The head maid, returning from the monster subjugation, was only able to leave after discussing the supervision of the doctor's examination with the senior healers.
She hurried her steps, especially after Asella had collapsed that morning.
"The Princess went to see the Young Lord?"
Upon hearing the report from another maid, she redirected her steps.
It was improper for a maid to wander around someone else's mansion without her mistress, but she had no time to worry about appearances.
She joined Asella's knights, but they could only tell her that Asella had entered the Gotberg Young Lord's room and hadn't come out.
One hour passed, then two, and as the sun set, she grew anxious about her mistress who still hadn't emerged.
The Gotberg Young Lord was surrounded by all manner of unsavory rumors.
Word had reached even the capital that he neglected his studies, was prone to drunken fits and violence, and was practically confined to the Gotberg Marquisate.
As the only son of the Marquis, he should have had countless marriage proposals since infancy, yet Asella being his first match was clearly strange to anyone.
No family head would want to marry their daughter to a beast who might murder his wife on their wedding night, no matter the political advantage.
In that respect, Camilla, the Third Empress, must be an extraordinarily power-hungry person.
'If that rascal harbors evil intentions toward the Princess and dared to lay a hand on her...'
The head maid unconsciously bit her lip.
But what could a mere maid like herself do?
The knights and maids had all been ordered by Asella to wait.
A mistress's orders must be obeyed.
'Still, if there's hope...'
In today's practical exam, the Gotberg Young Lord wasn't as terrible as she had thought.
No, he was actually quite excellent.
He had earned the knights' trust and provoked the envy of other healers with his outstanding skills.
There was no sign of cheating or favoritism in the process.
On the contrary, Lord Gotberg and the senior healers at the training center seemed to be ensuring everything proceeded fairly, preventing Lars from using any privileges.
'Could the rumors have been wrong?'
While the head maid was lost in confusion, Asella emerged from the annex.
"Princess."
The head maid bowed alongside the knights. Asella raised her hand, allowing them to stand at ease.
"It's chilly at night."
The head maid prepared an outer garment for Asella.
Asella silently put it on and walked with dignity.
"Where shall we go?"
"Let's have dinner."
"Dinner...?"
The head maid had never before seen Asella express a desire to eat first.
Asella, who could suffer stomach pains at any moment, usually had little appetite even when presented with the finest delicacies.
"Yes. The Young Lord told me to eat properly. Said it would make me healthier."
"What did you discuss with the Young Lord?"
Asella gave the head maid a sharp glare.
The head maid realized she had spoken out of turn. A maid's role was to exist like a shadow.
Normally, Asella would have snapped at the head maid's mistake, but today's reaction was slightly different.
She maintained her malicious demeanor but snorted with amusement before answering.
"Lars, I can't tell if he's clever or stupid. I don't know how he always manages to act contrary to my expectations."
The head maid was puzzled.
Somehow, Asella seemed clearly pleased.
'Given that she wants to appoint him as her doctor, she must have taken an interest in the Young Lord.'
They had gone out together, and when he returned from the dangerous monster subjugation, she had rushed out barefoot to greet him.
And now she had spent several hours in his room and returned in high spirits.
'...Surely not, right?'
The head maid, who knew Asella's personality well, shook her head.
Perhaps she wanted to keep the Young Lord like she kept Max, her pet.
"Ah, take this and put it in the storage box."
Saying this, Asella handed something to the head maid.
The head maid respectfully received it and examined the object.
'...A lollipop?'
And one that had been partially eaten, at that.
***
There was a warp gate in front of the Gotberg family mansion.
It wasn't a gate that just anyone could use.
To begin with, High Teleport, the magic that transports people, was a high-tier 6th Circle magic.
A warp gate was essentially a checkpoint remembered by high-tier mages capable of casting High Teleport.
The actual transportation was manually performed by the mages.
Therefore, it was rarely used except for the movement of important high-ranking individuals.
"The gate is opening, arrival imminent."
The precious warp gate was activating, opening a blue portal.
Baldur, the head of the Gotberg family, waited in front of the granite altar.
After the escort knights emerged from the portal first, an elderly man walked out with dignity under their protection.
White uniform—the mark of a healer.
The emblems on his chest and shoulders indicated he was an Imperial Doctor.
"Welcome to the Marquisate of Gotberg, Lord Falkenhain."
"Ah, Lord Gotberg. I finally meet the master healer. Thank you for the welcome."
The two healers shook hands.
The head of the Marquisate and the Imperial Doctor of the Inner Palace.
Their social ranks were roughly equivalent.
As they shared the same profession, Baldur used honorific speech toward Falkenhain, who was older, out of respect.
Titles and terms were important in noble society.
In this case, since both were healers, Baldur's use of honorifics didn't imply he was of lower status.
Baldur then guided Falkenhain into the mansion.
"The air is fresh here. The capital's sky is murky. Always filled with byproducts of magic and machinery floating about."
"I recommend riding a horse and taking a leisurely tour when you have time."
"Haha, an Inner Palace doctor has no such luxury. So Gotberg is finally producing a court physician. Many from your training center work in the Inner Palace."
"Indeed."
"I heard it was the Empress's will to select from newcomers?"
"Yes."
"Good thinking. In truth, a doctor is best when close in age to their patient."
"You're the Second Prince's doctor, aren't you?"
"That's right. He's full of vigor, so there's much to worry about. I'd like to find a successor soon."
Though he said this, Falkenhain had no intention of relinquishing his position anytime soon.
Besides being difficult to resign voluntarily, it wasn't easy to escape the sweetness of power on one's own.
Falkenhain whispered in Baldur's ear.
"You're also planting an ear in the Imperial Palace with this opportunity, but be careful. Two princes, three princesses, and an old, sick Emperor. The Imperial Palace is like a powder keg. Depending on who succeeds, you could lose your head even while swatting flies."
"Planting an ear?"
Seeing Baldur's confusion at his words, Falkenhain curled his lips into a long smile.
This man is the Third Empress's pawn.
I heard he had good skills, but without political acumen, he can't be a reliable man.
Falkenhain patted Baldur's shoulder.
"Well, let's go meet our young new doctor friend. The selection method is as I previously informed you."
"You said the evaluation would be based on healing spells cast on an Emerald Dragon hatchling."
"That's right. Emerald Dragons have the characteristic of absorbing healing spells. We'll conduct a blind test for fairness."
That was the official explanation.
But Falkenhain had another purpose.
'Currently, there are 21 doctors in the Inner Palace, the same number as Imperial family members. The strongest power belongs to the doctors of the Emperor and the succession candidates.'
Four doctors for succession candidates, including himself, and one for the Emperor.
Just as the Imperial family was divided into factions among succession candidates, the Inner Palace was similarly split among the doctors.
'With one more added, there will be six in total. If I select someone I want and make them my subordinate, that's two out of six factions. This cannot be ignored.'
Falkenhain's goal was to expand his influence in the Inner Palace by personally selecting a young doctor.
'The most useful person is a young one who's only studied at a desk. I should pick the one with the highest faith. Fortunately, I have eyes that can see faith.'
The stigma engraved in his left eye—the ability to see faith was his talent.
'Baldur Gotberg, this man's faith is considerable too. I can see his tremendous aura. He seems ignorant of politics, but his skills as a healer appear genuine.'
Wiping his left eye with the back of his hand, Falkenhain entered the examination room.
Click, the lights turned on.
Behind a translucent curtain, the silhouettes of three healers were cast.
'Let's see, the candidate with the highest faith...'
As Falkenhain looked at each of the three people in turn, he suddenly crashed to the floor, falling from his chair.
"Lord Falkenhain? What's wrong?"
"Ah, no... I'm fine."
Falkenhain wiped away cold sweat and blinked several times.
...No matter how many times he looked, one candidate stood out.
Every time he directed his gaze toward him, the aura emanating from that person completely obscured his left eye with light, making it impossible to see anything.
'This, this level of faith... Has a Saintess descended among us?!'
Falkenhain gulped and asked Baldur.
"By, by any chance, is there a woman among the candidates?"
"They're all men."
'Not a Saintess but a Saint! Good heavens.'
The moment he witnessed that aura, politics was pushed to the back of Falkenhain's mind.
Already, only a devout mindset remained in him, washing away all worldly concerns.
'I can't let the Inner Palace miss someone like this. Even if he doesn't become my ally, I must select him.'
With such faith, there's no need to look further—he would surely excel at healing the Emerald hatchling.
The examination proceeded.
Finally, it was that candidate's turn.
'I wonder what healing spell he will show us!'
The candidate scratched his head vigorously and sighed.
—Screech! Screeeech!!
The hatchling's screams could be heard.
The candidate was forcibly opening the hatchling's mouth and making it swallow something.
"Wh-what on earth is happening...!"
The supervising senior healers could be seen rushing in to stop him.
The silhouettes moved chaotically back and forth, resembling a pantomime.
After the scuffle, an angry voice burst from behind the curtain.
"Can we switch to a different task besides healing magic?! I came here to treat people, not stare at lizards!"
Falkenhain froze with his mouth agape.
He slowly turned to look at Baldur.
He too seemed unprepared for this situation and was pressing his temples.
"It seems that candidate won't work. I was informed before the test that he wanted to use a method other than healing magic, but since the Emerald Dragon was the task..."
"A method other than healing magic?"
What is this nonsense?
I need to pass him.
Falkenhain wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.