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"This isn\'t good. Since when did our mighty Pallan Empire start being influenced by the whims of a prince from some minor kingdom?" Duke Digg complained irritably.

Count Burning sighed. "We have no choice. His power is not merely that of a Swordmaster, which is a term for a single legion. If the reported combat prowess is true, he possesses a national-level battle power within a single territory."

With overwhelming Holy Magic and magical prowess, in addition to alliances with elves, dwarves, and various foreign races emerging from the forest, it was true that the empire would feel threatened if Davey decided to wage war.

"We cannot let him do something this time."

"Do not worry. I have already sent my people to the quarantine zone where the epidemic is currently spreading. They are continuously delaying the disease control team\'s efforts to treat the illness. Well, Prince Davey is planning to go, but how could he possibly contend with a disease that even holy power can\'t cure? He was lucky to cure a major disease before, but this one is different."

"Hmm. You\'re doing well. Even if countless people die off, the crown prince can\'t do much about it. We can seize this opportunity to deal him a huge blow."

"A powerless crown prince who entrusts everything to a mere prince. Haha."

"What does it matter if a few commoners die? But given the severe nature of the disease, we should ensure the aftermath is properly handled," Duke Digg said thoughtfully.

"Don’t worry. There is a magic squadron responsible for incineration after quarantine in the Coalition for Disease Control. I\'ve greased their palms, so they will act at the right time," Count Burning replied with a laugh.

"As expected, those useless livestock slaves infected with the disease should all be buried." Duke Digg gave a sly smile.

"Before that, we have to reduce them to ashes. Haha." Count Burning agreed, adding his own thoughts.

"Now, let\'s toast. If this goes well, the crown prince\'s dignity will be greatly shaken. And then, we will slowly take the White Bird of that naïve Princess Ilyna into our hands."

"Everything is according to the intentions of the Twelfth Prince."

Their conversation ended; the smiles of the two nobles in the clandestine meeting turned even more sinister.

* * *

The only people who trusted and followed Baron Gorneo from the Coalition for Disease Control were a few members and a senior researcher named Penicillin, who was sent from the Alchemy School.

"You\'ve been working hard."

"Senior Researcher Penicillin, I\'m sorry for this embarrassing situation."

"No, I\'ve seen your noble efforts to save the patients here. The ones who are wrong are those corrupt nobles who consider the lives of the patients to be like the lives of flies."

"Sigh... It\'s because of my lack of ability."

"How can a person be perfect in everything? Humans are imperfect beings. My mentor always used to say that. Human beings are imperfect, which is why they constantly strive for perfection."

"Uh, ugh... It hurts so much..."

Hearing the cries of the patient in pain, Baron Gorneo firmly held his hand and said, "Just bear with it a little more. I will definitely save you..."

In the past, he was not like this at all. He used to believe that medicine was solely the doctor\'s domain, and it did not matter if there was no assistance from others. His reasoning stemmed from the belief that interventions from uninformed individuals could pose greater dangers than benefits in medical procedures.

However, his perspective shifted after the incident in the Ordem territory. He came to realize that his arrogance hindered his effectiveness in medical practice. Subsequently, he actively sought help in various ways, eagerly embraced new knowledge, and gained fresh insights from a few medical theories presented by Prince Davey. As a medical practitioner, he felt a profound sense of indebtedness to the young prince for his guidance and support, enabling him to further his development in the field.

‘Calling Prince Davey would be the answer…but relying on him isn’t right.’

Asking for help and relying on someone for everything were two distinct things. With complex thoughts swirling in his mind, he assessed the patient\'s condition and let out a sigh. Unfortunately, the medicine he had prepared this time proved ineffective once again.

There were no alternatives left. In fact, the symptoms worsened for a few patients, and they succumbed to the illness abruptly. Each time a life was lost, he felt a pang in his heart, witnessing the young doctors shedding tears.

"In the past, I had the privilege of discovering a certain fungus that was named after me, and I represented the Alchemy School here. However, I am well aware that it was because of exceptional doctors like you that the fungus I discovered could be utilized as medicine," Penicillin said.

"Senior Researcher Penicillin."

"Ignore the nonsense spouted by the aristocrats. Just apply your medical skills."

Though both of them had gained recognition in the medical field throughout the continent, this disease carried an overwhelming danger, far from something they could dismiss lightly.

"The Black Death... Such a brazen disease..." Penicillin muttered bitterly, shaking the medicine bottle he had retrieved. "These medicines I have prepared should offer some assistance..."

Crash!

"Ahhhhh!!!" Several patients within the treatment area began screaming out in pain and agony almost simultaneously. Some were gasping for breath, convulsing and writhing in distress.

"Please, stay conscious!"

"Hey! Quickly, get the sedatives!!"

Chaos ensued. The young doctors were bewildered as they witnessed the sudden agony of the patients, while those with more experience desperately tried to attend to each situation.

Baron Gorneo was no exception. He swiftly rushed toward a patient being treated by Bernardo, a second-year doctor and a compatible alchemist named Penicillin whom he had brought along. He asked, "What\'s the situation?!"

"Well, um..."

"Stay calm! If a doctor panics, the patient will surely die! Analyze the situation calmly!"

He had nearly killed a patient in the past due to his hasty attempts at treatment. If it hadn\'t been for Davey\'s assistance, he would have inadvertently caused the death of an innocent patient in the Ordem territory.

Hearing Baron Gorneo\'s stern words, Bernardo nervously examined the patient\'s body. Despite the risk of contracting the disease, he touched the patient without hesitation. After a gulp, he said, "The fever is severe. He continues to experience reflux symptoms, and his throat is swelling, making it difficult to breathe. The bacteria have spread to the lungs, and there is pus coming out!"

"Then we must immediately drain the pus from the lungs!" Baron Gorneo commanded.

Bernardo looked at him with a pained expression. "But if we make a mistake, this patient will die!"

"I can\'t save everyone! Don\'t forget, if not you, then there is no one else who can save this patient now!"

At Baron Gorneo’s impassioned shout, Bernardo tightly gripped a surgical instrument with trembling hands. He carefully sterilized it by pouring disinfectant into a tube, closed his eyes for a moment, and then opened them again.

Taking a deep breath, he began the procedure of draining the pus from the patient\'s lungs.

"Suc… Success! Black pus is starting to come out of the lungs!"

The patient\'s convulsions appeared to gradually subside, demonstrating the effectiveness of the procedure. However, suddenly...

"Cough! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!"

With a final agonizing scream, the patient convulsed and fell limp.

"Ah..." Bernardo\'s eyes widened in shock, and the faces of Baron Gorneo and Senior Researcher Penicillin turned deathly pale.

"How could this..."

"How can there be such a dreadful disease..."

Their extensive knowledge had proven futile in treating the disease. What could they possibly do now?

At that moment, a little girl who had been brought in with the same illness witnessed the lifeless man and her eyes widened in astonishment. She cried out, "Brother? Brother!!!"

The girl, in a desperate effort, crawled toward the man and began to sob. "Brother! Wake up! Brother!!"

Bernardo, Baron Gorneo, and Senior Researcher Penicillin could say nothing. A life had been extinguished because of their lack of skill.

"No... No! You said you\'d buy delicious food for our siblings when the war was over! Why are your eyes closed? Please, open your eyes!"

A soldier, with a grimace on his face, pulled the weeping girl away. He sternly stated, "Decomposition poison will be released from the deceased patient! Stay away! Do you want to die too?"

"Let me go! My blood brother is dead, what\'s the point of me living?" The girl, who screamed these words, clutched onto Bernardo\'s clothing and sobbed. "Doctor! No, master! Please...! Please! Save my brother! Please! You\'re an excellent doctor!"

"I\'m sorry... I\'m sorry," Bernardo, unable to control his trembling body, could only repeat these words.

Life was precious. It did not discriminate based on rank. Whether noble, royal, or commoner, Bernardo, who had learned from Baron Gorneo, felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for the loss of life.

"No! No! He can\'t leave us like this! Brother!"

Hearing the girl\'s heart-wrenching cries, Baron Gorneo slowly extended his hand and placed it on Bernardo\'s shoulder. He said slowly, "Bernardo... We cannot afford to stand still here. We must fulfill our duties as doctors."

"I... I must immediately research a new drug... I can\'t bear to witness more people dying," Penicillin lamented, tears streaming down his face as if his heart had softened.

With bloodshot eyes, Bernardo clenched his teeth and slowly looked at the lifeless body. Firmly holding the patient\'s hand, he covered the patient\'s eyes with his other hand. His voice quivered as he solemnly declared, "The current time... Imperial time… The patient...is deceased..."

The pronouncement of death... Initially, Bernardo couldn\'t comprehend why it was necessary. After all, the dead are dead, so why go through such trouble? That\'s what he had thought. But now, having experienced it firsthand, he understood. It was a ritual to acknowledge the patients who had passed away under his care. This was also a burden he placed upon himself—the burden of guilt.

Bernardo was about to complete the pronouncement of death when...

Crash…

With the sound of something breaking, someone marched in with large strides and forcefully shoved Bernardo\'s shoulder.

"Who died? Move it, jerk."

Startled by the cold voice, Bernardo turned his head. Standing before him was a person, their long hair flowing freely, devoid of any protective attire or artifacts to shield against bacteria. At first glance, they could be mistaken for a girl, but their physique was surprisingly robust for a woman. Above all, they were adorned in men\'s royal attire.

Whoosh!

Before his eyes, the girl thrust a broken, sharp tube directly into the patient, administering a drug that was considered absolutely forbidden. Bernardo could only stare in shock, rendered speechless and unable to react to the situation, his eyes wide with disbelief.

But then, fueled by a surge of emotions, he grabbed the collar of the girl dressed in men\'s clothing and shouted, "What do you think you\'re doing?!!! Do you see this patient as some sort of toy?!!"

Bam!!!

"Urgh?!"

A heavy punch flew toward Bernardo.

"What did you say, you idiot?"