NOVPUB"Explain yourself, Bishop Alberich."
Heike issued the command in a cold voice.
Alberich cleared his throat awkwardly, overwhelmed by the aura radiating from Heike, who sat behind her office desk.
"Your Highness, our faction within the Imperial Clinic remains strong. We have the highest number of healers, and we treated more knights than any other group during the martial arts tournament. Thanks to that, His Majesty even conferred us with—"
"Efficiency."
Smack. Heike hurled a file folder across the desk, sending it flying toward Alberich.
"As many as you healed, you also consumed the most funds. Now look at Moonlight Palace's budget."
"...Hmm."
"Their medical expense item is in the negative. Do you know what that means? Moonlight Palace is making money through healing. Because the Gotberg physician developed that mask."
"I... see."
"The only real expenditure at Moonlight Palace is salaries. Their entire healing staff consists of two people—just the chief physician and his disciple."
"...Yes."
"That disciple, a healer named Chloe, developed a substance called penicillin. It has an innovative effect that prevents secondary infections in patients. According to testimony, the development process was already underway at the Imperial Clinic."
"Your Highness, that wasn’t development—it was reckless endangerment using spoiled food! It posed a threat to patients and could have discredited the Clinic's name—"
BANG!!
Thunder cracked as Heike slammed her hand on the desk.
Startled, Alberich immediately shut his mouth.
"The epidemic in the 1st Barracks and Mokhwigung has burned through twelve hundred gold coins in just one month."
"...Yes."
"The same amount will be spent next month as well. Thanks to you firing that healer, Bishop."
Alberich clenched his jaw.
Nowhere in the Clinic was there a group of healers more effective than his faction.
He was, after all, a bishop of the Holy Nation. A man once seen as a potential cardinal, maybe even a future pope.
Though he had crossed over to the Empire after hitting a wall in terms of raw power, he had never doubted the supremacy of his faith and divine energy.
Anyone who relied on herbs or folk remedies was a heretic. Not a healer, but a black magician.
That conviction unshaken, Alberich found Heike's criticism unjust—but he wasn’t in a position to argue with his liege.
"What sort of man is the Gotberg physician?"
"Gotberg? Well... he's a newcomer. Very young, too."
"You don't know him, then?"
Alberich was utterly silenced.
And Heike's rage grew even sharper.
"I thought he was just an impulsive hothead when he clashed with Georg."
Heike leaned her chin on one hand, deep in thought.
"But he’s a man who can recognize talent, nurture it, and put it to use. I’ve also heard the strategy that destroyed both Lauga and Georg during the martial arts tournament came from him."
Healing and strategy were two entirely separate fields. Experts often struggled to see beyond their own domains.
"And yet, the way he engineered the entire situation to benefit Asella... shows he has a wide view of the bigger picture."
She grew increasingly curious—how had he developed such capabilities?
Heike gave Alberich a sidelong glance and murmured her judgment.
"He's better than you."
"Th-That’s...!"
Alberich ground his teeth, but Heike only gave her next command with icy clarity.
"I want results. Bring them to me."
Alberich bowed and exited the office.
Heike nodded to herself, then said offhandedly to her secretary:
"We need a scenario that will ensure Gotberg’s loyalty to our faction."
"Then you’ll need to act quickly, Your Highness."
"And why is that?"
"We have intelligence that Princess Lauga is already trying to approach him."
"Tch."
Heike clicked her tongue and checked her schedule.
***
"Hey, Las, is this good for your skin too?"
"You mean the Vitamin C ampoule? Absolutely. It brightens complexion, increases elasticity, and slows aging. No risk even if you overuse it—the sour taste can be pretty addictive too."
"My god, it’s practically a miracle cure! No side effects? Sell me some too."
"Two for one gold coin, Your Highness. Take one each morning."
"Okay! Hehe, I can’t wait."
Lauga had stopped by my office again to be a pest.
Still, she was a client who threw money around like water.
I’d left the work to Chloe and was entertaining the princess with a bright smile.
"Hey, what about penicillin? Not for sale?"
"Ugh, no way. Remember how mad Her Highness got over the masks? She nearly had my head off. I mean it."
"Aww, fine. I guess I get it. Asella’s been kind of scary lately."
"Finally noticed? You’ve had a pretty peaceful life, I see."
"You’re hilarious when you talk like that."
She laughed and smacked my shoulder, then perched on my desk and lifted the lace sleeve of her arm.
"Look at my skin. The tournament grounds were so dry, I’m a mess. And I had to be there for three whole days."
"You should’ve come back with us. Risked your life, though."
"The old Sage told me everything. Said you and Asella had a lovely time."
"Lovely? Honestly, Your Highness, your vocabulary is far too refined. A commoner like me can’t begin to comprehend it."
"Don’t play dumb. You’re gonna get in trouble with Asella one of these days."
"I’ve already been in trouble plenty. Now please, pick your masks."
Today she’d come to buy more masks and demand more beauty treatments.
Lauga reminded me of a seductive, cat-eyed version of Asella. We were about the same age.
She had the kind of looks that turned heads just walking down the street, and yet a woman’s desire for beauty knew no limits.
"There’s a big social party next week. I have to make my skin look as plump as possible by then."
"You mean the event honoring the Western Duke. Since it’s external activity for Her Highness, I’ll be expected to attend as well."
That was the message Asella had sent through Head Maid Lucie—telling me to prepare for a major party appearance.
"What? You’re going too?"
"Her Highness is attending."
"Asella is?! No way!"
Lauga’s eyes sparkled as she jumped up from her seat.
Wait—was that supposed to be a secret?
"So Asella’s finally debuting in society! I thought she’d never go, not in a million years. You know why, right? She’s way too obsessed with magic."
A party really was unnecessary for a magical war machine.
"I asked her to come so many times, and she always acted like I was crazy. Something must’ve changed. Hmph, maybe she has something to show off?"
"The new line of masks turned out really well."
"Stop pretending. If I landed a handsome, talented fiancé from a marquis family, I’d throw a party too."
Yeah... Lauga’s head was full of flowers as usual.
"I’m just going as her physician."
"Don’t be so stiff. You should show up as her fiancé."
"Oh please, as if."
Among the social elite, the name Gotberg’s eldest son was infamous.
If I strutted around claiming to be a princess’s fiancé at a party full of influential nobles, it’d be a disaster.
I’d only hurt Asella’s reputation, and she’d definitely come down on me for it.
"You do know the tournament buzz has already spread through the noble houses, right? Everyone’s passing around recordings from the knights. They’re all asking who Gotberg is. Tons of people will be shocked to see you at that party."
Sheesh, she was exaggerating again. If anyone deserved the spotlight, it was Tanya.
She was getting scouting offers left and right now that she was on the verge of becoming a Swordmaster.
My name had only come up a few times because Tanya had mentioned me.
Maybe because she spent every day chasing parties, Lauga really was good at flattering people.
"Even the Grand Duchess will be there, so pretty much every young noble around our age is attending. Can you believe that sweet-looking girl was caught with that guy from the coast—"
And off she went again, chattering about things I didn’t care about.
As I thought about whether Chloe was doing okay in the lab, her voice faded conveniently into one ear and out the other.
Then—
Knock knock.
A few healers entered my office with a knock.
"Physician Gotberg."
Their expressions were unusually solemn.
From the crest on their robes, they were part of the First Princess’s faction.
The one in the lead addressed me.
"We’re here to inform you that a formal hearing will be held."
***
Seriously? A hearing for a personal physician during a plague outbreak?
Falkenhein, Georg’s personal physician, cursed inwardly.
Over ten personal physicians had gathered in the hall of the Imperial Clinic.
All were leaders of their respective healer factions.
Physicians to princes, princesses, or minor royals formed weaker groups—but personal physicians held high ranks and were undoubtedly skilled.
The Emperor’s own physicians were absent—too busy. Attendance was optional, so Falkenhein didn’t technically need to be here.
But if Gotberg is involved, I can’t ignore it.
The one who had organized this was none other than Alberich.
He and Falkenhein were the two major powers within the Clinic.
It was only natural to monitor a rival’s moves.
But Prince Georg’s stance now openly opposes the Third Princess.
He had once supported Moonlight Palace because of his connection to Empress Camilla—but now that Camilla and Asella had split, they’d become adversaries.
That meant, unlike before, Falkenhein couldn’t easily defend Gotberg no matter what came up today.
Personally, I hope Gotberg pulls through somehow.
They’d met during the physician examination, and Falkenhein had witnessed his deep faith firsthand. He wanted to root for Gotberg.
"Chief Physician Gotberg!"
Alberich’s thunderous voice rang through the hall.
Las strolled in, casually sucking on a piece of candy.
"That’s me."
He stood at the center of the semicircular table formation.
Just standing there would make an ordinary person feel guilty of crimes they hadn’t committed.
But Las—young as he was—radiated nothing but relaxed composure.
"You stand accused of corrupting the Imperial Clinic with heretical trickery. Are you aware of this?"
Alberich fired the accusation without preamble.
Las took the candy from his mouth and gave a lazy response.
"Hmm, that’s the first I’ve heard of ‘corrupting the Clinic.’ As for trickery?"
"Feeding patients spoiled bread, for example. An utterly irrational act."
"Ah, you mean the medicine. Medicine is meant to treat a wide range of diseases, after all."
"A substance that lacks divine blessing or sacred power—how could it possibly heal? What you’ve done is no different from black magic!"
Alberich launched a fierce offensive.
It was {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} obvious this hearing had been convened solely to crush Gotberg.
Well, he has been making waves recently...
A rising star like him needed to be stamped out early if Alberich wanted to keep his grip on the Clinic.
How would Gotberg overcome this crisis?
Falkenhein watched intently—and their eyes met.
A plea for help?
It was a wise move.
In this room where Las had no allies, the only one both opposed to Alberich and with the authority to speak was Falkenhein.
If he defended Las, the tide could turn.
But due to Prince Georg, Falkenhein’s hands were tied.
Las glanced at him and mouthed something. “Diagnosis,” it looked like.
"Medicine isn’t black magic—it’s simply a different path. And drugs can accomplish what healing magic cannot. For example..."
Las looked straight at Falkenhein’s barren scalp.
"...they can even regrow thinning hair."
"Is that true?!"
Falkenhein leapt from his seat.
