"Hello, Margaret…" Magnus began, but before he could even finish, Margaret was already upon him, rushing forward and wrapping her arms tightly around him in a hug.
"Oh, thank God you're alive, Lord Magnus! I thought I'd lost you," Margaret cried, her voice cracking with emotion.
Magnus felt wetness seeping through his clothes. Margaret was clearly crying.
"Honey, remember the lad is still injured," Augustus's voice interrupted the moment.
"Oh!" Margaret exclaimed, immediately detaching from Magnus. Her face was still wet with tears. Then, a serious expression appeared as she looked him over. "What is it? Did your injury worsen? Is that why you're here? Do you need urgent treatment?" she asked anxiously, her eyes scanning him with concern.
"Oh, no, no, no," Magnus hurriedly explained. "It's quite the opposite. I think my injury is now fully recovered."
"What?" Margaret yelled in shock. The whole crowd of patients in the ward looked towards Magnus in confusion.
They had all heard that their young lord had been gravely injured, near the point of death. Even if he had somehow managed to survive, the expectation was a long and difficult recovery, confined to his bed for months. Yet, here he was, a mere week after his injury, claiming to be fully recovered. The shock of those around him was palpable, but no one was more surprised than Margaret. Her face was a mask of disbelief.
Margaret was Augustus wife, and Augustus was Arthur's, Magnus's father's, trusted assistant. The two families shared a deep bond. When Magnus's mother died during childbirth, Margaret became the closest thing he had to a mother.
When Magnus was brought home injured and near death after the second ambush by Gaylord and his men, Margaret, despite being sick with grief from mourning her own son, who had died in the first ambush alongside Arthur, insisted on caring for Magnus personally. As the head nurse, she felt responsible, but her connection to Magnus made it a personal mission.
So, while everyone else had only heard about the severity of Magnus's injuries, Margaret had witnessed them firsthand. She had been the one to wash the blood from his battered body when he was brought back. She knew that, with the level of care he was receiving, a full recovery would have taken months, if not longer.
Seeing their shock, Magnus immediately offered his prepared explanation. "I was able to recover due to divine intervention," he announced, his voice filled with reverence and determination. "You see, when I was on the brink of death, when I thought all was lost, a divine figure appeared to me. A God took pity on my condition, on the condition of our territory, and offered me divine healing. I have also been armed with blessings that will help me change the fate of our land."
Murmurs rippled through the assembled patients.
"What? Did I hear him right? Did he just say a divine visit?"
"Does this mean we are finally going to be free from all our problems?"
"What if he's lying?"
"Well, look at him, recovered from his injury. It doesn't seem like a lie at all."
Magnus smiled inwardly, pleased that his story was being accepted. It was to be expected. When something inexplicable, something seemingly miraculous, happens, without any logical explanation people tend to attribute it to a higher power, a god or goddess. Magnus's story wasn't entirely true, but it wasn't entirely false either.
He knew he would soon be performing acts that would defy explanation – upgrading the territory's infrastructure, summoning his soldiers, even his pet Vorax. These actions would undoubtedly raise eyebrows and questions. However, if everyone believed a god was behind it all, they would accept it without question. Gods, after all, were all-powerful beings who oversaw their world.
Furthermore, the territory desperately needed hope, something or someone to believe in. What better than a chosen one, blessed by a god to guide them through their current struggles? He would be their beacon of light, earning back the trust of his people.
Magnus's internal smile widened as he saw his plan unfolding. It was time to move to the next stage.
"Gather all the physicians," he instructed. "I want to offer them a blessing from the God, to help them perform their tasks better, to aid all those in need."
Margaret wore a skeptical expression for a moment before bowing and disappearing behind the building. She returned shortly with twelve other women, all bearing the same look of weariness in their eyes, and led them into the room.
"Greetings, Lord Magnus," they chorused, bowing slightly.
"Hmm," Magnus replied, his voice imbued with a newfound authority. He gestured towards the assembled crowd. "As you know, I have been blessed by a divine being. This being, witnessing the plight of our territory and the tireless work you all do, has granted me a gift to share – a blessing to enhance your abilities as healers."
A murmur rippled through the physicians. Skepticism wrestled with a flicker of hope in their tired eyes.
Magnus, seemingly unfazed by their doubt, spoke in a firm voice, "Margaret, please step forward."
With a slight frown, Margaret stepped forward, positioning herself in front of the other physicians and directly before Magnus. The crowd of patients watched with anticipation.
Once Margaret was in place, Magnus placed his hand on her forehead, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, channeling all his focus. "By the grace of the divine," he intoned, "may your hands be guided, your minds sharpened, and your spirits strengthened. May your touch bring comfort, your knowledge bring healing, and your dedication bring hope to all who seek your aid."
As Magnus spoke, an intense, otherworldly aura emanated from him, washing over the room and leaving everyone in awe. Some patients gasped, their mouths agape, speechless at the display.
"It's really true! He's truly blessed by a God! I can feel it!" someone from the crowd shouted, followed by a chorus of agreement from the other patients.
The aura lingered for a moment before fading, and Magnus stumbled back, looking slightly drained.
The crowd turned towards Margaret, eager to see any sign of the blessing she had received.
Margaret's face beamed with a mixture of shock and joy. "This… What is this? My knowledge of medicine… it's increased exponentially!" she exclaimed, still reeling from the experience.
The crowd gasped.
"It's an imprintment! A skill imprintment! It's true! He's truly blessed by a God! Our territory is saved!" another person from the crowd cried out.
Everyone knew of skill imprintment. Rumors circulated that those who reached a certain level of power could directly impart their knowledge and skills to another person, instantaneously granting them abilities that would normally take years to master. This process usually involved complex rituals, but seeing Magnus perform it so effortlessly, with a mere touch, erased any lingering doubts.
Magnus, ignoring the commotion, moved on to the next physician, and then the next. With each blessing, he appeared more fatigued, until, by the fifth person, his body seemed unable to handle the strain. He stumbled back, blood trickling from his lips. He struggled to regain his footing.
"Next person," Magnus mumbled weakly.
"No, Lord Magnus, it's obvious you can't continue," Margaret said, rushing to his side.
"But…" Magnus started, but Margaret cut him off.
"No. You've done enough already. Any more would be detrimental to your health," she insisted.
Magnus's face fell, etched with disappointment. "I'm sorry I can't continue. It seems my weak body isn't able to handle so much divine power," he said, his voice laced with regret.
His apparent selflessness garnered sympathy from the crowd.
"Such dedication. I never knew Lord Magnus to be such an honorable, good person."
"He tried his best."
Murmurs of admiration and sympathy spread throughout the room. Inwardly, Magnus smiled at his successful manipulation, though outwardly he maintained a facade of weary disappointment.
"Even though I couldn't bless all of you," he addressed the remaining physicians, his voice regaining a touch of its earlier strength, "the Gods have assured me that this is just the beginning. As my own connection to the divine strengthens, I will be able to bestow more blessings upon you all, and upon this entire territory. For now, share the knowledge you have gained with your colleagues, so that all may benefit from this divine grace."
These words were the tipping point for the crowd. They could no longer contain their joy and admiration.
"All hail Lord Magnus!"
"Long live the Gods' chosen one!"
Chants of praise erupted throughout the room, echoing Magnus's supposed divine favor.