冈本aPP安装

Orasem Hatran was coughing terribly in his sickbed.

Fritz Roni had received news of the worsening condition, so he cut short his work and came to the Hatran Household. The illness had deteriorated significantly since the previous day. To Fritz, it seemed as if each cough drained Orasem of his life force.

Marjorie stayed up all and prayed beside Orasem. She diligently cleared up the phlegm her father coughs up. Dark circles had formed under her eyes, suggesting she hadn’t slept for days.

“Fritz-san, let’s talk outside.” (??)

The family doctor who had come for a house call said. Fritz largely understood what the doctor was about to convey. In a semi-dazed state, he stepped outside the room.

“I’m afraid he won’t last the night. There’s nothing more we can do.” (??)

The doctor said in the hallway, a bit away from the bedroom.

About a week ago, Orasem had caught a severe cold, which had since worsened. According to the doctor, this particular cold caused a harsh cough but wasn’t typically fatal. However, given Orasem’s old age and his recent lack of appetite, it had become dire. A healthy body might recover if left alone, but it seemed Orasem’s body wouldn’t hold out until recovery.

Fritz, though an amateur, felt similarly. Orasem’s body was so weakened that it seemed his heartbeat might stop at any moment, yet the illness didn’t appear to be improving. Compared to yesterday, his symptoms had only gotten worse.

“I’ve brewed and given him medicine to ease the cough, but unfortunately, he likely won’t hold out long enough to recover.” (??)

“…Thank you. Please keep this matter confidential.” (Fritz)

“…Even from Mr. Berbeo?” (??)

“If possible. Consider yourself as not having come here today.” (Fritz)

Fritz’s request was unreasonable.

This doctor was the Hatran Household’s family doctor. Although not exclusively employed by the Hatran Household, he had profitable ties with Berbeo Hatran, the current head of the household. There was more to gain by conveying this information, and little to lose aside from incurring Fritz’s displeasure.

“Understood. I wasn’t here today. However, please make sure the servants keep quiet about it.” (??)

“Of course. I appreciate it.” (Fritz)

With that, Fritz took out his wallet, gave the doctor a sum significantly higher than the usual fee to include hush money, and handed it to him.

“Please give me one more gold coin.” (??)

However, the doctor demanded even more money.

“…” (Fritz)

Fritz felt a surge of irritation but pulled out another gold coin and handed it to the doctor.

“Here you go” (??)

The doctor handed over a paper-wrapped package.

“What’s this?” (Fritz)

Fritz asked.

“It’s a rare medicine with strong sedative effects. If he takes this, his cough will stop immediately. In exchange, his body will gradually cool, and in a few hours, he should pass away peacefully in his sleep.” (??)

Fritz was shocked. It seemed to be a euthanasia drug rather than poison.

“Are you sure about this?” (Fritz)

“It’s not a drug that causes death in a healthy body. Besides, I wasn’t here today. So, there shouldn’t be any problem.” (??)

With that, the doctor bowed politely, put on his hat, and left.

—

Fritz returned to the bedroom.

“Cough…cough…” (Orasem)

It seemed that Orasem’s coughing had lessened, perhaps due to the medicine. However, his complexion had not improved. He could no longer absorb even the simplest foods like porridge. The food stayed in his stomach indefinitely, and he would vomit if he forced himself to eat.

Humans die if they don’t eat. It’s a simple fact, but without eating, there’s no way to recover from an illness.

Fritz had been under Orasem’s patronage since he was 22 years old and had started climbing the political ladder. The debt of gratitude he owed Orasem was immeasurable. Now, Orasem was on the verge of departing. The pain Fritz felt was worse than when he lost his parents to an epidemic.

” Orasem-san, according to the doctor’s prognosis, you won’t survive the night.” (Fritz)

Fritz stated honestly. Orasem might have been senile, but he hadn’t lost his sense of self. To hide his condition and let him die unaware seemed to Fritz like an insult to Orasem’s spirit.

“No way…” (Marjorie)

Marjorie, hearing the news of her father’s impending death, dropped the tray she was holding and clasped her hands in prayer.

“Oh God, please…” (Marjorie)

Her prayer was likely sincere, but Fritz found it futile and felt slightly irritated by the meaningless prayer.

“I see…cough. What year is it now?” (Orasem)

“It’s the summer of 2022.” (Fritz)

“I see… it’s been two years… then dying today or a year from now is the same…” (Orasem)

He seemed to be reflecting on lost memories. Fritz couldn’t grasp Orasem’s perception. Was he experiencing a sudden jump from two years ago to the brink of death today? Or did he have some vague recollection? It was something Fritz, still in possession of his faculties, couldn’t understand.

“Cough, it’s a troublesome illness. I can barely recall anything from the past few years, as if they’re shrouded in mist… I’ve likely caused quite a bit of trouble in this state.” (Orasem)

For some reason, Orasem suddenly seemed to regain clarity. His tone was now much more coherent.

“That’s not true.” (Fritz)

“Is that so? Then, I’m glad… cough, cough—” (Orasem)

Orasem started coughing again.

“Orasem-san, it’s better if you don’t speak…” (Fritz)

“Fritz, do you love Galilia?” (Orasem)

Orasem asked suddenly.

“Huh? Well… yes. I do love it.” (Fritz)

This wasn’t a lie. Fritz truly loved his homeland.

“That’s good… cough. A politician’s job is to serve the country, even if the people they love say they don’t need them. Cherish that sentiment.” (Orasem)

This was an unusual topic, one that Fritz had never heard from Orasem before. Given that it came at the end of Orasem’s life, it was likely something he deeply wanted to impart to Fritz.

“You were a well-loved and respected politician, Orasem-san.” (Fritz)

Although he had hidden his senility in recent years, before that, he had been a highly capable and beloved politician. That was indisputable.

“Cough… no, the people don’t love politicians. What they seek are competent rulers. Cough, what they seek is the ability to govern. So, once a mistake is made, no matter how much you love your country… cough, they will discard you like a used rag. I have seen it many times. Cough, cough—” (Orasem)

It was a hard concept for Fritz to grasp. During his career, he had always been under Orasem’s protection and had never lost an election. Because of this strong support, he never had to make unrealistic campaign promises and was able to deliver on his realistic pledges in practical ways, earning a reputation as a competent politician. Thus, he had never been abandoned by the people and had never felt disappointment.

“Fritz, become a consul who loves Galilia. A politician who stops loving will use the country for their own benefit. Cough, if that happens, quit being a politician.” (Orasem)

“Y-yes. I will keep that in mind.” (Fritz)

Fritz responded without fully processing Orasem’s words, unable to bear watching Orasem continue to speak and cough.

“That’s good—cough, cough!” (Orasem)

Orasem coughed once, and then coughed forcefully several times, as if he had phlegm in his throat.

“Otou-sama, stay strong.” (Marjorie)

Fritz’s wife, Marjorie, rubbed Orasem’s back. She held a thick cloth to his mouth to stop him coughing.

“Whew… that quack of a doctor. It’s not working at all…” (Orasem)

Orasem looked at the cloth with a look of disgust and threw it onto the bed. It was stained with blood-tinged phlegm.

“Marjorie, go outside.” (Fritz)

Fritz said, addressing Marjorie.

“But…” (Marjorie)

“Just go. I need to speak privately with Orasem-san. I’ll call you back in a bit.” (Fritz)

“Understood…” (Marjorie)

With that, Marjorie left the bedroom.

“What is it? What do you need to talk about?” (Orasem)

Fritz took the package of medicine from his pocket and placed it on the side table.

“…The doctor left this. He said that if you take it, your cough will stop immediately. In exchange, your body will gradually cool, and in a few hours, you will fall asleep and…” (Fritz)

Fritz couldn’t bring himself to say the word “die.” His throat seemed to refuse to let the word pass.

“I see. So, it’s a medicine that stops the body from fighting the illness… cough.” (Orasem)

“That’s what I think… What do you want to do?” (Fritz)

Fritz didn’t want to push the idea, but he couldn’t keep the option from Orasem, who was suffering so terribly that he was coughing up blood.

“That doctor did a good job in the end.” (Orasem)

Orasem said with a small smile. He grabbed the package, opened the paper, and swiftly put the white powder into his mouth. Then, he took a small pitcher of water and washed it down.

“Orasem-san…” (Fritz)

Fritz was stunned by Orasem’s choice.

“I don’t want to spend my final moments coughing and unable to have a proper conversation with my family.” (Orasem)

Orasem said with a wry smile.

“Don’t tell Marjorie. She’d make a fuss about suicide.” (Orasem)

“I understand.” (Fritz)

It went without saying that in the faith of Isus, suicide was forbidden. Although an old man choosing a peaceful end to his suffering was different from a young person taking their life over heartbreak, Marjorie, being devout, might not be able to make that distinction and would be terribly upset.

“Take care of her for me. She’s my only daughter.” (Orasem)

“I will. I promise.” (Fritz)

“Good, now I can die in peace. Call Marjorie. I want to speak with her one last time.” (Orasem)

“Understood.” (Fritz)

Fritz stood up from his stool and headed towards the door.

“Marjorie, Orasem-san wants to talk to you.” (Fritz)

He opened the door and Marjorie, with a somber expression, nodded and entered the room. Fritz stayed in the hallway, contemplating the future. Marjorie was a devout woman, but Fritz was a politician. A politician always had to think about what came next.

With Orasem’s death, the positions of Governor of Galilianin and Consul would become vacant. Faced with the powerful enemy Yuri Hou, the country must first have held an election.

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