Chapter 516
Chapter 516
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 516
Chapter Title: Doctor Gam Deok-bae (52)
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Working for the royal family was tougher than I expected. From the first day, over a dozen of Lucius's subordinates came to see me. Each one had some kind of issue... Wait, wasn't I supposed to just take care of Lucius? Cold sweat broke out from the pressure. This was throwing a wrench in my plan to just coast and suck on the honey. No wonder they'd hired me so quickly—there were way more patients than I'd imagined.
"Number 1, 6, 7—you three, head inside. The rest of you, wait in the barracks."
"Yes, sir!"
A soldier with both arm joints twisted backward, another whose facial skin had completely necrotized, and... one whose eyes were unfocused, probably from severe mental trauma. I'd heard they were on a dangerous mission... Was it that woman? Anyway, I called those three aside separately and used Observation to double-check their conditions. One wrong diagnosis could spell disaster.
"Um... Luin, you don't have to do much. Just go through the motions."
"...Come again?"
"They're all like that because of curses. But the top brass says get a doctor's opinion and treat them, so... we pretend to try, but it's not like it'll work. Just check 'em over, say it's incurable, and that'll be that. That's how it's always been."
"..."
What the hell was this guy saying?
A nursing officer laughing it off and suggesting we go smoke a cigarette.
Memories of my military days flooded back, and I felt a surge of anger. Was the army just as messed up here? These were soldiers risking their lives to take down terrorists and black mage groups plotting to overthrow the nation... And this jerk was talking like that? Was it because this was a romance novel aimed at women? They put all the spotlight on one guy, and everyone else turned out to be a problem.
"It's possible."
"...Pardon?"
"I said it's possible. They're not afflicted by curses anymore—the curses just caused changes in their bodies. What kind of powerful curse would they waste on regular soldiers? They look dangerous, but these are all treatable conditions. So quit yapping and assist me."
"Hah... Jeez. What a joker."
I wasn't lying.
Take that soldier, for example. Even with his joints twisted backward, he feels no pain. I don't know the exact mechanism, but the curse warped his mana circuits, tricking his body into thinking that's normal... The treatment's surprisingly simple. First, halt the mana flow, then fix the circuits in the gap. Think of it like killing the power before replacing a lightbulb—cut the breaker first. Even a first-year intern could handle it.
The catch? If you do it wrong, permanent brain damage could set in...
But there's a way around that too.
"Brown. Grab number 6's shoulders and reroute his mana."
"...What?"
"You heard me. Act as a mana conduit."
Absorb the mana trying to flow into both arms, then pass it to the other side. That lets you repair the arm circuits without disrupting the overall flow. The downside? You have to finish in one minute to prevent necrosis... But that's easy for me. I've been a real doctor for the past year, after all. Basic orthopedic surgery's no problem.
"Wh-what? You think I'm some knight or something?!"
"...You can use mana, but you can't do that?"
"That's why commoners are such a pain! Controlling mana is hard enough—now you want me to be a conduit? Hah! Are you even a real doctor?"
Damn it. Classic romance world nonsense.
Mid-level male manager: all mouth, no skills.
If it weren't for that 'complete fairy tale' restriction, I'd do it myself. Problem is, as a commoner, I can't use mana. Should I chew some 'Fantasia' to generate some in a pinch? As I pondered...
"Mana conduit like this?"
My direct superior, Lucius, had arrived.
"P-Prince!"
"This is a ward, not a formal audience, and patients are present. No need for excessive courtesy."
"S-sorry..."
"More importantly, Luin. Is this right?"
"...Perfect. Just hold it for one minute."
"Simple enough. Get ready."
The main hero was on another level. Lucius effortlessly controlled the mana flow, creating a vacuum in both arms. Confirming treatment was viable, I hurriedly prepped my tools: scalpel sterilized, anesthetic and painkillers ready. Alright, let's do this. Our first joint operation—Lucius and me, after all that waiting...
"Cough, cough... cough..."
"Luin? Not that condition again?"
"N-no, sir. It's just... I have this affliction where incompetent people trigger my seizures..."
"Brown, you mean? I've heard he's... not the most capable."
"...Prince?!"
"I'll need to reassign personnel. Gian, take Brown out."
"Prince?! N-no, it's a misunderstanding... Aaaagh! Mi-misunderstanding... Gahk!"
Goddamn it.
What a clusterfuck.
Felt like I'd stumbled into a Cthulhu world—my mind contaminated without warning. Ptui. Joint operation? What bullshit term is that? Barely regaining my composure, I finished the treatment with the main hero. It was just one minute, but between the procedure and the distractions, it was exhausting. If I don't NTR soon, I'm in trouble...
Somehow, I'd ended up with a time limit.
"Thanks, Luin."
"...Pardon?"
"Chris number 1, Jill number 6, Miles number 7... and the other twelve soldiers. They're all precious subordinates—true knights who laid down their lives for this nation. But because of my inexperience... I let them suffer deep wounds. You've healed those wounds, and for that, I am truly grateful. As their captain and as a prince of this nation, I offer you my deepest thanks."
"It... it's an honor, Your Highness."
Yeah, yeah. At least you're better than Sirius, main hero.
Lucius bowing his head sincerely to a commoner like me. Getting tangled with the main hero again wasn't exactly fun. But thinking it over, this wasn't all bad. NTR hits hardest when it's someone you know... The more Lucius trusts me, the worse he'll feel when it happens.
So, like a mature adult, I'll let this minor bullshit slide.
Forcing a smile, I wrapped up the day's work.
Do you know the most effective way for people to bond? Sure, there are plenty, but the most common is... gossiping behind someone's back. In group living, everyone builds up gripes, and sharing them creates solidarity. You start feeling like, hey, we're on the same side...
...And that's exactly what I was aiming for.
"Hoo... Chloe-senior, got a minute?"
"Hm? What's up?"
"Need some advice."
"Advice? Oh, right... Luin, they said you had a rough morning! Everyone was talking about you. Skipping lunch to focus on treatments... Is that what's bothering you?"
"Well... His Highness seemed a bit... exhausting."
"Ah... You felt it too?"
"You too, senior?"
Sure enough, Chloe empathized.
Without me saying much, she nodded and spilled her own stories... Hmm, you've got some pent-up stuff too, huh? The gossip showed no signs of ending. And honestly, it was inevitable. Rule-followers are always the most frustrating. After a day together, it was clear: Lucius was like a nitpicky class rep.
"Get this—he wants me to work weekends! I get the relic appraisal's urgent, but... ugh, we agreed on basic work-life balance. Isn't that too much? Right?"
"Totally. His Highness was in the wrong there."
"And! He calls me over like it's nothing and piles on the work... Not that I mind. He gives amazing desserts, tea only royals drink... Oh! Secret, okay? Don't tell anyone."
"But senior."
"Yeah?"
"So you live here normally?"
"Here? Yup. Pretty nice for dorms, right?"
Man... Main heroes really are different.
The conversation naturally shifted to praise. If I let it go, we'd end up singing Lucius's praises, so I changed topics. Luxurious guest house vibes. Now that I'm the royal doctor, can I stay here too? Spacious living room, pristine kitchen, envy-free private room. Royals are royals. Lehinard was on another level.
"Looks good. Security seems solid."
"A bit stuffy at times, but... can't live at Serphin's forever. Gotta be independent. Planning to stay till a good place opens up."
"Smart move."
"Right? Oh, my room's the left end... Yours is the right end, Luin!"
"But senior, don't you have your main job? That—fan, right? You invented it. I was shocked when I heard you became head physician."
"Huh? Oh, that... Heh, side hustle! Inventions anytime, but royal gigs don't come often. Grabbed the chance!"
"You think different, alright."
"Eh? Really?"
"Meant as a compliment."
"Hehe, thanks!"
Chloe beaming at me. Time to get swept up in the heroine? Our eyes met, heart racing. Different charm from Iris... or Serphin. At this point, must be passive seduction? Fell for her again today. Wanted to rape her right then. But... gotta hold back.
I forcibly suppressed my urges.
"Place this big, no one else around?"
"Nah, others stay deeper in the palace. This is Lucius's residence, so just us... Ah! D-don't get weird ideas just 'cause it's us two?!"
"Weird ideas? Like what?"
"Y'know... that stuff!"
"Who thinks like that at work?"
"...True? Hehehe..."
"Could invite Serphin or Marsha over—plenty of space."
".........Huh?"
"Three... no, four of us having fun."
"F-four?"
"Card games are better even-numbered."
"Oh, y-yeah! Even numbers rock! I know!"
"Still, I'd head home mostly. Someone waiting."
"Ahh... yeah... makes sense."
"But senior."
"Yeah?"
"How about a welcome party here?"
"Welcome... party?"
"Yeah. Grab drinks, chat about stuff we couldn't today. Got plenty to say... like someone who talked about themselves all day."
"Haha... me?"
"Maybe?"
"Hey! Junior already trying to match me?"
"So, scold me properly at the party—keep me in line."
"Hmm... maybe?"
Her finger to her chin, head tilted. Worth the morning grind. Thought she'd be wary, but trust built up—no suspicion. And... how's even that cute? Cringe moves look natural on Chloe. Pretty's the best, huh? Lust surged.
That innocent Chloe sobbing from rape...
Aah, driving me crazy.
Anticipating that day, I set the date with Chloe.
"This Friday? Got it."
"Perfect. Well, I'll head out now..."
"Wait! Um..."
"Yes?"
"One last thing..."
"Shoot."
"That card game penalty from yesterday... what was it?"
"Card game penalty?"
"The one starting with s... sex!"
"Oh, sexy face contest?"
"What?! That's it?!"
Chloe deflating in disbelief. Even she's secretly naughty. Felt like it'd be a solid rape. Sensing that, I packed up and left the dorms. Tonight's Iris's turn for sex. Time to bring up Serphin soon... Ah, whatever. Later. Hurry up and hold Iris.