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From that day on, progress in the plague research accelerated. We produced a large quantity of effective remedies, and people could eat nutritious food again. Food supplies had nearly run out, so it had been a close call, but truly fortunate. Patients and medical staff slowly regained strength, and the number of those who recovered steadily grew.

“At this rate, we should be able to completely defeat the plague.”

The senior cleric of the laboratory smiled, looking healthier than before.

“You truly worked hard.”

“Please, speak casually—Chancellor. I don’t know what to do with all this.”

“Ah, sorry—no, my apologies. I’m still not used to it.”

I had the tiresome habit of unconsciously using honorifics with elders. The cleric smiled gently.

“At times like this, you really seem my age.”

“Don’t tease me.”

I instructed the kitchen to prepare a special meal for the research team. As the situation improved, my appetite returned and Aidan nagged me less. If there was a flaw, it was that I hoarded food like some grandmother.

“I think it’s safe to return to the capital now.”

I wrote letters to Ren and the Emperor detailing the situation and results from the plague zone. Prince Raven, Nicola, and Aidan—who had come to visit the camp—looked delighted. Suddenly, Prince Raven embraced me tightly.

“Ugh, I can’t breathe!”

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Aidan frowned and used magic to pry the prince away in an instant. Prince Raven, awkwardly crumpled in a corner, scratched his head.

“I was just so happy. Sorry for startling you, Chancellor. It’s been nearly two months since I arrived here. I want to return to my room now.”

“You once said you didn’t want to go back.”

“How can you compare this to traveling? This is a plague zone. Make sense of what you say.”

The two bickered over nothing.

“There’s one thing we need to do before returning.”

“What’s that?”

It wasn’t necessary, but from what I’d seen in my previous life, if we had the time I wanted to do it. I knew better than anyone how it felt to lose a family.

“A memorial service.”

A week later, a funeral was held for those who had died from the plague. Since the bodies could still carry infection, each was cremated; their ashes were placed in jars and buried. A mournful lament filled the air.

“Sob…!”

“Husband, husband!”

“Don’t go, Mom, Dad!”

“If I’d known it would end like this, puh, I shouldn’t have said that… hic…!”

The clinic’s backyard soon filled with cries. Everyone watched the funeral solemnly. It was necessary; they deserved a final farewell.

Prince Raven’s eulogy continued.

“…(omitted)… Those who contracted the plague, those who caught it while treating patients—all are citizens of the Seraphina Empire. I thank you for your labor and sacrifice, and I will do my utmost to prevent such events in the future. I will never forget today’s tragic incident.”

A roar that was neither purely cheers nor cries—and thunderous applause—rose together. I clasped my hands and murmured as I looked at the jars peacefully laid to rest underground—for those whose weary lives had ended.

How hard it was to live, to endure. Although the world divides the lowly and the noble, I wished their final journey to be peaceful.

The memorial unintentionally bolstered Prince Raven’s popularity. People already liked him because he helped tidy the clinic, did chores without complaint, and diligently cared for patients.

“The nobility we thought distant approached without hesitation, so it’s only natural we felt comfortable.”

It was something only Raven could do. The Crown Prince could never have managed it. Besides, with ample supplies of food and medicine and the plague no longer spreading, good things followed their arrival. The royal family had personally performed rites for dead commoners—how could people’s hearts not be moved?

“His gesture was sincere, not just an act.”

It was one reason he was regarded more highly than the Crown Prince. I didn’t step forward to claim credit; it was far better for Raven to receive that attention.

“Prince, thank you so much!”

“Thanks to you, we’ve all regained our health. Truly, thank you!”

“Long live Prince Raven!”

“Long live His Highness the Prince!”

“Hooray!”

On the morning we returned to the capital, everyone from the clinic came to see us off. They kept grabbing the prince’s hand, endlessly thanking him. At first, people wouldn’t have even thought to touch a royal’s hand. It was proof Raven had grown close to the people. He himself seemed to have shaken something off, a trace of confidence on his face.

“If any difficulties arise, send a letter at any time. I will not spare support until the territory is back to normal.”

“Thank you, Prince Raven.”

At that moment, Nora the cleric and the rest of the laboratory medical staff approached me.

“Travel safely, Chancellor. You truly worked hard.”

“The special meal the Chancellor prepared was delicious. It was the best meal I’ve ever had!”

“You all worked harder than I did. You truly did well.”

“We know. These changes exist because of the Chancellor. Prince Raven is very fortunate.”

I laughed and responded.

“I won’t deny that.”

People giggled. Nora stepped forward.

“I’ll be heading to Resera soon as well.”

“To Resera? Oh my, you’ll have to avoid me then.”

He smiled faintly.

“I’m going to face it head-on. I’m curious what difficult tasks you’ll assign that would warrant advance warning.”

“You’ll regret it, Mr. Neglectful Slave.”

“I’m kidding. Thanks to the Chancellor, my work on plague treatment was recognized and I was transferred.”

“Congratulations. If we have a chance to meet in the capital, let’s have a meal.”

We promised a colleague’s meal. Even if brief, a camaraderie had formed.

“Now that Nora the cleric’s busy work is over, you must really have fun.”

“Yes…?”

Nora was embarrassed by the manager-like joke, but those around only snickered.

“Next time, I hope we meet under better circumstances than a plague.”

It ended well, and that was enough. After saying our goodbyes, we departed for the capital, Resera.

When we entered Resera, an astonishing sight greeted us.

“Long live Prince Raven!”

“Long live the prince who defeated the plague!”

“Long live Aidan!”

“Long live the youngest Chancellor!”

“Long live the Seraphina Empire!”

Citizens had come out to greet us. I stared, gaping out the carriage window at the rare sight. People relentlessly threw flowers at the prince and the support party. We had left shabby, and now returning in triumph perfectly fit the phrase “returning in glory.”

“Coco, is it amazing?”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the view outside the window.

“Yes. It feels like I’m in a fairy tale. Wow…”

I usually only saw celebrities swamped by crowds at airports, so this was my first time experiencing people greeting us in a bustling street.

“Then how about this?”

Aidan snapped his fingers, and flowers began to fall from the sky. The crowd’s cheers grew even louder.

“You can do something like this with magic?”

“Hmm, normally you can’t—only me or a retired Tower Master grandfather could do this.”

He meant only a genius could. Perhaps my expression was more amazed than usual, because Aidan chuckled.

“I didn’t know you’d like it so much. I’ll do it often from now on.”

“I’m just experiencing it for the first time. Nicola, right?”

“Huh? Yeah!”

Nicola had barely slept the entire carriage ride, perhaps because assisting Prince Raven wasn’t easy. Understandably so—unlike the prince trained in swordsmanship, Nicola had the physique of a typical office worker. He seemed to wake just now from the cheers caused by the magic.

“We’re almost at the Imperial Palace.”

The cheers subsided as the carriage entered the palace. Prince Raven led the way into the audience chamber. Aidan, hating formalities, teleported away just before we entered.

The Emperor welcomed Raven with open arms.

“Oh, Raven, come here. I’ve been well informed of your deeds.”

Prince Raven and the support party knelt and paid their respects.

“We greet the sun of the empire. I am Prince Raven of the Seraphina Empire; we have resolved the plague-stricken region commanded by His Majesty and have just returned.”

Unlike the pleased Emperor, the Empress and the Crown Prince wore utterly cold expressions. When the Emperor glanced sideways and asked if he wasn’t proud, they immediately adopted benevolent smiles as if that had always been the case—truly hypocritical and petty.

“Raven, I am truly proud that you are my son.”

“The prince has done a most commendable thing after such a long time. Hoho.”

Prince Raven’s mother, the Imperial Consort, and the imperial daughter standing nearby looked more worried than joyful. They must know the prince’s mental state. Compared to the Empress and Crown Prince’s forceful presence, Raven appeared relatively fragile.

The Emperor kept looking proud.

“Prince Raven, you have performed beyond my expectations. You have shown such sincerity as to wash away past faults. There is no doubt. It would be a grave waste to let that ability rot… Now come out of the palace. Return to politics and assist this father and the Crown Prince.”

“…Your Majesty!”

Prince Raven cried out in surprise. The Emperor left his seat and patted Raven on the shoulder.

“On the occasion of my birthday, we will also celebrate the prince’s return. It will be a far more meaningful event than before.”

I watched the Crown Prince’s face contort. I could not hide my smile.

“Did you think you’d be safe after sending me away?”