Chapter 79
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: A Grateful Patient
Fortunately, not long after the medicine was trickled into his mouth, the patient slowly opened his eyes.
“Ugh…”
Along with the patient's groan, Koma's dazed muttering could be heard.
“Crazy… Mon… Monster…!”
When I turned around, I saw Koma staring at me in horror.
“W-what did you do? For all of the lord’s spots to disappear… There’s no way this is possible…!”
Familiar words, ones I had heard many times before, flashed through my mind.
‘This can’t be possible! A mere child physician…! There’s no way I’d lose to a girl who’s not even in her teens!’
‘This can’t be possible! A mere child physician…! There’s no way I’d lose to a girl who’s not even in her teens!’
‘It’s a fraud! She’s a fraud!’
‘It’s a fraud! She’s a fraud!’
Brother Gyewon, who was acting as my assistant, glared sharply at Koma.
“…What’s with you? A moment ago, you were clinging to us, begging for treatment.”
Well, I was fine with it.
This, too, was something I was used to.
“Ah…! My apologies! I was just so shocked… A genius… I’ve never seen a genius like you, Physician!”
Fortunately, he seemed to have some sense.
But it seemed I was the only one who was fine with it.
“Those who know no gratitude deserve to fall.”
Koma staggered as if hit by a gust of wind and fell to his knees. He groaned, seemingly feeling a pain in his shoulder.
“It seems the winds of justice will not stand idly by.”
I blinked at the outlandish words, then burst out laughing.
“Guroge.”
As I listened to my father's voice, I thought to myself.
Ah, now that I think about it, I probably wasn't okay with it in the past either; I just pretended to be.
I could tell by how satisfying it was to see that physician fall.
To think he was just crying and begging for help. What an ungrateful person.
“I will apologize for that.”
I turned my gaze toward the unfamiliar voice. Its owner was the patient who had just woken up.
His eyes, as he looked at me, seemed a little troubled, yet he offered a gentle smile.
“Please forgive my rudeness for receiving my benefactor while lying down. I also apologize on behalf of my friend’s impudence.”
His voice was hoarse and raspy, and he spoke slowly, as if it were difficult to talk.
‘I’ve treated all the serious symptoms. It must be a matter of stamina.’
He should be fine after taking a few more doses of medicine and recuperating.
There was a reason I had decided to treat this man to the point of near-full recovery.
‘Even the village chief is bedridden. This place needs a leader.’
It would be even better if that person had power and could provide continuous support.
The Lord of Rederick, now conscious, seemed to be looking around the room.
“Um, but… the physician who treated me… who, uh, should I be addressing?”
I thought he was talking to me. Was he just looking in my direction because I was close by?
“Me.”
I waited with interest to see how he would react when the lord, who had staggered and forced himself upright, dropped to his knees with a thud.
“M-My Lord!”
I was startled. My father had approached at some point and was now standing protectively in front of me.
“Thank you… for saving my life, Physician.”
His words of gratitude were simple, without any formality, but they were filled with sincerity.
“I was afraid I would die helplessly, never to see my wife’s face again.”
This, too, was sincere. It seemed he was offering the most earnest and polite thanks he could.
I held onto my father’s leg and peeked my head out.
An interesting person.
Until now, it was very rare for a patient to thank me so sincerely and politely.
I felt good, knowing I had made the right choice.
“I must have been very lucky to meet such an incredible physician.”
Seeing the lord’s faint smile, I felt relieved.
Good, with this person…
‘This pushover… no. I should be able to get medicinal herbs without any trouble.’
There are still many patients left. Although the family provided support, the disease is progressing faster than in my previous life, so I was worried we might run out of herbs.
“Appa, I'm okay.”
Since my father was still blocking the way, I grabbed the hem of his clothes and tried to push him aside.
I looked up at him and froze.
“…”
My father’s face was strangely pale. Why? I grew serious as well.
“Appa? Is somethin' wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing…”
But his face said it wasn't nothing at all!
But my father insisted he was fine and took a small step back.
- I’m really fine. It’s because of a memory.
My father's voice rumbled in my head. A voice no one else could hear, sent only to me.
‘If that’s the case…’
My father even staggered slightly as he chose to retreat toward the wall.
I was suspicious, but finishing my conversation with the lord came first.
“If you don’t mind my asking, may I have the name of my benefactor, the physician?”
The lord was no ordinary man.
He hadn't wavered for even a moment since I said I was the physician.
He was either someone who wasn't easily surprised or someone who was good at controlling his emotions.
Either way, it was a disposition his people would appreciate, which was a welcome thing for me.
“I'm Heuk Bbi-yu, of the Heuk family.”
“I see. So you are Lady Heuk Bbi-yu… of the Heuk family.”
…When on earth will I be able to introduce myself properly? I bit down hard on my tongue and pronounced it again.
“Ung. Biyu.”
“Yes. Lady Biyu.”
Brother Gyewon, who was standing beside me, corrected him.
“…*Pfft*, er, the physician’s name is Lady Heuk Biyu.”
My brother couldn't hold back his laughter, and behind him, I could see my father, still pale-faced, leaning against the wall and choking back his own laughter.
Just you two wait…
“I was the one who requested a dispatch from the Heuk family. It seems the Physicians’ Association and the Imperial Family accepted it!”
“Ung.”
The lord didn't seem to mind that I was speaking to him informally.
So much so that it made me, who had cut him off to gain the upper hand, feel a bit awkward. Well, if he accepts it, that’s good.
“…You must not have been here for long. But the fact that you saw me right away means.”
The lord was quick on the uptake. He glanced at the frozen Koma.
“The physician from my castle must have brought you. Demanding that you treat me first.”
“Dat's wight.”
The main reason things happened in this order was because of that physician.
“I am aware of the Heuk family’s noble rule of treating all patients equally. If I have caused you to break that principle, I offer my apologies.”
“S'okay.”
Well… it’s true that the Heuk family advocates for fairness and impartiality in treatment. But that’s a thing of the past.
In the family’s current state, a complete mess due to political infighting, almost no physicians still abide by that rule.
‘It’s a rule that only gets strictly re-established around the time the heroine becomes the family head.’
Anyway, this man is a better person than I thought.
The reason I treated him first was to save more people more quickly.
‘The family head who sent me on this dispatch would probably be satisfied if I just get this village under control, but that’s not what I’m aiming for.’
I will ensure that as few lives as possible are lost without even a chance for treatment.
“The family bwought supplies, but it's less than I thought. There are more patients here than expected.”
“Yes… The party that came with me has also caught the same disease. The numbers must have increased.”
“I need youw help.”
“What do you require? I will do my utmost for anything you need. Of course, this is all under the premise that I will properly pay the price for my life.”
Ooh, I’m starting to like this man more and more.
I listed the things I needed one by one. Count Rederick did not listen to a single word carelessly.
Then he said not to worry, that they would handle the errands themselves, and called for Koma, who was on standby.
“Hey, what are you doing? Koma.”
“Y-Yes?!”
“Did you not hear? Go to my aide at once and tell him to send a letter to the castle. Tell him to send everything.”
“Uh…”
“I’m telling you to get out now.”
“Y-Yes, sir!”
A thoroughly disciplined Koma scrambled out of the room.
As soon as Koma left, the lord let out a heavy sigh.
“To be honest, that man did not become a physician through skill. The reason the castle sent him…”
The lord wiped his face, looking a little weary.
“Was to kill me, I suppose.”