Handshake Event, Or Rather, Healing Gathering (1)

“At last the day has arrived! The handshake event… no, the healing gathering weather is perfect!”

Cordelia, dressed in a white-based Holy Maiden outfit, spoke while looking at the sky through the room’s window.

Outside was not a brilliantly clear sky but a thin overcast veil across the heavens, which actually suited Cordelia better.

Sunlight that was too strong could sometimes become harmful. Compared to that, with the current weather and temperature there was no fear of a newspaper headline reading, “Heatstroke Outbreak at the Holy Maiden’s Healing Gathering!” For publicity, risk management was also an important duty.

“Even so, with this number of people a different accident could happen… Lily, could you urgently contact Father? For crowd control, I want to borrow as much manpower from the mansion as possible.”

“Understood. I will contact him immediately.”

After seeing Lily off, Cordelia next looked down at the palace plaza. Even though it was still two hours before the healing gathering began, it was already packed enough to spill out beyond the plaza. The lively bustle seemed audible even from here, reminding her of an attraction park from her previous life.

Thanks to the knights she had stationed in advance forming orderly lines, no major confusion had occurred, but according to reports quite a number of people were already outside the plaza.

“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to limit entry already.”

They had to act before the numbers became uncontrollable.

Just as she thought that, the door to the room was knocked. Isaac and Jean peeked in, and Cordelia clasped her hands in delight.

“Your Highness! You’ve arrived at just the right moment!”

“It seems extremely crowded. I have dispatched additional knights outside the plaza—anything else needed?”

“That helps tremendously. For now, I intend to temporarily stop registration. As exceptions, I would like to admit the seriously ill, the elderly, children, and pregnant women.”

“Understood. I’ll arrange it.”

Cordelia then turned toward Jean.

“Jean, it looks like it will be a long operation. When help arrives, please distribute the prepared water to those who want it together with Lily. Also assign several people to guide visitors around the restrooms. And if someone seems to need urgent treatment, bring them in with priority.”

“Water, toilets, and severe cases. Understood, Holy Maiden-sama.”

After that, the palace immediately fell into utter commotion. Giving orders here and there, by the time the healing gathering began in the “Celestite Chamber,” Cordelia needed a moment just to steady her breathing.

Taking a sip of water as if preparing for battle, she put on her finest business smile.

“Now then, let us begin the healing gathering.”

At the very front of the line was a boy who appeared not even ten years old. According to reports, he had lined up before sunrise.

“Good day. I am Cordelia. What is your name?”

“I’m Jack!”

“What illness do you have, Jack? Or is it an injury?”

“I ain’t sick. My mom is.”

Cordelia widened her eyes at the boy’s blunt words.

“Your mother? …Then where is she?”

“At home.”

The boy answered firmly, and Cordelia nearly slipped off her chair.

Jack leaned forward energetically, spittle flying from his mouth.

“My mom’s got a baby in her belly! But she looks really sick, and lately she can’t even get outta bed and just keeps lying down.”

“I understand. Then could you guide these gentlemen to your house? It will be difficult, but please have your mother brought here.”

Cordelia had a stretcher prepared and sent two knights off together with Jack. While waiting for them to return, she began treating the next person.

The second was a young man of working age. Barely finishing his greeting, he thrust forward a hand whose middle finger bent unnaturally.

“Um… can you fix it? I broke it, but I couldn’t afford a proper healer, and when I left it alone the bone set the wrong way…”

“Let me see.”

At her words, the man obediently complied. Holding the crooked finger, Cordelia gently closed her eyes and searched with her magical power.