Chapter 78

"Then I'll be going. I'll leave the rest to you."

"Yes, sir... Please take care."

"Haha, stop being so sentimental. I'll probably come back to Retvik sometimes, so I'll drop by then."

Selphace, the doctor who had run a clinic in Retvik, the barony of Keinitz... or rather, who had run it, said this to his disciple who was to take over the clinic from today and left the building.

Having handed over the clinic to his disciple who was now ready to stand on his own, Selphace was about to leave Retvik, where he had spent many years, and head to the barony of Alquvist, which bordered the west of Keinitz.

His luggage included a bag filled with medical instruments and a large package containing various medicines, quite a lot of items. Therefore, he had hired a carriage for the journey to Noein, the capital of the Alquvist barony.

"…If we leave now, will we arrive by noon?"

"Yes, the weather is good, so if everything goes smoothly, we should."

After exchanging these words with the driver he had hired along with the carriage, Selphace set off for the place where he had decided to spend his remaining years.

...

It was a peaceful afternoon, just like any other. Noein, who was working in his office, basking in the pleasant sunlight streaming in from the window, received a report from Pense.

"Noein-sama, may I ask the prospective settler to come in?"

"Sure, another new person, huh? Are they a farmer this time?"

"No, that's the thing... The one who came is Dr. Selphace."

The name that came out of Pense's mouth was unexpected.

"Huh, Dr. Selphace? He wants to settle here?"

"Yes, I confirmed it again, and it seems he is indeed a prospective settler."

Noein, still surprised, exchanged glances with Matilda, who was helping him with his work in the office. Her face also showed a look of surprise.

Noein had been helped by Dr. Selphace, the elderly doctor who ran a clinic in Retvik, many times. When Noein had contracted Eld fever last year and when there were many injured in the battle against the bandits, it was Dr. Selphace who had rushed from Retvik to treat them.

"Understood, I'll go see him right away."

He couldn't keep the benefactor of the Alquvist barony waiting. Noein put down the documents he was holding and hurriedly stood up.

Accompanied by Matilda and Pense, he headed to the guard post near the entrance of Noein, the capital of the Alquvist barony, where Dr. Selphace was indeed waiting.

"Hello, Dr. Selphace."

"Lord Alquvist, I apologize for suddenly visiting like this."

"Dr. Selphace, you are always welcome... By the way, I heard you want to settle in this barony."

"Yes, that's right. I'm sure it came as a surprise."

Dr. Selphace said with a gentle smile.

"As the lord, I am very pleased that a doctor with a solid track record like Dr. Selphace wants to settle here... but I must admit, I am a bit surprised. May I ask the reason?"

Noein had heard that Dr. Selphace had been running a clinic in Retvik for decades. It was a small clinic, but it played a role in helping the local people.

Why, then, would he leave the familiar Retvik and wish to settle in the Alquvist barony, which was nothing more than a rural backwater? Noein couldn't quite understand the reason.

"Of course, I will explain... Do you know my age, Lord Alquvist?"

"No, I'm sorry, I don't..."

"I see, my apologies. I am exactly 90 years old this year."

At Selphace's words, Noein's eyes widened.

Indeed, Selphace looked like an elderly man, but with his steady gait, straight back, and clear speech, Noein had thought he was in his 60s at most.

"That's... surprising. Does that mean you are a half-elf or a quarter-elf?"

"That's correct, I am a quarter-elf, with one-quarter elven blood."

Hearing this, Noein nodded in understanding.

While children cannot be born between beastmen and humans, it is possible, though rare, for children to be born between sub-humans like elves and dwarves and humans.

Elves are said to live more than twice as long as humans. With one-quarter elven blood, Selphace could probably live to be 100 years old if he didn't fall ill.

At 90 years old, he could still maintain such youthful vigor.

"Those who inherit elven blood are more likely to be gifted with magical talent. I was also blessed with the talent for healing magic. However, my talent was limited to slightly enhancing the natural healing ability of the person I cast the spell on, so I studied pharmacology to compensate for my lack of talent and became a doctor."

Selphace continued his story.

"For over 70 years as a doctor, I have treated patients and the injured in various places, from cities to battlefields. For the past 30 years, I have lived in Retvik, the barony of Keinitz, and run a clinic... but now that my disciple has grown sufficiently, I have handed over the clinic to him."

"I see. And that's why you chose this Alquvist barony?"

"Yes. Even though quarter-elves have a relatively long lifespan, my life expectancy is probably only a few more decades. I thought about where I wanted to spend the final years of my long life... and I wanted to live in a land governed by a benevolent lord, witnessing the development of the land."

"...Do I really appear that way to you, Dr. Selphace?"

Noein smiled a little sheepishly.

"Yes, when one of your retainers rushed to my clinic when you contracted Eld fever, I learned that you were deeply respected and worried about by your subordinates. When you generously offered to pay for the treatment of the injured citizens after the battle with the bandits, I saw your compassion. I thought that if I were to spend my later years, I would want to do so in a land governed by someone like you. As a humble doctor, I would like to contribute to this land, even in a small way."

Faced with Selphace's gentle smile, Noein was a bit taken aback.

Having maneuvered to become a "good lord" after considering various calculations, Noein felt a bit uncomfortable being praised so straightforwardly as a saintly figure.

However, Selphace's offer was something the lord of this land could only wish for. Considering how much Noein and the citizens had been helped by him in the past, it was impossible to refuse the settlement of such a benefactor.

"...Of course, as the lord, I and my retainers and citizens will all welcome Dr. Selphace with joy. I will provide you with a place to live and a place to practice medicine."

"That's wonderful. I am grateful, Lord Alquvist."

"I will do my best to be a lord worthy of the land where Dr. Selphace will spend his later years."

For once, without any calculation, Noein sincerely said this, showing respect to a senior in life.