To Hell with Being a Saint, I’m a Doctor

Has it been thirty years already?

Glain looked on with a resigned expression.

“Forgot again, huh? Even if it’s a thirty-year cycle, there are things you should remember.”

“…I do remember. It just didn’t come to mind immediately.”

“Smooth talker. More importantly, how’s the sword?”

At his question, a young man drew a sword from his waist.

The blade slid out of its sheath without a hint of friction, its elegant form revealed.

Glain watched silently and then nodded.

“It’s good. Well-maintained.”

“…….”

“I didn’t come for a heavy conversation… Just worried you might be brooding all day. And to hear some news about Hesia, by the way…”

“How’s she doing?”

Like a mother anxious for her child near water, he fidgeted restlessly.

Glain, amused by this, spoke up.

“She’s doing well. Training harder than anyone. Given the times, it might be natural…”

“That’s a relief.”

“She’s never been one to do well just because someone told her to, right? Hahaha.”

“…….”

A brief silence followed.

Glain, sighing softly, looked out the window and said,

“It’s starting in a few days… I should be heading out too.”

“Right.”

The young man with black hair responded without hesitation as he turned to leave.

“Hey, about Hesia…”

He started to speak but bit his lip, stopping himself.

An awkward smile played on his lips.

“No, it’s fine. Thanks for telling me.”

Inside a large open space, dozens of people were gathered.

Each one touched their weapons with solemn expressions.

Among them, a man with a robust build began speaking from the center.

“As you all know, this is a sacred battle. The weak are eliminated, and only the strong survive. So survive and prove it.”

“…….”

“…….”

“I don’t know how much a week of preparation has helped… but I hope you’ll fight with no regrets.”

Turning his back for a moment, he cleared his throat and continued.

“…Next, come out and get ready.”

A young man with red hair and a brown-haired woman stepped forward.

While the woman looked noticeably tense, the young man was all smiles.

“…What’s so funny?”

“Hahaha. Who knows?”

“You, even until the end…”

The woman’s face showed a hint of disappointment, but her smile didn’t fade.

It was as if she was relieved to face an easy opponent.

With swords in hand, they faced each other, then the man announced,

“Begin.”

And with those words, a tremendous wind rose.

Sparks flew as weapons clashed, filling the arena with their sound.

Kaang! Kaang!

The Aura Blade burst forth, revealing a strong intent to kill.

The woman lashed out with her sword, but even in a defensive stance, the young man maintained the upper hand.

“Uugh…!”

She was pushed back by the recoil of the clashing swords.

As the offensive shifted to the young man, he quickly thrust his sword.

Its speed was akin to an arrow being shot.

Sssshk!

With the sound of cutting through the air, the young man’s sword aimed for the woman’s head.

Barely dodging by turning her head, she clenched her teeth.

“Are you really trying to kill me?”

“Only the winner survives. Only the living are strong.”

His face, uttering these mechanical words, bore a self-mocking smile.

A different tone from the woman, who couldn’t sleep thinking about fighting a close friend.

“Alright… Then I’ll also let go of my hesitations.”

“I don’t like tormenting the weak. Let’s end this quickly.”

“Who’s calling whom weak!”

Kaang!

The Aura Blade made a shallow strike.

The intent was to create an opening and exploit it.

‘I’m outmatched in skill. I must find an opening.’

But the young man was not one to be easily taken down.

His sword strikes, now more aggressive than before, were ferocious.

With each heavy blow, after-images formed on her body.

Yet, she waited for the final strike.

She stepped back with her left foot, exposing her shoulder.

It seemed she was preparing to block with her body.

The young man fiercely pressed his attack.

His heavy sword strikes were enough to numb her arms.

His sword’s tip wavered briefly.

It was a small sign of imbalance from his continuous heavy attacks.

She seized the moment and thrust her sword forward.

Channeling all her mana, her Aura Blade rapidly enlarged.

Caught off guard, the young man was struck in the abdomen.

Sssk-

He felt the cold touch of the sword and coughed up blood.

The strike’s success, easier than expected, left her baffled.

“…You, did you really…”

Before she could finish speaking, the young man pulled her into a tight embrace.

His quiet head shake and smile rendered her speechless.

“I’ll entrust… my life… to you…”

His final words trailed off as a blue light enveloped them both.

“Ah…”

The strength, mana, combat experience, and senses he had accumulated transferred to her.

It felt as if she was shouldering the life he had lived.

The two, who had lived as one, now merged into a single being through one’s death.

Her mana became immense, strength filled her sword-wielding hand, but tears flowed endlessly from her eyes.

She had gained power at the cost of losing a friend.

Descending from the mountains and arriving at the castle, Ray was lost in thought.

‘Sea after sea, and then more sea.’

At this rate, forget about medicine; I might become a pirate king.

But what can be done? If I continue like this, it will be decades before I can teach practical medicine.

With their current level of understanding, they couldn’t grasp modern medicine.

At least, they needed to be at Iriel’s level to pass.

“It’s not enough just teaching by myself. We need academies everywhere, not just in the Holy Kingdom.”

It was essential to spread basic hygiene, treatment, disease prevention, and the concept of medicine.

I don’t plan to shatter the worldview of this other world, but medicine needs to be known.

They think medicine is just sprinkling potions on wounds or getting healed by a healer or priest, without understanding why they’re sick.

To achieve this, the lineage of a hero was necessary.

Whether it was a countermeasure by the gods or the hero of the century, Ray found it unimportant.

Given the choice, he would argue that one proper doctor was more precious.

‘The lineage of a hero might be incredibly powerful. It’s created by the gods, so I can’t be careless. That’s why I need to consider even the possibility of my death. With Iriel’s healing powers, she could even revive someone who’s died instantly.’

With his thoughts in order, he immediately sought out Iriel.

She opened the door, wearing a puzzled expression.

“Saint? What brings you here so late?”

“I have something to discuss.”

“Come in first, then we’ll talk.”

She stepped aside, gesturing inside.

Warm cups sat on the table, suggesting she had been having tea.

After leaning back in her chair, Iriel poured more tea.

“So, what did you want to discuss?”

“It’s a long story from the beginning…”

“I prefer the short and sweet version.”

“We’re on the same page, then.”

He joked, but his tone soon became serious.

“I had Shinsinwi gather some information. I’m not sure about its reliability, but there are three places where the lineage of heroes congregates.”

“How did you pinpoint these three locations?”

“They’re the only three places in the Western Continent where no one has ever set foot.”

“…So, you’re saying they might or might not be there? And you want me to accompany you to these places, correct?”

“Exactly, you catch on quickly.”

“Then work hard.”

As she moved to leave the room, Ray grasped her wrist.

“I need you, Iriel.”

“Had this been a more charming and atmospheric place, I might have been swayed. But this is asking too much.”

She indicated the map.

There, in the remote expanse, lay an isolated sea.

The same sea that had left Ray confounded when Soyeong mentioned it.

With all three locations being seas, it was no wonder Iriel reacted as she did.

“This place actually has quite an atmosphere.”

“What atmosphere? That of becoming fish food?”

He nearly nodded in agreement but instead shook his head vigorously, trying once more to convince Iriel.

“How about the incredible moonlight view over the calm sea? Wow, romantic.”

“Of course, if it were calm, it would be breathtaking. However, the seas you’re talking about have strong currents and rough waves.”

“……”

“Strong enough to destroy even a sturdy ship. If you fall in, you might get to observe the beautiful underwater environment. Of course, before dying horribly.”

“…….”

“Even if we manage to get there after all that trouble, if the lineage of heroes isn’t there, wouldn’t that be utterly futile?”

“…….”

She dredged up the thoughts he deliberately avoided, stabbing at his heart.

He had thought about it too.

What if, after all the struggle and journeying through the sea, the supposed lineage of heroes wasn’t there?

He didn’t even want to contemplate such a dreadful possibility.

Yet, having heard of it, he couldn’t just not look for it.

To advance and commercialize medicine more quickly, their existence was crucial.

He doubted whether ordinary people could fully comprehend it, and it would take too long.

Releasing the arm he had been holding, Iriel reluctantly turned to look at him.

“Phew… Even if I agree to go, what about the Holy Kingdom? We can’t both be absent without a good reason.”

“That’s not a problem.”

“Really? How so…”

“Actually, Goddess Gaia has sent an oracle.”

“An oracle from the Goddess? That’s sudden…”

“Find the lineage of heroes and continue the will of the Holy Kingdom, she said.”

“Really?”

“It means that’s what we’ll tell the Holy Kingdom.”

Hearing his words, Iriel was shocked.

“Saint, using the gods for your own ends! That’s not right!”

“Gaia, being generous, will understand. Surely she won’t mind if her name is used a few times for the benefit of the Holy Kingdom?”

“…….”

Iriel was at a loss for words.

Perhaps even Goddess Gaia would smack her forehead in admiration upon hearing this.