Chapter 67

I returned to the imperial capital with the female infantry the day after the battle. We had to stay overnight on site to persuade the mercenaries gathered at the Berion Castle and to give my subordinates a rest.

As soon as we returned, I learned a shocking fact.

"So, Duke Litray has passed away..."

Her death immediately after her arrest was unexpected. Though I'm called the Grim Reaper, I can't predict anyone's death.

But of course, her death was not natural.

Colonel Altsar seemed uneasy, fidgeting as he informed me.

"The inquest has been canceled due to the suspect's death. The emperor's physicians will now perform an autopsy. As a military representative, I need you to be present."

"Understood."

This case involves the imperial army deeply, so I'm here as a representative.

I'm just a captain from a commoner background, which might be a bit light, but it's awkward to push the cleanup of this conspiracy onto someone else. I'm the one who drove her to her death.

However, the autopsy of Duke Litray Minsiana turned out to be more brutal than I expected.

Her body was laid out in a room facing south in the palace. I had imagined a dim morgue, but the room was very bright.

Duke Litray's body lay on the bed, her face peaceful, as if she were sleeping.

She was said to have committed suicide by drinking poison, but it's hard to believe she did it herself. She must have been forced. Given her character, there must have been a struggle.

And she was completely naked. Of course, she was covered with a sheet, but it seemed they were going to conduct a thorough autopsy.

I thought autopsies in this era were limited to checking for a pulse to confirm death.

Soon, the imperial physicians entered.

First, the chief physician, an internist, followed by a surgeon, both men in their fifties. Younger physicians who seemed to be assistants followed them.

They bowed to me and the colonel, who returned the gesture lightly.

The surgeon spoke first.

"Nice to meet you, I am Dr. Forbien, the chief of surgery. We will first check for external injuries. Gentlemen, remove the sheet."

As Dr. Forbien instructed, the sheet was removed.

Is it really okay for me to see this? She was a political enemy, but she's still a woman. She wouldn't want me to see her like this.

I whispered to the colonel next to me.

"Sir, shouldn't I turn around?"

"How can you see the autopsy if you turn around? I know you're kind, but focus on your duty."

I was scolded by the colonel.

I'm sorry, Duke Litray.

As I felt uncomfortable, the surgeons began their examination without mercy.

"Denef, open the mouth. Yes, do it respectfully. MacMillan, shine the mirror."

Now I understand why they chose a bright, south-facing room. In an era without lights, they use mirrors to reflect sunlight to illuminate the inside.

Noticing my gaze, Dr. Forbien said calmly.

"We are checking for injuries inside the mouth to rule out murder. A short sword can be thrust through the palate into the brain."

The colonel nodded in understanding.

"Ah, I see. Continue without worrying about us."

"Yes, sir. ... Hm, good. Next, the nasal passages."

Dr. Forbien worked efficiently. Despite the underdeveloped medical field, he is one of the best surgeons in the empire.

"Alright, the ear canals. ... Yes, no injuries. Record your findings."

"Yes, sir."

"Next, undo the hair."

Duke Litray's body was checked thoroughly from head to toe.

After checking the head, they moved to the body. The surgeons used large lenses to examine the armpits, navel, and other areas.

"Check all the wrinkles and between the nails for needle marks."

"None found."

After examining the upper body, Dr. Forbien instructed his assistants.

"Spread the legs. Be gentle, don't dislocate them."

They're checking that far... Yes, it's probably standard procedure.

Dr. Forbien turned to Colonel Altsar, looking apologetic.

"I know this is uncomfortable for you as a fellow woman, but please understand. The seven orifices of the head and the two openings of the groin can be fatal without leaving obvious marks, so we must check inside them."

The colonel raised his hand slightly.

"It's a necessary procedure, don't worry. We handle bodies more roughly."

"Thank you, sir."

Dr. Forbien bowed and returned to the autopsy.

"Shine the light a bit deeper."

"Doctor, there's blood."

"No... That's menstrual blood. No significant injuries."

I disliked Duke Litray, but I felt pity for her.

After the surgeons checked for external injuries, the chief physician, who is also an internist, conducted the final autopsy. In this world, internists seem to have more authority, just like in my previous life in medieval Europe.

"Hm..."

The chief physician crossed his arms and thought deeply. He wasn't told that Duke Litray had drunk poison. It was a secret.

He turned to Colonel Altsar.

"Sir, I couldn't determine the cause of death. There are several possibilities, but nothing definitive."

He's honest. He seems trustworthy as a scientist.

The colonel nodded seriously.

"I see. Can you tell me the possible causes?"

"You know, according to imperial traditional medicine, the human body is composed of the four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—plus the two states of yin and yang, forming eight phases. All diseases can be explained by these eight phases."

I learned this at the military academy. I dismissed it as nonsense.

However, this traditional medicine, despite its flawed theory, has a surprisingly good track record in treatment, thanks to centuries of experience. That's why it's trusted by the emperor and nobles.

The chief physician continued in a lecturing tone.

"I diagnosed the body based on these eight phases, but the phases were mixed, making it impossible to determine the cause."

Maybe because it was poisoning, not a natural death?

"The nobility are believed to have stronger elemental forces and more pronounced yin and yang. The mixing of the phases might be due to Duke Litray's noble blood."

In this world, nobles and commoners are considered different species, so such logic prevails. Or rather, such logic exists to distinguish between nobles and commoners.

Colonel Altsar sighed and asked.

"Then, what do you think based on your experience?"

The chief physician was silent for a while before speaking softly.

"The direct cause of death was likely asphyxiation. However, there are no signs of strangulation or alcohol or drug use. There are no signs of struggle, even in the nails. Asphyxiation without pain can occur in a sealed room with a fire, but the body's color is different. It was probably some illness."

Does the chief physician know that Duke Litray was poisoned? If he does, he's helping to cover it up.

Maybe it's better not to ask too many questions.

"Sir."

"Yes, I understand. The Litray family's physicians will also examine the body and ask about her medical history."

"Understood. Please inform me if you have any information."

"Of course."

The chief physician and his team summarized their findings and signed the documents. Duke Litray's cause of death was listed as "probably natural."

One of the documents was handed to Colonel Altsar.

"Here is a copy of the autopsy report. We will submit the same to the royal families."

"Thank you. I'll keep the Medilen family's copy."

Meanwhile, Dr. Forbien had been staring at Duke Litray's body. He left the room with the chief physician and his team.

Left were the colonel, me, and Duke Litray's body.

Her body still looked as it did in life. The sheet was rumpled, and her hair was undone, making it hard to look at.

"Even as an enemy, this treatment is pitiful."

I said this without thinking, but the colonel didn't blame me.

"Yes. But the maids will come to redo her hair before the Litray family's autopsy. They will restore her dignity."

The colonel spoke in a tired tone and chuckled.

"Anyway, her body has no significant meaning now. From here on, the autopsy report will have more political importance. Her body, stripped of soul and political value, will be treated with respect."

Considering her crimes, being buried is better than nothing. But still, I can't suppress my pity as a human.

"Even the head of one of the Five Great Houses is treated like this when they die?"

"Because she's from one of the Five Great Houses."

The colonel took off his cap and brushed his bangs aside.

"From the moment she inherited the family, she became a major component of the empire. Personal will and dignity come second."

I see.

During my street life, I thought nobles were respected and lived comfortably.

But the body of Duke Litray before me showed otherwise.

She had to die even though she didn't want to, and her body was treated as a political hazard. Her dignity was worth no more than a piece of paper.

How different is she from the infantry who rot in the wilderness, or the peasants thrown into mass graves during famines and plagues?

She seemed no different from the many corpses she had trampled on.

I stared at the white sheet, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, feeling a deep sadness.

"Perhaps she did this because she didn't want to be treated like this."

"Maybe. We can ask her when we meet in hell."

"In hell?"

"Yes. I don't think I'll make it to the Garden of Rest."

Colonel Altsar sat in a chair by the wall and sighed deeply.

"Captain Chrombertz."

"Yes?"

"When I die, I want you to be the officer present at my autopsy."

The colonel's gloomy demeanor from before seemed like a lie. His expression was unusually bright.

I was confused by his unnatural cheerfulness and the content of his request.

"Me?"

"You're the best choice. If you bring a different officer, I'll haunt you."

He sounded joking but completely serious. Scary.

I decided to respond with a serious joke.

"Then, when I die, can I ask you to be present at my autopsy?"

"No."

The colonel pouted and crossed his arms. Why?

"You'll probably be dead by the time I die."

"That's my line. I won't let you die alone."

"Hm."

The colonel thought for a moment. He was smiling slightly.

"Then I can't die..."

"Try not to die."

The colonel seems a bit off today. I'm getting worried.

At that moment, the door was knocked on, and the palace maids entered. They bowed to us.

"Before the next autopsy, we will redo Duke Litray's hair."

"Understood. Please also accompany the body. Our work is done."

The colonel put his cap back on and stood up.

"Let's go, Captain. Make me some coffee. A strong, hot one."

I smiled at the colonel, who seemed to be forcing a smile, feeling a strong sense of unease.

"I'll make the best cup."