Chapter 28

{Those who doubted gathered to the prophet and asked:

Why is there division between the rich and the poor? Is it because of a curse or the will of the Goddess?

The prophet replied to them:

The wealthy are blessed, but this is for the purpose of taking care of the poor.

The doubters mocked and responded, then why do the rich cause suffering to the poor? Is this also the will of the Goddess?

The prophet answered:

Until the Saint has not come, they selfishly use the blessings for themselves. But when the Saint arrives, their blessings will truly be used for the poor.

The Saint is the one who moves hearts; you shall know this by observing his words and actions.}

– Scripture of Grace, Chapter 13, Verse 9

***

I was hard at work healing people once again today.

At this point, I’ve completely given up.

It feels like lightning could strike down from the heavens at any moment right now.

Yet there’s nothing I can do.

Run away?

They’ll chase after me. Thanks to some infuriating miracle called Tracking or whatever, it’s impossible to lose them.

I asked Vice President Yodel about it a while ago, and he told me it’s a miracle that tracks souls, meaning even if I change my face, I can still be tracked.

Damn!

I can’t even go bankrupt.

Whenever I try, my businesses somehow do even better.

I even thought about beating people up to drive them away, but then I realized there’s a chance all my fans would turn out to be Demon Worshipers or criminals.

It sounds crazy, but considering all the ridiculous things I’ve gone through, it’s not entirely impossible.

Should I try something crazy?

Will people leave me then?

If I strip naked, dance around, harass women, and do other outrageous things…

But then again, the Goddess, who’s probably already preparing the lightning, might decide I’ve tarnished Her name too much and directly strike me down with divine punishment.

Damn!!

It has to be natural.

Without getting burned at the stake.

Without further angering the Goddess.

A smooth and gentle way to make people dislike me enough to leave.

Isn’t there any way?

“Saint, I have a request. Will you hear me?”

As I was diligently treating the poor today, at some point Cecilia quietly approached me and spoke.

Cecilia.

You betrayed me.

Isn’t the typical rich girl in her 20s usually incompetent?

Today I spent 100 salreds on a luxurious dress! Hehehe!

Isn’t that normal?

Mess up a little!

Why do you keep…

Never mind.

I don’t even have the energy to be mad anymore.

“Speak.”

“I obtained a budget to purify the poor district number three by using your name. I said that the Saint would also care for the illnesses of noble families. A few noble families want to meet you now.”

“I see.”

“They have children who have been sick since birth or have diseases that no miracle or divine magic can cure. Could you possibly extend the same grace to them?”

Hold on.

As I listened, an idea popped into my head.

A corrupt Saint!

That’s it!

Isn’t it only natural for a corrupt Saint to meet noble families instead of attending to the poor?

If I start associating with noble families and only treat them, the poor will naturally think, “That bastard only treats rich people!”

“Such a greedy pig!” Then they’ll leave, right?

Great!! It’s a perfect plan!

Cecilia.

I apologize for calling you a traitor.

Thanks to you, I’ve found a way to survive!

“I’ll go. Guide me to those who seek my help.”

Cecilia was overjoyed.

“Understood!!!”

Done!

If I’m going to cosplay as a corrupt Saint, it’s natural to cozy up to the rich and live luxuriously!

Finally, I’ll be able to escape the Heavenly Punishment ending!!

***

“Saint of Healing, welcome.”

Count Levartong was a middle-aged man, the epitome of someone who impeccably managed his wealth. Beside him stood an equally elegant lady with a radiant smile as she gazed at me.

“I am Jericho Amael. You may simply call me Amael.”

“No, never. We’re afraid it might be disrespectful and bring dishonor to the Church of Grace.”

“Let’s start with the meal first.”

The eyewitness to the automobile industry’s rise, the owner of the Levartong Corporation, the legendary figure who transformed the legacy of the former Count Levartong’s automobile industry into the empire’s leading car company, was personally slicing the meat in front of me.

I asked the couple questions about the patient while eating the meal they had diligently prepared.

“Who is the one I will be healing?”

“It’s… my son.”

“What is his ailment?”

At my question, the couple hesitated to answer.

“Let’s finish eating first! Talking business at the dining table… hehe!”

Countess Levartong’s comment made me feel something was off.

Typically, if someone asks for healing, they immediately lead you to the patient seeking an immediate cure. The fact they’re dragging this out makes it seem something is off.

I put down my fork and knife.

“Show me the patient first.”

“Saint… please…”

“I’d like to see the patient first.”

Upon hearing my words, the Levartong couple exchanged glances. Realizing they couldn’t hide it any longer, they stood up.

“First, let me clarify one thing. My son did not fall ill in the usual sense.”

“Then what?”

The couple couldn’t find the words to continue, clenching their fists and bowing their heads deeply. After what felt like a long pause, they finally revealed the truth to me, as if spitting it out.

“My son Henry attempted to hang himself three years ago. The servants barely saved him in time, but ever since, he has been in a coma and hasn’t awakened.”

“We’ve tried every method. We called famous priests and tried every good medicine, but there was no improvement. Oh Saint.”

“We even consulted the priests from the Sun Church, but they said that Henry himself doesn’t wish to recover, so their miracles don’t work. It’s incredibly… excruciatingly painful. Oh Saint, please, heal my son.”

After hearing such a heavy story, I felt the few pieces of meat I had eaten suddenly sitting uncomfortably in my stomach.

Suicide?

Not an illness, but suicide?

What sort of situation is this?

Regardless, if they’re asking, I’ll go ahead and save him…

I don’t know.

After all, I have to play the role of a decadent saint who leeches off the rich, right?

Just dive in.

Heal him, gain fame among the noble circles, and become a dedicated healer for the nobility!

“Please guide me.”

“We implore you, Saint.”

I followed the couple to the son’s room.

***

The son, Henry, had been immobile for three years and was in a terrible state.

Like a skeleton, Henry was just barely breathing.

“Please step back.”

After dismissing the servants who were caring for Henry to prevent bedsores, I placed my hand on Henry’s head.

Using the customizing window, I examined Henry’s condition, noticing a part of his brain had turned completely black.

Well,

Isn’t it too easy?

Actual brain surgery would be incredibly complex, but my skills, designed for someone as medically inexperienced as me, come with massive corrections.

[Would you like to restore?]

Such a helpful message pops up automatically.

Without these corrections, how could I have continued to act as the Saint of Healing until now?

It’s not difficult at all.

Let’s see.

Shall we heal this?

[Restoration in progress!]

The brain, which had been dead and black, was completely restored.

While I was at it, I also gave Henry a full body makeover.

I injected muscles into his body, smoothed out his rough skin, and restored his hair and other features to their original state.

And 30 seconds later.

[Brain restoration complete!]

Henry was perfectly restored.

Slowly opening his eyes, Henry looked around before I could say anything.

“AAAHHH!! AAH! Lilia!!!”

“Saint, thank you! Thank you so much!!!”

As Count and Countess Levartong wept with gratitude, a sharp voice came from Henry, who was miraculously fine.

“Why are you in my room?! Why!?”

Henry’s sharp voice shattered the previously warm atmosphere.

Turning to look at him, I found he was crying.

Filled with hatred and resentment.

“Get out! Get out! I can’t even stand the sight of you! Get out!”

Henry’s shouting voice startled his father, Count Levartong, who looked at his son with a heavy, melancholic expression.

“Henry, you’ve been lying in bed for the past three years. You only woke up thanks to the Saint of Healing.”

“I don’t care! Why did you save me! Why!! I wanted to die! I didn’t want to live with disgusting freaks like you! Why did you save me! Why!!”

Uh…

What’s this atmosphere?

The Countess began shedding tears of sorrow rather than gratitude, while the Count stared at the ceiling, unsure of what to do.

“I hate you! I hate you! Get out! Get out!”

Henry’s loud voice echoed throughout the room.

This is awkward.

If I just say ‘Since your son is better, I’ll leave now,’ other nobles wouldn’t call me anymore.

If I leave things as they are, he might attempt suicide again.

I figured I needed to resolve this after-sales issue.

“Henry.”

“What do you want now, you idiot!!”

His first impression is really bad.

But still, I have to endure. They’re my clients.

“Calm down first.”

“I’ll calm down?? ……..”

[Using the Absolute Hypnosis skill!]

“Calm down.”

At my words, Henry abruptly stopped talking.

Looking directly at Henry, I issued another command.

“Why are you hurling such insults at your parents who gave birth to and saved you? I want to know the reason.”

Henry looked down at his own body in disbelief.

Although confused and startled, the effect of Absolute Hypnosis was absolute.

“My father never acknowledged me once. I always wanted to make music. Music was the only time I felt my life was worth living. I composed and played music passionately. But every time, my father scolded me and told me to stop wasting time on this money-losing thing and focus on inheriting his automobile company.”

As he spoke, tears began streaming down Henry’s face.

Upon hearing this, Count Levartong began sighing in apparent frustration.

“One day, after a big argument, I went out drinking and came home. When I entered my room, I found that he had burned all my instruments and the songs I had written, shouting at me to pull myself together and get ready to inherit the family business. I couldn’t take it anymore, so…”

“You pathetic, incompetent, weakling!! How could you even attempt to hang yourself!! Your mother hasn’t had a proper night’s sleep since then! She even had to take medication! All of this is your fault!! Because of your weakness and incompetence!!”

The father’s voice caused Henry’s to rise in response.

“That’s why I wanted to die!! Father, you’re a devil!! You never saw me as a human being but only as a means to carry on the family business!! I hate you!! I regret being born as the son of someone like you!!”

“You ungrateful brat!!”

The count raised his hand.

Shit.

That’s not the picture I was aiming for.

There’s nothing I can do.

Since I’ve taken this on, I need to follow through and finish the job, right?

[Using the Absolute Hypnosis skill!]

I focused my spirit and cast a trance on Count Levartong.

Then I did a simple thing.

[Maximizing the honesty stat!]

“You’re the most beloved son in the world!! I love you more than my own life!! Henry!! The past three years since your ‘death’ were like living in hell!!”

The Count, who was about to strike, suddenly broke down in tears, unable to control his emotions, and collapsed.

Henry as well.

And the Countess.

All stared at the Count in shock.