First Surgery (2)
The Imperial Medical Office's first rest lounge was spacious. Though it had enough room to accommodate a large crowd, it was mostly occupied by healers from the First Princess faction.
"Hey, on duty today? Not dragged off for volunteer work with the Third Princess faction?"
Like any workplace, the healers were sipping drinks or smoking cigars, chatting idly.
"Yeah. Teacher Gotberg is on duty."
"It's been a while. How's it over there?"
"Better than I thought. The volunteer work's surprisingly rewarding. Teacher's fun too."
The healers sat at the table with their coffee, continuing the conversation.
"Surprisingly. I've heard stuff's been pouring into their office lately. Even a dwarf blacksmith showed up not long ago."
"Yeah, he's been stocking up on all sorts of things, but it's been especially weird lately."
"Isn't it dangerous? The bishop always says never use folk remedies."
"Seeing it myself changed my mind. It works pretty well. Hugo the healer switched over not long ago too."
At Hugo's name, one healer snapped his fingers.
"You know Hugo. Keeps bringing his daughter to the office. She looks bad. Won't be long now."
"Yeah. Poor kid, so young. He was heading to Teacher Gotberg's office again today."
Hearing that, one healer fell into thought, then turned serious.
"...Wait. He wouldn't really be using black magic or something, right?"
"Black magic?"
"Hugo's got curse contamination too. And all those suspicious materials he's hoarding? Maybe sacrificing her since she's gonna die anyway."
"Nah, he's the attending physician. No way he'd do that. The materials must have uses..."
"What are you saying Gotberg is doing?"
The two healers jumped at the stern voice. Alberich had approached unnoticed.
"B-Bishop."
"Are you saying Gotberg is using black magic?"
Alberich grilled the healers. He soon learned about the suspicious materials Ras was bringing into his office.
What was all this? Bizarre items straight out of a black magic lab. Why would a mithril dagger be needed in the Imperial Medical Office?
"He's finally showing his true colors. Everyone, follow me!"
Alberich rallied his faction's healers and stormed toward Ras's office.
Soon, he faced a guard knight standing like a mountain in front of the door.
"I have business with Gotberg. Step aside."
Flick. Tanya's eyes flashed open. Alberich stepped back from her beastly pressure.
"Wh-what? Is Gotberg inside? I need to check what he's doing right now!"
"Step back. No one's getting in."
"What? What's a chief physician in the Imperial Medical Office got that keeps him from even coming out? Neglect of duty."
"Teacher's busy. Come back later."
"I'm asking why he's so busy! What's your scheme?!"
As the argument dragged on, the office door cracked open slightly. Alberich paused at the sight of Hugo emerging.
He was burly, but his expression was grave—like someone with nothing left to lose. Touch him wrong, and he'd explode.
But Alberich couldn't back down. He raised his voice in anger again.
"You're that thug healer from back then. Think blocking the door will stop me? Is this the Imperial Medical Office or a gangster den? Is this the level of Gotberg's faction healers?!"
Alberich pointed and taunted Hugo.
Then, something no one expected happened. Hugo dropped to his knees with a thud and bowed deeply to Alberich.
"Teacher is treating my daughter!!"
Hugo bellowed in his bear-like voice. Even Alberich forgot his words and stepped back momentarily.
"My only daughter is very sick. Teacher Gotberg is my only hope."
Hugo blocked the door like an iron wall, pleading desperately.
"Please don't disturb us, I beg you!"
That was the best Hugo could do. Ras had only recently hired him. Causing a scene here would drag Ras into a full clash with Alberich because of him, which was obvious trouble.
He couldn't do that to his benefactor. Suppressing the urge to punch Alberich, Hugo pressed his forehead to the floor as hard as he could.
The watching healers murmured.
"That's Black Hand Hugo."
"He brought his daughter here often. She was sick."
"Gotberg the chief physician is healing her?"
Alberich had lost momentum to Hugo but didn't drop his suspicions. There was no reason to.
"If he's healing, why hide it? Maybe conducting a black magic ritual inside."
"No."
"Then show me."
"I can't. Teacher needs to concentrate."
Alberich's face reddened, and he finally stomped the floor.
"I don't believe it. I'll force my way in!"
The knights Alberich brought stepped forward. They approached to pull Hugo up—but in a blink.
Shing. A blade hovered at their throats. It was Tanya.
"Come closer, and wager your lives."
"Th-this mad...!"
Alberich panicked, never expecting real weapons drawn. One minute, five minutes—the tense standoff dragged on.
Who would swing first? The moment Tanya saw the opposing knights reach for their scabbards, she channeled sword aura.
"What brings so many guests?"
Click. The office door opened fully, and Ras stepped out with a candy in his mouth.
"Gotberg!"
Alberich pushed forward. The standoff broke, and Hugo rose.
"What is it?"
"I've received testimony that you're hoarding black magic materials. What were you doing in there?!"
"Treating, obviously. What else in the Imperial Medical Office?"
"I don't believe you. Sacrificing a girl with a ritual dagger for evil deeds?!"
"Appa!"
A clear child's voice cut through Alberich's rant. Chloe emerged holding a sleepy Eri, who was rubbing her eyes.
"Eri!"
Hugo scooped her up immediately. She beamed in his thick arms, looking comfortable.
"Teacher, is Eri okay?!"
"Yeah. Surgery went perfectly. Chloe and I packed in plenty of healing spells too, so she's full of energy."
"Haha, really... Eri, throat doesn't hurt anymore?"
"Yeah!"
Hugo hugged the cheerfully answering Eri tightly. The healers gaped.
"She was coughing her lungs out near death this morning."
"Yeah, and for years like that."
"How the hell...?"
Even Alberich had nothing to say at the sight. The girl's condition, Hugo's demeanor—it didn't look fake.
He spoke in a deflated voice.
"...Gotberg, how did you heal her?"
"Come on, Bishop, you spill trade secrets to just anyone?"
"This is the Imperial Medical Office. If there's any disqualifying matter..."
"Gonna nitpick again? Attach real evidence to a hearing this time. Or go to Princess Heike."
Ras wagged his finger near Alberich's throat—a warning he'd get fired for real.
With Ras's Third Princess faction allied to his lord, Alberich couldn't wield power like before. To drag Ras to a hearing now, he'd risk his own chief physician post and healer license.
Grabbing him on-site like today was best. He'd even brought plenty of witnesses.
"Perfect timing with everyone gathered. I've got an announcement for the healers."
Ras shouted to the crowd behind Alberich.
"Those volunteering with me lately, raise your hands."
About ten healers did.
"Other healers, hear their stories. Like it? Transfer to my office. Door's always open if you're curious inside."
"Gotberg! You're openly poaching our healers?!"
"Isn't that what the Imperial Medical Office is? Oh, Bishop, one more thing."
Ras patted Alberich's shoulder.
"Even if you transfer, I won't let you in."
"Gah!"
Alberich stormed off in fury. The healers murmured about Ras's open recruitment as they followed like defeated soldiers.
Watching them go, Hugo bowed to Ras.
"Teacher, I don't know how to thank you. I'll repay you for life...!"
"Just do good work from now on."
Ras crunched the last of his candy and offered a hand to Hugo.
"Ah, my hand's a bit..."
"Shoulder then."
Hugo lightly bumped shoulders with Ras.
The first surgery ended successfully. After draining the abscess, removing the needle behind the tonsils, suturing, prescribing penicillin, and finishing with healing spells to restore stamina.
Healing spells were honestly awkward to use. It felt like being dragged back to the battlefield, fighting demons for your life. But since the patient was a child, I judged it necessary and prescribed with Chloe.
One experience, but the exp gain was huge. Ideally, level it to B before tackling Asella.
"Surgery went well, Eri's healthy, but watch for complications. Monitor closely for now."
"Understood."
Hugo was already in serious work mode.
"Alright, Hugo, time to work."
"Just say the word."
"First, teach Chloe medical knowledge. Your top priority is figuring out what this is."
I floated a few crystal orbs in front of Hugo. First was an X-ray of Asella's abdomen.
"Hm... under the ribs?"
"Correct. This one's the sea dragon's head before dissection. And here, mid-level curse: moving undead."
"Got it."
"Study these images and identify the curse on the first one, its level. Ultimately, how to resolve it."
"Curse research. I'm confident."
Hugo had the makings of a top black mage, so he'd find the answer.
"Who does this curse afflict?"
"I'll tell you when the time's right."
I hadn't said it was Asella yet. The surgery plan stays secret until solidified. Word of slicing her jade body would get me executed on the spot.
"Teacher, a question."
"Shoot."
Hugo, examining the X-rays, asked seriously.
"Is this person possessed by an evil spirit or sealed with another soul?"
Already that perceptive. Talented.
"Tell me more."
I sat in front of him, intrigued.