Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 57: A Prayer and the Past (3)
Out of concern for Duke Ziemeld’s health, the conversation ended quickly. At Sydney’s direction, Gilbert and the others went to the rescued knights. Dolph and Barbara had remained silent throughout, their expressions troubled.
Gilbert briefly wondered what to do about Flora’s hand, which he had seized without thinking, then casually released it as they left.
Flora turned with a gentle smile that seemed to thank him, although a faint shadow remained. Gilbert followed, curling his fingers around the lingering warmth.
The rescued knights occupied a large servants’ chamber. As expected in a ducal residence, even servants’ bedding was excellent, while the room’s practical arrangement allowed many patients to receive care.
Because internal transformation showed no outward signs, they divided the conscious knights among them, questioned each closely, and examined them for abnormalities.
“I found a way to detect transformation inside the body!”
One of the young clergymen, who had been trying to discern the difference, raised his voice.
Until then, undead beasts had generally been large, with external wounds plainly requiring purification. Searching inside a body for transformation was entirely new.
“If the patient removes his clothes and the caster touches him directly while using purification magic, the caster should be able to sense it. The method is intuitive, but it works.”
“I see. But anyone without great skill in purification will struggle. I can barely sense it myself.”
Sydney was a master of barriers, but only average at purification and healing.
“…It hurts a little.”
A knight who had undergone the spell let out a small groan, hunching over in pain.
The caster paled.
“Forgive me. Applying powerful purification magic directly to the body places it under great strain. We should limit ourselves to detecting affected areas.”
“Purification’s effect on internal corruption cannot be seen. We have no other way to understand what is happening inside. Perhaps healing magic could be used with it.”
As Sydney considered grimly, an idea occurred to Gilbert.
“What about giving them holy water to drink? It purifies too, doesn’t it?”
“True. Holy water primarily serves as a medium for blessings, but in principle this resembles purifying a weapon.”
“Let us try small amounts. It should cause no harm, but we will proceed cautiously.”
The clergy administered holy water to knights showing signs of internal transformation.
Back at the wagon, Flora and Barbara prepared dinner. Gilbert wanted to continue his craftwork, but concern for Flora led him to peel potatoes beside her.
“Flora, about the duke’s account—his son’s hatred of the Goddess, and what may be happening to the Holy Knight in the capital…”
Unable to bear the silence, Gilbert spoke, then immediately regretted it.
“Forgive me. Forget I said anything. You probably do not want to discuss it.”
“No. Thank you. Your concern made breathing easier just now.”
Flora smiled, though pain still hid in her eyes.
Desperate to dispel it, Gilbert searched for words.
“We are heading to the royal capital anyway. We can check on them, and if matters are bad, I can pretend not to understand anything and help. Then we leave as casually as we arrived.”
“Pretend not to understand?”
Amused by his phrasing, Flora laughed softly.
“That sounds good. If everything works, we can declare it no longer our concern and return!”
Her shoulders relaxed, and Gilbert nodded enthusiastically.
“When I am with you, I feel my heart growing stronger.”
The last shadow vanished from Flora’s smile. Delighted by her words and expression, Gilbert felt warmth rush to his ears.
After they finished the potatoes and began the meat and vegetables, Sydney approached the wagon.
“How did the holy water work?”
“It has some effect, but remains very inefficient.”
Sydney sighed, glanced downward, then froze with his gaze fixed upon one spot.
“…What is this pot?”
His eyes rested on the ivy relief around the pot’s rim. With trembling fingers, he traced the still-cold metal.
“After the battle with the Undead Mud, it somehow became like this…”
Flora explained awkwardly. As Gilbert watched, a strange idea occurred to him.
“In Kelvim, you said that everyone praying together created strongly blessed holy water, didn’t you?”
Sydney nodded, realization dawning.
“If we cooked with that holy water, wouldn’t its blessing pass into the ingredients and become stronger still?”
Gilbert trailed off, embarrassed by the outlandish idea. Sydney beamed.
“That is it! An excellent idea! Moreover, this pot must now bestow a powerful blessing of its own!”
Sydney’s eyes sparkled. Flora stared in surprise while Barbara and Dolph burst into laughter behind her.
“Gilbert, you sure have some interesting ideas.”
“Soup with the goddess’ blessing, that sounds fantastic!”
Encouraged, Flora immediately began the soup. Since Gilbert had proposed the ridiculous idea, he committed fully, asked Flora to teach him, and helped cook.