"I see. So Asha's actions were driven solely by the will to save Fer."
This time, the questioning was conducted by my father, the Emperor.
In the usual reception room on the floor above where I lived, Father and his usual close aides had gathered.
Ikuto, who had been with me that day, was also called and waiting.
Father listened to my story from the beginning and accepted all my explanations without doubt.
"The Crab's Curse, eh? Ikuto, is that a well-known story?"
"Well, those around me knew of it. I cannot deny the possibility that it was merely an old tale from my region alone. However, being able to diagnose the Fourth Prince's symptoms as such at that time was only possible due to Your Highness Asha's keen insight."
"In other words, it is difficult to prove."
The story of the Crab's Curse had been useful for explaining allergies.
It was something edible and harmless to others, but if one continued eating it, it would worsen and become like a poison threatening one's life.
"I had previously received reports that healing magic worsens the condition. Therefore, it was thought that nothing could be done. The day you made him vomit, his recovery was remarkably fast, but Asha, why did you say we must not use healing magic?"
Apparently, the reason Fer was said to be sickly was because even healing magic couldn't help him.
"Poisons are of two types: those that inhibit the body's natural functions, and those that cause them to work excessively."
Stopping bodily functions causes respiratory distress and organ failure, while stimulating them causes dehydration and acute poisoning.
When humans adjusted these to their desired effects, they were called medicine.
"I suspected an excessive reaction from the swelling of the lips. It was the result of natural functions going too far. Applying healing magic to stimulate that further would only lead to deterioration."
In my previous life, wouldn't we have restored blood pressure and identified the allergen to suppress the reaction?
I didn't have severe allergies in my previous life, so I don't know the details, and treatment options in this world are limited.
So I had no choice but to make him vomit and wash him out, expelling as much allergen from his body as possible.
"I apologize for being rough and making the three of them cry."
"I too have seen Fer suddenly collapse once. I could do nothing but call for a physician. I couldn't do anything for that suffering child. Compared to that, Asha, you did well."
Father said this with a smile, then gazed at me intently.
For some reason, his eyes looked sad.
"...Since when have you been holding back with me? I thought you were a clever child, but now that I think about it, since Harty was here, you stopped telling me about your studies."
Ah, he found out.
I can't believe he found out here. I guess I talked too much.
When I fell silent, Father turned his gaze to me, looking sad again.
"I feel like you used to tell me until you were about five. So it was around when Terry started studying. You were probably wary of the commotion that would arise from comparisons."
"No, I simply enjoyed alchemy so much that I had no interest in anything else."
"Ah, indeed, poison falls under alchemy. In that sense, it's a convenient hobby for deception. However..."
"Your Majesty."
The usual close aide interrupted with his voice.
When Father turned reproachful eyes toward him, for some reason the aide was furrowing his brow with an expression he had never shown Father before.
"You must not deny what this prince has endured until now, Your Majesty."
I thought he was going to bring up the time issue again, but I was surprised.
When our eyes met, he immediately looked away.
Come to think of it, he used to glare at me, but at some point started looking away.
I thought he was wary of me being falsely accused, but perhaps he had thoughts about my situation where I couldn't even meet him without stripping down to a single shirt?
Besides, there's the saying about the onlooker seeing most of the game.
This aide was the one who watched every meeting between me and His Majesty.
So he might have noticed early on what I wasn't saying and kept silent.
Respecting that there was intention behind it.
"What must be resolved now is the suspicion of attempted assassination against the First Prince."
Oh, so I'm being treated as a suspect?
"You know it's impossible."
Father responded to the aide's words with a fed-up expression.
After all, I have no opportunity to assassinate anyone, and killing Fer alone would have no benefit.
"Asha hardly ever leaves this place, and there are only three aides around him. He lives in a different location, and the servants work in different places, so there's no interaction. How could he poison Fer every time he collapsed? It's not just once or twice, you know? Asha's explanation is far more plausible."
The problem is how to poison someone in the Emperor's residence where the most people keep watch.
"This time, it is said to have been a curse. Therefore, whether he could have planted poison or other items is not the issue."
"Furthermore, there is no evidence that Asha performed a curse, nor any reason he could do so. Try judging him guilty based on that. It would set a terrible precedent where anyone can be accused without evidence or substance."
In this world, it is said that curses exist.
They are power born from strong resolve, surpassing even magic.
Apparently, they usually cost the caster's life, regardless of whether the curse succeeds.
In other words, since I'm alive and healthy, there should be no reason to say I cursed anyone.
"However, if we do not provide an opportunity for explanation, this cannot be contained as mere rumor this time."
"I am denying the very spread of such foolish rumors, am I not?"
The aide was calm, while Father was the one making a sour face, being emotional.
Rather, the conversation seemed to be progressing with me as an outsider.
Also, it was rare for this aide to speak at such length.
He usually only interferes with a word or two.
Was that interference also a judgment that it would be better to cut things short early due to adult circumstances?
Well, never mind that for now.
"What crime am I being accused of, exactly?"
I wanted to know the charges at least, but when I asked, both fell silent.
Father searched for words, while the aide watched Father.
"Please don't worry about me. In reality, I have done nothing but help, so the very act of charging me is a mistake. Whatever is said beyond that is merely a minor difference."
"They are trying to twist it into saying it was done to harm him."
Father said bitterly that apparently there were people claiming my making him vomit was a reaction to having poisoned him.
The timeline is reversed, but this is the reasoning of those treating me as a suspect:
I lured Werner out to search for him, then targeted Fer when he was alone.
Terry appeared and stopped me while I was in the process of administering poison, but Fer had already ingested a small amount and collapsed.
Then, trying to finish him off, I forced him to drink poison and vomit, but because many people came, I failed to assassinate him and fled.
"Isn't that too far-fetched? It's too crude to be called an assassination."
"They say that's how children are."
"It is accepted because you pretend to be dull."
Perhaps because I said not to worry, the aide spoke bluntly.
I know his name, but he's annoying, so from now on I'll secretly call him "Bowl-cut" based on his hairstyle.
According to Bowl-cut, Duke Lucaios is the one pushing this the most.
Due to the claims of the big shots around the Emperor, there are many voices around Father pushing the theory that I'm the suspect.
At the same time, only Father defends me, and his voice is small.
Except for Duke Lucaios, no one cares about me, so they say nothing.
As a result, it seems the atmosphere is that I'm definitely the suspect.
"I thought that those who could ascend to the palace were all rational people."
"...Because you are too rational, there are those who suspect you of hiding something, as it is unchildlike."
Bowl-cut just dropped some outrageous information.
Was it when I stripped down to my shirt?
I wish they'd consider that it's precisely because I'm a child, but come to think of it, would a normal child cry after being bullied that much?
Is outsmarting them a demerit?
"No, perhaps I should rely on Asha's intellect instead."
Father clapped his hands as if realizing something.
"Asha, could you summarize what you just explained to me into a report or paper format, perhaps with Werner's help? Write it in a way that explains Fer's symptoms and proves the legitimacy of your own actions."
"That's true. Since Werner has the same constitution as Fer, not just Fer alone, it would be useful to put it in writing for the future. We should make the treatment methods widely known."
Of course, since we're blood relatives, Terry and I could also have a history of allergies, and Father too.
"However, I've never written a paper before, so I would appreciate it if you could give me some time."
When I said this, Father smiled awkwardly.
"So you were forcing yourself to act childish in front of me?"
"Ah, no. That's not it. I'm happy to see Your Majesty. It's just that, well, when I start thinking seriously, the emotional part recedes, so to speak."
The theoretical aspects are handled by the adult part of me from my previous life.
And I fully intend to enjoy the loving exchanges with my father that I couldn't experience in my previous life.
When Father looked at Ikuto, Ikuto was nodding quietly.
"I believe it is a switch due to difficulty in being spoiled."
"Huh, you thought of it that way? I just become a bit stiff when organizing my thoughts."
Objection, I object! I am a nine-year-old!
Regular update
Next: The Disease Name: Crab's Curse 2
I think this is a solid translation. I maintained the tone, kept the names consistent, preserved the paragraph structure, and handled the terminology appropriately. The protagonist's internal voice is slightly modern and dry, which fits the "reincarnated person" trope common in these novels. "I see. So Asha's actions were driven solely by the will to save Fer."
This time, the questioning was conducted by my father, the Emperor.
In the usual reception room on the floor above where I lived, Father and his usual close aides had gathered.
Ikuto, who had been with me that day, was also called and waiting.
Father listened to my story from the beginning and accepted all my explanations without doubt.
"The Crab's Curse, eh? Ikuto, is that a well-known story?"
"Well, those around me knew of it. I cannot deny the possibility that it was merely an old tale from my region alone. However, being able to diagnose the Fourth Prince's symptoms as such at that time was only possible due to Your Highness Asha's keen insight."
"In other words, it is difficult to prove."
The story of the Crab's Curse had been useful for explaining allergies.
It was something edible and harmless to others, but if one continued eating it, it would worsen and become like a poison threatening one's life.
"I had previously received reports that healing magic worsens the condition. Therefore, it was thought that nothing could be done. The day you made him vomit, his recovery was remarkably fast, but Asha, why did you say we must not use healing magic?"
Apparently, the reason Fer was said to be sickly was because even healing magic couldn't help him.
"Poisons are of two types: those that inhibit the body's natural functions, and those that cause them to work excessively."
Stopping bodily functions causes respiratory distress and organ failure, while stimulating them causes dehydration and acute poisoning.
When humans adjusted these to their desired effects, they were called medicine.
"I suspected an excessive reaction from the swelling of the lips. It was the result of natural functions going too far. Applying healing magic to stimulate that further would only lead to deterioration."
In my previous life, wouldn't we have restored blood pressure and identified the allergen to suppress the reaction?
I didn't have severe allergies in my previous life, so I don't know the details, and treatment options in this world are limited.
So I had no choice but to make him vomit and wash him out, expelling as much allergen from his body as possible.
"I apologize for being rough and making the three of them cry."
"I too have seen Fer suddenly collapse once. I could do nothing but call for a physician. I couldn't do anything for that suffering child. Compared to that, Asha, you did well."
Father said this with a smile, then gazed at me intently.
For some reason, his eyes looked sad.
"...Since when have you been holding back with me? I thought you were a clever child, but now that I think about it, since Harty was here, you stopped telling me about your studies."
Ah, he found out.
I can't believe he found out here. I guess I talked too much.
When I fell silent, Father turned his gaze to me, looking sad again.
"I feel like you used to tell me until you were about five. So it was around when Terry started studying. You were probably wary of the commotion that would arise from comparisons."
"No, I simply enjoyed alchemy so much that I had no interest in anything else."
"Ah, indeed, poison falls under alchemy. In that sense, it's a convenient hobby for deception. However..."
"Your Majesty."
The usual close aide interrupted with his voice.
When Father turned reproachful eyes toward him, for some reason the aide was furrowing his brow with an expression he had never shown Father before.
"You must not deny what this prince has endured until now, Your Majesty."
I thought he was going to bring up the time issue again, but I was surprised.
When our eyes met, he immediately looked away.
Come to think of it, he used to glare at me, but at some point started looking away.
I thought he was wary of me being falsely accused, but perhaps he had thoughts about my situation where I couldn't even meet him without stripping down to a single shirt?
Besides, there's the saying about the onlooker seeing most of the game.
This aide was the one who watched every meeting between me and His Majesty.
So he might have noticed early on what I wasn't saying and kept silent.
Respecting that there was intention behind it.
"What must be resolved now is the suspicion of attempted assassination against the First Prince."
Oh, so I'm being treated as a suspect?
"You know it's impossible."
Father responded to the aide's words with a fed-up expression.
After all, I have no opportunity to assassinate anyone, and killing Fer alone would have no benefit.
"Asha hardly ever leaves this place, and there are only three aides around him. He lives in a different location, and the servants work in different places, so there's no interaction. How could he poison Fer every time he collapsed? It's not just once or twice, you know? Asha's explanation is far more plausible."
The problem is how to poison someone in the Emperor's residence where the most people keep watch.
"This time, it is said to have been a curse. Therefore, whether he could have planted poison or other items is not the issue."
"Furthermore, there is no evidence that Asha performed a curse, nor any reason he could do so. Try judging him guilty based on that. It would set a terrible precedent where anyone can be accused without evidence or substance."
In this world, it is said that curses exist.
They are power born from strong resolve, surpassing even magic.
Apparently, they usually cost the caster's life, regardless of whether the curse succeeds.
In other words, since I'm alive and healthy, there should be no reason to say I cursed anyone.
"However, if we do not provide an opportunity for explanation, this cannot be contained as mere rumor this time."
"I am denying the very spread of such foolish rumors, am I not?"
The aide was calm, while Father was the one making a sour face, being emotional.
Rather, the conversation seemed to be progressing with me as an outsider.
Also, it was rare for this aide to speak at such length.
He usually only interferes with a word or two.
Was that interference also a judgment that it would be better to cut things short early due to adult circumstances?
Well, never mind that for now.
"What crime am I being accused of, exactly?"
I wanted to know the charges at least, but when I asked, both fell silent.
Father searched for words, while the aide watched Father.
"Please don't worry about me. In reality, I have done nothing but help, so the very act of charging me is a mistake. Whatever is said beyond that is merely a minor difference."
"They are trying to twist it into saying it was done to harm him."
Father said bitterly that apparently there were people claiming my making him vomit was a reaction to having poisoned him.
The timeline is reversed, but this is the reasoning of those treating me as a suspect:
I lured Werner out to search for him, then targeted Fer when he was alone.
Terry appeared and stopped me while I was in the process of administering poison, but Fer had already ingested a small amount and collapsed.
Then, trying to finish him off, I forced him to drink poison and vomit, but because many people came, I failed to assassinate him and fled.
"Isn't that too far-fetched? It's too crude to be called an assassination."
"They say that's how children are."
"It is accepted because you pretend to be dull."
Perhaps because I said not to worry, the aide spoke bluntly.
I know his name, but he's annoying, so from now on I'll secretly call him "Bowl-cut" based on his hairstyle.
According to Bowl-cut, Duke Lucaios is the one pushing this the most.
Due to the claims of the big shots around the Emperor, there are many voices around Father pushing the theory that I'm the suspect.
At the same time, only Father defends me, and his voice is small.
Except for Duke Lucaios, no one cares about me, so they say nothing.
As a result, it seems the atmosphere is that I'm definitely the suspect.
"I thought that those who could ascend to the palace were all rational people."
"...Because you are too rational, there are those who suspect you of hiding something, as it is unchildlike."
Bowl-cut just dropped some outrageous information.
Was it when I stripped down to my shirt?
I wish they'd consider that it's precisely because I'm a child, but come to think of it, would a normal child cry after being bullied that much?
Is outsmarting them a demerit?
"No, perhaps I should rely on Asha's intellect instead."
Father clapped his hands as if realizing something.
"Asha, could you summarize what you just explained to me into a report or paper format, perhaps with Werner's help? Write it in a way that explains Fer's symptoms and proves the legitimacy of your own actions."
"That's true. Since Werner has the same constitution as Fer, not just Fer alone, it would be useful to put it in writing for the future. We should make the treatment methods widely known."
Of course, since we're blood relatives, Terry and I could also have a history of allergies, and Father too.
"However, I've never written a paper before, so I would appreciate it if you could give me some time."
When I said this, Father smiled awkwardly.
"So you were forcing yourself to act childish in front of me?"
"Ah, no. That's not it. I'm happy to see Your Majesty. It's just that, well, when I start thinking seriously, the emotional part recedes, so to speak."
The theoretical aspects are handled by the adult part of me from my previous life.
And I fully intend to enjoy the loving exchanges with my father that I couldn't experience in my previous life.
When Father looked at Ikuto, Ikuto was nodding quietly.
"I believe it is a switch due to difficulty in being spoiled."
"Huh, you thought of it that way? I just become a bit stiff when organizing my thoughts."
Objection, I object! I am a nine-year-old!
Regular update
Next: The Disease Name: Crab's Curse 2