The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away

“The sage’s performance is incredibly good.”

As I checked the status window in my office, I muttered to myself absentmindedly.

[Alchemy C]

Continuing my work as the attending physician and taking Seymour’s spell class, my rank rose in no time.

[Property Change C]
[Manipulates the chemical formula of a substance. The target substance is restricted based on rank.]

More than anything, the property change became intuitive and convenient. Before, I could only change something rigid to soft, but now I could manipulate formulas in detail based on my knowledge of chemistry.

I also unlocked the skill [Extraction D], further broadening the scope of materials.

“If I had sugarcane, I could also make MSG.”

Unfortunately, there was no sugarcane in this town. I’d have to look for it when I go exploring later. I’ve been missing the taste of the local jjajangmyeon for a while now.

“Thanks to that, the range of pharmaceuticals has expanded.”

The problem was, I didn’t know exactly all the ingredients or synthesis formulas for those countless medicines. I remembered a few famous medications, but since I only knew the basic principles for most of them, experiments were necessary.

“I have made a muscle strength enhancer, though.”

I looked at the transparent liquid in the syringe in my hand.

―――――――――――
Intermediate Muscle Strength Enhancer
Effect upon application: Increases strength for 1 minute. May have side effects.
Drug abuse is prohibited!
―――――――――――

It was a slightly viscous liquid. I modified the chemical formula slightly by altering hormones extracted from cholesterol and completed it with an enhancement. Originally, anabolic steroids increase workout efficiency rather than just making strength-enhancing magical drugs through injections.

However, mixing in my alchemy skill resulted in an easy-to-understand elixir.

“One thing. There’s a bit of a side effect.”

The duration was also very short. It was something I should only keep for emergencies and not use carelessly, like the last time when I was attacked by a goblin horde.

I modified the syringe a bit, so the needle was hidden and would pop out when the end was pressed, a structure for emergency use.

As I slid the muscle strength enhancer into the pocket of my robe, I checked my pocket watch.

“It’s already this late.”

It was time to start my afternoon work. I needed to check Acella’s dinner menu first.

“But where’s Tanya?”

Lately, since there was no need for a guard unless I moved, I told her to freely train at the knight’s barracks. At first, she refused, using the mission as an excuse, but I noticed she showed quite an interest in the royal knights.

Eventually, she accepted training during her free time like now.

She was always punctual, so she usually arrived ten minutes before I had to move.

“Where is she? What is she doing?”

Since I had to start my work, I decided to look for Tanya.

I left the inner palace and headed to the royal knights’ barracks.

The royal grounds had a barrack for each direction, so there were four of them placed around the castle walls. Since I wouldn’t have to go far, she’d likely be at the southern barracks.

When I arrived at the barracks’ entrance, a couple of burly guards blocked my way.

“Please identify yourself.”

What on earth? Do these guys not even recognize my insignia?

“I’m the attending physician of the Third Royal Princess.”

“Oh, you’re that attending physician.”

The guards chuckled quietly at my response.

Hmm, I could easily guess the mood here.

“Please write your name and purpose of visit in the register.”

“It’s just a confirmation. Is my knight inside?”

“Please go inside and check for yourself.”

“You need to open the way for me to enter.”

“Haha, since you haven’t been here long, you might not know, but you need to write your name in the register…”

Hah, really now.

“Which faction does the knight belong to?”

Even though I showed my displeasure, the guards continued to smirk.

“I’m not sure about the factions, but this southern barracks is supported by Togin Palace.”

Togin Palace, the faction of the Second Prince. They were quite a strong contender for succession within the royal family.

I understood why they felt so confident.

“Knight.”

I stepped forward and met his gaze closely.

“The actions of a 2nd rank public officer of the imperial family should not be restricted by procedures. The weight of the task is more important than minor procedures. Don’t you know such basic rules while standing guard?”

As I mentioned the principles, they became flustered, the guards suddenly quieted like they had swallowed honey.

It seemed they had planned to have some kind of initiation ceremony.

Messing with a confused superior could indeed be quite entertaining.

But I had read all the rules and etiquette of the imperial palace on the day I entered.

“For instance, if something were to happen to the royal princess’s body and I were delayed here because of the lost time…”

I gestured with my hand to mimic a knife cutting across my neck.

“Do you understand? The offense of obstructing my steps due to negligence could very well cost you your position right here.”

“W-well…”

The guards, surprised by my unexpected reaction, cowered slightly.

They must have thought of me as an easy mark because I was a physician from a lesser faction.

At that moment—

“Let’s be generous about the guards’ mistake, shall we, Teacher Gothberg?”

From within the barracks, a large knight stepped out with a creaking sound.

He looked high-ranking based on his luxurious armor. He seemed to know my title accurately, and he must be somewhat smart.

“I am the commander of the 2nd division of the royal knights…”

“Not interested.”

“Haha, you should calm your anger. You know that the Third Empress faction has been collaborating with the Second Prince for quite some time now.”

Hmm, I see.

It seems Camilla, who had fallen out of favor with the emperor, had chosen the Second Prince as her ally.

Was his name George?

Seymour had mentioned such stories as well. The Second Prince was supporting Camilla after all.

He might know precisely about Acella’s talents and debuffs, as Seymour said.

‘So that’s why those low-ranking knights thought they could mess with me, a physician.’

It all makes sense now.

In other words, until now, the Third Empress faction had been a subordinate of the Second Prince faction, and the Moonlight Palace had been a vassal of Togin Palace.

It’s no wonder they looked down on me.

“What you want is a guard for the teacher, right? Conveniently, they’re inside the barracks. Our knights were just kind enough to give her a sparring match.”

So Tanya was here.

Judging by the atmosphere, I could imagine what had happened inside.

It was clear that the knights, noticing Tanya showing interest in swordsmanship, had thrown some challenges at her to relieve their stress by pretending it was a sparring match.

“One correction.”

I stepped forward and declared.

“It’s not the Third Empress faction; it’s the Third Princess faction.”

I didn’t want them to think I worked for Camilla.

“It may have been like that until now, but if you keep acting that way, you’ll end up hurt.”

“Hahaha! Hurt? Us?”

The commander laughed so hard I thought the sky would fall.

“If we get hurt, you’ll be the one to heal us, right?”

“Ah, I’m more confident than anyone in that.”

“…Huh?”

“My healing skills are the best in the inner palace. If you get injured, remember to come find me.”

“…Really? You have quite the confidence.”

The commander’s response was somewhat bemused as he scratched the back of his head.

“George doesn’t send us any healers from our division.”

“Only the knights participating in this martial arts tournament get looked after.”

“Be quiet! You don’t know what kind of backlash there will be if His Highness gets angry!”

The commander barked at his subordinates.

Even if he said that, the name George, the Second Prince, didn’t seem that intimidating to me.

No member of the royal family was alive after ten years.

Acella had purged everyone after she ascended the throne.

It would have been more frightening if he had mentioned Acella.

At that moment, I heard hurried footsteps from inside the barracks.

“Squad leader? I hope to get a report on how this knight has been… huh?”

The commander probably expected some news about Tanya from one of his subordinates, but the expectation went completely awry.

However, I could understand what had happened.

Tanya herself swiftly ran out from inside.

“Teacher, I apologize.”

Tanya quickly came over to me with an apology.

“I lost track of time while immersed in a sparring session with the knights. It’s my fault.”

She bowed deeply.

“Are you hurt?”

“Hurt? No, it was just a mock duel to exchange understanding about sword skills, so I’m fine. But a few knights did get minor scratches.”

Thud! The commander stumbled back and collided with another guard in shock.

“N-no way. How could our knights, over thirty of them, all be knocked down—no sweat, even?”

The commander’s mouth dropped open in amazement.

I couldn’t help but snicker.

It seemed Tanya hadn’t even realized the knights were teasing her and had treated the encounter as a genuine duel.

And she had shown them a lesson while strolling out effortlessly.

Being thorough, Tanya must have figured it was already time to head back. They probably held onto her pant leg as she tried to leave.

Of course, taking the blame onto herself suited Tanya’s responsible nature.

“Thanks to you, I’m late for work now. How are you going to take responsibility for this, commander?”

Thinking to tease her a bit lightly, I nudged Tanya, but she just tilted her head.

“But I already apologized.”

“Is that it? Ridiculous. Commander, show a bit of sincerity like Boris.”

“Are you talking about delicious food? I’ll find some.”

“You think whatever you bring will be better than the royal meals? With your terrible palate, you can carry me on your back for a week for all I care.”

“I’ll make sure to assist with muscle training too.”

“Hey, you think you can make negotiations while letting your lord travel such a long way without a guard?”

“Three days.”

“Okay.”

Tanya’s expression, pouting as if displeased, was quite amusing.

This scene was a greater reward than not having to climb the stairs.

“Then let’s head back quickly.”

“Yes. I’ll guard you.”

“Wait, wait a moment!”

As I was about to leave the barracks, the commander blocked my way.

“Are you saying you’ll just leave after turning our barracks into a mess?!”

“Your knights are weak, that’s why they lost to Tanya. Maybe you should train better regularly.”

“What did you just say…!”

“You need to build more strength too. You’ve grown big, but I see your muscles have stiffened. You should stretch. Want me to show you?”

The commander finally exploded, shouting loudly.

“Insult! That knight must have used some cowardly trick! Don’t try to teach me, who has refined skills!”

What a stubborn friend he is.

Has he turned his brain into muscle too?

This is exactly why stretching is essential. One needs to be flexible, or they’ll get stuck in their ways. It’s possible for Tanya to win; why get so worked up?

I needed to settle this situation.

I had a good comparison specimen right here.

Time for an experiment.

I slipped my hand under my robe and pressed the tip of the syringe containing the muscle strength enhancer.

A warm sensation spread gradually from my left chest throughout my body.

I approached the commander with a light smile and held his arm.

“Don’t hold onto your prejudices too tightly, knight.”

Crack…

“Wha… What kind of power?!”

The commander’s eyes widened in shock as I grabbed his arm.

---