“Who is that?”
In response to Hennessy’s question, the researcher replied. “The ‘divine doctor’ who suddenly appears in the slums and cures people on the brink of death.”
For those developing potions that could save lives, enhance magical abilities, and slay beasts, this was an incredibly encouraging story.
“But apparently, that person called our potion <Goph>, not <Goblin Phlegm>. So it seems our potion’s name has become <Goph> now. Anyway, thanks to that, everyone keeps asking where they can find Goph potion and how expensive it is!”
“Huh? It’s not that expensive!”
“Anyway, there’s a demand for our potion, right?”
“My heart’s already racing. Where can we sell it? We need to secure supplies!”
“Yes, sir!”
In fact, <Goblin Phlegm> was an antidote potion. However, among the nobles and wealthy merchants who had witnessed the ‘Divine Doctor’s deeds, it had gained a reputation as a panacea and tonic. Thanks to that, the atmosphere inside the Kalinos family’s laboratory turned lively from the unexpected good news.
“Finally, we can tell His Grace that our laboratory is turning a profit.”
“We can even give Lady Giselle a 20% royalty! What a luck!”
This was the first promising result in the history of the Kalinos Potion Research Lab. Both Hennessy and Agnis, along with numerous researchers, were thrilled by this unexpected stroke of fortune.
“Indeed. It’s as if the gods themselves are blessing us.”
The bustling atmosphere of the Kalinos family, with their busy hands, once again became bustling and lively.
“That doctor, you know. They say he shows up irregularly every night, picking out people who are on the verge of death and saving them. Isn’t that amazing?”
“Is that all you know? You’re a bit behind on the news, aren’t you?” The head researcher, raising his chin confidently, spoke with a sense of superiority, prompting a flustered response from another researcher.
“What? So you have some new information, are you?”
“Turns out, that back-alley doctor is actually that person!”
“That person? If it’s not someone surprising, we’ll see.”
“Well, it’s that eccentric billionaire doctor, Lord Giyet!”
The measuring cylinder slipped from the researcher’s hand.
Everyone in this family knew about the billionaire doctor, Giyet. He was the one the butler had once sought out to save Neslan Kalinos.
And there was a woman listening to all this information from outside the door.
* * *
Great, the atmosphere is heating up nicely.
That person is me, Giselle.
It hadn’t been long since I treated people at the Blue Lagoon and brought Giyet to the capital, yet results were appearing quickly. As I turned my head, trying to hide my proud expression, I met Neslan’s trembling eyes.
“A renowned doctor who can even bring back the dead?” His eyes sparkled with the hope of life just from hearing the news.
Feigning ignorance, I blinked and gave a sly smile. “Wow~! How about we invite that renowned doctor right away?” Seeing his eyes redden, I clapped my hands brightly, pretending not to understand the situation. “Giselle doesn’t ca~re the cost at all! Let’s hurry up and finish the treatment so we can go have dessert~♡”
Now I just had to sit back and enjoy the rewards, collecting my incentives from <Goph> sales! Thanks to the renowned doctor, Giyet, my father-in-law will recover effortlessly, and the magic formulas will fall into my hands!
* * *
…But the dream I had of a smooth and happy future was shattered.
It was the next afternoon. While wandering around Giyet’s house, disguised as Wot, I froze when I saw him return with a sigh.
“Giyet! How did it go? Did you save Lord Neslan? What about the magic textbook?”
“It was a mess. The mana flowing through the circuit was accumulating in the center of the mana heart and decaying.” Giyet muttered as he rubbed his face with his hands.
“Then can’t you just drain the stagnant mana and heal him immediately?”
“If it were that simple, it wouldn’t be an incurable disease.” He murmured quietly, avoiding my gaze. “I’m sorry, but it seems it will be difficult to save the former duke’s life.”
“Why is it difficult?!” In my anxiety, I shook his arm.
He placed a hand on his chest with a serious expression, as if making a vow. “We don’t know how to extract the mana, and mana, like blood, resists foreign elements. If it mixes incorrectly, it could lead to immediate death.”
Huh? I tilted my head in confusion. As I recall, the regret male lead #2, that master of the tower, took my mana just fine…?
“Well, if it’s exceptionally pure mana, that’s a different story.”
“Huh.”
That’s me, pure mana. Maybe there’s a way after all? Though it might be a bit unconventional…
“I’m sorry. You saved Grandmother, but there’s nothing I can do.”
No, you have been a help. But it wasn’t something I could confirm just yet. I couldn’t be completely open about it, so I patted Giyet on the shoulder and spoke solemnly. “What can you do if it’s beyond your ability?”
“What?”
“Now we just have to wait for a miracle worker to show up. Meanwhile, keep treating people with <Goph>.”
To reduce the influence of that potion created by Marquis Berto, I needed to market <Goph> more effectively. To achieve that, I should make use of the renowned doctor, Giyet.
Giyet, lost in thought, gripped my hand tightly and murmured. “Why are you so kind…?”
“…?”
“Alright. Wot, I will definitely support your grand dream of saving the world.”
What is this? Why is he looking at me with such a burning gaze? It was as if he had some great sense of duty.
* * *
Misfortune comes in waves, and when you least expect it, things go wrong.
I was going to secretly suggest treating Neslan, but now the duke has left for the territory! No one knows exactly when he’ll return.
Neslan seemed quite disheartened by the news that illness was incurable, yet he remained kind and gentle, like an angel. He was so kind, in fact… While Duke Kalinos was away on business, Neslan would leave a note for me every morning as I lay in bed alone.
[Since we have less time together, I want to be kind to you. Today’s gift is a cute chestnut acorn doll. I knitted it myself.]
Looking at the notes piling up around the bedroom day after day, I shook my head inwardly.
[The weather is nice and cool today. Did you get some fresh air?]
Is he losing strength in his hands? As time passed, the handwriting on the notes became more and more crooked.
I sighed and clutched the note. Perhaps accepting that his illness couldn’t be cured, Neslan’s condition was rapidly worsening. At this rate, it seemed he would be in critical danger before Duke Kalinos even returned.
Well, let’s give it a try. It’s not like it costs anything. I needed to confirm if I could really save Neslan.
* * *
First attempt: Give him a sleeping potion, treat him while he’s asleep, and then make a run for it!
“Gasp, what’s this potion? Would you like to try it?”
“Huh? This potion has a suspicious smell. Don’t drink it.”
“I see! Giselle must have been so down because the duke isn’t here that Giselle ended up messing with a strange potion!”
With a clattering sound, the potion shattered. The sleeping potion plan failed thanks to Neslan’s keen sense of smell…!
Second attempt: Distract him and quickly administer the treatment!
“Fa-Father-in-law. There’s a strange artifact over there in the distance!”
“Hmm, but why are your hands just hanging in the air?”
“Hahaha! It’s nothing. Since the duke isn’t around, Giselle doesn’t have anyone to link arms with!”
This plan was another complete failure, thanks to Neslan’s sharp instincts.
Third attempt: Sneak into his bedroom quietly, treat him secretly, and then make a quick escape!
“Giselle? It’s nighttime. Why are you standing by the window?”
“Ah. Giselle is sleepwalking! Isn’t that silly? If only Giselle could be in the duke’s arms, the sleepwalking would just disappear!”
“Oh dear… That could happen. You’re not silly at all. Duke Kalinos should really hurry back.”
A ridiculous plan, and of course, it failed!
I tried every possible way to avoid using the drastic method, but it all ended in failure. Neslan’s complexion was growing darker and more lifeless, and there was no news of Duke Kalinos’s return.
Damn it. In the end, there’s only one way left.
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