241st Chapter
Ray groaned as he lay down on the bed.
A healer and a cleric approached, removing Ray’s top to begin their examination and treatment preparations.
Ray quietly waited for them to finish preparing.
Shortly after, the healer placed an artifact resembling a telescope over Ray’s eyes and said,
“I will now begin the examination. Please refrain from tensing your body or activating your core.”
“Yes, understood.”
Ray closed his eyes and focused inward, ensuring no mana would leak out and disrupt the process.
Once the healer confirmed that Ray had completely relaxed, they manifested divine power in their palm to check for any abnormalities.
High-ranking noble families trusted healers who were also clerics capable of wielding divine power because it was essential for thorough physical examinations.
“Let’s begin.”
“Yes.”
The healer and cleric worked together, dispersing divine power evenly into the air, forming a perfect cube.
This cube of divine energy maintained uniform density as it hovered in place.
The healer then slowly lowered the cube onto Ray.
Whoosh!
As Ray’s body was enveloped by the divine power, light emanated from him.
This light appeared as the divine power was absorbed into Ray’s body.
With the help of the artifact, the healer observed the flow of divine power within Ray’s body.
Divine power naturally concentrated in areas of severe damage.
If there was an increase in divine power density in a specific area, it indicated damage to the organ in that region.
Healers used this phenomenon to diagnose patients’ conditions and illnesses.
While brute force application of divine power could sometimes cure diseases, it wasn’t a universal solution.
For instance, tumors or congenital deformities might not only resist healing but could even worsen with divine power.
In such cases, surgical intervention was necessary.
The healer traced the flow of divine power within Ray’s body and diligently recorded observations on a piece of paper depicting the human anatomy before frowning.
“…”
Shaking her head slightly, the healer continued writing.
When the glow produced by the divine power began to fade, Ray groaned again.
The healer looked at Ray and spoke slowly.
“Most of your major blood vessels, including your heart, are severely damaged.”
Though “severely damaged” wasn’t a precise medical term, no better alternative existed.
The healer paused briefly, contemplating if there was any realistic way to treat Ray.
Replacing or reinforcing the heart… Even if possible, it would only serve as a temporary measure.
Given the condition of the major blood vessels, the prognosis was quite dire.
Human bodies tend to develop tumors more frequently and regenerate with defects when repeatedly regenerating the same parts, whether through natural means or divine power regeneration.
Ray’s heart and major blood vessels had been damaged and healed too many times already; even with skilled healers nearby, prolonging his life significantly would be impossible.
“The blood pressure… It isn’t too high. Lowering it would reduce strain on the blood vessels, but lowering it further might cause other issues.”
Having anticipated this, the healer moved aside the prepared medication meant to lower blood pressure and instead offered a small dagger plated with silver.
“Take this first.”
Ray groaned as he took the dagger.
“Is this… a holy relic?”
“It is a holy relic granted by His Majesty. Designed to release divine power upon contact with blood, it can heal wounds.”
Although small, the healer emphasized that it was a standard-grade holy relic and demonstrated by pretending to stab themselves in the chest.
“In case of extreme emergencies, you may stab your heart. The divine power will spread from there, quickly repairing your internal organs and blood vessels. However, I do not recommend doing so.”
The healer advised against this rapid repair due to its significant side effects, prompting a weak laugh from Ray.
Judging by the healer’s tone, Ray suspected he might end up stabbing himself at least once.
Despite this, Ray managed to ask while clutching what felt like an extra lease on life.
“How is my body holding up?”
“Ten years… If you avoid overexertion and focus on recuperation.”
In reality, even ten years was nearly impossible.
Even lying in bed for the rest of his days, Ray would likely suffer from heart attacks within five years.
“Heart… Unlike some organs, it cannot simply be paused for rest. If you keep pushing yourself, even all the healers in the Imperial Palace combined wouldn’t be able to extend your life beyond three years.”
“…”
Gulp.
The sound of Ray swallowing hard echoed loudly in the healer’s ears.
Looking up from the chart, the healer saw Ray’s calm expression, masking inner turmoil.
Both the healer and the cleric sighed softly.
Despite having seen countless deaths through their work, witnessing someone facing mortality always brought a heavy sadness.
On the other hand, Ray wiped away his stoic mask, lightly slapping his cheeks.
It wasn’t news. He’d known for a long time that time was short.
Reviving his numbed senses, Ray thanked the healer and cleric.
“If I need further treatment—”
Crash!
Suddenly, the door opened.
Turning his head, Ray saw a girl with green eyes standing there.
“Ray…? What does this mean…?”
*
After thoroughly searching the ward, Johanna arrived at the recovery room and listened carefully to the voices coming from inside.
Truthfully, Johanna had expected Ray to notice her presence and invite her in, just like usual.
However, contrary to her expectations, Ray didn’t acknowledge her.
Instead, Ray was engaged in a low conversation with the healer.
Without much thought, Johanna eavesdropped, intending it as a playful prank to see Ray’s reaction.
But as she listened, her blood ran cold.
Ten years… Three years… Heart… Blood vessels… Each word made her heart race faster.
Because of heart problems… Therefore, less than three years remained. For what? Lifespan?
Haha…
Impossible. Completely absurd.
Maybe I misunderstood. Surely, I misheard something. There must be a misunderstanding.
Repeating these thoughts to herself, Johanna tried to convince herself.
Yet, before she knew it, she had opened the door and stepped toward Ray.
“Ray, what does this mean…?”
“!”
Startled, Ray’s eyes widened at the sight of Johanna.
Johanna approached Ray with unsteady steps, breathing heavily.
Her green eyes struggled to focus, trembling faintly.
Seeing her reaction, Ray hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Having intentionally relaxed his body moments ago, Ray’s mind wasn’t functioning as quickly as usual.
As Ray remained frozen in confusion, Johanna’s voice trembled with growing anxiety.
“R, Ray… Are you hurt somewhere?”
“Hurt?”
To Johanna, Ray was an unshakable rock—a figure who could never falter.
The very idea that Ray could be physically ill or have limited lifespan felt unreal.
There must have been a misunderstanding from what she overheard outside the door.
She had misinterpreted the conversation between Ray and the healer in the recovery room.
The talk about 10 years or 3 years remaining must have been a misunderstanding.
Ray would clarify the misunderstanding and then tease her with laughter afterward.
Perhaps it was all a prank orchestrated between Ray and the healer to fool her.
After revealing the truth, she’d feel embarrassed and cover her burning face in anger.
“Ray…”
Trying not to be teased, Johanna attempted to calm herself but failed as tears welled up and started falling.
“Ray, are you okay? Really, are you okay?”
“A… I’m fine, don’t worry…”
“Don’t lie!!!”
Johanna shouted, her breathing becoming rougher, distorting her face.
“Don’t hide it! Tell me, please! Or… Am I misunderstanding something?”
Even as she demanded transparency, Johanna pleaded for the answer she wanted to hear.
Stumbling closer, she brought Ray’s hand to her cheek, gripping it tightly.
“Ray… I must be stupid and misunderstanding everything… I… I’m crying and laughing like an idiot…”
Tears streaming down her cheeks soaked Ray’s hand.
Caught off guard and frozen stiff, Ray finally regained composure and signaled the healer to leave.
Upon receiving the cue, the healer left with the cleric, closing the door behind them.
Recalling the earlier conversation with the healer, Ray steadied his breathing.
Neither Ray nor the healer had explicitly mentioned “lifespan.” Using such words directly was taboo between them. Instead, the healer had subtly hinted at numbers, and Ray followed suit.
For now, the situation could still be deflected, no matter how flimsy the excuse.
As Ray swallowed hard, Johanna shouted again.
“Why aren’t you answering!!”
“Johanna.”
“You’re teasing me again, aren’t you?! You’re planning to mock me later because I cried, right?! This joke isn’t funny!!! It’s really not funny!!”
Johanna’s head throbbed painfully.
Johanna couldn’t imagine parting ways with Ray.
Even brief separations were believed to be temporary, trusting that Ray could always be found whenever she reached out.
That belief—that when she extended her hand, Ray would surely grab it—had been with her since the snowy winter day when Ray first reached out to her.
“Ray, where does it really hurt?”
Eventually, Johanna asked again, fearing Ray’s response yet unable to endure the gnawing anxiety in her chest.
Looking into Johanna’s tear-filled eyes, Ray finally responded hesitantly.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t lie!! Stop trying to brush it off like that!!”
“Listen to me!! Johanna!!”
Ray sat up abruptly, raising his voice.
“Just…!! There are some injuries from overexerting myself as a child. The techniques I use put a lot of strain on my body, so… But I’m fine… With ten years of rest, I’ll fully recover…”
Three years. How should he explain the three-year timeline?
Ray stumbled over his words, fabricating excuses.
“If I keep pushing myself… Eventually, it might become difficult to use my core. The healer said that if I push myself for another three years… It’ll become hard to use my core, so they advised me to rest.”
“Huh…!”
Johanna was dumbfounded.
She didn’t know whether to believe Ray.
Ray hadn’t buried his face in her neck like he did with Karen, nor shared deep secrets with her as he did with Luna.
Johanna knew this well.
Knowing she wasn’t loved like Karen or relied on like Luna made it harder to trust Ray.
But doubting Ray’s words terrified her of the truth that might follow, so she forced herself to accept his excuses.
“Until now… Did you hide this from me? From others too?”
“No, Johanna… It’s a solvable problem. I just need some rest, that’s all.”
“Then what are you doing here?! Why are you straining yourself at Izhise?!”
“Don’t worry!! Just watch this semester…! I’ll rest too… There’s nothing to worry about, alright?”
“How can I not worry!!”
Out of breath, Johanna clutched her chest, wiping away endless tears as she faced Ray.
“Ray, really… Can you get better, right…?”
“Yeah… Because I didn’t want you… the family to worry, I kept quiet. A few years of rest will fully heal me. The techniques I’ve mastered have strong backlash, causing issues… But even His Majesty has sent healers to assist.”
Ray forced a smile and pointed towards the door.
“The people who just left were healers sent by His Majesty. So don’t worry. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“Ray…”
Johanna crawled onto the bed and tightly embraced Ray.
Shivering uncontrollably, she hugged him tighter, soaking his shoulder with her tears.
“In the future… Whenever you’re sick, tell me… Don’t hide it… Please… Don’t scare me like this…”
“…”
After hesitating for a moment, Ray returned the embrace.
Terrified, she whispered those words while shedding tears, and Ray clenched his teeth feeling her warmth.
Though Ray knew well that every meeting comes with a parting,
Still, fearing separation, not knowing how to part painlessly, despite knowing he’d regret it later, he lied once more.
Betrayal (1)
