Chapter 6: The Healing Mage Becomes King
Dioral Kingdom’s coup d’état received very good reviews. I’m supposed to be the mastermind, but actually I’m plenty. After all, I left everything in Ellen’s hands, from planning to execution. The castle shook conspicuously. It felt like the world creaked as the enormous magical powers collided with each other.
…Probably a dozen first-class magicians, who were put into operation, performed a magical ceremony to launch a tactical-grade attack, but it seems that the barriers put up in the castle managed to resist it.
“They seem quite diligent.”
“Yes they are. Otherwise we could not fool anyone. The intelligence agents sent by all the countries concerned are also first class. That’s why there are assault weapons, ceremonial magic, hero class combat and all kinds of events going on.”
No matter how you look at it, it was a real war. It was a miraculous feat to manage to employ such a variety of elements and still keep the damage received by both sides to a minimum. I think it was fortunate that Ellen was our ally. The other members of my group, apart from Ellen, are excellent warriors but their strength is not their intellect. They have battle power, but that’s about it. I don’t know how much Ellen has helped us so far.
“It shook again.”
“Not only that. It’s about to get even more exciting!”
We headed towards the royal room where Freya was waiting for us, with the noise of the angry voices and the explosions of the battlefield in the background, in order to end the battle. Many people have already been injured and the demonstration for the other countries should already be more than enough.
***
When we reached the royal hall, the sleepy Freya who was sitting on the throne woke up.
“…You take it very lightly.”
“Oh Im sorry. It’s just that I had nothing to do.”
It was a comment you wouldn’t expect from the princess of a country undergoing a coup. If this got out, it would end our act in one fell swoop. Just as Ellen instructed Freya, she was dressed in royal clothes and also wore the crown as a symbol of being at the head of the country. Until a few days ago, it was King Dioral who used it, and now its owner is Freya.
“It’s almost our time. Wipe off the slime and prepare your mind.”
“Yes, Kearuga-sama’s big moment will be most exciting.”
My job is to make Princess Flare surrender and declare this country my own. The story is that I used a rebel army of five thousand soldiers as a feint, with the purpose of sneaking secretly inside the castle to the place where Princess Flare was. So Princess Flare gave in, not by military force but by my persuasion, and granted me the kingship. Freya had a script prepared by Ellen, but she told me that I would have to do something impromptu.
According to Ellen, that would make him seem more like me and increase my persuasive power. I’m honestly not good at this kind of thing, but when I said I wanted to leave it to Ellen, she said, “Kearuga-niisama is not good at acting. If I prepare a script for you it will sound like a monotonous reading and you will be exposed as a fraud. You don’t want to mess it up, do you?” and was rejected with a smile.
What I regret the most is that it is true and that is why I could not refute it.
“Freya-san, Kearuga-niisama, you are advancing faster than anticipated. They should be out in about twenty minutes. The excitement of the place is heating up… There are some volunteers infiltrating the rebel army and since they act on their own I can’t control them. Looks like they’ll break through the defenses in less than an hour.”
“Even Ellen’s predictions aren’t perfect?”
“Yes, so much that I’m embarrassed… It seems that Kearuga-niisama is more popular than she thought. According to a report from the field, she is someone who appears to be an acquaintance of yours.”
Who could she be? I have an idea who they could be, but it’s not so clear.
“Then we should hurry up… Fine, I already made up my mind.”
I smiled, and put on a heroic expression.
“Just as I thought, you are attractive like Kearuga-sama, but Kearu-sama’s appearance also looks very attractive.”
“I think so too. Kearuga-niisama is attractive in a manly sense, but Kearu-niisama’s appearance seems kind and attractive.”
She made a wry smile.
Well, they said that my old and weak appearance, Kearu, which I discarded, is attractive. But this is the perfect opportunity. I’ll tell you both what I’ve decided a long time ago.
“I will no longer use Kearuga’s appearance. Kearu will become the king of this country… that is why Kearuga will no longer be needed.”
To me, Kearuga was armor. Kearu was too kind and weak to carry out my revenge. That’s why he believes the Kearuga strong and merciless. In exchange for getting rid of my weakness along with my kindness. I was finally able to get my revenge because it was Kearuga. But the revenge is over. I don’t need Kearuga’s armor. What I will need from now on is not Kearuga’s strength, but Kearu’s kindness. Now I can be happy with my women like Kearu.
“It’s a shame, but I think it’s a good idea. The current Kearuga-sama, no, Kearu-sama suits you very well.”
“Yes, he feels more like you.”
Does Kearu’s appearance resemble me? Maybe I would have been furious if they told me a month ago. But now…
“I think so too.”
I can say that smiling. Kearu wanted to grow delicious apples and be happy with everyone, he admired the Heroes and he wanted to pick up a sword to save someone. Maybe even if I go back to being Kearu, I’ll end up being different from that old me. I accumulated too many experiences, gained too many things, and lost too many things. But, I like the me I’ve become. More than Kearuga, or the old Kearu, I want to live as the CURRENT Kearu.
…Besides, to become Kearuga again, something important would have to be taken away from me.
“Well, while we had this talk, the time has come. Come on, Freya……no,Flare.”
“Yes!”
I pulled Freya’s hand with the appearance of Princess Flare. Just as I went back to being Kearu, it’s probably the right time for Freya to go back to Flare as well. Just as Ellen said that even if she regained her memories she would still be Ellen, surely Freya…now I think she will be like that too.
***
Receiving Ellen’s signal, she deliberately let the attackers penetrate the defense line, moving the battlefield inside the castle. We were waiting for this moment. I took Freya by the hand and went out onto the balcony. Since this balcony was designed to broadcast announcements to people below, we were clearly visible from the ground.
“I am Hero 【Healer】 Kearu! Both sides, put away your swords! This battle no longer makes sense. The first princess of the Dioral Flare Arlgrande Dioral Kingdom has given up!”
I declared out loud. Amplified with magic, my voice echoed inside and outside the castle grounds. Furthermore, what they heard was not a simple voice. With a device I’ve been researching in the Dioral Kingdom, I can do brainwashing by simply amplifying the emotions conveyed by my voice. I’m surprised I created something so vile, but I’ll use whatever I have on hand. Its effect was extraordinary, the heated soldiers on the battlefield stopped in astonishment and looked towards the balcony. After making sure I had gathered her attention, I gently pushed Freya’s back.
“I, Freya Arlgrande Dioral, surrender to Hero Healer Kearu… But I did not sell the country in exchange for my life. After hearing Kearu-sama’s words, I understood that the people of this country can be even happier. With that in mind, I decided to trust him.”
Flare’s charisma is exceptional. She has a beautiful appearance and a voice that captivates anyone. Her sensitive gestures captured the hearts of the people better than any act of persuasion. I don’t feel there is anyone more fit to be a princess than her. That is Princess Flare ‘s terrifying talent. Even if Ellen is overwhelmingly superior in political strategy and tactics, in terms of political leadership Flare compares to Ellen.
“I am not resentful because of the rebellion. I just want to improve this country. I have no intention of shedding unnecessary blood. That is why I do not intend to persecute politicians, nor those who have supported this country, we will take a new course and change this country.”
“There is no deception in those words. Kearu-sama said that even my power was necessary and took my hand.”
Freya made a smile that would melt anyone’s heart, and she extended her hand to me. So, I firmly held that hand. Seeing, both sides, the figure of our hands together, the impact spread.
“Everyone, this is the end of the fight. First I ask you to please put away your swords and shake hands. Just like Flare and I have done. That is the first step to be reborn as a better country!”
Inspired by me, the leader of the rebel army, and Flare, the ruler of the Dioral Kingdom, the soldiers who until recently were killing each other shook hands. That beautiful spectacle spread throughout the battlefield. Freya and I watched that show with a smile.
“Thank you! Thanks to everyone holding hands, this country will change. I, the Hero Healer Kearu, promise that I will heal this wounded and devastated country, and make it a country more abundant than ever. And now, at this time and place, the Dioral Kingdom has died and will be reborn as a new country!”
I paused briefly at that point. I waited for the attention and expectations to grow to the limit, to finally say…
“The name of this new country is… The Panacea Kingdom! The Goddess of Healing, that will be the name that this country bears. From now on we will all be excited about a new country. I want you to aim for a happy future together with me!”
Applause and voices of rejoicing echoed in response to those words. He had nothing to do with enemies or allies.
“”””Long live the Panacea Kingdom!””””
Certainly, at this time and in this place the hearts of the people were one.
I nodded with satisfaction.
…I said well.
Somehow I managed to bring out my energy and enthusiasm. No one would think that the recent speech, nor the coup d’état itself, was just to avoid paying compensation to other countries. But I did think that I wanted to make the words I said come true. My words were idealistic, but to live with my women, and eventually my children, that country is necessary. In that case I have to try a little. While thinking about that I went back inside the castle with Freya. Our turn on stage ended here, now Ellen will take care of the rest in silence.