A Mysterious Young Man

Since arriving in the village, Elaine had been in a constant state of surprise. First was Arthur’s eagerness to treat the wounded. Nobles were usually preoccupied with appearances. That’s why the Village Chief had been so desperate to thank both her and Arthur with utmost sincerity.

But Arthur, as if he didn’t care about such things at all, had simply ordered them to take him to the hut. To Elaine, he seemed to prioritize the injured over matters of honor, and she found herself smiling unintentionally.

What shocked her even more happened once they reached the hut. The poison involved this time was contagious. Poisons came in many types, but contagious ones were without exception highly potent. It wasn’t something you could ask a foreign prince to deal with without political negotiation.

That was why Elaine had planned to gently tell him, “We’ll handle this on our own.”

“Lord Arthur, what shall we do? The poison is more troublesome than expected…”

“What are you saying? I came here to heal!! Of course I’m not going to run away!”

But Arthur answered immediately. He ignored her attempts to stop him and entered the hut. His resolve was admirable—but he wasn’t just any person. He was royalty.

If something went wrong, it could turn into an international incident.

“Wha… Prince Arthur!? Ugh, stop acting on your own!!”

Her voice rose in panic, and her composed mask slipped—but her worries turned out to be unfounded. Whether by using healing magic on himself or some other means, he appeared unfazed by the poison.

And then, he began treating the injured without delay. Elaine was once again shocked. His healing ability was astonishing. The pallid face of a young man who seemed too weak to even eat began to regain color almost instantly… and for a moment, Elaine felt like he looked her way.

Was that look asking, “Aren’t you going to do anything?”

Ashamed of having done nothing, Elaine quickly cast her own healing spell. Her magic was powerful and capable of covering a wide area. But even with such strength, it took considerable time to complete the healing.

Wait—did that man just neutralize such a strong poison in that short time!?

Elaine was shaken by the extent of Arthur’s healing power. And while she was still stunned, Arthur continued moving from one patient to the next without pause.

His figure was so dedicated… that Elaine felt embarrassed for having viewed him through the lens of rivalry and prejudice.

“I’m doooone!! Everyone’s healed!!”

Once everyone had been treated, Arthur collapsed inside the hut. But it didn’t seem lazy at all. Healing magic was mentally exhausting. That he had worked so earnestly to heal the citizens of another nation, all while enduring that strain…

What surprised Elaine next was the maid’s actions. As soon as Arthur declared the treatment finished, she entered the hut without hesitation. A normal person would hesitate to step into a room that had been full of poison, even if it had supposedly been cleansed. But she showed not even the slightest hesitation.

She truly trusted Prince Arthur from the bottom of her heart…

Realizing that, Elaine felt ashamed for having even slightly doubted him. And as she watched Arthur leaning on the maid for support… she felt compelled to say something.

“Well… thank you.”

“Mm, yeah, don’t mention it.”

What came out of her mouth was a simple phrase. And he replied as if it were only natural. Even though he had performed healing that, under normal circumstances, would have required political negotiation and massive donations…

His demeanor reminded her of the “Holy King” from the picture books she had once admired—and Elaine realized her heart was beginning to race.