"......Impressive, Sariela! You've completed the new miracle drug, haven't you?"
Facing Sariela, who exuded a gloomy atmosphere, I tried to sound cheerful to lighten the mood.
Indeed, right before our eyes was the newly completed miracle drug. Even in the dimly lit cave illuminated by torches, the glow rising from the bottom of the container holding the drug was clearly visible.
Sariela quietly replied, "Yes, I'm glad the miracle drug is complete," and then lined up small cups on the table, one for each patient, carefully pouring the drug into each. After pouring all the drugs into the glasses, she placed her hand on her chest and gazed at the freshly poured miracle drug with a sense of profound emotion. "I've divided the miracle drug into 52 equal parts. The children's doses are half of the adults'. I was able to distribute the precious miracle drug given by the Great Saintess without leaving a single drop. ...I can manage this much, at least."
Saying this, Sariela looked down dejectedly. Despite the miracle drug just being completed, she seemed disheartened. I hesitated about what to say to her, but Sariela quickly lifted her head. It seemed she had composed herself, and I felt relieved to see a bit of her usual energy return to her face.
"I apologize, Great Saintess. Despite the fact that you created such a valuable drug, I was selfishly feeling down, and I'm sorry."
"Of course, that's fine. When you're feeling down, you should show it. But, ... who is credited with making this drug? ... Is it Sariela? ... I don't have the power of a saint, after all..."
Even though the majority of the drug was concocted by me, it's true that Sariela also contributed by channeling healing magic. I thought it would be more appreciated if the credit went to Sariela, so I suggested it. However, I realized that it might be a difficult proposal for Sariela, who felt she hadn't contributed much to the creation of the miracle drug, so I quickly continued.
"Of course, if Sariela doesn't want to, I won't say it was made by Sariela. It's not uncommon for a mysterious force to work and create a new miracle drug without anyone really understanding how it happened."
Sariela looked at me with a slightly exasperated expression and then spoke calmly.
"While it may happen around the Great Saintess, a new miracle drug being created without the power of a saint has never happened around me. ... If I had such power, I would kneel before the gods in gratitude and never hide such an ability."
"......"
... Ah, is she reprimanding me for trying to hide the power of a saint?
I didn't want to be misunderstood by a saint as diligent as Sariela, so I was about to explain within my limits, but Sariela continued speaking, and I quickly closed my mouth.
"Even in front of the patients, the Great Saintess did not hesitate to create this new miracle drug. This means that the Great Saintess's spirit is undoubtedly that of a saint."
"......?"
... Her voice is gentle, and it doesn't feel like a reprimand. I wondered what she meant and decided to listen to Sariela a bit more.
"Despite this, the Great Saintess consistently claims, 'I don't have the power of a saint.' I can't even guess the reason, but the Great Saintess must have a reason to keep the fact that she is a saint a secret. ... To have the heart and immense power of a saint and still have to keep everything secret and limit the power of a saint ... the inconvenience and suffering must be unbearable."
Seeing Sariela choke up as if it were her own pain, I hurriedly spoke up.
"Um, Sariela..."
No, um, I'm not as inconvenienced as Sariela thinks. After all, I often forget I'm hiding it and use the power of a saint when necessary.
Since Sariela had created such a wonderful image of a saint, I couldn't destroy her dream, so I tried to explain in my mind, but of course, Sariela didn't understand. So, she seriously tapped her chest.
"If this Sariela can be of any help to the Great Saintess, whether as a cover or as a capable saint, I will play that role."
"Thank you! I really appreciate it!"
Moved by Sariela's offer to help, I grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly. Sariela's cheeks turned a slight shade of red, and she smiled happily.
Then, Sariela and I placed the glasses containing the miracle drug on a tray and returned to where the patients were lying. Captain Curtis quickly approached and took the tray from me. Erial took Sariela's tray.
... How wonderful. Everyone is so gentlemanly.
I nodded in satisfaction and began giving the miracle drug to each patient. For the three critically ill patients who were unconscious, I gave the drug while they were lying down, but the other patients managed to sit up and take the glasses themselves. The residents who were guarding the patients helped them sit up and supported them to prevent them from falling.
When the patients took the glasses, they all peered into them intently. They noticed the red light mixed with the glittering light rising from the bottom of the glasses and squinted their eyes in amazement.
"It's the red of the Great Saintess... For 300 years, we couldn't repay anything, but to receive her mercy again. Ah, I am truly grateful."
While saying this, they held the glasses up to me and bowed deeply before drinking the drug in one gulp.
After drinking, the patients bowed deeply to me again, as if thanking me for saving their lives.
"Um, this drug was made by Saint Sariela. I... the clan leader said I might be the reincarnation of the Great Saintess's soul, but actually, I don't have the power of a saint."
I gave this explanation, which I had given countless times, one more time.
The patients nodded and said, "Understood, Great Saintess."
... But do they really understand?
I had a slight doubt about the residents as I gave the last patient the drug, and Sariela had just finished giving the drug to her patient.
I looked around to make sure no one was having a sudden change and then walked to the small girl I had spoken to earlier, sitting down by her pillow. The girl had her eyes closed, but when I approached, she opened them and smiled.
"Great Saintess, it's easier to breathe now!"
"I don't think it will work that quickly..."
Creating an immediate-effect drug would be more complex, but a delayed-effect drug is gentler on the body. Therefore, in cases like this, where there are few patients and no immediate danger to their lives, I choose to make a delayed-effect drug. So, it shouldn't have started working yet.
However, the girl sat up abruptly and tried to stand.
"Really, Great Saintess! I feel like I can run really fast now!"
"Um, that's just a misconception, so I think you should stop. ... In other words, it's a baseless effect based on the saying 'disease is from the mind,' where you feel better because you believe you will."
While explaining and trying to stop the girl, Erial and the other residents who were guarding approached.
Erial, seeing the girl sit up, stiffened in shock.
"Mu, Miu! Can you, can you sit up!?"
"Dad, yes, I feel better because of the Great Saintess's drug."
"No, but the drug is a delayed-effect drug..."
Before I could finish, Erial and all the guards fell to the ground and shouted loudly.
"Great Saintess, thank you for saving everyone here!!"
"Um, no, the effect hasn't kicked in yet..."
I tried to convey the correct information, but no one was listening. Erial even interrupted me.
"All the guards had family members who were sick! We were more afraid of losing our families unknowingly than of getting sick ourselves, so we all volunteered to be guards! We were prepared to say goodbye to our families someday, but to see them fully recovered...!"
Seeing Erial and the others on the verge of tears, I couldn't help but speak up.
"No, the drug hasn't taken effect yet! Look, no one's yellow marks have disappeared! It should take at least two hours for a full recovery."
"Oh, what a kind Great Saintess! I understand. As a precaution, we'll have everyone rest for two more hours."
Although it seemed like we were on the same page, our conversation wasn't really connecting.
I sighed and insisted on this one point to Erial.
"Erial, as the next clan leader and a person in a responsible position, you must understand. First, Sariela made this miracle drug. And I don't have the power of a saint. Got it? Please convey this correctly to everyone!"
"Understood! If it's an order from the Great Saintess, this Erial will not disobey!!"
"......"
... Do they really understand?
Although I was worried, I didn't know what else to say, so I decided to trust Erial.
Two hours later.
With the 52 fully recovered patients, the 10 guards including Erial, Sariela, and Captain Curtis, I left the cave.
Holding hands with Miu, Erial's daughter, I listened to her talk about what she wanted to do now that she was feeling better.
As we entered a bustling street, I noticed a different kind of commotion. The residents were running around and shouting something with great urgency.
Curious, I stopped and tilted my head. When the residents noticed me, they stopped in shock.
Then, after a moment of silence, they all shouted in unison.
"Great Saintess!!!"
"Y-Yes..."
Overwhelmed by their intensity, I responded without thinking.
Unable to grasp the situation, I stood there, and a knight in white armor appeared through the crowd.
... Well, a knight in white armor, so it must be the captain or vice-captain of some knight order.
I knew who the person was, but anticipating the lecture to follow, I deliberately avoided looking at their face to delay confirming their identity.
However, the person in white armor clearly called out my name.
"Fiara!"
... Ah, I've been called.
Resigned, I looked up and met the gaze of the person in white armor.
"Well, Captain Cyril. Is something wrong?"
Trying to smile naturally, I met Cyril's gaze, but he just stared back without blinking.
Thank you for reading!
It's been a year since I started serializing this work.
I've been able to continue thanks to everyone who has read it.