ALL NOVEL Chapter 66
The inner palace’s first lounge is spacious.
It has enough area to accommodate many people, but most of it was being used by the First Royal Princess’s healers.
“Hey, are you on duty today? Weren’t you called for volunteer work for the Third Royal Princess’s faction?”
Like any workplace, the healers were drinking beverages and chatting casually.
“Oh. Teacher Gothberg is on duty today.”
“It’s been a while. How’s that going?”
“Better than I expected. Surprisingly, the volunteer work is quite fulfilling. The teacher is also funny.”
The healers sat at the table with coffee in hand, continuing their conversation.
“That’s unexpected. Lately, a lot of supplies have been coming into that office. A dwarf blacksmith even came by recently?”
“Yeah, they’ve been hoarding all sorts of things, but it’s particularly unusual lately.”
“Is it dangerous? The bishop always says not to use folk remedies.”
“Seeing it in person changed my mind. The effects are quite good. Healer Hugo transitioned over there not too long ago.”
At the name of Hugo, a healer snapped his fingers.
“Oh, you know Hugo. He always brought his daughter to the inner palace. She looks unwell. It won’t be long now.”
“True. Poor thing, she’s so young. Today, she’s heading to Teacher Gothberg’s office.”
Upon hearing this, the healer fell deep in thought for a moment before turning serious.
“…Wait. He’s not really using black magic or anything, is he?”
“Black magic?”
“Hugo was contaminated by a curse, right? He’s been collecting strange materials, and it seems suspicious, doesn’t it? If the child is on the brink of death, they might use her as a sacrifice.”
“Come on, he’s the attending physician. There’s no way he would do that. The materials must have their uses…”
“What’s Gothberg up to?”
The two healers were startled by the solemn voice. Alberich had approached without them noticing.
“Bishop.”
“Are you saying Gothberg is using black magic?”
Alberich questioned the healers. Soon, he learned of the suspicious materials entering his office.
What is all this? Items that seem like they belong in a black magic cult. Why on earth does the inner palace need a mithril dagger?
“He’s shown his true colors. Everyone, follow me!”
Alberich summoned the faction healers and strode purposefully toward Lars’s office.
Soon, he came face-to-face with the guards standing like mountains in front of the office.
“I have business with Gothberg. Step aside.”
BAM, Tanya opened her eyes. The beast-like pressure made Alberich take a step back.
“W-What? Is Gothberg inside? I need to know what he’s doing right now!”
“Step back. No one is allowed in.”
“What do you mean? What reason does the attending physician have to not come out of his office? This is negligence.”
“The teacher is busy. Come back later.”
“What kind of work could be so busy that you need to block the door? What scheme is this?”
As the argument continued, the office door cracked open just a little.
Seeing Hugo step out, Alberich momentarily lost his words.
Hugo was not just big; he had a serious expression.
His eyes looked like someone who had nothing to lose. A single wrong move could trigger an explosion.
But Alberich couldn’t afford to back down either. He raised his voice again in frustration.
“That’s that healer from earlier. Do you think you can block the door like that? Is this the inner palace or a den of thieves? Is this the level of Gothberg’s faction healers?”
Alberich provoked Hugo, pointing a finger at him.
Then something unimaginable happened.
Hugo suddenly THUD, knelt down and bowed to Alberich.
“The teacher is treating my daughter!!”
Hugo shouted in a bear-like voice.
Alberich found himself momentarily speechless and took a step back.
“My only daughter is very ill. My only hope is Teacher Gothberg.”
Hugo desperately shouted, firmly blocking the office door.
“Please do not interfere, I beg you!”
That was the best Hugo could do.
It hadn’t been long since Lars had hired Hugo.
If he messed this up, it would lead to an outright clash between Lars and Alberich, which would undoubtedly put him in a difficult position.
He simply couldn’t do this to his benefactor.
Suppressing the urge to punch Alberich in the face, Hugo pressed his forehead to the ground with all his might.
The healers watching this whispered among themselves.
“That’s the Black-Handed Hugo.”
“He used to bring his daughter to the inner palace often. So that’s why she was sick.”
“Is the attending physician Gothberg in the middle of treating her?”
Alberich was on the defensive against Hugo, but he couldn’t dispel his suspicions. There was no reason to.
“If you’re treating her, what reason is there not to show her? Are you conducting a black magic ritual in there or something?”
“No.”
“Then show me.”
“I can’t do that. The teacher needs to concentrate.”
Alberich’s face turned red as he stamped his foot on the floor.
“I don’t believe this. I’ll force my way in!”
The knights Alberich had brought moved forward. Approaching to lift Hugo, but in the blink of an eye…
SWISH, a sword blade was drawn at Alberich’s neck. It was Tanya.
“If you take another step, you risk your life.”
“W-What the hell…!”
Alberich was startled, never expecting someone to wield a real weapon.
One minute, five minutes, a tense standoff continued.
Who would strike first?
Just as Tanya noticed an enemy knight reaching for his sword, she infused her own with KIYAH!
“What kind of guests do we have here?”
CLANG, the office door opened, and Lars, with candy in his mouth, stepped outside.
“Gothberg!”
Alberich stepped forward. The standoff dissolved, and Hugo got to his feet.
“What is it?”
“I’ve received testimony that you’ve been hoarding black magic materials. What kind of mischief are you up to in there?”
“Well, it’s treatment. What else would I be doing in the inner palace?”
“I don’t believe it. You haven’t performed some wicked sacrifice using ritual knives on a girl, have you?”
“STOP!”
A clear child’s voice interrupted Alberich’s rage.
Chloe stepped out, rubbing her sleepy eyes and holding Eri in her arms.
“Eri!”
Hugo rushed to scoop Eri up. It seemed her face lit up with glee, feeling safe in his sturdy arms.
“Teacher, is Eri okay?!”
“Yes. It was successful. The treatment is complete and she’s bursting with energy now, thanks to Chloe and the healing spell.”
“Haha, really… Eri, is your neck better now?”
“Yup!”
Hugo tightly embraced the lively Eri. The healers gaped in astonishment at the scene.
“She was clearly on the edge until this morning!”
“Right. She’s been like that for years.”
“How did this even happen?”
Alberich was left speechless as well. The child’s condition and Hugo’s demeanor seemed impossible to fake.
With a drained voice, he asked.
“…Gothberg, how did you heal her?”
“Hey, Bishop, do you just disclose business secrets to anyone like that?”
“This is the inner palace. If there are any grounds for dismissal, it’s an issue…”
“Are you going to start another complaint? This time, bring substantial evidence to the hearing. Or perhaps to Royal Princess Heike.”
Lars warned, waving a thumb near his neck.
A serious warning that he would actually get fired.
Since Lars was allied with the Third Royal Princess, Alberich couldn’t wield power carelessly as before.
Now Lars would have to risk his position and the lives of his healers.
Catching this opportunity today was the best move. He had brought plenty of healers to use as witnesses.
“Since everyone is gathered here, I have an announcement to distribute among the healers.”
Lars shouted towards the horde of healers milling around Alberich.
“Anyone who goes on volunteer work with me, raise your hand.”
About ten healers raised their hands.
“Other healers should listen to these friends, and if they like what they hear, switch to my office. I will gladly open this door for you at any time.”
“Gothberg! Are you brazenly trying to steal our healers!”
“The inner palace is exactly that kind of place, isn’t it? Ah, Bishop, there’s one last piece of information for you.”
Lars thunked Alberich’s shoulder casually.
“You won’t be allowed inside if you try to switch offices.”
“YIKES!”
Alberich stormed off, fuming.
The healers followed suit, chattering about Lars’s sudden recruitment announcement.
As they returned like defeated soldiers, Hugo bowed his head toward Lars.
“Teacher, I don’t know how to express my gratitude. I… truly will repay this kindness for life!”
“Let’s just do our jobs well moving forward.”
Lars finished the candy he was chewing and reached out to Hugo.
“Oh, sorry for my hands being this way.”
“Then let’s bump shoulders.”
Hugo lightly bumped shoulders with Lars.
*
The first surgery was a success.
After removing the needle stuck in the abscess and back of the tonsils, sutures were done, and a penicillin prescription was given followed by healing spells to restore stamina.
Honestly, I felt a bit reluctant about using healing spells. It put me back in the battlefield, feeling like I was fighting for my life against the demon race again.
But since it was a child patient, I deemed it necessary and prescribed it along with Chloe.
It was just one experience, but the experience points had risen significantly.
Ideally, I want to achieve a B before I operate on Acella.
“The surgical process was good, and Eri’s health is fine, but let’s monitor for complications. Keep a close watch for a while.”
“Understood.”
Hugo already had a serious attitude towards his work.
“Well then, Hugo, I need you to get to work.”
“Just give me the word.”
“First, I want you to teach Chloe medical knowledge. What you need to focus on now is understanding what this is.”
I floated a few crystals in front of Hugo.
First, it was an x-ray photo of Acella’s abdomen.
“Um… Is it under the ribs?”
“Correct. And this one is a photo taken before the spell of a dragon’s head. This one is related to an intermediate curse causing the undead to move.”
“I see.”
“From these photos, you need to identify the curse attached to the first photo, what kind of level it is, and ultimately you’ll have to come up with a remedy.”
“Curse research, is it? I’m confident.”
Hugo had the potential to become the greatest black magician, so he would definitely find the answer.
“Whose curse is this?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
I hadn’t mentioned that Acella was the target of the spell yet.
The plan to operate on her needed to remain secret until it was fully formulated.
If my intention to cut into her bodily integrity reached her ears, I’d be executed instantly.
“Teacher, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
Hugo, with a serious expression while examining the x-ray photos, asked.
“Is this person possessed by an evil spirit or has another soul been sealed within her?”
He was already on that level of understanding.
Impressive.
“Explain yourself in detail.”
My interest piqued, and I sat in front of Hugo to listen.