“I want to help people.”

At this, Jurgen showed an unexpectedly visible reaction.

Momentarily taken aback, Vanessa was inwardly surprised at his unusual response.

Though he usually appeared to be made of iron, unmoved by anything, there were times when he showed such unexpected sides.

That small tremor might have stemmed from their past, which he had left as a mystery.

Vanessa truly felt regretful that she couldn’t remember anything.

“…You want to help? How do you plan to do that?”

After composing himself, he asked scrutinizingly. Vanessa gave the answer she had prepared while waiting for him in the corridor.

“I’ll use the divine word of life on the patients. Though I can’t completely cure the plague, it might help alleviate their symptoms.”

Currently, the only divine word Vanessa could use skillfully was one that granted vitality to the target.

With Vinea’s blessing, she might someday be able to use more powerful divine words, like those that completely heal illnesses and injuries. But for now, the vitality divine word was her limit.

Though that was all… it would undoubtedly help those suffering from plague symptoms.

“First, I’ll meet with this mage Jenelly and hear her opinion about the plague spreading in the city…”

“Do you know what your limits might be?”

Jurgen cut off Vanessa’s words with a fierce retort. His intense gaze made Vanessa unconsciously stiffen and her lips quiver.

“Those who possess divine power naturally receive both reverence and expectations from all people. Even if you can only use vitality divine words now, you’ll gradually be able to use more powerful ones. And someday, you might even be able to use the power of resurrection.”

“That’s…”

The power of resurrection. The ability to bring back the dead.

While rare, there had been cases where divine word users received greater blessings from their god and advanced to become power users.

If she became one and could perform the miracle of bringing back the dead…

“If rumors spread that you’ve resurrected someone, people from all over Astra will come to Rivadel Castle, begging you to perform miracles.”

“……”

“It would cause chaos beyond even His Majesty the Emperor’s control. Everyone would covet your power, and in the worst case, war could break out. Even with His Majesty the Emperor’s deterrence, madmen who cause discord appear in every era.”

Vanessa easily understood what Jurgen was warning her about.

And she asked herself: if she gained the power of resurrection, would she have the strength to not use it when seeing someone dying before her eyes?

“……”

The answer was ‘no.’ How could she turn away from people dying in agony? She would end up saving them all. But that would break the cycle of life and death, bringing chaos to the world.

‘At that point, Vinea would withdraw Her blessing from me.’

What would happen to a saintess who lost divine blessing, their holy power?

She would be branded a witch — bearing the resentment and hatred of those who couldn’t receive salvation through her power.

…That unfortunate future seemed so clear that Vanessa couldn’t speak for a while.

‘…However…’

“If you understand, return to your quarters now. Don’t wander around unnecessarily for a while. It would be troublesome if you caught the plague.”

Jurgen turned his back on Vanessa and spoke coldly. Usually, this would have angered her, but having faced reality and organized her thoughts, she spoke with newfound calmness.

“I’m the ‘Blessed One.’ I won’t catch the plague.”

“…Remember that blessing isn’t omnipotent.”

“I understand what you’re worried about.”

Vanessa firmly grabbed the hem of Jurgen’s clothes as he was about to leave. Though it would have been easy for him to shake off her hand, he stopped and turned to look at her.

“So, be my restraint to prevent me from making wrong choices.”

“…What?”

“Though it’s for the impure reason of wanting to possess and break me, we’re going to be married anyway. If we’re to live as husband and wife for life, at least do that much.”

Vanessa brazenly demanded that he stop her before she could become a power user and use resurrection power, keeping him in place.

“……”

For a moment, bewilderment crossed Jurgen’s face as he silently stared at Vanessa.

Quietly removing her hand that still held his clothes, he sighed softly and asked in his unchangingly cold voice.

“You want me to look after you?”

“That… that’s not difficult, right? It’s just watching over me, right? It’s not much different from what you usually do…”

“……”

Glaring at Vanessa with cold eyes, he roughly ran his hand through his bangs. He seemed annoyed.

For making such an unreasonable request? For trying to do something when she should just quietly accept his revenge?

Whatever the reason, Vanessa had no intention of backing down quietly. Her mind was filled with determination to convince him somehow.

“Think about it. The rumor that I received the blessing of life must have already spread here, so wouldn’t I be unworthy of me, as a ‘Blessed One’, if I don’t use such power? And as the Duchess of House Drake… what would the people think of me?”

“…I didn’t expect you to take the role of Duchess seriously. Since being by my side must be horrible.”

“It was at first. But now it’s not that terrible anymore. At least you don’t hit me.”

For some reason, at her last added comment, Jurgen’s Adam’s apple bobbed and veins appeared near his jaw.

An unreadable fragment of emotion flashed across his eyes. After a moment, he spoke in a strained voice.

“You…”

But the words didn’t continue. Jurgen closed his mouth, erased his agitation, and returned to his usual stern expression. Reinforcing his impenetrable wall, he looked down at her with cold eyes.

“Yes, your words have merit.”

“……! Then…!”

“But your power limit is healing divine words. Even if you gain the power of resurrection, don’t even dream of using it.”

“Of course, if I can’t control myself, just lock me in my room. Then there’s nothing to worry about, right?”

“…And remember this. Divine power isn’t an endless fountain. If you pour out more than you can handle, it will run dry.”

“…What happens when it runs dry?”

Being warned about something she’d never considered made her suddenly fearful. Come to think of it, she seemed to remember hearing from the High Priest that the capacity to hold divine power varies from person to person…

“You might become weak or lose consciousness. After all, you’re borrowing power from beings of an unreachable dimension. It’s bound to strain the human body.”

“I see…”

From his way of speaking, unlike her, Jurgen seemed to have studied theology in detail. Vanessa cleared her throat slightly, embarrassed by her own ignorance.

After reaching this agreement with Jurgen, Vanessa came with him to meet Jenelly.

Though this mage of House Drake usually resided in the western tower, they were able to meet her at the clinic in the northern part of the city, presumably because she was playing a central role in controlling the plague.

“Ev-everyone? Just a moment…! That herb isn’t for fever…! Ah, my lord!”

Jenelly, who had been giving various instructions to soldiers helping at the clinic, just happened to spot Jurgen.

After giving some additional instructions to the soldiers, she hurriedly approached them.

Vanessa carefully observed the features of this reclusive mage she finally met.

First, her most striking feature was her curly red hair. Reaching down to her waist, it stuck out in all directions as if hit by a bomb, and looked so coarse it might feel like wire if touched.

Next, her large green eyes caught attention. Her sparkling eyes gave an almost childlike impression, enhanced by her small nose and lips, and round face shape.

How should one put it, she reminded one of a small animal…

“My lord! You’ve finally come! I’ve been researching the cure until now… Oh, um, but who is this person…?”

Jenelly, who had been speaking urgently, belatedly noticed Vanessa’s presence and raised her guard like a kitten.

Standing at about 155cm, rather small for an adult woman, she hid behind the much larger Jurgen while glancing furtively at Vanessa.

That appearance was so exactly like a cat afraid of strangers that Vanessa couldn’t help but laugh softly.