The Golden Cross Academy of Medicine was a renowned medical facility established over 300 years ago, during which it witnessed all types of serious or common illnesses. But what happened tonight was the most shocking news to the hospital yet.
Margot, the only daughter of Count Leonrick and the future princess of Water Grasse, had become another victim of the terrible disease called “Shadowless”.
All members of the academy moved once again. The directors of three departments brought nearly 200 professors to their HQ, along with two national-level doctors who had retired.
Everyone gathered in the conference room to discuss how to treat Margot.
As time went by, the discussion grew so heated as if a quarrel would begin at any moment.
Angor observed in surprise as he learned more and more great insights from these professionals. He thought he could easily use his modern medical theories to surpass these common doctors. Yet he felt awkward when he found out that he had underestimated the intelligence of many great scholars.
Unlike the outdated medical system in Goldspink Empire, the medical field of Water Grasse contained different comprehensive sections that applied practical medicine rather than blind faith and religious witchery. They almost looked exactly the same as the western medical practices that Angor learned from Jon.
Angor was quickly convinced by the capability of true professionals. When a national-level doctor came and acted as their leader, these people began to reach advanced theories. However, they were still unconvinced that it was related to a supernatural being.
“Come. Show me the patients,” Angor said as he looked at Leonrick beside him.
Cyndia had gone to look after her daughter. Angor only asked to watch the conference out of curiosity, and he felt greatly satisfied.
Leonrick asked his butler to go contact the director of the hospital. He then led Angor away.
Their departure caused a brief halt to the conference as the doctors wondered who was that man in showy-looking overcoat.
They all knew that the shadowless disease couldn’t be cured right now. Their heated discussion was also a show to the count.
And they had no idea why Count Leonrick acted so politely to the mysterious individual.
When Leonrick’s butler went to address their director, the other doctors began to chatter with each other.
Hedrick, the HQ director of Golden Cross, frowned upon hearing the butler’s request.
The count wanted to see the shadowless patients? Why? Or… was it actually the overcoat man who wanted this?
Hedrick grimaced as he thought about the possibility that the overcoat man was simply another curious official from Zeal Dominion. “Those good-for-nothing fops!”
But he still agreed to the request.
Then, Hedrick turned to the vice director. “Count Leonrick wishes to go to Shadowless Care Unit. You go and accompany him for now. I’ll join you later.”
Hedrick didn’t intentionally keep that confidential. Everyone in the conference room heard him.
And like Hedrick, many doctors considered the young man beside Leonrick a mere civil minister who came here for fun. However, they dared not speak their minds out loud.
With the exception of national-level doctors.
The pair of greatly respected doctors were both above the age of 70, with over 50 years of clinical experience. One was a man, and the other was a woman.
They had what it took to despise certain authorities.
“Hedrick, wait up,” an old doctor, who had his long, white eyebrows dragging all the way in front of his chest, called.
“What’s the matter, Tyrael?” Hedrick looked back with mixed emotions. He and Tyrael studied in the same term, but Tyrael had gained great fame as a seasoned master. Meanwhile, compared to his schoolmate, Hedrick was just the director of a hospital, who lacked in both fame and expertise.
“We are in the middle of a research meeting. And you just leave like that?” Tyrael asked.
“Well, I can’t offend the count’s order,” Hedrick replied. He didn’t want to go either, but there was no way he’d reject Leonrick.
“We’re called to hurry here in the middle of the night, just to help his daughter. Leonrick will understand.”
Tyrael turned to the count’s butler. “Tell your master that we need to focus on Margot’s condition for the moment. As for the other irrelevant matters, please tell him to wait.”
The butler hesitated. He knew that, as a matter of fact, Count Leonrick had placed all hope on that particular young man. This conference was actually the “irrelevant matter”.
“Mister Tyrael, it’s an order of the count,” the butler emphasized on the word “order” as he said, “and it’s urgent. Please don’t make it hard for me.”
“Urgent?” Tyrael chuckled. “Can you tell me why he wants to see the care unit suddenly? It’s been in quarantine for months. He should have a good reason for bringing an outsider inside.”
“I’m here to carry out his order. I don’t know about anything else.”
“Then you all should listen to me!”
Tyrael simply pushed them out of the conference room.
“Hedrick… Medicine is a hallowed subject that has no place for any corrupted power of filthy coins. As the director of a hospital, you should be the first one to guard your post.”
With that, Tyrael returned to his seat.
Hedrick changed his expressions several times before he went back to his conference stand.
“Are you sure about this, Tyrael? We all know that Leonrick isn’t a tyrant. He’s the most beloved leader throughout the history of Water Grasse,” Caroline, the second national-level doctor, said as she sat beside Tyrael.
“I know, Leonrick is a decent man. And you know I wasn’t trying to oppose him,” Tyrael replied in a small voice.
“Then… that young man? I saw him. He looks fine to me.” Caroline chuckled.
“He’s young, huh? A spoiled brat from some rich family,” Tyrael scoffed.
Caroline shook her head. “You’re right; the field of medicine is holy to us. But you do remember that doctors cannot hold prejudice, right? We all swore to it.”
“Of course, no prejudice against our patients. We treat peasants and nobles alike. But do you think that man with a top hat is a patient?”
Caroline didn’t speak this time.
On the stand, Hedrick continued to establish the “obviously pointless but still necessary” treatment plan with the doctors.
Bam!
The room door was knocked open. Leonrick entered with a grim look, alone this time.
“You would defy my words now, huh? Hedrick?”
Despite his words, Leonrick was staring at Tyrael. His butler already told him that it was Tyrael who postponed his order. However, Leonrick wasn’t going to scold the most treasured doctor in the country.
And neither could Hedrick. The poor man only shook his head and accepted the accusation.
“Come with me this instant, to the Shadowless Care Unit!” Without waiting for an answer, Leonrick asked his guards to drag Hedrick away.
All the doctors and professors in the room watched in great surprise. This was the first time they saw Leonrick acting like this.
Tyrael scowled as well. But Caroline quickly put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Wait. There should be a reason why Leonrick did this in front of you. Maybe that young man isn’t a useless official like you expected.”
Which meant… an actual representative from the national court?
Tyrael nodded to Caroline. Then he stood up and walked to Leonrick. “I happen to have a theory about how to treat Margot, and I need to test them on the patients. I’ll go with you.”
Leonrick stared at the old man. Since Tyrael said “to treat Margot”, of course he couldn’t reject him.
He sighed. “By all means, Doctor Tyrael.”
As the doctors began to gossip again, Caroline went to the vice director. “I’m a bit worried about them. You handle the meeting for now.”
…
Leonrick came to the entrance to the care unit for shadowless patients and saw Angor playing with that small bird. And he knew it was no ordinary seabird, for he just witnessed the creature dashing through the air like a powerful arrow.
The other people, however, couldn’t say the same, especially Tyrael. The old doctor frowned badly when he saw the mentioned young man fiddling with a bird that was wearing a silk dress.
“Such a disgrace!” he spat.
Caroline had come as well, and she looked equally annoyed at the sight. Raising birds was one of the most commonly seen hobbies among nobles. And this young man even put clothes on his bird?
“The director is here, Mister Mask. Shall we go inside?” Leonrick spoke to Angor politely.
Angor glanced at his new companions and recognized the pair of “national doctors”. From what they provided during the meeting, they obviously deserved their titles. Angor gladly addressed them with a smile.
The aged doctors were a little surprised at the gesture. Caroline quickly returned her own smile, while Tyrael only humphed.
Angor was pretty confused at the unexpected unfriendliness.
“Let’s go.”
He didn’t find it necessary to question it and asked Hedrick to lead the way.
They slowly walked into Section Zero, which was now blocked off to contain patients who suffered from the “Shadowless” illness.