Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 88

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 88   Something that cannot be negotiable

Fourteenth day. Before noon.

The number of patients left to treat: 100.

I’ve hardly taken any breaks.

I had meals while continuing the treatment.

Thanks to that, I’m about to finish treating everyone.

All the remaining patients have been brought into this facility.

As long as I don’t faint, I should be able to treat everyone.

The end is in sight.

However, there’s almost no strength left in my body.

My arms are supported by Rafi and Winona.

I can’t tell if the one being cared for is a patient or me.

It’s undignified.

But I continue the treatment.

I decided to do it, no matter what condition I’m in. I will see it through.

This is just sheer determination.

But that determination might save someone.

100 more people.

I’ll definitely treat them.

If I let my guard down, it feels like I’ll lose consciousness.

I won’t collapse here when I’m so close.

Suddenly, a voice came from above.

“Hey, Shion. Are you okay!?”

It was Rafi’s voice.

I didn’t understand the situation.

I didn’t even know what she was talking about.

Reality and dream blurred together.

Oh, I see.

There’s no strength in my arms.

My arms have completely lost sensation.

There’s only a faint sensation, close to a sixth sense, of the flow of magical power.

It’s barely assisting in supplying magical power.

If this sensation disappears, I’ll faint.

I tried to say I’m still okay.

But I couldn’t even utter a word.

I took a deep breath, trying to exhale from my lungs as much as I could.

I might really die like this.

Why am I doing this?

Even if I didn’t try so hard, those who couldn’t be treated wouldn’t die.

Isn’t it enough already?

Even if I give up.

Despite thinking that, my will remains unshaken.

There’s a part of me that says to give up, but it quickly fades away.

I am amazed at how unwilling I am to give up.

That’s right.

It doesn’t matter.

Even if the surroundings laugh at me as foolish, scorn it as meaningless, it doesn’t matter.

Even if I whisper to myself to give up, even if I weakly say it’s the limit, it doesn’t matter.

Because I decided not to give up.

I should have done it from the start if I were going to give up.

I’m unwilling to give up.

Otherwise, it would be a waste.

Doing nothing, shutting myself in, just making excuses without doing anything is boring.

I don’t want to regret anymore.

I’m tired of a dull life.

Don’t be arrogant about what you have, what you know.

Magic power, the people I’ve met, everything that makes up me is not a given.

If it will be lost someday, I should cherish it desperately until that moment.

I couldn’t do that.

So, when I die, there will be regret.

But I don’t want to live that way anymore.

Giving up, losing, regretting, not finding value in life, I don’t want that!

So, I will… definitely see it through.

I can’t speak.

So, I turned to Rafi and gave a small smile.

She seemed to understand my determination just from that.

“I… understand… you’ll keep going.”

Her hands were trembling.

But with a determined glint in her eyes, she bit her lip and supported my arm.

Rafi with the right hand.

Winona with the left hand.

The right hand was placed on the patient’s chest.

But the left hand wouldn’t stretch.

In my hazy vision, I could barely recognize Winona’s face.

She looked dumbfounded, tears streaming down her face.

A look as if she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

Under normal circumstances, when her mind was functioning properly, she might have noticed something.

But I was already at my limit.

The magical power inside me was only around 20,000 to 30,000.

If the upcoming patients require a significant amount of magical power, the treatment will be difficult.

But I don’t have time to think about such things.

Keep going.

Don’t stop.

Continue the treatment.

“You step back. I’ll take over from here.”

Rafi didn’t push her away or treat her gently. Instead, she sent a sincere look to Winona and gently took hold of my left arm.

Winona, still in shock, stepped back.

She, too, had hardly taken any breaks, just like me.

She reached her limit and had fainted a few times, sleeping as if passing out.

Later, she apologized to me multiple times.

Even though it wasn’t necessary.

It was my selfishness that got her involved.

Winona must have accumulated quite a bit of fatigue.

I don’t know the cause, but it seems like the thread of her will was cut.

She retreated to the wall, leaning her weight against it.

With Rafi’s assistance, my hand was placed on the patient.

But Rafi, too, had been with me for more than a day.

It seemed like there were various things even before coming here, and the fatigue was evident on her face.

Rafi didn’t complain.

So, I didn’t understand her hardships.

I’m always being helped by everyone.

I shouldn’t take that for granted.

“Kuh… this is about it.”

Rafi stretched out my arm.

However, it was clear that she had lost quite a bit of stamina, and her hand was shaking.

After finishing the treatment for a few individuals, now the nurses were standing by my side.

“We, we will help too!”

“But, you see…”

Rafi looked troubled.

Both Winona and Rafi had been helping me all this time because I was doing my best.

However, there was no need for Rafi and the others to push themselves too hard.

While there might not be anyone to replace me in treating lazy syndrome, roles like those of Rafi and Winona could be handled by others.

Although I appreciated their feelings, I didn’t want them to overexert themselves.

Having been reliant on others until now, I nodded towards Rafi.

Rafi distorted her face in frustration.

“I’m sorry. If I continue, I might become a burden. I’m sorry, but I leave the rest to you.”

“Yes! Please let us help! We’re more than happy to assist!!!”

As if they had been waiting for this moment, the nurses joyfully raised their voices.

Seeing everyone with smiles on their faces, I muttered to myself.

I’ve encountered good people.

Everyone involved in lazy syndrome is desperately thinking about the patients, providing care, and conducting research on treatment.

There is no gap between them and me.

Everyone shares the same goal – wanting to treat the patients.

So, I no longer hold back.

If there are people willing to help, I’ll accept their assistance.

With the support of the nurses, the treatment progressed.

30 people, 40 people, 50 people, 60 people.

The treatment time had significantly extended.

I initially thought I could treat everyone by early afternoon, but it was already approaching evening.

Yet, there were still 40 people left.

Treating one person took nearly 10 minutes.

At this pace, I might be able to finish the treatment today.

However, my stamina had long surpassed its limits, and I was continuing the treatment on sheer determination alone.

“Haa, haa… th-the next person.”

The patient who regained their voice with the return of magical light was talking with their family for a bit.

Seeing the happy faces of the families gave me strength.

Maybe this is why I’m pushing myself so hard.

Just a bit more.

It’s suffocating.

I can’t feel my body.

The pulsation of magic is gradually becoming inaudible.

Just a bit more.

Just a bit more.

“Pl-please do your best! Doctor Shion!”

Someone said.

Such encouragement was a first.

Small ripples formed on the surface of my thoughts.

“Ah, just a bit more! Doctor! It’s almost there!”

“Doctor Shion… ugh, Doctor Shion! Do your best!”

Encouragement mixed with sobbing from someone.

I didn’t have the strength to lift my face; I just accepted the voices reaching my eardrums.

One by one, the voices rose, and soon, they echoed throughout the room.

Everyone was cheering for me.

It’s pathetic how I’ve worried so many people.

While thinking that, a small flame ignited in my heart.

I felt a little bit of strength returning.

I continued the treatment.

Treated 10 people.

The sky was turning red, and the sun was about to set.

Even so, I didn’t stop my hands.

The voices of encouragement never ceased.

Doctors, nurses, patients’ families.

Even from outside the room, voices resounded.

Everyone was trying to support me.

Their passion was contagious.

I can’t end it here.

I’ll do it.

I’ll definitely see it through.

I treated another 10 people.

Remaining: 20.

The night has fallen.

But I should be able to finish it today.

Treated another 10 people.

Only 10 more.

It’s almost there. I can treat everyone soon.

Just a bit more.

I can treat everyone with this.

The finish line is in sight.

When I thought that, there was a strange feeling in my eardrums.

The continuous cheering abruptly stopped.

Simultaneously, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside, and someone entered the large room.

“Oh, oh, oh? You’ve been treating patients until this late? The deadline is today. And yet, you still haven’t treated everyone. Truly, nobles like you are nothing more than incompetent commoners. With all that time, you still couldn’t finish the treatment.”

It was Fritz.

He said I didn’t need to come in the morning for the remaining few days.

Then why now, of all times?

As usual, he brought several soldiers with him.

I ignored Fritz and continued the treatment.

There’s no time to pay attention to him.

I need to finish quickly.

Fritz walked rudely and came right next to me.

Rafi, who was resting next to me, immediately stood up and moved next to me.

“This is Istria’s stray dog. Oh, how rustic. Managing such a needlessly vast territory like Zeppenlast makes nobles reek of the wilderness.”

“What did you say, you…!”

Rafi’s anger showed on her face. However, Rafi didn’t have a sword, and she was in casual clothes. It seemed like she got some time off, and she wasn’t even wearing any armor.

Even now, I noticed such things belatedly. I have no room for such considerations. The nurses holding my arms are frightened. Because of that, my hands are trembling, and I can’t provide magical power properly. It’s tough in this condition. It’s not their fault. For these commoner nurses, knights are formidable beings.

“What… do you want?”

I was surprised that my voice came out. It seems I still have a bit of stamina left.

“Lord Ornstein, you seem quite tired. Could it be? Working overnight for several days? No, no, surely not. Nobles like you, who can’t do anything without the Queen’s backing, wouldn’t go that far for commoners, right? You wouldn’t do charity for commoners, right? You’re treating patients because it’s the Queen’s command, right?”

Annoying. We’re all exhausted. Don’t come and add more problems. This ignorant knight. Does he not understand how much everyone has struggled? How much they’ve endured? How much they’ve suffered? Why doesn’t he understand the wounds in their hearts? Why doesn’t he try to understand? Suppressing the rising negative emotions, I opened my mouth.

“Please state your business…”

Fritz dramatically tilted his head, wearing a creepy smile. He turned to his subordinates, and they entered the room carrying a stretcher. Someone seemed to be on it—an elegantly dressed young man. Behind him were similarly well-dressed men and women, presumably his parents.

“It’s the Queen’s command. Please proceed with the treatment of the person over there immediately.”

“What did you say!?”

Rafi was the one who reacted strongly to Fritz’s words. She glared at Fritz with clear anger.

“Oh my, anything wrong?”

“There is! The order of treatment was already decided! Other patients have been waiting for their turn patiently. We’ve been treating them in that order until now. Why should we treat that man now?”

I agreed with her. Honestly, if I were in good health, I would have snapped at him first. But in my current condition, even standing up is difficult. Internally, I was grateful that Rafi expressed her anger. Everyone present—nurses, doctors, and patients’ families—should share the same opinion.

Fritz looked around with a smile. When his eyes met someone, they would shrink back in fear and lower their gaze.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. This is the Queen’s command. Peasants and country nobles like you have no right to talk back!! Don’t get too cocky, Zeppenlast’s stray dog. You know, we can easily bring about your downfall just following the Queen’s orders. Got it? Defying the Queen means just that.”

“Damn you!!”

Rafi is a noble’s daughter herself, serving as a mere knight. While she may not understand the intricacies of noble affairs, Fritz’s words are likely not just empty threats. Rafi gritted her teeth in frustration, glaring at Fritz, unable to do anything more.

“Hey! Hurry up and treat my son!”

“Why do we have to be in such a dusty place! Just heal him already! It’s unacceptable for commoners to trouble nobles!”

They were like typical arrogant nobles, completely oblivious to the fact that they stood out in this situation. Or perhaps they simply didn’t care. To them, commoners weren’t considered equals. That was the impression I got.

“Those two are nobles from the Adon Empire, chosen individuals occupying prestigious positions. Do you understand? Nobles of the empire. Lystia is a small nation, and if you offend imperial nobility, it could become a problem later on. If you were the cause, what do you think would happen? Even with your past achievements, going against imperial nobility may not go unpunished. It might extend to your family as well.”

It’s a straightforward threat. For Fritz, obeying orders from me is a matter of course, and the same goes for other commoners. From the perspective of nobles, we are meant to serve them, and I’ve come to understand that.

“You are also here by the Queen’s command. Do you understand? What will happen if you defy it? Now, quickly get to healing. It won’t take much time, will it?”

Certainly, the treatment won’t take more than ten minutes. Even though it’s been prolonged, considering it as a single treatment, it’s not that long. There are only ten remaining patients with lazy syndrome. Even if I treat the noble’s son first, it should still be possible to heal them all by the end of the day. It’s just the beginning of the night.

“Now, hurry up!”

Fritz orders me imperiously. Everyone is watching. You can see it in their eyes. Everyone is thinking, “Just treat the noble first.” It’s not what they truly want; it’s a compromise based on the premise of avoiding conflict. It’s true that this way, there won’t be any problems. There won’t be any neglect of the noble, no conflicts, and things will be settled peacefully. No one likes trouble. If the other party is a noble, you don’t know what will happen if you resist. A wise person wouldn’t refuse here. The answer is clear, isn’t it? I responded immediately.

“I refuse.”