Mom, it's amazing! Breathing doesn't hurt! Look, I can jump and run without any problems!
"Oh, my son, who has had a painful cough since he was little, came running...! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Don't worry. Well, I'll take care of the medical expenses. Five silver coins."
Cha-cha-cha-cha.
Yes, thank you as always.
"Thank you, Seija Oniichan! Goodbye!"
I returned the greeting to the mother, who bowed repeatedly, and to the child, who waved goodbye vigorously as I saw them off. Take care.
I throw the silver coins into my second leather bag and tie it around my waist.
But what's the point? Oh well.
The line has finally cleared. It seems that the father and son from earlier are the last ones in this area.
I guess I'll go to another section to look for new ducks, hehe.
It seems that the news is spreading among those who have been cured, and there are more and more cases of people bringing in sick acquaintances. It's a cry of joy. Well, it's not really a cry of dismay, since we only have to wave our hands to activate the trick. Activating it does not consume magic power or other resources, and it is unlimited.
"Well, then, let's see
I will cure you of any illness. I will cure you of any illness."
"Cure for the illness. Cure for the illness. I can cure anything."
En masse.
Cure for the disease. Cure for the disease. The disease will disappear and everything will be cured in an instant.
Cure for the disease. Cure for the disease. The cough will disappear and everything will be cured in an instant.
En masse.
....
It's been bothering me for a while now.
"Umm... How far will you all follow me...?"
For some reason, some of the people I have healed do not leave and follow me. They copy my promotional speech word for word, and even go so far as to make the same banner as me with scraps of wood they find lying around. I do not understand the meaning of their actions.
When I asked them why they were following me, they responded with answers like "I don't know," "I wanted to help," "I wanted to follow you," "I have to protect you," and "I love you," which left me clueless. I assumed they wanted the money I was earning, so I warned them, "You won't get anything if you follow me," but they replied, "Of course not, I'm honored to be able to follow you."
Well, they'll probably get bored eventually, and it'll be easier for them to find me than if I were alone, so I let them do whatever they want. My combat skills are terrible, so I can't even scare them away by force. I'd probably lose to a kid from around here.
Oops, is this the slum area?
There don't seem to be many wealthy people here, but five silver coins is pretty cheap, so even poor people could afford it, right? The high population density is also good. I plan to sell a lot at a low profit margin, so this could be a business opportunity.
"...Sir, are you sure you plan to set foot in the slums? The security situation is really bad further on. Many of the slum dwellers are involved in crime. It's not something a gentleman like you should get involved in."
One of the townspeople accompanying us, a relatively well-dressed woman, asked with a worried expression on her face.
I'm not a doctor, but do you think you look like a doctor to the person who was healed?
Well, I didn't tell them my name, so I guess they call out, "Hey, my savior!"
You mean I was a gentleman.
I felt a little strange and pointed to my worn clothes with a half-smile.
"Do I look like I'm upper class? I'm as poor as these people."
After all, until yesterday, I was a refugee.
Besides, they want to be healed too. Whether poor or rich, everyone suffers from illness. We are all the same, there is no difference.
"...Haha! My mistake!"
He knelt down and bowed his head deeply. It even looked like there were tears in the corners of his eyes. ...That's an exaggeration. I'm just stating the obvious.
As long as they pay, they're all customers, hehehe.
"Now, stand up. Crouching there is an obstacle to work."
When I offered my hand to help her up, she gave me a firm, strong squeeze and looked at me with a dreamy gaze.
"I will never wash my consecrated hands again for the rest of my life..."
"Are you sure you want to go?"
It's scary when other women stare at me with a blank look and don't say a word.
Well, then let's get down to business...
Just as I was thinking this and trying to raise my voice, the people who had been following me began to run busily.
"All right, let's split up and make an appeal in all the slums!"
Find the sick! If anyone can't walk, carry them on your shoulders.
Angels have descended! Angels have descended! The day of salvation has come for the poor and the sick!
"Angel? Isn't it a saint?"
It's true! Ah, the angel has arrived! The saint has arrived! He will cure any illness! All who suffer, gather under this banner! For only five silver coins, you will be saved from the clutches of the Grim Reaper!
Come on! You'll never have another chance in your life to have a saint with an incredibly sexy body grant you a miracle! She's a real angel! Come visit us, even if you just want to take a look!
Huh? What's going on? I didn't say anything, and they started inviting people in.
And who is the angel?
While I was stunned, the woman from before turned to me with a smile.
"Everyone wants to help you, sensei. Accept their dedication."
"...I haven't done anything significant, so why would you call me dedicated?"
No, don't look at him with that mysterious expression, and don't smile as if you already understand.
I see, maybe it's no big deal for an angel. But they all spent their days tormented by illness, without receiving satisfactory treatment, knowing that they might not live another day, or if not tomorrow, the day after. And yet you,
the doctor, who treats them regardless of their social status, are like a savior to them. And, of course, to me too.
Ah, so five silver coins is an incredibly low price after all? I thought it was too cheap, that they were ripping me off from the start.
But even so, until now I've been healing everything with five coins. Would it be unfair to change the price now? Besides, from now on I'll be doing business with the poor people in the slums.
Well, today I'll make you a special offer. I'll cure everyone for five silver coins.
The patients from the slums are happy that it's cheap, and I'm happy that everyone else is happy too. As long as everyone is happy, that's all that matters. These are people that doctors have already given up on, so there's no reason for them to complain if I cure them.
To be honest, I'm a little angry with the doctors in this town.
You can't put a price on life and abandon patients. Sure, they have their reasons, like medicine is valuable, but so are we. So I'll let them heal according to my own logic.
"By the way, what was everyone saying about saints and angels earlier...?"
Ah, doctor! It looks like the first group of patients has arrived! Yes, yes, line up! Angels don't distinguish between rich and poor! Those who arrive first must line up obediently!
Just as I was about to ask him for more details, he began directing the traffic of sick residents from the slums who had arrived en masse. You know,
like in a social RPG where you're in the middle of a conversation and suddenly an enemy attacks, and the story continues after you defeat the monster. Anyway, I'll ask him later.
The sick suffer too, so let's reassure them as soon as possible.
I am now an exceptional doctor... But that would be disrespectful to doctors who work hard and honestly. Great pioneers of medicine, forgive me for saving patients by cheating.
It had been about an hour since the treatment began.
Whether in a slum or anywhere else, all they do is cheat with their hands. If they wanted to, they could just glance at the line, select everyone from one end to the other, and treat them all at once,
but I wouldn't do that because the patients probably wouldn't feel cured, and there's a chance that some scoundrels would run away without paying. I guess medicine requires quite a bit of authority.
But even so, there are many patients. Why are there so many more patients here than in the residential and commercial districts? I've only been to the slums to clean the sewers, so maybe the sanitation there is really poor.
Come to think of it, there are many patients who cough a lot. Could it be tuberculosis or influenza going around? Slums seem to be crowded with people in confined spaces, making them the perfect breeding ground for infectious diseases.
I wonder if they were on the verge of a pandemic. There are also many patients with sexually transmitted diseases. Not only syphilis, but quite a few patients seem to have pubic lice and chlamydia.
What is even more puzzling is the reaction of the patients after their cure. I had heard that all slum dwellers are criminals, so I expected them to run away immediately after receiving treatment without paying, but not a single one did.
When they held out their hands to ask for money, they squeezed mine tightly and cried inconsolably. "Thank you, saint, you are my salvation."
I was the one who used tricks to cure people so easily, so I felt guilty when they thanked me so effusively. But I couldn't get my hands off them, tired from moving around and the physical work.
I had no choice but to nod, so it took me a while to see the next patient. It's not that I'm a savior or anything like that. I just wanted to see the next patient quickly.
"All right, next person."
I stopped the old woman who was repeatedly bowing with one hand and called the next patient.
At the front of the line was a girl with a purple, swollen lump covering her eye and yellow pus oozing from the corner of her eye. Upon closer inspection, her ear was also rotten and worms were coming out of it. It must have hurt a lot, poor thing.
"Angel, will my illness be cured...?"
"I can cure anything except wounds and cavities. Now, stay there with your eyes closed."
I wonder if it's just an illness. It's also possible that it's rotting due to toxins in the environment. I could try to detoxify it.
Just as I was thinking that...
"Get out of the way! Make way!"
!!Get off me!!
A woman's voice came from the end of the line.
I stood on tiptoe to see what it was and saw four tall women carrying it. A koshi is an ancient vehicle that people used to carry, and it is the prototype of a mikoshi that I knew in my previous world. Even in the medieval era of that world, nobles and feudal lords did not walk alone, but were carried by others to get around.
However, this one is too dilapidated to be called a palanquin. The poles that carry it are unpainted, and the seat is made of rags. Those who carry it also wear rags, like the inhabitants of slums. The man traveling in the palanquin is a frail old man in simple, dirty clothes.
I wonder if this is not a stretcher carrying a nobleman or something like that, but an old man who cannot walk.
We must alleviate Dad's suffering as soon as possible! If you are from the slums, give me your turn! Have you forgotten how much you owe Dad every day?
That's right! Who do we owe our ability to eat to when our lord has abandoned us?
As the women carrying the palanquin raise their voices, the people in the procession move silently from left to right to make way for the palanquin.
The girl at the front of the line also tried to hurry away, so I grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Hey, but..."
"It's okay. You'll be first, I'll heal him later."
I patted the confused girl gently on the head and then put my hands on my hips.
Hey, how annoying that you're cutting in line! Whoever you are, if you want to be healed, you'll just have to get in line!
When I raised my voice, the woman carrying the palanquin responded with a frightened look on her face.
What? Who do you think this person is...?
It doesn't matter who it is. Hurry up and get in line at the back! If Grandpa can't walk, let him stay in the palanquin!
The slums have their own rules! If you're going to do business in our territory, you have to follow them!
I have my own rules! It doesn't matter how important you are in the slums! Whether you're a nobleman or a beggar, I don't discriminate or make distinctions between you! If you want me to heal you, you'd better listen! Shut up and get in line!
I'm the type of person who goes with the flow of life, but I hate it when someone criticizes the rules I set for myself. It's not about my mental strength or anything, it's been that way since I learned to reason. I've often caused trouble for my family,
wondering, "Why do I always live carefree, yet at the same time I'm stubborn in a strange way?" I'm sorry, I'm stubborn in a strange way. I was a difficult child to raise.
But that's who I am, so even if I die or am reincarnated, I'll stick with it. Damn it.
As the woman carrying the palanquin and I stared at each other, the old man on top of the palanquin seemed to say something in a weak voice.
"...I understand, if that's what you say, Father."
The tall woman bowed slightly and walked to the end of the line. Oh, my God!
But there is also greatness in the slums. I thought everyone was equally poor.
After that, he examined several dozen people, and then it was the old man's turn. Everyone else left immediately after the examination, so he didn't have to wait long. I suppose they were being considerate of the old man.
The palanquin was lowered to the ground, and the old man sat down in front of me and first bowed deeply.
I am very sorry for the rudeness of the young people. They acted recklessly for my safety. I take full responsibility. Furthermore, I apologize for the rudeness of presenting myself to you in this attire.
As soon as the young men heard about you, they put me in the palanquin with only the clothes I was wearing...
The old man was wearing very worn-out house clothes, with stains here and there that looked like they were made from spilled soup.
"It's okay, it's okay, if you stand in line quietly, you're a patient."
I am very grateful for your generosity. ... My legs have been weak for the past few years, and I can no longer stand on my own. When I can no longer walk on my own, my mind also weakens... It's pathetic that I don't even have the energy to preach to young people...
The old man, speaking in a weak voice, sounded like a rotten tree about to wither away.
Ah, the back of my eyes are itching a little...
I have a soft spot for older men. I grew up surrounded by my grandfather, so when I hear stories about the lives of frail elderly people, I can't help but feel compassion for them.
But the leg... I wonder if it can be cured. It seems to be just old age, but it's the natural wear and tear of life, so I don't think that's an option. But the fact that he's still alive even though his leg has been withered for years means it could be a disease.
If it's due to damage to one of his organs, isn't it an injury rather than a disease? Malformations don't heal either.
No, don't give up. Believe in cheating. Or rather, believe in the ability to influence. The best thing about cheaters is to push yourself and ask yourself for solutions through over-interpretation. This old man will be cured, this old man will be cured... Come on!
[Influencer] - [Resistance to disease]!
"Oh? Ohhhh...!?"
The old man opened his eyes wide and looked at himself with eyes that moved uncontrollably. Suddenly, he stood up, trembling. Yes, it was a success!
"I, I can stand up! I can stand up! What a thing...!"
Dad! I can't believe you've really gotten better...!
"The old man stood up! The old man stood up!"
I nodded as the women carrying the palanquin with my grandfather burst into joy. I'm so glad he recovered.
I wonder what would have happened if he hadn't. I have a bad feeling about it, so I don't want to think about it.
Well, I was thinking, "I'll take the silver coin and move on to the next person..."
Grandpa knelt in front of me, tears in his eyes. He even kissed my shoes. What? I don't like Grandpa kissing me, especially on the feet.
"Thank you, thank you... You're a real angel. I don't know how to express my gratitude...!"
"No, I'm not an angel or anything, so five silver coins is fine for the price, okay?"
That impartial attitude toward wealth and status is the true proof that you are an angel. Death sends both royalty and beggars to God when they are sick.
So, without a doubt, an angel who saves people from illness without discriminating based on their social status. Therefore, you are a true angel.
"...Huh? Wait, wait. Do you mean an angel, an angel of God? No, I'm not. I'm nothing special. I'm just a normal human being."
However, the power I acquired is not of this world.
"I've watched you closely healing people, and it wasn't magic or a magical object. First of all, healing magic can't cure diseases, and there are no signs of any magical objects being activated.
Isn't it a power that transcends the laws of this world? Please tell me. Isn't it the work of God?
Saying this, the old man looked at me. His gaze was so sharp and penetrating that it was hard to believe he was the same person as the frail old man from before.
Well, even if you say it's the work of God.
...Wait a second. It was God who reincarnated me, and I received trick coins, bought tricks from a vending machine, and used them to heal these people. If you think about it, tricks are a power that God gave me.
If you think about it, it's definitely the work of God. You're not wrong.
But I have a feeling that if I admit it here, nothing good will come of it.
I leaned over, brought my face close to the old man's ear, and whispered so that only he could hear.
"That's right. This is a power that God gave me."
"As expected...!"
"Shh."
I put my index finger to his mouth and stopped the old man.
"Don't tell anyone about this."
Oh...! Angel, I will devote what little life I have left to your faith. I will sacrifice the lives of my daughter and granddaughter, as well as my entire family, for you.
"Eh? No, no, no, no! I don't need that!"
I waved my hand hurriedly. I only wanted five silver coins, so why would I mention such a thing?
The old man continues to talk at length, still leaning forward.
The doctor in this village looked down on the slum dwellers and did not treat them as human beings.
When one of my granddaughters fell ill with a fever, he begged me to let him go to the slum to examine her. No matter how much money I offered him, he said he didn't need such miserable money.
Because of him, my beloved granddaughter lost her life! I cannot imagine my bitterness...! He is no longer here, but the doctor that the gentleman called to take his place was the same.
Only you. You are the only one who treated us like human beings. So how can we hesitate to worship you? You are our savior. We would sacrifice our lives for you. Please guide us.
This is bad. The alarms are still ringing in my head.
Even an idiot like me can tell. I feel like it's not a good idea to accept this.
I put my [Mental Resistance] to full use and spoke to him in a calm tone so that he wouldn't notice my agitation.
I'm just a human with powers. Just like you. Humans shouldn't worship other humans. Please put your faith where it belongs.
The old man's eyes widened and his shoulders began to shake violently.
"Trust in God... Are you saying that God has not abandoned us, the outcasts?"
Smile.
I didn't really understand, so I just put on a big smile, which is what you do when you don't understand something.
I understand. As you said, let us pray to the Lord. May God's will be done.
"According to God's will."
The people around him who had been listening to his conversation with the old man joined in the chant.
No, what the hell is this?
=======
====
==
[From a column in a local newspaper several hundred years later]
This city in the southern part of the island of Vrishab is home to a legend about angels.
Several hundred years ago, at the end of the Middle Ages, just before the start of the Industrial Revolution, a man who called himself an angel appeared and traveled around the city healing illnesses.
The angel charged only five silver coins for his treatments and roamed the streets, healing rich and poor alike.
Legend has it that with a simple wave of the angel's hand, any serious illness was instantly cured and the person remained completely healthy for several years.
People followed the angel to protect him from evil people. His appearance was so lustful, and he carried a large amount of money carelessly,
so those with good intentions could not leave him alone. Perhaps they also had ulterior motives, wanting to follow a beautiful holy man.
The angel then entered the slums and attended to an old man whose legs had become so weak that he could no longer stand.
The old man was a villain who had amassed his fortune through crime, but the angel healed him.
When the old man asked, "Are you not an angel of God?", the angel answered in the affirmative. Moved by God's miracle, the old man repented of his life up to that point and pleaded tearfully, "I will offer my life, and also that of my daughter and granddaughter. Let me pray for you," but the angel did not approve.
"We are brothers and sisters born under God. Do not pray to me. Put your faith in the Lord who is in heaven," said the angel.
In this way, the slum dwellers were converted and began to pray to God every day.
The number of people following the angel increased, and the procession almost covered the city. The lord of the city was alarmed and sent his guards to disperse the procession and capture the angel.
The people who admired the angel became enraged and formed a mob to attack the guards, but it was the angel who stopped them.
When the angel said, "On earth we must obey the laws of man. If you love me, submit to your lord," the people became angry and handed the angel over to the authorities.
This legend was later determined to be an invention of both the Holy See
At that time, there was fierce conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism, and it is said that this story is propaganda created to spread the Protestant claim that "the basis of a person's faith does not lie in the church, but in the human heart."
It is true that the feat of instantly curing diseases was impossible not only with the healing magic of the time, but even in today's scientifically advanced world. This claim is not far-fetched.
Today, the provincial town where the angel descended has become a simple rural village, and the only thing left to represent the legend is a statue of an angel. However, the statue, erected in a former slum, continues to watch over the lives of its inhabitants even after centuries.
The people of this area also have a custom of helping each other when in trouble, offering five silver coins as a token of kindness. Although the noble spirit of the angel is no longer tangible, it is still passed down in the hearts of the people.