IBVO 35

Chapter 35

The question of whether she wouldn’t use her healing power seemed a little funny to her. She had never imagined anyone asking her something like that in her life.

In truth, she still couldn’t quite believe that the healing power had been bestowed upon her. It should naturally have belonged to Ashley, and why it ended up in her, she didn’t know—but since it had, she intended to use that power fully and effectively.

That was why she had laughed at the question.

“No, why wouldn’t I use a power like this?”

“So, then what did you mean earlier…?”

“I mean that I don’t want to use the healing power under the name Ariadne.”

Kanin looked puzzled, clearly not understanding. Ariadne patiently explained.

“I want it to be a different name when I use my healing power.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t want people to know that the person named Ariadne has healing power.”

“Oh.”

Finally, Kanin understood her. It made sense. The Emperor of Rensha would surely be on the lookout for anyone with healing abilities. Using her power under the name Ariadne would inevitably cause problems.

Ariadne cautiously asked,

“So, could you perhaps allow me a new identity and name?”

“A new identity and name?”

“Yes. And I’d like this to remain a secret between you and me. I want to enjoy a bit of freedom that the name Ariadne can’t give me.”

Ariadne smiled awkwardly. Kanin, curious if there was another reason, asked again.

“I understand why you want that, but may I ask the reason for sure?”

Ariadne answered as if she had been waiting for the question.

“The Emperor and the Count of Rensha are already determined to capture me. If rumors spread that I am using healing power here, they will certainly come after me.”

“Ah…”

Ariadne did not want to face such restrictions after coming this far. If she used her healing power in Iliad under her own name, Rensha would undoubtedly make things difficult.

So she wanted a new name. One that no one knew. That way, when she first used her healing power, it wouldn’t immediately be linked to Ariadne. Even if she might be discovered eventually, she wanted to enjoy some freedom for now.

“I would appreciate it if you could think of it as a fresh start for me.”

“Granting that request is not difficult at all, but are you really sure?”

Kanin felt a strange joy at having a secret to share with her, yet he asked once more out of caution. Ariadne nodded firmly. Kanin quickly asked,

“If it’s a new name, what would you like it to be?”

Ariadne didn’t need to think long. The name came to her naturally, and she answered without hesitation.

“Hmm… ‘Rene Ashard.’ I’d like it to be that.”

If she were to seek refuge in Iliad and receive a new name, she would live under the name “Rene Ashard.” She didn’t know why she wanted it, but she just did. Kanin nodded in acknowledgment.

“Very well. Then the woman who knows how to use healing power will be known as ‘Rene Ashard.’”

“Yes. Ariadne will remain just a foreign noblewoman who came to seek refuge.”

Saying that gave Ariadne a peculiar sense of satisfaction. Of course, she would still live as Ariadne ordinarily, but under the name Rene, she would freely use her healing power to do what she wanted. The word “freedom” already felt vividly exciting. She couldn’t help but look forward to what lay ahead.

“Good. Then is there anything in particular you want to do under the name ‘Rene’?”

Kanin’s questions were endless. Ariadne laughed and answered. She had already thought about this since leaving Rensha. High status or glorious titles might look appealing, but that was all they were. True value lay elsewhere. People from Rensha might think she was crazy for saying this, but…

“I want to make a lot of money.”

“Money?”

“Yes. I want to use my healing power to cure people’s illnesses and receive proper payment for it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Kanin’s expression became serious at her answer, reacting in a way she hadn’t expected.

“I want to heal people’s illnesses and get paid for it?”

“Yes.”

Only then did Kanin seem to understand her. Ariadne watched his reaction carefully. If she had said this to someone born and raised in Rensha, they would probably have scoffed at using a noble power for money. But he merely nodded slowly, showing no change in expression.

Finding this curious, she asked carefully,

“Isn’t that a bit strange?”

Ariadne recalled the education she had received all her life. Nobles were taught from childhood that they should live by honor and loyalty rather than wealth. In Rensha, such virtues were considered proper, and merchants or the wealthy were not held in high esteem.

“That’s strange? Not at all,” Kanin replied. Iliad was a country that valued practicality.

In life, money was an important value and necessary. They did not judge money itself as good or evil. One could not measure a person’s morality by the money they held. Ariadne, who looked at him curiously, heard him continue.

“Using your abilities to gain wealth is a fair thing, Ariadne. There’s nothing strange about it.”

In Iliad, the person who controlled the material was more important than the material itself. Rensha considered wealth inherently lowly, but Iliad did not. Depending on who held it and how it was used, it could be most valuable or most base. Its value wasn’t solely in the money.

Thus, people in Iliad worked to earn money and valued earning it properly. If it was done legitimately, there was nothing wrong with it.

“I see… Where I grew up, material things weren’t considered noble values.”

“Why place value on money? Isn’t the character of the person who possesses it more important?”

“I see…”

This new perspective fascinated Ariadne. Sensing the conversation stiffening a little, she made a lighthearted comment.

“I want no one to know me, and I want to have a lot of money.”

“Hahaha.”

Kanin chuckled softly. The atmosphere relaxed slightly, and Ariadne felt the oppressive guilt she had grown up with—thinking wealth was base—fade away.

“I have a new name, I can earn money with my healing power… this is wonderful.”

Such thoughts were impossible for a woman of noble birth. But through recent events, Ariadne had realized how important it was to have power and ability. Even in Iliad, though Kanin would help, she wanted to stand on her own, so that even if she ended up alone again, she could rise once more.

She spoke jokingly for a moment, then became serious again.

“People from Rensha would probably faint if I told them I use my healing power for money. They’d think, how dare she use such a noble power in such a lowly way.”

Kanin’s eyes widened.

“Why would that be lowly? The healing power belongs entirely to you, Ariadne. How you use it is your decision, and no one can argue with that.”

Ariadne felt a strange sensation. No one had ever said that to her before. If it were the Count, he would have thrown a fit. The Emperor would have insisted she use her power for him.

“…It’s mine…”

She was reminded again, with a newfound sense of surprise, that she possessed healing power. Kanin added,

“As I said earlier, healing power is your ability. Why would using it to earn money be wrong? I think it’s a good thing.”

In Rensha, saying this might have earned her accusations of impiety or vulgarity. But Kanin listened sincerely.

Ariadne felt amazed and refreshed. It was also the first time someone had listened to her story so seriously, which made her feel a warm, bubbly sensation inside.

“You mentioned there’s someone you want healed, didn’t you?”

Ariadne asked gently about Kanin’s situation. Since he had been searching for the saint since arriving in Rensha, she could easily infer the context.

At that moment, Kanin’s expression suddenly darkened.