11 — The Healer’s Proclamation

11 — The Healer’s Proclamation

Do you know what it’s like to be commended for something? Do you know what it’s like to be commended amid strangers who detest you? Do you know what it’s like to feel their pressure and hear their vitriol? To be elevated above those years your senior?

I’d had to give speeches at promotions in my past life too. First, you thank your superiors, then you go on about how you couldn’t have made it that far without the support of your peers, yada yada. Next, you throw in a bit of self-deprecating humor about your struggles up to that point or how hard you worked to get there. Then you finish it off by stating your next goal and conclude with another thank-you.

For starters, there was my former superior, Granhart, who interrogated me and presented me with my card and robe. Then there was Jord, who showed me how to fight monsters with cleansing magic but wasn’t much help with the first boss, so no extra points there. Lumina’s Valkyries allowed me to train with them but honestly not much else. So it might sound a little harsh, but my thanks went primarily to Cattleya for her advice, and to the dining hall lady for cooking my food.

But who could forget Her Holiness’s amazing equipment? Specifically, the magic bag and Angel’s Pillow. Without those two, I wouldn’t have made it very far. And, of course, I couldn’t possibly leave out Substance X and Monsieur Luck.

All I’d ever wanted back on Earth was that promotion, and it had landed me here, in another world. But I could live with that. What I didn’t understand was why all my efforts to improve myself, to avoid life-or-death situations, continually forced me into fighting.

I acted only for myself. I buddied up with the strong to keep from dying. I only got close with people to stay alive, played the polite businessman to survive. But at some point, it had stopped being about me. At some point, I’d spent so much time with people that I’d come to respect, people like Brod, Gulgar, and the others, that I’d started to feel something else.

I felt content.

But the god of fate chose to punish me for my selfishness. He threw me into a den of enemies as recompense for my egocentric efforts to secure a safe life. So, I’d stopped working for my own benefit. Or at least that had been my goal. I’d delved into my work in the labyrinth, and healed at the Adventurer’s Guild, and some people even came to admire me. But being kind wasn’t indicative of a selfless character. That one fact never changed, no matter which world you found yourself in.

I healed those who couldn’t afford it, called it “charity,” and believed that my kindness was for something greater than myself. It took me a while to reach this point, but I poured everything I had into my work. So why, great goddess Crya, was this where I worked? Why was I now standing here facing more enemies than ever before?

The celebration ceremony for the conquest of the labyrinth was being held in a large training ground utilized by the knights. And here today were not only those knights but an array of healers and important dignitaries as well. The anxiety of it all gave me an awful stomachache.

Even the pope was in attendance on this happy occasion, although a thick veil concealed her face. A magic speaker-like device amplified her voice through an arclink crystal.

“At last, the labyrinth that has troubled us these many decades is no more, due to the efforts of one brave exorcist by the name of Luciel. Though its essence yet lingers and beasts will continue to emerge for some time, its end is now in sight. Unified regiments shall be assigned the task of periodic exterminations. As such, I pray that each and every one of you will see to it that your diligence in training does not wane.”

She paused for a moment, then continued. “Now, in recognition of his grand deeds, I hereby confer upon Luciel the rank of S and equal standing, including commanding authority, with the title of bishop. Furthermore, I grant him the right to refuse any and all orders that are not directly my own. This I, Pope Fluna Alludelli de Shurule, do decree. We would hear from you now, S-rank Luciel.”

She was staring at me with a gaze that I couldn’t see yet somehow knew was filled with expectations. Boy, this stomachache sure wasn’t getting any better. If only I could ditch the speech and take an airship to a world in the sky where people wouldn’t try to assassinate me. Too bad such things didn’t exist here.

They had given me a podium at which to speak, and there was only one thing that had to be said clearly: I needed to condemn the Church. Only Her Holiness, Cattleya, and the Valkyries knew what was about to happen.

Come on, Monsieur Luck, I just wanted a peaceful life, for crying out loud!

“Thank you for the introduction and the honor, Your Holiness. I am Luciel, newly promoted S-rank healer and exorcist. I know that many of you don’t take kindly to a newcomer like me being given so much authority after a single accomplishment, and I don’t blame you. However, I’m sorry to say that this no-good upstart is about to make things even more uncomfortable. You see, the Church’s influence is on the cusp of collapse, as it has been for the duration of my four years as a healer.”

The crowd stirred, and I sensed tempers rising. The Valkyries and Cattleya, and even the pope, I could only assume, stifled grins as if this wasn’t all their idea. To be fair, I was kind of getting into it.

“The reason for this lies, firstly, in the policies of pompous healers. It’s said that the first healers of the guild offered their services in exchange for a variety of things, not just money. And when I heard that, I was in awe of the saintliness of our founders. But such a system is not monetarily viable as an occupation, and there will inevitably be unreasonable patients on top of that. It simply isn’t fair work. In this respect, we are in agreement.

“I do not believe the problem lies in being compensated with money. Many of you, and many healers across the world, hold our work in high regard and heal with pride, so why is this occupation so often associated with greed? Because there are no regulations. Too many clinics have made profit their driving force, and that is why I, with the support of Her Holiness and the ten archbishops, am declaring the creation of guidelines for the costs of healing.

“Furthermore, all paladins and templars found guilty of corruption after sufficient investigation will now be relieved of their positions and de-classed to ‘knight’ for crimes against Crya the Divine. No longer will misdeeds in the Church’s name be abided.

“I hope you’ll all join me in these efforts to restore the reputation of this nation’s seat of leadership. With you as my witnesses, I vow to dedicate my life to that goal. Thank you for your courteous attention.”

“Indeed, it shall be so,” Her Holiness said. “However, I have one more proclamation to make on this day. I hereby order Cattleya to be relieved of her duty, and reinstated as Lady Catherine Frena, Captain of the Guard.”

Cattleya’s—or rather Catherine’s—-return to duty had infinitely more of an impact on the crowd than my own speech. The clamor seemed unending until the pope continued and the voices quieted.

“The captain’s work is done. The rampant injustices and festering wounds that have plagued these halls have been cleansed, and thus she shall return. If ever you notice the absence of an individual you know, be aware that they were likely a victim of justice, and that the scope of these inspections shall be broadened. Lend me your support and let us rally as one. In the name of our Church, I implore each and every one of you to join us in our efforts.”

The pope did not need to bow or make pleas, but as her humble request came through the speakers with none of the weight of her position, everyone in attendance saluted at once.

I was now an S-rank healer, stuck in the heart of the lion’s den, but the process of betterment for the Church had begun. To Crya, to the god of fate, to the Divine Healer, and to my ancestors watching over me, I offered a prayer for the future.