"Money, money, money.... Must be funny. In a rich man's world~"
Habitually, the catchy lyrics flowed out of the young master's mouth, his head bopping to the beat in his mind.
But to the listeners, they heard a voice like an oriel's. The intricate interweaving of the melody and poetic words brought more tears to the elf's eyes. Unable to withstand the overwhelming emotions anymore, Gale had to step away to recollect himself.
Elves weren't even emotional creatures. For Gale to be moved to tears by just his singing, it just added another layer of mystery to the child their General picked up...
Seeing his partner's vehemence, Isla regrettably knew he had to stop the master. Emotional elves weren't exactly the best company...
So, as if he read Jamie's mind, Isla reminded, "Young master, the market and city gates are still closed, so it is highly unlikely that the meeting with the flower vendor can be held on time. However..." The young guard's eyes shifted to Cieran who was practically breathing down Jamie's neck. The child's eyes were rounded like a docile house cat's but Isla felt they held the coldness of a snake's. "I heard that if nothing is found by the 10th day of the investigation, the ban will be lifted."
Hearing the great news, Jamie's eyes lit up. "Oh! That's good. Then I still have time to ask for a prescription."
After he properly watered the seedlings, Jamie washed up quickly and headed over to the doctor's residence.
~
Even after the young master woke up, Doctor Imire continued to read through case studies. Previously, the young master's condition and behavior could have been described as an unfortunate encounter with an uhyre. But now, the situation had changed.
The uhyre ended up being a hoax. So, why did the young master's condition deteriorate so rapidly?
As the doctor was immersed in his research, he heard a series of several knocks sounding at the door of the clinic.
"Doctor! Good afternoon!"
Now changed into new clothes, Jamie entered the clinic, eager to reacquaint himself with the old man. He remembered reading about this genius doctor's mysterious background discovered later in the book.
When the MC was in his mid-twenties, he had suffered a near fatal injury from the villain that should have cost him all of his life and hard work. Paralyzed after being comatose for several months, the MC at most was able to move his eyes and stiffly mouth a few words.
Many of his backers, allies, and harem members began to waver after seeing his previously formidable figure be reduced into one that required constant monitoring and care.
While reading, Jamie was hoping that this would have been the MC's demise, but unfortunately, the remaining hundred or so chapters allowed for a strong comeback. Any who doubted or wavered the MC returned with spines bent and kneecaps on the ground.
It was only because of this Doctor's famous disciples who were captured by the MC's most loyal subordinates and forced to cure him did the original 'Jamie' recover.
These disciples also never forgot to credit their knowledge and skills to their late teacher, Doctor Imire.
For most of the story, they were traveling the world, healing the sick, helping the poor. More than the usual philanthropist, they spent years providing welfare to those in need and only by-chance returned to the country after their decade long mission.
They had no idea that the one that they helped was one of the people who was responsible for their teacher's death.
Jamie remembered reading about how this doctor had been writing dozens of volumes of medical knowledge for years, leaving behind what could have been the most complete medical textbooks to date in this world. His plan was always to publish these books, but the MC didn't wish for such life-saving knowledge to spread before his goal was achieved.
["What if the enemy sees this? Wouldn't this prolong the war?"]
Thus, the texts were locked away, only to be completely destroyed in an inferno initiated by the MC's elemental rampage...
Seeing his life's works end up in flames, the doctor coughed up blood and had a heart attack.
Ironically, if the MC didn't destroy those texts or accidentally piss off the doctor to death, he might have been healed long before the original timeline. And in turn, many of the later conflicts wouldn't have occurred.
The doctor was surprised to see the young master coming to visit him. His immediate concern went to the child's health. "Is everything alright? Have you been experiencing any pain or discomfort?"
"Oh, no. I'm feeling perfectly fine. I was actually wondering if you've made any progress on the treatment plan for my Father."
Once again, the doctor was astonished. His eyes scanned to see the only ones present were the young master, the two guards, and the mysterious child who had appeared in the mansion the other day.
Meeting the eyes of the two teens, the doctor wanted to scold them. Were they the ones who told the child about the General's injury?
Behind the boy, Gale and Isla obstinately shook their heads. It wasn't them who told the young master. The boy figured it out on his own!
"Young master needn't worry. The General is in good health," the doctor assured. Of course, this assurance didn't fool Jamie who had, in great detail, read all about the injuries.
"I heard that father was so strong that he could wield weapons in both hands at once and pull a bow of a hundred ters... but now..." the boy's eyes gazed deeply into the doctor's. "...it's hard for him to even use as spoon to eat with his dominant hand."
The entire room fell silent as they took in the child's words.
Moments passed before Imire spoke again. With a terseness that previously was not there, he insisted, "As I've said, the General is in good health. There is nothing to be concerned about." Even if this was the adopted son of the General, he wasn't about to break doctor-patient confidentiality.
Jamie was disappointed hearing his resoluteness. After a moment of reflection, he thought maybe he should have gone straight to the General...
The doctor was obviously of the prickly sort. Other than the initial concern for the boy's well-being, the Imire. did not hold any regard to Soleil's status. It seemed as if he was part of the group that wasn't as convinced of the General's decision of adopting this random child. He held no dislike for the boy, but as a long-time servant of the Marquis Claudius household, there was a deep-seeded pride toward the master he served.
He always imagined for the next heir to be a splitting image of the master in visage and in character... This child... The doctor still need to observe a while before he could be convinced.
"If that is all, I have a few things I must get back too."
Unintentionally, his hands hinted to the many open books and loose papers resting on the table.
And like a 100-watt bulb lit up behind his eyes, Jamie turned that disappointment to an affable smile. "Are those medical books?"
The doctor leaned slightly back, blocking whatever was on the table. Everything he had placed here was a priceless treasure, with very few copies in the world, some even one of kind! And, they were the reasons the doctor agreed to stay in the General's mansion all those years ago... These were not books for children!
Imire then cleared his throat, fully intending to dismiss the boy. "Yes... Um. Well, I must really get back-"
"Do you think I could read them? I won't take them out of this room. I'll even wear gloves while using them!"
And just like that, the old doctor felt a fear in his heart that was comparable to seeing an uhyre himself. "I-I- Well..."
"I just want to help my father somehow... He had done so much for me, for the Kingdom; I just want him to recover as soon as possible."
Within that resistant expression, Jamie saw the hint of appreciation. Everything he just said was the truth, so there should be no shame expressing his thoughts.
The fish took the bait. Now it's time for the sinker. "In return, I'll give you a 20 percent portion of whatever grows in my garden. Isla can attest! They're all medicinal plants. I bought them last week."
Hearing this, the doctor quickly sang a different tune. He had long heard about the small spending spree from that day. If what the young master bought were miscellaneous items that the usual noble child would wear, his reaction would be different, but these were medicinal plants worth thousands of silver! A trade like this meant he could save how much? This way, he could just pay someone to make more copies.
Like he was already seeing the green, Imire's old dog's smile twisted upward.
"Deal."