Chapter 4: Treat the sick
Luke went up with his father to Calandra, and from the herbs he had gathered in the surrounding country he made a potion to cure the plague, so that the people would no longer fear the plague. With the potion in his hand, Luke went to Arachne, and all who met him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. Among them was Lydia (Scala in older versions), the daughter of Hubris, the leader of the guild, who recognized at once that he was a great man.
—
Knock knock.
“Guildmaster, a guest has arrived.”
A guest? There shouldn’t be any guests scheduled to visit today.
The Empire of Calandra is currently… Someone came to see me at a time like this? And through a direct line to meet the guildmaster in person?
“A guest? Who are you?”
The direct line is a special route known only to high-ranking officials who can speak with me privately. Only high-ranking… Of all the high-ranking… If they valued their reputation…
Surprisingly, the guest brought by a guild member was… a young boy.
A young boy… used a direct line to me?
His clothes and noble-looking aura, and his clear, well-maintained skin. He certainly looked like a noble child, but… There wouldn’t be a noble who would tell such a secret line to a child.
The child entered my room and looked around here and there in my room. He looked like just an ordinary, curious child.
“Welcome to Arachne. I am Skala Arachne, the guildmaster of Arachne. What brings you here?”
After the guild members left, I spoke.
“Hello, Skala. Or should I say Lydia. Lydia Hubris.”
!!!!
This child. How did you know my real name! And even the family name that disappeared! There’s probably no one in the Empire…
“Don’t be too surprised, Lydia. I have no intention of telling anyone else about your true identity. I came here because I want to be your friend.”
“Friend… you say?” You want to be my…
“So, I brought you a gift that I think you’ll be really happy about.”
And the child wiggled his tiny fingers and took out a glass bottle from his bosom.
“I have a magical medicine that can cure the Red Death.”
“Uh, the Red Death?”
The Red Death. The incurable disease that my… It’s a vicious disease that gradually rots the extremities of the body. No one, not even the blessed priests or saints of God… There’s no way a cure for the Red…
How did you… My closest associates don’t know anything about Io!
“It must be hard to believe. No one has ever succeeded in making a cure for the Red Death. But this medicine can truly heal someone afflicted with it. I’ll give it to you. By the way, the dosage is two spoonfuls. And this book too.”
He took out a book from his bosom and placed it on the table.
“I’ll come back in a week. If you like my gift, will you be my friend then? Oh, by the way, I’m Luke Persleyno.”
With that, he left the room.
It was truly a whirlwind of a visit.
Persleyno?
The Sword of the Empire that guards the North?
Not only does he know my real name, but he also knows about Io.
And yet, all he wants is to be friends.
What kind of child is this?
I need to investigate this kid…
The medicine bottle he left on the table caught my eye.
And this medicine.
…Can I trust it?
Giving Io some unknown medicine…
He said the dosage is two spoonfuls, right?
For now, let’s find someone else with the Red Death to test it on.
It’s unlikely, but if…
If it shows any improvement, I’ll give it to Io too.
The book he left behind.
Wanting to know more about him, I opened it.
[Something Everyone Living on the Continent Must Read] – Old Testament Volume 1.
As I read the first page, I realized it was describing some divine being.
Why did he leave a scripture here?
His eyes seemed to know everything. And the subtle affection in his gaze.
Even though it was clearly our first meeting, he had an oddly strong fondness for me.
As if he already knew me.
A word flashed through my mind.
Yes, an avatar of a god.
In myths, it’s said that gods sometimes descend to the mortal realm in the form of an “avatar.” For amusement, to strengthen their divinity, or to sacrifice for their creations—there are various reasons, but they often appear as children, showing maturity beyond their years.
If…
If he’s a god descended to this world, like in the myths…
And if he came here to save Io…
Then this medicine might be able to save Io.
…Ha.
What am I thinking?
An avatar? A god descended to earth?
There’s no way such a being exists.
Is my judgment clouded because of the possibility of saving Io?
It’s unlikely, but…
If this medicine can save Io, I’d give everything to you.
So please…
—
I didn’t mean to say it like that.
I planned to use my knowledge to create a sense of mystique and build a friendly relationship to win her over, but I ended up blurting out that I wanted to be her friend.
The moment I met her, I remembered her from [Deus Ex Machina], and without realizing it, I said something different from my original plan.
And I foolishly left the book behind too.
Ugh, you idiot.
You’re going to keep meeting [Deus Ex Machina] characters in the future—will you keep acting this stupidly?
Skala Arachne.
Everyone knows her by that name, but her real name is Lydia Hubris.
At this point, I’m probably the only one in the world who knows that name.
She wasn’t part of the protagonist’s party or a playable character, but she was someone I really loved.
A woman who, despite losing everything in her childhood, built herself up from the bottom with her love for her sister and her innate gift.
A woman who lost her only remaining family to the Red Death and tragically invented its cure only afterward.
A woman who, driven by her hatred for the Red Death, opposed the Forces of Chaos that spread it and aided the protagonist’s party.
…And a woman who died heroically saving the protagonist’s party against the Forces of Chaos.
Lydia’s life was a tear-jerking, tragic story.
If a god manipulated her life, it almost feels like they deliberately gave her such a cruel fate.
That’s why, as someone who loved [Deus Ex Machina], I had a deep affection for her, and when I met her, I couldn’t control my emotions.
The moment I faced her, I forgot the things I planned to say and ended up rambling.
…Even so, what was that?
Wanting to be friends?
She must think I’m completely weird.
…I was supposed to act like I was running an errand for my father to win her over, but now she’ll just think I’m a strange kid.
…The cure. Will she use it on Io? She won’t just throw it away because it’s too suspicious, right?
If she uses it and Io is healed, she’ll definitely become my ally, but I showed such a suspicious side…
A week later, I returned to Lydia with a nervous heart.
And then…
“I’ve been waiting for you, Lord Luke. Please, come inside.”
Lydia, known for her secrecy, was waiting for me outside the building.
And she personally escorted me to the reception room.
“Did you try the medicine?”
“Yes… It’s a medicine with such remarkable efficacy that I could hardly believe my eyes. To think it could cure the Red Death.”
“That’s good to hear. So, can I hear your answer from last time?”
I did stupidly say I wanted to be friends, but it should be fine, right? Even if we become friends, it won’t affect publishing the book, will it?
Thud.
Then Lydia knelt before me.
…Huh?
“Young Lydia Hubris. I swear to serve you, Lord Luke, no, Lord Deus.”
Huh?
“I thought all the gods had abandoned us. They were the ones who would make us fail no matter what we did… But Lord Deus was different. Instead, he saved us. The only one who saved my sister. From now on, I will follow you, Lord Deus.”
Deus? Me?
What the heck are you talking about?
How does Lydia… So you mistook me for Deus?
“…Maybe not. I thought you, Lord Luke, were the incarnation of Deus.”
Uh… I’ve never even met Deus. I’ve seen him a few times in the game.
He’s a character who barely appears in [Deus Ex Machina], so…
Besides, I’m a 100% pure human.
Ah… Where should I start explaining this?
Things got messed up on our first meeting.
As I remained silent, Lydia gradually grew more and more frustrated.
Even though it wasn’t true… I didn’t want to make Lydia sad.
“…Yes. That’s true. I never thought you’d find out.”
“I see! As expected of Luke!”
She was overjoyed.
Oh, I made a mistake again.
If the lies keep piling up… I don’t know anymore.