The Doctor Cured the Villainess and Ran Away

53 – Social Party (1)

“It’s ready!”

Chloe placed today’s completed materials with a thud.

“Okay. There’s plenty to meet the deadline. Starting next week, we have to supply the Mongohyeon, so manage it thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir!”

Using my alchemy for medications is still faster and more accurate.

Once my skills improve, I plan to entrust the production of supplies to Chloe as well.

Since I’m short on hands, I asked for job applications, but there are still no applicants.

Opening the status window, he opens the skill list.

——————————

○ Alchemy C

– Reinforcement C – Nature Alteration C

– Compression C

– Synthesis C – Extraction D

– (Unacquired)

○ Medicine C

– Diagnosis C – Blood Test C – X-ray D

– Prescription D

– First Aid D – Surgery (Basic) C

– (Unacquired)

——————————

Now that he has quite a few skills, he needs to use them appropriately.

Medicines that utilize the effects of raw materials, like aspirin, can be quickly produced through compression and reinforcement processes.

Medicines that require chemical processing take longer to make because extraction is the starting point.

“Teacher, the ingredients have arrived.”

“Ah, just stack them up for now.”

Tanya placed a large box in the corner. The office was gradually turning into a logistics warehouse.

They needed a larger space.

The first thing he wanted to make now was an antacid.

Thanks to that, he had gathered various ingredients like pig pancreas and corn husks.

“It’s taking too long. Mass-producing this would be impossible.”

He gave up on making the antacid ingredient.

Taking too much time for producing emergency medicine was inefficient.

Using simpler ingredients would lower their effectiveness and render them unusable for patients.

If he was going to spend a long time, he should create a powerful one-shot medicine like an analgesic or a strength-enhancing potion, or a mana potion with good effects.

It could be called a secret technique.

He decided to postpone making the antacid until a mass production system was established.

“For now, isn’t it better to make some carbonated drinks?”

Carbonation doesn’t have zero digestive effects.

If consumed excessively, it can become toxic to the stomach.

I… crave a cola.

Now, I’ll move on to creating my finishing move. I happened to have almost completed one item after days of meticulous work.

I prepare the liquid to fill two syringes.

I got the idea from those kits distributed with gas masks as part of the military’s chemical warfare equipment.

“It’s an antidote.”

This antidote temporarily relieves nerve toxins and provides time for treatment.

Ironically, most antidotes are also toxic themselves. The term “toxic antidote” exists for a reason.

The reason for considering an antidote as an inspiration was because of the incident when Camilla recalled a group of black magicians.

Black magic involves showing hallucinations or attacks primarily with newt poison.

In essence, its form is similar to poison.

If we consider Sarong’s curse as a kind of magic, it can be classified as black magic. Asella was even affected by it during the martial arts competition, and it could happen again.

From Noble mtl dot com

And what if Asella gets poisoned and dies? Without a lengthy explanation, that would mean a confirmed bad ending for me too.

The antidote is insurance against that.

“The smaller one is atropine, the larger one is oxime.”

This is the result of working tirelessly, collecting poisonous herbs in the northern mountains near the palace and practicing alchemy.

“Synthesis.”

I complete the final step in conjunction with the magic circle.

Hmm, it’s lovely.

Though it would be better if I never have to use it in an emergency.

I carefully place it inside my coat.

Nowadays, I’ve prepared many different types of syringes, so I made sure to memorize their exact positions to avoid confusion.

“Teacher, shouldn’t you start getting ready for the party?”

In response to Tanya’s suggestion, I take out my pocket watch.

“Do we still have three hours left?”

“That’s why you should go.”

“You only need 5 minutes to change your clothes.”

“Are you serious? With that hairstyle?”

What’s wrong with my hair anyway.

“Since it is an important occasion… please entrust the office to me,” Chloé whispered while pushing me.

If it has come to this point, I cannot not go, and besides, I’ll hear it from Asella if I am late.

I departed to the Moon Palace.

***

Darkness had fallen over the palace ballroom where the party was held. The sparkling stars were buried under the brilliant lights.

Although it was important that the western duke’s family had a tradition of holding power since the founding of the empire, or that they won a great victory in the recent small-scale battle with the kingdom, Asella sighed for a different reason as she looked out from the balcony.

As the heir to the throne, nobility inclusion was vital. Even if you become an emperor, it’s useless if a rebellion happens right away.

It was a social circle that I should have joined someday. Today, in particular, it was an event where young people with powerful families, who would later become heads of the households during a generational change, gathered.

But Asella, in her current position, was also busy growing factions in the royal palace and restraining other heirs to the throne.

There was too much to do.

Growing factions, managing the royal palace, including nobility, and studying.

She had confidence to do them all at the same time. In fact, the Moon Palace was growing much more noticeably than when Camilla was actually in power.

Just the tasks that a young girl like Asella handled were at a superhuman level, but they were also demands that came naturally to the bloodline of the royal family.

It might have been a bit of a burden.

The sigh that had secretly escaped accumulated stress without her even realizing it.

And also, she hoped that there would be no sudden abdominal pain in the midst of a crowded place.

The biggest reason she had declined Laugen’s invitation so far was that she couldn’t afford to show any weakness in front of the nobles.

She planned to make her social debut a little later, in two or three years.

“But still.”

Her ambition had grown even more now.

The emperor had grown old.

As if he didn’t know if next year would come, he was trying to show his vitality by exerting himself excessively.

Hadn’t the battle competition been canceled altogether due to the calamity of an epidemic and the attack of a demon?

And the emperor hadn’t even been able to enjoy most of the tournament since the second day, they said.

That was on top of the hard work endured by the medical staff and healers.

Even if he wasn’t very old, it was because he had used up all his energy in his youth.

I had to prepare faster as long as I didn’t know when he would collapse.

And…

At this moment, she felt that even if an unexpected incident were to occur, it would be all right.

Let’s endure a little longer.

That was the thought crossing her mind.

“Acella.”

At the sound of her name, Acella turned her head.

Camilla, adorned with a touch of sophistication, was standing on the balcony of the adjacent room.

“Well, well, well…”

“You seem to be doing well,” Camilla said with a bitter smile.

She seemed relatively less venomous than before.

“I was surprised how well the Moonlight Palace was managed in my absence. Impressive.”

“As expected of a princess. What do you need?”

Deciding that Camilla had no other reason to address her, Acella promptly brought up the main topic.

“The agreement with Geork is over.”

“What kind of agreement was it?”

“You already know, 2nd Empress is just like 2nd Princess Laou, a woman not suitable for the court. She has only lived a life of luxury in her gilded cage.”

It was about the story of Geork, the second empress and Laou’s mother. She was a stunning princess from a conquered country during the Emperor’s conquest war 25 years ago.

“If there is one disadvantage Geork possesses compared to Kventer or Heike, it’s the lack of a legitimate empress.”

Camilla continued towards Acella.

“In exchange for my cooperation with Geork, he will honor me as the empress after his coronation and grant me authority. That’s the essence of the agreement.”

Geork, the 2nd prince, intended to acknowledge Camilla as his de facto political mother.

Conversely, it also meant that Camilla would completely sever her ties with Acella and the royal family.

“Acella, I needed an ally in the emperor. It has been a long time since you turned your back on me.”

“I understand.”

“My ambitions may have been excessive, and what I did to you was cruel. I am reflecting on it.”

Acella calmly listened to Camilla’s words.

“Being the youngest of the family, you may have shouldered an excessive burden. My war should have been fought by myself from the beginning.”

Camilla raised the corners of her mouth, seemingly regretful, her eyes soaked in remorse.

“Acella, you don’t need to strive for succession anymore. Live joyfully, enjoying the privileges of the aristocracy, much like Laou.”

“…Is it really okay?”

Camilla responded with a displeased expression to Ashella’s question.

“Of course. Now leave the troublesome matters to me and rest. You don’t have to study, manage the palace, or even learn magic. I consulted with my sage.”

Camilla’s voice rose in excitement.

“They said they could remove your magical talent and the price that comes with it. Ashella, from now on, you can live an ordinary life as you please.”

“I see.”

Unlike Camilla, who was agitated, Ashella maintained a calm attitude.

Her sharp gaze pierced through Camilla.

And she spoke confidently.

“I refuse.”

“What?”

The kind face she had shown until now disappeared, and Camilla’s brows furrowed.

Ashella remained straight-backed without flinching.

The reason for Ashella’s composure was simple.

She had seen through Camilla’s deception from the beginning.

“I refuse. Becoming an empress is solely my will. Even if it’s not an extravagant ambition, there are plenty of reasons for succession.”

“H-How can you speak so firmly?”

“The tone of your voice rises when you lie, Your Majesty.”

“What did you say?”

“You’ve never hesitated to use any means and methods to make me an empress. You won’t simply discard the time and resources you’ve invested for over a decade. Did you really think this cheap trick would deceive Ashella von Bürtemfeldt?”

“Damn, this woman…!”

Camilla revealed her true colors and slammed the glass on the table.

The glass shattered on the floor, making a loud noise.

“I raised a monster all this time! How dare you defy me like this!”

Clashing with each other, whether it was Georgina, Camilla, or their pent-up anger, remained unchanged.

They had underestimated themselves. Did they think she would easily accept their sweet proposal like a naive child?

If they were genuinely concerned, they would have first brought up the topic of the dragon attack at the martial arts competition.

The only magic expert surpassing Camilla is the sage in this royal family.

If they truly cared about Ashella, they would have at least shown concern about her not getting hurt.

Camilla is still filled with her own desires.

Ashella speculated on the reason why Camilla approached her.

“The most peculiar part of our conversation just now.”

There was no indication that she intended to take any resources from Moonlight Palace, such as knights or funds.

“The part about consulting with the master is a lie.”

Why did she bring up the sweet story of being able to remove the cost of magic?

“Does she want to take away my talent?”

With the evidence at hand, Ashella quickly deduced Camilla’s motive.

If she had already decided to make Geork the emperor, then she must secure all the assets she has accumulated so far.

What she desires the most is Moonlight Palace, but there are other things she needs to prioritize.

Ashella possesses assets that hold more value than Moonlight Palace.

“She doesn’t want to eliminate my talent, but rather steal it.”

What on earth do I possess that Camilla wanted to snatch away, even pretending to be a good mother figure?

How does Camilla know what it is?

If I think about it from the beginning…

“She has never once called me her daughter.”

She has never referred to herself as a mother.

The first person pronoun she always uses is ‘I.’

Ashella confirmed it once again.

Camilla is a devil driven by ambition and an enemy.

Swoosh. Vibrations from the musicians playing downstairs can be heard.

Since the courtship ceremony of the nobles has ended, it was time for the young aristocrats to enter.

“If you’ll excuse me for my turn. I would appreciate it if you could handle matters in writing.”

“Ashella!”

Ignoring Camilla’s shouting, Ashella swiftly turned her body and entered the room.

She didn’t reveal any signs, but her heart was pounding.

In a way, the collision just now became a means of confirmation.

Now, Camilla is no longer her mother.

There is no place for Ashella in the royal family… She has no family.

Ashella suppressed the rising emptiness inch by inch.

She ignored it and turned her eyes away.

‘I’ve always done it alone.’

There won’t be any change in the future. There won’t be any disappointment.

Did you not prepare for this? Did you not know?

The path to becoming an emperor is lonely, rugged, and bloody.

But it must be done.

If I become the emperor.

―Becoming the emperor, staining the world with destruction.

Without even noticing that his pace quickened, Ashella, aided by Chancellor Sinyang, walked down the hallway.

And then.

“Your Highness.”

A voice was heard.

A man was waiting for her.

The restless boat in her mind gradually calms down under the serene moonlight.

…It’s truly fascinating.

Ashella scrutinized him carefully.

Her snow-white hair meticulously cut and styled exuded elegance.

His slim suit accentuated his thin frame. Although lacking in raw masculinity, it had a silhouette that stimulated protective instincts and subtly seduced women.

Yet, aristocratic manners were ingrained in his body as he politely extended his hand, making her feel like a queen.

Lars cocked his head curiously.

“Are you all right? Your forehead seems a bit bruised. We should examine it now…”

“Just hold my hand, Gongja.”

“Yes.”

Ashella gently placed her gloved hand on top of his.

They walked down the corridor.

She could easily tell that he was adjusting his stride to match hers.

“Gongja.”

“Yes.”

“Confidently, stand tall.”

“Of course. How disrespectful would it be if someone tarnished Your Highness’s reputation?”

“Because it’s noisy, keep your words to a minimum. Don’t utter a single word even if someone approaches you.”

“Yes.”

What a person with so much work.

Asella casually glanced at his profile with a sidelong glance.

―The jewel shining faintly like the moon in the night sky, Princess Asella von Bürttemfeldt of the Moon Palace and her fiancé are entering!

The entrance opened, and a bright light poured in.

Asella lifted her right foot simultaneously with Lass.