The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 50: Hearing (2)

"Physician Gotberg."

Falkenhein rose from his seat and approached me with a grave expression.

Once he was close enough that the other personal physicians couldn’t see, his face relaxed, and he leaned in to whisper.

"Is there really a medicine that can restore hair?"

Desire for hair often outweighs even greed for wealth or power.

Just one mention of hair loss treatment, and his eyes glazed over—he’d completely joined my side.

From this point on, I had to involve Falkenhein in my testimony.

"It depends on the case, but in your situation, Lord Falkenhein, yes—it’s possible."

"Ohhh!"

After diagnosing him, I determined his condition was alopecia areata.

It wasn’t a debuff caused by lack of talent—just an age-related symptom.

"There are two kinds of hair loss: receding hairline, or 'M-type' pattern baldness, and circular baldness on the crown, or 'alopecia areata.'"

"Exactly. Mine is the latter."

"Judging by the condition, it hasn’t been long since it began. No more than six months, I’d say."

"Accurate. It’s been five months."

M-type baldness is genetic, thus incurable without a hair transplant.

But alopecia areata is caused by stress or environmental factors, so it can be delayed—or with luck, even reversed.

Considering Falkenhein developed alopecia at his age, he was probably healthy overall and not genetically predisposed.

I slipped a small vial into Falkenhein’s hand, already prepared in advance.

"This medicine inhibits the enzyme responsible for hair loss. Simply put, your hair will grow faster than it falls out—so in a few months, you’ll recover."

It was my version of finasteride.

The composition differed slightly, but I’d boosted the enzyme-blocking potency with enhancements.

"My God, such a cure exists? In my life, I’ve never once seen someone regrow their hair. I’d make a pact with a demon if it meant getting it back."

"I’m a doctor, not a demon. That’s a month’s supply. It has side effects, so take half a tablet a day. Don’t think the more you take, the better it works."

"I’ll remember. You, sir, are a true saint."

Falkenhein clutched the vial to his chest and returned to his seat.

"Lord Falkenhein, what are you doing?"

"I’ve verified a few things about Physician Gotberg. Let the hearing continue."

Falkenhein replied with perfect nonchalance to the other physician’s question.

A clear signal: he was ready to defend me.

***

Alberich resumed his attack.

"Chief Physician Gotberg. Even if the medicine you use appears to heal patients, it is still an extension of unlicensed folk remedies."

He looked like a direwolf, ready to rip my throat out.

Right. He’s the zealot type.

Imperial physicians like Falkenhein do worship the Goddess, but they’re pragmatic enough to balance faith with utility.

But bishops from the Holy Nation? They outright reject anything outside divine healing—just like this.

I’d expected trouble eventually, but not for him to come at me this fast.

"The healer you employed was dismissed from the Clinic for using banned folk remedies. You were aware of this?"

"I was."

"Then you must have used that healer’s techniques to create this so-called medicine, correct?"

"No."

"No? The causal link is obvious. If you deny it, you’ll need a convincing explanation."

It was time to make this absolutely clear.

"I used my knowledge. The field of medicine. That healer only had potential—I taught her."

"You admit it!"

Alberich shot up and pointed a shaking finger at me.

What an ill-mannered old man to act like this with someone he just met.

"You have disrupted the Clinic’s structure with unorthodox techniques. You have denied the Goddess’s mercy, desecrated Her name, and corrupted the Empire’s faithful! You are unworthy of being a physician, let alone a healer!"

He was grossly exaggerating, but I understood the tactic.

When you want something, start with an outrageous demand—then negotiate your way down to your real goal.

He’s trying to tarnish my reputation.

Clearly a preemptive strike to stifle Moonlight Palace’s growing influence.

If I got angry here, I’d be playing right into his hands.

It was time to pull out the script I’d prepared.

"You seem to be mistaken, Bishop Alberich."

"And what might that be?"

"The one who commanded me to use medicine... was none other than the Goddess Herself."

"...What did you say?"

Of course I was bullshitting.

But judging from how the other physicians were stirred up, it worked.

All of them were highly skilled personal physicians. Even if not all were devout, most had some degree of genuine reverence.

No one here could ignore the weight of a claim like receiving a revelation from the Goddess.

"The Goddess told you to use that technique?"

"Yes."

"And are you claiming that you're the kind of healer whose faith is strong enough to receive such revelations?"

"It is."

Alberich, sensing a weakness to exploit, was reinvigorated.

"Blaspheming the Goddess is a grave offense in the Clinic. Surely you know this."

Too bad for him—I had insurance.

"You think I wouldn’t be aware of that? Fortunately, someone here can testify to my faith."

"Indeed, there is."

Falkenhein answered without hesitation and launched into a passionate speech.

"As many of you know, I have a talent. A divine eye that lets me discern true faith. With it, I trained without wavering, reaching the position I hold today."

His voice rang out, unwavering and resolute.

"Physician Gotberg is a talent I personally scouted and brought up through my own training facility. I’ll testify here and now."

Falkenhein raised a hand toward me, his voice full of conviction.

"This man has the most devout heart I’ve seen in any healer in my life. I see it now—his upright spirit burns more brightly than any."

Alberich scowled and countered.

"Lord Falkenhein, this hearing concerns the grave matter of blasphemy. Can you take responsibility for your words?"

"Responsibility? Are you asking the chief physician of Tojin Palace if I can take responsibility, Bishop Alberich?"

Falkenhein raised his voice in turn.

He was also a faction leader under the Second Prince. He wasn’t about to be spoken down to like a subordinate.

"Are you questioning the talent granted to me by the Goddess?"

"I would never doubt the Goddess. I doubt your distorted faith—your loyalty to your lord over Her Holiness."

"So you're saying I’m falsely defending Gotberg under orders from my superior? Hah. You really are behind the times on court politics."

"Then you're denying it? That this young, green healer is supposedly the most faithful person in this room?"

"You look pretty green to me too."

"What? You senile old man—have you finally lost it? Did your hair fall out along with your sense?"

"I’ll send you across the River Yordan before my last hair falls out, you bastard!"

"Life and death belong to Heaven. Even if my time’s short, I’ll outlive you, you relic. Retire and change your grandkid’s diapers already."

Watching these old men spit and bicker like children was grotesque.

Entertaining, though. I didn’t feel like stopping them.

"All talk. There's still no proof that Gotberg is truly devout."

"Oh, I’ve got your proof right here."

Falkenhein drew out his Bible. Cradling it close, he raised his other hand and closed his eyes in solemn oath.

"With reverence for our beloved Goddess, I swear to speak only the truth. With my sacred sight, I testify: Physician Gotberg possesses far deeper faith than Bishop Alberich."

Fwaaa!

A brilliant backlight flared behind Falkenhein.

Radiant divine energy glowed softly from his body.

It was a phenomenon only seen in high-level healers and clergy.

"Such pure divine power."

"Not a tremble in his aura."

"A sign he hasn’t sworn any falsehoods."

"So Gotberg really is that gifted?"

The other personal physicians murmured.

"Swearing an oath... for something like this?"

Even Alberich seemed rattled. He hadn’t expected Falkenhein to go this far.

Should’ve kept the provocation moderate.

I stepped forward.

"Looks like that settles it. As I said, practicing medicine isn’t heresy."

"You still can’t call it the proper way. A healer should offer prayers, not poison patients!"

Alberich was still fuming, veins bulging in his neck.

That’s when—

SLAM.

The doors to the hall flew open, and the heavy thud of boots echoed across the floor.

A woman strode in with a billowing cape.

It was First Princess Heike.

Every physician present bowed their heads. I followed suit.

Heike swept her gaze across the room, then issued her command like a general:

"Everyone except Alberich and Gotberg—out."

The physicians immediately vacated their seats.

Yeah... I’d almost forgotten how intimidating royalty could be.

Spending time with Lauga earlier had thrown me off.

This was the true weight of a royal’s words.

"Alberich. I ask you—why did you convene a hearing to dismiss Physician Gotberg?"

"Your Highness, this was not a dismissal—it was merely to address suspicions and verify qualifications—"

"Same thing. Don’t waste my time. I already wasted some by visiting Gotberg’s office."

So she’d come looking for me directly.

No way that was good news.

Lauga usually left me mentally exhausted after a month’s worth of chatter in one visit—this was going to be worse.

"I’ll ask again. Why this hearing?"

Alberich wiped sweat from his brow, answering slowly like a man grasping for excuses.

"...Your Highness reviewed Moonlight Palace’s budget and appeared concerned about the growth of the Third Princess’s faction..."

"Broadly speaking, that’s correct."

"Then... then surely this proceeding isn’t a problem—?"

THUD.

Heike stomped her foot, her eyes blazing. Alberich flinched and hung his head.

Even I wouldn’t survive a second under that gaze.

If Asella’s glare felt like she’d kill you out of spite, Heike’s was like a killing machine that’d end you the moment you pressed the wrong button.

"Bishop. What is your profession?"

"...I am a personal physician."

"Do I seem so incompetent that I’d leave political ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) decisions to a physician?"

"N-No, of course not."

"Are you my strategist?"

"I am not."

"I ordered you to reduce Mokhwigung’s healing budget, not to suppress Moonlight Palace. I make the judgments. Am I wrong?"

"You are absolutely correct, Your Highness."

Alberich could only nod and agree with every word. His dark circles were sinking to his cheeks.

"Then—Chief Physician Gotberg."

"It is an honor to be in Your Highness’s presence."

So now she addresses me.

Judging by this, it was definitely about the penicillin.

"I wish to recruit you into my faction."

A proposal beyond anything I’d imagined.

Even Alberich froze, mouth agape, paralyzed.

"May I ask your true intention?"

"A literal offer of favor. I want you. Become my vice-physician and introduce your new healing mechanisms."

Poaching staff from other factions must be common among royals.

Even the imperial knights switch sides often.

That I was Asella’s physician didn’t seem to bother Heike.

To them, a vassal was just an object—like stealing your sibling’s toy.

She was over ten years older than me, too.

"Are you saying I may use medicine freely?"

"Yes. I’ll provide full support to develop, mass-produce, and monopolize your medications."

Hmm. Being Heike’s subordinate...

On paper, the offer wasn’t bad. Her faction was the strongest in the palace.

If Asella failed to become emperor, Heike was the most likely successor.

She was a woman who calculated profit with precision—rewards for loyalty would be guaranteed.

But—

"My apologies, Your Highness. I’ve already pledged myself to Princess Asella."

Deeper entanglement with the royal family would only hurt me.

Once you sink waist-deep into the mud, there’s no getting out.

My goal was to delete the bad endings—not rack up more side quests that make escaping harder.

"And why is that? You’re only bound to her by contract, aren’t you?"

"Well, I’m not just a physician—I’m also her fiancé."

"A political arrangement decided by your family, no?"

Heike pierced right through the situation, searching for an opening.

"Do you truly desire a nominal engagement to the royal family?"

"Eh? That’s not—"

"I myself am without a fiancé."

"...Pardon?"

"Broken engagements and new ones are routine business in noble politics. Physician Gotberg—"

Heike looked me straight in the eyes, voice deadly serious.

"Do you want me?"