“A large number of demonic beasts appeared in groups, which was quite different from their usual known behavior patterns.”

Jonathan was listening attentively to the report sent from the south.

“However, the knights led by Minister Drea successfully eliminated all the demonic beasts without any problems. However, the goal of capturing the beasts alive has not yet been achieved.”

“I knew the minister would handle everything well. That’s a relief. The operation to capture the demonic beasts will surely succeed soon.”

After dismissing the knight who had finished the report, Jonathan remained alone in his office. Although he usually didn’t enjoy drinking, today he felt an intense craving for alcohol and took out whiskey from the cabinet.

Glug-glug-

As Jonathan brought the glass filled with whiskey to his lips, he muttered to himself with a bitter smile.

“To Killian Drea, the indispensable and omnipotent talent of the Esnerdem Empire!”

Jonathan downed the whiskey in one gulp and slammed the glass roughly on the table. The pungent liquid burned down his throat. Far from improving his mood, it only added to his bitterness.

“Killian, Killian, Killian!”

Jonathan knew well. While all the glory of this vast and wealthy empire belonged to him as the emperor, in reality, it was all thanks to Killian’s capabilities that this enormous empire ran properly.

Everything he touched showed remarkable results and invariably succeeded. However, anything untouched by his hand tended to become insignificant.

The joy of becoming emperor and having Killian under his feet was short-lived. He constantly gave orders to Killian, and Killian silently carried out the orders received.

But the fact that his own abilities fell far short of Killian’s still tormented Jonathan. Unbearably so.

“Great Killian! Excellent Killian! Killian, hero of the empire! Damn it!”

He felt like he would go crazy with envy for Killian, who possessed all abilities. It had always been that way since childhood.

Killian’s outstanding intellect and physical abilities, and his even more outstanding character, were enough to make him, a member of the imperial family, feel inferior. Though born into the imperial family, he hated and despised his own ordinary abilities that fell short of Killian’s.

That’s why meeting Lars Cohen and hearing his grand ambitions seemed like the greatest opportunity God had given him.

‘I believed in him! Damn it…!’

Nothing was going as planned. Jonathan grabbed the whiskey bottle, quickly refilled the empty glass, and poured it into his mouth again. He couldn’t tell if it was alcohol or frustration boiling in his hot stomach.

It was all because of Lars Cohen, that man. The man who only spoke eloquently.

‘Using this great holy water only for healing purposes is a waste for humanity. How can we not properly use this precious gift from God? We cannot. That is not courteous to God who looks down upon humanity.’

Ten years ago, Lars spoke passionately. To the young Jonathan’s ears, Lars’s fervent speech sounded very plausible.

Moreover, what kind of person was Lars? Unlike himself, who was utterly ordinary in every aspect, Lars was a talent among talents, recognized for his divine power several times that of other priests.

That’s why he was selected as an imperial priest and also made it onto the list of priests who had served in the imperial palace for the longest time.

‘We must develop ways to use holy water in various fields. There must be a way to enhance human mind and body with this great gift bestowed by God. I will find that method. I will definitely succeed!’

Lars’s confident declaration was so radiant it was almost blinding.

That’s how much Jonathan trusted Lars. He had no doubt that his holy water research would produce revolutionary results that would shake the history of humanity.

Jonathan thought that if this research succeeded, it would kill two birds with one stone.

He believed that he could strengthen his own mind and body using holy water. He believed that his achievement of actively supporting the research by trusting Lars would receive praise from the world.

So Jonathan created the position of orphanage director in the south for Lars.

It was to allow him to focus on research in a position that drew less attention from people. He also maximized the size of the orphanage to pour in large amounts of donations. The preparation was perfect without any shortage.

“And yet… after giving everything…!”

Jonathan growled in a low voice, grinding his molars. Every year for 10 years, he poured in money and waited. Sadly, Lars’s holy water research failed to produce any notable results.

It would have been fortunate if there were only no results. Perhaps the research might even be the cause of the epidemic whose origin was not clearly known.

‘It’s nothing short of a ticking time bomb.’

It was dangerous if it was revealed that the result of the research he had invested in for so long was an epidemic. It was enough to spark a rebellion, and perhaps not only his position as emperor but also his life could be in danger.

“Ugh…! Damn it!”

A rough groan mixed with irritation burst out involuntarily. This time he gulped down the whiskey straight from the bottle. Half disappeared into his mouth while the other half flowed out, soaking his clothes.

After draining the last drop, Jonathan irritably threw the empty bottle on the floor. Crash! With a harsh shattering sound, glass shards flew in all directions.

As if breaking the bottle wasn’t enough, Jonathan abruptly stood up and swept all the objects on the desk onto the floor at once.

Crash, bang! The vase and lamp shattered into pieces, and documents fluttered about here and there. Ink and pens rolled around, and the teapot and cups were smashed beyond recognition.

“These… useless things! Unhelpful things! Vermin!”

Jonathan shouted while taking rough, heavy breaths. Harsh curses along with fierce cries like those of a beast shook the entire office.

“Aaargh! Damn it! Uwaaargh!”

The sentry and servant standing guard at the door flinched at the commotion heard beyond the wall.

“Here we go again.”

“Indeed. He seemed to be doing a bit better lately.”

As if the emperor’s rampage was a familiar occurrence, they soon continued their duties with nonchalant faces.

The clinic was bustling with patients again today. Meanwhile, more child patients came from Mickelson Orphanage as well. Although fewer than yesterday, Veronia still had to treat the orphanage children all day long.

“All done. Our Thomas is so patient. Is there anywhere else that hurts or feels uncomfortable?”

“No. It doesn’t hurt at all now.”

The child said bravely while looking at his clean hands and feet.

Although he was only 5 years old, his very mature appearance made Veronia smile involuntarily. Seeing the child’s image overlapping with Jediel’s, whom she had left in the capital, made her heart go out to him even more.

“Thomas, would you like to wait and eat cookies until Ted finishes his treatment?”

“Yes, Healer.”

Thomas smiled brightly, holding a basket full of butter cookies. Veronia began treating Ted, who was right next to him.

“Huh?”

But something was strange. No matter how much she looked, Ted’s hands and feet were clean.

“Where does it hurt, Ted?”

“…Here.”

In response to Veronia’s question, Ted lifted his shirt and showed her his stomach. The skin of the entire thin belly was raw and festering, with pus forming in places.

“Oh my… You must have been in a lot of pain, but you endured it well. You’re brave, our Ted.”

Veronia gently stroked the child’s head. Imagining the pain the young child had to endure alone made her heart ache.

‘But why are this child’s symptoms different? Originally, symptoms appear from the extremities, the hands and feet, but this child’s symptoms manifested in the center of the body. Why?’

Veronia examined the child’s body thoroughly with wide eyes. She couldn’t afford to miss anything. However, there were no traces of the epidemic anywhere except on the belly.

‘Wait… What’s this? It looks like needle marks…?’

Looking closely, it was clear. There were several needle marks on the child’s arms and sides. Veronia couldn’t help but ask.

“Ted? Have you recently had any injections? There are marks here on your arms and sides.”

“…I don’t know.”

At Veronia’s question, the child momentarily showed a frightened expression. Tears were about to form in his eyes.

‘If I ask any more, the child will cry.’

She didn’t want to trouble the already sick child with difficult questions. Veronia smiled gently and spoke in a soft voice.

“I see. If you remember anything later or have something you want to say, will you tell me then, Ted?”

“…Yes.”

The child nodded slightly. At that moment, Thomas, who had been glancing worriedly at Ted, made eye contact with Veronia. Startled, Thomas flinched and immediately averted his gaze.

‘It seems Thomas knows something too. But he doesn’t seem to want to talk about it.’

Regardless of their gratitude for curing the disease, it would be difficult to tell everything to someone they’re meeting for the first time today. Hmm, Veronia let out a shallow sigh and spoke to Ted again in a cheerful voice.

“Alright, now I’ll start treating you, Ted. Lie down comfortably and close your eyes. If you count slowly to 100 in your mind, the treatment will be over soon.”

“Okay.”

The child immediately closed his eyes. Veronia placed her hand on the child’s raw belly and concentrated.