Chapter 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: The Girl Searching for That Girl, The Man Chasing That Man (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Yeah. That girl with the mint scent or whatever. No such thing here."
The question I'd tossed out ambitiously was met with their consistent cold indifference. I shrugged my shoulders as if a bit taken aback.
"Think about it carefully. How many girls have come and gone from this mansion so far? Surely one of them fits, right?"
"Hey."
Finally, one of the guards seemed to reach the limit of his patience, raising his gripped spear threateningly toward me.
"Last warning. If you're not here by invitation from the baron, get lost. Don't be a nuisance."
"Ahaha..."
I raised both hands again while eyeing the sharply glinting spear tip. But I had no intention of backing down now.
"Sorry, but I am here by invitation. So don't be so heartless."
"What? You got an invitation?"
"Yup. I even brought the papers. Wanna see?"
He tilted his head in confusion at my words. I slowly slipped my hand into my breast pocket and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"Here."
"...Let's take a look."
He took the document with lingering suspicion and read it over carefully. With nothing to hide, I boldly puffed out my chest and watched him.
Soon, the guard's bewildered voice rang out.
"Name: Rose."
"Yep."
"Age: 17."
"Uh... even the age?"
"Sold as a sex slave to the Leonhardt Baron's household for 12 gold and 3 silver."
"Spot on."
"...And stamped with the baron's seal."
"Because it's real."
I snatched the slave contract from his hand. The guard rubbed his furrowed brow as if his head throbbed, then slowly looked up.
"You're serious?"
"Yes. Without a shred of doubt."
"A sex slave showing up at her master's house on her own? Sneaking in a carriage, no less?"
"Because I'm a damn diligent whore."
I glanced sideways and saw even Professor Hyde looking confused. Had I made some huge mistake? Deciding to push past it quickly, I prodded him.
"Anyway, the document checks out, right? Can I go in now?"
The guard pondered for a long moment before sighing and nodding.
"Fine. Go in."
"See? You guys are reasonable. Thanks for the hard work. Let's grab a drink sometime."
"But first, hand over everything you have and strip naked before entering."
"What?"
I whipped my head around in shock. The guard narrowed his eyes at me.
"You're a sex slave, aren't you? From this moment, all your possessions belong to the baron's house. Obviously, you have to surrender them all."
"Huh? Really?"
"You should've done your homework before forging that. Now strip. We have to let the guests behind you in too."
"Uh..."
As I fiddled with my shoulder straps, I suddenly felt their gazes. I'd expected lecherous looks, but they just seemed tired and annoyed. Part of me wanted to just rip it all off in spite. Then a crucial thought flashed through my mind.
"Do I have to take off the hat too?"
"Is that the issue here?"
"It's my favorite... Ah, how about this?"
I reached into my breast pocket again and pulled out another paper. Without even asking what it was this time, the guard snatched it. After squinting at it for a while, he spat out a curse.
"This one's a fucking house call request. So you're the baroness's personal physician now, Rachel, age 24?"
"Yeah. Accurate."
"...Seal looks legit too. Where the hell did you forge all this from?"
He vented his frustration by flinging the paper away. I carefully caught the fluttering sheet and smiled.
"Forge? This one's real."
"Ha... fuck. After all this bullshit, you expect me to believe this?"
"No need to believe it. Because it's true. You know the baroness's condition has worsened lately, right?"
"That's..."
"I keep saying, if you don't believe me, send someone to ask directly. Though you'll get an earful. The baron and baroness hate when underlings bother them. Isn't that right?"
Finally at a loss for words, he clamped his mouth shut and glared at me. He seemed to be wondering how long he'd have to deal with a con artist like me. After a long pause, the other guard who'd been watching spoke up lazily.
"Hey, just let 'em in."
"What? But..."
"If it's really a scam, the baron will handle it. He'll probably be thrilled. Another toy to play with."
Not the most flattering conversation from my perspective, but he nodded in agreement. Then he pointed toward the back.
"Go in. Damn it. Don't come crying later."
Don't worry. I won't.
Instead of replying, I turned around. Toward the professor couple still standing awkwardly.
"Alright then. Shall we head in?"
The carriage rattled pleasantly forward. Feeling like humming, I let out a little tune through my nose—only for Lydia's sharp, irritated voice to slice through.
"If you're just hitching a ride, could you stay quiet?"
"Ah, sorry, Lydia. I'm just in such a good mood."
"So who are you really? A real doctor?"
"Of course, Professor Hyde. Just as you're a brilliant potions professor, I'm a real doctor."
I flashed him a bright smile, then turned to the last person remaining in the carriage.
"Though I'm not sure if this one's really a servant. Doesn't seem ordinary enough to wait on an academy professor."
Hearing me, Luke slowly raised his head. His tightly clenched fist showed signs of rigorous training.
"Body looks pretty solid... lots of scars on the knuckles, and that mashed-up ear. Could the professor have hired an assassin disguised as a servant, nursing a grudge against the baron and baroness?"
"What nonsense is that! To hold a grudge against those who saved the world as part of the hero's party!"
"Enough with the lies, Professor. You don't believe that yourself. Especially since you said so many harsh things about the baroness. What was it? A knight who's all show and full of lies?"
"Watch your mouth! She's a knight finer than any other!"
The professor bellowed, then anxiously glanced around. Growing bored, I squinted one eye.
"Not sure I'd call her fine. Sure, she was born into money. Her wealthy father bought her a knighthood. They say even the imperial court was thrown off when she showed up in the capital. They'd pegged her as a half-baked talent, but then she drags in the hero from some prophecy they'd dismissed as a joke."
"Th-that's..."
Unable to refute his own words, he trailed off. I chuckled, recalling the prophecy no one cared about before the hero appeared.
"A hero from a village where mint flowers bloom? Talk about corny. Lucky for her it turned out true. But beyond finding the hero, what merits did she bring to the party? As you said, Professor, it's 'a complete mystery.'"
"...Are you an academy student? I don't remember you."
Struggling for words, the professor finally managed that. I grinned in response.
"Just did some digging. More info on the patient, the better."
"Wise."
Then Luke, who'd been silent for so long, suddenly looked up. Meeting my eyes wordlessly for a moment before speaking.
"We're here."
Glancing back, I saw the massive mansion gates approaching, just as he said. I took a deep breath and addressed the others in the carriage.
"Well then, everyone. Let's achieve our goals and meet at the evening banquet. I'll probably be there too."
I bowed slightly and kicked open the carriage door first. The maid waiting with a bow startled a bit as I hopped out but maintained her composed demeanor like a seasoned servant.
"Welcome to the Leonhardt estate. Are you Miss Rachel?"
No. Swallowing the truth inwardly, I nodded.
"Yes. I'm here at Baroness Nadia Leonhardt's request. Where is she?"
"This way, Doctor."
The maid guiding me was kind—and looked delicious. Her outfit was far too revealing for a standard maid, and the exhaustion etched on her face seemed excessive. As I imagined her backstory, she grasped the door handle to the baroness's room, hesitating before speaking.
"Doctor, just a heads-up..."
"What is it?"
"If the baroness gets a bit rough, please understand. She's been very sensitive lately."
I wasn't too fazed. I'd half-expected it. But if the maid felt the need to warn me, how bad could it be? I was curious.
"Understood. No worries."
"Yes. Then..."
She bowed and lightly knocked.
"Baroness. The doctor's here."
"What? Now?"
"Yes. I mentioned it this morning..."
"As if I'd remember that crap! Wa-wait a sec!"
The voice was quite frantic. Amid clattering sounds of tidying up, she spoke in a calmer tone.
"Let her in."
"Yes, ma'am."
The maid bowed again and slowly opened the door. Dim light filtered through, revealing the baroness sitting on the bed.
My first impression upon seeing her was that she looked like a doll. Beautiful golden hair that shattered even the sunlight into fragments. Flawless features and a voluptuous figure—like a high-end doll crafted stitch by stitch by a master artisan.
And like any doll, she bore clear signs of rough handling all over her body.
Her lovely golden locks were sweat-soaked and disheveled, uncombed. She'd tried hiding bruises around her eyes, nose, and lips with makeup, but they peeked through blue and black. Her long-untanned body resembled less a knight and more a noble breeding mare.
She must have been stunning in her youth. Now, she was a living thesis on how a human could become rags. Spotting me, she stammered in confusion.
"Wh-what... No one said a woman. Who are you?"
"I'm..."
"Y-you another whore offering yourself to Rick? F-fuck off! I'm the baron's wife! Me! Don't you dare try to steal my spot, you vixen!"
She erupted suddenly, shrieking. Seeing her trembling fingertips slick with viscous fluid, I grimaced slightly.
"B-baroness! Calm down! She's just the doctor. Here to check your health..."
"Shut up, you bitch! Think I don't know? You rag sneaking into his bedchamber every day! Someday... I'll...!"
Unable to contain her rage, she bolted up—then collapsed weakly to the floor. The maid looked at me in panic, but I calmly smiled, knelt before her, and approached.
"Knight Nadia. An honor to meet the hero who felled the Demon King. I'm Rachel Demon, the doctor here on a house call. Or should I say baroness now?"
"Knight... Nadia?"
At my composed greeting, she chewed over the title as if it felt foreign. Slowly regulating her breathing, she stood.
"...Call me whatever. Doctor? Good. Come here."
"Got it, Nadia."
She scowled at the name. Probably expected "baroness." But unable to snap at a doctor, she vented at the maid instead.
"You. Get out. Stay out of my sight."
"Yes, Baroness."
Beaten by the baron, squeezed by the baroness—a truly tragic fate. She scurried away. I waited for her to vanish and the door to close before turning.
"So... you're that famous Doctor Rachel."
Yeah. The one who saves everyone but the dead. Shamelessly, I nodded.
"Yes, Nadia. May I ask what's troubling you?"
"That."
She shakily tried combing her messy hair. Her fingers still glistened with that sticky fluid.
"You... can heal anything?"
"Not anything... but I think I can handle the baroness's issues. You look plenty healthy on the surface, at least."
"Of course! I'm a knight. I don't suffer from trivial illnesses."
Doubtful. She didn't look like a knight to me—not even by my old standards, and especially not now.
"The problem's elsewhere. You'll keep patient secrets, right?"
"Naturally. Especially yours—I'd stake my life on it. You're a hero who saved humanity."
"R-right? Yeah. Of course."
Flattered repeatedly as a hero, she cracked a faint smile. But it vanished in an instant.
"Then... trusting you'll keep it secret, I'll tell you. It's... that I..."
Nadia hesitated, meaningfully cradling her belly before trailing off. After a long pause, a sigh-mixed confession emerged.
"I want... a baby boy."
"A boy?"
"Yeah. More precisely, a healthy baby boy."
I stared into her eyes for a long moment, barely suppressing laughter. A healthy boy. And she tells this to a doctor. Had she forgotten not just knighthood, but common sense too?
"Well... Nadia, as you know, gender can't be controlled..."
"Gender doesn't matter! Boy would be nice, but girl is fine. The key is a healthy child."
Wanting a healthy baby without issues was a wish any mother might have. But something off-kilter lingered in her tone.
"Sounds like it hasn't gone well before. I heard the baron's house has no heirs."
"Officially, yes. But... fuck. You really keep secrets, right?"
"Of course, Knight Nadia. My life depends on it."
Who would I even tell? Placing a hand on her knee, she seemed reassured and continued.
"Truth is, I've given birth a few times. But... every one was defective. Missing a hand... eyes won't open... that sort."
"No need for details, ma'am."
"Yeah. One defective after another. And Rick... he didn't like it. So whenever one was confirmed wrong, right in front of my eyes..."
"Ma'am. Calm down."
The hanged girl's image from earlier flashed in my mind. This baron's house sure spilled a lot of children's blood. In the cruelest ways.
"S-so eventually, he started looking elsewhere. For a woman who could bear a proper child. Took my status, honor, wealth—everything. Now I'm useless. Fuck. After all I've done for him... all I've given!"
She shrieked again, then cowered in conditioned fear, clamping her mouth and scanning around. Stroking the fallen knight's shoulder, I said,
"Understood, ma'am. I'll help however I can. You're pregnant now, right?"
"Y-yeah. You knew. Sharp doctor. Yes..."
Anyone could tell with her cradling her belly like that—no doctor needed. Roughly three months along, by my guess. Meeting my eyes, Nadia pleaded desperately.
"Doctor. This child must be healthy. It's the result of real effort. I granted all his unreasonable demands to please him... begged on my knees, even used drugs... No, never mind that. This is my last chance. Please help, Doctor Rachel."
Touching that she remembered my name, I gazed at her approvingly and bowed.
"Got it. Let's take a look."
Nadia tentatively exposed her precious belly, biting her lip. I hiked up her clothes, gently stroking the bruise-covered skin.
"First, no rough sex. It's terrible for the baby."
"Not because of sex... Ah, yes. I'll try."
Only noticing up close: a foul stench of tobacco and booze wafted from her mouth. Struggling not to grimace, I spoke.
"Do you smoke? Recent findings say it harms the baby."
"No, he does. I hold back as much as possible."
"Secondhand smoke hurts too. And Nadia—no smoking even once a day."
"Okay... sorry."
After pretending to examine her thoroughly, I looked up and fabricated plausibly.
"Your long time in demon territory might have lingering effects. Looks like regular checkups are needed. Can I visit daily at this time?"
"Of course! I'd be grateful. Money's no issue."
Just sharing basic facts, and she now eyed me with full trust. Never thought it'd go this smoothly. Stroking her shoulder, I nodded.
"Great. Same time every day, then."
As I rose after final greetings, Nadia suddenly grabbed my hand, speaking urgently.
"Doctor, wait! If it's not too much, stay for dinner. Tonight's banquet will be lavish—you'll like it. And if possible... tell Rick about this. He'll just get mad if I do..."
Even a chance to meet the baron? I replied with genuine delight.
"What an honor. Dining with heroes—my heart's racing just thinking about it."
"Yes! It's settled. Sorry, give me a moment? Need to prep for the banquet."
And wash those self-pleasure fingers, please.
"Of course, Nadia. I'll step out."
I bowed deeply and left her room. Things were going even smoother than expected—I was in high spirits, humming as I strolled the dim corridor. At this rate, someday...
"Shh."
Suddenly, something sharp poked through my clothes. Figures. Too easy.
I exhaled softly and raised both hands. How many times today?
"Yes, Luke."