In the late of September. Falma held an annual outdoor private curry party for the invited pharmacy’s staff, the customers, and the officials, using a plethora of procured spices within the city of Saint Fleuve.
Even though the open party was being held in private this year again, the number of invited people also increased and it turned into an unprecedented scale that was no longer a secret.
With it being at such a large scale, it couldn’t be possibly hidden from the Empress so Falma carefully attempted to invite her in his diligence, however, he was relieved to hear her refusal in accepting the invitation since her ability to handle spicy foods was poor. If the Empress participates, there will be a massive commotion and it will no longer be a gathering to display their daily gratitude. On top of that, the typical ball that was planned after the meal would not be a casual one since it tended to be a “Le Grand Bal” [1], since its prestige would probably rise to the point where plenty of people without noble’s mannerism couldn’t dance.
However, Prince Lui [2] attends for a little while instead of the Empress for the special day. When the prince arrived at the party, there were quite a few regular customers attempting to entertain the prince to gain his favors because there were not many occasions where the commoners could see his presence. At the same time, the Prince’s surrounded area was closed off due to his escort…
“Welcome to you among us all. Did our food fit your Highness’s taste?“
Falma greeted the prince while he was innocently eating the curry. The surrounding patrons were surprised to see Falma exchanged words with the prince even though he is the prince of the great Empire with, “I’m glad to see you!” with excitement, but they soon realized that he’s also Falma’s patient. Such a simple greeting.
“Un, I enjoy it. I’ll ensure to bring back the medical cooking style.“
(Oh, this is my favorite kind of food. The children love the curry.)
Falma replies although he thinks everything is good.
“That was my problem. What should I do for my today’s dinner when the cook has already left?“
“Hahaha, you’re joking.“
The prince appeared to be filled with self-confidence after seeing Falma’s feeble facial expression.
After the main appetizer curry was served, numerous hors d’oeuvres and sweets followed after, along with the orchestra’s performance signifies the starting of a ball. Falma wonders whether or not he should invite Ellen like last year, but Ellen was currently in a heated quarrel with Palle. They are probably hungry as they are having a divine battle along the river.
“As of today, I will make various things clear!“
“That’s my line. Wave your staff around rather than moving that mouth of yours! I’ll soak you to the core!“
(Come on already. Be in moderation, you two…the prince is also present.)
Falma erected an ice barrier between the two and the invited guests. The prince and guests should not get soaked from the battle between the two water-based divine users.
(I wonder why they ended up trying to show each other off immediately the way they are…it could be a good or bad thing.)
Falma shook his head lightly while walking away, and Lotte’s eyes met up with his. Again, her cheeks swelled up like a squirrel as she stuffed herself with dessert chocolate.
“Vo yu vant sum?“
Her pronunciation was so terrible that it couldn’t be understood.
“I don’t want any chocolate, but I wanted to invite Lotte this year.“
Falma didn’t invite Lotte last year because he wasn’t ashamed of Lotte, but because of her lack of knowledge to perform the baroque dance, but Lotte was overjoyed when she saw it for this year.
“Hank hou fery much! Hihi no good? Mi sheeks lar haffy voo.“
(Did you say you’re very happy?)
“Are you willing to be my partner? My lady.“
As Falma invited her to the dance floor according to the custom mannerism, and Lotte gazes at him with her bright red face while presenting her hands.
“Heh hi!“
(Did you say something?)
She promptly cleans up her mouth and happily receives Falma’s escort.
“Eeh, it was worth the effort having Eleonor-sama taught me during our lunch break at the pharmacy!“
Lotte had learned the baroque dance this year after receiving Ellen’s special training.
The gavotte-like folk’s dance [3] that moves in a circular fashion has started in the middle of the dance floor as the orchestra begins to play the minuet for the couple-dance. The minuet is a court dancing style in pairs, with a strict dancing formation, and can easily be ruined if even one person made a mistake with poor movements in the steps. However, the dance is composed of only well-known and famous pieces so that everyone can easily perform to.
“You’re doing great, Lotte.“
Falma dances around and around with light steps while clasping with Lotte’s hands, and smiling with glee. It is hard to visualize that this is her official dance for the first time on such an occasion. One can see the result of the daily practices.
“It’s like a dream to have Falma-sama leading me.“
“Is that so? Do you have something in mind to take you to the dance with?“
“…Mm, that is.“
Lotte became turmoil to the point of stumbling, and Falma gently places his hand around her waist just before she falls over.
“Aah, thank you very much!“
The conclusion of the battle between Ellen and Pallee was over the moment the song ended. They are both exhausted so they are taken to their respective mansions by means of the stretchers and carriages.
“Aitatata [4]. Well, sorry to say that Palle-kun couldn’t handle all of it!“
Ellen toyed around with the refreshed Palle the next day after she came to work, with a stiff body.
“There isn’t anything wrong with my brother.“
Falma replied with his honest opinion. Palle is not an unforgiving person even toward girls and children beside adjusting his attitude for his patients.
“Aah, my body feels like a rock! At such a time like this, my body will be relaxed if I have Juliana-chan’s magical massage done on me…I wonder when the next time she will come to visit.“
“Juliana huh…I wonder if she will come back here.“
Falma had sent several letters to Juliana in the Holy City but it was futile. She thought it was better if she warned the Imperial City’s priest back then.
“You don’t have to talk so seriously. She’s probably quite busy herself.“
Ellen expressed with exaggeration while placing her glasses back on.
“Falma-sama, I want to meet Juliana-san again. I miss her, and I want to see her again too ~“
Lotte missed her while rubbing Ellen’s shoulders instead of Juliana. The pharmacy staff thought Juliana simply returned back to her country and did not know about anything else.
(I’m getting a bit worried, since I have experienced a terrible ordeal in the Holy City.)
She could be feeling regretful at the church because she relied upon Falma’s shoulders to lean on, or she probably didn’t return to the Holy City safely on her way back.
Falma wouldn’t be able to reveal her situation even if he wanted to as he was thinking and worrying about various things, so he wanders around and visits the Imperial Capital’s church. On this related surveillance subject, the head priest, Comb, responded to the turmoil within the church by restoring its calmness. Falma calls for the head priest while remaining outside, and converses with him on his action.
“Good evening. I would like to get in touch with Juliana that appears to have returned to the Holy city, but I haven’t received any reply from her no matter how many letters I’ve sent. Could you please contact the head priest for that location for me?“
“It’s you, Medicine God. What can we get her to do for you?“
Comb became overly suspicious when Juliana’s name was mentioned.
With resolution, the suspicious Falma asks for her as he observes them in their panics.
“I was wondering about her delivery for the Great Church of the thing that was entrusted to her.“
Falma requested to see Juliana to confirm the proper delivery of the treasure sword, which contained his divine power, to the Great Priest.
“The other reason is that I want her to perform the divine massage on me.“
“If you are searching for divine massaging, I’ll call some of the people that are good at it from the Imperial City’s Church.“
“I rather have Juliana be the one.“
It seemed like Juliana-san was in good shape. And Falma ensured to emphasize his need for her. Falma did not give in and only focused on Juliana.
“So you have your reason for her special massage.“
The priests were discussing this in private, so it seemed all was good…It was something of a perverted discussion.
“That’s not it!“
(Think of it as my preference for that girl…)
The suspicious misunderstanding about the sneaking around turned back into a subtle atmosphere, but Falma could not withdraw his decision since it was for Juliana’s safety, so he slammed his hand onto the outer wall of the church after walking up closer.
“? Something is happening.“
“This church’s external wall composes of the same material as the Great Church right?“
“That’s correct.“
Comb gazes at Falma as he has his hands on the superb outer wall. While looking at Comb, Falma begins to focus.
(“Erase calcium carbonate”)
As Falma invoked his Erase Substance ability for the calcium carbonate, which happens to be the main component of the wall, the outer protective layer of the church immediately disappeared when the material is erased.
“Hiih…hiiiih! Wh-what did you just do!?“
Comb trembls at the threat from the easy-going Falma.
Since Comb was unaware of Falma’s ability to create and erase matter, he assumes that Falma used the mysterious power of the guardian deity to destroy the wall.
Salomon told him about the Great Church’s utilization of a single type of material, imbued with magical application to absorb the divine power. Falma wondered about the possibility in erasing that single material type.
“Based on the rumor about the Great Church, are there dozens of underground levels?“
Falma asked using a bluff.
“So then, what happened if I removed all the levels of the Great Church?“
The moment Falma invokes the ability to remove the bottom levels, all the priests of the city will fall tens of meters and die instantly without even a fight. Comb resounded his agreement with snots running down from his nose.
“I can arrive at the Holy City within an hour if I feel like it.“
“Let, let me try to reach out to the Holy City immediately…“
A few days later, two priests who were designated to bring a woman along arrived at the front of the Different World Pharmacy.
Even though her face was covered with a veil and could not be seen, Falma recognized her immediately. Apparently, the Holy City had succumbed to Falma’s threat and gave Juliana up.
(Don’t act so sloppily, Holy City.)
Falma is very pleased to see her again while thinking about it.
“Juliana, how have you been? Let’s go inside.“
“Kyaah, it’s Juliana!“
Ellen was very welcoming. She desires the divine massage. Juliana appeared to be as if she was ill from Falma’s perspective. The attending priests are sitting at the corner of the store while observing Juliana to prevent her escape.
“Excuse me, I’ll send her back to the church safely when she’s done.“
When Falma implicitly attempted to relieve the priests, the priests refused by shaking their heads from side to side.
“We will be waiting for her to complete, so please take your time and take it slowly.“
“Ah, really now.“
Juliana appears to be downtrodden as she enters the counseling room, so Falma is the first to talk.
“Was the divine power sufficient to move some of the gears?“
Juliana began to sob as soon as she heard the question, so Falma decided to move her upstairs into the quarantine office. At this rate, the priests could not eavesdrop on their discussion, and they would not be able to interject on what they didn’t know.
“It’s safe here. There are no windows and the entire room is soundproofed, so they cannot hear our voices downstairs. Please do fill me in if you are willing to talk.“
Falma opened up the bottle of juice, offered a drink to Juliana and inquired of her his question.
“Thanks to Falma-sama’s divine power, we succeeded in rewinding the ruse gear for at least 175 years.“
“That’s great.“
Falma was relieved to hear that Juliana was able to serve her purpose.
“However… I was naive, and stupid.“
Juliana confided to him in an incohesive manner. The Great Priest did not appear to be discussing with Falma of this contribution, and strove to seal the secret in the basement of the Great Church. They were urgently developing a more powerful god-sealing method. Falma was deemed as an imminent danger. Juliana speaks with regrets.
“Is that right. You revealed quite a bit to me…but, everything is fine. I’m not going to be sealed that easily no matter what that person can do. I’m not that stupid either.“
“I also have another treasure sword as a sample…“
“Wahaha, you’re turning out like a thug. I’m wondering if there are any thugs that can honestly tell you that.“
Falma smiled bitterly as he mentioned about her action. Once her veil is removed, he notices the marks on her as though she was hit on her face. Bruises are not only visible on her face, but also all over her body. Falma treats Juliana immediately.
“Am I imagining it has gotten worse? I said I would cooperate, but why would this happen?“
“It seems that the Great Church is convinced that the guardian deity cannot be trusted since the humans cannot communicate with them.“
(Surely, I threatened to destroy the church. But somehow that’s not the case.)
Falma started to get a pounding headache.
“How did you, which was incomprehensible to me, receive the role as the person in charge for retrieving my divine power?“
Falma was pondering about Juliana being the inferior to Saloman in terms of divine power for this job, as it was a requirement for a priest to be high in standing, such as any priest higher than Saloman of an Inquisitor rank.
It was as if they picked her out among the chestnuts within the fire [5] and entrusted her with the treasure sword, convincing her that it was her own treasure item. Falma wants to confirm if the Great Church is short on staff.
“It was due to the reason that I was chosen as the one who received the revelation of the ruse gear… Since then, I have received a special education designed for the chosen one.“
“What was the revelation?“
“I’ve seen the distorted world and invisible gears that kept appearing time after time. Many times, and too many. Beside that, my whole body would be convulsing as if I was possessed. I believed that was the reason for your discovery.“
(Eeh…)
Falma ponders upon the unexpected revelations. So then he asks as if he has some clues about it.
“Right after the revelation…did you have intense headaches? Probably the longest would be a few hours.“
Juliana eyes are wide opened.
“I did! That was always the case! The priests said that was exactly reason because of the revelation from the guardian deity…!“
Juliana nods in excitement after Falma surprised her, however, he was simply evaluating her symptoms.
“If that was it, it would be a scintillating scot (scintillating scotoma) [6]. Also, I think there was an epilepsy episode.“
Falma discussed it with her, just significant enough to cause her to almost sprawl out on her desk. Falma stated in disappointment that, if a third party observed such a symptomatology, they would discuss it as rumors such as godliness and possession of demons. As far as the [Diagnosis Eye] examination of Juliana’s condition, it seems that it had subsided for now.
“As you saw, scintillating scot is a precursor to migraine headaches, similar to the flickering of gears, swirl marks, and distorted spaces when blood vessels in the brain contract and then dilate, affecting the visual cortex. It’s not a mysterious phenomenon, but a physiological phenomenon that can happen to anyone, and Juliana probably wonders why you’re suffering with such a terrible migraine.“
Juliana titls her neck as she can’t comprehend Falma’s discussion.
“In other words, does it mean that anyone can see it?“
“If so, that’s pretty much the case. You probably saw that gear many times when you were a kid, but now it’s gradually decreasing hasn’t it? The epilepsy is when you’re in a state where your brain becomes excited regardless if you’re being possessed, but you’re not at the moment right?“
The scintillating scot could disappear during maturity. Same with epilepsy. If she worries about it now, preventative prescribed medicine can be issued.
“So it’s only just that! I don’t think the guardian deity will tell you that you are the chosen one…“
Juliana has a complicated face. All her training and hardships for being a chosen one are like passing water bubbles to her. She appears to be refreshed now.
“I finally got rid of it off my chest.“
“That’s good to hear. Are there any other young ones like yourself?“
She basically only needed to be good with her divine power to become a priest, but there were a few other people who became priests similar to Juliana’s situation. However, if Juliana planned on returning back to the church, she could not foretell what kind of treatment would be awaiting for her. He knew too much of her vital secrets.
“Are you willing to defect from the Holy City and reside within the Empire?“
“I can’t do it, no matter how good it is…it’s not easy to abandon my nationality, aside from getting myself killed the moment I leave the Holy City.“
“So that’s it. Then, leave it to me.“
Falma marched down to the first floor after he mentioned it, and walked straight toward the priests. The priests stand up as they think it is over.
“Please take this message to the Holy City as I will be protecting Juliana. My hope is for her to remain in the Empire.“
The priests were taken aback. And then, they assume a defensive posture to announce their statement.
“Wha, what kind of nonsense she did she spew out. I can’t allow that, since she’s a priest and a subject of the Holy City.“
Falma wasn’t distressed.
“There were countless bruises and scratches on her body. She falls under the category of ‘a person who has been persecuted and unable to live in her home country.’ Since that’s the case, she is a refugee. Mr. Cedric, please recite the international law and refugee protection clause for this case under the treaty.“
“The international treaties stipulate that if a person is found to be persecuted, he or she must not be returned to a country where his or her life or freedom is threatened.“
Without a clear clue to what had happened, Cedric immediately answered in light of the law. Cedric’s mind is like a perfectly living dictionary, filled with imperial and international laws. Ellen immediately notices Juliana’s plight while listening to the discussion, and chimes in to help.
“Didn’t the Holy City conclude with an international treaty?“
The priests can’t help but back down as Falma is unwilling to hand Juliana over, so they leave for home empty-handed without a choice.
Juliana is recognized as a refugee after she abandoned her Holy City homeland and nationality. Falma took the initiative in taking photographs of Juliana’s scarred body, despite the protesting Holy City calling it as unjust, requesting a neutral third-country doctor for diagnosis not connected to either the Empire or the Holy City, and prepared a report. He was allowed to carry out the execution without confirmation (with the Empress).
Thanks to Falma’s contact with the Empress, she is given a protective haven within the palace a week later with an Imperial nationality. When Juliana sees Salomon within the palace, it can be said that she has met up with a ghost.
“The Great Church is horrendous. I may need to drive it out of the Imperial Capital.“
The Empress was indignant when she heard of Juliana’s circumstances, with Juliana’s incident where she attacked Falma.
“Because they can control the divine power, this is no longer the case in reality.“
Salomon responded to the Empress.
The reason why countries other than the Holy City, including the Empire, could not have strong presences within the church was due to the Holy City and the churches monopolized the art of opening and closing the divine veins, and if the priests disappear, yearly newborn’s bodies could not longer become divine messengers.
Even though the church was to be banished from the Imperial Capital, the Empire was still vast. If the churches from the various parts of the Empire retreated all at once, Empire would be incapacitated all at the same time. In fact, even if one reviewed the historical records, the country that abandoned the usages of divine power by removing itself from the Holy City, it soon was weakened and succumbed under the other countries, and eventually decided to resubmit to the Holy City once again.
The Empire was now the source of the Inquisitor, knowing the core secrets of the church that was bound by a spell to prevent the church’s betrayal, securing its foundation by researching the entire divine system and Falma’s curse. They have Saloman, an ex-Inquisitor. It seemed that the Empress decided that it was time to get both of her hands in getting things in motion.
“Salomon, and Juliana. I’ll provide you secret identities.“
The Empress’s secret identities for the two former priests. It would establish the respect for the guardian deity, abolish the rudeness (of religion domination?), start a practical Orthodox religion in accordance with the original doctrine of the church, and raise excellent godly vessels as priests.
“The guardian deity resided within our country and would no longer confound us to be like the Holy City.“
If this became known by the Holy City, it would be a dangerous outcome that would allow the Empire to be internationally subjugated as an excuse.[7]
Falma was completely unaware of such a tactic, while finally entering the Saint Fleuve Imperial Medical College’s new semester. Falma donned his university-designated professor’s mortarboard for the ceremony, where his robe had an undergraduate emblem and goldsmithing insignia. Ellen told him to take a photo.
“It’s absolutely fun to be in it.“
“That’s not the case here, since it looks good on you, Professor Falma. I’m sure your small academic gown was custom-made.“
“So it’s really a custom order. Since it’s not my entrance ceremony, you’re taking way too many photos of me.“
Falma wondered if there were other young professors.
“Was this the entrance ceremony? The graduation ceremony will be spectacular.“
“I see. I didn’t attend the entrance ceremony.“
Ellen laughed. Falma recalled of the grand entrance ceremonies, but there were almost no entrance ceremonies in Europe and the United States. This was due to the different admission time.[8]
When he went to the auditorium with Ellen at the designated time, the students had already begun to gather. Since Falma is a faculty member, he goes up to the stage along with the other professors to take their seats.
As soon as the university bell rings right on time, and right after the national anthem is performed, Bruno takes the stage to present his presidential speech. When the vice president cites out the names of all the enrollees, the students stand up.
The first year is:
30 medical students
20 people for the Faculty of Pharmacy
30 people for Faculty of Comprehensive Medicine
20 people for the Faculty of Clinical Laboratory.
“The 100 mentioned people are first-year students of the Saint Fleuve’s Imperial University of Medicine. We welcome you. Now for the class Representative, the acting Chief, Emmerich Bauer.“
The young man acting as Chief that received the admission directly from Bruno was a familiar student of Falma.
(So that’s the young child is the acting Chief of the Faculty of Medicine. That has a German-like name.)
Through Falma’s perspective, he’s only a “child”.
On the day of the results’ announcement, he was the young man who refused to take Falma’s lecture because he said, “I haven’t heard about a child will be the one to be lecturing me.“
(I’m glad that an excellent student like him didn’t drop out because of that.)
Afterwards, it was traditionally decided to wear a banded staff belt engraved with the faculty emblem even though there was no specific school uniform, and a presentation ceremony was held. The students that got through taking the difficult examination were impressed of the belt and grabbed it with invested emotion.
Falma has a strong hope this year about the special selection frame of commoner students that can not use divine power, they simply receive the university-designated belt instead of a staff belt, but they are students of the same department. There is no discrimination on the basis of divine power or ethnicity.
“Starting this semester, the revised system of all faculties was due to the new restructuring of the university. Each dean will greet you.“
It becomes a sight where each dean provides the greetings. Falma must also says his greetings of course.
Falma feels uplifted.
Footnotes:
[1] A nice way of saying, “Let’s party like the Empire is ending” since the Empress is a party beast.
[2] The author uses the “ルイ皇子” as Prince Rui as an impersonal name rather than Prince Lois/Luis in the past in Volume 1, Chapter 11
[3] An olden French’s folk dancing style in the ballroom or townsquare dance floor going in a circle.
[4] SFX for over exertion, “Ouchie ouchie ouchie”. Sounds like me waking up in the morning after a prior night workout.
[5] An idiom similar to “there’s a sucker in every crowd”.
[6] It developed due to the expansion and contraction of blood vessels in the brain, commonly occurs when the blood flow in the occipital region of the brain that is responsible for human visual that suddenly deteriorates for some reason and then heals. It can result from life-related causes such as excessive stress, smoking, coffee and alcohol, and overeating chocolate and nuts. Yeah, I’m guilty for 3: coffee, chocolate, and nuts.
[7] Could this be referring to the holy war’s campaigns?
[8] Not sure what the author was trying to say. Could it be because it was the school first time opening its door after the renovation?
In the late of September. Falma held an annual outdoor private curry party for the invited pharmacy’s staff, the customers, and the officials, using a plethora of procured spices within the city of Saint Fleuve.
Even though the open party was being held in private this year again, the number of invited people also increased and it turned into an unprecedented scale that was no longer a secret.
With it being at such a large scale, it couldn’t be possibly hidden from the Empress so Falma carefully attempted to invite her in his diligence, however, he was relieved to hear her refusal in accepting the invitation since her ability to handle spicy foods was poor. If the Empress participates, there will be a massive commotion and it will no longer be a gathering to display their daily gratitude. On top of that, the typical ball that was planned after the meal would not be a casual one since it tended to be a “Le Grand Bal” [1], since its prestige would probably rise to the point where plenty of people without noble’s mannerism couldn’t dance.
However, Prince Lui [2] attends for a little while instead of the Empress for the special day. When the prince arrived at the party, there were quite a few regular customers attempting to entertain the prince to gain his favors because there were not many occasions where the commoners could see his presence. At the same time, the Prince’s surrounded area was closed off due to his escort…
“Welcome to you among us all. Did our food fit your Highness’s taste?“
Falma greeted the prince while he was innocently eating the curry. The surrounding patrons were surprised to see Falma exchanged words with the prince even though he is the prince of the great Empire with, “I’m glad to see you!” with excitement, but they soon realized that he’s also Falma’s patient. Such a simple greeting.
“Un, I enjoy it. I’ll ensure to bring back the medical cooking style.“
(Oh, this is my favorite kind of food. The children love the curry.)
Falma replies although he thinks everything is good.
“That was my problem. What should I do for my today’s dinner when the cook has already left?“
“Hahaha, you’re joking.“
The prince appeared to be filled with self-confidence after seeing Falma’s feeble facial expression.
After the main appetizer curry was served, numerous hors d’oeuvres and sweets followed after, along with the orchestra’s performance signifies the starting of a ball. Falma wonders whether or not he should invite Ellen like last year, but Ellen was currently in a heated quarrel with Palle. They are probably hungry as they are having a divine battle along the river.
“As of today, I will make various things clear!“
“That’s my line. Wave your staff around rather than moving that mouth of yours! I’ll soak you to the core!“
(Come on already. Be in moderation, you two…the prince is also present.)
Falma erected an ice barrier between the two and the invited guests. The prince and guests should not get soaked from the battle between the two water-based divine users.
(I wonder why they ended up trying to show each other off immediately the way they are…it could be a good or bad thing.)
Falma shook his head lightly while walking away, and Lotte’s eyes met up with his. Again, her cheeks swelled up like a squirrel as she stuffed herself with dessert chocolate.
“Vo yu vant sum?“
Her pronunciation was so terrible that it couldn’t be understood.
“I don’t want any chocolate, but I wanted to invite Lotte this year.“
Falma didn’t invite Lotte last year because he wasn’t ashamed of Lotte, but because of her lack of knowledge to perform the baroque dance, but Lotte was overjoyed when she saw it for this year.
“Hank hou fery much! Hihi no good? Mi sheeks lar haffy voo.“
(Did you say you’re very happy?)
“Are you willing to be my partner? My lady.“
As Falma invited her to the dance floor according to the custom mannerism, and Lotte gazes at him with her bright red face while presenting her hands.
“Heh hi!“
(Did you say something?)
She promptly cleans up her mouth and happily receives Falma’s escort.
“Eeh, it was worth the effort having Eleonor-sama taught me during our lunch break at the pharmacy!“
Lotte had learned the baroque dance this year after receiving Ellen’s special training.
The gavotte-like folk’s dance [3] that moves in a circular fashion has started in the middle of the dance floor as the orchestra begins to play the minuet for the couple-dance. The minuet is a court dancing style in pairs, with a strict dancing formation, and can easily be ruined if even one person made a mistake with poor movements in the steps. However, the dance is composed of only well-known and famous pieces so that everyone can easily perform to.
“You’re doing great, Lotte.“
Falma dances around and around with light steps while clasping with Lotte’s hands, and smiling with glee. It is hard to visualize that this is her official dance for the first time on such an occasion. One can see the result of the daily practices.
“It’s like a dream to have Falma-sama leading me.“
“Is that so? Do you have something in mind to take you to the dance with?“
“…Mm, that is.“
Lotte became turmoil to the point of stumbling, and Falma gently places his hand around her waist just before she falls over.
“Aah, thank you very much!“
The conclusion of the battle between Ellen and Pallee was over the moment the song ended. They are both exhausted so they are taken to their respective mansions by means of the stretchers and carriages.
“Aitatata [4]. Well, sorry to say that Palle-kun couldn’t handle all of it!“
Ellen toyed around with the refreshed Palle the next day after she came to work, with a stiff body.
“There isn’t anything wrong with my brother.“
Falma replied with his honest opinion. Palle is not an unforgiving person even toward girls and children beside adjusting his attitude for his patients.
“Aah, my body feels like a rock! At such a time like this, my body will be relaxed if I have Juliana-chan’s magical massage done on me…I wonder when the next time she will come to visit.“
“Juliana huh…I wonder if she will come back here.“
Falma had sent several letters to Juliana in the Holy City but it was futile. She thought it was better if she warned the Imperial City’s priest back then.
“You don’t have to talk so seriously. She’s probably quite busy herself.“
Ellen expressed with exaggeration while placing her glasses back on.
“Falma-sama, I want to meet Juliana-san again. I miss her, and I want to see her again too ~“
Lotte missed her while rubbing Ellen’s shoulders instead of Juliana. The pharmacy staff thought Juliana simply returned back to her country and did not know about anything else.
(I’m getting a bit worried, since I have experienced a terrible ordeal in the Holy City.)
She could be feeling regretful at the church because she relied upon Falma’s shoulders to lean on, or she probably didn’t return to the Holy City safely on her way back.
Falma wouldn’t be able to reveal her situation even if he wanted to as he was thinking and worrying about various things, so he wanders around and visits the Imperial Capital’s church. On this related surveillance subject, the head priest, Comb, responded to the turmoil within the church by restoring its calmness. Falma calls for the head priest while remaining outside, and converses with him on his action.
“Good evening. I would like to get in touch with Juliana that appears to have returned to the Holy city, but I haven’t received any reply from her no matter how many letters I’ve sent. Could you please contact the head priest for that location for me?“
“It’s you, Medicine God. What can we get her to do for you?“
Comb became overly suspicious when Juliana’s name was mentioned.
With resolution, the suspicious Falma asks for her as he observes them in their panics.
“I was wondering about her delivery for the Great Church of the thing that was entrusted to her.“
Falma requested to see Juliana to confirm the proper delivery of the treasure sword, which contained his divine power, to the Great Priest.
“The other reason is that I want her to perform the divine massage on me.“
“If you are searching for divine massaging, I’ll call some of the people that are good at it from the Imperial City’s Church.“
“I rather have Juliana be the one.“
It seemed like Juliana-san was in good shape. And Falma ensured to emphasize his need for her. Falma did not give in and only focused on Juliana.
“So you have your reason for her special massage.“
The priests were discussing this in private, so it seemed all was good…It was something of a perverted discussion.
“That’s not it!“
(Think of it as my preference for that girl…)
The suspicious misunderstanding about the sneaking around turned back into a subtle atmosphere, but Falma could not withdraw his decision since it was for Juliana’s safety, so he slammed his hand onto the outer wall of the church after walking up closer.
“? Something is happening.“
“This church’s external wall composes of the same material as the Great Church right?“
“That’s correct.“
Comb gazes at Falma as he has his hands on the superb outer wall. While looking at Comb, Falma begins to focus.
(“Erase calcium carbonate”)
As Falma invoked his Erase Substance ability for the calcium carbonate, which happens to be the main component of the wall, the outer protective layer of the church immediately disappeared when the material is erased.
“Hiih…hiiiih! Wh-what did you just do!?“
Comb trembls at the threat from the easy-going Falma.
Since Comb was unaware of Falma’s ability to create and erase matter, he assumes that Falma used the mysterious power of the guardian deity to destroy the wall.
Salomon told him about the Great Church’s utilization of a single type of material, imbued with magical application to absorb the divine power. Falma wondered about the possibility in erasing that single material type.
“Based on the rumor about the Great Church, are there dozens of underground levels?“
Falma asked using a bluff.
“So then, what happened if I removed all the levels of the Great Church?“
The moment Falma invokes the ability to remove the bottom levels, all the priests of the city will fall tens of meters and die instantly without even a fight. Comb resounded his agreement with snots running down from his nose.
“I can arrive at the Holy City within an hour if I feel like it.“
“Let, let me try to reach out to the Holy City immediately…“
A few days later, two priests who were designated to bring a woman along arrived at the front of the Different World Pharmacy.
Even though her face was covered with a veil and could not be seen, Falma recognized her immediately. Apparently, the Holy City had succumbed to Falma’s threat and gave Juliana up.
(Don’t act so sloppily, Holy City.)
Falma is very pleased to see her again while thinking about it.
“Juliana, how have you been? Let’s go inside.“
“Kyaah, it’s Juliana!“
Ellen was very welcoming. She desires the divine massage. Juliana appeared to be as if she was ill from Falma’s perspective. The attending priests are sitting at the corner of the store while observing Juliana to prevent her escape.
“Excuse me, I’ll send her back to the church safely when she’s done.“
When Falma implicitly attempted to relieve the priests, the priests refused by shaking their heads from side to side.
“We will be waiting for her to complete, so please take your time and take it slowly.“
“Ah, really now.“
Juliana appears to be downtrodden as she enters the counseling room, so Falma is the first to talk.
“Was the divine power sufficient to move some of the gears?“
Juliana began to sob as soon as she heard the question, so Falma decided to move her upstairs into the quarantine office. At this rate, the priests could not eavesdrop on their discussion, and they would not be able to interject on what they didn’t know.
“It’s safe here. There are no windows and the entire room is soundproofed, so they cannot hear our voices downstairs. Please do fill me in if you are willing to talk.“
Falma opened up the bottle of juice, offered a drink to Juliana and inquired of her his question.
“Thanks to Falma-sama’s divine power, we succeeded in rewinding the ruse gear for at least 175 years.“
“That’s great.“
Falma was relieved to hear that Juliana was able to serve her purpose.
“However… I was naive, and stupid.“
Juliana confided to him in an incohesive manner. The Great Priest did not appear to be discussing with Falma of this contribution, and strove to seal the secret in the basement of the Great Church. They were urgently developing a more powerful god-sealing method. Falma was deemed as an imminent danger. Juliana speaks with regrets.
“Is that right. You revealed quite a bit to me…but, everything is fine. I’m not going to be sealed that easily no matter what that person can do. I’m not that stupid either.“
“I also have another treasure sword as a sample…“
“Wahaha, you’re turning out like a thug. I’m wondering if there are any thugs that can honestly tell you that.“
Falma smiled bitterly as he mentioned about her action. Once her veil is removed, he notices the marks on her as though she was hit on her face. Bruises are not only visible on her face, but also all over her body. Falma treats Juliana immediately.
“Am I imagining it has gotten worse? I said I would cooperate, but why would this happen?“
“It seems that the Great Church is convinced that the guardian deity cannot be trusted since the humans cannot communicate with them.“
(Surely, I threatened to destroy the church. But somehow that’s not the case.)
Falma started to get a pounding headache.
“How did you, which was incomprehensible to me, receive the role as the person in charge for retrieving my divine power?“
Falma was pondering about Juliana being the inferior to Saloman in terms of divine power for this job, as it was a requirement for a priest to be high in standing, such as any priest higher than Saloman of an Inquisitor rank.
It was as if they picked her out among the chestnuts within the fire [5] and entrusted her with the treasure sword, convincing her that it was her own treasure item. Falma wants to confirm if the Great Church is short on staff.
“It was due to the reason that I was chosen as the one who received the revelation of the ruse gear… Since then, I have received a special education designed for the chosen one.“
“What was the revelation?“
“I’ve seen the distorted world and invisible gears that kept appearing time after time. Many times, and too many. Beside that, my whole body would be convulsing as if I was possessed. I believed that was the reason for your discovery.“
(Eeh…)
Falma ponders upon the unexpected revelations. So then he asks as if he has some clues about it.
“Right after the revelation…did you have intense headaches? Probably the longest would be a few hours.“
Juliana eyes are wide opened.
“I did! That was always the case! The priests said that was exactly reason because of the revelation from the guardian deity…!“
Juliana nods in excitement after Falma surprised her, however, he was simply evaluating her symptoms.
“If that was it, it would be a scintillating scot (scintillating scotoma) [6]. Also, I think there was an epilepsy episode.“
Falma discussed it with her, just significant enough to cause her to almost sprawl out on her desk. Falma stated in disappointment that, if a third party observed such a symptomatology, they would discuss it as rumors such as godliness and possession of demons. As far as the [Diagnosis Eye] examination of Juliana’s condition, it seems that it had subsided for now.
“As you saw, scintillating scot is a precursor to migraine headaches, similar to the flickering of gears, swirl marks, and distorted spaces when blood vessels in the brain contract and then dilate, affecting the visual cortex. It’s not a mysterious phenomenon, but a physiological phenomenon that can happen to anyone, and Juliana probably wonders why you’re suffering with such a terrible migraine.“
Juliana titls her neck as she can’t comprehend Falma’s discussion.
“In other words, does it mean that anyone can see it?“
“If so, that’s pretty much the case. You probably saw that gear many times when you were a kid, but now it’s gradually decreasing hasn’t it? The epilepsy is when you’re in a state where your brain becomes excited regardless if you’re being possessed, but you’re not at the moment right?“
The scintillating scot could disappear during maturity. Same with epilepsy. If she worries about it now, preventative prescribed medicine can be issued.
“So it’s only just that! I don’t think the guardian deity will tell you that you are the chosen one…“
Juliana has a complicated face. All her training and hardships for being a chosen one are like passing water bubbles to her. She appears to be refreshed now.
“I finally got rid of it off my chest.“
“That’s good to hear. Are there any other young ones like yourself?“
She basically only needed to be good with her divine power to become a priest, but there were a few other people who became priests similar to Juliana’s situation. However, if Juliana planned on returning back to the church, she could not foretell what kind of treatment would be awaiting for her. He knew too much of her vital secrets.
“Are you willing to defect from the Holy City and reside within the Empire?“
“I can’t do it, no matter how good it is…it’s not easy to abandon my nationality, aside from getting myself killed the moment I leave the Holy City.“
“So that’s it. Then, leave it to me.“
Falma marched down to the first floor after he mentioned it, and walked straight toward the priests. The priests stand up as they think it is over.
“Please take this message to the Holy City as I will be protecting Juliana. My hope is for her to remain in the Empire.“
The priests were taken aback. And then, they assume a defensive posture to announce their statement.
“Wha, what kind of nonsense she did she spew out. I can’t allow that, since she’s a priest and a subject of the Holy City.“
Falma wasn’t distressed.
“There were countless bruises and scratches on her body. She falls under the category of ‘a person who has been persecuted and unable to live in her home country.’ Since that’s the case, she is a refugee. Mr. Cedric, please recite the international law and refugee protection clause for this case under the treaty.“
“The international treaties stipulate that if a person is found to be persecuted, he or she must not be returned to a country where his or her life or freedom is threatened.“
Without a clear clue to what had happened, Cedric immediately answered in light of the law. Cedric’s mind is like a perfectly living dictionary, filled with imperial and international laws. Ellen immediately notices Juliana’s plight while listening to the discussion, and chimes in to help.
“Didn’t the Holy City conclude with an international treaty?“
The priests can’t help but back down as Falma is unwilling to hand Juliana over, so they leave for home empty-handed without a choice.
Juliana is recognized as a refugee after she abandoned her Holy City homeland and nationality. Falma took the initiative in taking photographs of Juliana’s scarred body, despite the protesting Holy City calling it as unjust, requesting a neutral third-country doctor for diagnosis not connected to either the Empire or the Holy City, and prepared a report. He was allowed to carry out the execution without confirmation (with the Empress).
Thanks to Falma’s contact with the Empress, she is given a protective haven within the palace a week later with an Imperial nationality. When Juliana sees Salomon within the palace, it can be said that she has met up with a ghost.
“The Great Church is horrendous. I may need to drive it out of the Imperial Capital.“
The Empress was indignant when she heard of Juliana’s circumstances, with Juliana’s incident where she attacked Falma.
“Because they can control the divine power, this is no longer the case in reality.“
Salomon responded to the Empress.
The reason why countries other than the Holy City, including the Empire, could not have strong presences within the church was due to the Holy City and the churches monopolized the art of opening and closing the divine veins, and if the priests disappear, yearly newborn’s bodies could not longer become divine messengers.
Even though the church was to be banished from the Imperial Capital, the Empire was still vast. If the churches from the various parts of the Empire retreated all at once, Empire would be incapacitated all at the same time. In fact, even if one reviewed the historical records, the country that abandoned the usages of divine power by removing itself from the Holy City, it soon was weakened and succumbed under the other countries, and eventually decided to resubmit to the Holy City once again.
The Empire was now the source of the Inquisitor, knowing the core secrets of the church that was bound by a spell to prevent the church’s betrayal, securing its foundation by researching the entire divine system and Falma’s curse. They have Saloman, an ex-Inquisitor. It seemed that the Empress decided that it was time to get both of her hands in getting things in motion.
“Salomon, and Juliana. I’ll provide you secret identities.“
The Empress’s secret identities for the two former priests. It would establish the respect for the guardian deity, abolish the rudeness (of religion domination?), start a practical Orthodox religion in accordance with the original doctrine of the church, and raise excellent godly vessels as priests.
“The guardian deity resided within our country and would no longer confound us to be like the Holy City.“
If this became known by the Holy City, it would be a dangerous outcome that would allow the Empire to be internationally subjugated as an excuse.[7]
Falma was completely unaware of such a tactic, while finally entering the Saint Fleuve Imperial Medical College’s new semester. Falma donned his university-designated professor’s mortarboard for the ceremony, where his robe had an undergraduate emblem and goldsmithing insignia. Ellen told him to take a photo.
“It’s absolutely fun to be in it.“
“That’s not the case here, since it looks good on you, Professor Falma. I’m sure your small academic gown was custom-made.“
“So it’s really a custom order. Since it’s not my entrance ceremony, you’re taking way too many photos of me.“
Falma wondered if there were other young professors.
“Was this the entrance ceremony? The graduation ceremony will be spectacular.“
“I see. I didn’t attend the entrance ceremony.“
Ellen laughed. Falma recalled of the grand entrance ceremonies, but there were almost no entrance ceremonies in Europe and the United States. This was due to the different admission time.[8]
When he went to the auditorium with Ellen at the designated time, the students had already begun to gather. Since Falma is a faculty member, he goes up to the stage along with the other professors to take their seats.
As soon as the university bell rings right on time, and right after the national anthem is performed, Bruno takes the stage to present his presidential speech. When the vice president cites out the names of all the enrollees, the students stand up.
The first year is:
30 medical students
20 people for the Faculty of Pharmacy
30 people for Faculty of Comprehensive Medicine
20 people for the Faculty of Clinical Laboratory.
“The 100 mentioned people are first-year students of the Saint Fleuve’s Imperial University of Medicine. We welcome you. Now for the class Representative, the acting Chief, Emmerich Bauer.“
The young man acting as Chief that received the admission directly from Bruno was a familiar student of Falma.
(So that’s the young child is the acting Chief of the Faculty of Medicine. That has a German-like name.)
Through Falma’s perspective, he’s only a “child”.
On the day of the results’ announcement, he was the young man who refused to take Falma’s lecture because he said, “I haven’t heard about a child will be the one to be lecturing me.“
(I’m glad that an excellent student like him didn’t drop out because of that.)
Afterwards, it was traditionally decided to wear a banded staff belt engraved with the faculty emblem even though there was no specific school uniform, and a presentation ceremony was held. The students that got through taking the difficult examination were impressed of the belt and grabbed it with invested emotion.
Falma has a strong hope this year about the special selection frame of commoner students that can not use divine power, they simply receive the university-designated belt instead of a staff belt, but they are students of the same department. There is no discrimination on the basis of divine power or ethnicity.
“Starting this semester, the revised system of all faculties was due to the new restructuring of the university. Each dean will greet you.“
It becomes a sight where each dean provides the greetings. Falma must also says his greetings of course.
Falma feels uplifted.
Footnotes:
[1] A nice way of saying, “Let’s party like the Empire is ending” since the Empress is a party beast.
[2] The author uses the “ルイ皇子” as Prince Rui as an impersonal name rather than Prince Lois/Luis in the past in Volume 1, Chapter 11
[3] An olden French’s folk dancing style in the ballroom or townsquare dance floor going in a circle.
[4] SFX for over exertion, “Ouchie ouchie ouchie”. Sounds like me waking up in the morning after a prior night workout.
[5] An idiom similar to “there’s a sucker in every crowd”.
[6] It developed due to the expansion and contraction of blood vessels in the brain, commonly occurs when the blood flow in the occipital region of the brain that is responsible for human visual that suddenly deteriorates for some reason and then heals. It can result from life-related causes such as excessive stress, smoking, coffee and alcohol, and overeating chocolate and nuts. Yeah, I’m guilty for 3: coffee, chocolate, and nuts.
[7] Could this be referring to the holy war’s campaigns?
[8] Not sure what the author was trying to say. Could it be because it was the school first time opening its door after the renovation?
