Engagement Ceremony (2)
Priest Libio strolled through the streets of the capital, savoring the scent of this new land. It was starkly different from the duchy where he had grown up and studied. The streets and buildings were flashy yet impeccably orderly. The faces of the empire's citizens generally looked content. No longer confined to a small temple in the duchy's outskirts, the Imperial Medical Office would now be his stage.
But Libio felt no great thrill. Success, wealth, fame—these things were far removed from his idea of happiness.
As he walked, Libio spotted a boy in the park crafting a model sailing ship from twigs.
"Ho ho."
Was he a carpenter's son? The model the boy had made was remarkably well-crafted. He'd cut, shaved, and woven each twig so meticulously that it looked like a work of art. Drawn to the nearly completed model, Libio approached the boy.
"Impressive."
"Huh? Oh, thank you!"
The boy scratched his head sheepishly.
"It took me five months. Just need to attach the stern, and it'll be done."
Seeing the boy's pride, Libio's lips curved upward.
"I'll buy it."
"Pardon?"
"I want that model."
"Uh..."
The boy looked flustered. He'd poured his heart into it for so long, and now this stranger wanted to buy it outright—confusion hit before joy.
"Three gold coins."
That hesitation lasted only a moment. The boy's eyes widened at Libio's offer. Three coins would cover his family's living expenses for two months.
"Not enough? Then five it is."
"N-no, that's plenty! I'll sell it!"
Five gold coins dropped into the boy's palm. Libio cradled the model ship carefully against his chest.
"Display it nicely! And oil it once the moisture dries, or it'll warp!"
Thrilled that his skill had been recognized, the boy beamed and waved Libio off.
Back at his mansion, Libio descended to the basement and placed the model on the table.
"The more I look, the finer it gets. So delicately carved and assembled. You can feel the love in it."
Libio gazed at it fondly for a while. Then he turned toward the wall rack, footsteps thudding steadily. In his hand was a vicious hammer.
―BOOM!!
With a single swing, the artisan's masterpiece shattered into pieces. Only a pile of unrecognizable twig fragments remained.
"Ooh."
Libio, who had shown no emotion until now, clenched his fists in ecstasy. Destroying something exquisite right on the verge of completion—that was the only way he could feel pleasure.
That perverse tendency had once caused him trouble even in the duchy. He'd committed deliberate medical malpractice, killing a patient. The victim was a commoner, a farmer's son, but he'd trained in swordsmanship his whole life and was on the cusp of joining the Holy Knights after his skills were recognized. Before that hero's saga could reach completion, Libio couldn't resist smashing it.
He'd exploited the side effects of healing spells. 'Healing spells merely revert the body to its original form—they ignore the process.'
Libio understood the principles behind healing spells that seemed miraculous. They were akin to a form of time-reversal magic: erasing damaged parts and regenerating the body to its pre-injury state. For instance, with ruptured organs, the spell grows new ones to replace them, violently tearing out and dissolving the ruined ones since they're no longer part of the body. If broken bones are twisted or contain foreign objects, an unskilled healer's insufficient force might leave debris inside, leading to grotesque recoveries.
The healing process is usually shrouded in bright divine power, making details hard to see, and in-depth research is forbidden as blasphemy. Most believe it's a miracle from the goddess; few healers truly grasp the mechanics.
Libio had used this on a patient wounded during training, inflicting additional damage. The victim couldn't endure the immense pain from the healing process and died of shock. That was the greatest ecstasy of his life. Still in his teens, thanks to his talent and skill, he was merely demoted to the provinces. The incident was buried in darkness.
Over a decade later, after quietly developing the region, his abilities and merits were recognized again. The past mishap was now dismissed as a minor accident. He'd risen to a position where the duchy recommended him as a chief physician-level healer for the Imperial Medical Office.
Libio threw his head back in rapture.
"Even a model a boy spent five months on gives me this much."
Already, a plan for ultimate pleasure was forming in his mind.
"If I could end the empire's golden age—centuries in the making—with these hands."
What unimaginable bliss that would bring. In the darkness, Libio's shadow flickered in the candlelight, laughing with him.
"The First Prince's faction has been gaining momentum lately," Hugo whispered, glancing at me while we treated civilians at the Imperial Medical Office.
Libio had already pulled several prominent healers into his faction just a month after arriving. His skills as a healer were undeniable—arguably the continent's best. He also had a subtle charisma that drew people in.
"If it becomes inconvenient, come back anytime. May the goddess's grace be with you."
"Thank you, priest."
Libio was treating civilians a short distance away, and damn, he was efficient.
How should I handle this?
Libio was the type who left no evidence. He seemed perfectly upstanding, so I couldn't pick a fight without cause.
And assassination is out of the question.
Killing the duchy's envoy would spark an international incident, and if it traced back to me, I'd lose everything.
His target is just the one—the emperor.
Blocking his access to the emperor was the most practical move. The emperor already had three personal physicians but still craved more. His obsession with health was endless, especially with age.
I need to ensure the emperor doesn't notice Libio and appoint him as deputy chief physician.
That alone would cut off most paths to assassinating the emperor. In the original history, Libio became the emperor's health advisor, managing his diet and more, giving him ample opportunity.
Tie his hands like that, and he'd force an incident— that's when I'd catch him red-handed.
It'd be ideal if the emperor distrusted Libio's healing spells.
The solution was simple: make the emperor prefer medicine over healing spells.
With direction set, an opportunity arose days later.
"His Majesty wishes to hear from the former chief physicians of the Imperial Medical Office regarding the direction of his health treatment. Nothing discussed here must leak outside."
Ambrosia summoned all the chief physicians. Though not current chief, Palkenhain qualified too, so we went together. We headed to the Heavenly Palace en masse and bowed before the emperor.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived."
At Ambrosia's cue, the emperor surveyed us.
"I ask the empire's finest healers: lately, my movements have been uncomfortable."
The emperor remained seated on his jade throne. Come to think of it, he'd canceled this year's tournament too. Was mobility that hard now?
"What is the proper response?"
In the imperial presence, no one stepped forward easily. First to speak was the veteran Alverich.
"Your Majesty, to proclaim the empire's long peace across the continent, your health is the utmost treasure and must be preserved above all. Raising faith to heighten healing resonance is the best medicine, I submit."
"It has merit, but I've built this empire trusting myself over the goddess. Not mindset—give me effective methods."
Rebuffed, Alverich fell silent. Then Libio stepped forward.
"May this humble one speak?"
"Libio, yes. I've heard of you. A healer so skilled you revived Prince Kunter."
"I am unworthy of such praise."
Libio bowed deeply and continued.
"The treatment for Prince Kunter differed slightly from standard healing spells."
"How so?"
"This one receives prophecies."
Prophecy. A form of foretelling. Unique in that high-faith priests could glimpse personal futures over worldly ones.
"Through prophecy for Prince Kunter, I foresaw where his sacred body might falter. Rather than healing after decline, I envelop the vulnerable flesh with divine power beforehand to prevent worsening."
"Hmm. A method I've not heard."
"Yes. Only I can perform this healing. It's called protection spell."
Protection spell. Libio's unique skill, enabled by his prophecy ability.
"Can it restore me?"
"Discomfort from aging is the way of all things. Full restoration like before is impossible, but preventing further decline from the current state is feasible, I report."
"Hm. Ambrosia, your thoughts?"
"Priest Libio's protection spell has long been renowned in the duchy. Prince Kunter's case verifies it."
Indeed. This was how Libio buttered up the emperor to become his advisor. Impressive bastard. If I hadn't known his scheming nature, even I'd have nodded in approval—he seemed that earnest.
All an act.
Realizing that, he struck me as no pushover. Fine, I'd block him.
"Your Majesty, may I add my opinion?"
"Gotberg. I wondered when you'd speak."
Perhaps because he'd already scored points, the emperor smiled expectantly at me from the start.
"Your dietary regimen cleared my mind. The medicines have shown great effect."
"Haha, even a little aid to Your Majesty brings me joy."
"Yes, speak."
I smiled at the emperor and activated my diagnosis skill.
Hypertension and osteoporosis have improved nicely with consistent meds. New issue: an injury.
Injury: Degenerative Arthritis
Location: Knee
"Your Majesty, I have a document I'd like to show you."
"What is it?"
"A catalog of medical devices."
I pulled out sketches from my notebook. The emperor's eyes locked on the knee brace design, intrigued.
"Gotberg, what's this device?"
"As expected of Your Majesty's insight. It's precisely what you need most now."
Degenerative arthritis in the knee, hindering his movements—caused by worn-away cartilage from age. Healing spells fixed injuries but couldn't rejuvenate an aged body.
"Allow me to explain simply with a diagram."
Palkenhain quickly prepared a blackboard. I infused a bit of mana to draw: leg bones and cartilage structure.
"Your Majesty, the soft cartilage here has worn away, making movement painful—like stabbing pains or chills with every step."
"Mm, spot on."
"This cartilage can't regenerate, but we can build nearby muscles and pair with physical therapy to mitigate degeneration. And..."
I sketched straight lines between knee and thigh.
"The brace you inquired about disperses force with this structure. Wearing it reduces knee strain, allowing you to walk as before."
"Not just halting worsening, but improvement?"
"Yes. I'll prescribe pain-relief meds too. You'll stroll the palace gardens to your heart's content."
"Ho ho."
The emperor's face brightened, imagining it, as he stroked his chin and commanded me.
"Gotberg, make it."
"I am honored. I shall obey."
I knelt in courtesy. Rising, I saw Libio staring at me ghost-like, lips pressed thin in a smile. Creepy.
Libio truly understands healing spells.
He'd only claimed to the emperor he could prevent worsening, not cure. Skilled one.
"Gotberg, any other devices you recommend for me?"
"It'd be remiss not to mention them."
VIP customer had arrived.
"This CPAP eliminates snoring for sound sleep. Hot packs for muscle aches—stock them. Mouthguard prevents grinding."
"Mm. Make them all."
"All of them? For your sacred body, I'd obey at once, but the budget might..."
I hesitated subtly; the emperor decided instantly.
"Ambrosia. Give Gotberg whatever he needs."
"Understood."
I cheered inwardly. Make all the gear I wanted with the emperor's funds? Perfect chance.
Time to outfit an ambulance too.
Wonder if I can get a pegasus anywhere?