“Hugo, how about we contrast like this?”
After that, I prioritized the curse research work with Hugo’s team for a while.
There was quite a bit of data from the Emperor’s case and the one with Camilla, creating a good control group.
Right now, more than anything, I really wanted to perform surgery on Acella.
“What do you think of this hypothesis? If we think that the shape of the adhesive area determines the effect, can’t we see a transformation pattern?”
“Indeed, that’s a plausible hypothesis. Let’s verify it against another case right away.”
Thanks to Hugo, the research was progressing quite well.
I felt that soon we would be able to analyze the true nature of the curse Acella possessed and establish a countermeasure.
“I want to prepare a means to respond to Acella’s emergency outbreaks first.”
Ding!
[No. 101: Magic Explosion 13% → 14%]
Acella’s symptoms were gradually worsening.
Right now, I could hold on with the painkillers I created, but I wasn’t sure how long that would last.
“It’s also effective because I feed it to her myself.”
I had the [Prescription] skill. When Acella took the medicine alone in my absence, its effect inevitably decreased.
I couldn’t stay attached to Acella 24/7, so I needed a stronger medication.
“It’s a matter of ingredients. We have limitations with willow bark.”
No matter how much I used property change or synthesis, I couldn’t create medicine from nothing.
When it came to the best painkiller…
“In the end, it’s narcotics.”
If a regular painkiller dulls the nerves that transmit pain, a narcotic painkiller destroys specific receptors to prevent the brain from perceiving the pain.
It’s dangerous, but the effect is undeniable. A patient who was thrashing around as if they were about to die could be made comfortable as if nothing had happened.
“Morphine is non-addictive. If made for medical use, the increase in tolerance can be minimized.”
Should I look for poppy?
As I thought about that, I received a call from the Emperor and was summoned to the Imperial Palace.
“I commend you for your efforts in the raid against the black magician, Gothberg.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty.”
Making the effort to summon me personally to give praise was quite a significant honor.
It would be a story I could share as a drinking anecdote back home.
“Gunter has finally regained his senses. It was the right choice to nurture your inner palace.”
“That was Your Majesty’s insight.”
Ambrosia chimed in.
“I wanted to bring Acella too, but she’s feeling unwell. I never thought Camilla had gotten so malicious. I should’ve intervened sooner.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
“As I heard, Camilla was a whim of mine. It was when I destroyed the Kingdom of the Black Magic cult. Her village became a sacrifice for the state. Camilla was the last survivor.”
“I see.”
“Looking back now, it seems it wasn’t just a one-sided sacrifice but a conflict between the black magician factions. Even though she was young, Camilla was a black magician. At first, she was innocent. She dedicated herself to the Empire to repay her debt to me.”
The Emperor’s judgment seemed unlikely to be wrong. So perhaps Camilla wasn’t inherently evil.
“She was capable. I’m sure she brought significant benefits to the Empire. However, at some point, I instinctively felt she was dangerous, and I distanced myself from her. Not giving affection to Acella was also due to Camilla.”
“May I ask when that was?”
“After Acella was born, Camilla became unstable. Sometimes I sensed an inexplicable evil from her. And since 11 years ago, I could no longer recognize her old self. From that time, I sent Camilla to the Moonlight Palace.”
Hmm…
There was one more incident 11 years ago.
That was when Acella obtained her second magical talent along with the debuff curse.
The soul of the great witch appeared in this imperial family.
This is something I need to dig into.
“It’s not that I didn’t love Camilla. However, I also love Charlotte and Hellead just as much. If one were to oppose me, there’s no need to bestow affection, right?”
The Emperor, as the greatest power in the land, had a rather unique way of loving women.
I felt utterly incapable of following that. Just managing one person seemed overwhelming enough.
Right now, changing the ending and my duties as a doctor took precedence, so I hadn’t thought much about it.
“Acella missed her chance to receive affection.”
The Emperor stroked his beard.
“I’ll entrust her to you, Gothberg.”
Wait, me?
I had forgotten for a moment because Acella and the Emperor always acted like strangers without showing any signs of a father-daughter relationship.
Come to think of it, this person was technically my father-in-law in the current situation.
Since I was engaged to Acella, the Emperor must have full faith in me.
Did that mean he just acknowledged me as a proper son-in-law?
‘Oh no.’
Would he come chasing after me if I broke off the engagement?
Well, I had originally intended to set up more safety measures.
That was related to what I planned to request as a reward this time.
“Gothberg, I shall bestow honors and rewards for your services. What do you desire? Ah, last time you asked for the proclamation of medicine. Ambrosia, how are preparations going?”
“Soon the review will be completed, and the attending physician’s conference will be held.”
“Understood. Gothberg, speak up. I can give you an avalanche of gold coins, land, or even a new palace.”
I bowed my head respectfully and replied.
“It would be a disrespectful request, Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“I request the independent military authority of the Gothberg family.”
“Mm.”
The Emperor thoughtfully lifted his chin.
What I was asking for was an extraordinary right that could not be exchanged for any amount of money or land.
In the empire’s central governance system, only the imperial family was permitted to have knight units of a brigade level.
Even the Western Grand Duke Schwartz-Schweik did not have a very strong military force, and adventurers were even recruited to fight against the kingdom in border areas.
The reason was obvious: A noble with a strong military force posed a risk of independence from the state.
That was the only way for a great nation to maintain its stability.
I was asking for a potentially disruptive element that could endanger the state system.
’Let’s see if it works out or not.’
Acella would never grant military power to my family, so it was now or never to strengthen my position.
Who knows what might happen later? I can’t live with my family under the empire forever.
What if George suddenly became the next emperor and the empire fell apart?
Ah, then I wouldn’t be able to stop the Demon King’s army either.
Well, anyway.
I needed military power to protect my family from the demon race and barbarians.
It would be best to grow the Marquisate and gain independence as a former country. That was more of a ten-year plan, so there wouldn’t be a need to watch out for the Emperor.
As for the knight supply, I could think about that slowly; if I don’t have the right, I can’t even start.
This was quite an unreasonable request for the Emperor, but…
“Very well. I grant military authority to the Gothberg family.”
He accepted it very coolly.
Wow, he just gave me that.
“With the grace of Your Majesty like the vast ocean, I bow deeply.”
“I look forward to your future endeavors for the Empire.”
“I shall meet your expectations.”
With Tanya already on board, I decided to take my time procuring knights.
“The conference will be held in the afternoon.”
After concluding my audience, Ambrosia conveyed that to me.
We were to hold it in the same conference room where the previous hearings took place, but this time, sitting in the high seats felt quite different.
“The seat next to Teacher Gothberg is mine.”
“Hey now, there are hierarchies. It’s my seat, so move aside.”
Other than Falkenhayn and Alberich bustling around, I was quite satisfied.
“I am Boyish, the attending physician of the Forbidden Library. The agenda is to incorporate medicine as the fundamental basis in the inner palace.”
The attending physician of Lauga, Boyish, opened the floor.
“After reviewing the teaching material sent from the Moonlight Palace, it appears that it’s possible to arrange the curriculum. Since it is also a royal command, I assume there are no objections from the attending physicians?”
Boyish smiled brightly like an attractive young boy, as if his sisters were about to run over with snacks.
And he’s at least ten years older than me, huh?
“However, I require a bit of additional information, Teacher Gothberg.”
“Additional information?”
“Yes. It’s due to the fundamental nature of this medical technology.”
Tap, tap, Boyish smacked the medical book with his palm.
“Where exactly did this technology originate?”
Where did it come from?
Historical doctors have formed the backbone of human wisdom and have continued to develop it.
Ah, but there was no such history in this world.
In ancient times, there were folk remedies for a brief period, and any records of that progress were burned and deleted by the Kingdom of Law.
“Doctor Boyish, are you doubting Teacher Gothberg? How many patients has he treated and proven so far!”
Bang, Alberich slammed the desk, flaring up.
“That’s not it! I like Teacher Gothberg a lot! Bishop, please control your temper!”
“Ugh, hmm…”
“Still, there must be a reliable history for the healers in the inner palace and the general public. Healing spells are a technology bestowed by the Goddess, so anyone can believe and use it, and the law proves that.”
“That’s a reasonable point.”
Ambrosia nodded in agreement.
I also thought it wasn’t completely unfounded.
I know the complete history of the development of medicine, but from their perspective, it would be like discovering that yesterday’s toys are actually Transformers.
Even the current circulatory and surgical equipment was aided by dwarven technology, though my mechanical engineering knowledge also played a part. The clockwork structure, while missing digital elements, is quite precise.
In this world, it’s overtechnology.
“Now that I think about it, I never heard the details. Teacher Gothberg, you’ve learned from a mentor, right?”
Falkenhayn spoke to me.
I definitely mentioned that before.
“Hmm, that’s correct.”
“Was there only one mentor?”
“Well… There’s a medical society, a group of individuals who developed folk remedies into a form of medicine.”
“Is there such a group? Where are they now?”
“Hmm. The formal name is ‘Non-Governmental Medical Society.’ They mainly provide medical services to commoners who can’t afford healing spells… I think?”
“That sounds like wonderful individuals. I’d love to meet them.”
“It’s just that the girls might not know; the rumor may have already spread among the public.”
“In that case, I’ll document the progression of medicine through contact with the medical society. Let’s gather the rumors of the populace as well.”
“I agree.”
Wait, the conversation is going in an odd direction.
When I returned to the office, I urgently summoned the healers.
“Chloe, do you have the folk remedy book you were making?”
“Yes, yes! I was planning to distribute it to the public just like the ancient texts…”
“Produce it in bulk and disseminate it continent-wide. Ah, make it look worn out, like it’s a hundred years old. And the expenses will come from the doctors.”
“Yes.”
“From now on, wear this mask and volunteer. Go wherever the patients are. It’s even better if it’s a remote area without healers. I’ll provide funding to recruit teleport mages and guards.”
Before us were rows of beaked masks resembling crows.
These were the so-called plague doctor masks I had made for some future use.
I emphasized it.
“But absolutely! You must not reveal your identity! It can’t leak out, so use Geass on each of you.”
“What about the external work allowance?”
“I’ll double it.”
“I’ll leave immediately.”
As for the rumors, they’ll twist and become vague about when and where they originated, so timing doesn’t matter.
“So, are you going out as well, Teacher?”
“Of course.”
While I was out, I should search for poppy as well.
Strictly for medical purposes, of course.
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