off, to correct it... Ah... to strengthen the vocal cords, which means to use a body-strengthening spell, right?"

"Roughly speaking, yes."

It turns out that I had been using magic without knowing it.

Perhaps when Regulus was about to fall down the stairs, the feeling of my body becoming lighter and managing to catch him was because I unconsciously used a body-strengthening spell.

Thank you, Princess. Good job, me.

While I was surprised by this shocking truth, Regulus tugged on the hem of Princess's garment again.

"If I practice magic, will my brother's illness not get worse?"

"Yes, it should prevent the illness from worsening. For that reason, I will give you this to eat. Chick should also have some."

Princess took out a delicious peach from her wide sleeve, and Regulus's face lit up as he received it. Princess narrowed her eyes.

The fresh, sweet scent of the peach filled the entire inner garden.

"This peach is used to make divine wine in the Heavenly Realm and is very nourishing. Hikaru said that strengthening the magic nerves is only a symptomatic treatment, and the basic approach should be to maintain good health and avoid dangerous situations."

"Is Hikaru referring to Princess Hikaru?"

"Yes. The one who governs death and rebirth is far more skilled and knowledgeable in matters of the soul than we are."

"Indeed," I murmured, and Regulus, holding the peach, echoed, "Indeed."

Then, Princess's thin silk and fan were pointed at me sharply.

"Well, for that reason, you should lose a bit of weight."

Oh, a snake came out of a bush I wasn't poking.

Well, losing weight was my original goal, so I nodded, and Princess lowered her fan.

She then cleared her throat and assumed a dignified expression.

"Igor told me that you have started moving for the 'musical.' However, he said it is a very difficult task."

"Yes... Indeed. Not only do we need to raise the literacy rate, but we also need to improve the standard of living. There are many things that need to be changed, increased, and improved, and above all, there must be peace... I think there are many issues to address."

"Yes, that is why your body must be strong and last a long time."

"Ah..."

In other words, she is worried about me in a roundabout way.

To be honest, Princess has been very kind from the beginning. I feel pampered.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my head, and Princess's gaze also slightly averted.

Still, in my generation, it will probably be...

"Princess, I believe that even if I live a long life, it will not be immediately achieved."

The musicals that Princess and I admire, and his violet garden, took a considerable amount of time to take root after sprouting in the places where they once lived.

"For art to be recognized, loved, and flourish, a foundation of economic prosperity and peace is necessary. However, what a single person can do is limited. What I should do in my generation is to make Kikunoi prosperous and nurture the next generation to carry on my vision and increase the number of allies."

"Continue."

"Geniuses can leap a hundred years. However, I am unfortunately not one of them, so I can only build up bit by bit from small things. Moreover, there are far more ordinary people in the world than geniuses. It will take time. However, if there is something that can be understood through conversation, we can join hands and move forward. That's how the previous world gradually improved and nurtured art. It was something that people in that world could do. Since we are the same human beings, the same red blood flows in our veins. There is no reason why people in this world cannot do it. It may take time, but we will surely reach the same horizon. That is when Princess and I will be able to see what we want to see."

Silence fell.

Princess's expression was a bit stern.

I stroked Regulus's head, who was looking back and forth between Princess and me.

Will this child carry on my vision?

It will take more than ten years for him to grow up, and even more time for his education to be passed on to the next generation.

The power and time of a single person are insignificant in the face of the world.

However, just as a thin thread becomes strong when twisted together, if people with the same vision can join hands and pass it on to the next generation...

Princess's lips curved into a crescent moon.

"Thinking back, when humans were born, they did not live the way they do now. But if left to their own devices, they eventually began to play music, sing songs, and dance... If waiting a while will make them change to my liking, I am not stingy about watching over them."

"Princess...!"

"If you fall before achieving your goal, I will scoop up your soul. When our wishes come true, no matter how much time has passed, I will show it to you. Be encouraged."

"Yes!"

I received the greatest promise.

I will do my best.

I bowed, and Regulus tugged on the hem of my shirt.

When I looked down, his eyes were shimmering.

"Brother, are you going somewhere? Can I come with you?"

"No, I'm not going now."

"Really?"

"Really. If Chick helps her brother well, I will take you to the same place. Work hard, okay?"

"Aye!"

Regulus raised his hand and his eyes sparkled at Princess's words.

I wonder how long he will look up to me like this.

Thinking about the future makes me a bit sad.

Princess and Regulus smiled, whether they knew my inner thoughts or not.

"Well, then, let's sing."

"Sing!"

"Yes! I'll sing!"

In the gentle sunlight, I sang.

Holding my brother's hand.

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