The End of an Era

I moved to Princess Tianis's side and followed behind her.

Whether to call it fortunate or not, the two princesses drew so much attention that no one paid us any mind.

At best, we were treated as extras tagging along with their attendants.

There's nothing good about standing out unnecessarily, so I was grateful.

If I'm going to stand out, I'd rather it be when I've achieved results as a merchant.

"… Those two don't usually get so flustered."

"Is it because the injuries are that severe?"

"We can only pray that isn't the case."

The topic was, of course, the king's condition.

To commoners, he was a figure above the clouds—someone you might glimpse from a distance once a year during a parade, if you were lucky.

Yohane had always been selling drinks and food alongside his employees during the parades, so he'd actually never seen the king's face.

If he had time for that, he'd rather sell one more item. That was what mattered.

We arrived at the infirmary.

Inside, there was a partitioned area guarded by two knights who weren't letting anyone through.

When the knights noticed Princess Tianis, they saluted once, then gently blocked her path with their hands.

"Please wait, Princess Tianis. His Majesty is currently receiving treatment, and no one is to be admitted."

"I've heard he's being treated. But it's not going well, is it?"

"We cannot say from our position."

"This might be my last chance to see him. Let me through."

After a brief exchange of glances, the knights said "As you wish" and stepped aside.

… The situation might really be dire.

Even with the princess arriving, they shouldn't want to interrupt treatment for a life-threatening injury with visitors.

The fact that they let her through meant even the knights thought he might be at death's door.

It seemed inappropriate to flood in with this many people.

I decided to bring only Elza with me.

I lifted the curtain and entered the partitioned area.

There, a priest and doctor were working desperately to treat a man lying down.

When Princess Tianis and Lady Anatia tried to approach, one of the assistants hurriedly stopped them.

But upon realizing who they were, they seemed at a loss for words.

"Cleanse yourselves with magic before approaching."

The doctor said this, only his eyes turning toward us.

Blood was splattered not just on his hands but all over his body, and his exhaustion was evident.

"I'll do it."

Elza said this and used the purification miracle on everyone.

It had a detoxifying effect, but it also had the same effect as cleansing magic, so this would suffice.

Upon confirming this, the doctor said nothing more.

Princess Tianis approached the man lying there.

After getting somewhat close, she instinctively raised both hands to cover her mouth.

"Father…"

She murmured despite herself.

Seeing the man's condition, I understood her reaction.

His left side bore multiple large wounds, and one eye was damaged.

It was a wonder he hadn't died instantly.

His large build might have worked in his favor.

Further back, on another bed, lay a young man with a white cloth covering his face.

The prince hadn't made it, it seemed.

The king's breathing was weak but still there.

Yet with each breath he seemed to suffer, making it clear he didn't have long.

"We've done everything we can. All that remains is to pray His Majesty's body holds out."

"… Thank you for your efforts."

Lady Anatia spoke in place of the speechless Princess Tianis.

The priest was using the healing miracle on the king, but it didn't seem to be having much effect.

"Elza, what do you think?"

When I asked Elza, she shook her head.

"When it was Kanon-san, the bleeding was severe, but her organs were intact. So I could heal her by closing the wounds, but… with damage this extensive, even the healing miracle can only ease the pain."

"I see."

The healing miracle wasn't omnipotent after all.

Even if you lost limbs, proper treatment could prevent death, but once vital areas were damaged, it became difficult.

"If only I'd been there when he was wounded, I might have been able to do something."

"At that time, you were with Princess Tianis."

Princess Tianis, whom we'd gone to save, was unharmed, while the king who needed treatment had suffered fatal wounds.

There was nothing to call this but fate.

"Would it at least ease his suffering?"

"Yes. It seems my rank is higher than that priest's."

"Then lend your aid. I won't allow Father, who devoted himself to this nation, to die in agony."

"Do it."

I instructed Elza, and she used the healing miracle.

The doctor and priest tried to stop her, but when Princess Tianis restrained them, they slumped into chairs.

They too were exhausted and had nothing more they could do.

This was actually my first time seeing the difference between another priest's healing miracle and Elza's, and the radiance did seem stronger.

The effect was clearly greater.

I could see the king's labored breathing ease.

Yet even so, his wounds weren't healing well, and it was obvious even to a layman that extending his life was the limit.

"… Tianis? Is that you?"

"Father! I'm right here!"

Whether due to the healing miracle, the comatose king opened his eyes.

His breath was faint, but he was conscious.

Princess Tianis clung to him, gripping his hand desperately as she called out to him.

But his eyes weren't focusing—he likely couldn't see much.

"Your Majesty…"

"Anatia is safe too?"

Despite how painful it must have been to speak, the king opened his mouth.

As if this were his final duty.

"Tianis. Do you remember the role of the royal family?"

"O-of course. To guide the nation and create peace for its people. The nation exists because of its people. The king exists because of its people."

"That's right. Protect the people. Never forget that as a member of the royal family."

"I understand."

Princess Tianis nodded and gripped his hand tightly.

The king's breathing gradually weakened.

"Anatia. Would you pass a message to Duke Baroba?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Tell him I'm sorry I couldn't keep our promise to share a drink. And ask him to lend his strength to my child as he did to me."

"I will certainly convey this to my father."

By the time Lady Anatia responded, the king had drawn his last breath.

Princess Tianis's scream-like cry echoed through the room, and the knights outside, seeing this, rushed off to spread the news.