The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 66: First Surgery (2)

The First Break Room of the Imperial Clinic was spacious.

It could easily accommodate a large number of people, but most of the space was occupied by healers aligned with the First Princess’s faction.

“Hey, you're on indoor duty today? Didn't you get drafted into the Third Princess’s volunteer service?”

As with any workplace, the healers were casually chatting over drinks or smoking herbs.

“Yeah. Gotberg-sensei is doing desk work today.”

“Been a while. How’s it over there?”

“Better than I expected. Volunteering's actually kind of rewarding. And the doctor... he’s fun.”

The healers gathered around a table, sipping their coffee as they continued talking.

“Didn’t expect that. There’s been a ton of deliveries going to that office lately. I even saw a dwarven blacksmith stop by not long ago.”

“He’s been collecting all sorts of stuff, sure, but lately it’s been even more unusual.”

“Isn’t it dangerous? The bishop always said we should never use folk remedies.”

“Changed my mind after seeing them firsthand. They’re surprisingly effective. Healer Hugo transferred over recently too.”

At Hugo’s name, one of the healers snapped his fingers.

“Hugo? Yeah, he’s been bringing his daughter here a lot. She didn’t look good. Can’t be long now.”

“Yeah. Poor kid’s so young too. I think she went to Gotberg’s office again today.”

At that, one of the healers fell into brief thought before his expression turned serious.

“...Wait. You don’t think he’s actually using black magic or something, do you?”

“Black magic?”

“Hugo’s already been tainted by a curse, right? And all those weird materials being brought in—kinda suspicious, don’t you think? Maybe he’s offering the girl up as a sacrifice or something.”

“Come on, he’s her personal physician. He wouldn’t do that. The materials all have legitimate uses...”

“What exactly is Gotberg doing?”

The two healers flinched at the solemn voice. Alberich had approached without them noticing.

“B-Bishop.”

“So Gotberg is practicing black magic, is that what you’re saying?”

Alberich began interrogating the healers. Soon, he found out about all the suspicious materials going into Las’s office.

What were these things? Tools more suited for a black magic cult. Why would an imperial clinic need mithril scalpels?

“He’s finally showing his true colors. All of you—come with me!”

Alberich summoned the faction’s healers and marched toward Las’s office in long, determined strides.

Soon, he came face-to-face with the towering figure blocking the doorway: Tanya, the bodyguard.

“I have business with Gotberg. Stand aside.”

Flash—Tanya’s eyes opened. The sheer pressure radiating from her was like that of a wild beast. Alberich instinctively took a step back.

“W-what is the meaning of this? Is Gotberg inside?! I demand to know what he’s doing right now!”

“Step back. No one is permitted entry.”

“What?! There’s no reason the court physician shouldn’t come out of his office! This is dereliction of duty!”

“The doctor is busy. Come back later.”

“Busy doing what exactly? What is he hiding?!”

As the argument escalated, the office door cracked open.

When Hugo stepped out, Alberich paused. It wasn’t just his massive frame—it was his expression.

The look of a man with nothing left to lose. One wrong word and he might explode.

But Alberich couldn’t back down either. He raised his voice in anger.

“So you're that bodyguard. Do you think standing there like a thug will stop me? Is this a clinic or a gangster den?! Is this the standard of Gotberg’s faction?!”

Alberich jabbed a finger at Hugo, provoking him.

And then something happened no one could have predicted.

With a loud thud, Hugo dropped to his knees and bowed deeply toward Alberich.

“The doctor is treating my daughter!!”

His voice boomed like a bear’s roar.

The sheer force of it silenced Alberich, who involuntarily stepped back.

“My only daughter is very ill. My only hope is Gotberg-sensei.”

Hugo positioned himself like a stone wall in front of the door and cried out desperately.

“Please don’t interfere! I beg you!”

It was all Hugo could do.

He hadn’t been employed by Las for long.

If things turned violent now, Las would be dragged into open conflict with Alberich—because of him. The outcome was obvious.

He couldn’t do that to the man who saved him.

Holding back the urge to punch Alberich in the face, Hugo pressed his forehead to the ground.

The healers watching whispered among themselves.

“That’s Black Hand Hugo.”

“He kept bringing his daughter to the clinic. So she really was sick.”

“Gotberg’s treating her?”

Even as Alberich faltered under the weight of Hugo’s plea, his suspicion didn’t vanish. Nor should it have, in his mind.

“If it’s truly treatment, then why not show us? Unless you're conducting some unholy ritual behind that door.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then let us see.”

“That’s not possible. The doctor requires absolute concentration.”

Alberich’s face reddened, and he stamped the floor in frustration.

“Unacceptable. I’ll force my way in if I have to!”

The knights accompanying him stepped forward to grab Hugo.

But in the blink of an eye—

Shing.

A blade hovered at their throats. Tanya.

“Take another step, and it will cost you your life.”

“Y-you lunatic...!”

Alberich hadn’t expected her to actually draw her weapon.

One minute passed. Then five.

A tense standoff.

Who would strike first?

Just as one of Alberich’s knights reached for his hilt, Tanya began channeling aura into her sword.

That was when—

“Wow. Quite the gathering we’ve got here.”

Click. The door opened. Las stepped out, a lollipop in his mouth.

“Gotberg!”

Alberich stepped forward, and the tension broke. Hugo stood up as well.

“What is this about?”

“I’ve received testimony that you’ve been stockpiling materials for black magic. What were you doing in there?!”

“Treating a patient. What else would I be doing in a clinic?”

“I don’t believe you. Were you offering up a young girl as a sacrifice with some ritual knife?!”

“Appaaa—”

A child’s clear voice cut through Alberich’s rant.

Chloe stepped out, gently cradling a drowsy Eri in her arms.

“Eri!”

Hugo immediately scooped her up. Eri giggled, resting comfortably in his thick arms.

“Doctor, is Eri alright?!”

“Yeah. Surgery went well. She’s loaded up on healing spells too—full of energy.”

“Ha... really... Eri, does your throat still hurt?”

“Nope!”

Eri answered cheerfully as Hugo held her close.

The healers stared, mouths agape.

“She was practically dying this morning, wasn’t she?”

“She’s been like that for years too.”

“What the hell did he do...?”

Even Alberich was left speechless. The child’s health and Hugo’s emotional state were clearly not an act.

His voice sounded deflated.

“...Gotberg. How did you heal her?”

“Aw, Bishop, # Nоvеlight # you’re asking me to share trade secrets just like that?”

“This is the Imperial Clinic. If your methods are unorthodox, there could be grounds for disciplinary action...”

“Going to start another witch hunt? Better bring proper evidence this time. Otherwise, Princess Heike’s going to hear about it.”

Las wagged his thumb across his throat.

A silent warning: You’ll be the one getting cut.

With Las aligned to the Third Princess’s faction—Heike’s ally—Alberich couldn’t throw his weight around like he used to.

To drag Las into a tribunal now, he’d be risking his own position.

Today was his best shot. He’d even brought a crowd of healers to use as witnesses.

But—

“Since we’re all here, I’ve got an announcement.”

Las turned toward the gathered healers.

“Those who’ve been volunteering with me lately—raise your hands.”

About ten hands went up.

“The rest of you, talk to them about their experiences. If you’re interested, I’m open to transfers. And if you’re curious about what’s behind this door, it’s always open to you.”

“Gotberg! Are you poaching my healers now?!”

“Isn’t that what the Clinic’s all about? Oh, and Bishop, one more thing—”

Las casually patted Alberich’s shoulder.

“Even if you apply, I’m not letting you in.”

“Y-you—!”

Alberich stormed off, seething.

The healers followed after him, murmuring about Las’s open recruitment.

Las watched them retreat like defeated soldiers. Hugo bowed deeply beside him.

“Doctor... I don’t know how to thank you. I owe you a debt for life...!”

“Then just do your job well from now on.”

Las popped the last of his candy into his mouth and held out a hand.

“Ah, my hands are still a bit...”

“Shoulder bump, then.”

Hugo lightly knocked shoulders with him.

***

The first surgery was a complete success.

After draining the abscess and extracting the embedded needle behind the tonsil, I sutured the site, prescribed penicillin, and followed up with healing spells to restore her strength.

Honestly, I still feel weird using healing spells. Makes me feel like I’m back on the battlefield, fighting demons for my life.

But since the patient was a child, it felt necessary. Chloe and I cast them together.

It was just one case, but the experience gain was significant.

If possible, I want to hit Rank B before I ever cut into Asella.

“Procedure went well and Eri’s healthy, but watch for complications. Keep an eye on her for a while.”

“Understood.”

Hugo was already adopting a focused, professional demeanor.

“Then, Hugo—it’s time to put you to work.”

“Give me your orders.”

“Start by having Chloe teach you medical theory. Your top priority is to understand this.”

I projected several crystal spheres in front of him.

The first was an X-ray of Asella’s abdomen.

“Hmm... beneath the ribs?”

“Correct. And this one’s an image of the Death Dragon’s head before purification. That one was an undead, animated by a mid-tier curse.”

“I see.”

“Your job is to identify what curse is present in the first image, and its level. Eventually, you’ll have to perform the purification.”

“Curse research. I can do that.”

Hugo had the makings of a top-tier black magician. He’d find the answer.

“Who is this person afflicted with the curse?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

I hadn’t told him yet that the target was Asella.

Until the plan to operate on her was fully laid out, it had to remain secret.

If word reached her that I intended to cut into her divine body, I’d be executed on the spot.

“Doctor, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

Hugo peered closely at the X-ray, his tone serious.

“Has this person been possessed by an evil spirit? Or had another soul sealed within them?”

He’s already figured out that much?

Impressive.

“Tell me more.”

I sat down in front of Hugo, intrigued.