The Immortal Duke’s Physician Is an Internist - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Underground Dungeon of Raizenberg Imperial Palace.
Count Marseya, his appearance ravaged beyond recognition, shot upright at the sound of footsteps.
“Y-Your Highness?”
“It’s been a while, Count. Looking at the state of you… I can hardly offer pleasantries about your well-being.”
Noar, beyond the bars, spoke thus and settled into a simple chair. He delivered his purpose with a faint smile playing at his lips.
“You were supposed to be handled by the Magic Tower, but given the severity of your crimes, the Tower Master entrusted your punishment to the Imperial House. So I’ve come in his stead.”
“Y-Your Highness… please, I beg you. Please let me live. Surely you, of all people, could do such a thing? I implore you, I beg of you…”
Count Marseya knew that Noar had dealings with a Dark Sorcerer. This knowledge had kindled hope when the Magic Tower transported him here to the palace.
Moreover, the Crown Prince himself had deigned to visit this dungeon. The Count had believed that everything would work out, and he had found comfort in that thought.
But his expectations went spectacularly awry.
“I’ve looked into it. That village where you abandoned the Mana Stone—it’s Lionel Frenscia’s hometown.”
“Y-yes…?”
“Innocent people all died because of that Mana Stone. Doesn’t fairness demand that you at least pay the price for that?”
At Noar’s gesture, the guard beside him slid a tray through the food slot. Upon it sat three bowls filled with oatmeal porridge.
“From today forward, this is how you’ll receive your meals in this cell. And each time, I intend to mix Werewolf excrement into one of the bowls.”
“…!”
The Count’s face drained of all color. Noar, unbothered, continued speaking in an even tone.
“So you have a choice. You can starve to death if you refuse to eat, or you can gamble with your life each day, risking it moment by moment to survive.”
“That… surely that’s too cruel…”
“Hundreds died because of you. The least you can do is bear that. Well, if fortune smiles, perhaps you’ll cling to life by a thread. I hope you hold onto that. I’ll dispose of your body properly.”
The Count despaired at words no different from a death sentence. He trembled and made a final, desperate utterance.
“Your Highness… this is so unjust. I… I was merely fulfilling my role as a courier…!”
What he meant was: the person who ordered that transport bears responsibility too, doesn’t he?
Someone like, perhaps, the exalted person standing before him right now.
Noar’s eyes narrowed as he regarded the Count—like a viper fixing its gaze upon prey.
“I’m afraid I don’t follow what you’re saying.”
“Your… Your Highness!!”
“You haven’t grasped the weight of what you’ve done at all, have you, Count? The way you keep blaming others until the very end makes that clear. I sincerely hope you survive a long time—long enough to truly reflect upon your sins.”
Noar rose from his seat, leaving only scorn in his wake.
“Aaaahhhhh!!”
The Count overturned the tray.
“I’ve looked into it. That village where you abandoned the Mana Stone—it’s Lionel Frenscia’s hometown.”
For reasons unknown, the Crown Prince had taken a liking to Lionel Frenscia. That much was certain—which is why he had inflicted such a cruel punishment upon him.
“L-Lionel… you… cursed wench!! Ahhhhhhh!!”
The Count thrashed about in that cold cell. Of course, his screams reached no one.
Such was the wretched end of a man who had sought only to line his own pockets with ill-gotten gain.
* * *
I rested well for several days after returning safely from an unexpected journey.
A week later, Kaelen clapped his hands upon seeing my hand free of bandages at last.
“Teacher, you’ve finally removed the bandages! My sincere congratulations.”
“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”
“No, no. I’m simply glad you’ve returned in good health.”
Fortunately, after I left, Kaelen reported that the Crown Prince had returned without incident. Indeed, he appeared entirely unharmed.
Still, I had hoped that day’s sudden visit would be nothing more than a one-off occurrence…
But regrettably, there was a follow-up to the story.
“Well then, since the excuse that you’re still convalescing is beginning to wear thin… it seems the time has come to decide how to handle this.”
Kaelen waved something he’d been holding in his hand.
At first glance, it was a Letter Envelope, its paper of obvious quality and embellished with ornate gold leaf detailing.
The sender, naturally, was…
“Kaelen. Haven’t you sent a rejection yet?”
The Duke, who had entered the Clinic, abruptly interjected into our conversation. Kaelen looked awkwardly between me and the Duke.
“The teacher asked me to wait a bit…”
“This is not something the teacher need concern herself with. Just send the rejection in my name, immediately.”
Crown Prince Noar, who had left that day in disgrace, had sent me an invitation.
Moreover, instead of the title “Duchess of Carseido,” he had written my name as “Lionel Frenscia, Teacher.” That title alone told me much.
The Duke issued another order to Kaelen, who was watching my reaction.
“Why are you stalling? Never mind—I’ll write the rejection myself. Bring me paper and pen at once—”
“Just a moment, Duke.”
I stopped the Duke. And I took the letter from Kaelen to unfold it.
“I’ve thought about it carefully, and wouldn’t it be better if I went?”
“What?”
“Pardon?!”
The Duke and Kaelen cried out in unison. I raised both hands to calm them.
“No, don’t misunderstand. What I mean is, you can see here that she’s written she wants a medical examination from me, right? This means she wants to meet with Doctor Lionel, not the Duchess of Carseido, so it seems a bit much to refuse….”
“You’re playing games knowing I’d worry about this. Whether she’s the Duchess or Doctor Lionel, the intent is the same—to drag you into the palace.”
The Duke was adamant in his refusal, but truthfully, I wanted to go.
And the reason I wanted to go was simple—there was something I desired for myself.
“You know the Crown Prince wears an orthotic brace on his leg, don’t you? And how much difficulty he has walking because of it?”
“I’m aware. But why does that matter?”
“I’d like to examine him while I’m there.”
The orthotic brace the Crown Prince wore in this era must be state-of-the-art. Though from my perspective, having come from the modern world, it was terribly outdated.
“So, if I understand correctly, you wish to examine the Crown Prince’s leg and conduct a medical assessment?”
Kaelen had neatly summarized the situation. I nodded.
“Yes. If I hadn’t noticed, I would have let it pass. But it’s been weighing on me. If there’s any chance my skills could bring him even a measure of relief, that would truly be worthwhile.”
The Duke shook his head slowly.
“You say such things without the faintest idea what schemes he’s plotting.”
“If you’re that worried, why don’t you enter the palace with me? I’d feel much more secure with you there.”
“Sigh….”
Kaelen glanced between the Duke’s face and mine once more, then quietly stepped beside me. The Duke’s brow furrowed.
“Why did you move over there?”
“Ah, it seems the line has been decided for me going forward.”
“…….”
“Then, I’ll send a response saying we’ll coordinate our schedule!”
Kaelen winked and vanished in a flutter. The Duke exhaled a small sigh, arms folded.
“That fellow’s gotten full of himself ever since I didn’t praise him enough when he returned from his travels.”
Ah, was he talking about the Chocolate Box? I came to Kaelen’s defense.
“Come now, you were in quite a good mood because of that chocolate. You ought to cherish a tactful aide like him, shouldn’t you?”
The Duke shrugged, then seized my wrist. He held up my hand and examined it closely from different angles.
“Any wounds?”
“I removed the bandages today. It’s fine now.”
“Scarring?”
“Thanks to the Special Ointment the Magic Tower Master sent, it healed completely cleanly!”
“It ought to have. …I’m asking you, please—don’t do anything so reckless as throwing punches at things that displease you anymore.”
“I’ll remember that.”
Even as our conversation ended on such warm terms.
For some reason, the Duke didn’t release my hand. I asked carefully.
“Your Grace, would you…let go of my hand?”
“Ah.”
The Duke startled and released me. Then an awkward silence fell.
The Duke was looking off into the distance, gaze averted. His ears seemed faintly flushed.
‘No, no, no. Quiet moments always turn things weird like this! Focus, Lionel Frenscia!!’
I let out a loud, deliberate cough and changed the subject.
“Anyway, your Grace. I have an interesting idea I’d like to run by you. You might even need to help me with it.”
I drew out a Mana Stone from the desk drawer. Seeing the Duke’s eyes silently asking what I was thinking, I offered him a knowing smile.
“I’m going to try creating something revolutionary again with this.”

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