The Money-Obssessed Archmage's Second Life As A Broke Duke-Chapter 48 - It Must Be An Elf

Chapter Fourty Eight

Crunch. Crunch.

My pacing came to a stop as the creak of the tiny door filled the air.

"How’s she, Miss Thorne?"

I asked as the eighteen year old stepped out of the hut, easing the woven door shut behind her with care.

"Do not worry, Your Grace." The little girl wiped her hands on her apron, fingers stained green as she flashed me a smile. "Beastkin heal faster than humans. I cleaned her wounds with Garseta leaves and bound the thigh tight. The bleeding has stopped."

[Ping!]

[Host is covered in blood.]

I’ll take care of it, Sysi.

[Ping!]

[Is Host mad at us?]

Let’s talk about it later. I don’t want to say anything hurtful like last time.

"That is good to hear." I watched her face as I spoke, returning her vibrant smile with a tired smile of my own. "You are quite knowledgeable despite your young age, Miss Thorne."

The little girl ducked her head, a shy smile tugging at her mouth. "Your Grace flatters me. I only like studying medicine."

What a cute kid. But, how did she learn medicine deep in the woods?

"May I know the name of your teacher, Miss Throne?"

I watched as her eyes flicked toward the treeline, then back to me. The firelight caught the curve of her cheek as she shook her head. "I cannot disclose that, Your Grace. I have not even told my father."

I nodded once.

There’s no way it would be a human. It must have been some other race. I’ve already found a fox woman, it wouldn’t be surprising to find one more.

Which race is that interested in medicine...

Medicine... Leaves... Nature... It must be an elf. Should I ask?

I stared at the little girl, avoiding my gaze as a sigh left my lips.

Let’s leave this matter for now. Pressing her for an answer would do more harm than good.

"I see. Please thank your master for me. They raised a fine student."

[Ping!]

[How did Host guess she has a master?]

Knowledge does not appear out of thin air. It’s either gained from experience like Kaelen did about the ice house or through the mouth of another who has gone through the experience.

A child secluded in the woods with no books, yet versed in medicine, could only have learned through guidance. Herbs may grow wild, but understanding their use requires instruction of someone who’s tried those herbs enough times to understand their effects.

Plus, how’s she’s hiding it. Her teacher can’t be someone from empire or even here.

"It seems Your Grace only knows how to flatter," the little girl sighed, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

Why is she so scared of me? Does she think I’m going to forcefully get the name out of her mouth?

Haah... I don’t think I’m strong enough to fight Garrow and win... yet.

"I am only praising your skills, Miss Throne. There’s no need to feel uncomfortable. I have no intention of pressing you for an answer," I said calmly. "However, I do have a proposal. Would you be willing to hear it?"

"A proposal, Your Grace?" Her ears perked at my statement, yet her body still had a cautious posture.

"Would you like to open a hospital in the Dukedom?"

She blinked. The word itself seemed to land heavy in the cold air. "Hospital?"

"Yes. A place where talent like yours can serve many. For the first month I will cover the fees. I will also assign a knight to help gather ingredients and assist with research permanently you don’t have to worry about his pay at all. All you have to do is focus on treating people."

Miss Throne’s breath hitched at my statement. Tears welled and spilled before she could stop them.

Drip... Drip... Drip...

"Alisa." Garrow burst from the shadows, boots crunching hard. His face tightened with alarm. "Why are you crying? Your Grace, this."

"No, Dad." She laughed through it, pressing her knuckles to her mouth. "I am just happy."

The wind tugged at Garrow’s cloak. He looked between us, then bowed his head. "I apologise for the rudeness, Your Grace."

"No matter. So," I muttered gently, turning my head to Miss Throne, "should I consider that you have accepted?"

She drew a long breath, shoulders rising and falling. "May I consult my master first, Your Grace? I do not want to hurt people. I do not know if I am ready to treat everyone."

"You just treated a very important guest of mine." I kept my tone light. "But I understand. Take a week. I will need time to give orders for construction anyway."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Please do not mention it."

"I will fetch clothes for the beastkin," she added, her composure returning. "She should be dressed so that Your Grace can stay beside her."

"That is very thoughtful, Miss Thorne," I said. "But it is fine. I would rather not stay in a room with an unconscious woman. It would not be very chivalrous. Can I trouble you to take care of her till she’s conscious?"

"Of course!"

"Garrow, can you arrange a spot for me to rest before we take everyone and go down to the fief, tomorrow?"

Garrow cleared his throat. "Your Grace, there are no beds here. We sleep on rocks covered with furs."

"I do not mind." My bones ached as I yawned. "I have not rested in a while."

"In that case." His expression softened. "The meat has been roasted. Please eat with us. You can rest in my hut. I will sleep elsewhere."

"Alright."

Garrow led me through the camp. Fires burned low and steady, ringed by stones. Children huddled near the warmth, their eyes following us. The smell of roasted wolf was heavy and unfamiliar.

So hungry... I couldn’t even eat lunch...

We were almost there when voices slipped through the dark.

"How could the leader be so nice to that monster?"

"I know. He ruined our lives. Why must we feed him?"

"You two, shut it." Another voice cut in, older and tired. "Cut a portion for the leader and the duke. Then divide the rest equally among the people."

"I want to poison that drunkard’s piece." A snort of laughter followed. "So what if he looks handsome now? He is still that incompetent duke who nearly froze us to death."

"Go ahead. Poison it."

"Y... Your Grace?"