Chapter 490
Chapter 490
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 490
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (26)
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It wasn't just a formal greeting like "nice to meet you."
Chloe was clearly showing interest in me. Her sparkling eyes gazed at me... Hmm, was her charm really a passive skill? She looked so adorable that my heart started racing. It was hard to keep a straight face.
Her soft, plump lips and the pink tongue peeking out between them.
If only I could suck on that tongue... how thrilling would that be?
A lewd, vulgar thought slipped into my mind unbidden. My whole body heated up with rising lust. I wanted to pounce on Chloe right then and there, to become one with her. If I still had my original power, I'd have raped her on the spot—but I couldn't, which was such a shame... Wait, what the hell am I regretting?!
"Haaah, haa... Nice to meet you too."
Aah, this is so damn frustrating.
Should I hunt down some kind of mental protection artifact?
I took a deep breath, struggling to regain my composure, and Iris stepped forward again, checking on me with concern. She positioned herself right next to me, glaring at Chloe while scrutinizing my face. If this otome world's charm worked on women too... Did that mean she was utterly devoted to me? Fortunately, Iris didn't seem particularly interested in Chloe.
"Do you have business with Lord Ruin?"
No... it wasn't a lack of interest; it was full-on wariness.
"Hehe, I heard you gave Masha an earful! Thank you. She's like a little sister to me, always worrying me... but thanks to you, she's been eating her three meals properly lately!"
"Wh-who are you calling a little sister?!"
"Oh, but I'm actually older, aren't I?"
"W-well, that's true, but..."
Chloe turned her gaze away from me as if she had nothing more to say. The tense atmosphere eased a bit. Sirius openly sighed in relief with a "So that's what happened," while Lucius feigned indifference with a curt "I see." It was pitiful seeing the two male leads ensnared by her charm... but hey, their karma, not mine. I let out a sigh of relief...
"Hee, so something happened between you and Lady Masha?"
...only to hold my breath.
Iris stared at me with an even colder expression than before. Did she think I'd secretly met another woman behind her back? I'd only been doing my doctor duties... Ahem, best to keep my mouth shut here. Instead of excuses, I quietly bowed my head.
"Yes, that's right. Actually... I wanted to meet you for the same reason, Lord Ruin."
But then Masha put me in a tough spot.
"M-me?"
"I really wanted to thank you properly."
"Ah, I see."
"And... since I listened to your advice so well, I was hoping you'd pat my head once more..."
"Heeeee, so that happened too?"
"Yes. It was the first time I'd felt that kind of warmth... I really want to feel it again."
"H-ha... I, uh, see..."
Was she the type who got lonely easily? Masha recalled that day with a faintly wistful expression. She was so innocent, so her request to be petted was surely pure... Ahem, but Iris seemed to interpret it differently. She glared at Masha like she'd encountered a rival. My stomach started to ache from the stress.
"But are you in a lot of pain? I heard you were exhausted... Your complexion looks terrible! Didn't you tell me 'cultivate yourself, regulate the country, and bring peace to the world'?"
"Y-yes, I did..."
"Being a doctor is fine, but you need to take care of your own body first."
"...You're absolutely right."
"Hmm... I'm worried. Don't you get enough exercise?"
Masha had no idea and was even recommending exercise to me. She offered to teach me healthy stretches if I visited her... Oh no, that provoked Iris. She linked arms with me and raised her voice. The situation turned awkward. If the heroine misunderstood now, it'd be a disaster... Ugh, things were getting complicated.
"Oh, I don't think that's necessary. We're planning to exercise together."
"What kind of exercise? The wrong kind could strain your body."
"Sorry, but it's our little secret."
"Pfft... Ahaha, this is fun. You're a total heartthrob, aren't you?"
While I was dying of seriousness here, Serpin laughing like that all by herself was annoying. And why was Sirius just standing there? Any siscon I knew would've jumped in by now... Damn that jerk. He was flirting with the heroine. Whether it was the charm or not, he seemed oblivious to his sister—it was infuriating.
At least Chloe didn't seem interested in me either...
"Urk, ugh..."
"Lord Ruin! Are you in pain? Should we head back now?"
What... what was this dizziness?
My vision suddenly blurred. At the same time, nausea hit me hard, making the world spin. This had never happened before... What the hell was going on? It wasn't the 'Arbo Somnium.' Even using Observation showed no issues... Damn it. What is this? It felt like severe motion sickness. Standing still was a struggle.
"Oh no, Lord Ruin! What do we do? Your face... Eh?!"
"Lord Ruin! As I thought, lack of exercise... Huh?!"
I desperately looked for something to lean on,
"Hey, you okay?"
What the hell was this guy doing?
Lucius approached and supported me.
"Looks like you need some rest."
Then, without permission, he dragged me out of the venue.
It was a moment so laced with humanity... or rather, so infuriatingly shitty, words failed.
Was it because this was an otome world?
Siwoo being kind to another man—it disgusted me so much my stomach churned. I wanted to curse myself for letting him support me. But even a dog like me had to grovel before a prince... for now. Upon arriving at my room, I bowed at the waist to express my gratitude. He looked at me with a strange expression, as if he had something to say.
So I waited quietly...
And then, I felt something inexplicable.
A string of incomprehensible words. That's what I sensed from Lucius. Why was I suddenly feeling this? It looked like he was about to ask me something... What the hell? It felt like reading someone else's mind. Not a pleasant experience.
"I have a question."
"I'm listening."
"I heard you use a unique Eastern diagnostic method."
"That's correct."
"So, let me ask... Can you diagnose without taking the pulse? Just by looking, I mean."
Why the hell was he asking that?
His sharp question, as if he knew about my Observation skill, sent chills down my spine. But at the same time, I sensed 'Denial, Prediction, Anticipation' and Lucius's inner wish that it wasn't true. Did he hope a fake doctor like me couldn't do it, expecting some 'amazing feat'? I hesitated briefly before giving him the answer he wanted.
"By closely observing skin tremors, discoloration, unconscious repetitive actions or habits, posture—yes, to some extent. But that's just speculation. For accurate, certain diagnosis, you need to touch and check the body directly. Diagnosing just by looking... that would be the realm of gods."
"The realm of gods... Indeed."
Lucius seemed 'satisfied,' then offered me rest with a hint of 'goodwill.'
He said he'd tell Sirius, so I should rest without worry. Then the word 'Chloe' popped up. Was that question just now related to her?
"Cough, cough... Urgh..."
Damn, starting again.
I tried to think, but the dizziness returned. Staggering, unable to endure, Lucius called a servant. I didn't know what was happening, but at least I hadn't left a bad impression. He left after I thanked him. Well, I'd made my mark... Maybe it'd open a chance for some close-range NTR?
I examined my newly acquired ability while anticipating that day.
"Oh my, Lord Ruin! You're covered in cold sweat...! Let me wipe that right now! Lina! Can you bring some fresh clothes and a wet towel? Heavens... the young lady will be so upset!"
Maria, thrilled at the prospect of seeing me undressed. Sorry to the young lady, but I needed some eye candy too, she buzzed excitedly... Hmm, it seemed Observation had gained a new function.
"So, what about that guy?"
"Definitely reliable, like you said."
"No... I mean his condition."
"Oh, looked like food poisoning. Bad complexion."
"...Sigh, never mind."
"Anyway, to the point. You've heard the black mages are stirring again, right? I need your help. Too risky for me alone."
"Team up?"
"With the Rain Merchant Group, we can go anywhere without suspicion."
"But I..."
"Iris is healthy now. She'll be fine alone. Or bring her along if you're worried. The caravan's just camouflage—no harm to you."
"Sigh... I'll think about it."
"That's a yes?"
"Yeah, you bastard."
"Whew, thanks."
"If you're grateful... sigh, finish that story."
"What story?"
"Chloe! You said you knew her. How'd you meet?"
"...Someday, maybe."
"Oh? Hiding it? Is she the woman you said was on your mind?"
"...Someday, maybe."
"...Will that day ever come?"
"Whatever. Black mages first."
"Sigh... Fair enough."
Sirius and Lucius had much to discuss, but they decided to postpone. As Lucius said, the black mages were the priority. For the kingdom's future, and their revenge, the black mages had to be exterminated. They raised their glasses while sorting out details.
The party had long ended, but theirs was just beginning.