Chapter 9

Thanks to the miracle of the holy maiden, His Majesty the King has been completely cured.

His Majesty, for the first time in about three years, leaves his room where his bed is.

Because he had been sleeping for so long, his legs were weak, and he could not even stand.

For movement, he uses a wheelchair.

"I'm sorry, Act."

"It's fine. Let me do this much."

Moving from the bed to the wheelchair, and pushing the wheelchair, His Highness wanted to do it all by himself.

I understand his feelings.

His father, who had been waiting for death, can now get up.

As a son, he must want to do everything he can.

His Highness was a kind person.

Jin and Shion also showed concern and watched over the two of them.

"Shall we go outside? The weather is very nice today."

"Yes, I would like to feel the sunlight after so long."

"Understood."

His Highness pushes the wheelchair and takes His Majesty outside the castle.

Jin, Shion, and I follow behind, keeping a distance.

We do not want to intrude on their family time.

Walking at a slightly slower pace, Jin whispers,

"Act looks so happy."

"Yes, I can understand his feelings."

"Right. You also seem to be in a good mood, don't you?"

"Yes, Jin is too. You're grinning."

"Haha, can't help it. How often does something this joyful happen?"

"Yes."

From the two who are watching over His Highness and His Majesty, I can sense a feeling of affection.

It's as if they are parents watching their child grow.

Both of them are so happy, and they want to get closer, but they are careful not to interfere with His Highness.

It's not just His Highness.

These two are also very kind-hearted.

"Thank you, Iliyas."

"Thanks to you, Iliyas, the future of this country is bright. I am truly grateful."

The two of them bow to me.

I shake my head at them.

"It's not my power. His Majesty was cured because your prayers were genuine."

"What are you talking about? It's the holy maiden's power, Iliyas, that did it."

"No, the holy maiden's power only creates the opportunity for a miracle. If the prayers were insincere, no matter how much one wishes, a miracle will not happen."

"Is that how it works?"

"Yes."

Many people misunderstand.

The holy maiden is a spokesperson for God.

What I can do is gather people's prayers and deliver them to God.

Whether a miracle happens or not depends on whether the prayers are genuine.

As requested, they prayed wholeheartedly for His Majesty's recovery.

"That's why the miracle happened. I alone cannot cause a miracle."

"Even so, I am grateful to Iliyas for providing the opportunity."

"Yes, I believe that Iliyas coming to this country is a miracle granted by God."

"Exactly, it's fate!"

"Yes."

"…I hope so."

If my being exiled from the Kingdom of Spark and arriving in this country was fate… what was the purpose of all the time I have spent so far?

I suddenly found myself thinking about this.

We go outside together.

The weather is very nice today.

The sky is clear blue, and although winter is approaching, it is warm.

It's almost too warm.

"…The air is good."

"Yes, Father."

"Is it autumn now?"

"Yes. Winter is coming soon. Today is relatively warm, but it was quite cold yesterday."

"I see… How much time has passed since I fell ill?"

"…? You haven't been able to leave your room properly for about three years."

"…I see. It's been that long already."

I listen to their conversation from a little distance.

His Majesty seems to have forgotten the time he was ill.

"Father?"

"No, I'm sorry. I haven't forgotten. I just… I've been having dreams. Dreams from when she was still alive."

"…! Father…"

"I'm sorry. While you were working hard for this country in my place… I feel ashamed."

"Don't say that! Father, you fought the illness with all your might. The doctors said that maintaining your life despite the illness is a testament to your strong will! Father, you are still a great king."

His Highness speaks forcefully and grips His Majesty's thin hand.

Various emotions overflow from His Highness's expression.

"Thank you… Act. And you've grown so much."

"Father…"

"Given who you are now, I can entrust the kingdom to you."

"Eh?"

His Majesty grips His Highness's hand in return and smiles gently while saying,

"Act, from today… you are the king."

"…!"

His Highness, as well as we, are shocked.

The sudden announcement of the succession of the throne.

It's impossible not to be surprised.

We are surprised, but His Highness is the most surprised, almost disbelieving his ears.

"Father? Why are you saying this now? You've finally recovered."

"Because it's now. Indeed, the illness seems to be completely cured. It even feels like all the bad things have been erased from my body."

"Then that's great! The people are looking forward to seeing a healthy Father."

"That would make me happy."

"There's no doubt! To everyone, Father is the king of this country."

His Highness raises his voice.

Since the illness is cured, he can rehabilitate and regain his lost strength.

By doing so and returning as the king, everyone will be happy.

His Highness must be thinking this.

Perhaps Jin and Shion think the same.

However, His Majesty is different.

His Majesty looks at me.

"Holy Maiden, you should understand, right?"

"…! Iliyas?"

His Highness also turns to me.

In the attention of everyone, I suppress my heartache and explain.

"…Your Highness, the illness is indeed cured. But only the illness is cured."

"What do you mean…"

"The time that was eroded by the illness… the lifespan cannot be restored."

"…!"

Miracles have their limits.

For example, no matter how sincerely one wishes, a dead person cannot be brought back to life.

Life has an end, and the time given to a person is finite.

This is the law of nature and the rule of this world.

The holy maiden's miracle also follows the rules of this world.

Therefore, lost time cannot be restored.