The Immortal Duke’s Physician Is an Internist - Chapter 44

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The count went visibly pale when the man appeared so abruptly.
“Who… who are you?”
“Me? Well… yes. You wouldn’t know.”
The man approached us slowly.
He seemed composed enough, but even from less than five paces away, I sensed something off about him.
‘His leg… it’s favoring one side. Is he wearing an Orthopedic Brace? I don’t remember anyone like this in the original story.’
While I was making these observations, the man positioned himself before the count.
Though part of it was the contrast with the aged and weathered count, the fair-haired man was undeniably a striking, radiant beauty that drew all eyes.
“Look, who I am doesn’t matter much. What does matter is that you’re currently buying people with money to commit crimes.”
“B-but crime…?”
He was desecrating the Tomb, and he sought to harm an innocent Young Lady besides. From every angle, the villain in this scene is you. That much is clear.”
The man raised his hand. The count’s face drained of all color when he saw the Ring on his finger.
“Y-you… why would you ever come to a place like this…!”
“Shh, keep your voice down. You’ll startle the Young Lady. So, Count Marseya. I have a proposition for you.”
The fair-haired man tapped the edge of the Tomb lightly with his foot—the newly made resting place of Ricar Carseido.
“Right now you suspect that the Duke Carseido received an eternal Blessing, one that prevents him from aging, don’t you?”
‘A… Blessing?’
Most people would call such a thing a curse, so why would he deliberately call it a Blessing?
That same inexplicable unease I’d felt watching his gait washed over me again.
Though the count seemed too flustered to notice anything of the sort.
“Since you’ve come this far, why not dig up this Tomb and see? The rumor just might be true after all.”
“W-would that be… acceptable…?”
“Of course. I’ll give you permission. But there is one condition.”
The man’s eyes flashed with a sharp gleam.
“If you dig here and find no corpse, exactly as you claimed, then very well—by my authority, I will give this woman to you.”
“What?”
Suddenly singled out like that, I blinked in sheer bewilderment. It felt as though someone had seized me by the hair without warning.
‘What is this madness? Who’s giving anyone to whom?’
Whereas I stood scowling, the count broke into a wide smile.
“Is that truly the case?”
“Of course. In this Empire, where is there a place my word doesn’t hold? But if the previous Duke’s corpse is found in this Tomb, then as punishment for insulting the ducal house, I’ll donate you to the medical academy’s dissection practicum.”
Color drained from Count Marseya’s face. His thugs, sensing the gravity of the situation, began shuffling nervously backward.
“S-such a condition… is too much…!”
“Too much? You felt no qualms about desecrating an intact Tomb?”
The man’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at the count.
Whoever this man was from, he radiated an unwavering dignity and confidence that would not yield to anyone.
“Well, regardless. Proceed. My patience isn’t limitless.”
The man fell silent after that.
A moment passed. Then Thug A suddenly cried out.
“I… I can’t do this, my Lord Count!! Forgive me!”
Emboldened by his words, Thug B also cast aside his Pickaxe.
“I-I can’t either! I’m leaving now!!”
The two of them scrambled out of the Garden in a panic. I heard a scream as one tumbled partway, but even that faded quickly into silence.
The count’s lips trembled as he chewed at them, and eventually he raised the white flag.
“I… I believe I was terribly mistaken. Ha, haha…! When one grows old, judgment suffers, haha…!”
“That’s right, Count. If you’re going to grow old, do it with grace, won’t you?”
The fair-haired man regarded the count with ice-cold eyes. They held less warmth than one might spare for a cockroach.
“If you’re old, then sit quietly in your corner like an old man should. The sight of you chasing after strange rumors with a wig askew is repulsive. Ah, but then again, your mind must be rotted enough not to tell right from wrong anymore—that’s the only reason you’d behave so shamefully toward a girl young enough to be your granddaughter.”
The count’s face flushed scarlet, but he had no reply.
He only coughed several times in embarrassment before hurrying after his thugs, vanishing down the path they’d taken.
“……”
“……”
In the awkward silence, I studied the man before me once more, from head to toe.
He caught my gaze and smiled gently.
“Forgive me. Was my language too crude before the Young Lady?”
“Oh no. Thank you for your help.”
I dipped my head respectfully.
Judging from the count’s reaction, this man appeared to be of considerable house, though I couldn’t determine precisely which.
“If I may be so bold as to ask… which family does Your Excellency belong to?”
The blond man laughed at my question.
“You don’t know me?”
“Please don’t say ‘don’t you know me?’ — if the same name gets filed incorrectly, it could cause real problems…….”
I forced a smile, imagining the bureaucratic headaches such a mix-up would entail.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Hmm……. Then stay not knowing. Names aren’t what matter when two people come to understand each other.”
‘What is wrong with this person?’
Fair enough — what did a name matter anyway? We weren’t likely to meet again.
But there was something pressing on my mind far more than his name.
“……Then, if I may, would you permit me an impertinent request?”
“What is it?”
“Would you allow me to examine the orthopedic brace on your right leg?”
The man’s expression turned cold. He fixed me with a sharp look and challenged me outright.
“My gait was flawless. How dare someone like you presume to comment?”
“Yes, your gait appeared entirely natural. But with every step, your brow furrowed ever so slightly.”
……
“I am a physician. Perhaps I might ease your discomfort somewhat.”
In truth, his gait was noticeably awkward, but I softened my words — he seemed liable to take greater offense otherwise.
The man’s face darkened with displeasure, yet he soon leaned against a nearby tree. Taking this as assent, I crouched down at once.
“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”
I carefully lifted his trouser leg.
As expected, he wore an orthopedic brace, and the leg within it was severely wasted compared to the other.
I had little difficulty inferring what had happened.
‘……He contracted poliomyelitis.’
In the modern world, the disease was 100% preventable by vaccine, but here it was commonplace.
One needed only survey the limping beggars in the streets — ask any of them, and they would say they’d suffered poliomyelitis in childhood, all without exception.
‘He didn’t want his limp discovered……. Even with the option of a wheelchair, the fact that he insists on wearing a brace instead tells me everything.’
Having gathered the measure of his situation, I pointed to the area below his knee, which was swollen and inflamed.
“I can see this area is quite red. The brace appears to be fastened too tightly — friction has caused inflammation.”
“Then what should I do?”
I loosened the brace slightly and withdrew the handkerchief I’d kept in my dress pocket.
Wedging it between the brace and his leg created an improvised cushion.
“Try walking again, if you would. As a temporary measure, I’ve placed this handkerchief to reduce friction. It should ease things considerably.”
The man took a few steps as I directed.
His expression alone confirmed that my makeshift remedy was effective — no words necessary.
“Once you return to your residence, ask whoever crafted this brace to add cloth padding. It will be far more comfortable.”
“……Do you also know how to read such devices?”
“Well, somewhat…….”
During my orthopedics internship, I happened to treat a patient who wore one. Of course, modern braces are equipped with artificial intelligence, so there’s hardly a comparison…….
“You’re quite capable. I understand why Blasion takes a liking to you.”
“You know the Duke?”
“Of course I do. Three hundred years ago, the Imperial Family granted him his dukedom in exchange for his eternal loyalty.”
‘What?’
This man knows the Duke is Immortal?
‘And what did he just say — what family?’
As I stared at him in shock, the man extended his hand toward me. Just as his fingers were about to touch my shoulder——
Crack-boom!!
A flash of blue flame erupted between us. While I stumbled backward in surprise, the blond man turned his head with unhurried ease.
“At last you’ve shown yourself, Duke Ricar Carseido.”
The Duke appeared before me as if from nowhere and drew me close, his arm circling my waist protectively.
Pressed firmly against him, the Duke offered a greeting with barely concealed menace.
“What business have you with my wife, Crown Prince Noar?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————