The accelerated training method was honestly incredibly painful. Even for me, who thought I'd gotten used to pain living in this aching body.
I almost wanted to cry out, 'I'm sorry! I was just bluffing!'
While struggling like that, I seriously considered apologizing to Sibylius and just quitting.
But just like how a meal tastes better after hard work, the greater the pain, the greater the reward.
"Gh!"
I picked up a log from Sibylius's stockpile and split it in half. After tearing the green wood apart like it was grilled squid, I went for a light run.
My body cut through the wind—wasn't I easily hitting 40 kilometers per hour?
Strength. Speed.
Everything had improved to a level that would shock even an Olympic gold medalist.
However,
That level was nothing to the four people currently beside me.
“That's enough.”
Viol caught me as I was about to punch the wall. She was so strong that even with my current strength, I couldn't break free.
“I know you're happy about getting stronger, but don't push your body so recklessly just to test it."
“But my body is fine now?"
“You might be fine, but I'm not. I'm scared you'll collapse again.”
I was surprised. She looked unusually drained, pleading with her eyes for me to stop. Seeing the others reacting similarly, I hesitated.
At that, Alios, who had been watching me worriedly, looked relieved.
“Still, I'm glad you've gotten stronger, even if it's just a little. You won't get sick again, right?"
It seems becoming superhuman by normal standards only counts as 'a little stronger' to Alios.
Everyone was surprised to see me stronger, but it was the surprise of seeing a sick person become healthy, not because they took my strength seriously.
Well, they are all top-tier powerhouses in the entire nation, so someone like me wouldn't even register. My pride stung a bit, but something else was more important right now, so I let it go.
“Now, I should head to the Kingdom of Arsen.”
I did the crazy thing of compressing months of training just to go there, so I absolutely have to go.
“Can't you just not go?"
Viol looked tiredly at me, seeing I hadn't given up on going, but still offered help.
“I'll contact them and arrange for you to use the transfer gate.”
A transfer gate.
A magical teleportation device usable only by a select few, but there's no problem if the Emperor permits it.
“Using this will shorten your travel time. I'm permitting it so you can go and come back quickly, so return as fast as possible."
“Aren't you coming along?”
"How can I, the Emperor, follow you all the way there?”
I asked just in case, and thankfully, a common-sense answer came back. I was worried she might forget her status and follow me. Since that wasn't the case, I sighed in relief, but...
“Instead, I'll assign the entire Imperial Knight Order as your escort.”
“I don't need them."
Taking the entire Knight Order to another country? It'd be less threatening just to take you alone!
“The people of Arsen will be shocked. They'll think we're coming to wage war.”
"You need an escort.”
“With my current strength, I don't think I need one.”
“No. I can't send you anywhere without a proper escort."
Hmm, something similar definitely happened before, didn't it? I guess I'll have to use the same method I used when Ares tried to stop me from going out because it was dangerous.
“Come with me."
"Gladly."
When I said the same words as last time to Alios, she replied with the same words.
“So the Knight Order isn't okay, but you're taking the Sword Master? That one's more dangerous by herself."
Viol grumbled but didn't object. An escort by Alios was certainly reliable. Instead, she told Hames, who was preparing to go with me without even being asked, that she couldn't.
“A priestess would be useful, so I'd like to tell you to go too, but complaints keep coming from the Temple. They're asking how long I plan to keep you here."
“...If that's the case, I suppose it can't be helped."
She agreed reluctantly.
Even I thought she had been away from the Temple for a long time. It was all to help me, so I thanked Hames as she was leaving.
“Thank you. I'll send you a gift later.”
“There's no need. I'll accept the sentiment.”
Did she want to stay longer? Hames looked at me with lingering eyes before disappearing.
“Sibylius, thank you too. We probably won't see each other again, so you won't have to worry about me bothering you.”
Unless she falls for Ceres, Sibylius is someone who dislikes getting involved with others. So, instead of a physical gift, I gave her the gift of eternal separation.
“ …Thank you. I didn't want to see you again either.”
She flinched for a moment, but her immediate reply suggested my judgment was correct.
And so, having roughly prepared for departure, I headed for the Kingdom of Arsen.
Me and Alios.
When the two of us passed through the transfer gate, we were surprisingly met by the Queen of the Kingdom of Arsen.
“Ooh, you really came!"
The Queen of Arsen was a middle-aged woman with brown hair. Waiting with her vassals, she was moved upon seeing us.
“That appearance, there's no mistake. It really is the Empire's greatest beauty, Ceres Whiperion!"
“It is an honor to meet you."
As the official heir to a Count's family, I greeted the Queen of Arsen politely in the manner of nobility.
“I came because I heard you needed my help.”
“Indeed. I was so desperate for the help of the one who cured all the sick in their family's territory that my heart felt like it was burning!"
The Queen of Arsen asked me, her eyes filled with a mix of joy and confusion.
“I pleaded with the Imperial Emperor to send you, but I was refused. Honestly, I felt resentful. Why the sudden change of heart?"
“Actually, I was unwell at that time. Her Majesty had no choice but to refuse because of that."
“Oh, was that it! Are you alright now then?"
“Yes. Seeing that I had recovered, Her Majesty decided it was acceptable to send me and changed her mind.”
I told a white lie.
I couldn't very well say that Viol didn't care whether they lived or died, could I? I had to sugarcoat it a bit to keep their spirits up and avoid worsening diplomatic relations.
"Does Emperor Viol truly care that much for our country?"
"It must be true. They sent both Ceres Whiperion and Alios Gravius. Two of the most famous figures in the Empire."
I could hear the vassals who came with the Queen of Arsen whispering. They all seemed to believe my words, which was natural.
Regardless of the Emperor, I just came because I wanted to. How could they possibly know the absurd truth that Alios had come merely as my escort?
Completely deceived, the Queen of Arsen even shed tears.
“I will never forget the grace shown by Emperor Viol. And your efforts too, coming as soon as your ailing body recovered.”
“I have merely come to do what must be done. Your Majesty, please guide me to where the plague patients are immediately.”
“To be so dedicated to helping people! Not just your face, but your heart is like an angel's too."
The Queen of Arsen praised me while explaining the situation. The epidemic broke out in a large territory near the capital, and they had quarantined everyone there for now.
"We've prevented anyone from leaving for now, but I don't know how long they can hold on like this. Both we and those trapped inside have our limits."
“I understand. Food supplies within the city will dwindle, and there must have been people trying to escape to survive.”
“Some among my vassals even suggested killing them all, saying the entire country would be endangered if left alone.”
“Rest assured. Now that I am here, I will not stand by and let things reach that point.”
I headed towards the plague-stricken territory with Alios. Hundreds of soldiers assigned by the Queen of Arsen as an entourage moved with us.
“Everyone gather over here!"
“Don't worry, we're not here to dispose of you! The Empire has sent a savior!"
“Lord Ceres Whiperion, the famous Imperial Beauty and Saint!"
The soldiers' job was to control the patients, just like our territory's soldiers had done before. Shouting my name at the people frightened by the sudden appearance of soldiers had an effect.
“It's true! There can't be another person that beautiful.”
“It's the exact beauty I heard about in rumors!"
"The real Lord Ceres has come! This isn't a trick to purge us plague victims!"
My appearance served as a kind of identification, giving them faith and lowering their guard. The soldiers orderly guided the gathered people to receive treatment from me.
I examined the condition of those gathered before me. A single glance was enough to tell they were in poor health; everyone was breathing heavily. This was the symptom of the plague they had contracted. It's said to cause stomach pain and difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, they continuously cough up blood until they die.
Neither they nor I knew what this disease was. I'm not a doctor, so I couldn't know exactly what illness they had. Even in the original work, it was called an unknown disease, and the exact name wasn't mentioned.
But was there any need to know?
“Healed. Yes, this one is healed too. The next person is already healed, bring them quickly.”
I can heal just by touching them, so I don't need to know the name of the disease!
“Uh, incredibly fast! He even healed those with terminal symptoms!”
“At that speed, he can eradicate the entire plague soon!”
I could see the healed people and the soldiers looking astonished. Even I had to admit it was fast. At this rate, it seemed like I could heal everyone in this territory before a week was up.
Divine power is a cheat ability limited to healing, but the fact that everyone was in relatively better condition also helped save time. The novel described the entire territory as being in a hellish state, but it wasn't quite that bad yet. Thanks to them calling me earlier than in the original work, I was able to arrive before the situation became truly catastrophic.
“It looks like this problem will be resolved smoothly.”
With things going well, Alios, who was guarding me, relaxed her guard slightly.
“Yeah. Let's finish quickly and go back.”
I agreed that there shouldn't be any problems.
…Yes, if things had just continued smoothly, there would have been no issues.
“Alios, I will repay the humiliation you dealt me last time!”
On the third day.
If only a demon targeting Alios hadn't suddenly appeared in the territory.