“Make your excuses, Bishop Alberich.”
Heike coldly commanded.
Alberich, overwhelmed by Heike’s aura as she sat at her desk in her office, cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Your Highness, the Inner Palace still has our faction intact. We possess the most healers and provided the most healing during the recent martial arts tournament. Thanks to that, His Majesty hasn’t given us the winning title…”
“Efficiency.”
Thud, Heike threw a file folder onto the desk in front of Alberich.
“The more healing done, the higher the costs incurred. Now, look at the budget for the Moonlight Palace.”
“…Um…”
“The item related to healing costs is in the negative. Do you understand what that means? The Moonlight Palace is earning money through healing spells. Because Doctor Gothberg developed a mask.”
“Is… that so?”
“The actual budget loss from the Moonlight Palace is all salaries. There are only two healers affiliated with us, the attending physician and their apprentice.”
“…Yes.”
“That apprentice, a healer named Chloe, developed something called penicillin. It has revolutionary effects in preventing additional outbreaks among patients. According to testimonies, it was already in the development stage at the Inner Palace.”
“Your Highness, that was not development but a dangerous act of threatening patients with spoiled food, and it could tarnish the honor of the Inner Palace…”
Crash!!
When Heike slammed her hand on the desk, thunder roared.
Startled, Alberich shut his mouth.
“The budget consumed just this past month due to the contagion in the First Barracks and Mokhwi Palace is twelve hundred gold coins.”
“…Yes.”
“Next month’s expenses will be the same amount. All thanks to you firing that healer.”
Alberich gritted his teeth.
There was no group of healers with greater healing abilities anywhere beyond his faction in the Inner Palace.
Let alone, he was a bishop of the Kingdom of Law. A cardinal, and maybe even the Pope someday.
He had crossed over to the Empire after feeling the walls of talent at some point. But he firmly believed his faith and divine power were the best.
Those who used medications and folk remedies were deviations. They were not healers, they were black magicians.
Believing so strongly, Alberich thought Heike’s criticism was unreasonable but found himself in no position to argue with his lord.
“What kind of person is Doctor Gothberg?”
“Gothberg, you say? Well… he’s new and quite young.”
“Don’t know him well?”
Alberich had no choice but to turn mute.
On the contrary, Heike’s anger grew fiercer.
“When he bumped heads with George, I thought he was just an energetic young man.”
Heike rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
“A competent individual who can recognize, utilize, and train talent. I’ve even heard he devised the strategy that resulted in the mutual destruction of Lau and George during the martial arts tournament.”
Healing and strategy are separate domains. An expert in one field finds it hard to see the whole.
“Seeing he set the stage favorably for Acella, he must have a broad view for national affairs.”
Heike wondered how he came to possess such abilities.
Glancing at Alberich, Heike calmly remarked.
“He is better than you.”
“Th-that’s…!”
Alberich ground his teeth, but Heike simply gave a cold command.
“What I desire is results. Bring them.”
Alberich bowed his head and left the office.
Heike nodded and, speaking as if to herself, told her secretary.
“We need a scenario that will ensure Gothberg’s loyalty to our faction.”
“In that case, you should move quickly.”
“Why is that?”
“There’s information that Lau, the Royal Princess, is also in contact.”
Tsk.
Heike clicked her tongue and checked her schedule.
*
“Hey, Lars, is this good for the skin too?”
“This is a Vitamin C ampoule. Of course, it is good! It brightens skin tone, improves elasticity, and reduces aging. It’s okay even if you overdose, and it has a surprisingly addictive sour taste.”
“Oh my, it’s a complete panacea! No side effects? Sell me this too.”
“Two for one gold coin, Your Highness. Take one each morning.”
“Okay! Hehe, I’m looking forward to it.”
Lau often annoys me by dropping by the office.
But they were a customer who threw money around lavishly.
Having left the work to Chloe, I greeted Lau with a bright smile.
“By the way, are you not selling penicillin?”
“Oh no, please don’t! Our Royal Highness got really angry about the last mask incident. I’ll really lose my head over this.”
“Ugh, fine. I can’t help it. Acella’s been a bit scary lately too.”
“Are you finally realizing? You’ve lived a happy life all this time.”
“You’re really funny to talk to.”
Lau chuckled, giving my shoulder a light pat before sitting on the desk and lifting up the lace on their arm.
“Look at my skin. Is the martial arts tournament venue a bit dry? It’s been going crazily flaky from being there for three whole days.”
“You should have returned earlier like us. Though, your life was in danger.”
“I heard everything from the wise old man. He said you had a good time with Acella.”
“Good? I often think Your Highness’s word choice is excessively refined. It’s beyond what a commoner like me can comprehend.”
“Stop pretending. You’ll get scolded by Acella later.”
“I’ve already been scolded plenty. Choose a mask.”
Today, Lau came to buy more masks and was pestering for beauty potions.
Lau’s smile had a catlike charm reminiscent of Acella. They were about my age.
Just by walking down the street, they could catch every man’s eye, yet women’s desires know no bounds.
“There’s an important social party next week. I have to make my skin as firm as possible by then.”
“That’s the event praising the Western Duke, right? Since it’s a public appearance for the Royal Princess, I’ll have to wait at the party venue too.”
That was the news conveyed through the head maid by Acella. I should prepare as we’d soon be attending a big party.
“Huh? Gothberg, you’re going too?”
“Of course, since Princess Acella is going.”
“Acella is going?! Awesome.”
Lau’s eyes sparkled as they jumped up in the air.
What, was that confidential information?
“Acella is finally debuting in the social world! I thought she’d never do that. You know, Acella loves magic so much.”
A party is unnecessary for a magic warrior.
“No matter how many times I suggested going, she seemed disgusted. I wonder what changed her mind. Hmhm, did something she wants to show off happen?”
“Apparently, a new mask came out quite well.”
“Stop pretending. If I were you and had a handsome and capable betrothed from a marquess family, I’d have a party right away.”
As expected, Lau has a head full of flowers.
“I’m just going there to work as an attending physician.”
“Don’t be so stiff. You need to attend as a betrothed.”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous.”
Being recognized as Gothberg’s eldest son in the social circle would be infamous.
If I flaunted being the Royal Princess’s betrothed before all the noble families with some sway in the Empire, it would cause a disaster.
My presence would likely tarnish Acella’s reputation and would bring down her wrath.
“Did you hear the rumors from the martial arts tournament? The recorded footage of the knights is circulating widely. Many will be surprised to see Gothberg at this party!”
What exaggeration. On the first day, the true protagonist was Tanya.
After all, she’ll be scouted by various people until she becomes a Swordmaster.
My name has only been mentioned a few times by Tanya.
Perhaps due to Lau following parties daily, they had a skill for raising people up.
“The grand duchess will also be attending, so you could say almost all the nobles our age will be there. I heard the previous times she appeared to be a naive young lady, but she was with a sea man last time…”
Lau was chattering away with curiosity about a topic I wasn’t even interested in.
I wondered if Chloe was doing well in the workshop, gratefully tuning out the voice.
Then, suddenly.
Knock, knock.
With a knock, several healers entered my office.
“Teacher Gothberg.”
They wore quite solemn expressions.
Seeing the insignia, it was the faction of the First Princess.
The representative among them addressed me.
“We have come to inform you that a hearing has been convened.”
*
‘Geez, during a busy time with the contagion, an attending physician hearing…’
George’s attending physician, Falkenhayn, cursed inwardly.
More than ten attending physicians gathered in the assembly hall.
All were leaders of their own healing factions.
While the royal family’s physicians were relatively weak, the attending physicians held high ranks and undoubtedly possessed great skills.
Even the Emperor’s physicians were too busy to attend. Since it was voluntary, Falkenhayn technically didn’t have to come.
“But since Teacher Gothberg is involved, I can’t just let it pass.”
The principal organizer was, after all, that Alberich.
He was one half of the strongest faction in the Inner Palace alongside Falkenhayn.
Keeping an eye on the rival’s movements was essential.
‘However, it seems Prince George has taken a stance antagonistic toward the faction of the Third Princess.’
Previously, due to connections with Empress Camilla, he had supported the Moonlight Palace, but after Camilla and Acella separated, they became opposing forces.
Thus, today’s agenda, regardless of the outcome, would put Falkenhayn in a position where he couldn’t defend Gothberg.
‘Personally, I hope Teacher Gothberg navigates this crisis well.’
Having a history with Gothberg since the attending physician exam and witnessing his immense faith, Falkenhayn wanted to root for Gothberg.
“Doctor Gothberg!”
Alberich’s thunderous voice resonated through the assembly.
Lars, candy in mouth, strolled in leisurely.
“Yes, that’s me.”
The half-moon shaped table surrounded Lars.
For an ordinary person, just standing there would feel like having committed an unseen crime.
Yet, he exuded a relaxed demeanor that belied being a mere young healer.
“You are accused of causing chaos in the Inner Palace by using extraneous techniques. Are you aware?”
Alberich shot at Lars without hesitation.
Lars spread his candy around and casually replied.
“Hm, I hadn’t heard that I caused any chaos in the Inner Palace. Techniques, you say?”
“Using spoiled bread and such on patients—completely absurd behavior!”
“Haha, you mean medication. Medicines are meant to treat various ailments.”
“How could you heal people using items devoid of faith and divine power? Your actions are as good as black magic!”
Alberich pressed on forcefully.
This hearing was undoubtedly set up by Alberich to put Gothberg down.
‘Recently, the teacher has been active in many areas.’
He calculated that stepping on the rising star in the Inner Palace would solidify his standing.
How will Gothberg tackle this crisis?
Falkenhayn, eagerly watching, felt Lars’s eyes meet his.
Was it a request for support?
His deduction was correct.
In this place, with no allies for Lars, the only one with enough influence to speak up was Falkenhayn.
If Falkenhayn defended Lars, the atmosphere would shift.
But Falkenhayn couldn’t move due to George.
Lars muttered something while looking at Falkenhayn, something that sounded like “Diagnosis.”
“Medicine, though differing in direction, is not black magic. Medications allow treatments that healing spells cannot achieve. For instance…”
Lars looked up at Falkenhayn’s bald head.
“Regrowing lost hair, for example.”
“Is that really so?”
Falkenhayn stood up from his seat.
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