Dinner at the Ducal Household and Healing Magic

"Leon-sama, first, you'll need to bathe."

Roger said that the moment he returned. Efficiency was all he ever thought about. As I headed for the bathroom, wondering why he couldn't make a little small talk, I found a bath waiting at just the right temperature.

Had Roger arranged it? He really might be good at his job.

With Roger's help, I took a bath and changed into the splendid clothes that had been prepared for me.

"Leon-sama, please sit here so I can style your hair."

"Yeah, you're really efficient at your job, Roger."

Since I would probably be spending more time with Roger from now on, I decided to start by complimenting him in an attempt to become friends.

"It's only natural. It's my job."

Roger replied curtly as usual, but I felt like the corners of his mouth had softened slightly. That was the first expression I'd seen from him besides his usual blank look! Maybe being direct with my compliments was the way to go from now on.

It was a relief that we seemed like we might get along at least a little. I didn't want things to feel awkward the whole time, either.

"I'm finished. Now, let's go to the dining room."

I headed to the dining room, where Richard-sama, his wife Catherine-sama, and Frederick-sama were waiting. Julian-sama, Frederick-sama's elder brother who was a year older than him, didn't seem to be there today.

Even though Frederick-sama was supposed to be staying in the knights' dormitory, he seemed to be at the ducal household again. Could this matter concern Frederick-sama too?

"Thank you for inviting me today."

"I'm sorry to have summoned you here, but thank you for coming. Let's enjoy dinner first."

After that, the evening passed peacefully as we made idle small talk.

As dinner was drawing to a close, Richard-sama finally brought up the main subject.

"I invited you today, Leon-kun, because, as I wrote in my letter, I wanted to discuss your trip to the ducal territory. My eldest son Christoph has succeeded to the dukedom, and his eldest son Lucien is the same age as you. Lucien will soon be moving to the residence in the royal capital to attend the Royal Academy. I'd like you to go pick him up, meet Christoph, and see the ducal territory while you're there. I've already told them about you in a letter, so there's no need to worry."

"Yes, I have no objections to going to the ducal territory. I've wanted to see somewhere besides the royal capital, too."

There was no way I could refuse an invitation like that. I hoped Christoph-sama and the others would be nice. Then again, if they were part of this ducal household, maybe I didn't have much to worry about.

"That's good to hear. I'll give you the details of the schedule later."

"Yes, thank you."

"There's one more thing I'd like to discuss. You don't have any clothes suitable for a noble, do you, Leon-kun? A tailor will be coming tomorrow, so you should have some made while you have the opportunity."

That was certainly generous, but... how much would it cost? Clothes from a tailor who came to the ducal household probably cost an outrageous amount.

This was custom-made, right? Secondhand clothes would be perfectly fine for me...

"I'm grateful, but I can't afford anything too expensive..."

"Ah, you don't need to worry about the cost. The ducal household will pay for everything, so rest assured."

What!? It was even more frightening to have them pay for something so expensive...

"No, they're so expensive that I really should pay for them myself. I do have some money."

"It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

That was easy for him to say! But I was still going to worry. Maybe there was some way I could thank them.

The only things I could offer them were... I could make magical tools, but I had no materials. Or perhaps healing magic? If someone were injured or ill, that might make a good thank-you.

"At least let me do something to thank you. I can use healing magic, or I can make magical tools if you provide the materials."

"Wait a moment. You've made magical tools before? Aren't they all made at the Royal Magical Tool Workshop?"

Ah!! Was this supposed to be a secret? I hurriedly covered my mouth, but it was too late.

But now that I thought about it, everyone already knew about all my elemental affinities, so maybe there was no reason to hide it. I supposed I could tell them.

I'm sorry, Marcel-san! I apologized to Marcel-san inwardly as I decided to explain that I'd been making magical tools.

"Marcel-san runs a workshop nearby, and he let me make them there. Um, Marcel-san hasn't done anything wrong, so could you make sure he doesn't get in trouble...?"

"Marcel-dono? I believe Frederick said Marcel was with you when he met you. Don't tell me... were the many magical tools registered recently all your inventions, Leon-kun!?"

"Y-yes... But I can't register them myself, so I had them registered under Marcel-san's name."

"I see... I'd been wondering how you could invent so many things. And they were all new technologies, too. People say they've caused magical-tool research to advance by leaps and bounds. They're scheduled to be made public and sold widely from now on."

So they had been wondering about me after all! More importantly, had things really gotten that serious!?

I might be even more abnormal than I thought... That was a little depressing.

I know about machines that are much more convenient, so no matter what kind of magical tool I come up with, I don't think of it as particularly amazing.

...I need to be more careful.

"I'm sorry. I was a little surprised, so I got us off track. Leon-kun, you should stop developing magical tools for the time being. If you think of something, I'll arrange the magic stones and magic iron for anything you want to make for your personal use. However, please wait to register anything until after you graduate from the Royal Academy."

"Yes. Marcel-san told me the same thing, so I'm planning to stop developing magical tools for now."

"Then that's settled. Now, about that matter of thanking us."

"Yes, but if I can't make magical tools, the only thing I can really do is use healing magic..."

But I did think I might be able to cure illnesses, too. The problem was that I hadn't tried it on a person yet. I'd only healed simple injuries, as well.

"I haven't had many opportunities to try healing magic, so I don't know how much I can cure. But I healed a sick cow the other day, so it's possible I may be able to cure illnesses, too."

"What!? Is that true!? You really are an apostle-sama..."

I couldn't make out what he said at the end because he lowered his voice.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"No, it's nothing. More importantly, there's something I'd like to ask of you. Could you cure Alban for us?"

According to Richard-sama, Alban-san, the butler, had been in poor health for about six weeks and had steadily grown weaker.

Alban-san's son and the other servants were apparently doing their best to take over his duties. Since he hadn't even handed over his responsibilities yet, it was proving difficult.

"Alban's family has served as butlers for many generations. I consider Alban and his family to be like my own family. Even if you can't cure him, would you please examine him?"

"Yes. I don't know whether I can help, but I'll do my best."

"Thank you."

Richard-sama said that and bowed his head. If Richard-sama of the ducal household bowed to me, there was no way I could afford to fail...

I clenched my fist with determination, feeling an enormous amount of pressure.

After that, Richard-sama said it would be fine if I examined him tomorrow, but I thought sooner would be better, so I had them show me the way to Alban-san.

Richard-sama and Frederick-sama seemed to be coming with me. Alban-san normally lived in the servants' quarters, but he was apparently staying in a guest room for now so he would be easier to care for.

Roger led us for a short while before we reached a guest room. Alban-san seemed to be inside.

Roger knocked on the door and called inside.

"Richard-sama, Frederick-sama, and Leon-sama are here to see you."

After he called out, we heard people moving hurriedly inside for a little while before the door opened. The room reeked of medicinal herbs, as though they were using quite a lot of them. Medical treatment for illnesses didn't seem very advanced in this world.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

The person who opened the door seemed to be a servant of the household. I wondered if the servants were taking turns caring for Alban-san.

When we entered the room, Alban-san, who had been lying in bed, struggled to sit up.

He seemed much thinner and more haggard than when I'd seen him before.

"Master, Frederick-sama, Leon-sama, I'm sorry you have to see me in such an undignified state. Cough, cough, cough."

Alban-san somehow managed to sit up and began speaking, but his voice made him choke.

"Alban, don't worry about looking undignified. And you don't need to force yourself to sit up. Stay in bed."

"That's right. You shouldn't do anything that puts strain on your body."

At Richard-sama and Frederick-sama's words, Alban-san lay back down. He must have been suffering terribly.

"Leon, what do you think? Can you cure him?"

Frederick-sama asked me quietly. I answered in an equally low voice.

"I don't know yet. But I'll try."

I replied and went over to the side of Alban-san's bed.

"Alban-san, I'm going to use healing magic now. I can't guarantee that it will cure you, but may I try?"

"Yes. If there's even the slightest chance it might work... please."

"All right. Please relax."

When I touched Alban-san's forehead, it was burning hot. He had a high fever. He was coughing, too. He had looked like he was struggling quite badly earlier, and even now he seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

I didn't know enough about medicine to say for sure, but maybe it was pneumonia or tuberculosis. In any case, a virus was causing inflammation in his lungs, right?

If so, maybe I should imagine making the harmful viruses and bacteria disappear, focusing mainly on his upper body. I couldn't form a very detailed image, so it would probably use a lot of magic power, but my magic power had been increasing steadily, so I could only hope it would be enough.

My magic power had increased to more than a hundred times what it was when I first started using magic. I should be able to do this.

I took a deep breath, calmed myself, and gathered my resolve.

All right! With the image I'd just formed in my mind, I released my magic into Alban-san's body.

Alban-san's body was enveloped in light.

Ugh... It's taking a lot of magic power... But not yet. I still haven't eliminated all the viruses...

Strangely, when the light of healing magic enveloped his body, I could somehow tell what was wrong and how far I needed to go for a complete cure. Maybe this was another one of my special abilities.

As I thought about that, I continued pouring magic power into him.

Not yet... Just a little more... Finished!

Hah, hah, hah... I had almost no magic power left and could barely stand. That was close.

I need more magic power to cure illnesses...

I somehow steadied my breathing and called out to Alban-san.

"Alban-san, I'm finished. How are you feeling?"

Alban-san slowly sat up, then stood and began walking around the room.

"It's incredible! My breathing, which had been so difficult, is completely fine now, and my body feels so light! Leon-sama, thank you so much. I'll never forget this favor. If you ever need anything, I will be sure to help you."

"I'm glad you're better. It really wasn't such a big deal."

Alban-san's complexion had improved considerably, and he seemed to be out of danger now. Thank goodness.

I was deeply relieved and turned around to leave the room, only to find Richard-sama and Frederick-sama standing there, dumbfounded.

Huh?? Aren't they happy?

"What happened to you two?"

"Ah, well... we're just shocked that you really cured him..."

"Yes, Leon. You truly are incredible..."

The two of them were still dazed. Somehow, I brought them back to reality, and we decided to leave the room.

Roger's expression had lost its usual blankness, and he looked extremely surprised too, so maybe I'd done something way beyond the norm... Well, it was a little late to worry about that now.

"Leon-kun, you must keep your ability to cure illnesses absolutely secret. If people find out, your life will be in serious danger. I'll also discuss this ability with His Majesty. You may receive requests for treatment, but if one does come, would you be willing to use healing magic?"

Naturally, if word got out that I could cure illnesses that had previously been incurable, people in power would all come after me... How terrifying!

I'll keep it secret. I'll only use it discreetly when someone I know falls ill.

And "His Majesty" meant the king, right? Things were getting pretty serious... Though Richard-sama and the others were members of the ducal household, so I suppose it was already serious enough...

If I could save a lot of people with my power, I had no reason to refuse a request. And if the request came from the royal family or the ducal household, they'd probably take my safety into consideration, too.

Wait, could the royal family really be trusted? Well, if Richard-sama trusted them, I decided to trust them too.

"I won't go around telling people about this ability. As for requests, I think I would accept them as long as my safety is guaranteed."

"Really!? Thank you!"

Maybe some member of the royal family or another important person was sick...?

"Then get plenty of rest today. A tailor will be coming tomorrow, so order as many clothes as you like. I've already told Roger how many outfits you must order at minimum, so don't hold back."

"Yes. Thank you."

"See you later, Leon."

"Yes. Good night."

That brought the conversation to an end for the time being, and we each returned to our rooms.