In this Deep dark World Setting, traveling between Fortress and Fortress requires considerable Resolve.
The reason, without needing to say, was due to the Demonkin and Demonic Beasts.
To be guaranteed a safe journey from them, this world advanced the Development of the Airship rather than the Train.
Of course, just because it's an Airship doesn't mean it's 100 percent safe.
There are Demonic Beasts that fly in the sky, and there are Demonkin equipped with anti-air capabilities.
'This is also the reason why an Airship isn't something you can launch just because you want to.'
Flight schedules are strictly under the Management of the Airship Management Bureau.
In a way that avoids the Time zones when flying Demonic Beasts are active, and detours around regions where anti-air Demonkin lurk.
This is also why I didn't buy a personal Airship.
So as soon as I saved up a decent amount of money, I looked into it......
Once I found out I wouldn't be able to launch it as I pleased even if I bought it, I erased it from my Bucket list.
If I can't launch it as I please anyway, I might as well just book First Class.
There really is no reason to go out of my way to operate a private plane, right.
This is the reason why even Nobles who fly and crawl don't keep a personal Airship.
However, very occasionally, there is someone who completely ignores all these Conditions and operates a private plane.
Namely, someone who was confident they could chew up and swallow any Demonic Beast that appeared or any Demonkin that attacked.
Yes.
I mean that Duke Lord, who has now appeared in the skies above the Academy Territory.
"Looking at the Crest hung on the Airship, it seems to be the Keres Ducal Family."
My External Social Skills Module, Freya, was not by my side right now.
So Perisia explained instead.
"Duke Keres is the one protecting the Eastern Limit Line."
In the direction Perisia's gaze headed, a massive Airship was descending toward the Terminal with a loud roar.
It was a Size on a completely different level from any regular Liner.
The Crest of vertically split waves with a Saber resting on top was engraved largely on the flank of the hull.
Perisia followed the descending Airship with her eyes, and calmly added.
"......Come to think of it, there was Information that his daughter has not shown her face in High Society lately."
Perisia muttered while stroking her Jaw.
"Considering that he sought this place out without any prior connection on the very day Lord Yulian presented Proof that he could treat the Demon Disease...... Perhaps......"
I nodded my head as if in agreement.
It's not like the Duke, who must have passed Twenty years since his Academy Graduation, would suddenly bring an Airship just because he missed his Teacher.
Naturally, there would only be one reason for him to come at this timing.
So what I need to think about right now isn't 'with what Intention' he has come looking.
I must think about 'what kind of Demon Disease' he brought with him.
'I just hope it's a Demon Disease I can at least do something about.'
The only Demon Disease Cure I currently have is Parasite medicine and Steroid.
What if that Demon Disease isn't a disease treated with a Parasite drug or a Steroid?
'Hmm...... My Acting tough would be ruined quite a bit.'
There was another problem too.
The problem that the Duke, who harbored hope, could lose his mind and do me harm.
Of course, that's not exactly my Fault, but,
Parents whose child has caught an Incurable disease are not a Living organism that thinks logically.
I could tell just by seeing the Pediatrics Medical staff occasionally get grabbed by the collar when I was in the Hospital.
I consoled them not to Worry too much before the Test Result came out, but when the Result came out as Leukemia, they would Protest to the Resident Doctor or Nurse.
Sometimes, if it got severe, it would even escalate to grabbing by the collar.
Anyway.
The point is that I hope that Patient is someone I can treat.
'I would rather it just be Asthma.'
Then I could just spray Steroid down their throat and easily freeload.
While having those thoughts, I silently watched the massive hull touching down on the Terminal landing pad.
At that Time, Gregor, who was quietly looking up at the Airship, broke the silence.
"Lady Perisia. There is something I am curious about."
"Please speak."
"Is this not the first time the Lord Saint has treated the Demon Disease? Strictly speaking, the Parasite was also a treatment of the Demon Disease."
"May I take that Question as a Doubt as to why he came looking now and not at any other time?"
"Exactly."
Gregor nodding.
Hearing it, I happened to be curious as well.
It's a bit embarrassing to say, but my Great Performance is not the first time this has happened.
Even before my Canonization as a Saint, I made Diabetes Medicine and Gout medicine.
On top of that, I introduced quite a few Treatment Methods as well.
But he didn't come looking then, so why has he come looking for me only now.
Perisia seemed to know the answer to that Doubt.
"If it's about that, it's simple. The medicines and Treatment Methods Lord Yulian has created so far were either usable by other Healers, or methods that made the Miracles they could originally invoke be used more efficiently."
I understood as soon as I heard it.
Come to think of it, that's right.
In many cases, the medicines and Treatment Methods I have created so far were replaceable.
Medicines like Insulin, Quinine, or Penicillin?
Even if it isn't me, another Healer could use them.
There is no reason to necessarily seek me out.
My Surgery techniques?
Surgeries are not a Technique that fixes 'what cannot be fixed'.
It just invokes the same Miracle with a Divine Magic that is at a much lower Level of Mastery.
In other words, the High point hasn't increased; the fuel efficiency has simply improved.
Naturally, this doesn't resonate much with a Ducal Family that lacks neither money nor power.
But treating the Demon Disease is different.
A High point that Divine Magic couldn't break through.
Since I touched that domain, it was only natural for them to react this sensitively.
"The ripple effect of this Incident cannot be compared to the Parasite treatment. The Institution I belong to is still receiving Consultation, but considering the Principle of the Black magic and the medicine the Professor submitted......"
Perisia, who paused for a moment, opened her mouth again.
"Not just simply treating the Demon Disease, but Humanity's magical Level of Mastery might rise one step higher."
"What do you mean by that?"
At Gregor's counter-question, Perisia pointed at the Academy and said.
"Lord Gregor. You have heard about Lady Erika's Constitution, right?"
"I don't know the details, but I do know that constitutionally, her blood does not clot well."
"That is it."
"?"
Gregor tilted his head.
I was the same.
As if reading our Facial expression, Perisia supplemented the lacking explanation.
"Powerful Talent sometimes becomes a Curse. There is a Hypothesis in The Magical World that the more outstanding the Talent you possess, the more that Talent gnaws at the body, resulting in the Demon Disease."
"Then, what Lady Perisia wants to say is that Lady Erika's Talent is also based on that Principle?"
"Wouldn't the possibility be high?"
And with that, Perisia brought up a few examples.
"It is said that in the past, an Ice Archmage from the Northern region suffered from a peculiar Demon Disease called Nine Yin Severed Meridians. Though they eventually met a premature death at a young age due to that Demon Disease, it is said that their Understanding and senses regarding the Chill were unparalleled."
"......I have heard of it too. Within the order, a Holy Knight who suffered from a Demon Disease where the skin progressively hardened is often mentioned."
"Yes. So in our Institution, if Lord Yulian could save the Patients with those Constitutions......"
She met my eyes.
Soon, she nodded.
"I cannot explain the details due to them being a Secret, but I can say that our Institution and His Majesty hold high expectations."
"Ohh...... If so, have I gained the Right to decorate a corner of that great History?"
Gregor rejoiced, his eyes sparkling.
Listening to that explanation, a new question came to mind.
The Institution Perisia belongs to.
Just what exactly does that Institution do.
However, I couldn't ask about it in detail.
"Lord Saint."
I turned my head toward the direction the Voice came from.
Before we knew it, a man had approached from the landing pad and was standing in front of us.
He was a man wearing an ash-gray cloth garment that resembled a Martial Arts Uniform.
It was a simple outfit without a single water-colored decoration, but the collar and cuffs were perfectly crisped, as if cut by a knife.
A short Saber was quietly tied to his waist.
I could tell at a glance that it was Eastern Style.
'Wangcho wore a similar outfit too.'
Wangcho is from the Eastern Region.
Not only Wangcho, but the majority of the Beastkin are from the Eastern Region.
I was appalled when I heard that the weird Fusion Wuxia-esque style that Wangcho usually enjoyed wearing was Eastern-style, but
'Wangcho was just dressing weirdly.'
Looking at the attire of the man in front of me, it seemed Wangcho had just tailored it weirdly.
It seemed Wangcho's memory of his Hometown had become strange, probably because he drank too much of the Capital's water.
If not that, it meant Wangcho's fashion style was disastrous, but that was too pitiful, so I decided not to think that way.
While I was having those thoughts, that Eastern-style man approached me without a sound of footsteps.
"This humble one is a Retainer serving the Keres Ducal Family. My liege has made a Request to see the Lord Saint. I apologize for the imposition, but would you be able to step toward that Airship."
The attendant formally bowed his waist and invited me.
I gave A glance to Perisia.
Because I, being less equipped with Social skills, did not know well whether to prioritize the Duke's summons or my prior engagement with the Chancellor.
Perisia nodded, realizing the meaning behind my gaze.
"I will speak with the Chancellor separately. The Chancellor will understand as well."
Perhaps it's because it's a society based on Social status.
It seemed the Meeting with the Chancellor was pushed down in priority compared to the Duke.
Having received permission from Perisia, I nodded my head toward the attendant sent by the Duke.
"Please provide Guidance."
***
The place the Retainer provided Guidance to was inside the Airship the Duke had taken.
Following the Retainer aboard, the interior of the Airship was on a different level, just like its exterior.
It was completely different from the crude iron corridors of any regular Liner.
Walls finished with dark solid wood, a faint scent of perfumed oil, and even a thick carpet laid Underfoot.
Outside the window, the panoramic view of the Academy Territory could be seen far below.
Among them, the place the Retainer led me to was the Dining Room right in the middle of the ship.
In a place where ordinary cabins would be on a normal Airship, a massive Banquet hall was situated.
"Sir. You have arrived."
Duke Ström, who was sitting at the Seat of Honor of the long Table, welcomed me.
On the Table, a spread full of Cooking was already set.
But what caught my eye more than that was the Duke's overwhelming Huge build.
His broadly spread Shoulders looked wider than a typical Door panel.
Such an appearance of his was the typical appearance of a sailor.
His skin was burned copper by the sun and Salt, and Time had settled slightly white on his short-cropped beard.
Above all, the Calluses embedded in his palms and numerous Scars allowed one to guess what kind of life he had lived.
The Duke who protects the Eastern Limit Line. The wall that blocks the waves of Demonic Beasts crawling up from the sea single-handedly.
Just by looking at his appearance, I felt like I knew why that Fame was attached to him.
Unlike that appearance, the Duke's first line of dialogue was quite polite.
"Not only did I make a Request for you to come a long way, but it would be unacceptable if my hospitality was lacking. It is meager, but please have a bite first."
In the direction he pointed, numerous sea dishes were placed.
A familiar scent drifted from the steaming dishes.
It was the smell of soy sauce, Ginger, and scallion oil.
Fish dishes pan-fried in hot oil.
Pieces of fish braised in spicy red Broth.
Finely minced stir-fried seafood.
The Eastern-style table setting was close to the Chinese cuisine of my Previous life.
Feeling glad, I sat down and naturally picked up the chopsticks.
As I was preparing to debone the fish with such skilled hand movements, the Fork placed next to the Plate caught my eye.
Only then did the utensils held by the other Bodyguards sitting with me—Gregor and Perisia—catch my eye.
They were picking up the Fork and Knife instead of the chopsticks placed next to their Plates.
'Huh?'
Because it was Chinese food, I naturally picked up chopsticks.
Could it be that eating with a Fork is the Etiquette?
While I was harboring such a Doubt, the Duke at the Seat of Honor opened his eyes wide.
"......Do you know how to handle chopsticks, Sir? I prepared them just in case, but you picked them up before the Fork."
Looking at his reaction, it didn't seem like I was supposed to pick up the Fork.
I consciously formed a natural smile and answered.
"In the Limbus Pit, I have an acquaintance from the Eastern Region. Since I often ate at the same table with him, I learned naturally. Receiving a meal like this after a long Time reminds me of that friend."
A Hyena Beastkin who couldn't live a day without Meat and Beer came to mind.
Of course, I knew how to use chopsticks even before learning from him, but.
I was just too lazy to make an Alibi, so I sold Wangcho's name.
As if finding those Words interesting, the Duke stroked down his beard with his Scarred hand.
"If it's the Limbus Pit...... That's the phrase referring to those Alleys down there where the sun doesn't shine, is it not."
"Yes. It's the place people commonly call the Back alley."
"The higher the position one reaches, the more they try not to look Underfoot. They tend to consider even looking down to be a shame. Yet you, Sir, willingly sat face to face at the dining table of that lowly Alley."
He raised his glass to wet his lips.
"No one calls water lowly because it flows to lower places. Rather, they say it is precious because it wets all things. Your heart, Sir, is exactly like that."
At the sudden flattering remark, I had no choice but to give a sheepish smile.
It was because I felt like I knew the reason why the Duke was sucking up to me this much on our first meeting.
"You flatter me. I simply met good people, that is all."
"Even that modesty is precious."
The Duke laughed heartily and set down his glass.
Around the time we took a few more bites in such a harmonious atmosphere.
The smile slowly faded from the Duke's face.
He set down his chopsticks.
His strong hands, covered in Calluses and Scars, quietly clenched into fists on the Table.
"......Sir."
The Duke called out to me with a low, sunken Voice.
"You must have caught on, Sir. As it happens, I do not have much Time. I have a Request."
In his tone that sounded like a ship's horn in the distant sea, moisture lingered for the first time.
"I know I have no Sense of Shame, and I know that coming suddenly to do this is a huge imposition. Even so, having heard the News that you treated the Demon Disease, I came looking to make a Request like this."
The Duke stared at me directly.
"Please, I would like you to see my daughter."
The Duke, sitting at the Seat of Honor, bowed his head.
Seeing that sight, I felt the urge to accept.
I set down the chopsticks I was eating with and thought.
— 'I am telling you in advance, but I did not announce that I can treat all Demon Diseases.'
Those Words came to mind first.
It meant that just in case I couldn't treat it, he shouldn't grab me by the collar.
There was a part that many people, including the Duke, were mistaken about.
I haven't become able to treat all Demon Diseases.
I've just become able to treat the Demon Diseases that Steroids work on.
In addition, while the classification of the Demon Disease is mostly finished, I'm not from the Pathology Department, so it's not like I've perfectly separated all of them either.
A disease I do not know might suddenly appear.
'If something like Castleman Disease suddenly pops up, even I just have to set out a bowl of water and pray.'
So I pondered for a moment.
Wondering if I should tell him these Precautions.
However, I soon shook my head.
'Nah. When have I ever made such Coward-like remarks.'
Even when I treated the Infertility of Imperial Prince Edmund and his wife,
And during The Spring of Those Who Could Not Return Incident.
I did Worry, but every time, my choice was always the same.
"Alright. Please let me take a look."
I'll just go for it and see, whatever.
Because I'm lucky.
'If by any chance I can't remember, I can just rummage through the Library of Memory.'
It will work out somehow, won't it.
Thinking so, I clasped the rough hand the Duke desperately held out.
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