49. The Hearing (1)
“Make your excuses, Bishop Alberich.”
Heike issued the cold command. Overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Heike, seated at the desk in the office, Alberich cleared his throat needlessly.
“Your Highness, our faction in the Imperial Medical Office remains strong. We hold the largest number of healers, and during this year's tournament, we healed the most knights. Thanks to that, His Majesty even refrained from bestowing the championship title...”
“Efficiency.”
Thud. Heike tossed a file of documents in front of Alberich.
“You used the most funds proportional to the number healed. Now look at the Moonlight Palace's budget.”
“...Hmm.”
“The healing expense line item is in the red. Do you know what that means? The Moonlight Palace is making money from healing arts. All because Gotberg Chief Physician developed masks.”
“I... see.”
“The Moonlight Palace's actual expenditures are just salaries. They have only two healers on staff: the chief physician and his prized apprentice.”
“...Yes.”
“That apprentice, a healer named Chloe, developed something called penicillin. It has a revolutionary effect in preventing secondary infections in patients. Testimony indicates it was already in development at the Imperial Medical Office.”
“Your Highness, that wasn't development—it was a dangerous act of threatening patients with spoiled food, one that could tarnish the Imperial Medical Office's reputation...”
Bam!! Heike slammed the desk, the sound like thunder. Startled, Alberich clamped his mouth shut.
“The epidemic currently ravaging the First Barracks and Wood Palace has already consumed twelve hundred gold coins in monthly budget.”
“...Yes.”
“Next month will be the same amount. Thanks to you firing that healer, Bishop.”
Alberich ground his teeth. There was no group of healers in the Imperial Medical Office surpassing his faction's prowess. And he himself was a bishop from the Holy Kingdom no less—a man who could become a cardinal, perhaps even the pope.
He had crossed into the empire after hitting a wall in his abilities at some point, but he never doubted that his faith and divine power were the pinnacle. Those who relied on drugs or folk remedies were heretics. Not true healers, but black mages.
Alberich, firmly convinced of this, found Heike's accusations unreasonable, yet he couldn't openly defy his liege.
“What sort of man is Gotberg Chief Physician?”
“Gotberg? Well... he's a newcomer, still green and young.”
“You don't know him well?”
Alberich had no choice but to fall silent like a mute who had eaten honey. In contrast, Heike's anger sharpened.
“When he clashed with Georg, I thought him merely a spirited young man with a bit of cunning.”
Heike propped her chin, lost in thought.
“A capable leader who recognizes talent, utilizes it, and educates it. I even heard he devised the strategy that took out both Rauga and Georg in mutual destruction at the tournament.”
Healing and strategy were separate realms. Experts in one often struggled to see the bigger picture.
“The fact that he rigged the board in Asella's favor shows he has a broad view of state affairs as well.”
Heike wondered how he possessed such capabilities. She glanced sideways at Alberich and stated flatly, “He's better than you.”
“Th-that's...!”
Alberich gnashed his teeth, but Heike only commanded coldly, “I care only for results. Bring them.”
Alberich bowed and exited the office. Heike nodded to herself, murmuring to her secretary as if thinking aloud.
“We need a scenario to bind Gotberg to our faction's loyalty.”
“Then you must move quickly, Your Highness.”
“Why?”
“Intelligence indicates Princess Rauga is already making contact.”
“Tch.” Heike clicked her tongue and checked her schedule.
“Hey, Ras, this is good for the skin too?”
“Vitamin C ampoules, right? Absolutely. They brighten the complexion, boost elasticity, and reduce aging. No issues with overdose, and that tangy flavor is pretty addictive.”
“My god, it's like a miracle cure-all! No side effects? Sell me some of this too.”
“One gold for two, Your Highness. Take one each morning.”
“Okay! Hehe, I can't wait.”
Rauga dropped by the office often to pester me. Still, she was a customer who threw money around like confetti. With production handed off to Chloe, I was in the middle of cheerful customer service.
“Hey, but you're not selling penicillin?”
“Ugh, no can do. Our princess flipped out over the masks last time. My head's really on the chopping block.”
“Aww, fine. Can't be helped. Asella's been kinda scary lately anyway.”
“Finally? You've lived a blessed life.”
“You talk so funny.”
Rauga giggled, slapping my shoulder before perching on the desk and hiking up the lace on her sleeve to expose her arm.
“Look at my skin. The tournament grounds were a bit dry, huh? It's all rough and flaky. And I was there for three whole days.”
“Why didn't you leave early like us? Though your life would've been in danger.”
“I heard all about it from Grandpa Sage. You had a nice time with Asella, huh?”
“Nice? I always think it, but Your Highness's word choice is so elegantly refined. Far beyond a lowly criminal like me.”
“Quit pretending. You'll get an earful from Asella later.”
“I've already gotten plenty. Pick out some masks.”
She'd come to buy more masks, nagging about prettifying potions. Rauga's smile had that seductive, catlike allure like Asella's. Same age group as me too. A beauty who turned every man's head just walking down the street, yet women's greed knew no bounds.
“I've got a big social party next week. Gotta get my skin as plump and firm as possible by then.”
“The event honoring the western duke, right? Since it's Your Highness's public appearance, I'll be on standby at the venue.”
That was the message Asella had passed through her head maid.
“Huh? You're going too, Gotberg?”
“Because Princess Asella is attending.”
“Asella's going?! Whoa.”
Rauga's eyes sparkled as she leaped into the air. What, was it supposed to be secret?
“Asella's finally debuting in high society! I thought she'd never. You know why, right? She loves magic way too much.”
Parties were unnecessary for someone with magic weapons.
“I'd invite her so many times, but she'd always recoil in horror. What changed her mind? Hmm, got something to brag about?”
“The new masks turned out well.”
“Playing dumb. If I had a handsome, capable marquis heir as a fiancé, I'd throw a party that instant.”
As expected, Rauga's head was a flower garden.
“I'm just going as chief physician.”
“Don't be so stiff. You should attend as her fiancé.”
“Oh come on, no way.”
In social circles, the eldest son of Gotberg had a notorious reputation. Flaunting myself as the princess's fiancé at an event where all the empire's power players gathered would spell disaster. It'd tarnish Asella's reputation, and she'd take her anger out on me for sure.
“You know the tournament rumors have spread through all the noble houses? Knight footage is circulating everywhere. Everyone's buzzing about who Gotberg is. Plenty at the party will be shocked to see you.”
Always exaggerating. On the first day, Tanya was the star anyway. She was the type to get scouted everywhere until she became a Swordmaster. My name only came up because Tanya mentioned it a few times.
Rauga chased parties daily, so she had a knack for hyping people up.
“The grand duchess is coming too, so it'll be all our generation's nobles. I thought she was some innocent miss, but last time with that sea guy...”
Rauga chattered on about things I couldn't care less about. Wondering if Chloe was handling production well, her voice flowed in one ear and out the other.
Then.
Knock knock.
A few healers entered my office with the knock.
“Mr. Gotberg.”
Quite solemn expressions. Their badges marked them as First Princess faction.
The representative addressed me. “We came to inform you that a hearing has been convened.”
Of all things, a chief physician hearing in the middle of an epidemic.
Georg's chief physician, Palkenhain, cursed inwardly. Over ten chief physicians had gathered in the Imperial Medical Office chamber. All heads of their respective healer factions. The emperor's, princes', and princesses' physicians were minor players by comparison.
Chief physicians held high ranks and undeniable skill. The emperor's were absent due to duties. Attendance was voluntary, so Palkenhain could've skipped it too.
But if young Mr. Gotberg is involved, I can't ignore it.
The convener was none other than Alberich—one of the two major powers alongside Palkenhain. He needed to monitor his rival's moves.
Though Prince Georg has taken a stance against the Third Princess's faction.
Previously, he'd supported Moonlight Palace due to ties with Empress Camilla, but after her split from Asella, they became enemies. Thus, unlike before, Palkenhain couldn't easily defend Gotberg today, whatever the agenda.
Personally, I'd love for Mr. Gotberg to overcome this crisis.
From the chief physician exam onward, Palkenhain had history with him and had witnessed his immense faith. He wanted to root for Gotberg.
“Gotberg Chief Physician!”
Alberich's booming voice echoed through the chamber. Ras strolled in casually, candy stick in his mouth.
“Yes, that's me.”
The semicircular tables hemmed him in. For an ordinary person, just standing there would've conjured guilt from thin air. But he exuded the relaxed confidence of someone far beyond a young novice healer.
“You stand accused of disrupting the Imperial Medical Office with heretical quackery. Are you aware?”
Alberich went straight for the attack. Ras pulled out his candy, waved it, and responded offhandedly.
“Hmm, first I've heard of disrupting anything. Quackery, you say?”
“Feeding patients moldy bread and such irrational acts.”
“Haha, you mean medicine. Drugs treat various diseases.”
“How can something without faith or divine power heal? Your actions are no different from black magic!”
Alberich pressed aggressively. This hearing was clearly to humble Gotberg.
He's been making waves in multiple areas lately.
Crushing the rising star early would solidify his position. How would Gotberg navigate this? Palkenhain watched intently, and their eyes met. A plea for support? His judgment was spot-on. In this ally-less arena, Alberich's foe with real sway was Palkenhain. His defense could turn the tide.
But Georg tied his hands. Ras muttered something while eyeing him.
'Diagnosis,' was it?
“Medicine isn't black magic—merely a different approach. Drugs enable treatments impossible with healing arts. For instance.”
Ras eyed Palkenhain's balding crown.
“Regrowing lost hair.”
“Is that true?”
Palkenhain shot to his feet.