Chapter 1 - Chapter 1

Translator: Nox

Time Healer Ceres - Chapter 1Time Healer CeresChapter 1

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Prologue

“*Sniff*, Grace-nim….”

“*Sob*… hic….”

Inside a room that was elegant, if not overly ornate.

Quite a few people were gathered around a woman in her late twenties lying atop a pure white bed.

Every single one of their faces was filled with sorrow. Those with bloodshot eyes held their breath, tears streaming down their faces incessantly.

“Grace-nim, please pull yourself together! Please! Open your eyes! Ugh…!”

“…Disciple.”

“Yes, yes! Master!”

“My ears hurt.”

“Pardon?”

“I said my ears hurt. Stop screaming, you brat….”

And I’ve been conscious for a while now, you know? My eyes have been open this whole time!

Her complexion was deathly pale, devoid of any color, and her body was nothing more than skin and bones.

Compared to her appearance, the voice flowing from the woman’s mouth was remarkably clear.

“Ah….”

Grace clicked her tongue lightly as she looked at her prized disciple, who currently wore a dazed expression.

Who would believe that this face, which looked like it had just entered its late teens, actually belonged to someone in their late twenties?

Perhaps that was why? Despite him being much older than her, she felt incredibly uneasy about leaving things in his hands and departing.

“Enoch.”

“Yes, Master.”

At Grace’s soft call, Enoch’s eyes welled up with tears again.

The realization that his name being called by those lips would soon come to an end hit him with fresh pain.

But he couldn't show such a pathetic side of himself in his Master’s final moments, could he?

He hurriedly took off his round glasses and wiped his eyes repeatedly.

Watching him, Grace clicked her tongue silently once more.

He’s going to start dripping snot at this rate.

As she gave a light flick of her hand, Enoch instantly moved closer.

“Where’s Kai?”

“Ah, that…. Kainel-nim has likely received the news by now as well.”

The moment the name Kai escaped her lips, Enoch’s face turned visibly pale.

“B-but, Master. Is it really okay to inform him this late? You should have told him sooner….”

“It would have only been exhausting for him to know early.”

This was for the best.

Knowing Kainel for as long as she had, even she couldn't guess what kind of reckless thing he might do the moment he found out she was in this state.

‘It’d be a miracle if he didn’t go on a rampage trying to hunt a dragon just to feed me its blood.’

Exhausting just to think about.

“Still, he’s going to be so upset….”

“Enoch.”

“Yes, Master.”

At her gesture to come closer, he pressed his ear right against her face.

Did she have something confidential to tell him?

“When Kai arrives….”

“Yes.”

“Run.”

“…Pardon?”

“You know that bastard’s personality, don’t you?”

“…….”

Kainel-nim’s personality….

Enoch couldn't help but gulp nervously.

“Take the kids and just run for now.”

“U-understood!”

Releasing a sigh, Grace looked at her disciple with concern. She thought of the two who acted like gentle lambs in front of her but were no different from vicious wolves to others.

Especially Kainel—that man was the type who would crack down on the kids for the sole reason that they hadn't served their Master properly.

“Of course, no matter how foul his personality is, he wouldn't actually kill you guys….”

“…….”

“…Just run.”

“Yessir!”

Kainel’s personality was something they both knew all too well. Yes. Running was the answer. Right?

BOOM!

“*Gasp*!”

“Wh-what?”

At that moment, the bedroom door burst open with a sound so loud it seemed it might shatter.

Thud. Thud.

A man stepped inside.

Pure white hair without a single speck of dust and silver eyes.

At the appearance of the man who looked like an ice sculpture, everyone present froze as if they had become statues themselves.

It felt as though the moment they took a deep breath, they would be sliced apart by that sharp chill.

Thud. Thud.

The man, who hadn't taken his eyes off Grace since entering the room, walked straight toward her.

“Kai?”

Enoch, you little brat….

You said Kainel would have only just received word of my situation. So why is he here already?

“What are you? How did you get here alrea….”

Ah.

Grace fell silent as she realized something. Even with her energy depleted, a hollow laugh escaped her out of sheer absurdity and gladness.

The distance between here and the Grand Duchy of Persia was by no means short.

For someone who should have only just heard the news to be here already meant….

‘He must have run quite a few mages ragged.’

Grace, guessing roughly what kind of situation had unfolded, shook her head inwardly.

“Welcome.”

She greeted him warmly. As brightly as possible, with a radiant smile!

Though she had grumbled about it being a hassle if he showed up, seeing her friend’s face like this wasn't so bad.

To be honest, she felt like she would have had lingering regrets if she had closed her eyes without seeing his face.

“…….”

The man’s expression, having watched her in silence for a long time, slowly contorted. Letting out a deep sigh, he brushed his face roughly.

“Explain.”

His pleasant bass voice flowed out lowly.

‘As expected, it’s not working.’

She had known all along that he was the type to thrust a dagger even at a smiling face.

Letting out a short sigh internally, Grace forced a smile.

“Turns out there’s a disease even I can’t cure.”

“Wait. I’ll find a way, no matter what.”

Grace quickly grabbed his hand as he looked ready to leave immediately. Kainel’s brow furrowed even deeper at the skeletal touch that held no strength at all.

“I didn't tell you in advance because I knew you’d be like this. Who on earth could cure a disease that I can’t? Have you forgotten who I am?”

She was the woman who had conquered rare diseases one by one and saved so many people that she was even called a Saintess.

Who could possibly cure a disease that someone like her didn't know?

It was a statement of peak arrogance, but it was also one that no one could refute.

“Is this why you blocked me from coming every single time?”

Grace, who had been refusing Kainel’s visits using all sorts of excuses, slightly averted her gaze.

“My own body was in so much pain I felt like dying; I didn't want to have to worry about you too.”

“…Selfish until the very end.”

Grace, chuckling softly, beckoned for Kainel to come closer, seeing his already cold impression harden even further.

Whoosh!

The moment the distance closed, Grace grabbed him by the collar as if snatching it.

“Kai.”

“Speak.”

Kainel’s reaction was incredibly stoic, as if he were accustomed to Grace’s impulsive behavior.

“Don’t touch the kids.”

“…….”

“Don’t take out your unnecessary anger on my kids over my death.”

Grace paused for a moment to catch her breath, as if the effort was taxing. Sigh, to think I have to be worrying about this until the moment I die.

“Don’t hit them, and don’t kill them. Just leave them be.”

I guess the old sayings are all true. You know, how they say you have to choose your friends well.

She tried to chide him with spiteful words, but Kainel’s tightly shut lips showed no sign of opening. Grace’s eyes sharpened.

He really was planning to crack down on the kids. I’m going crazy, seriously.

“Answer me.”

“…Understood.”

Only then did Grace let go of him with a thud.

However, Kainel didn't move at all even though her touch had fallen away. He just continued to stare at her intently from their close proximity.

At that gaze, a faint smile blossomed on Grace’s lips again.

“What a shame.”

“…….”

“I really wanted to see you cry at least once. Such a good opportunity came along, but I won’t even be able to see it… hmm….”

“Why.”

“…Surely you’re not going to not cry even though I’ve died?”

Grace playfully tapped his face, where the furrow in his brow was deepening. However, her hand soon fell away quickly, as even that action was too much for her strength.

Kainel hurriedly caught her hand.

“…I’m tired.”

“Grace.”

“I want to rest now.”

“Since when do you get to decide that?”

“Dammit… you know you’re incredibly selfish too, right?”

Grace, who had glared at him playfully, burst into a giggle. Seeing her friend with his lips stubbornly pressed together reminded her of when they were young.

“Don’t fight with Alti.”

Perhaps that was why? The nagging she always did as a child slipped out unconsciously.

“Make sure you eat well, and don’t cause trouble.”

“…….”

“Don’t get sick….”

With those words, Grace’s eyes slowly closed.

Kainel’s gaze as he watched her grew increasingly heavy and sunken. As if he didn't want to lose her slowly fading warmth, he couldn't let go of the hand he was now holding alone for a long time.

*

*

*

Grace Elercia.

The young Head of the Family who brought Elercia County back to the absolute top.

Some called her a Saintess essential to the world, while others called her a demon more wicked than any other.

And on October 18, 1213.

Grace Elercia, who had achieved countless feats, closed her eyes.