Chapter 2

In his room, Arthur was staring at a mysterious book in his hand. This book contained events from the future that Arthur had experienced.

On the first page, in blue ink, it read, "Good deed points increased by 1 for healing a maid. Achievement unlocked," and the rest of the page was filled with black ink reading "????".

"So... does this mean that my actions from now on can change the future?"

He recalled the words "good deed points" that had echoed in his mind when he helped the maid. It seemed that healing her had affected his future. Although it wasn't enough to avoid execution, the diary mentioned that the maid's friends also opposed Arthur's execution in the future.

He thought that the fact that this future had changed was important.

In other words, if he did good deeds, the future would improve, and he could escape the guillotine, right?

"Hahaha, it seems that God hasn't abandoned me after all."

Arthur laughed loudly while holding the notebook, looking completely suspicious. There were two reasons why he so easily accepted the idea of redoing his life, something that would normally be impossible.

One was that, being born with the ability to use healing magic and having a special constitution, he could believe that even strange things could happen. The other was that he had a flexible mind that easily believed in things that were convenient for him.

"Good deeds... so I just need to do good things, right? In other words, I just need to do things that make people happy, right? Alright, then I'll flatter the people, the world, whatever it takes to survive!"

Holding up the notebook with a smug look, Arthur said something rather pitiful. As he thought about what to do next, a question arose.

"But, how do I make people happy?"

Arthur was not a bad person, but he was not a good person either. As the second prince and with his unique constitution that allowed him to use powerful healing magic, he had been pampered and was often selfish and quick to anger. However, he never used unreasonable violence against the servants or gave unreasonable orders. Still, this was not a virtue of his; it was due to his indifference to others.

Therefore, he didn't know how to make people happy. After some thought, he finally remembered something.

"Right... I have powerful healing magic. If I heal all the injured and sick people, they'll be happy! After all, with my ability, I can cure most illnesses and injuries!"

He had always been thanked when he used his healing magic. The nobles who brought important people for treatment always expressed their gratitude. At the time, he wondered why they were so happy about such a small thing, but now, after being captured and beaten by the people and facing the guillotine, he understood.

Pain is terrible. It was a childish discovery, but for him, it was valuable and a significant step forward.

"So, if I heal all the injured and sick people, everyone will be grateful. Hahaha, it's a piece of cake!"

He had been told not to use his healing magic frivolously since childhood, and he had followed the orders of the nobles. But now, his life was at stake. He didn't care about their advice.

His life was more important than the words of the nobles who had abandoned him for their own safety.

"Hahaha, is there anyone who can be of use to me in this life?"

Arthur stepped out of his room, looking for someone who was injured. It was a villainous line, but he didn't intend to do good deeds; he just wanted to survive.

"Seriously, no one is around..."

Walking aimlessly, it was natural that no one was injured. This was his mansion, not a battlefield. It would be strange if someone was injured every day.

Just as he was wondering what to do, he heard a woman's scream along with the sound of something falling.

Come to think of it, today was the day when a painting fell and a maid was injured. He had never paid attention to such things before, but now he hurried in the direction of the scream.

"Ow..."

In Arthur's field of vision, there was a large glass frame, about his height, lying on the ground, shattered, and a blonde maid in a maid's uniform with blood streaming from her forehead. The amount of blood suggested a deep wound that would leave a scar.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Master Arthur...?"

When Arthur called out and ran over, the blonde maid flinched and then hurriedly bowed.

"I'm sorry, I've stained the precious painting you gave me with my blood, Master Arthur."

"What are you talking about? That doesn't matter. Show me your wound."

Approaching the maid who was saying incomprehensible things, Arthur ignored the painting. He didn't understand the value of art, and he had no attachment to this painting, which he had received as a gift for healing a noble.

Right now, her treatment was more important. It was a chance to earn good deed points.

"Master Arthur, what are you...?"

A deep wound on the forehead... for a woman whose beauty was one of her assets, it would be a significant problem if it left a scar. Conversely, healing it would lead to greater gratitude.

With this calculation in mind, Arthur began the healing.

"Focus. Be quiet."

As Arthur placed his hand on her forehead, warm light appeared, and the girl's wound began to heal.

"This... is healing magic! It's such a precious power, and you're using it on someone like me!!"

"It's healed. Look in the mirror."

Wiping the blood from the girl's forehead with a handkerchief, Arthur watched as she touched her forehead in disbelief and hurriedly picked up a hand mirror.

"Oh... oh!! It's true! There's not a single scar. Master Arthur, you are so kind!! Thank you! I will never forget this kindness!"

With tears in her eyes, she hugged Arthur. The soft sensation and sweet scent overwhelmed him. Seeing her joy and gratitude, Arthur felt a strange warmth in his chest, which confused him.

Why? I just healed her to save myself, but why do I feel warm inside?

"That... I'm sorry, I got carried away with my joy..."

Misinterpreting Arthur's confusion, Marianna hurriedly pulled away, her face as red as an apple.

"Hmph, don't worry about it. I healed you specially. You just need to be grateful to me."

Arthur replied gruffly. He had only healed her to save himself, so he emphasized that she shouldn't forget his kindness. Despite this, Marianna looked moved.

"Yes, I will never forget this kindness!! But, is it alright to heal someone like me? I heard that Master Arthur's power is special..."

"Hmm? I am a genius with special healing abilities, but what do you mean by 'alright'?"

"Well... I heard that only those introduced by Lord Goyoku and who made large donations could receive healing from you..."

"Donations..."

Arthur asked, taken aback by Marianna's words. Goyoku was the noble in charge of his care. He had indeed introduced people who needed healing, but he had never heard about donations.

No, maybe I just didn't notice... It's not surprising from that scum.

Recalling what Goyoku had ultimately done to him in his previous life, Arthur frowned in understanding.

"Yes, Lord Goyoku said that Master Arthur's power is special, so an appropriate price is necessary. I never thought I would be healed by you, so I was surprised..."

"Hmph, whatever..."

Arthur was about to say it didn't matter when the words of his former fiancée flashed through his mind. It was a time in his previous life when the people's dissatisfaction was high. He had asked, "If I heal everyone, won't they all admire me?"

"Arthur, your power is indeed wonderful. But if you use it too easily, people will take you for granted and use you. People will become dependent, thinking they can always be healed. Besides, your ability has a daily limit, so you can't heal everyone every time. If there's inequality, it will lead to dissatisfaction. People will resent you, and even those you've healed might resent you for being favored. If you want to save this country, you need to think of ways other than using your healing ability."

Her words, which chided him like a child, made him feel indignant. But she was always right, at least more so than the people who flattered him. Regardless of Goyoku, he should trust her.

Fine, I have a big heart. I'll listen to you this time. Instead of healing everyone, I'll set some conditions.

Feeling resentful about following his former fiancée's advice, Arthur made an excuse to Marianna.

"I healed you specially because you always work hard, Marianna, don't you?"

"You... you remember my name..."

She was surprised and delighted, even though he had just called her by the name she had just given.

"And... I'm special... I've always worked hard as a maid, but I never thought Master Arthur would think of me like that..."

Marianna mumbled, her face turning red, but Arthur, lost in thought, didn't hear her.

Can I make people happy in ways other than healing?

Marianna's joy was triggered by the healing, but she was so happy just because he called her by name. Seeing her happiness, Arthur felt happy too, a feeling he had never experienced in his previous life.

This is the second chapter.

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