Since the arrival of the Princess Canabi’s subjugation squad, other squads have also begun emerging from the labyrinth.
Like the Princess Canabi’s squad, they brought numerous patients, and the temple once again struggled with the influx of visitors.
“Thanks to Priest Arthur’s organization, we’re managing for now, but the priests are extremely fatigued. This is becoming a serious issue.”
“We need to increase the staff.”
Priests Chilan and Ando, having experienced the temple’s harsh realities, strongly advocated for an increase in personnel.
“Even if we request more staff, there’s no guarantee the Holy Nation will send them.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Yes, Priest Ando is right. Considering the donations we receive, it’s entirely feasible to request additional personnel.”
Several factions would undoubtedly want to place their people here, so the two believed that simply requesting reinforcements would suffice.
“How many people should we request?”
“We need at least 20 more. Including reserves, how about 30?”
“Isn’t 30 too many? Fifteen should be sufficient.”
“What can we do with only 15?”
“Then let’s settle on 20. Accommodating 30 would be difficult! We need to adjust the number of staff according to the temple’s situation. What happens if we take too many now and later the number of patients decreases?”
“Can’t you gauge the situation already? The labyrinth will only expand further, which means more patients. We need to prepare for the future.”
Both the argument for requesting 30 staff members and the proposal to limit it to 15–20 had merit. Rapid expansion required more people, while careful growth leaned toward fewer.
Should they take the risk and grow quickly, or proceed cautiously and grow steadily?
“For now, I think it’s urgent to request nursing priests. Volunteers are currently filling in for nursing priests, but the situation is far from sufficient.”
The main reason the priests were struggling was the lack of properly trained nursing priests.
While devout believers had voluntarily stepped in to help, their lack of medical expertise only added to the priests’ fatigue.
There needed to be trustworthy individuals to care for the patients. But when the untrained caused problems, it was inevitable for exhaustion to build up.
“Let’s request 20 nursing priests and 15 healers—a total of 35 additional personnel.”
“…That’s even more than before.”
While only 15 would be directly involved in treatment, the total number of additional helpers would rise to 35.
“I believe this is the minimum required to sustain this place.”
“Among them, how many senior healers are you considering?”
“I’m not sure how many they’ll send, but the more, the better, don’t you think?”
The two priests suddenly gave me an odd look.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Since it’s just us, I’ll be honest. If another senior healer arrives, they might aim for your position.”
“Exactly. Although you were officially appointed, newcomers aren’t likely to respect that.”
Priests Ando and Chilan seemed concerned about the possibility of a new senior healer challenging our leadership.
“If it helps with patient care, I’m willing to give up my position.”
“No way! That can’t happen. Do you realize how much this temple’s stability is thanks to your efforts? It’s absurd to just give it up.”
I couldn’t understand why they were so adamant about this, given they weren’t the ones who made the effort.
Blinking innocently, I replied, “I don’t think I’m the right person for this role. I’ve always believed that someone more capable might take over someday.”
“I doubt there’s anyone like that.”
“Excuse me?”
That couldn’t be true. Surely, among the countless priests in the Holy Nation, there were many more capable than me.
“I didn’t recommend you without reason. Few have your abilities at your age.”
“That’s right. I’m quite strict when judging people, but Priest Arthur is in no way lacking.”
It was obvious they wanted me in this position because it allowed them to maintain their influence. I wasn’t oblivious to the fact that they used me—a neutral and unambitious figure—as a shield while they maneuvered their power plays below.
“I don’t think we need to worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. We don’t even know if the newcomers will want my position. Senior healers are necessary, especially for training purposes.”
“Ah, this is bound to cause trouble…”
“Otherwise, I could provide recommendations myself.”
At Priest Ando’s words, Priest Chilan’s eyes lit up.
“Oh! Recommendations—now that’s a good idea. I could do that too.”
“If you’re willing, that would be great.”
After all, isn’t life all about connections?
It’s unfortunate that a senior healer who could take over my position won’t be arriving, but since there’s still work left for me to do here, it seemed better not to stir up unnecessary trouble.
“Then I will convey it as such.”
I jotted down the names of the senior healers recommended by Priests Ando and Chilan, along with our requirements.
If all the requested personnel were to arrive, the number of people in this temple would approach 100.
‘Did I go overboard with this?’
Considering the number of patients coming in, this scale was necessary to maintain operations.
This decision was made after thorough deliberation and careful consideration.
Fortunately, the temple wasn’t built too small, so we wouldn’t need to construct additional rooms.
What we needed to prepare in advance were basic living furnishings for when the new people arrived.
“Everyone seems so busy.”
While we were frantically treating patients, Sir Rafael was rapidly constructing buildings.
I had visited the Holy Nation before to take exams for both the general healer certification and the senior healer certification.
“This place keeps changing by the day. It feels like the Holy Nation has been relocated here.”
“That’s correct. According to old records, this place was once referred to as a ‘miniature Holy Empire.’ Moving the Holy Nation here is my mission.”
“Relocating the Holy Nation here…”
It seemed Sir Rafael was an even more extraordinary person than I’d thought.
Such an important task wouldn’t be entrusted to just anyone.
“Oh, and the reason I’m here today is to request additional support.”
“I heard there are still many patients at the temple.”
“Yes. We’ve been trying to manage on our own, but with more people entering the labyrinth, the number of patients seeking treatment has increased as well.”
“Hmm… requesting additional personnel might be difficult.”
Sir Rafael looked at the paper I handed him, his expression troubled.
I hadn’t anticipated him saying it would be difficult, so I asked in surprise, “Why?”
“We’re about to enter the labyrinth ourselves.”
“!!”
They had long planned to enter the labyrinth, but the schedule kept getting delayed.
I wondered when they’d finally go, and it turned out to be now of all times.
“If the senior healer you recommended is part of the subjugation squad…”
“Then feel free to assign someone else.”
“Understood. But I’m not sure if there are any senior healers without schedules.”
The Holy Nation might not send priests to other countries, but they certainly wouldn’t exclude priests from their own subjugation squads.
Moreover, it seemed a significant number of senior healers were being assigned to the labyrinth subjugation squad.
“In fact, there was a notice asking for a list of applicants willing to assist the temple.”
“Oh…”
“I didn’t pass it along because it seemed inappropriate to remove personnel from here.”
“You must be organizing quite a large subjugation squad if you’re even pulling people from our side.”
“Yes. Since we delayed our departure, it seems they’re planning an extended expedition into the labyrinth.”
I felt a bit flustered. I came seeking help but ended up facing a situation where they might take people from us instead.
“I will inquire if there are any volunteers for the labyrinth subjugation squad. It would be unfair not to give them the opportunity.”
“I’ll also do my best to push strongly for additional personnel. At the very least, I’ll ensure we secure nursing priests.”
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t help but wonder how we would’ve managed without Sir Rafael.
All the arguments we had over whether to request 15 or 30 personnel suddenly felt pointless.
We’d been overly optimistic.
“Wow~ So many priests!”
“I’ve never seen so many priests at once.”
“Wow, their faces practically glow with divinity!”
Unlike other countries, which immediately entered the labyrinth, the Holy Nation’s subjugation squad, which had remained quiet until now, finally appeared at the labyrinth’s entrance.
As soon as the Holy Nation’s squad arrived, people flocked to watch.
The other nations had a mixed view of the Holy Empire.
To the nobles who worked for their country, they were seen as money-grubbing scoundrels, but to the common people, they were objects of respect and admiration.
“So, the Holy Empire is finally entering the labyrinth?”
“Yeah, they’re starting later than expected.”
“Some countries have already sent their subjugation squads twice. Why did the Holy Empire take so long to move?”
“Who knows? Maybe they’re just not that interested in labyrinth subjugation, judging by the grand temples they’ve built.”
“Are you kidding me? The Holy Empire is obsessed with money. Why wouldn’t they be interested in the labyrinth?”
While the carriage stopped briefly, the candid voices of citizens outside reached my ears.
“How irreverent.”
“It’s probably because there are so many mercenaries. And it’s not entirely untrue, is it?”
As they had guessed, there was a reason for the Holy Nation’s delayed entry into the labyrinth.
They were deliberately waiting for a time when fewer people would be in the labyrinth.
There was no benefit to letting others figure that out.