Chapter 159

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 6, 2025

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As I stepped inside, there she was again—just like last time—a girl with sharp features sitting there.

Kanna Temrane Shiodore.

She’s the daughter of a duchy, so they call her “Lady,” I guess. And yeah, I also heard rumors about her being lame.

She has a high chance of becoming a Harvester.

“Hello.”

“You’re as reliable as ever. Come and sit down.”

Following her gesture, I took the same seat as last time. Her outfit was different from before, but it still had an unusually long lower half that didn’t reveal anything underneath.

Definitely covering her legs.

You see, students at the Royal Academy show off their thigh muscles without hesitation. Even those of higher class here seem to do it, so either fashion is pretty liberal here or this is just the trend.

Still don’t have enough info to say much though.

The highest-ranking Harvester is Aurora, but she fell into decline last year and isn’t really up-to-date on trends.

There are others who lived in upper-class areas of Bern City, but they’re either too old or too young to know what’s currently fashionable in the capital.

Back around 10 years ago during the Royal Academy days, even in summer, dresses went all the way down to the ankles, though some were cut open down the back past the waist.

Some bold ones even showed their hip bones. Guess human nature doesn’t change much when it comes to showing off.

Anyway, based purely on possibility, I can now judge things better.

If I turn the person in front of me into a Harvester, I’ll learn more.

Thinking this, I waited for her to speak.

“Last weekend. I heard you changed many people in the slums.”

That happened just two days ago. Thinking about the people I healed then, does she finally want to embrace becoming a Harvester?

“Yeah.”

“Was that done under the royal family’s orders?”

Royal family?

Even though dukes watch out for the royals, shouldn’t they not need to be so cautious if we’re thinking logically?

“No. That was what *they* wanted.”

Only partly true. Everyone there wanted it after seeing the first transformed person. But that first one never asked for it—they just enjoyed certain activities.

Careless words can ruin you easily, just like how verbal contracts are binding once agreed upon. You can’t take them back.

Of course, even if I talk like that, I wouldn’t stop myself anyway, right? Would I give up warmth?

Right in front of me, all I’d need to do is grab her hand… but no, that’s impossible.

“That blessing means you can use it however you wish, huh?”

Blessing?

Sounds like something out of a newspaper article. At least from what I know, TV broadcasts don’t use the word “blessing.” Newspapers, though? They plastered my face across the front page calling me a saint and God’s miracle worker.

So you read it, huh?

“Do some people want this so-called ‘blessing’?”

Since I don’t think of it as a blessing, I prefaced my question accordingly. Seems like at least someone desires me enough to consider it a blessing.

She stares straight at me, and I stare back.

Kanna Temrane Shiodore.

Taller than me, but only because I’m short—not because she’s tall. Average height. Her hair, closer to yellow than gold, is cut slightly longer than shoulder-length. Above that sits a pair of round ears.

In the faded memories of another world, beings like her would’ve been called hybrids, but here, they’re treated more like a clan or ethnic group rather than a separate race.

Of course, blue-skinned people don’t exist here, so harvesters with blue skin are considered very alien by many.

She appears small, but that’s because her posture is hunched. Before, I thought the fancy cane beside her chair was just decorative, but now I understand its purpose—it helps her walk.

Her body must be quite unbalanced.

Now that I know her condition, things I didn’t notice before become clear. She asks me softly:

“What do you desire?”

It’s asking what I expect in return for giving her what she wants. Right, at this point, there’s no such thing as unconditional kindness, and she should know that.

But that’s a mistake.

“The contract is your choice. If you want it, we proceed; if not, we don’t.”

I’m merely the listener here. If she asked what I might lose, I’d tell her about warmth—but not yet.

Slowly, her desire to become a harvester seems to grow stronger. So I ask:

“I’ll give myself to you. In return, when you finish everything later, you’ll give me everything you own. How does that sound?”

Contract Document.

This is a question I’ve asked countless times already. It’s been reported in newspapers and even broadcasted on TV. Anyone familiar with me through media knows this.

No mention of healing exists anywhere. Instead, it says I take everything you own after death. While alive, nothing is taken away.

This works well for those living day-to-day or those with nothing left behind…

“But taking everything I own after I die—that’s too much, isn’t it?”

People like her, with much to pass onto future generations, tend to hesitate. Should I perform a demonstration turning stones into gold to show her material wealth means nothing to me?

Hmm…

No.

That’s too greedy. It looks like I’m trying to persuade her to make the contract, doesn’t it?

To keep building relationships with important figures in the future, the contract itself cannot appear as something I desire.

“This is a contract document. If you don’t wish for it, we won’t proceed.”

She’s read the newspapers. Knowing the contract implies she understands: everyone who answered yes became a harvester, without exception.

If the royal family has access to information and knows the exact moment I contracted with Aurora, they’d realize this line never changes.

I act calm, saying I won’t contract unless she truly wishes for it. Though if the moment calls for immediate action, patience isn’t needed. But since we’re not there yet, I can wait—for the sake of gaining more warmth in the future.

Otherwise, the instant I’m summoned, I could pour myself into this world and absorb all the warmth instantly. But then, I’d cease to exist afterward.

Once that line is crossed, I won’t wait like this again.

Upon ascending, I’d immediately destroy the world and consume its warmth. Like someone addicted to mind-altering drugs, I’d lose all reason and act purely on impulse.

That fervor would be intoxicating…

Yeah. My personality would melt away completely. Definitely.

So I endure. Not chasing extreme pleasure, but truly looking toward the future. I’m not stupid enough to ignore that.

This taste is definitely gone forever. I’d remain perpetually insane, thinking crazily despite retaining wisdom. Still…

Because of my wisdom, I grit my teeth. I’ll never feel that infinite cold again—the kind where there’s not even a speck of warmth, where death itself is impossible. Never.

While I solidify my resolve, the girl in front of me wrestles with her decision.

She tries to hide her expression, but humans can’t fully conceal themselves. Breathing, heartbeat, skin tone—all transparent to me.

Moreover, unintentionally, there’s a time limit attached. The fact that I’ll soon have bodyguards was mentioned during lunch, so she probably knows already.

Could the royal family-appointed guards prevent this contract?

I’m really lucky.

Pretending to be completely carefree, I sit there like a Harvester vending machine, waiting.

And finally…

She answers.

“Alright. Let’s make the contract.”

The contract is established.

I extend my hand, filled with light, and place myself within it.

Simultaneously, I gain Kanna’s memories.

House of Shiodore. Thought they were a branch of the royal family, but turns out they’re from the northern duke’s side.

This country is crescent-shaped—a circular form missing its left side. On maps, the capital is in the top-left corner, while Bern City is in the bottom-left.

That’s why traveling by ship is fastest. Land routes require detours.

Though located in the north, it’s not a snowy region. Just an endless border. If that were all, they wouldn’t be called the Northern Dukedom.

Their house is a military family. A clan that values martial arts regardless of gender or age. As such, Kanna wasn’t considered a full member.

Her mother died giving birth to her, and due to complications, one of Kanna’s legs barely moved. In a military family, being unable to move is naturally looked down upon.

But she wasn’t mistreated. Perhaps because she posed no threat to her siblings, they treated her kindly. Of course, Kanna’s efforts played a part as well.

With such a physically strong bloodline, her lack of movement shifted her focus to her intellect.

She mediated conflicts among her siblings, striving to create a harmonious family—and succeeded.

But her inability to walk remained a source of inferiority. Since childhood, she’s had to give up so much because of her leg.

And now…

“Truly, I can walk.”

Her skin cracks like porcelain, crumbling like dry sand, leaving behind dust she brushes off. Her natural movements carry her forward.

Her yellow hair turns purple, her skin whiter, but her damaged legs are healed—better than they would’ve been.

Hop.

From where she stands, she jumps and touches the ceiling—about three times my height, achieved with a single jump.

Testing her previously immobile legs, she moves freely, exploring every direction before settling back into place.

Silent tears stream down Kanna’s face.

An insurmountable hardship has vanished. This means there’s no longer any obstacle blocking her path.