NOVEL WEB Chapter 23
“Congratulations on being selected as the attending physician, my son.”
After the final selection, I had a conversation with my father in the Main Hall.
He seemed quite delighted that I had been selected as the attending physician, unable to hide his broad smile despite forgetting his dignity as the head of the family.
“Haha, isn’t it a case of the pupil surpassing the master? Thanks to your teachings, Father.”
“No, I didn’t properly impart my knowledge of healing spells or wisdom about life. I deeply regret not paying more attention to you earlier. This success is all yours, Lars.”
My father nodded, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Older brother, congratulations on passing!”
“Oh, Neria. Thank you for the congratulations.”
Neria seemed a bit down for some reason.
“Neria, is something wrong? There’s big news for Lars, but you don’t look very happy.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just….”
Neria shrank back, answering in a soft voice.
“Older brother, you’re going to the Imperial Palace now, right…? Just when I finally got to talk with you, now I won’t be able to see you….”
“Haha.”
How is it that Neria always says such sweet things?
I scratched her head while responding.
“I’m going to be on leave often, so you’ll see me soon. I already got a heads-up.”
“Really?”
Only then did a bright light appear on Neria’s face.
“Yes. While I’m at the palace, there’s something I need you to do, Neria.”
“Me?”
“Yep. Do you know the rose garden in front of the Annex?”
“Ah, I know it well. I always had to pass by there to go outside the mansion….”
Neria seemed to have made a slip of the tongue and hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
So that little hole was used when Neria secretly snuck out.
“I need you to take care of that garden and grow a lot of roses. You have to regularly send me the petals mixed with honey candy.”
“Honey candy and rose petals….”
“This is an important task. You can do it, right?”
“Of course! Leave the garden to me, older brother!”
Neria clenched her fist and wore a confident expression.
With our Neria, I can trust her completely.
Next, I headed to the Barracks.
Commander Tanya hadn’t rested even after yesterday’s large-scale operation.
She was continuing her physical training, carrying stones in the training ground, and it seemed I was not a distraction for her.
Upon spotting me, Tanya immediately ran over.
“Commander.”
“Younger Master, I heard the news. Congratulations!”
“Now the hard times begin.”
I replied nonchalantly while munching on candy, causing Tanya to chuckle and sweep her sweaty bangs back.
“Did I interrupt your work?”
“Of course not. Since this is your estate in Gothberg, you can come and go as you please. It’s my responsibility to prepare everything.”
“Hmm, good, keep this atmosphere.”
“If you continue to be diligent like this, younger master.”
It seems I can’t win a word against her.
Concerning someone destined for greatness, it’s no different.
“Commander, I’ll be starting my duties as the attending physician at the palace tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“As we discussed, I’d like you to accompany me as my knight. How does that sound?”
I lightly suggested it as if it were a casual stroll.
Tanya stepped forward as if she had been waiting and extended her hand for a handshake.
“I look forward to working with you, younger master.”
“A handshake? Isn’t it time for you to kneel and pledge your loyalty?”
“You know the Northern knights’ style.”
“Well, be sure to do that at the palace.”
Tanya smiled lightly and shrugged. A regular handshake seemed boring, so I just linked thumbs and bumped shoulders with her.
Tanya seemed to like that greeting even more.
“Guarding can be up to two people. Do you have any knight in mind for the second?”
“How about suggesting Boris? Aren’t you close?”
“Close? Not really. He can’t go right now due to injury, and soon he’s going to be a newlywed; how’s he going to manage?”
“Well… that’s true. Still, we should at least have a word with him.”
When I visited Boris in his sickbed, he immediately recommended a knight.
“Oh, I would have loved to follow you, younger master, but it’s a shame. I believe my place is in the Marquisate. After all, it’s my homeland, right? Instead, I recommend Bruno.”
As Boris called, Bruno was immediately ready.
Though he wasn’t in the same squad during the demon subjugation, he had contributed quite a bit.
He was large enough to remind one of a gray bear.
“Bruno, while you serve as guard for the younger master at the palace as the attending physician, will you join us?”
“It’s an honor.”
Bruno accepted the offer neatly.
I liked his refreshing attitude.
“If Commander Tanya goes and Bruno too, our knight order’s strength will weaken for a while.”
“You’re managing well, Boris.”
“Oh dear, could you make me a deputy? I’d get a raise too, right?”
“There’s no additional pay, but your leave will increase.”
“Hmm, that’s something.”
With that, the members accompanying me to the palace were neatly decided.
The next day, I donned the clothes prepared by my attendants and Cervus as I left the Annex.
“Younger master, to think you’d finally step into the Inner Palace as the attending physician, how touching!”
Cervus always reacts overly. Though I haven’t seen him for long, will I start to miss him later?
“I’m glad the clothes you ordered arrived on time.”
I didn’t wear the dress usually worn by healers.
I put on my regular formal attire with an extra set specially ordered.
The white gown, the symbol of a doctor.
“Please send additional ones as soon as they’re ready.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
After crossing the garden, I exited through the Marquisate’s main gate.
Father, Neria, attendants, and knights.
Many were waving their hands to greet me. I responded appropriately.
I left the mansion and headed for the Teleport Gate.
Accompanying me were two guards.
And at the end was a crowd of knights and attendants, looking like a small army.
In the center was Acella, looking down at me with her chin held high and an air of confidence.
“You’re late.”
As I checked my pocket watch, I saw it was still well before departure time.
“I’m not late.”
“If you made me wait, then you’re late.”
Of course, that would be the case.
The royal princess sets the standard for the world.
Moments later, Empress Camilla also came out from the mansion grounds and joined us.
The court magician, fully prepared in advance, released some mana, and after receiving a signal from the palace, the portal through the gate opened.
A cascade of blue light.
Just before stepping into it, Acella asked me,
“Prince, have you used a gate before?”
“No.”
Since I hadn’t experienced it after my return, I answered that way.
Acella seemed pleased with my answer, grinning devilishly.
“Good. It’ll be a fresh experience.”
Saying that, she took the lead with elegant steps.
“Shall we go, younger master?”
“Go ahead, Commander Tanya. And one thing, from now on, call me teacher.”
“Understood, teacher.”
Though I’m a quack, I suppose with the title of attending physician, this level of treatment is acceptable.
I popped a honey candy into my mouth and threw myself into the blue light.
*
The first experience of teleportation after my return was the worst.
My head spun, and I embarrassingly collapsed right there.
Acella laughed at my state, and I had to be carried into the Imperial Palace by Commander Tanya.
“So this is the Imperial Palace.”
Tanya seemed quite fascinated, peering around at the grand red buildings of the palace that were magnificently constructed.
The palace grounds are located in the center of the system.
True to its name, the scale was on a level that the Gothberg Marquisate couldn’t even measure up to.
The main palace where the Emperor resides is like a fortress, and there are actually several palaces for the imperial family members.
The place where Acella and Empress Camilla reside is called the “Moonlight Palace,” located in the northwest of the palace grounds.
“And here is where I will stay, huh.”
It was right next to Acella’s room.
I had expected some distance, but it was just one wall separating us on the second floor.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“I’m feeling quite alright.”
“They say there’s an appointment ceremony in the afternoon. First, let’s unpack your luggage and prepare.”
“What’s the schedule like?”
“You start immediately from tomorrow.”
Tanya brought me a schedule.
As the attending physician, I would basically check the health status of the patients, meaning members of the imperial family, daily.
My task was to identify and heal any slight deviations in their condition immediately and help maintain their best shape.
“Getting up at dawn for mana checks. They’ve even prepared dedicated artifacts.”
In my room were all sorts of tools and high-grade artifacts prepared for the attending physician.
“All of these are useless junk for Acella, who has no response to healing spells.”
I put away the mana meter in the drawer and closed it.
“Acella promised to prepare the environment for me.”
I could request whatever materials I needed without any issue.
“What do you plan to do?”
Tanya and Bruno were watching me with curious eyes. I smirked.
“Though I’m not planning to get revenge, I think this much is acceptable.”
“Are you talking about the princess…?”
“Yes. I don’t suppose the princess is afraid of needles, right? What do you think?”
Upon checking the description of the [Blood Test] skill, I saw Tanya’s eyes widen blankly.