Chapter 79

"In the case of the western territories of the Contas Empire, what was the situation? Ultimately, all the residents of the territories died. Moreover, dozens of knights and doctors also died from the spread of the disease."

"That is... "

"You were there at that time, weren't you, Baron Gorneo? How about it, is it right to prioritize your pride in such a situation? If there's even the slightest possibility... it might be right to seize it."

"Such pride!... Huh... Whatever."

He let out a short sigh, as if trying to hold back something he wanted to say.

Then he looked at me and bowed his head quietly.

"Your Highness seems quite confident. Can you really show something?"

"I won't deny it."

"...Understood. I agree because Your Highness is the Crown Prince of this country and a bearer of the Sacred Mark with special authority. If you think of human lives lightly in any way! I will certainly hold the royal family accountable!"

Even though the people of his own country and the residents of the territories he was supposed to take care of were not his concern, he focused all his attention on the patients.

Indeed, if I were in his position, I wouldn't delegate authority to someone I couldn't trust.

"At least I'll make sure you don't regret it..."

With a smile, I said this, and he seemed to have nothing more to say as he walked out.

On the contrary, Duke Linton maintained a calm gaze and asked me.

"I will trust Your Highness, ha ha, though this is really unbelievable."

"Thank you for your consideration."

"No, I was surprised by Your Highness's unexpected medical knowledge. Such cases have indeed been extremely rare... If it's not too much to ask, who did you learn such knowledge from?"

In response to his question, I said nothing.

I couldn't tell him that I learned it from the god Hypocria of another world in the corridor.

He wouldn't believe it, and there was no real reason to tell him.

* * *

When the news that I would officially participate in the medical efforts reached Wini, she was both anxious and couldn't hide her joy.

It seemed that she trusted me more than the Disease Management Team.

Of course, the two of them were surprised by my unexpected medical knowledge, but they soon expressed their willingness to help in any way they could.

"We will support from the Red Tower. I have considerable funds at my disposal through my personal authority. If there are any items that require magical processing..."

His offer was appreciated, but in reality, it wasn't necessary.

After entering the treatment tent I had set up, I obtained a few more test tubes of the dark blue liquid I had prepared in advance and divided it among the test tubes.

Arthmite ore.

This solid ore becomes sticky and viscous when melted at a certain temperature for a long time.

The glass tubes are made by processing this material.

In fact, the reason glass technology is not greatly needed in the Tionis continent is because of this.

Duke Linton, under the pretext of firmly supporting since he had decided to participate, provided me with various pieces of information.

And, these small pieces of information allowed me to make several assumptions.

"Still, they live up to being the best medical group on the continent."

He muttered to himself while skimming through the progress reports and data in the pile of documents.

Since I had started, I should see it through to the end.

Baron Gorneo, one of the council members, looked at my actions with displeasure, but there was no reason to consider his feelings.

"Prince David, the classification of the patients you mentioned is complete."

While observing the changes in the test tubes, a couple of doctors from the management team approached and reported the progress.

"Well, let's buy some time then."

The estimated time for the antibodies to be completed is about four days.

I won't let anyone die among the residents of the territory until then.

* * *

"Will it be alright?"

An elderly man's mouth opened. He looked old, but his imposing figure and the sharpness in his eyes clearly showed that he was not an ordinary person.

"What do you mean, Duke Collio?"

Duke Collio.

Formerly the head of the Lindis royal knights and currently one of the leaders of the Central Disease Management Team's Disaster Elimination Knights.

He was a Swordmaster who once wielded great power in the Lindis Empire.

"I'm talking about the matter of the Crown Prince of the Raun Kingdom. If he really does something... "

"Yes. The reputation of the Central Disease Management Team would be at stake."

A group that prides itself as the best medical team on the continent, which had been struggling for years to find a solution, was now being challenged by a young boy who hadn't even turned twenty.

Of course, up to this point, there would be no problem.

However, even to Linton, it seemed that the boy David had something special.

The Sacred Mark is a holy power, not a mark that imparts knowledge. This means that he either figured it out on his own or learned it from someone else.

"Careless words might lead to questioning his abilities. Even if he had refused like Baron Gorneo, they wouldn't have been able to argue."

To Duke Collio's words, Linton nodded calmly.

"That is true."

"Then what... "

"However, Duke Collio."

"Yes."

"As long as the disease can be cured, isn't that a good thing?"

His smile made Duke Collio's expression stiffen subtly.

"I see."

"Even if Prince David succeeds in curing the disease, what's the harm?"

Saying this, Linton smiled.

"It's a win-win situation. For him and for us. Medicine will advance, and those who gain honor will receive it. It's a win-win situation."

Whose honor it would be.

Duke Collio did not bring this up.

Chapter 32: Antibodies and Movement

"According to Duke Linton, the Central Disease Management Team has decided to align the current treatment strategy entirely with Your Highness's recommendations."

"Thank you for the decision."

"However, you must remember. I will be watching closely. We need to set a minimum threshold."

A rolling stone can't remove an embedded one.

Especially if the rolling stone is a pile of dirt pretending to be a stone, the embedded stone's resistance will be significant.

"There are also opinions that we shouldn't adopt Your Highness's recommendations."

"Baron Gorneo."

"Do not forget, medicine is not a stepping stone for honor."

It was a reasonable statement.

"Even if it seems far-fetched, believe it. I have no intention of letting the residents of Wini and Baris die."

"..."

"This disease causes a high fever, and the body temperature fluctuates wildly, melting the entire body. It's not just a disease but a variant virus."

"What...?"

The melting acceleration virus shows no significant difference when it first breaks out.

"Once the virus enters the human body, it goes through a latent period. After the latent period ends, it becomes active."

As I continued to speak calmly, I began to press the body of the groaning patient, and the patient's face became distorted with pain.

"Ugh..."

"Just hold on a bit. The pain will subside soon."

Saying this, I continued to explain the symptoms.

"Initially, the muscles start to melt. Then, the joints and cartilage begin to dissolve, followed by the bones throughout the body."

"..."

"If it stops there, it would be fortunate. Once all the bones melt, the next target is the organs. Starting from the rectum and testicles, it moves to the kidneys, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, pancreas, liver, and finally the heart."

As my explanation continued, surprise and then shock began to appear on Baron Gorneo's face.

I was describing the symptoms from the early stages to the late stages of the disease, which was almost unknown to the world.

"By that time, the liquefied contents of the body will flow out through all the openings, turning a dark blue color, hence the name 'Devil's Blood.'"

Do you understand why I'm explaining this?

"Prince David, you don't mean to say that you... "

"Well, the official name here is 'Devil's Blood,' but in other places, it's called this."

Melting Acceleration Virus.

"Other places... Melting Acceleration Virus."

"The important part is what comes next. Doctors who have seen this disease usually reach one conclusion after trying various methods. They decide that the only way to treat it is to find the source and perform surgery."

"That... is true..."

"So, what happened?"

"..."

"Based on my estimation, nine out of ten patients died during the procedure, and the remaining one was completely destroyed by the virus that had multiplied again."

Am I wrong?

Baron Gorneo's expression was visibly trembling.

"Ugh... Sir, I... I feel a bit better..."

"Good, endure the pain. If you want to live, I will definitely save you."

"Thank you... Sir..."

The patient was just a commoner. In this continent's feudal system, countless socially vulnerable people die unjustly and are forgotten.

But as a patient, he is just a human being to me.

Because of the promise I made to the person who taught me medicine, I have no intention of compromising on my medical ethics.

"Have you prepared the items I mentioned?"

"They are ready at the place you mentioned."

"Phew!"

At my words, a sudden male voice answered, causing Baron Gorneo, who was standing nearby, to widen his eyes.

It was understandable to be surprised, as someone had just appeared without any prior indication.

"Good, I'll pay you later. Let's finish this in four days."

As I spoke, the man disappeared again, and Baron Gorneo, who had been staring blankly, followed me with a complex expression.

* * *

Four days later.

Baron Gorneo couldn't hide his bewildered feelings.

"Wow, the color is changing."

"How is the dark blue turning red?"

The words of the little girl and the man with horn-rimmed glasses, who were amazed, didn't even reach his ears.

"How is this possible..."

That was all he could say.

This was the kind of situation that was hard to believe even when seen with one's own eyes.

"I told you, I would finish it in four days."

"Brother!!"

"Now, we just need to monitor the situation and administer the medication."

"Black... Sniff, Brother, thank you so much..."

In the end, the little girl, Princess Wini, burst into tears and hugged Prince David, and Baron Gorneo slumped into a chair, feeling utterly defeated.