Chapter 6

"Your Highness, what should I do?"

"Ah, what I want you to do is treat the people suffering from illness. We will provide the place. It’s not as large or as clean as the cathedral, but—"

"The place and environment don’t matter. Is that all I need to do?"

"That’s the most important thing. Especially at this time of year."

The prince continued to explain.

The Kingdom of Slorren and the Kingdom of Spark both have four seasons.

It is currently autumn.

The environmental changes are more drastic than in the four seasons of my previous life, and the temperature drops sharply and becomes dry from autumn to winter.

This change shocks the body, and many people fall ill.

In fact, during this period when it starts to get cold in the Kingdom of Spark, many people with colds and other illnesses visit the cathedral.

"In Slorren, there are more colds during this period, too."

"Yes... but it’s not just a cold. It’s not just a cold."

I tilted my head.

The prince nodded slightly and continued to explain.

"A different disease that causes higher fevers than a regular cold is spreading. It is highly contagious, and it doesn’t necessarily get better just by resting. Young people can endure it with their strength, but the elderly and children become so weak from the high fever that they can’t move."

"That’s..."

A disease that spreads during this period, more troublesome than a cold...

I have an idea.

In my previous life, there was a disease that spread from autumn to winter.

People were advised to get vaccinated every year, but many still got infected, and there were deaths every year.

Perhaps a similar disease exists in this world.

I am not a doctor or a pharmacist, so I don’t have as much knowledge about diseases.

I didn’t have the skills or the need to investigate.

"I understand. If it’s a disease, I can heal it with my prayers."

"Really!"

"Yes."

No matter what the disease is, even if the cause is unknown, the prayers of the Holy Maiden can heal it.

This power is not a healing ability.

It is the power to perform miracles.

"When should I start? I can start right away if needed."

"No, it’s not that urgent. We need to explain it to the people first, so we should proceed carefully to avoid causing panic."

"I see..."

"Thank you. You’re really worried about it."

"I am the Holy Maiden."

When I know someone is in trouble, I can’t ignore it.

My heart is irrevocably stained by the power of the Holy Maiden.

In my previous life, I wasn’t this full of righteousness and optimism.

Comparing my past self to my current self, it feels like I’m a different person.

"Was it a long journey from the Kingdom of Spark? Take a good rest today. I’m sorry we can’t offer much in the way of hospitality, but you’re free to use one of the rooms in the castle."

"Thank you. That’s enough for me."

I was looking for a place to live, so it was lucky that this problem was solved.

I didn’t expect to end up living in the castle.

"Life... you never know what will happen."

"Saint Ilias?"

"Ilias is fine."

"Got it. Then call me Act—"

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of knocking on the door interrupted the prince’s words.

We turned toward the door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Your Highness."

"Ah, perfect. Come in."

"Excuse me."

A man’s voice was heard.

After a brief exchange through the door, it opened.

A tall, slender man with a sword at his waist appeared.

From his attire, he seemed to be a noble?

His clothing and demeanor were somewhat knight-like.

"There you are, Your Highness. The guard brought someone... a guest..."

He met my eyes and froze.

The prince introduced me.

"You came at the right time. She is—"

"The Holy Maiden of the Kingdom of Spark, Ilias Norman?"

The man spoke my name before the prince could introduce me.

As expected of a neighboring country.

It seems my face and name are known.

He widened his eyes and gaped in shock.

"W-What’s going on, Your Highness! Why is the Holy Maiden from the neighboring country here?"

"Well, there’s a reason for that."

"You didn’t kidnap her, did you! That’s too much, Act!"

"Of course not! Calm down, Jin."

"How can I calm down? Kidnapping a Holy Maiden is an international issue... We could be destroyed!"

"That’s not it! Listen to me!"

Before I knew it, they were arguing.

I was taken aback.

Prince and vassal...?

They were bickering like old friends.

He called the prince by the nickname Act, so what kind of relationship do they have?

"Ilias! Can you say something?"

I heard a call for help from the prince.

I have questions, but now isn’t the time.

I smiled at Mr. Jin.

"Please calm down. I am no longer the Holy Maiden of the Kingdom of Spark."

"Huh? Is that... true?"

"Yes. From now on, I will be the Holy Maiden of the Kingdom of Slorren. Please take care of me."

"Ah, what? Our Holy Maiden?"

Question marks seemed to float above his head.

He seemed to calm down a bit after I explained, and the prince sighed and explained to him why I was there.

He summarized the content we had just discussed.

"I see... So that’s what happened? Really?"

"Yes, I was also surprised. I didn’t think the Kingdom of Spark had decayed to that extent."

"Hey, don’t badmouth other countries... No, you’re right. Expelling a real Holy Maiden and deceiving the people with a fake one is unacceptable."

"Yes, they will surely face divine retribution."

Listening to their conversation, I thought the same.

Divine retribution...

They didn’t just deceive the people.

Claiming the name and power of a Holy Maiden... is a betrayal of God.

"Lord, are you watching?

If divine retribution comes, what should I do?"

"Saint Ilias, I’m sorry for my outburst. I’m Jin Claude, a knight who serves as the guard and assistant to Prince Act."

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Jin. Please call me Ilias."

"You don’t need to use honorifics with me. Then, Ilias, call me Jin. I’m not comfortable with formalities. You don’t have to use polite language either."

"No, I usually speak this way."

"I see. Impressive."

"Jin has always had trouble with polite language."

"Always..."

I was curious about their close relationship and decided to ask.

"You two seem to have a good relationship. It doesn’t look like a typical lord and vassal relationship."

"Yes, we’re what you might call childhood friends."

The prince answered.

Childhood friends...

Jin continued.

"We’ve been together since we were little. Sometimes I forget that Act is a prince because of this habit."

"It’s the same for me. Besides, it feels weird to be formal now."

"That’s an exaggeration! I do try to be careful in front of others."

"Haha, I know. It’s a bit awkward."

They talked happily.

They really seemed like just friends.

I smiled.

"What a wonderful relationship."

"Thanks. I appreciate that."

"It’s a bit embarrassing to hear that from a Holy Maiden."

The prince laughed, and Jin touched his nose, looking embarrassed.

I genuinely felt envious.

Being able to show your true self without worrying about your position...

In my previous life, certainly, but in this life... at least since I became a Holy Maiden, I haven’t had such an environment.