The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 76: Collateral of the Body (1)

"It's still a cramped little room, even now that I'm back."

Asella complained the moment she stepped into my room.

If she was going to grumble, she should’ve just used the room that was provided. Why did she have to bother me like this?

Her attendants and knight escort came pouring in after her, and I couldn’t even take off my coat.

Not being in my physician’s gown was the last shred of pride I had left.

Under the command of the head maid, my room was instantly refurnished to accommodate Asella’s stay.

They even set up a curtain between our areas.

This is my room.

After everyone else left, I finally voiced my complaint.

“Did you really have to stay here?”

“We’re going to sleep together anyway. It’s more annoying to move back and forth every night. And it’s not like we’re next door like at Moonlight Palace.”

“You should endure that much, at least.”

“What are you talking about? You don’t have to come to my room in your pajamas every night anymore.”

“Oh, I was the one going? Of course, you're right. Thank you for your consideration.”

“Feels nice to be appreciated, doesn’t it?”

Asella grinned at me like a mischievous imp.

She looked so pleased already—no need to provoke her. I smiled back like an idiot.

“Then let’s go take a walk.”

“I’m on vacation. Can I catch up on some sleep first?”

“What about me?”

“I’ve stationed a nurse outside. If something happens, have her check you.”

Since I was officially on leave, I’d summoned Chloe for a house call. She’d be handling Asella’s checkups in the meantime.

Hugo was still buried in the Imperial Clinic, neck-deep in curse research. Looked like he was about to publish a thesis.

“I didn’t mean that. I meant me. I’m bored.”

“I don’t know, Your Highness. Maybe... practice magic?”

Asella pressed her lips into a flat line, clearly displeased with my answer.

“I said I’m bored.”

“Then look around the mansion. You said you wanted to see it again.”

“Hah, really. You’re supposed to show me around. It’s a vassal’s duty to entertain their lord.”

“That’s only while on duty, though?”

“You’re unbelievable.”

Asella grumbled, but I wasn’t backing down either.

It was my first vacation in nearly a year and a half. I’d barely made it back home. I was going to collapse on my bed and take a proper nap.

And more importantly, this was the Gotberg estate.

My home turf.

I might even be stronger than Asella h—who knows.

“...Fine.”

Eventually, Asella backed off.

She must’ve figured pushing any harder would be fruitless. If she made a wrong move and I never got another vacation, that’d be a disaster in itself.

Thank goodness she accepted it.

She walked lightly over to my bed, sat at the edge, and patted the blanket.

“Come sleep. But only for one hour.”

“I was thinking six.”

“Ridiculous. That’s not a nap. One and a half.”

“Three.”

“Two. That’s final.”

“Fine by me.”

I’d planned on two hours anyway. Anything more and I’d wake up on my own.

It was a flawless victory. I happily took off my coat and dove into bed in just my shirt and pants.

Slipping under the blanket, I felt the cool, soft weight of the down comforter. This is it.

As soon as I closed my eyes, I heard a faint rustle.

Asella must’ve repositioned herself near my shoulder.

Peeking through barely opened eyes, I saw her cupping her mouth, stifling a laugh as she stared at me.

Glad she found something amusing.

“Las, enjoy this while you can.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I replied without opening my eyes, and Asella whispered back.

“Someday, you’ll be on your knees clutching the hem of my dress, begging me to help you just once.”

As if she’s the type to help if I did beg.

She really had the personality of a monarch. She enjoyed standing above others and played the part well.

A strength, if anything.

“...Why aren’t you reacting?”

It’d be nice if she didn’t randomly fondle my ear like this.

***

Thanks to that rare midday nap, my fatigue had lifted.

During lunch with Asella and Neria, my father finally brought up what he really wanted to say.

He asked me to visit the construction site of the new pharmaceutical factory and offer my input.

Even with my formulas, the factory wouldn’t run smoothly without my expertise. This was the main reason for my vacation anyway, so I agreed without hesitation.

And of course, Asella tagged along.

“Ohh, so this is what it looks like.”

She made a casual comment upon arriving at the site.

South-east of the Gotberg estate, a short carriage ride brought us to a riverside plot undergoing foundational work.

Clean water is critical when making medicine. Choosing an upstream location had been wise.

While Father and Neria circled the site with Asella, he leaned in and whispered to me.

“By the way, Las... have you and Her Highness already started... sharing a bed?”

“Yes. Due to a few overlapping circumstances.”

“Hmmm...”

Father rested his chin on his hand and whispered again.

“I won’t oppose your decision, but if a child comes before she’s of age, that’ll be trouble. I had you at the exact same age, so I know firsthand.”

“...Excuse me?”

“It’s a blessing, obviously, but Asella hasn’t had her coming-of-age ceremony yet. Maybe slow down a bit. I’m not quite ready to be called Grandpa.”

“Father, I think you’re misunderstanding something. Can we continue discussing the site, please?”

“Alright, alright.”

I had to cut him off. He was clearly under the wrong impression.

“We’re also building a training facility for apothecaries right next to the plant.”

He pointed toward a building going up to the south. Its layout resembled that of a healer academy.

“What about the current apothecary trainees?”

“They’re being trained at the Healers’ Academy, but progress is slow. Not enough instructors. They’re still struggling to grasp the materials you sent.”

“I’ll dispatch some healers from the Imperial Clinic. We’ve nearly finished training ours—should be effective teachers.”

“Hmm. I looked over the materials too. Bit complicated, honestly. Might take two years before we’ve got decent apothecaries.”

“The factory won’t be complete before then anyway. This is a long-term legacy project. No need to rush. Now’s the time to prepare thoroughly.” freeweɓnøvel.com

“You’re right, Las. However...”

He trailed off, scratching his chin.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Funding, brother.”

Neria showed me the documents.

“If we’re aiming for real profits in three years, we’ll have to burn through coin until then. Construction, training, and later, trade guild contracts...”

“All this costs that much?”

The scale of the project was bigger than I expected.

Thinking back, the factory site had seemed rather large.

I’d imagined a tiny workshop with a few apothecaries mixing pills by hand. The factory was easily the size of a football field.

“Early dominance is key in business. If medicine becomes widespread, bigger capital will swoop in. We need to go big first.”

Neria said confidently.

She really did have a broader perspective than most. Maybe because she was once on track to become a saint who could embrace all of the Empire.

“But that also raises the risk. What if the medicine doesn’t catch on?”

“It’s your medicine, brother. Everyone will love it!”

Neria clenched her fists, her big eyes sparkling.

It was nice to be trusted, but the weight of that trust was heavy.

Well, I need the achievements anyway.

―――――――――――

· Good Ending

· ■■■ ■, ■■ ■■ at 14%

· ■■■■, ■■■, ■■■■ at 0%

· ■■■ ■■ {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} at 0%

· ■■■■

· ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■ ■■■■ at 0.1%

―――――――――――

The probability of a good ending was slowly creeping upward.

Meaning I’d been steadily accumulating achievements.

The bottom two still hadn’t changed. Maybe those endings could only trigger if I chose a profession other than physician.

For all intents and purposes, I had one good ending path.

Achieve great things as a doctor. Erase the bad endings. Claim the reward.

Spreading medicine to the public was part of that path.

So getting my medicine accepted by the masses was inevitable.

...Still, I had no idea what that last one was.

I gave Neria a light pat on the back and answered.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Heheh! I know you will, brother!”

Her encouragement was energizing.

“Las, the money’s a real issue, though.”

“For now? But didn’t we get an investment from Moonlight Palace? We even signed a contract.”

Asella held a stake equivalent to 2,000 gold coins in Gotberg Pharmaceuticals.

It was calculated based on her share of the initial funding. Once profits came in, that percentage would go to Moonlight Palace.

The contract would expire in five years unless renewed, and if I just returned the original investment, it’d be void.

“Marquis, what’s the problem then? You got a whole 2,000. There’s no way we’re already out of liquid gold.”

Hearing the situation, Asella questioned him. Father replied awkwardly.

“Well, the estimated startup cost for the first three years is 20,000.”

“...What?”

“...Excuse me?”

We both stared at him, mouths agape.

“Are you building a 20-story hotel in the middle of the capital?”

“It just kind of ended up that way.”

“So we’re completely broke?”

“Pretty much. We’ve already poured in all surplus family funds.”

“We even took out an additional loan.”

Neria added.

“A loan? From where?”

“Well...”

Father scratched his head.

“Recently, Duke Schwarzschweik of the West dropped by. Said he owed you a great debt, Las, and lent us 10,000 gold—no interest, no due date.”

“...What did you say?”

That would be the western duke I’d saved with an antidote.

His duchy was strong enough to be virtually independent, only held in check by the imperial family.

He probably dropped in to make nice, heard the story, and inserted himself.

“Father, no way that kind of money changed hands between houses with no strings attached.”

“Well, sure, but there’s no harm in being friendly with a ducal house, is there?”

“Was expanding the project his idea, too?”

“Hmm... now that you mention it, yes. Actually, it was his daughter’s suggestion.”

“Oh, for the love of—”

I rubbed my forehead on instinct.

No wonder the scale felt off for a Gotberg initiative.

Now I was certain.

Just like how he got tricked into marrying me off to Asella thanks to Camilla, Father should never be allowed near politics or business.

How the Gotberg territory had survived in the Empire this long was a mystery.

Maybe because the North was so isolated and peaceful.

Step one foot out, and the rest of the Empire was a wild savanna of schemes and betrayal.

“She’s staying at our estate, actually. Why don’t you go talk to her?”

“She’s here? And you’re just now telling me?”

“I am telling you, aren’t I?”

“I’m going to lose it.”

This venture had to stay a Gotberg family business.

If the ducal house joined without a proper contract, we might not even break even.

The daughter’s presence here was clearly to observe whether her investment would yield returns.

There’s no way this was pure goodwill.

“Father, are you absolutely sure the Duke said no interest, no deadline?”

“Positive. Oh, she did mention one condition.”

And why are you bringing that up only now.

“What condition?”

“She asked to be introduced to you. Just for friendship, you know?”

“Las, this is...”

“Yes. I’m the collateral.”

Father!

What kind of deal did you go and make?!

I immediately returned to the manor to find the young lady.

She was sipping tea in the East Wing courtyard, and the moment Asella and I arrived, she stood and greeted us politely.

“I thought you might be stopping by soon. An honor to meet you again, Your Highness.”

Asella stepped forward, crossed her arms, and spoke with irritation.

“So the Duke’s daughter had the imperial princess come to her instead of going out to greet her?”

“Oh dear, please forgive such a minor lapse in etiquette. I simply thought it would be impolite to impose on someone as exalted as Your Highness with the presence of a lowborn like myself.”

When the young lady lifted her head, the deep neckline of her dress and the glittering jewelry became immediately noticeable.

She had the figure to pull off that kind of outfit.

Then she turned to me with a bright smile, skipped over, and took my arm.

“I’ve been wanting to see you again, Doctor Gotberg. It’s the first time since that palace banquet, isn’t it? I really wanted to thank you for saving my father.”

She gave me a sidelong glance, her eyes sparkling.

“My name’s Freda. I’ve heard so much about you from Lauga.”

She caressed my arm and brushed her lips lightly.

“I’d love to speak with you personally sometime... Are you free?”

[No. 077 : Avatar of Jealousy 14% → 92%]

When I turned to Asella, her eyes alone looked ready to incinerate both me and Freda where we stood.