Although She is a Blind Saint, She Can See

#9. The Black Plague (4)

“Baron!”

Two days had passed since Baron Boil had given the order to his deputy.

“Is the task finished?”

“Yes, it is.”

The investigation was completed quickly, likely because the territory was so small.

“So, what’s the result?”

The Baron asked anxiously.

But the deputy’s expression was strange.

“Well… it’s peculiar.”

“What’s peculiar?”

“First, it wasn’t a doctor who treated the disease, but a blind girl.”

“…A blind girl?”

He muttered in confusion.

It was a combination that didn’t make sense.

In this conservative region, being a doctor was mostly a man’s profession.

Yet, the genius healer who had been helpless against the plague, which even the royal physicians couldn’t cure, was a girl who couldn’t see?

“Are you joking?”

“I’m not joking. When I went to the village myself, there were long lines of patients from far away. Patients whose arms and legs were blackened and rotting seemed to be completely cured just by entering the barracks.”

“What…?”

It was hard to believe.

“The villagers already call her a saint and praise her. What should we do?”

“Hmm.”

The Baron groaned softly.

“Let’s discuss it again this evening. For now, prepare for the royal audience next week.”

“Understood.”

Noblemen from the region had to visit the royal palace regularly to meet with the king.

Even Baron Boil, a regional noble with no significant rank, was no exception. After giving orders to his deputy to bring his formal attire, he soon turned his gaze out the window.

“A saint.”

Saints and holy women.

It had been more than five hundred years since those who were called the favored of the gods appeared.

Naturally, the existence of divine power faded, and they remained figures of legend. This was the reason why believers of the god Ether were gradually disappearing.

But if that blind girl was truly a saint…

“Everyone will want her.”

Perhaps this plague is not merely a natural disaster.

Baron Boil, feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding, gazed out the window.

***

One week later.

“Is there truly no doctor who can cure the queen’s illness?!”

At the shout of King Edwin of the Kingdom of Zikuk Terra, his vassals lowered their heads deeply.

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Even now, the kingdom’s finest doctors are doing their utmost to treat Her Majesty the Queen—”

“What does it matter if they do their best?! The queen is still suffering!”

At Edwin’s sorrowful cry, the nobles remained silent. They all averted their gazes, and King Edwin clenched his fists, trembling with rage.

‘This is a big problem.’

Baron Boil shuddered as he watched the king.

The current king had killed his father, brothers, and all the nobles who opposed him, ascending to the throne.

Despite that, his love for the queen had been immense. If the queen were to die now, the kingdom would surely be thrown into turmoil.

Thoughts of a saint who traveled around healing the sick in his territory lingered in his mind.

‘I can’t mention such unverified rumors in the court.’

If he was wrong, he would be punished.

But on the other hand…

If the queen were to die soon, and the saint of Boil’s territory was truly real?

‘If that were the case, I’d die.’

A chill ran down his spine.

Boil’s territory, located at the edge of the land, was far from the capital.

Considering the time and procedures involved in confirming the matter, it would take at least a month.

The queen could very well die before that.

‘Ugh. Whether I get punished or not, it’s better to bring it up at least.’

He closed his eyes tightly and spoke.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say regarding this matter.”

“What is it?”

“It is not certain, but…”

“Just speak quickly.”

King Edwin urged him in an anxious tone, as if desperate to grasp any shred of hope.

“There is a blind girl in my territory who is said to be treating people infected with the Black Death.”

“A blind girl?”

“Yes. Just to be sure, I sent a servant to inquire, and it appears that all the villagers who were on the brink of death have recovered.”

At his words, the nobles began murmuring among themselves.

“A blind girl? What kind of old tale is that? Lord Boil, do you believe such a ridiculous rumor?”

“Still, we can’t be sure, can we?”

“From what I’ve seen, she seems to be a commoner… How could a mere common girl cure a disease that even the finest doctors cannot cure?”

“Enough!”

King Edwin shouted, slamming his fist onto the throne. The once chaotic meeting room instantly fell silent.

Edwin, instead of meeting the gazes of the nobles, declared firmly.

“Not only the queen, but a strange plague is spreading across the entire kingdom. Now is the time to investigate even rumors. Am I wrong?”

“Your Majesty is correct.”

“You said the girl is in Baron Boil’s territory, correct?”

“Yes.”

Baron Boil, who had been singled out by the king, nodded.

Edwin, looking down at the baron, gave his command.

“Bring that girl to the palace. By any means necessary!”

***

“Good morning, Saint!”

“Saint, is there anything you need?”

“You look lovely as always today!”

As I walked through the streets, friendly voices greeted me from around.

Tap, tap.

I leaned on the wooden cane that Mars had made for me and turned my head toward the voices, smiling.

“Good morning.”

“Thanks to all of you, I’m living quite comfortably. It’s all good.”

“Haha… Thank you for the compliments.”

I responded to each of their greetings—this was a usual routine for me.

‘Maintaining this persona is exhausting.’

I had thought about turning to religion to complete my quest, but to be a saint, not just a priest…

It felt like I had to be incredibly noble for some reason.

I fiddled with the rosary around my neck.

I hadn’t planned to wear something like this, but one day Mars had given it to me as a gift, so now I wore it.

‘But it does have its benefits.’

[Main Quest]
Save 1 billion people.
Current: 53,192 people

The progress of the main quest had reached an impressive 50,000!

‘In the past five years, I barely saved 700 souls…’

This was truly a remarkable leap.

[Secondary Quest]
Be recognized as a saint by 100,000 people.

Current: 12,431 people

Additionally, the newly appeared secondary quest was also steadily progressing.

‘For sure, the pace has picked up compared to the beginning.’

It has already been two months since I arrived in Zikuk Terra.

For almost 70 days, I’ve been treating Black Death patients scattered across the territory with Mars’ help.

Excluding the first ten days, I’ve treated about 30 people a day.

So, over two months, I’ve treated around 1,800 people.

But why does it say I’ve saved over 50,000?

It’s simple.

When I treat one Black Death patient, their family, as well as close friends, feel gratitude toward me.

It’s a kind of emotional salvation, so to speak.

Not only that, but the people who would have been infected, now avoid the disease, so it’s truly saving them as well.

On top of that, I’ve spread a few personal hygiene methods, such as washing hands, brushing teeth, and coughing into a cloth, so now, even if I just stay still, the number of “saved people” continues to increase.

‘Automatic point gathering is the best!’

So this is why people in my past life were always shouting about passive income, huh?

“The building is complete. You should move to there starting today.”

“Really? That’s great news.”

I clapped my hands together and smiled brightly.

“Now that there’s a building, the patients who are waiting won’t have to wait outside anymore. Please thank the villagers for me.”

“They’re all eager to help. The people of the territory feel they owe their lives to you, Saint.”

Mars’ words were no lie when he said he would do anything after I saved his daughter.

“Please get on my back, Saint.”

He carried me on his back to the hospital.

What about Amy?

“Have a safe trip, Saint!”

After seeing us off, she probably runs around playing with the village children every day.

Honestly, it would be fine if she followed us, but Mars, as her father, seems to have a different opinion. Even though I have divine power, places where Black Death patients stay are always dangerous.

“The weather is nice today.”

Mars, who was carefully carrying me on his back, would always talk to me just in case I got bored.

But from my perspective…

“Yesterday, there were many clouds in the sky, but today there isn’t a single cloud. The flowers are starting to bloom. The yellow tulips along the path we’re walking on are really beautiful.”

“…Is that so?”

A somewhat awkward smile escaped my lips.

‘He’s almost giving a tour of the scenery.’

Mars and the others seem to think that I’m blind.

It couldn’t be helped.

Even if I showed my eyes to others, would they believe me?

…It’s not a misunderstanding, since my eyes aren’t functioning properly. If I had to put it that way, I’m blind, but I’ve gained a form of spiritual sight.

“Saint.”

As I was lost in thought, he spoke to me.

“Perhaps it would be good for you to take the day off.”

“…What do you mean?”

I asked with a slightly wary tone, as I expected him to continue narrating the scenery as he had before. But instead, he said something unexpected.

His shoulders shook slightly.

“Whenever you treat the sick, your condition—”

But Mars couldn’t finish his sentence. After a brief sigh, he spoke in a restrained tone.

“No, never mind.”

“Mars?”

“I… I think I’ve overstepped. Please forget what I said.”

Ah.

I think I understand this situation.

‘Is he worried about me?’

The truth is, I’ve been pushing myself too hard lately. I’m managing to endure, but honestly, every time I treat a Black Death patient, it hurts so much that I nearly pass out from the pain.

The patients and their families are overjoyed, but Mars, who has seen me up close, couldn’t have missed it.

Anyone who isn’t a fool would know that when I heal someone, my physical condition worsens.

[Analgesia: 200,000p] [Reduces all pain to below 10%. You won’t feel pain, but be careful, as you can still die.]
I licked my lips as I looked at the skill, “Analgesia,” which was like a tempting treat I couldn’t afford.

‘If I had that, I could have treated a hundred people a day!’

Treating thirty people a day isn’t bad, but the impatience is hard to shake off. The royal summons, which seemed like it would come any moment, was delayed.

‘The queen might die soon.’

According to Liliana, the queen had fallen ill at the beginning of the Black Death outbreak.

Now, two months after the disease began spreading across the country, she was clearly in critical condition.

‘If the queen dies, all my plans will be ruined.’

As I nervously bit my lip, I heard a rough voice.

“Hey, you there!”

I peeked my head out and saw soldiers in armor approaching us.

Mars spoke in a cautious tone.

“Who are you?”

“We’ve come to take the girl by order of the king.”

“By the king’s order?”

Mars’s arm, which was supporting my legs, tensed up.

Loyalty is good, but it’s overprotective.

However, it’s not in line with my character to say that outright…

I guess I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.

“What’s going on?”

“I heard a rumor that you can cure the Black Death! The queen is in critical condition, and His Majesty commands that you enter the palace immediately.”

“Heh.”

Upon hearing that, Mars let out a sarcastic laugh.

“Even if that’s the case, isn’t that a bit rude? To come in such a high-handed manner without any prior notice? Do you even have any evidence?”

“Hmph. If you refuse the command, we’ll drag you there by force.”

The atmosphere between the two sides became tense.

Of course, I had no intention of letting them continue fighting.

With my eyes closed, I smiled serenely and said,

“Mars, it’s okay.”

“But…”

“Anyway, you said there’s someone sick in the palace, right? Then, I think we should go.”

The soldiers, who had been so threatening, flinched at my calm tone, which was the tone of a 12-year-old child.

They had probably been intimidated after seeing Mars’s rugged face, but when a child spoke this way, they couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“How long will it take to reach the palace?”

“…If we take a carriage, about a week.”

“Alright. Let’s go together.”

Mars showed a slightly displeased expression, but when it came to my desire to treat patients, he followed without protest.

“The only one permitted to enter the palace is that girl. You’re not allowed to enter.”

“What?! How can that be!”

Although there was some drama in the middle…

“Don’t worry too much, Mars. I haven’t done anything wrong. Do you think they would harm me?”

Hearing that, Mars stepped back with a look on his face as if he was about to explode.

‘Playing a role for 5 years becomes a habit.’

Left alone in the carriage with the soldiers, I looked out the window and thought,

“Alright then, shall we go take a look at the palace?”

The thought of finding a point treasure chest made me smile involuntarily.

Everything is going according to plan.