The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 74: The Princess’s Meal (5)

The Ilseong Palace, where the First Prince Gunther resided.

It was such a plain building that you’d never think it belonged in the imperial palace—almost as if it reflected Gunther’s personality.

—Hyaaaaaaaah!!

Lately, with screams echoing every evening, Ilseong Palace had gained the unfortunate reputation of being haunted.

“We have safely completed another demon subjugation today. The Goddess’s blessing was with us.”

As Simon closed the holy book and crossed himself, Gunther, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» who was lying face down on the bed, reacted violently.

“Blessing my ass! My shoulders, my back—there’s not a single spot that doesn’t hurt!”

“All health comes at a price. Look, we expelled this much impure energy again today.”

Simon boasted proudly, holding up a dark lump he had extracted—something pulled from Gunther’s very body.

And in truth, Gunther couldn’t complain much. His body did feel lighter after receiving Simon’s exorcism massage.

The only problem was that Simon’s exorcism technique, tailored for demon subjugation, hurt like hell.

Of course, a court physician obeys his lord’s orders. But the timid Gunther was always wary of how others might perceive him.

“Shouldn’t we cut back a little now? It feels like I’m getting these too often...”

“What are you saying? The day set by His Majesty is almost upon us. To prove Your Highness’s greatness over the Third Princess, we must continue the exorcism treatments.”

At Simon’s emphatic rebuttal, Gunther shut his mouth.

He stood up and asked his secretary:

“What’s going on with Moonlight Palace? Do you think I can win?”

“Well...”

The secretary, who had been keeping tabs on Moonlight Palace, reported the situation to Gunther.

Simon found the report suspicious.

“Harmonizing the mana circuits... with food? What kind of unheard-of method is that?”

“They say it’s showing considerable results.”

“Even if it’s effective, how much can it possibly—”

—Kuguguguung!!

Just then, a tremendous rumble shook the windows and Simon’s ears.

Startled, he threw open the window—and saw a colossal mountain of ice rising up from the magic training grounds.

“What in the world...?”

“That’s Asella’s magic! She’s way stronger than before! Simon, how the hell are we supposed to beat that?!”

Gunther stomped his feet in panic.

Judging by the surge in her magic, Asella’s mana circuit was clearly far more refined than before.

Simon gritted his teeth and immediately turned to leave.

“Simon, where are you going?”

Simon headed straight to the Imperial Clinic, determined to gather all available intel on Gotberg and Moonlight Palace.

There’s no way we can win like this.

Nervously, Simon gnawed at his fingernails.

I already failed to bring the Second Prince’s faction to heel. Falkenhein won’t even listen to a word I say.

All of this... was Gunther’s fault.

Despite being Crown Prince, Gunther was clueless about imperial politics and had no real power base.

As a result, Simon’s own influence at the clinic had naturally diminished. He blamed Gunther for letting Gotberg take Falkenhein away from him.

Worse still, Gunther’s frail body couldn’t withstand Simon’s exorcisms for long and screamed like a woman during treatment.

If only I were physician to Georg or Heike, I would’ve produced far better results.

Gotberg, that demonic bastard...

Simon stared blankly at a vial filled with the black miasma he’d extracted from Gunther.

Then, as if struck by inspiration, he picked it up and began to chant.

Shadow Walk.

A stealth technique used to track heretics.

Melting into the shadows, Simon slipped away silently—undetected by any eye—as he infiltrated the Imperial Kitchen.

The faint scent of cooking oil from the extinguished stoves tickled his nose.

He stepped into the pantry, quickly located his target, and pulled back his hood.

“Moonlight Palace Exclusive.” This must be it.

Opening the box revealed high-quality meat, a bounty of vegetables—ingredients prepped for tomorrow.

Simon uncorked the vial he’d brought.

This is the yin energy that Gunther harbored. If she eats food laced with this, the Third Princess’s condition will surely worsen.

If Gotberg’s plan failed, then he could claim victory by default.

Just as he began to tilt the vial, letting the thick, black liquid drip toward the ingredients—

—Clack!

“Hmm?!”

Simon froze as something seized his wrist.

He turned to find a grinning face staring back at him.

“Brother, no matter how desperate you are, this is a bit much. You do realize this is high treason, right? Attempted assassination of a royal?”

Las Gotberg popped a lollipop into his mouth, smiling wickedly.

“Gotberg... how?!”

Simon’s stealth was among the best on the continent.

There was no reason anyone should’ve known. He’d acted completely alone—no chance of leaked information.

“How’d I know? Trade secret.”

Las casually swiped open his status window as he spoke.

Of course, to Simon, the gesture meant nothing.

But Las stared at the changing numbers and thought to himself:

With probability spikes like these, it was obvious Simon was up to something.

―――――――――――

No. 012: Collapse of the Empire – 24% → 36%

No. 062: Black Plague – 23% → 62%

No. 101: Mana Rampage – 7% → 34%

―――――――――――

The Black Plague ending is triggered when Asella releases a deadly epidemic across the continent. If someone injects miasma into the food, it’d naturally lead to that.

From bad ending flags alone, Las had deduced Simon’s plan and reached the kitchen just in time.

“Gotberg... you damn demon!!”

Simon sprang to his feet and began casting an exorcism spell.

If I take this bastard down, I can still cover this up!

A monstrous claw formed over Simon’s left hand as he lunged to smash the spell directly into Las’s face.

—THUD!!

A heavy impact rang out as he was sent flying across the room.

Simon’s head plunged into the ingredient box, his body rolling over with a crash.

“Do Inquisitors always resort to such brute force?”

Tanya asked as she extended her sword, having casually swatted Simon aside.

“That’s about right.”

“I see. I’ll keep it in mind moving forward.”

Tanya nudged Simon’s limp body and confirmed he was unconscious.

***

“The Inquisitor Simon has been dismissed. Given his past service, we won’t pursue execution, but he is sentenced to life imprisonment. Thus, the match naturally ends in Lord Gotberg’s victory.”

On the designated one-month deadline, Ambrosia delivered the Emperor’s decision.

“Prince Gunther and Princess Asella’s mana circuits have been fully analyzed. Even if Simon hadn’t pulled that stunt, the victory still overwhelmingly belonged to Moonlight Palace.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

“Please continue taking care of the Imperial Clinic.”

I bowed politely and returned to the clinic.

Once past the front gate, turn right and there it is—the new nameplate.

[Gotberg]

Ah, that’s more like it.

“Welcome, Lord Gotberg!”

Falkenhein greeted me barefoot at the office entrance.

“As expected of you, sir. To make that lunatic Simon self-destruct! And Her Highness’s condition remains stable—what a relief.”

“You’ve worked hard as well, Lord Falkenhein.”

No doubt, the Second Prince’s faction and the entire clinic had their eyes on Simon’s fall.

That I managed to claim him wholly for my side was thanks to Falkenhein’s intervention.

“We’ve also completed the move.”

Chloe and Hugo reported.

Now that our office was relocated to the first floor, the only one unhappy about it was Tanya.

“Well done, everyone. Let’s get back to work with fresh energy.”

“Doctor, before that, we’ll need some directions here.”

As Hugo reported and opened the office door, an amusing sight met me.

Inside the waiting room, more than a dozen healers stood up and greeted me in unison.

“Doctor Gotberg, it’s an honor!”

“We’d like to formally introduce ourselves!”

Several familiar faces stood among them.

I turned to Hugo, who explained:

“They’re healers who applied to join our faction. Some were from the First Princess’s group and used to volunteer with us, some from the Second Prince’s side, and others simply interested in medicine.”

“Hm.”

I snapped my fingers.

“Lord Falkenhein, can I leave training to you?”

“Gladly.”

Once the logistics were sorted, I headed to the inner room.

I leaned back into a spacious chair and relaxed.

***

“Your Majesty, this is the medicinal cuisine personally prepared by Doctor Gotberg.”

Ambrosia gestured to the array of dishes spread across the Emperor’s table, continuing her explanation.

The Emperor examined each dish slowly, sniffing at the aroma, and his lips curled into a faint smile.

“Asella is said to be quite fond of this food.”

“That is correct. In the month since changing her diet, her mana flow has improved by over twenty percent.”

“Fascinating.”

“There are also newly formulated tonics prepared especially for Your Majesty. What would you like to do?”

The Emperor stroked his chin, then nodded.

“I’ll try them all.”

***

It had now been ten months since my faction took root and grew inside the Imperial Clinic.

The turning point had been the match with Simon, after which the Emperor began to seriously accept medicine.

And when the head of the state shifts course, the current naturally follows.

Thanks to that, the Moonlight Palace faction at the clinic now boasted thirty healers, and our operational scope kept expanding.

With that expansion, my workload also ballooned—and now, I had one thing I wanted to request of Asella.

“I’d like to apply for an extended leave.”

Asella glanced at the document I offered and made a sour face.

“Extended? How long?”

“A month or so?”

“That’s too long. Denied.”

As expected, shot down immediately.

The Princess had grown even sharper with age.

And me? I was the eternal subordinate, so I bowed politely.

“Your Highness, it’s been over a year since I came to the clinic. I believe this is a reasonable request.”

“No means no.”

“I told you from the beginning—I have obligations to my family. And you said you understood.”

“...Still no.”

“You can’t just keep saying no without giving a reason.”

“I can. I’m a princess.”

“Wow. Seriously.”

“Seriously what? Go on, say it.”

“Nothing.”

There’s no point arguing. I’d just end up in a cell.

I had to find a compromise.

The reason for my leave wasn’t anything special.

My father and Neria had contacted me. The pharmaceutical factory was finally taking shape.

Since it was still in the early stages, I needed to check on it in person.

“Where exactly are you going?”

“The Gotberg marquisate.”

“Hm.”

Asella fell silent in thought—then suddenly asked something strange.

“Are the yellow roses blooming?”

“Given the season, I doubt it. But we do cultivate golden roses year-round. Why do you ask?”

“Hmm...”

Asella toyed with the page of her magic tome for a moment—then slapped the book shut.

“If I’m going with you, I’ll approve it.”

Yeah, I’d rather you didn’t.

If Asella’s coming, it’s not a vacation. It’s work.

So this is how junior employees must feel when their boss drags them on a weekend hike.

“Lucie, prepare the arrangements.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

My will had nothing to do with it anymore. The decision had already been made.

Truly, being a royal court physician is the ultimate hardship post.