“As soon as the labyrinth opens, you’re not planning to go in right away, are you?”
“No, although we’re the advance party, we didn’t come to fight. The Holy Nation said they would send combat personnel later.”
In other words, we’re the group hastily sent to secure a prime spot.
Knowing our assigned task, white tents were already being set up here and there as soon as we arrived.
No one could object to the expansion of the Holy Nation’s territory.
Other countries seemed to have sent people quickly as well, but they were at a similar level to us, who had just arrived.
“So, they’re in a frenzy over land.”
The tension here was no joke, with everyone aware we claimed this spot first.
At times like this, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the greatness of the Holy Nation.
Is this what you call “national pride”?
“My chest swells with pride. Is this the taste of a powerful nation?”
I was born in a small country, invaded from above and below, suffering all kinds of slander.
But now, reincarnated, I was different.
Top of the top, able to assert myself in every country without hesitation!
Being a citizen of the religious state, the “Holy Empire,” meant I could assert my authority, never the other way around.
Unaware that my chest was swelling with national pride, Sir Rafael continued.
“Other countries will probably soon know the opening day of the labyrinth.”
I wonder how they’ll react when they hear there’s only 14 days left.
“They’re bound to look like they’ve bitten into something sour.”
With only 14 days, even knowing the date in advance wouldn’t give them much of an advantage.
If another country had cheated like this, they’d be furious, accusing them of profiteering and even threatening war. But if it’s the Holy Nation doing it?
“Even though it’s my country, it’s quite a rascal.”
I like it, though—a nation of rascals.
Since I’m not the one losing, what’s the problem?
I just hope we don’t ruin our international image by acting too much like rascals.
“I hope the other countries make adequate preparations, too. I’d hate to see major sacrifices.”
“Since you’re here, brother, surely that won’t happen?”
“…I’ll do what I can, but not everything goes as planned.”
My healing isn’t omnipotent, and there’s no way I could save everyone who gets hurt by monsters.
Sir Rafael likely knew this but was saying it anyway.
…Or at least, he should know.
Surely, he doesn’t actually believe I can do that.
There are now 10 days left until the labyrinth opens.
In the past four days, the area around the labyrinth has undergone tremendous change.
Have you ever seen a two-story building rise in a single day?
I have.
By morning, it was just construction materials; by evening, a clean-looking building stood there.
It was the result of dozens of large men working tirelessly through the day, but anyone who’s worked on buildings would know how absurd it is.
“There’s a reason mages’ labor costs are high.”
Our clerics are expensive, but not as much as mages.
Hiring mages, who are almost like highway robbers, often required the price of an entire building.
The buildings that sprang up with the combined efforts of muscled men and mages were more than a few, and though it was more than a village, it was now taking on the appearance of a small town.
Each country marked its own area and erected buildings, creating a rather exotic-looking town.
Our Holy Nation erected both lodgings and a temple.
A statue of the Sun God was built, a prayer room created, and a clinic and training grounds appeared in no time.
“Is this what they call throwing money around?”
The speed at which they were building the temple was extraordinary.
Being a nation that throws its weight around and pulls all kinds of tricks, the Holy Nation spares no expense when needed (especially when building temples).
The temple built with the combined efforts of mages and architects was grand, huge, and magnificent.
“It’s on a different level from our church.”
The Palmore Church, an old building that had once been white, had turned gray over time.
In contrast, the newly built temple was pristine, pure white, free of any impurities.
“If only our church could be remodeled like that.”
But because the bishop wasn’t interested in beautifying the church, it remained in its old, shabby state.
“Isn’t it strange for the Palmore Church to have no funds when it operates a clinic? Seeing that there’s no effort to improve anything, perhaps the church is doomed?”
‘There’s actually another reason for this difference.’
Isn’t it obvious that there’s a huge disparity in the ‘donations’ collected at the Palmore Church’s clinic compared to the donations that will pour into the labyrinth temple’s clinic?
The Holy Nation had no reason to hold back funds for a temple that would bring in a massive amount of donations.
‘People from all over the world will walk into the temple on their own.’
While the opening of the labyrinth posed a global crisis, it was fantastic news for the Holy Nation, offering a chance to expand its influence.
I didn’t support this mission to the labyrinth without reason.
‘After all, the future will revolve around the labyrinth.’
Therefore, securing a spot even slightly earlier would be advantageous.
‘The problem is that we’re so early, it’s hard to grasp what we should be doing.’
As I mentioned earlier, buildings around here are going up at an incredibly fast pace.
With the labyrinth opening soon, everyone was busy.
Even if all safety rules are followed, construction sites are dangerous. And with orders to build as quickly as possible, it’s inevitable that accidents would happen.
When work speeds up, there’s bound to be some noise.
“We have a patient! He fell off a building during construction!”
“We have a patient! A rebar fell during construction, and he was pinned beneath it!”
The labyrinth hadn’t even opened yet, and the clinic was already full of patients.
It wasn’t only accident victims visiting the clinic.
People with chronic illnesses also came to the temple for treatment.
One chief healer and eight regular healers—a total of nine healers cared for the patients.
The eight regular healers likely had no major issues adjusting.
The problem was me.
‘I’m so exhausted I could die.’
After prayers and seeing patients, when my day was finally over, I had to teach the eight novice healers.
Once the lessons were done, it was time for the evening prayer.
When I finally got a moment of peace to rest, a novice healer would come knocking at my door.
They’d say they had questions about something they were studying.
Since I’d told them they could always come and ask if they were curious, I couldn’t exactly tell them to stop coming.
“Ha, I’m tired.”
Only after their visits finally ended could I truly be free.
This routine had continued for days now.
What surprised me was the incredible passion these novices had for learning.
“So, they didn’t sign up for no reason, huh?”
I’m not sure if they joined knowing the labyrinth’s immense potential, like I did.
But they’re definitely people with enough drive to choose high risk for high reward.
In other words, they have a keen interest in advancing to the position of chief healer.
That’s why they’re so sincere about this tedious study.
“I came here for training, but who knew I’d end up as a teacher?”
Everyone was very polite to me, probably aware that I didn’t have to be doing all of this.
If I didn’t like the novices, I wouldn’t be teaching them so diligently.
But since they’re doing well, I can’t help but share my knowledge and tips.
‘Once they grow, things will be easier for me, too.’
For now, whenever something happens, they come running to me, chirping for help. But once they mature, they’ll lay eggs and raise the next generation of novices, won’t they?
“By the way, when is the bishop in charge coming?”
Won’t they raise the next generation on their own?
Since I’m currently the senior healer, I’ve unintentionally become the one communicating with Sir Rafael as a representative. But I can’t stay in this position forever.
‘The bishop has to arrive before the labyrinth opens… Just how long am I supposed to carry this heavy responsibility?’
“I thought I was dead for sure, but I survived! It’s nothing short of a miracle. You are the savior of my life. Thank you so much!”
A patient who almost died from a fall during construction was discharged.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could save this person either. I barely remember what I did to save him—it was such an urgent and chaotic moment. There he was, right before me, and all I could do was focus on using divine power exactly as the Sun God had taught me.
‘Given my usual healing abilities, he was a patient I shouldn’t have been able to save. If I had to try again, I wouldn’t be able to do it.’
So the fact that he survived truly was a miracle—a blessing bestowed by the Sun God.
“Surely, it was the Sun God watching over you.”
For reference, another patient who was pinned by a fallen rebar during construction didn’t survive. Both had been gravely injured, yet one lived and the other didn’t. It made me question their devotion and faith.
“I will live my life with even greater piety from now on!”
Pledging to live his remaining days meaningfully in honor of the life the Sun God saved, he left a generous donation in the offering box before his safe departure.
“Brother Arthur!”
Since I’d been rather impressed by that patient’s miraculous recovery, I stayed to see him off. But now, a novice healer was calling for me.
“What’s the matter?”
“This person here keeps saying something odd.”
Next to the novice healer stood a large, rough-looking man.
“What brings you here?”
“Are you the one in charge?”
“Yes, I am, though only temporarily. I heard you said something to our priest; may I ask what that was?”
“It’s nothing complicated—I’d just like to borrow the most skilled priest here.”
“Is there an injured person? If they’re unable to move, I can arrange a house call for treatment.”
But I doubt a simple house call request would have made our novice healer call his words “odd.”
As expected, the man continued with his strange—no, outright absurd—request.
“I’m not looking for someone just to treat and leave. I want a healer to accompany us into the labyrinth to provide treatment inside. I’ll pay any amount.”