* * *

“Jaynon, I’ll entrust you with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the people here.”

“Rest assured, High Priest. I’ve already prepared ample tents to be used as treatment centers to prevent confusion in this cramped space.”

The High Priest quietly expressed his gratitude and shifted his gaze.

Outside the tent, Ronen and Ed stood, peeking curiously inside.

Ronen, who appeared especially eager to overhear the conversation, caught the High Priest’s attention.

Smiling, the High Priest spoke.

“Your Grace, I have a small favor to ask of you. Would that be alright?”

At the High Priest’s words, Ronen perked up his ears and stepped into the tent alongside Ed, responding enthusiastically.

“Yes, of course!”

“Then, I would like to ask you and Ed to assist with the treatment efforts. It might be a bit demanding.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Ronen answered energetically.

“Leave it to us, High Priest!”

“This is merely a request to keep this old man company while helping. Please don’t overwork yourselves, alright?”

“Understood! I’ll be careful!” Ronen replied, brimming with confidence.

The High Priest offered him a warm smile before turning to Ed.

“Ed, your task will be to assess the patients and mark the severity of their injuries.”

Ed received a notebook, brush, and small containers of paint from the High Priest, asking for clarification.

“Am I to use different colors to indicate the severity of their injuries?”

“Yes. If we don’t identify the critical patients quickly, treatment could be delayed. With so many people here, it’s important to organize them in advance. Minor injuries can be treated by other priests. The severity will be assessed by someone else; all you need to do is apply the appropriate color. Don’t worry too much.”

Finally understanding the importance of his role, Ed took a deep breath, realizing the weight of his task.

The High Priest, noticing his slight tension, patted Ed’s shoulder gently, his voice calm and reassuring.

“Other priests will guide you through the details, Ed. Don’t feel too pressured.”

“…Yes. I’ll make sure to learn as much as I can. It might come in handy later.”

Encouraged by the Grand Duke’s support, Ed carefully secured the brush and dye before following a priest out of the tent.

---

As Ed walked toward the area designated for patient triage, the priest guiding him provided useful information.

“For minor abrasions, we’ll use medicinal herbs instead of divine power. While divine power speeds up healing, it draws on the body’s energy and is best used sparingly for overall health.”

Ed listened intently as the priest continued.

“There may be severely injured patients we missed, so conserving divine power is crucial. Herbs can be gathered quickly, even from the mountains, but divine power can’t be replenished so easily.”

Hearing this, Ed’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

“Are there any herbs that are particularly effective in emergencies?”

“There are many, but elderflower is excellent for helping bones mend. I’ll teach you how to identify and use it when we reach the tent.”

Ed felt a surge of determination.

If he could learn about herbs that thrived even in the harsh climate of the North, it would greatly benefit the people there, who often lacked access to doctors.

“The northern climate is harsher compared to the South or Central regions. Are there herbs we can gather here?”

The priest reassured Ed with a smile.

“Don’t worry. I noticed many familiar medicinal plants on our way here. After the treatment, I’ll teach you about hardy varieties that can thrive even in cold regions.”

As they approached the tent, the priest reiterated Ed’s instructions.

“Mark minor injuries that only require herbs with yellow, those treatable by regular priests with green, and severe cases needing advanced priests with blue. Apply the color to the patient and note their name in the log.”

“Is there a reason to note them in the log as well?”

“It’s for follow-ups. The condition might change, requiring adjustments. We reassign colors to reflect their progress.”

Ed took detailed notes in his notebook, thinking about how this system could be adapted to improve the North’s reporting structure.

By dividing tasks like the priests did, the burden on key figures like the Grand Duke and the steward could be significantly reduced.

---

Later that evening, Ed slumped into a chair by the fireplace, utterly drained.

Ronen, however, sat beside him, swinging his legs with an unusually cheerful expression.

“Are you alright, young master?” Ed asked, glancing at Ronen.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Watching Ronen’s boundless energy, Ed marveled at how resilient children could be.

“Ed, you look exhausted. Should I call a priest?”

“No, I’m fine. It’s just been a while since I’ve moved around so much. It’s nothing worth troubling a resting priest over.”

“Well, I could always take a look,” came an unexpected voice.

Startled, Ed straightened and turned to see the High Priest entering the tent, carrying two cups of tea.

“This is herbal tea to warm you up. A cold can be a frightening thing, impervious even to divine power.”

The High Priest placed the tea in front of Ed and Ronen, smiling playfully.

“Thank you, High Priest,” Ed murmured, bowing his head slightly.

The High Priest sat across from him and extended a hand.

“I heard you were injured in an accident earlier. Are you sure you’re alright moving around like this?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Ed replied with a reassuring smile.

As Ed adjusted his posture and stared blankly at the High Priest’s outstretched hand, Ronen grinned and lifted Ed’s arm, placing it gently atop the High Priest’s.

Still struggling to comprehend the situation, Ed flinched as a warm energy flowed through his fingertips, making him shiver involuntarily.

“Don’t resist. Even if you appear uninjured on the surface, there could be internal damage.”

“There’s no need for you to go to such lengths for me, Your Grace…”

“Shh! Speaking could disrupt the divine power I’ve already channeled.”

The warmth emanating from Ed’s fingertips traveled throughout his body, rising to his head before fading away entirely.

“It seems you’re unharmed. The fatigue you’re experiencing is likely due to muscle aches and shock from the accident. I believe His Highness and the young lord can rest assured now.”

Realizing that this entire ordeal had been orchestrated by the Grand Duke and Ronen, Ed flushed with embarrassment.

The High Priest, noticing Ed’s reaction, appeared curious and posed a question.

“By the way, Ed, have you ever been treated by a healer other than a physician or a mage?”

“Pardon?”

Ed looked at the High Priest, puzzled by the sudden question.

“Despite the accident happening not too long ago, not only are your minor external injuries healed, but any internal damage seems completely gone as well. Even the villagers with simple scrapes still haven’t fully recovered. This is quite… peculiar.”

Worrying that the High Priest might uncover his secret abilities, Ed worked hard to respond as casually as possible.

“Well, perhaps it’s because His Highness protected me so well during the incident. Considering that most of the others within the barrier are also fine, I don’t think there’s anything particularly unusual.”

The High Priest scrutinized Ed closely for a moment before standing and brushing it off with a genial laugh.

“If all your wounds are healed, then does the process even matter? Perhaps I’m just being a nosy old man. Pay it no mind.”

Watching the High Priest step outside the tent, Ed let out a small sigh of relief.

But before he could fully relax, the priest turned back and called out to him.

“Ed, if you’re free, would you care to accompany this old man for a walk around the area?”

“Your Grace, I’d like to join too!”

Before Ed could answer, Ronen shot to his feet, eagerly volunteering.

The High Priest chuckled warmly.

“By all means, young lord. Just be sure to bundle up—it’s still quite cold outside.”

“Ed, help me put on my coat!”

“But, young master,” Ed said with concern, “since this is an outing with His Grace, you won’t be able to run around as usual. It might be a bit boring for you.”

* * *