Head Nurse (1)

"A message has arrived via carrier pigeon."

The next day, I started my duties with Bruno's report. I also let Tanya know I was alive. Unlike the Emperor's Imperial Guard, who were teleporting back, she had to march with the main army, which would take a few more days. Knowing she'd be worried sick, I'd asked Bruno to send the pigeon on her behalf.

"No rest for the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠weary, huh."

"There's a rumor that the Moonlight Palace is awarding you a medal for slaying the sa-ryong."

"Ah, great. More medal polishing. No paid leave with it?"

"Hmm, should I disguise myself as you and cover your shift?"

"Bruno, I can't tell if you're serious or joking, so cut the deadpan act."

What the hell was this guy—twice my size—talking about? I tapped my status window and headed out to examine Asella.

Two brand-new skills. Just as planned, I'd prioritize the Diagnosis path over Prescription.

"After blood test, next up is..."

I couldn't hold back a gasp of admiration at the skill name. With the medicine rank-up, the skill tree had expanded. The one branching from Diagnosis and Blood Test was exactly it.

No brainer. I tapped the status window to acquire it. X-rays were the alpha and omega of diagnostics. Poor phrasing—wavelength-wise, closer to gamma rays. With this, I could intuitively treat fractures instead of relying on touch alone, and pinpoint all sorts of diseases. I'd have to experiment to learn the mechanics, but it probably wouldn't shoot lasers from my eyes or overlay bones on my vision or anything ridiculous.

"What's next?"

The Prescription path offered Prescription Writing, which linked to alchemy but wasn't urgent. Then, something intriguing popped up in Emergency Treatment.

"Oh."

Surgical procedures—highly intriguing. I'd observed them but never performed one myself. I had the basics down, but anything requiring laparotomy was beyond my manual skills. Stitching? No problem. The description suggested it applied only to lower-difficulty ops.

"But who'd let me cut into their body?"

In a world where healing magic was the norm, wielding a scalpel would look like assassination. No self-surgery for me either—this might gather dust. If cosmetic surgery unlocked later, it'd be gold; beauty demand was universal, like Rauga flipping for those masks. But basics first for experience. I'd hold off for now.

"Princess, morning examination time."

After the incident, sticking to routine as her personal physician was crucial. Checking Asella's vitals: blood pressure lower than usual—mana circulation still recovering. Heart rate elevated, though. Time to suspect arrhythmia. She was young; any food allergies?

"No magic practice today. You're not at full strength. And please cooperate with a detailed exam."

"Detailed exam?"

"Yes. Nothing major—just bloodwork and one photo."

"Photo for what?"

"To assess your condition, of course."

Asella eyed me suspiciously.

"No recording crystal. Don't be so guarded."

"Fine. Proceed."

She grumbled but obediently rolled up her sleeve. She still flinched at the alcohol swab. To distract from pain, I chatted lightly.

"How's the Recall spell situation?"

"Banned. Every mage at the arena. Master reverse-engineered my magic circle for it."

"Empress Camilla too?"

"Yeah."

The syringe filled with blood. She was too focused on talking to notice the needle.

"Punishment for summoning the sa-ryong?"

"Black magic cult nearby got nabbed. They're pinning the descent ritual on them."

"Pardon?"

What? Black magic out of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠nowhere?

"They offed themselves with a self-harm curse before spilling. Investigation ongoing, but truth stays buried."

Camilla had them prepped with Recall too. Quick thinking. Her brain worked best for villainy.

"His Majesty will prioritize diplomatic leverage over truth-seeking."

Perps would fade into obscurity.

"Princess, someone vanished from the colosseum when the sa-ryong appeared."

"I know who, but testimony's worthless. Georg will vouch for them."

"So that's how it goes."

Camilla had fully turned against Moonlight Palace, holing up in Georg's Earth Palace post-tournament. Asella seemed done shielding her too, the sa-ryong incident a turning point.

"War with Earth Palace incoming."

"To claim the throne, it'll happen eventually. Every heir's an enemy."

"You're okay with warring on your mother?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Ha."

Asella flashed a wicked smile.

"Who do you think I am?"

Her bold voice recalled words she'd once said:

—Resentments are repaid tenfold. That's the empire's way. I show no mercy to enemies.

—Then graces tenfold too?

—What nonsense. Be grateful for the chance to earn my favor.

That was Asella. I'd nearly forgotten. But turning that fire on me—was it safe?

"Princess, blood draw's still in progress."

"Eek!"

She startled at the blood flowing from her arm, squeezing her eyes shut.

Wound healed, time for the new skill. X-ray—how did it work?

"Imaging in a sealed space, please."

Asella scowled mid-lick of the honey candy I'd given her as blood-draw consolation.

"Young master, what does that mean?"

"Literal meaning. Need to image your insides."

"What?"

Bad phrasing. Penetrating light wouldn't compute.

"Just follow my lead. Any metal in your clothes?"

"You call that an explanation?"

"Remove if so."

"Not removable!"

Asella snapped.

"You're doing this on purpose."

"What?"

"Only sleepwear lacks it. Telling me to change into pajamas?"

"That works. Skip magic class anyway—nap and recover. Sleep's best for bad condition."

Asella gaped, exasperated.

"You're serious."

"Always. Your health first."

After some back-and-forth, she relented.

"Sigh... Fine. Lucy, prepare."

I waited outside while maids changed her.

"Princess is ready."

Head maid signaled. Curtains drawn—perfect dim light. Asella wore a loose pink nightdress, sleeves fluttering oversized. Notably, she clutched a teddy bear.

"What're you staring at?"

"Set the doll aside."

"Oh."

She tossed it onto the bed, headfirst under the pillow, stuck immobile. Head maid whispered:

'Princess can't sleep without her attachment doll.'

Huh, news to me.

'What about laundry?'

'She resists, but then hugs Max.'

Lucky Max's temperament, Asella. I reconfirmed: no metals, or errors.

"No metal in that outfit, right?"

"I said no!"

No need to yell. Positioned her against the wall, prepped skill. X-rays were radiation—minimize exposure. Test run for tools needed.

"Imaging now."

"With what?"

"Ah, right."

I pulled a pen from my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠pocket.

"This. New artifact."

Activated while facing her.

'Oh.'

The result photo appeared directly in my status window. Eye lasers? Nah—system reads my vision.

'Blurry.'

Rough internals visible, but poor quality. 'Asella's small and slim; 0.1s exposure like 200mA current. Eyeball estimates without gear. Better than nothing.'

Adjusted exposure, varied poses—extra care on her troublesome abdomen.

"Done."

"Over? ...Did I look good?"

"Yes. Ribs 8 and 9 are lovely."

"What does that even mean?"

"Curious? I'll record for crystal later. Exam ends here. Analysis takes time—wait."

Asella shook her head in disbelief.

"That's it? Made me change and took pictures?"

"Exam over—no need to linger."

"Out."

"Was leaving. No rush."

Packing my bag, she tossed indifferently:

"Young master, how's your body? You were puking blood like crazy."

"Sa-ryong curse deserved it. Civilians lack your mana resistance."

"Should've let you suffer more."

"Aigoo, if that cheers you up."

"Shameless—face of steel."

"Not grilling me on it?"

"Think so?"

Similar bad end existed. I'd push through. Anyway, separate issues.

Arms crossed, teeth gritted, I said:

"You saved my life. Sorry for late thanks, Princess."

She eyed me sourly, sighed.

"I'm sleeping."

Patient rest sacred. I vacated.

"What is this?"

Asella's X-ray. Bones fine, expected. Organs? Messed up. Negative for easy viewing.

Left side, spine to pelvis: dark masses.

"What Georg mentioned."

Black magic soul or curse injected into her.

"The debuff's source."

First direct look at the talent curse's form.

"But pinpointing's tough; no diagnosis."

Rubbed temple. Needed finer exam, higher skill. Whatever it was...

"Gotta excise it."

Clear path. I opened status window, acquired Surgery without hesitation.

"Can't do this solo."

Not simple surgery—black magic tangle. Needed prep, tools. Precise diagnosis with higher medicine. Until then...

"Time to build a medical team."

Start with a nurse. I headed to the Imperial Medical Office.