Previously: Zenos finished the job he promised Becker and decided to leave the Royal Treatment Center.
*Information about the book publication is included in the afterword.
The next day, shortly after noon.
A large number of people had gathered in a ballroom in the noble district.
They were members of the Goldrun faction, a professor at the Royal Treatment Center.
On the surface, it was a rally for the upcoming director election, but in reality, it could be considered a pre-celebration of his inauguration.
If we have this many people, there shouldn’t be any mistakes.
Goldrun, looking down at his faction members from a slightly elevated stage, nodded in satisfaction.
There were a few other influential factions, but none could match this scale. He was confident he could win by a clear margin in the number of votes.
And…
“Well, Professor Goldrun.”
“I apologize for disturbing you while you’re busy, Lord Fennel.”
Goldrun raised one hand and bowed deeply to one of the Seven Great Nobles, who was approaching him.
“Nonsense, you are my benefactor, Professor. If you don’t stand in a position befitting you, I’ll be in trouble.”
“These are excessive words, I am deeply grateful.”
A smile naturally appeared on Goldrun’s face as he looked at the floor.
After the vote, Lord Fennel, one of the Seven Great Nobles, would put in a good word for him in the advisory committee that makes the final decision on the next director. Therefore, the director’s seat was as good as his.
Finally, I’ve come this far.
It all began that day fifteen years ago.
The magic tool factory explosion in the suburbs.
Workers and passersby alike were all victims of the magic stone explosion.
And Lord Fennel, who happened to be passing by in a carriage.
At the time, Goldrun, whose research wasn’t being recognized, and was about to leave the royal capital, happened to be passing by the scene immediately after the accident.
A scene of utter chaos. Among the groaning people, there was one who was clearly dressed differently.
He immediately recognized him as a nobleman.
In this country, hierarchy is absolute. If he could ingratiate himself with him, it might change something.
However, he was severely injured, and he didn’t think his healing magic could save him.
He was researching transfer healing magic, but at the time, transfer healing magic was considered a useless healing magic because it involved giving one’s own life force to another, resulting in significant damage to oneself. Giving enough life force to heal this nobleman’s severe injuries would kill him. That would be pointless.
Goldrun looked around frantically.
And then, an idea struck him.
Can’t I give life force from someone other than myself?
There were many people whose life lights were about to go out.
The life force gained from each individual wouldn’t be much, but there was strength in numbers.
And they wouldn’t be able to become witnesses.
Goldrun steeled himself. To change his life.
As it turned out, the attempt was successful.
Goldrun used the lives of the injured people to save the nobleman.
It was an unexpected stroke of luck that the person he saved was one of the highest-ranking nobles, one of the Seven Great Nobles.
After that, with Lord Fennel’s support, he rose through the ranks.
His research on transfer healing magic was recognized, and he even obtained the title of professor at the Royal Treatment Center and Special-Class Healer.
The only misfortune was that Bonds, who arrived at the scene a little late, photographed him using transfer healing magic. At the time, Bonds, who aspired to be a photographer, had rushed to the scene hoping to take a scoop photo of the explosion. He was blackmailed with the photo, so he reluctantly gave him the position of his first secretary and guaranteed him a livelihood.
But other than that, everything went well.
And now, he was about to reach the top of the Royal Treatment Center, a position that would grant him noble status.
“I am also greatly indebted to you regarding my daughter, Professor. I intend to spare no effort in providing any assistance.”
“…Words of gratitude.”
Goldrun bowed his head, feeling a slight bitterness.
The special trainee who called himself Zeno.
The dog caretaker named Cresson.
Those two were the ones who succeeded in the dermoid cyst surgery, but now they were no longer members of his faction.
He had lost some potentially useful pawns, but oh well.
The peak of his life was right before his eyes.
Goldrun snorted, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
He noticed a familiar figure approaching from the back of the hall.
“It’s a grand occasion, Professor Goldrun.”
“Becker, is it…”
The slender man with bedhead was walking towards him with a cool expression.
“Hmph, commendable. Trying to cozy up to the next director already, I see.”
“Well… you can take it that way if you like.”
Goldrun said in a low voice to Becker, who gave a wry smile.
“That special trainee, apparently he came to the Royal Treatment Center originally through your introduction.”
“Zeno? Yes, that’s right.”
“I thought he had some potential and gave him a chance, but it seems he was quite useless.”
“Oh, he was expelled from the faction, wasn’t he? Did he do something rude?”
“While invited to my dinner party, he prioritized treating a demi-human who barged in. An unbelievable act of foolishness.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s unacceptable for someone in my faction, who is on their way to becoming a noble, to prioritize treating a poor person. He needs to consider his status.”
“I see…”
“You understand, don’t you, Becker? The value of life is not equal.”
Fifteen years ago, he chose the lives to save.
That’s how he managed to get to where he was.
Becker nodded slowly, then poured the wine in his hand into Goldrun’s glass.
“To the professor’s bright future.”
“Hah. You seem to understand value.”
Goldrun raised the corner of his mouth slightly.
On the stage, Lord Fennel’s opening address had begun.
“Come to think of it, my encounter with Professor Goldrun was fifteen years ago. He saved my life when I was critically injured—”
Goldrun hurriedly interrupted.
“Lord Fennel. Please keep that story brief.”
“Oh? The main character is interrupting. For someone who aims to be the director, aren’t you being awfully humble?”
A small laugh rippled through the hall, but Goldrun’s mind was not at peace.
He didn’t want Lord Fennel to touch on the events of fifteen years ago more than necessary.
Lord Fennel, whose consciousness was hazy from the accident, didn’t know how his life was saved.
If the moderate Lord Fennel knew the truth, he might change his opinion of Goldrun.
“Then, let’s hand over the stage to the main character.”
“I am grateful, Lord Fennel.”
Goldrun stood on the podium and spoke of his aspirations for the upcoming director election.
The gazes of countless faction members were directed at him, and sunlight poured down from the glass ceiling like a spotlight.
His life had reached its peak today.
Goldrun raised his glass to the sky and declared loudly:
“To our bright future—cheers!”
At the same time.
In front of Becker’s laboratory, Zenos and Lily were about to be seen off by Umin and Cresson.
“Well then, thanks for everything.”
When Zenos said that, Umin shook his head.
“No, we’re the ones who should be thanking you.”
“Uuu, aniki…”
“Now, how long are you going to cry, Cresson?”
“But…”
Zenos scratched his head and said to Cresson, who was wiping away his tears.
“I’m kind of sorry. It feels like you left Goldrun’s faction because of me.”
“Well…”
Cresson started to say something, then shook his head slightly.
“I decided it myself. It’s not because of you, aniki.”
“Oh?”
“I… I would have been happy with just being able to rise in ranks. But now, I want to hone my skills, even just a little, and become like you, aniki. I can’t improve my skills by taking care of dogs in the faction.”
“Hmm… Cresson’s grown up a little, hasn’t he?”
“Shut up, douki.”
Translator’s Note
Douki (同期) is a Japanese term referring to people who joined a company or organization at the same time. Essentially calling him a peer.
“Well, you’ll be fine no matter where you go.”
“Anikiii…”
“Lily thinks Cresson is top-notch in terms of tenacity alone.”
“Little Sister… Thank youuu…”
“I don’t think she was complimenting you.”
Ignoring Umin’s interjection, Cresson burst into tears again.
Zenos looked out the window.
“Goldrun’s party is about to start, right? Are things okay over there?”
“Yes, Professor Becker is there, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
As if remembering something, Umin continued.
“Come to think of it, Professor Becker said last night that he was going to visit Professor Goldrun’s first secretary. He said he wanted to confirm the facts about the incident fifteen years ago.”
“Hmm, I don’t think he’d tell him easily, but did he get anything out of it?”
“I don’t know. He took some alcohol, so maybe he was planning to get him drunk and ask. I haven’t heard the results specifically… Oh, that’s right!”
Umin clapped her hands.
“That’s right, Professor Becker said he wrote a letter about the person who is Zenos’s master. He said to give it to you.”
“Oh, right. Please.”
This was the biggest reward this time.
He thought he would ask about it later since Becker seemed busy, but it seemed he had already prepared it.
“Um, where did he say he put it… Please wait a moment.”
Umin took out the key and entered Becker’s room.
A little later, a voice saying “Eh?” was heard.
“What’s wrong?”
When Zenos went inside, Umin was standing there dumbfounded.
“I was looking in the drawer, and I found this…”
A trembling fingertip was holding a photo.
“This is—”
A large number of people were lying covered in blood.
The wreckage of buildings and black smoke filled the air, creating a scene like a vision of hell.
“…Could it be a photo of the incident fifteen years ago?”
“How could something like this be here?”
Umin had said that Becker visited the first secretary’s house last night.
Perhaps he got him drunk and put him to sleep, and then searched the house in the meantime.
In the corner was a young Goldrun.
In front of him was Lord Fennel lying down.
Faint light from the magic circle was stretching out to the other victims.
It was probably a scene of him transferring life force using transfer healing magic.
“Ah. He’s quite young, but it’s probably Alfred!”
Umin pointed to the center of the photo.
A boy with blonde hair and an androgynous face was lying down.
His abdomen was overflowing with blood, and his face was pale.
“So, it was true… Alfred, who was a victim of this accident, survived by chance and learned the truth at the dinner party. And he’s thinking of revenge.”
“…”
Next to the silent Zenos, Umin glared at the photo, pointed to the edge, and shouted.
“Eh, this person is…!”
The scene returns to the party venue.
What happened?
Goldrun held his head and opened his eyes slightly.
What he saw was the glass skylight.
Turning his head, he saw shattered glasses and red wine scattered around.
Was I knocked out?
No, it wasn’t just him. On the stage, Lord Fennel was also lying on his back.
When he managed to raise his upper body, all the faction members were collapsed on the floor.
There was only one person standing there.
It was the cool-faced man with bedhead.
“Becker, you… What, is this…”
His throat was numb, and he couldn’t speak properly.
“It’s poison. I had it mixed into the celebratory wine.”
The answer came in a voice that was almost refreshing.
“…Poi,son?”
“Yes. Poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin. Mixing medicines is my specialty.”
“What, did you say…”
“It’s a poison that steals your consciousness and slowly erodes your life. If left untreated, it will lead to death in about thirty minutes. I made the one I gave you a little less potent, but even then, it won’t last more than an hour.”
“What, are you planning?”
“Don’t you understand?”
Becker slowly walked onto the stage.
“It’s a recreation of the incident fifteen years ago.”
“You… How did you…?”
“Actually, I had suspected it for some time now, but I was able to confirm it thanks to an excellent special trainee.”
Goldrun’s eyebrows furrowed.
“…Don’t tell me, Bonds, told you?”
“He wasn’t very talkative, so I borrowed the power of alcohol and medicine a little, but it was fortunate that I even found the photos. I thought they had been disposed of a long time ago.”
“What, did you say? I should have… disposed of the photos.”
“Perhaps there were two photos. Mr. Bonds gave one to you in exchange for a guaranteed livelihood. But he hid another one as insurance.”
“…That, guy.”
“It seems you have no eye for talent.”
“Don’t talk as if you know…”
“The value of life is not equal.”
Those words echoed through the silent party venue.
“Professor Goldrun. Fifteen years ago, you chose the lives to save based on that belief. And you sacrificed the other lives.”
“They, were, all, going, to die, anyway.”
“That may be true for you. But among the many who were abandoned in that way was Alfred.”
“What, did you say…”
“And also, my lover, whom I was engaged to marry.”
“…!”
Becker said calmly to Goldrun, whose eyes were wide open.
“I have just enough power left to use transfer healing magic. It would take a considerable amount of life force to completely stop the progression of the poison, but who will you sacrifice this time and who will you save? Your own life? Your patron, Lord Fennel? Or the faction members who will give you votes in the election?”
And then, he quietly announced:
“Now, it’s the choice of lives.”
A/N: End of Chapter 2 – Important Announcement Regarding Publication!
As I’ve already announced in the activity report, the novel will be published by GA Novel in October! The title will be: “The Genius Healer Who Could Cure Anything Instantly Was Branded Useless and Banished, But Now He’s Happily Living as a Dark Healer.”
The illustrator is the wonderful Daburyu-sensei.
Pre-orders have already started on Amazon, so if you’re interested, please take a look!
More information about character illustrations and the manga adaptation will be revealed soon, so please stay tuned and thank you for your support! m(_ _)m
Editor’s Note: If you enjoyed the story so far, please do purchase the officially licensed light novels by J-Novel Club and support the author for his efforts. Reminder that unlike the web novel translation you’re currently reading, the light novels are professionally edited with the Author’s completed vision of the story (as opposed to the work in progress with web novels) with a professional localization team.
If you can’t afford it at the moment, go put it on your wishlist right now. Someday you’ll be in a position to pay it back and you won’t wanna forget. You’re not a parasite are you? Didn’t think so.