“A symbol of harmony, what does that mean?”
Persiya, the First Princess, tilted her head and asked me.
“I might have used grandiose expressions, but such a huge action isn’t necessary. We just need to pave the way for a trade route between the Empire and the Kingdom.”
“If we can legally bring in your medicines… we could also prepare medicine for my younger sibling stably. People in similar situations in the Kingdom could buy it at a reasonable price as well.”
A smile spread across the princess’s face. She glanced around before casually speaking to the guests at the next table.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
Persiya borrowed a chair and sat closely in front of me.
“I’d like to hear more detail. What is your plan?”
As the conversation turned to trade, the princess became bold. She seemed like a good business partner.
“Simply put, we can promote our medicines as something that would suffice the royal family of the Kingdom.”
“The Martial Arts Conference would be a good opportunity. We could also create a place for peaceful discussions regarding taxes. I’ve heard the atmosphere was quite tense when the last delegation went.”
“Exactly. The princess and I can lead the discussions.”
“What exactly do you mean? Even if you advertise your medicines, there won’t be a huge link to the Kingdom, right?”
That part is the challenge to solve.
Even if I act like a hotshot at the Martial Arts Conference, the reality of our medicines being treated as smuggled goods in the Kingdom won’t change.
“If this sounds crazy to you, feel free to refuse. It’s a lot to consider.”
I opened up to the princess.
“About the symptoms of your younger brother, the Third Prince, being paralyzed from the waist down.”
“Yes.”
“We need to conduct detailed examinations, but I think it’s a symptom that occurred due to an injury in the spinal area… the part connecting the legs and the head. The nerve hasn’t completely severed, so he likely experiences pain attacks occasionally.”
“Ah… so it’s not the legs, but the waist that was injured.”
“How about we try to heal the prince with our new medicine at the Martial Arts Conference?”
It seemed it took Persiya a moment to understand my words; she almost jumped up from her seat a little later.
“Is that possible?! That’s nonsense! He hasn’t been able to stand for over a decade… Healers have long abandoned him because the pain during the healing spells is too severe.”
“As I said, an examination is necessary. More than anything, we would have to perform the surgery in front of a large audience.”
“Surgery? …No way.”
She might have quite a few informants around.
She knew about my surgeries.
I explained clearly.
“We’d have to use a scalpel on his body. It’s the latest in Imperial healing technology.”
“A scalpel…”
“Specifically, we plan to make an incision in the affected area, exposing the nerves directly in the middle of the back.”
Hearing that, Persiya turned to look at the prince.
The still young boy seemed to catch on to his sister’s anxious expression and appeared frightened.
At that moment, Neria broke the stalemate.
Neria got up from her seat and approached the prince with a plate of cake that was on the table.
With an angelic smile, she handed the plate and gracefully lifted her dress to greet him.
Seeing that, Persiya let out a big sigh.
“…If you can truly heal Gordon’s legs, that alone will satisfy me beyond measure.”
She seemed to be in a complicated state of mind.
There were likely many considerations to weigh.
“After that, we could open a trade route on the pretext of preparing medicine for Gordon, and though it’s a grateful suggestion…”
Persiya cautiously asked,
“…is there a chance it could fail?”
I answered precisely.
“Yes. The success rate is fifty-fifty.”
“Fifty-fifty…”
She nodded slowly.
“Please give me a little time to think.”
*
After seeing Neria off, I urgently gathered the medical team for a short meeting.
It was regarding the prince’s surgery that I discussed with Persiya.
“Is everything in order for our Martial Arts Conference demonstration?”
“Absolutely.”
Hugo replied confidently.
What our faction prepared was a light surgery demonstration combining medicine and healing spells.
The healers coming from the Empire totaled twelve, with six from our side and four from Alberich’s faction.
At the opening, the two of them—Ambrosia and the Emperor—planned to demonstrate a large blessing.
“This will be our makeshift operating room. We just need to assemble it before the demonstration.”
A large glass wall capable of forming a six-pyeong cube and surgical equipment awaited the day to be showcased on stage.
The surgical target would obviously not be a person.
No matter how active our medical association might be, there are still plenty of people across the continent who have no idea about the existence of medicine.
If we suddenly cut open a person, I feared it would instill more fear than awe.
However.
“Let me ask one thing. If we operate on a person during the demonstration, will there be a backlash?”
“What are you suddenly saying?”
Hugo shot me a look like I was out of my mind. It’s rare for him to act like this.
“Isn’t it lucky if we’re not immediately arrested for being mistaken for dark magic?”
“If it’s royalty?”
“…Then they probably wouldn’t be arrested.”
“W-Wait, royalty?!”
Chloe whimpered, trembling as she listened to the conversation.
Originally, I wasn’t planning to participate in this demonstration. It was purely meant to showcase our team’s efforts.
Chloe was supposed to be the chief surgeon.
“What about Count Montecristo? Everyone is looking forward to this surgery!”
Chloe raised her arms like a chimpanzee.
She had been carefully raising it for months for today’s demonstration. The symptoms were in the gallbladder, just like with Acella. Since Chloe also has surgical experience, she was perfect for the demonstration.
Meanwhile, the chimpanzee had a blank expression.
“Let’s just hypothesize. I suspect the surgical site might be the lower lumbar spine, between L1 and L5. The incision will be about 8 centimeters. It’s a job of reconnecting the severed nerve electrical signals by applying a potion.”
“As long as we’re just opening and closing, it’s not a major surgery. The problem is the environment, though.”
Hugo unfolded the blueprints.
“The air-tightness of the makeshift operating room has been verified by the homeland, but if the ventilation system stops, there’s a possibility of external pathogens infiltrating. After all, it wasn’t designed for operating on a person and was made of glass for demonstration purposes.”
“Is reinforcement possible before the date?”
“Hmm… It’s not impossible.”
“Why, why is this discussion turning into surgery on a real member of the royal family?! I was just a lowly healer, and now I’m about to… K-Kill…”
Chloe couldn’t handle the pressure and melted onto the floor.
“If we succeed, there’s a lot to gain. More than anything.”
“The impact will be undeniable. After all, this is a surgery to help someone walk again.”
“That’s exactly it.”
“It would seem like the arrival of a saint.”
Hugo began to chuckle as if he was a villain plotting something.
“Don’t stress too much, Chloe. If we really go through with this surgery, I won’t make you do it.”
“R-Really? Then who will be the chief surgeon?”
“Who do you think?”
I pulled out some candy from my pocket and popped it in my mouth.
*
After concluding the meeting in the tent, I stepped out, only to find Persiya right in front of me.
She seemed to have rushed over, panting, so I offered her some water.
“Thank you. You’re so kind, teacher.”
“What do you mean? It’s more of a sin to bring someone like you, a princess, to such a rough place.”
In response, the princess lightly laughed gracefully, then looked at me with determined eyes and said,
“I’m sorry for not answering you right away. I had to consider Gordon’s thoughts as well.”
“I understand. You can take your time comfortably.”
“I’d like to ask you for something.”
Bowing her head, the princess requested.
“If you, who show hope to everyone and are working hard for that, are certainly going to heal Gordon’s legs, I believe you will.”
I held out the hem of my white robes and bowed, responding with courtesy.
“Leave it to me. I will approach the surgery with a sense of responsibility.”
*
While the conversation progressed diligently,
I still had the final hurdle to cross.
‘I wasn’t originally planning to participate in the Martial Arts Conference.’
We had already submitted the list of contestants from our faction, and I had reported that to Acella.
Above all, on the day of the event, Acella would be observing the martial arts competition from the VIP seats, so I must stay by her side.
To take on the role of chief surgeon, I needed Acella’s approval.
“No.”
Before I could explain, Acella cut me off promptly.
“You said you weren’t going to the Martial Arts Conference. Why are you changing your mind now?”
“Your Highness, as I mentioned earlier, the quickest way to stop the smuggling of our factory’s medicines is this trade route.”
“Strengthen the crackdown. Isn’t it just a matter of decapitating the smugglers?”
“Is it right to kill people for medicines that could save lives?”
“Are they citizens of the Empire? What’s wrong with that?”
From Acella’s perspective, she wasn’t entirely wrong. However, there was no need to create enemies when there was an easier path.
“By the way, how did you come up with the idea of operating on the Third Prince?”
Acella frowned, as if deducing the situation.
And then she quickly approached me and slammed her palm against the wall behind my head.
“You met with the First Princess, didn’t you?”
“Yes. We made a deal.”
“Ha, how dare you go off without reporting!”
“I went out after trading off my shift with a nurse during break time.”
“You should’ve let me know where you were going!”
“I just happened to meet her outside.”
“Don’t lie. You obviously thought it would be a good opportunity and went.”
“I didn’t!”
Acella extended her arms as if to threaten me, creating an intimidating atmosphere.
I took her defenseless armpits and lifted my body up.
Upon suddenly being lifted, she panicked and wiggled her legs, only to kick my knee with force.
“Ow.”
“What are you doing?!”
“I was trying to move since you were too close.”
“For real… Don’t even think about entering the Martial Arts Conference!”
“Why are you stopping me like this? Isn’t it a good thing for me to raise the reputation of the Moonlight Palace?”
“If you go there and perform well, you’ll be nominated for the Hero party!”
Acella yelled, her voice rising.
I mean, I get that.
I absolutely refuse to be drafted into the Hero party.
I intended to mainly promote Gothberg’s medicines during the demonstration, letting Chloe take the credit for the surgery.
‘…This is quite something.’
I guess it’s Acella’s nature.
She has a hard time trusting just about anyone.
“Understood. I’ll make sure the demonstration is handled by the team members.”
“Of course that’s how it should be. On the day of, don’t stray from my side.”
“I shall comply, as commanded.”
I bowed to Acella.
At the same time, I opened my status window.
―――――――――――
◎ Synthesis List
· Camouflage Potion = Chameleon Tail + Reaper Herb + Portion of the target’s body
―――――――――――
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