第１１６３堀：幸せと正しさの違い そして勝手 (Part1)
Chapter 1163: The Difference Between Happiness and Righteousness, and Selfishness
Side: Yuki
"Hmm, I see. So, Yuki-dono, you’ve purchased a slave."
"Yeah. That’s why I’m letting you know—I’ll be bringing her by for introductions later, so I’m counting on you."
"Understood. By the way, is her primary duty to handle the commoners?"
"That’s the plan. But tell me, do you really think that’s all there is to it?"
"No. That’s impossible."
"Indeed. If she is to serve as 'Yuki-sama’s right hand,' it goes without saying that she will have to handle us as well."
And so, I found myself at the Lancer Academy of Magic, explaining to Popuri and Lara that I had bought a slave. Since this place is the pinnacle of magical research on the If Continent, they are, for better or worse, part of the inner circle. Maintaining ties with them is an absolute necessity, and it’s unthinkable for Orelia and the others to remain strangers to Popuri and her staff.
"But will introductions with just us be enough? You have plenty of acquaintances on the If Continent, don't you?"
"Yeah, I plan to make those rounds eventually. I need to introduce them to Arne in Betan, too."
"Ah, speaking of which, have you met with Arne-dono yourself lately, Yuki-dono?"
"Nah, I’ve been way too busy. That’s why I’m thinking of using this occasion to check on how things are going while I’m at it."
"That would be for the best. I haven’t heard that Betan is in any particular trouble, but it’s hard for a nation’s lord to be left to their own devices."
"However, didn't Arne-dono attend the wedding and such?"
"She did, but it felt like she was working hard on the Weed side, as one of the hosts."
"…I see. In that case, a proper greeting is indeed necessary."
Lara also seemed to agree that checking on Betan was the right move. I felt the same way, which is why I intended to make the trip while introducing Orelia and the others.
"Anyway, that’s settled. I have one other thing I wanted to ask about."
"Hmm? What is it? I assume Eagil and Master have already sent word regarding Hivia and the investigation into the Great Tree Sea?"
"It’s not that. It’s about treating an injured person."
"An injured person? If even the Extra Heal of Yuki-sama or Rulua-sama isn't enough, that’s a bit…"
"It’s their heart."
"Their heart? Ah, I see."
The moment I mentioned the "heart," the two of them understood immediately, their expressions turning grave.
"For now, I don't know if they’re just catatonic or if their mind is completely shattered, but I’m managing to keep them alive with IVs and recovery magic. Fortunately, there are no signs of them trying to take their own life."
That was my biggest concern. Ratz and As had both told me that after enduring such horrors, there was a high possibility of suicide because the person couldn't find any meaning or value in living. But, for now, that hasn't happened.
"You never know when or why that might change."
"Yes. Even among those who have suffered such things, there are many cases where they seem to be living normally, only to take their own lives suddenly, without any warning."
"I’ve heard that, too."
A sudden trigger, a memory of the trauma, and they spiral downward in an instant. But for now, they are alive. I can't just ignore that.
"I saved them, after all. If they’re alive, I want to find a way to heal them."
"Healing, huh… The problem is whether 'living' is actually happiness for that person."
"Yes."
"Lilishe said the same thing. She asked if it was truly happiness to keep living after going through something like that."
"Even Lilishe-sama said that…? If that Goddess herself would say such a thing, the situation must have been beyond extreme."
"Yeah. It was a situation where a normal person might be traumatized just by catching a glimpse of it."
Well, it was the kind of thing that would be tagged as pure gore. Still, I can't let that stop me. Saving a human life is what it is.
"Even so, Yuki-sama, you intend to save her?"
"Well, yeah. Since I’ve already saved her life, it would piss me off if she just died on me. I think that’s enough of a reason. A doctor’s job is to save lives, after all. Though, I’m not exactly a professional doctor."
"I see. So it’s not for her sake, but for your own. My, my, that is just like you, Yuki-dono."
"What are you talking about? Isn't it 'selfish' in itself to treat someone and force them to live without their consent?"
"Well, that’s true. So, Yuki-dono is selfishly searching for a way to heal her heart."
"Exactly."
In the end, my search for a cure for her heart is more for my own sake than hers. I know full well that people have the option to end their own lives. But the people left behind are the ones who suffer the consequences. Isn't that, in itself, a form of selfishness? They suffered a terrible fate, yes. But does that give them the right to cause trouble for others? It’s not a simple issue, I know, but facts are facts. I simply cannot accept having my efforts go to waste. That’s all there is to it.
"So, do you have any ideas regarding a treatment?"
This is a world of magic, after all. I thought there might be some groundbreaking treatment for this kind of mental illness.
"Let’s see. Well, there is one, I suppose. But I think you’re actually better at that than we are. Suggestions, hypnosis, brainwashing—that sort of thing."
"Ah, that kind of approach. Well, humans are all influenced by some form of suggestion or brainwashing to some degree, aren't they?"
"Hahaha. It’s crazy that you can say that so casually."
"Eh? Headmistress? What do you mean by that? Are you saying even we are under the influence of suggestion or brainwashing?"
Lara was genuinely shocked by my exchange with Popuri. Well, I suppose normal people don't think that way. And the fact that Popuri understands it as such is also quite something.
"That’s right, Lara. Think about it. For example, why do we think we shouldn't kill people?"
"That is because it is wrong to recklessly take the life of a fellow human. It is important for us to help one another. If we didn't, we wouldn't be able to survive."
"Exactly. That is true. But in reality, there are tens of thousands of people in this world who live without helping anyone. Well, I don't think those types have long futures ahead of them, but still, they exist."
Popuri’s answer was circuitous, but the sharp-witted Lara seemed to grasp it.
"Are you saying that our very common sense is also a form of suggestion or brainwashing? This common sense that allows us to live peacefully with others?"
"That’s right. Even 'common sense' is something that is 'drilled into us.' Just as your common sense differs from Yuki-dono’s, for instance."
"…Indeed. Forgive me for interrupting. In other words, there is a possibility that Yuki-sama can save that person by using suggestion or brainwashing. That is why you said those things are common."