The Sleeping Devil

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"...So, in short, even though this research might be considered taboo, Johan doesn’t seem to be accumulating any impurity. That’s why I’m thinking of letting him continue his medical studies."

I explained to Sergio, who stood with his arms crossed and a stern expression, that dissection itself wasn’t inherently an accursed act. Of course, purification rituals were necessary and strict management of specimens was essential, but since such research was conducted in other countries, it shouldn’t be a major issue in this world either.

"However, where do you plan to obtain these specimens? Are you going to have the slaves scour the slums again?"

Oh? He’s actually listening today. Even Sergio couldn’t ignore something that touched upon taboos.

That made sense…

Going against the ethics we had been taught could lead to the collapse of the Beriard family.

"At first, I plan to have Johan practice dissection and suturing on pigs before slaughter. He can dissect those meant for consumption in the castle and handle the butchering as well."

"In the castle…?"

I understood why Sergio hesitated. Nobles enjoyed hunting as a pastime, yet they considered handling livestock carcasses an unclean duty. If there were a slaughterhouse within the castle, the servants would surely be displeased.

"Johan will go to the slaughterhouse. Handling meat in the same place where bodies are dissected would be dangerous."

"That would be acceptable. So, how far do you intend to take this medical research? Overlooking Johan’s actions is for Sheriel’s interests, isn’t it? And I assume Julius is involved as well?"

Ugh… So he figured it out. I had vaguely explained that it would benefit the territory, but the truth was that improving healing magic required dissection. Plus, my past-life memories made me uneasy about this world, where only folk remedies existed.

"Father, you intend to send me to the battlefield, don’t you? …Aren’t you worried about what would happen if I were to suffer a serious injury?"

I looked up at him with slightly teary eyes, but there was no way the emotionless Sergio would fall for such a trick.

"That’s why you need to become stronger."

"You heartless man…!"

"It’s because life is on the line that brilliance is born."

Forcing your values onto a child… that’s not good.

It seemed like negotiations wouldn’t go anywhere without presenting some tangible benefits.

"If we can use medical techniques to treat soldiers injured in battle or during monster hunts, we can significantly reduce losses. Furthermore, medicine isn’t just for treating wounds—it can also cure illnesses. You’re aware, aren’t you, Father? Not all diseases are caused by impurity."

"Hmm… You do have a point. That is, if it actually proves effective."

“Ah, How Frustrating.”

I wasn’t well-versed in medicine. I only had general knowledge, making me nothing more than an amateur. But I was certain that combining medical techniques with healing magic would lead to progress.

"I will produce results. Without fail."

"And why are you so determined?"

When he suddenly asked me that, the first thing that came to mind was curiosity. But beyond that…

"I just want to eliminate as many future uncertainties as possible. You could call it a fallback plan—it’s just a habit of mine. I don’t have a clear goal, but I hate facing situations where I have no control."

This habit of mine had carried over from my past life.

I hadn’t had any particular dreams in middle or high school, but I still studied just in case. If I found something I wanted to do, I didn’t want to be held back by a lack of academic ability. That was why I aimed for a prestigious school.

Thanks to that, I had decent university options, and I chose a field that interested me among the practical ones.

Becoming a programmer had been a calculated decision, considering my lazy and fickle nature.

I knew I’d eventually get bored of repetitive tasks. I wanted a job that was easy to switch from if necessary—a career where skills mattered, where I could earn based on ability, and where I wouldn’t lose interest…

That was how I found my way to programming, and it turned out to be my true calling.

I always took the easier path, but I never made choices that were irreversible. As long as I could identify those crucial branching points, I believed I could avoid major failures.

Even if my decisions turned out to be wrong, I could always look back and say I did the best I could with the information I had.

That’s why I never chased impossible dreams.

This pragmatic approach was something Grandpa Hermes used to call immature…

But this way was easier. I didn’t want to experience regrets with no resolution, helplessness, or crushing failures.

Wanting always to have a way to justify my actions—was that really so wrong?

This wasn’t a reckless gamble. It was a perfectly viable investment in the future.

"I see. So, Sheriel, you’re preparing for your next death."

"…My next death…"

Right. That’s it. Next time, I want to die without regrets.

Even though I had always rationalized everything, I still couldn’t come to terms with how I died in my past life.

The face of the man who had shoved me into the street with bloodshot eyes flashed in my mind, and my magic stirred uneasily.

I should have killed him…

"Sheriel? What’s wrong?"

Sergio’s voice snapped me back to reality.

"Sorry. I just remembered something from the past."

I turned to Johan, who was sweating nervously, and apologized before shifting back to the topic at hand.

"Healing magic is the only branch of magic that cannot be improved. That’s why I want to enhance it through medical science."

"Well, considering what happened with Dior, if you’re that determined, it’s worth trying. If the Beriard family takes an interest in something, results are bound to follow. But if you pursue taboo research for personal gain, Margot won’t allow it. No matter what your true intentions are, you must frame it as benefiting the territory."

Ahh… Margot-sensei… The one who taught me etiquette and human psychology, the embodiment of Beriard ethics itself.

I had considered conducting the research in secret and revealing it once I had results, but clearly, that wouldn’t fly.

"Let’s establish a facility that serves both as a dissection lab and a clinic. Johan was going to see patients anyway, so we can start by treating commoners."

"Hmm, a clinic? That’s not a bad idea. So you’re planning to experiment on commoners first?"

"N-No! Nobles have easy access to temple healers and doctors, don’t they? But commoners, who rarely get medical treatment, might be willing to use our services even if they seem a little dubious."

Johan, who had been quietly sitting beside me, wasn’t staying silent out of politeness—he simply couldn’t keep up with the conversation. Still, he muttered under his breath, "Both of you are awful…"

"As for specimens, how about using death row prisoners?"

"I personally don’t mind using their bodies after execution. But if you’d like, we could use them while they’re still alive?"

"No, that’s… too much…”

I wonder!

If someone has committed a crime severe enough to warrant the death penalty, perhaps their human rights should be disregarded. But if we cross that line, I fear Johan's sanity won't hold.

I glanced at him beside me… only to find a mad scientist radiating enthusiasm.

"I have no problem with it… No, I should say, I do not mind. They have taken others' lives, haven’t they? Then they should repay that debt with their own."

"You’re taking away my only enjoyable official duty, so you’d better produce results. Though, of course, we’ll have to confirm with Margot first."

In Beriard, the lord executes both commoners and nobles alike. In other territories, executioners are appointed to lessen the burden, with hanging being the standard method. Abroad, some countries, like Taria, even allow vigilante justice.

Sergio had a personal preference for beheading, but even so, he took a certain level of care when taking a life—even if it belonged to a criminal.

In this world, death is handled with extreme caution, yet also with alarming recklessness.