God of Assassination, Become the Strongest Healer - chapter 19

“As I mentioned, if isolation is carried out, we can completely eradicate the endemic disease that the saint is suffering from.”
I started explaining the results I derived from Orpheus’s records and the research I had conducted so far.
“Of course, I know it might sound unbelievable that someone like me, a kid, can accomplish what even Orpheus couldn’t. But if you believe in me, it’s possible. After all, I have the immunity serum that Orpheus made while he was alive.”
When Orpheus treated the Modenas endemic disease in the past, he had created an immunity serum that could permanently eradicate the pathogen.
However, it took hundreds of years for the serum to be properly matured before it could be used, so he wasn’t able to use the permanent immunity serum and only treated the patients who had already contracted the disease.
Then, after hundreds of years passed, when I arrived at the lab, the matured permanent immunity serums were lined up, waiting for me. As soon as I saw the gift, I began my plan to completely eradicate the Modenas endemic disease.
“There are two conditions for the immunity serum to be effective: ‘a stable environment where the serum can sufficiently permeate the bodies of the residents’ and ‘a pathogen sample that includes the most recent mutation.’ I have already secured the second condition during the process of treating the saint, so now the only remaining issue is creating the environment where the serum can spread through the bodies of the residents.”
“If you keep coming and going on this island, will it make it harder for the immunity serum to work?”
Estelle, who had been silently staring at my face, was the first to speak.

“That’s correct. Once the full plan starts, containers filled with the immunity serum will be placed at key locations around Modenas. The serum carried by the wind will then spread throughout the island, injecting the residents, and all of them will develop permanent antibodies.”
The immunity factor completed over an entire generation will be passed down to future generations. If everything goes according to plan, the hereditary disease that has been tormenting Modenas for so long will be permanently erased.
“However, if I keep coming and going on this island, there’s a significant risk that the immunity creation plan will face serious issues. If the breath of the Modenas residents and any outsiders with different body structures mixes in the air, it could reduce the serum’s effectiveness below the required level. And if that happens, eradicating the pathogen permanently will become impossible.”
“So, how long do you think the isolation period will need to be?”
“It will vary for each person, but I’m thinking around 10 to 15 years. I’ll teach you how to make a detection tool to confirm the creation of permanent immunity, so you’ll be able to check individually after that.”
“…10 years.”
Estelle, who had been keeping her calm until now, started to show signs of hesitation in her eyes for the first time.
“So, the isolation won’t be lifted until all the residents on the island have developed their immunity?”

“I think this is the best course of action. Of course, in the Saintess’s case, since she’s had the illness before, her body will naturally develop permanent immunity even without the help of the vaccine. But the truth is, as long as I stay here, it’s impossible to completely eradicate the pathogen.”

Sure, Estelle still has a long road ahead before she’s fully recovered.
But from here on, it’s just a matter of time.
Even without my help, Estelle will regain her health someday.
So for the sake of ensuring the villagers’ lasting safety, the right thing to do is for me to leave this island as soon as possible.

“That’s exactly why I need to leave Modenas as quickly as I can.”

Murmurs filled the room.
Even after I finished explaining, the people couldn’t stop buzzing with chatter.
Hearing something as unexpected as “permanent immunity” was bound to catch them off guard.

“Wait, everyone! Please, listen to me!”

It was Estelle who managed to calm the chaotic meeting room.

“I know everyone has a lot to say. But let’s not forget, we owe Prince Claudius a great deal. If he believes this is the best decision, then I think we should respect that.”

The Saintess of Modenas, who had quickly soothed the priests and priestesses, spoke with teary, glistening blue eyes.

“Thank you, my lord. I’ll never forget the kindness you’ve shown us.”

A week later.

“Hold on tight. If there’s even the tiniest hole, water will rush in, and that’ll be a big problem, okay?”
“I understand! But you need to focus on the spell! This magic has to last ten years, so we need to get it right from the beginning.”

Loud voices filled the air. The villagers in Modena were almost done preparing for their quarantine. They decided to make a huge bubble around the island, sinking it underwater. It was the best way to make sure everything was safe. But it’s surprising that they could create a bubble big enough to cover the whole island and that it could last for ten years.

The magical abilities of the Modenas villagers were far beyond what I had expected.

‘No matter how skilled they are in magic, pulling off a large-scale spell like this must have been an enormous effort. I guess this means the eradication of the plague is that important to them.’

The people of Modenas had prepared an incredible spell to protect their descendants from the threat of disease.
Facing the light of the nearly complete magic circle, I reflected on the achievements I had gained here.

‘Even when he was young, Orpheus was a great healer. But by the time he reached old age, he had reached a level far beyond what he had accomplished before. And this achievement was likely made possible by the wisdom of the ancient kingdom.’

Unfortunately, with just the clues left in Modenas’ lab, it was impossible to figure out how Orpheus came into contact with the secrets of the ancient kingdom or how advanced the wisdom he acquired  was.
Compared to the level Orpheus reached in his old age, my current level was so far behind that it was impossible to guess just from the clues.
Of course, that didn’t mean I was feeling too disappointed.
‘Either way, through this incident, I’m sure now that Orpheus is closely connected to the secrets of the ancient kingdom. And besides, I’m still at the very beginning of my journey. No need to rush. If I follow the path left with clear goals in mind, I’ll eventually figure out what Orpheus’ legacy was.’
It was a success—half a success, maybe just a little more than half.
As I reflected on that achievement, staring at the flickering light, I heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching.

“…What are you doing?”
“I’m just watching. You don’t get the chance to see a spell this big very often.”
“Haha, our older guys can be a little over the top sometimes.”
“Rather than being over the top, I think it’s more like being thorough. And considering the future of the people here, I think that’s a lot better.”
I could smell the sweet fragrance of the moonflower in the air.
The perfume Estelle had started wearing recently seemed to subtly invade the space around her, just like her footsteps.

“The magic will be finished in two hours. Are you sure it’s okay for the Saintess to be relaxing like this?”
“The High Priest gave me some time, so it’s fine. He told me to take my time and say my goodbyes.”
“Aren’t you feeling anxious or anything?”

“No, not at all. I trust you.”
“I’ve told you this a few times, but the treatment process might take a little longer. But that’s only because your mana levels are so abundant, so there’s nothing to worry about. When the day comes that you’re fully healed, you and the villagers will realize just how extraordinary your talent as the Saintess of Modenas  is—something beyond imagination.”

A talent so immense it brought pain.
It was a shame I couldn’t see her journey through to the very end, but knowing that I’d helped this incredibly gifted girl learn how to live with her overwhelming abilities made me feel content with this treatment.

“Hey, do you remember what I said to you?”
“What did you say?”
“That I… was really pretty.”
“Ah, of course, I remember.”
“You said that once I’m fully healed, the scars and spots on my face will disappear too, right? So, if that  happens… the next time you see me, I might look completely different from how I do now.”
“That’s entirely possible.”

Estelle plopped down beside me, closing the distance between us.
The fragrance of moonflower grew stronger as she got closer.

“Then, ten years from now—when the quarantine ends—you’ll get to see a completely changed version of me, right?”
“If you and the villagers are okay with me visiting again.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’d never turn you away—or at least, I never would!”

Slap!
Her hand came down on the back of mine, light but sharp. Her wrists were still frail, but her slap had just enough sting to leave an impression.

“If you say something like that again, I’ll  get mad next time.”
“Got it. I’ll make sure not to.”

“Still, hearing you talk like this makes me feel a little better. It’s just so you, Pagan. Hehe.”
The moment of goodbye was here now.
Finding comfort in me acting the way I always do must mean she was feeling pretty shaken inside.

“Did you know? This is the first time I’ve ever called you by your name, Pagan.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah, this is the first time. And to mark the occasion, I have a favor to ask.”

Her clenched fist rested tightly on her lap.
What kind of favor could she be so nervous about?

“Could you… look at my face? Just once?”
“You mean, without your mask on?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s it? Nothing else?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Then go ahead and take it off. If you’re willing to show me, why would I say no?”

For the Wave Tribe, showing their bare face to an outsider is a big deal.
And in Estelle’s case, the scars and spots on her skin must have made it even harder for her to decide to do this.
Knowing the weight of her hesitation, I nodded without a second thought.

“Wait a second.”

Estelle stood up and turned her back to the light streaming into the room. A moment later, with a soft click, the blue mask that always covered her face slipped off.

“…How does it look? Are there still too many scars?”

Because she was standing against the light, her face wasn’t completely clear to me.

“…How does it look? Are there still too many scars?”
Because Estelle was standing with her back to the light, her face wasn’t completely visible.
For such a bold request, the Saintess seemed almost shy.
But the way her limbs were trembling told me she was squeezing out every bit of courage she had.

“It probably still looks a little ugly. But if I keep getting treated like you said, Pagan… in the future, maybe…”
“It’s not ugly.”
“Huh?”
“It’s not ugly. Not even a little, not even the tiniest bit.”
“R… really?”
“Yeah. Not once, since the moment I first saw you, have I ever thought you were ugly.”
“Not… even once?”
“Nope. Not even once.”
“U… Ugh…”
In the end, Estelle couldn’t hold it in and burst into tears again.

“Pagan… I’m  sorry, but… if it’s okay, I mean, if you meant what you just said… could you hug me, just once?”

It’s a strange thing.
Why does a girl’s face, shedding tears while smiling, look so pitiful?

“You think it’s funny? Giving me this kind of burden even on the day we’re parting…”
“If I thought it was funny, I would’ve laughed. But look. Am I smiling right now?”
“What… What’s that…!”stelle’s eyes, which had been laughing with a pitiful expression, suddenly widened in shock. Her face turned bright red for the first time today.

“Just once? If you want, I could do it up to ten times.”
With a quick motion that even Estelle didn’t notice, I pulled her into a hug. Her body, just a year older than mine, nestled into my arms like cotton candy, soft and light.

“No… it’s fine. Once is enough… I mean, this is enough.”
Estelle’s forehead, no longer covered by her mask, rested briefly on my shoulder, and then she took a step back, finding her place.

“What’s this…?”
“I was thinking, last time, I only wished you a happy birthday in words but didn’t give you a gift, so I prepared this.”

On Estelle’s shoulder, now a bit farther from me, rested a “half-moon flower” made from amethyst crystal, placed gently.

“Did you make this, Pagan?”
“Yeah. By the way, the other half is safely resting in my drawer back in my room.”
“That’s so cheap. If you’re going to give it, you should give the whole thing, not just half…”

“You were the one who said it, right? That if I saw you again after you’ve become even more stunning, what would I do? After hearing that over and over, I got curious. I wonder what you’ll look like when we meet again.”

Plop.
In the end, the tear that had been hanging in Estelle’s eyes fell to the floor with an unusually long sound.“If we meet again, I’ll give you the other half then.”  

“So… are we having a real ceremony for it?”  

“Yep. A big celebration for Estelle getting better. So, if you want the other half, you need to eat well and take your medicine every day. Otherwise, you might not get it.”  

“Heh, that sounds funny. What kind of ceremony will that be?”

The moment of parting was  close now.
Luckily, Estelle smiled in the end, and because of that, I was able to leave the island with a light heart.

“To be honest, before I came here, I was thinking of telling you my real name. Ugh, but I changed my mind. I’ll save it for the future. That way, when the ceremony happens, I’ll have something to give you too.”

A smile and a tear.
Normally, I’d think it was an odd combination, but under the moonlight, it suited the Saintess of Modenas perfectly. Both the smile and the tears felt strangely fitting, like they weren’t fake at all.

“Remember me, Pagan. We’ll meet again.”
“But you said it yourself, right? That when we meet again, you might have changed so much. Plus, I don’t even know your real name, so what if I don’t recognize you?”
“It’s okay.it’s fine. Even if you don’t recognize me, I’ll recognize you. Please trust me, Pagan. I’ll always remember you.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”

I reached out and placed my hand on Estelle’s head. Then, feeling the tremor coming from her small head, I spoke.

“I feel the same way.”

Watching the island disappear under the waves while I stood on the back of a killer whale was an amazing sight.

“But can people  live normally after it sinks completely?”

— Yes, they can. The Wave Tribe has always been connected to the sea. Ten years is a long time, but they will manage.

It could be because the mission was a success, but Ramute’s voice from my left shoulder sounded really warm.  

— Three whole months! By the way, you’re impressive. For a kid who’s only twelve, you’ve been able to handle those long trips between Espectara and Modenas almost every night. And you kept going even while you were bleeding. I have to say, you’re really tough.

o be honest, it was a bit tough at first, but by the second month, I got used to it, and it wasn’t that bad anymore.”

The feel of Buksuri’s soft fur on my hand was always comforting. I guess my evaluation went up a little after all that, because now, even when I pet his head or wings, he didn’t get upset like he used to.

Three months can feel both long and short. I had spent nearly 100 days working hard, and now it was time to pause and finish everything I had started.

“Ramute, do you think we need to check anything else?”

— No, not at all. Pagan, you’ve made it through the toughest part, even better than I expected. What else should I look at?

Ramute sounded very pleased. As he spread his wings wide, a bright flame shot up, lighting up the darkness. When the flame faded, Ramute spoke in a voice as deep as the ocean.

“Pagan, I will tell you where the place of promise is, where Orpheus’s dream rests.”