Cold Medicine (2)
My office wasn't some trendy spot slinging limited-edition artisanal dishes, yet knights poured in like the incoming tide, all shouting over each other.
"Sir, this plague just won't go away. Please, help us out!"
"Our unit's training has been halted for five straight days already. The captain's gonna chew us out."
They were all desperate, their attitudes frantic. A few had slurred speech or flushed faces from fever, clear signs they were already sick.
"Shut your mouths first. I'm not dealing with anyone within ten meters of me."
"But sir, we're in a real bind. Yesterday, over half our knights were down, and we couldn't even clean the barracks..."
One particularly chatty one wouldn't quit. Bruno lumbered forward, planting himself silently in the guy's path.
"Back."
"But I need to talk to sir—"
"Back."
With Bruno's massive frame looming over them, the knights wilted and retreated all the way to the office entrance. During Tanya's shift rotations, Bruno proved pretty damn useful for this kind of thing.
"First off, one question. Who told you I had aspirin?"
"Ooh, so it's called aspirin!"
"Medicine, huh? Made by solidifying divine power?"
"I heard it from Captain Gurt of our company."
The company captain I'd signed a contract with. Loose-lipped bastard. Should've clamped down harder on him.
Well, whatever.
Medicine isn't personal property. The right way is for it to spread far and wide, benefiting as many as possible. That aligns with the spirit of Hippocrates, the father of medicine.
Having people seek it out on their own was a pretty positive development. Spreading medical knowledge would naturally boost my achievements and up my chances for a good ending. A golden opportunity.
"Alright, first things first. Aspirin relieves the symptoms of this rampant contagion. It was born from the discipline of medicine... ugh, my jaw hurts."
I couldn't keep explaining it one by one every time someone asked. If I had time, I should write a book. Nah, too much hassle—get an assistant to do it. Wait, I didn't even have an assistant or nurse. Other chief physicians paraded around with dozens from their factions, so why was I still handling everything from pharma to mask production myself?
Time to post a hiring notice soon.
"Bottom line: No aspirin handouts."
"What?!"
"Why not? This is the Imperial Medical Office!"
The knights gasped in shock, clearly unprepared for that. Simple reason: no stock left. About a week until the tournament ended, and even that was tight for supplying Moonlight Palace and 2nd Regiment, 1st Company.
But no need to tip my hand. Our faction was already disrespected enough—no point handing them more ammo to look down on us.
I leaned back in my chair. "Judging by your armor insignias, you're 1st Regiment, 1st Princess faction. 3rd Regiment, 1st Prince faction. Why should I do favors for guys who'd take the meds and ghost?"
"W-We wouldn't—"
"I get you're desperate, but there's a proper order. Barging into the office during work hours? And you gotta bring something worthwhile in return, right?"
"S-Sorry about that."
The knights glanced nervously at me. I got their urgency—some couldn't even move from fever—but still.
"Can't give meds, but I'll share some countermeasures. Way better than healing spells."
"For real?!"
"Yeah. See what I'm wearing?"
They nodded.
"Been wondering about that."
"Thought it was some new fashion trend."
"Kinda makes you look sharper, too?"
I pulled a spare mask from the drawer and showed them the structure.
"Make something similar from cloth to cover your mouth and nose. Won't cure what you've got, but it'll cut transmission by about ninety percent."
"Just from that?!"
"Moonlight Palace knights are all using them—looked perfectly healthy."
"So that's the secret! Thank you, sir!"
They bowed and stampeded out. Probably off to raid the imperial tailors next. Simple folk, straightforward actions.
"Easy to handle."
Maybe the only honest ones in the palace without ulterior motives. They didn't get politics—just followed whoever fed them well. Tanya was the same type. Moonlight Palace knights took after Asella in their odd way: politically sharp. Actually, the whole Moonlight Palace stuck out like a sore thumb in the palace.
"Bruno, you think it'll be fine?"
"What?"
"Colds resolve naturally anyway, so full recovery takes over a week. Even with masks now, the other factions won't be at full strength by tournament time."
"Eh, full strength would be nice."
"No, it wouldn't. If I help the others and we lose, Asella'll torture me with magic."
"Didn't know you were into that, sir."
Bruno asked with dead seriousness. I chuckled and leaned back.
"Thanks for the straight answer. Confirmed it."
Knights, man.
But the next day, another outsider from a rival faction stormed the office.
"Physician Gotberg! So you're Asella's new personal doctor!"
Banmal in the palace was rare—refreshingly bold. And she could call Asella by name without issue. Her status was obvious.
"An honor to meet you, Princess."
Lèse-majesté was no joke. I shot up and bowed properly.
Golden hair like Asella's, but with turquoise eyes evoking luxurious jade, dressed in an off-shoulder gown. She was Rauga von Württemberg, the empire's 2nd Princess.
"Oh my, the playboy of high society has impeccable manners? Must be jealous rumors from haters."
She giggled and stroked my arm. Zero personal space—this princess.
"Heard Asella dragged her unemployed fiancé into the palace with a job. Thought you were a total house husband. But word is, you're popular with the knights?"
Gossipy, flighty speech. Matched what I'd heard from Asella and dug up indirectly.
Rauga was fourth overall, full sister to 2nd Prince Georg. Successor in name, but clearly distant from the throne race.
"Haha, an honor that Your Highness knows my name. I've gotten along with the knights, but I didn't expect word to reach Golden Book Palace."
"You even know my private residence? Already scoped out all the imperial ladies? Cute face like that... No wonder Asella's smitten."
She grinned teasingly.
"Misunderstanding, Your Highness. My real skills are in medicine and treatment, not mold cultivation."
"Haha, taking it seriously? Just kidding."
She cackled like it was the funniest thing. This airhead princess's head must be all pink fluff. She knew our engagement was political, yet...
"To what do I owe the visit from the princess who brightens the palace?"
Rauga reached for my chin. Her flirty gesture irked me, so I dodged; she blinked in surprise.
Hurt feelings? Nah, she wouldn't cry lèse-majesté over that.
"Same reaction as Asella."
Anyone would dodge a stranger's grabby hands.
"Anyway, about this mask thing—you made it, right?"
"Yes."
"Saw Moonlight Palace knights wearing them. Asked Asella, got shut down cold. Harsh, right? We're the closest sisters in age."
Why pivot from masks there? Talking to Rauga drained my sanity. Couldn't follow the thread.
"Why the interest in masks?"
"Oh, right. Make me one."
That was it.
"Masks are a tribute to Princess Asella. Distributing them on my own would be disrespectful."
"Pfft, I'll smooth it over."
"For contagion prevention, similar shapes work fine. But with my duties as chief physician, I can't make enough for all your knights and attendants..."
"Huh? No, just one for me."
She waved it off, surprising me.
"Just for Your Highness?"
"Yup. Asella's got those chubby cheeks, right? But the mask slims her jawline—stunning! My little sis is gonna be a knockout."
Sharp eye. Masks had another perk: beauty buff. Rauga wanted one to look like a vixen.
"Can do a single one, sure."
But no reason to unless compensated. I hinted; she caught on quick—party veteran.
"Greedy, huh? Marquis's son and chief physician—no need for gold."
Nope, always need more. Dad was that rare incorruptible noble, funneling wealth into public funds. Gotberg holdings weren't massive privately. And I couldn't touch it anyway—a mere salaried worker.
"Give me an imperial secret, and I'll watch you sew it yourself?"
Seductive glance. Might work on party nobles showering her with gifts, but not me. Too much like Asella—instinctive recoil.
Priority was showing our faction's strength at the tournament. Better standing meant better treatment—and a new office.
"You don't seem too fussed about the tournament, Your Highness?"
"Tournament? That flower-viewing sword-and-sorcery expo? Fun to watch."
"Your knights are competing too."
"They'll handle it. All that youthful sweat—wholesome."
"If you don't care about winning, could I request some strategy help if we match against other prince/princess factions?"
"What kind?"
She tilted her head. I replied casually.
"A strategy called trolling."
Best to troll the enemy. Time to shake up the board.