The Quack Lady - Chapter 18

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 18

“Still, I’m a bit worried. If the Countess herself came all the way to a commoner’s infirmary… the condition probably isn’t very good.”

There was something I had thought about many times in my previous life.

‘If this patient had received treatment from a different doctor instead of me, wouldn’t they have been able to live?’

Every time I faced countless lives slipping away like grains of sand through my fingers, I was hurt and suffered.

‘There’s nothing I can do.’

Even if I remembered my previous life, I was still just a maid.

And this fact would not change with time.

Moreover, the Count’s family had the wealth and honor to summon famous doctors from anywhere in this world.

It would be fine even without me.

‘Yes, it’s fine. I decided to become a doctor for myself now.’

I tried hard to comfort myself.

While deliberately ignoring the melancholy that filled my heart.

* * *

The next day.

I headed to Mr. Pairon’s study to formally learn the work.

‘He said it was simple work, so it shouldn’t be much, right?’

It was a kind of consideration, telling me to at least do some work while occasionally helping with his treatments.

I wondered if it would be organizing herbs or simple cleaning duties, but either way was fine.

At least I wouldn’t have to face patients directly.

With half worry and half excitement, I grabbed the door handle of the study where Mr. Pairon was.

Soon as I opened the door, I made eye contact with some unfamiliar man, or more precisely, a knight.

What?

At the same time, there were Mr. Hanel and Mr. Pairon, both looking somewhat troubled.

“Um…”

It was then, as I hesitantly spoke in the awkward atmosphere.

The knight stood up from his seat as if he had been waiting and spoke toward me.

“Then everyone is gathered. I will deliver the Countess’s command.”

“What? The Countess?”

What exactly is the connection between that person and me?

As I was thinking about what business I could have receiving the Countess’s command, words like a bomb dropped.

“This is the Countess’s command for Pairon Aphenus, Hanel Brighton, and Rtemeia to come to the Count’s manor immediately and treat a patient under the Countess’s orders.”

Finally, someone from the Count’s manor had come looking.

So that means…

‘Damn…’

I was screwed.

* * *

The sound of clashing blades echoed through the forest.

The man with a massive build relentlessly pressed forward against the boy before him.

The boy took a step back and wiped the sweat flowing down his chin.

Though he looked clearly exhausted, the fighting spirit flickering in his eyes showed no signs of dying out.

“You seem strange today. You appear to be having trouble concentrating.”

Abeurus spoke firmly toward Eruten before him.

“…”

Clang!

Instead of an answer, the sharp sound of clashing swords rang out once again.

“Please teach me swordsmanship!”

Five years ago.

Abeurus recalled the image of the boy who had come to find him with bandages wrapped around him.

“Go back. I am already old and retired.”

From his appearance, he could roughly guess the boy’s status. The Imperial Palace where the boy had lived was that kind of place.

A place where today’s ally could become tomorrow’s enemy.

Abeurus felt disgusted with such an environment, and that moment was no exception.

However.

“Please help me so that I can protect at least one thing. Sir Abeurus.”

What was it that the child had tried to protect?

Lost in thought for a moment, he suddenly twisted his sword. Eruten didn’t miss this and fiercely aimed for his left abdomen.

And.

Clang-!

With a sharp sound, the deflected sword stuck straight into the ground.

Eruten smiled faintly toward Abeurus, who had lost his grip on his sword.

“It seems you’re the one having other thoughts.”

“Haha. Your learning speed is indeed exceptional. Now I drop my sword like this if I let my guard down even a little.”

“You don’t need to flatter me like that. My skills are still lacking compared to yours.”

“By the way, what kind of favor is it that made you request a sword duel first?”

“…”

Eruten’s mouth shut tight for a moment.

And Abeurus knew well what this meant.

“Is it because of that child called Rtemeia?”

“…”

Perhaps because she had saved his life, Eruten was particularly soft only toward that child.

But that was as far as it went.

He was destined to head toward the Imperial Palace someday. Unnecessary relationships would only create useless weaknesses.

He spoke toward Eruten as if scolding a child.

“I understand that you’re concerned about the child who saved your life, but getting involved with us might actually put that child in more trouble.”

“…”

“If news that Prince Eruten, the 3rd Prince, is alive reaches the 1st Prince’s ears…”

“…”

The Emperor had four children.

The legitimate 1st Prince, under his mother’s protection, took advantage of the Emperor’s illness to purge all his half-siblings.

Except for Eruten, who was right before his eyes.

‘If the day comes when his survival is discovered, there’s no telling what might happen.’

It was when Abeurus, recalling this fact, tightly shut his eyes.

“Sir. I’ll take this as payment for winning the bet.”

Eruten removed the brooch that fastened his robe and threw it toward him.

Abeurus’s eyes widened as he caught it with a thud.

It was a nymph-shaped brooch, the symbol of the Ergerus Mercenary Group.

Returning this to him also meant he intended to act independently.

“I have a place I need to go.”

* * *

Inside the carriage, silence flowed to the point where a massive quiet had settled.

There was no time to delay. It was a command from the great lord’s wife.

We had to hastily pack only what was necessary and board the carriage.

Without anyone going first, all three of us let out deep sighs in unison.

And naturally, it was Mr. Hanel who spoke first.

“Did we pay the toll properly when we brought herbs last time?”

“I think we did.”

“Think? That’s not the kind of answer that should come out now, Pairon. If you don’t pay the toll, up to five times the interest rate is added!”

However, Mr. Hanel, the deputy guild leader, seemed worried about something else.

He began biting his nails while muttering about all kinds of tax items.

His pupils shaking with anxiety were a bonus.

However, in contrast to this, Mr. Pairon was silently gazing out the carriage window with his arms crossed.

But….

‘Dressed like this, he really does look like a guild master.’

From the elegantly flowing robes to the luxurious emerald decorations in deep green that matched Mr. Pairon’s wheat-colored hair.

Perhaps sensing my gaze, he smiled and said.

“You look very pretty today. It’s the most becoming outfit I’ve seen on you yet?”

As he said, the shopping trip with Mr. Hanel had indeed been effective for me too.

Even I could see that the bright navy dress suited me quite well, probably because my hair color was a light beige.

“You too, Mr. Pairon.”

We exchanged compliments with each other.

Of course, Mr. Hanel looked at the two of us as if he found us ridiculous.

“Is it really important whether your clothes look good right now? What if they’re calling us to rob our guild? Where is there a guild that wouldn’t have a speck of dust when shaken down? What if they find fault with something trivial this time….”

Mr. Hanel’s words couldn’t continue.

Because Mr. Pairon, who was sitting next to him, had jabbed him hard in the ribs.

“Ahem!”

Of course, the coachman sitting next to me also let out a cough.

“You don’t need to worry about such things. Although the Countess manages the Count’s Manor’s budget, the Count himself manages the overall budget of the territory. If such a thing had happened—which it shouldn’t—but if it had, the Count would have directly ordered us to come and arrest you.”

“Arrest… us?”

“Yes. Usually we don’t escort people in carriages like this. We would immediately bind them or cover their faces….”

The coachman glanced at me as he said this.

He seemed to be watching his words because a young child was listening.

‘That’s what happened to me a few days ago.’

I nodded calmly.

“Anyway, it’s not that kind of situation, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“Then is it perhaps about Young Baron Demian?”

“…!”

Mr. Pairon asked with his characteristically calm expression.

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