Colorless Prayer
Intravenous fluids were absorbed into the patients' bodies, and as the Wind Tower mages cast healing spells, their conditions improved rapidly.
"That's right, angle the beveled side up and insert it."
"Gold Tower Master, um... you said the tip of the needle was yellow earlier?"
"No, yellow is for pediatrics or very thin veins. We generally use blue."
And right now, I was playing teacher.
"In emergencies where you need to infuse fluids quickly, like now, use the thickest green needle. Good, just like that. You're doing great for your first time."
"Gold Tower Master! I have a question too."
"Yes, I'll be right there."
As the patients' symptoms visibly improved, the Wind Tower mages' gazes toward me shifted dramatically.
"Isn't that enough? We'll handle the rest, so please leave, Gold Baron."
Of course, only the 1st Circle mages were showing me any friendliness. From the 2nd Circle mages onward, they just watched warily, none approaching for my guidance.
And Elvin, who resented me the most, spoke to me in a low, grating voice.
"I'm not here expecting praise or payment for helping out at someone else's clinic. Still, it's a relief the patients are improving. Whether it's you, Elvin, or Servius, feel free to come to me anytime you need help. Haha. Well then."
Stepping out of their barracks, reeking of barbaric medieval vibes, I finally felt like I could breathe.
The smell is bad enough, but flattening those quack noses feels even more refreshing. What the hell are those mages sticking around for anyway? What do they think they can learn there?
With a satisfied heart, I turned back toward the Beauty Tower clinic when—
"Gold Tower Master!"
"Ah, Felix! Sorry, I was so focused I didn't notice you there."
"Haha, no worries. But witnessing your medical prowess firsthand... it's truly astonishing."
Aside from the first day, his subordinate knights had handled verifying which brigade's knights had what illnesses. So this was Felix's first time seeing me treat patients up close.
Even with his ignorance of medicine, he could tell my procedures outshone the magic tower's.
Well, anyone with eyes could see that—even a three-year-old.
"If it's not too much trouble, may I make a request?"
"Of course, go ahead."
"Ahaha, not to you, Tower Master, but to the knight beside you... Sir Walter, is it?"
"Yes."
Seeing that unusual glint in his eyes toward Walter, I had a bad feeling.
"Even in our West Continent, knights who can wrap their swords in aura number barely over a hundred. But I've never seen anyone coat the entire blade with such ferocious aura like you, Sir Walter. So, whenever you have time—"
"Sir Felix, sorry, but Walter's swamped with bodyguard duties for me. He won't have time to help with anything."
"I-it's not that big a deal! Just occasional guidance when you have time..."
Seeking teachings from a master—be it medicine or swordsmanship—is vital. Helping others is one thing, but I won't indulge luxuries that touch my assets, especially unrelated to medicine.
I'm frugal that way.
Felix was about to ask, and before Walter could agree, I needed to sever the connection.
"No need to be so humble, Sir Felix. Walter's strong, sure, but not that impressive, right? The mages earlier barely reacted—they weren't shocked at all."
Of course, I'd never seen his masked face show surprise anyway.
I had to push like this. Nothing dirtier than someone else sticking their spoon in my rice bowl.
"N-no way! The mages just don't know much about aura, that's all. From my perspective as a swordsman—!"
"Sir Felix, mind the time and place. This is wartime. Clearing up your personal curiosity matters, but prioritize treating the cholera first. Have you confirmed what the 27th Brigade ate or where they got infected?"
At my follow-up, Felix finally realized his mistake, his face falling.
"Ah, sorry. I spoke out of turn... The 27th Brigade knights caught cholera about five days ago while rotating fronts with another brigade and heading to the rear. They replenished water from a stream—not groundwater—and ate fish they caught, from what I heard. My men are investigating those involved closely."
"Sounds like contaminated water and shellfish are the culprits. To avoid repeats, post clear signs banning use in those areas. And the knights' latrines too..."
The Beauty Tower area was a remote frontier but like a tourist spot with dungeons. The lord's office managed roads and sewage, preventing outbreaks like cholera. Here, it felt like raw medieval chaos.
Shit and piss everywhere—who wouldn't get sick?
I explained cholera prevention, latrine expansion and management improvements, and more as we returned to the clinic.
I shooed away Felix, who kept eyeing Walter greedily.
A few days later, epidemiological surveys revealed the 27th Brigade's movements and contacts. Not just knights in close contact with them, but every brigade was taught oral rehydration solution prep—mixing and drinking it once daily. Time passed.
Ailene Calendar, June 12th, Monday.
Exactly one month since arriving at the warzone.
Swift action contained the cholera—no further spread, latent cases treated easily. No new patients.
"Uwaaaah! When do we go hooome! I wanna go home! Take me hooome!"
But a month in, the war showed no signs of ending. Res's whining and tantrums worsened daily.
"Res, enough sulking. Get ready for the clinic."
"Nooo! I don't wanna! I wanna go home, read comics, watch TV, roll around, eat yummy food, and sleeeep!"
"......"
From Res's complaints, it seemed he'd been lounging and gorging at my hospital—not working.
...Damn brat.
"When's this war gonna end! Am I gonna live here till I hatch into a full dragon? Nooo! I miss Cache and Ravi—I wanna go hooome, sob sob."
"......"
I got Res's griping. Life here felt like a month of ER night shifts.
But the war dragged on. Orcs and ogres attacked on the ground with brute strength, harpies rained arrows from the air. Pure attrition.
Res has it rough too. Minus meals, he's chomping the power strip ten hours a day for electricity.
As our sole generator, if Res bolted, catastrophe. Lately, I indulged him.
"Walter."
"Yes, Director."
Dragging Res—sulking about clinic duty—out of the barracks, I turned to Walter walking beside me.
"Hypothetically, if—just if—Walter joined the front lines... would the war end sooner?"
Clearly unprepared, Walter's eyes widened like a rabbit's.
"Do you wish me to fight?"
"Of course not. Just curious. You're so strong, I wondered if your involvement might wrap things up faster."
Spurred by Res's whining, idle words. But Walter pondered gravely.
"Haha, Walter, it was nothing. No need for that serious face—"
"If you order it, I'll go."
"What? No, really, I didn't mean—"
Seeing his resolute expression, I was the flustered one.
"Frankly, the imperial knights are mediocre. I've no war experience, but I once fought something like it in the North Continent with Tolstoy."
"Something like war?"
"Yes, subjugating monsters with northern knights. Packs usually crumble if you take the leader. Subhumans won't differ much."
"......"
Thinking it over, it made sense. History's full of million-strong armies scattering when their general's head rolls.
If Walter, Tolstoy's equal, joined? He could shift the war's tide.
The thought flashed, but I shook my head to dismiss it.
Felix's visits might've planted it subconsciously.
"Nah, it'd be too dangerous for you on the battlefield. Knights' wounds—severe ones shatter bones like a truck hit."
"Truck?"
"Ah, like a cart from my old world. A rhino-sized cart, say."
"I'd love to visit your world someday."
No, Walter—you're too dangerous for peace. I'd go back.
"But don't worry about me getting hurt, Baron. Boastful as it is, I've never taken a major wound in combat. Outside childhood spars, I've never lost a duel."
"...Walter. For real?"
"If I can end this war, I'd gladly help. The Beauty Tower's my home now."
His words hit me—maybe I'd been too narrow-minded. Saving lives matters as a doctor, but war's about swift victory.
"If you're truly okay joining... could you? Don't mind my worries. We've witches and the Jo family too—not your level, but still."
"Why exclude me and Kellogg!"
"Fine, Res and Kellogg too."
Amused by our bickering, Walter smiled faintly. Then he halted, drew his sword, planted it in the ground, and knelt on one knee.
"No need to drag it out. I'll deploy immediately."
"Thanks, Walter. Come back safe."
"I'll pray you stay safe with the others, Director."
"Haha, I'm not a kid. Don't worry—go."
Walter headed straight to Felix to join the front.
—Maieeeener~! What do we dooo!
...Fuck.
Colorless as Walter's prayer for safety proved, the day he left, I was kidnapped by the enemy.