Chapter 21

EP.21 Final Selection (1)

 

The head maid, who returned from defeating monsters, was only able to leave after discussing with the senior healers about her supervisory role in the examination.

The incident where Acella collapsed in the morning hastened her steps.

“Her Highness went to see the Young Master?”

Upon hearing another maid’s report, she quickened her pace once again.

It was peculiar for a maid to wander around someone else’s mansion without Young Master, but she had no concern for appearances.

Although she joined Acella’s escort knights, all she could get was the answer that she went into Young Master Gothberg’s room and didn’t come out.

Anxiousness grew as hours passed without Young Master coming out.

Young Master Gothberg was notorious for spreading all sorts of rumors.

There were rumors even reaching the capital that he neglected his studies and frequently caused violent incidents at his manor, almost falling into disrepute among the nobles.

Being the sole heir of the marquis, countless marriage proposals must have flooded in since childhood, but it was clearly odd for Acella to be his first suitor.

Surely, even for the sake of political power, no lord would want to marry off his daughter to a beast who might kill her in a single night.

In that regard, it was evident that even Camilla, the Third Empress, harbored strong ambitions.

‘If by any chance that scoundrel harbored malicious intentions towards Her Highness…’

The maid unconsciously bit her lip.

But what could she, just a mere maid, do about it?

Both the escort knights and the maids were all on standby for Acella.

Young Master’s orders must be strictly followed.

‘Nevertheless, if there’s a glimmer of hope…’

In today’s practical exam, Young Master Gothberg wasn’t as much of a mess as she had anticipated.

No, he was quite exceptional.

He gained the trust of the knights and garnered jealousy from other healers with his excellent skills.

Throughout the process, there were no instances of cheating or favoritism.

On the contrary, Young Master Gothberg and the senior healers of Gothberg Castle or the Healing academy seemed to conduct the exam as fairly as possible, preventing Lars from using his privileges.

‘Could the rumors have been wrong?’

As Head maid was engulfed in confusion, Acella suddenly emerged from the annex.

“Your Highness.”

Head maid gestured with the knights. Acella raised her hand to signal them to rest.

“It’s chilly at night.”

Head maid prepared a coat for Acella.

Without a word, Acella put it on and confidently continued her stride.

“Where shall we go?”

“Let’s go for a meal.”

“A meal?”

Head maid was surprised to hear Acella express her desire to eat first.

Acella, who never had much of an appetite even when presented with a feast, never knew when her stomach pains would strike.

“Alright. Lars said I should eat well. It’s good for my health.”

“What did you talk about with Young Master?”

Acella glared at Head maid.

Head maid realized she had spoken unnecessarily. After all, a maid’s role was to be a shadow.

Normally, Acella would have snapped at Head maid’s mistake, but today’s reaction was a bit different.

She chuckled calmly without losing her malice.

“Lars, the smart one and the dumb one. I wonder why he always do things that are beyond my expectations.”

Head maid was puzzled.

Somehow, Acella seemed genuinely happy, which intrigued her.

‘She definitely seems interested in Young Master, considering her desire for him to be appointed as the royal physician.’

They went out together, and as soon as he returned from the perilous demon suppression, she rushed out to greet him.

And after spending several hours together in his room, she came back happy.

‘…No, it couldn’t be.’

Knowing Acella’s personality well, Head maid shook her head doubtfully.

Perhaps, just as one would cherish what they liked, Acella wanted to cherish Young Master.

“Oh, keep this and put it in the storage.”

As she said this, Acella handed something to Head maid.

Accepting it politely, Head maid examined the item.

‘…A candy?’

And it was even half-eaten.

====

***

====

In front of Gothberg Manor, there was a Warp Gate.

It wasn’t an easily accessible gate for just anyone.

Teleportation, a magic that moves someone, is a high-level magic equivalent to the 6th tier.

The Warp Gate is a kind of checkpoint where high-level mages capable of casting Teleportation remember the spell.

The actual movement is practically done manually by the mages.

Therefore, unless it’s the movement of an important high-ranking figure, it’s rarely used in practice.

“The gate is opening, you’re arriving.”

The valuable Warp Gate was activated, and a blue portal appeared.

Lord Baldur of Gothberg, waiting in front of the foundation made of granite.

After the knights appeared from the portal, an elderly man walked out gracefully under their protection.

Clad in white robes, a symbol of healers.

The insignia on the chest and shoulders indicated he was the royal physician.

“Welcome to Gothberg Manor, Sir Falkenhayn.”

“Ah, Sir Gothberg. I finally meet the esteemed healer. Thank you for the welcome.”

The two healers shook hands.

The lord of the marquisate and the royal chief physician.

Their social ranks were almost equal.

Because they were in the same field, Baldur used honorifics towards the older Falkenhayn.

Titles and terms were crucial in noble society.

In this case, although Baldur used honorifics, it didn’t imply inferiority since they were both healers.

Baldur then guided Falkenhayn into the mansion.

“The air is fresh here. The city is so crowded. There are always spells, mechanical devices, and all sorts of contraptions floating in the air.”

“I recommend taking a leisurely ride if you have time.”

“Haha, I don’t have that luxury as the royal physician. Finally, a physician is emerging in Gothberg. There are many graduates from the Healing Academy here as well.”

“That’s right.”

“It was the Empress’s will to choose from newcomers, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s a good idea. In fact, it’s best for the physician to be of a similar age to the patients they treat.”

“Sir Falkenhayn, you’re the chief physician of the Second Prince, right?”

“That’s correct. He’s full of vigor, so there’s much to worry about. It’s about time to find a successor.”

Although he said that, Falkenhayn had no intention of resigning from his position anytime soon.

Even if it’s difficult to leave voluntarily, it’s not easy to break free from the sweetness of power.

In other words, Falkenhayn whispered to Baldur.

“Although you’re planting your ears in the royal court on this occasion, be cautious. Two princes, three princesses, and an old and sick emperor. The royal court is like a powder keg right now. Depending on who succeeds, even if you catch a fly, you might lose your head.”

“Planting my ears?”

Seeing Baldur’s clueless attitude, Falkenhayn raised his eyebrows.

This guy is a sucker for the Third Empress.

He might have heard that he’s skilled, but without political power, he’s not a reliable man.

Falkenhayn tapped Baldur’s shoulder.

“Alright, let’s go meet the new young physician’s friend. The selection process is as we discussed earlier.”

“You said they’ll evaluate based on the healing spell cast on the Emerald Dragon’s Hatchling.”

“That’s correct. The Emerald Dragon has a characteristic of consuming healing spells. To ensure fairness, we’ll conduct a blind test.”

That was the pretext presented outside.

But Falkenhayn had a different purpose.

There are currently 21 physicians in the Healing Academy, the same number as the members of the royal family. Among them, the physicians of the emperor and the heir apparent hold the most power.’

Four physicians for the heir apparent, including himself, and one for the emperor.

Just as factions formed among the successors of the royal family, the Healing Academy was also divided according to the physicians.

‘If one more is added this time, there will be a total of six. Selecting the one we want as a subordinate will create factions among the six. This cannot be ignored.’

Falkenhayn’s goal was to expand his influence within the Healing Academy by combining the young physician he selected this time with his own.

‘A good candidate is someone who only studies at their desk. We just need someone with the highest level of faith. Luckily, I have the eye to confirm their faith.’

The mark engraved on his left eye. The eye that could see faith was his innate talent.

‘Baldur Gothberg, this man’s faith is considerable. He exudes a strong aura. It seems he knows nothing about politics, but his skill as a healer seems genuine.’

Covering his left eye with his palm, Falkenhayn entered the examination room.

Click, the lights turned on.

Behind a translucent curtain, the silhouettes of three healers loomed.

‘Let’s see, who has the highest level of faith…’

As Falkenhayn alternated between looking at the three, suddenly, thud! He fell from his chair, landing on his buttocks on the floor.

“Sir Falkenhayn? What happened?”

“Oh, nothing… I’m fine.”

Falkenhayn wiped the cold sweat off his brow and blinked several times.

No matter how many times he looked, there was only one candidate.

Every time his gaze fell on him, an aura emanated from him, completely obscuring his vision with light from his left eye.

‘This… Is this level of faith… Could it be… a saintess’s apparition?!’

After swallowing hard, Falkenhayn asked Baldur.

“Uh, are there any female candidates?”

“They’re all male.”

‘Not a saintess, but a saint! My goodness.’

The moment he envied that aura, politics faded into the background in Falkenhayn’s mind.

Already, only a devout mindset remained, washing away his doubts.

‘We can’t afford to miss out on someone like this in the Healing Academy. Even if they’re not on my side, I must select them.’

With such faith, there’s nothing to see. They’ll surely excel in the Emerald Hatchling Healing task as well.

The examination proceeded.

Finally, it was the candidate’s turn.

‘What kind of healing spell will they demonstrate!’

He scratched his head and sighed.

“Eek! Eeeek!!”

The screams of the Hatchling echoed.

The candidate was forcibly prying open the Hatchling’s mouth and feeding it something.

“W-what on earth is happening…!”

Senior healers who were supervising rushed in, trying to stop him.

Their silhouettes darted back and forth in a frantic manner, almost like pantomime.

Amidst the chaos, a booming voice came from behind the curtain filled with fire.

“Let’s do a task other than healing spells! Did I come here to treat people, or am I supposed to be treating lizards?!”

Falkenhayn froze with his mouth agape.

Slowly, he turned to Baldur.

He, too, seemed taken aback, pressing his temples.

“It seems that candidate is having a tough time. Although I was informed beforehand that they would use a method other than healing spells, it seems they didn’t anticipate the task being related to the Emerald Dragon…”

“A method other than healing spells?”

What on earth is going on?

I have to pass them.

Falkenhayn wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.