A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

Decision.

The conversation with Sven was neither too long nor too short. That didn’t mean it was useless.

“It’s a personal guess, but I think the ingredients in that potion are commonly found anywhere. I didn’t sense any unusual scent coming from the place where the potion was manufactured.”

“The manufacturing facility? It was just an ordinary pharmacy that you can find anywhere. Just like this room.”

“One peculiar thing was the presence of an antidote. A common antidote that you can find anywhere. Come to think of it, I might have seen gloves as well.”

Just like the Marquis’ statement about handling matters efficiently, Sven effortlessly provided answers as Idun inquired.

Given the circumstances, Idun felt the need to reciprocate to some extent.

‘The knight is someone Peniad cherishes, maybe I should pay a little more attention.’

Seemingly trying to endure, Sven cleared his throat throughout the conversation. The morning vomiting was an issue, but it was evident that his stomach and esophagus were weakened due to overeating.

Thinking there might be another issue, Idun concentrated on examining Sven’s body. Apart from the neck and throat, a faint redness appeared around the right shoulder and left ankle.

Judging by the brightness of the redness, it seemed like the kind of muscle pain or arthritis that a knight wielding a sword would commonly have.

As a pharmacist, it was a blow to the pride, but there was no effective medicine for muscle pain. If the pain was severe, prescribing painkillers was about the extent of it.

It’s not that there was nothing to be done. Crushing herbs like Comfrey and Angelica, mixing them with alcohol, applying the mixture, or squeezing the juice and wrapping it with a warm cloth would provide some relief.

However, Idun didn’t have either of these herbs at the moment. So, only gastric medicine and nutritional supplements could be provided.

“Thank you for taking the time, even though you must be busy. If it’s okay, could you wait a little longer? I’ll prepare some medicine for you to take with you.”

Idun stood up and lifted a basket.

Upon seeing this, Sven, who had been sitting upright with fists on his thighs, exclaimed in surprise.

“Huh? No, Apothecary. You don’t have to bother. I just did what I should. It’s not necessary to go this far.”

“It’s nothing. Please take it without any hesitation. Proper treatment is essential when an injury occurs. And you know, be really careful about what you eat from now on. No matter how good the medicine is, if the knight handles his body recklessly, it’s all in vain.”

“Yes, I know. It’s embarrassing, but since you mentioned it, I will gratefully accept.”

Upon hearing Idun’s words, Sven let out a small laugh.

‘Rather than supplements, medicine made from herbs would be better for my constitution.’

Idun carefully placed the bottles in the basket, and Sven spoke again.

“Pharmacist.”

“You can just call me Idun.”

“Yes, Idun. I’m sorry, but can I also get some painkillers?”

“Painkillers? If it’s muscle pain, it would be better to apply warm compressions rather than taking medicine.”

The muscle pain seemed to be worse than expected. It may not be very effective, but maybe I should give him some Calenzula oil.

As Idun searched for the Calenzula oil, Sven quickly interrupted.

“No. No, I don’t want the painkillers for myself.”

“Oh? Are they for a family member? If so, could you tell me the exact symptoms?”

“Well, um…”

Sven, who always answered without hesitation, suddenly stopped speaking.

‘Oh no, I’ve gotten too involved.’

Seeing Sven’s troubled expression, Idun quickly corrected himself.

“You don’t have to say who it is, just tell me the symptoms.”

“…Well, he is someone I serve, but I’m not exactly sure where he is feeling pain. But I’m certain that he is in pain. He always wears a pain patch. Since your skills are exceptional, I wanted to give him your medicine as well.”

The unexpected news left Idun momentarily stunned. According to Peniad, Sven and them are part of the Auran Knights who only serve the Empress. Therefore, the lord that Sven mentioned just now must be Princess Rurdimine, whom he met ten years ago.

‘The Princess is in pain? She wears pain patches all the time?’

He thought she was living well after becoming Empress, so why is she in pain?

“Do you really not know where she is feeling pain?”

“No. She is not one to confide in others. All I know is that she always takes painkillers.”

Constantly taking painkillers meant that the pain was severe.

‘But Marquis Peniad never mentioned anything?’

Could this be a misunderstanding on the part of this knight named Sven?

Lost in his thoughts, Idun remained silent, and Sven quickly spoke up.

“You don’t have to worry so much. It’s probably just migraines due to overexertion.”

“I… I see.”

Idun’s concern for Rurdimine started to grow, albeit slightly.

(Note: The atmosphere and emotions of the excerpt may vary depending on the context and overall tone of the novel.)

The next day, Idun and Sion took care of the herbs that were left in the pharmacy garden.

Although there was a lot of work to be done, Sion had come saying that she was bored, and Idun couldn’t ignore her.

“Sir, is this how you do it?”

Sion held up the freshly picked herbs towards Idun.

But Idun just stared into space.

“Sir?”

Sion approached Idun and waved her hand. With a short sigh, Idun’s vacant gaze returned to normal.

“Oh, sorry. What did you say, Sion?”

“…Is this how you do it?”

Sion retorted, poking her lips.

“Yes. You did very well.”

Despite Idun’s compliment, Sion still had a sulky expression.

Since their time in Mellow Sanctuary, Sion had become quite mischievous. Showing behavior more appropriate for her age meant that she had regained some stability.

Idun was very pleased with that fact.

“But after a long time, we came out to play together, so I can’t make her feel bad.”

Idun apologized while stroking Sion’s head.

“I’m really sorry, Sion. There’s something the old man needs to think about for a moment.”

“Thinking?”

Sion tilted her head slightly and responded.

“Sir, what’s troubling you? Then I’ll listen!”

“It’s not really a trouble…”

“Hey, I can tell just by looking at your face! Don’t lie!”

Sion patted her hands and led Idun to the mat spread out next to the garden.

“Now, tell me.”

“Will you really listen?”

“Yes! I won’t tell anyone!”

Mumbling that it was our secret, Sion raised her index finger and put it against her lips.

Suddenly, Idun felt like he was playing pretend, but he didn’t dislike the current situation.

“Well, you know, Sion. Are you okay even if the old man is a monster?”

“Is it a monster?”

“Yes, a monster.”

From the Royal Hospital to the Princess’ affairs, Idun had been unable to sleep and worried all night.

It was about whether someone with the ability to kill others while living an immortal life is a human or a monster.

If Idun himself is a monster, then he wondered if he could continue living among people like he is now.

Idun’s reluctance to form close relationships with others was not for his own sake, but for their sake.

No matter how careful he was, the longer he stayed in one place, the more people around him would notice that Idun is strange.

“It’s still the same now. It’s been ten years, but I haven’t changed at all.”

He didn’t show it, but the Count must have thought that Idun was strange. Even though ten years had passed, Idun didn’t have any white hair like Count Penniad, and he didn’t have any wrinkles.

He wasn’t sad that others thought he was strange.

He just didn’t want the people around him to be hurt because of his strangeness.

About 400 years ago, when Idun’s abilities were revealed, the people around him had two major reactions. Some tried to protect Idun, while others coveted his ability to be immortal, wanting to use him as an experiment or sacrifice.

“…Rowing was wasted in that terrible fight.”

Rowing had protected Idun when he was hit by a sword, but became addicted to his blood.

“Even if you just let him be, he wouldn’t have died….”

Rowing must have been unable to let Idun, who would live in eternal suffering trapped somewhere, be. She left him with only the wish for his happiness and closed her eyes, smiling until the end.

Because he didn’t want to experience such a terrible ordeal again, Idun consciously kept his distance from people.

“…It seems like it’s already too late to keep my distance.”

But he couldn’t tolerate the fact that precious people around him were in danger because of himself.

“Even if the uncle is a monster, does Shion still like the uncle?”

“Of course! Why would I dislike you, uncle?”

“Even if Shion could die because of the uncle?”

“It doesn’t matter. Uncle is a hero who saved me!”

“…A hero?”

“Yes! A hero! I want to be someone like you, uncle, rather than a prince who saved a princess!”

“….”

“And even if I get hurt or in danger, Uncle will save me, right?”

It was the comfort of an ignorant child about the world’s affairs.

But the moment Idun saw Shion tightly clenching his fists and smiling brightly, something in his heart seemed to break.

When Edun returned to his room that evening, he grabbed the documents given to him by the marquis and headed outside.

Although it was late, Edun thought that Marquis Peniard would understand his sudden visit.

***

Clang, clang. The sound of mortar and pestle echoed pleasantly.

Within the preparation room, the nimble movements of the woman with parted hair were skillful. She smoothly sifted the finely ground herbs and mixed them with the pre-made herb oil, without any interruption or mistakes.

However, despite her skillful movements, Ella couldn’t help but feel uneasy. It was because of Luddimine, who was sitting by the window in the preparation room, sighing heavily.

But Ella couldn’t drive Luddimine away forcefully. If she came out like that, it meant that once again she couldn’t find Edun.

“…Does she really believe that Edun is alive?”

At one point, Ella also held such belief. But not anymore.

Ella approached Luddimine with the completed medicine in hand.

“Your Majesty.”

Luddimine turned her head to look at Ella.

“Even if you call me sister…”

“…It is time to change the bandages.”

In her naive days, she would have called her sister. But not anymore.

Because of Luddimine, Ella was in so much pain, unable to leave behind the fact that Edun had died.

Ella had liked both Luddimine and Edun very much. The fact that someone she liked had died because of another person she liked was truly horrible.

“Yes. It is time to return to reality.”

Luddimine extended her left arm to Ella.

With skillful hands, Ella unwrapped the bandages wrapped around Luddimine’s left arm.

Underneath the slowly unraveling bandages, Luddimine’s skin, tinged with a dark red color, was revealed. It was the side effect of excessive use of magic.