第９９６堀：魔術と知識の関係性 (Part1)
**Chapter 996: The Relationship Between Magic and Knowledge**
**Side: Eupia**
"Phew, that was a fine bath."
"Yes, it certainly was."
Shou and I had stepped out of the bath to cool down our flushed bodies. Well, I’d likely jump back in once the chill set back in, but for now, this was perfect.
"This place is truly a paradise."
"It really is. I never imagined that soaking in hot water could be this comfortable. The hot springs are truly something else."
"Indeed. And the sheer number of facilities provided just to enjoy these springs—it’s marvelous."
"Yes. I doubt there is any other facility in the world that considers the needs of its users to this extent."
Indeed. When I return to my own country, I am going to find a hot spring. I will pour national funds into it and build an open-air bath. I shall enjoy the nights while gazing up at the star-filled sky! Just as I was resolving myself to this...
"Emperor Eupia, Big Sister Shou. I brought you some drinks."
"It’s water and lemon soda."
"Oh, my thanks. I was just getting thirsty. I’ll take the water."
"Then I shall have the lemon soda."
As I took the cold drink from Aslin and the others, the moisture seeped into my warmed body.
"Mmm. Even simple water tastes like nectar."
"Mine is lemon-flavored, but it’s delicious."
"It tastes so good when you drink it in the bath, doesn't it?"
"It really does."
"Indeed. Ah, that hits the spot."
As I sipped my water, Shou stood up.
"Well, I’ve had my fill of fluids and I’ve calmed down, so I think I’ll head back into the bath."
"I see. I think I shall lounge here a while longer."
"Understood. Then, if you’ll excuse me. Rurua."
"Oh, how are you feeling, Shou? How is your body?"
"Exceedingly well. I never imagined you could heal me in an instant."
Shou and Rurua spoke like two close sisters. Both of them were naked in the bathhouse, and their magnificent proportions were on full display. Now that Shou’s burns had healed, I could see her superb figure, but Rurua surpassed even that. It was truly something. I had thought she was well-endowed, but were they each the size of my own head?
*Ahem.* That is a trivial matter.
"I never thought you could heal Shou’s burns in the blink of an eye."
Honestly, I had expected that today would involve nothing more than a diagnosis and perhaps washing the wounds with the hot water...
*"Hmm, I see. These are quite severe. It’s hard to call this fully healed."*
*"...Well, it doesn't hinder my movement, so it's fine. It’s settled down to the point where the hardened, charred skin only occasionally splits and bleeds. I’d say that’s a full recovery. When I first sustained these burns, I spent three months writhing in agony."*
When Shou sustained those burns, even the healers had given up on her. Recovery magic, at its core, functions by boosting the target's own vitality; if the person has no vitality left, the magic cannot function. Otherwise, even the dead could be resurrected with it. I don't fully understand the mechanics, but at the time, Shou’s vitality was all but extinguished. After three months of hovering between life and death, she had miraculously survived. The doctors had called it a miracle, and I agreed. I had resigned myself to losing her back then.
Yet, Rurua had taken one look at that grievous injury and...
*"With this, I can see why bathing would be painful."*
*"The skin splitting from the burns stings quite a bit."*
*"Firia-chan, you get burns often from your blacksmithing, don't you?"*
*"No, I can endure that much. And wait, Firia-sama, you do blacksmithing?"*
*"Oh? You didn't know? Firia is the next representative of Weed’s Blacksmith District, you know?"*
*"Ahem! That’s right. Now, Rurua-neesama, please, the treatment."*
*"Oh, right. Let’s give it a try. Extra Heal."*
I was surprised by the revelation about Firia, but Rurua didn't seem to care in the slightest, casually chanting the pinnacle of recovery magic. However, to my regret, we have users of *Extra Heal* in my own country, too. And even those healers had said it was impossible. Rurua was undoubtedly the finest doctor and healer in Weed, but I still thought it would be beyond her.
As I watched the proceedings, the gentle light of *Extra Heal*—a light I had seen many times before—gathered over Shou’s burn scars. When the light faded, the traces of the burns had vanished entirely, and smooth, beautiful skin had returned.
*"Sh-Shou!"*
*"Y-Your Majesty!? W-wait, that tickles! Uhyah, no! Ahahahaha!"*
I couldn't believe my eyes and hurriedly stroked the area where Shou’s burns had been.
"Oh, Rurua-dono, you are truly amazing."
"Hehe, I know, right?"
"She studies medicine every single day."
"Medicine, you say? So it isn't just recovery magic."
"Oh? You didn't know? The effectiveness of recovery magic changes depending on the healer's medical knowledge, you know?"
"...Labyris. You realize that what you just said so casually is a state secret, right?"
This information was so vital that it alone made the trip to Weed worth it. This was a grave mistake—a loss for my nation. If I weren't careful, Labyris could lose her head over this.
...Wait, is this a test? Of course, I had no intention of letting such vital information go unrewarded, but hmm, this is troublesome. A reward of this caliber... I’ll have to consult with Shou later.
I was feeling somewhat perplexed, but Labyris—who had just blurted out such a monumental secret—and Aslin and the others were just looking at me with puzzled expressions while sipping their juice.
Hm? Ah, I see. Even if I’m worried about Labyris’s fate, they trust me.
"Aslin, everyone, do not worry. I will follow the proper procedures so that Labyris is not punished."
"Eh? Um, is Labyris-chan going to be scolded?"
"Why would she be?"
"Well, because she just spoke of such important information..."
As we tilted our heads at each other, Shera gave a bitter smile.
"Um, Emperor Eupia. That medical knowledge you think is a state secret is actually shared among the allied nations. Furthermore, if they wish, even those outside the alliance can read the basic knowledge."
"What!?"
"Yes. Well, the deeper aspects of medicine are still under research and are kept secret, but the fact that the amount of knowledge creates a difference in recovery magic is just general knowledge."
"The difference in the amount of knowledge... I understand the words, but it is all so vague that I still do not quite grasp it."