Saint's Prison - Chapter 46

Seek Cleanliness

I finished the fieldwork earlier than expected.

As usual, I washed off the sweat at the well.

Pouring well water over my head, I cooled my heated body.

After thoroughly washing myself, I shook off the dripping water from my body with a shiver.

With my knowledge of modern hygiene, I pay more than the usual attention to cleanliness.

(I have to be careful not to get sick, as I won’t be able to receive proper treatment. Even a minor cold or infectious disease that wouldn’t be a problem in the modern world can be fatal here.)

I remember public health developed after the Industrial Revolution. It was due to the development of transportation such as railways and the growth of cities centered around factories. Further, as people from rural areas moved to cities in search of work, infectious diseases spread.

On the contrary, in medieval Europe, Christian thought considered epidemics to be strictly God’s will, a form of punishment. In short, those who believe will be saved. Those who are not saved lack sufficient love for God… that was the reasoning.

There was no focus on the actual cause of epidemics, and the concept of prevention didn’t even exist.

Medical care was under the control of Christian thought and could be said to have stagnated.

It’s a somewhat natural conclusion that this stagnation led to many deaths from epidemics. Moreover, while epidemics were considered God’s punishment, the actions people took to digest the invisible fear were attacks on others, which was utterly lamentable.

Unfortunately, Jews, who were often wealthy moneylenders, became the target of discrimination.

Furthermore, religious madness led the people who feared the Black Death to conduct witch hunts, which resulted in mass slaughters, showing just how important the concept of public health is.

Thinking that far, I involuntarily shivered.

Religion can save or kill people, depending on the perspective. Faith itself is not evil. The problem is when faith turns into blind belief or madness.

(…I have to be careful with how I handle this. But even thinking about this is probably off-limits.)

Public health is important, but so is scientific thinking, which was suppressed in those times. Galileo, who proposed the heliocentric theory, was tried for heresy and found guilty because it contradicted the teachings of the Bible. In any case, medieval Europe was not an easy place for intellectuals to live.

Especially someone like me, with modern values, would be a target of oppression. That’s why I must keep my breath hidden and stay under the radar.

“―Standing there like a fool, you’ll catch a cold.”

A cool voice.

Though cold, there was a certain softness in her tone.

“…Who’s standing around like a fool?”

I turned around.

Rich blonde hair, eyes the color of the azure sky.

Contrary to her sharp words, her expression was gentle.

Seeing my face, Johanna’s lips slightly relaxed.

She shows up with high probability when I’m bathing at the well. Does she want to see that badly? …I’m kidding, sorry.

“Nobody, you know better than anyone, don’t you?”

She tilted her head and looked at me. It’s a cute gesture, but not cute at all. Rather, her mouth is twitching. She’s definitely enjoying watching my reaction, you sadist.

“…Shut it, you sadist.”

Hearing my muttered words, Johanna made a face as if scolding a mischievous child. Pretending to be angry, her eyes were calm as if in a doze.

“I’m not impressed with such rough language.”

I turned away.

A silent resistance.

“Haha, Kuro-sama really is…”

I heard laughter.

A hand was placed on my cheek, and my face was turned to face forward.

Johanna was smiling. As if wiping off water droplets, she stroked my cheek several times. Embarrassed, I grabbed her hands with both of mine.

“Stop it, you idiot… It’s, you know, embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m doing this because it would trouble me if you caught a cold. Kuro-sama is generally sloppy, after all.”

“Are you my mom or something?!”

Johanna gently unwound my hands and patted my cheek lightly.

“Who’s your mother? I’m still 18. I don’t remember having such a big child.”

“…You’re 18?”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

No, if she’s 18 by counting years, then she’s actually 17? So young!

Like Amal, she seems mature and I thought she was in her early twenties. Westerners often appear that way.

“Hey, just wondering, how old do I look to you?”

“What’s this all of a sudden? …About the same age as me, perhaps?”

I crouched down and sighed, looking up at Johanna and muttering.

“I’m 28 right now. Counting years, I guess I’m 29. At least a decade older than you.”

“…Is that true?”

“Yeah, it’s true. Asians often look younger, can’t be helped.”

“That… I’m sorry. I thought you were about the same age or younger, my apologies for being impolite…”

Johanna visibly flustered.

Ah, so she thought I was the same age or younger, that’s why she’s been interacting with me like this.

“Sure, I’m older than you, but don’t worry about it.”

“But…”

“I don’t dislike talking with you like this, informally… So it’s fine.”

Johanna squatted down and stared intently at my face, her cheeks blushing. Her moist eyes blinked imploringly.

Seeing her expression, I felt an odd sense of guilt even though I had done nothing wrong.

Perhaps it was because I was unexpectedly moved by Johanna’s feminine expression.

I averted my eyes gently, thinking of Amal in my heart, and closed my eyes as if to endure.