The Immortal Duke’s Physician Is an Internist - Chapter 52

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

Everyone carries memories too painful to speak aloud.
For me, it was losing my mother in my Hometown.
I sat in silence, unsure how to respond, but the Duke continued.
“I’ve been to this region before on a Monster Subjugation mission. That was exactly thirteen years ago.”
Thirteen years ago. I was seven then, still living in these parts.
The memory is hazy, but I recall the adults warning that wolves had appeared, that we mustn’t venture beyond the village.
“At the time, the outbreak of the Plague and the appearance of monsters coincided, which I thought mere coincidence then. But looking back now, something doesn’t sit right.”
“What do you mean?”
“Monsters are territorial animals—they maintain their domains and live within them. Yet today, you encountered a Werewolf in the forest. Those creatures emerge from the cold regions of the North, and yet one has appeared here.”
Could those ‘wolves’ the adults spoke of in my childhood have been…?
“When you came here thirteen years ago, did Werewolves appear then as well?”
“They did.”
“And they’ve appeared again now?”
“They have. Do you think this is coincidence?”
The Plague, the monsters, territorial displacement, the timing of their emergence—
Various threads spun through my mind. In the midst of confusion, I formed a hypothesis.
“For some reason, the Werewolves that appeared in this region may have transmitted a fatal Plague to humans. And a similar phenomenon could recur.”
“I agree with that hypothesis. And frankly, to verify it, we need to visit your Hometown village.”
…
No one lives in my Hometown village anymore.
They all died from the Plague. I would have died with them if my mother hadn’t sent me to the Capital quickly.
“Lionel, I love you… Don’t fall ill like I did. Be healthy, live long…”
My mother’s voice, the last words I heard from her, still echoes in my ears.
I became a doctor to trace the Plague, and a doctor I became. But all this time, I’ve deliberately avoided returning to my Hometown.
I lacked the courage to face the helpless, weak version of myself from those days.
“Returning to my Hometown frightens even me, yet you speak of going so readily?”
“You’re right to be afraid. That unknown Plague might still linger there. But I’m an Immortal, so there’s no issue. Besides—”
“Besides?”
“It’s your Hometown. That alone is reason enough for me.”
…
Why does this man keep saying things that throw me off like this?
I decided the heat creeping across my face came from the campfire in front of us.
The Duke watched for my reaction before asking.
“So, what do you want to do? Will you come with me?”
The proper answer here would be yes.
But I couldn’t bring myself to say it, and I shook my head.
“…I don’t want to go. Not yet. I can’t.”
“That’s fine. You can wait here with the Knight Order then.”
The Duke accepted it immediately. There was no blame, no persuasion directed at me.
His ready acceptance unsettled me instead, and I found myself asking.
“It’s my Hometown—aren’t you going to ask me to come along?”
“If painful, difficult memories make it hard for you, then there’s no need to go.”
The Duke picked up a fallen branch and tossed it into the fire. It was swallowed by the flames and vanished.
“Running away isn’t shameful. There are sorrows that time itself can never heal. So leave such things to others, and simply rest easy.”
“…You mean leave it to you?”
“Me, or anyone else, really. But if someday you find the courage to face your childhood again, then, at that moment, you might consider me…”
The Duke’s words trailed off unfinished. He turned over the unsaid words in his mouth for a long moment before finally settling on something else.
“…Go to sleep now. Tomorrow I’ll ask Debright to think of a way to get you back to the Capital quickly.”
“Yes, I’ll go.”
“In the morning, unless something urgent comes up, I won’t wake you. Rest until the fatigue lifts…”
“No. I’m coming with you. To my Hometown.”
The Duke’s movement stopped.
His eyes widened, blinking slowly. His expression was one of disbelief.
“…Why did you suddenly change your mind? I told you there’s no need to force yourself.”
I smiled faintly.
“Force myself? I suppose I should. I think I want to try, even if it is difficult.”
“Why?”
“Well, it’s embarrassing. I was lecturing you about letting go of the past like that, yet I can’t seem to do it myself.”
At my words, the Duke still couldn’t hide his worried expression.
“I’m an Immortal who’s lived for seven hundred and twenty years, so that’s the difference. But you, on the other hand…….”
“Yes, I admit it. I’m a weak braggart, but I have a very powerful ally, don’t I?”
I tapped the Duke’s shoulder.
There was something I’d once told Kaelen.
Time doesn’t heal a person’s wounds—it’s the person, grown stronger as time passes, who solves the problem.
I too…… not perfectly, but I wanted to show that I’d become a little stronger at least.
‘Perhaps then you might show even a glimmer of will to live?’
Hiding these true feelings, I forced brightness into my voice.
“So stop clinging to vague promises of ‘someday.’ Come with me this time! Let’s go together and investigate what the real problem was.”
The Duke laughed, then pressed both hands to his face and groaned.
“……Why suddenly?”
“I think…… there’s nothing in this life I couldn’t lose to you.”
“……?”
“Anyway, if that’s decided, we should leave quickly. We’re departing early tomorrow morning, so get some real sleep.”
“Yes, this time I’ll sleep well, I promise.”
I returned to the tent immediately.
Before I could lower the flap, my eyes met the Duke’s—he’d been looking my way.
The warmth in those eyes was…… undeniably tender and kind.
Afraid of what I might think if I kept looking, I quickly closed the flap.
But even after lying down, I couldn’t sleep for hours, haunted by the memory of that gaze.
* * *
Morning broke.
I stepped out of the tent with my hair pulled back tightly.
Our hastily assembled expedition numbered five in total: the Duke and me, Everain, Debright, and…….
“Your Grace! And madam!! I shall do my utmost to assist you. Thank you for having me!”
Young Theo saluted with his whole body tensed. I tried to ease his nerves with a word.
“It’s fine, Theo. Don’t be so nervous. Just think of it as a quick reconnaissance mission.”
“No, madam!! I will protect you with my life! Run away using me as a shield at any moment!! I’m prepared to become a handful of ash for your sake!”
“Don’t. Don’t resign yourself to that.”
We packed light provisions and set off. Following the great river straight ahead meant we needn’t fear losing our way.
We’d been walking for perhaps thirty minutes.
“When I was young, young mages thought working at the Magic Tower was a divine blessing and they all obeyed without question. But these days, how can they be so dull-witted? The moment you assign them anything, they start: ‘Me? Why me? That’s not my job!’ and I get endless backtalk! And if you don’t give in to them, they immediately resign, which drives me absolutely mad. Back in my day, if your senior asked you to do anything, even the smallest thing…….”
Just as everyone was growing weary of Debright’s endless chatter, Everain suddenly stopped walking.
“What is it?”
“Quiet. Someone is approaching.”
Everain drew his sword. Hiding behind the Duke, I asked, fear creeping into my voice.
“Is it a monster?”
“A four-legged beast, and another that appears to be…… human.”
“What?”
“Help! Somebody!”
Just as Everain predicted, a figure appeared in the distance.
A man stumbling frantically, pursued by three monsters. They were the Werewolves that had attacked me in the forest.
“Hey, Duke! What do we do? Should we save him or not?”
The Duke answered Debright’s flat tone.
“Rescue him for now. I’d rather not have my teacher’s mental health suffer if we watch him get eaten before our eyes.”
“Wow, looking after the lady, are we?”
“Enough.”
“Touchy, aren’t you.”
Debright flicked his hand. Instantly, a bang sounded and light flooded the surroundings.
“Kueeeek!”
One of the Werewolves struck by the blast collapsed, and the remaining two bolted in fear. The man who’d been fleeing in panic crumpled to the ground near us.
And with that movement, the wig covering his head tumbled off to one side.
“Huh?”
This scene—I’ve definitely seen something like it before.
Everain, who recognized the man’s identity before I did, widened his eyes.
“Isn’t that…… Count Marseya?”
Why are you here of all places?

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