During the time away from the empire, Kyle had poured considerable effort into finding a cure for Olivia.

Even in the busiest of times, he could not accept the reality that his sister was unable to walk.

No matter how much he disliked her, no matter that her wrong choice once nearly brought down the Desmond family, she was still the person he cherished the most, his lovely sister. He could not face the prospect of her spending her life confined to a small room, unable to walk without somebody’s assistance.

He had spoken to many esteemed doctors within the empire and sought out wandering deities beyond its borders to discuss Olivia’s condition.

“My sister has used dark magic. It failed, and the circuits in her lower half burnt out, leaving her legs immobile.”

Upon hearing the word ‘dark magic,’ half of the doctors would flee, while the other half demanded substantial sums of money to even listen.

Despite their expertise, none of these renowned doctors could offer the answer he desired.

He met an old man simply known as ‘Deity’, and a woman referred to as the ‘Healer of Shadows’, but the unanimous conclusion was always that her condition was incurable.

An underbelly doctor who glanced at the medical report from a year ago when Olivia collapsed, sighed deeply and shook his head.

-There’s no cure for this.

-Could you please take another look? I assure you I’ll keep your secrets safe. Tell me if there’s a way to cure her.

-It’s not about secrecy. I work in shadows; such matters don’t concern me. Moreover, this…

The female doctor pointed to a part of the medical report with her finger.

[Magical circuit damage/damage to the lower half nerves due to dark magic/paralysis of the lower body/a small presence of dark magic residue]

-There’s no cure. Any other doctor you ask will tell you the same thing. If you really want her to walk again…

Her voice trailed off as she murmured softly.

-There’s no other way unless you use dark magic.

Kyle had given up.

Even the hospital visit today was just a formality.

It was his father’s hope.

An attempt to alleviate his mother’s worry. He never expected a positive response.

The hope Kyle had was no more than a tiny, unseen speck.

His father probably felt the same.

Both his parents, like him, had made numerous attempts to heal Olivia.

In the end, we went to the hospital seeking only a small comfort for our hearts.

And then.

We heard an unexpected statement.

-The test results are back, but…

-What’s wrong? Has it gotten worse?

-No, quite the opposite.

The spark of hope was ignited by a pink rubber hammer.

Calling it a reflex test, a doctor would expect a flinch when tapping a knee with a pink hammer—a reaction seen in a normal individual.

Conversely, no reaction was the expected result for Olivia, but to everyone’s surprise, today, her leg responded with a slight movement.

-A twitch.

It was a very small movement.

Tiny enough to be mistaken for a shiver from the hammer’s touch. But the doctor with years of experience and the father immediately recognized that Olivia’s movement was not for such trivial reasons.

Subsequent tests were conducted.

And we began to find hope for Olivia’s improving health.

The doctor opined.

-In my professional opinion, I think the lady could walk within three years at the earliest.

-Sensation is returning, and the severed nerves seem to be rejoining… It’s nothing short of a miracle.

I have heard plenty of good news about business successes and reaching new heights, but it had been a while since I felt such excitement as I did upon hearing that news today.

More thrilling than hearing a long negotiation in a foreign land had finally concluded.

But.

Kyle couldn’t smile.

Because he knew she was beyond recovery.

All the time he had invested.

The money poured into obtaining information.

The countless times he had heard the words ‘give up’.

Because Kyle knew it all wouldn’t amount to a tiny hope called a miracle. So he didn’t smile.

No, that wasn’t it.

There was another reason.

Kyle clenched his fists as he looked at the red-haired butler before him.

Kyle said.

“We need to talk.”

Ricardo looked suspicious to him.

***

Kyle and I settled on a park bench, a short distance from the mansion.

Although I wasn’t particularly fond of sitting alone with another man on a bench, the opportunity for a conversation with Kyle wasn’t unwelcome. While searching for an open café in the late hours, I suggested,

“Instead of sitting here in the cold, how about we continue our conversation in a café?”

“I’m not particularly keen on going to cafés with men.”

“…I see.”

Kyle, understanding, casually shrugged off my attempt at courtesy.

Though I thought it peculiar for two men to sit alone on a bench, I refrained from voicing it.

“Sigh… So, how was your time here in the capital?”

“Yes. I’ve been treated very well. It’s so comfortable that I almost want to live here like a leech.”

“Ha ha… That’s a relief.”

I gazed at Kyle, wearing a small smile.

His expression was indecipherable.

He appeared ready to discuss something heavy while simultaneously smiling kindly. I couldn’t guess what he would say next.

He mentioned this was about the young lady.

‘Gulp.’

In my absence, I hoped the young lady hadn’t stirred up trouble, which prompted a strained smile on my face.

Kyle wasn’t the type to wait for someone without good reason.

He is someone who values time. His success in business came from his acute sense of time management.

That Kyle would take out time for me meant it wasn’t for a simple request or any trivial reason.

Knowing how Kyle treasured time, I dispensed with unnecessary preamble and addressed the heart of the matter,

“So, what is it you wanted to discuss with me? You mentioned it concerned the young lady, but I can’t guess what it might be.”

“Hmm…”

Kyle looked up at the moon in the night sky.

A man typically detached from such sentimentality, tonight he appeared soaked with worriness—at least, it seemed a possible illusion to me.

Kyle struggled to speak, his breath misting white in the chilly winter air,

“I heard some strange things at the hospital today.”

“…From the hospital?”

Kyle solemnly recounted what happened at the hospital.

“Olivia might be able to walk again.”

“What?! Really?”

“That’s what they said. She might walk within three years.”

“…A miracle.”

Kyle looked at me askance, strangely perturbed by my apparent shock. Furtively glancing at me, he tapped his forehead as if questioning himself,

‘Did I not act well enough?’

I glanced at my right hand, the hand I had used for rehabilitation, and watched Kyle, assessing his reaction.

Since acquiring the ability called ‘Healer’s Hand,’ I had anticipated this, so my surprise was acted. But had I let any hint slip through?

“Hmm…”

Kyle didn’t seem to notice.

With a trembling voice to avoid Kyle’s suspicion—I wanted to keep my ability a secret—I said,

“It’s a miracle.”

“A miracle…?”

“Yes.”

Kyle let out a small, incredulous chuckle,

“I can’t quite believe it.”

He continued in a heavy tone,

“You may not know, Ricardo, but I’ve met many people trying to heal Olivia.”

“Every doctor said the same thing.”

“There’s no cure for the aftermath of the failed dark magic.”

Kyle’s gaze bore into me with unnerving certainty, like that of a fierce wild animal,

“One doctor mentioned there’s only one way to heal Olivia.”

Kyle, eyes locked with mine, asked pointedly,

“Do you know what that was?”

I clamped my mouth shut.

Kyle, seeing my reaction, laughed bitterly,

“A simple method. A very simple method.”

“The ludicrous ‘treatment’ was to use dark magic just the same.”

The atmosphere darkened.

I could tell why Kyle summoned me. Only a fool would ignore such hints and pretend not to understand,

Yet, I evaded Kyle’s implication,

“It is a foolish method indeed.”

“Yes, a foolish method it is.”

Kyle nodded, his gaze piercing under the moonlight,

“Let’s stop the foolishness.”

“…”

“I’m content just knowing Olivia is still alive.”

I replied with a wry smile,

“I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“Is that so…”

Kyle, looking toward the brightly lit mansion, said,

“Go on. Olivia is waiting for you.”

“She hasn’t slept yet. She wants to share her happiness with you.”

There was a bitter edge to Kyle’s eyes.

***

After returning to the mansion.

The young lady was beaming with joy.

“Ricardo!”

The young lady extended a small piece of paper to me. Having heard from Kyle, I gave her a small smile and asked,

“What’s this about?”

With a youthful glow akin to a girl surprising others, the young lady cheerfully announced,

“I can walk again soon!”

I thought to myself upon seeing her smile.

I will make sure she recovers.

And I smiled back at her warmly,

“That’s wonderful.”