Chapter 162: White Death Disease (4)

The next day.

Charlotte and Jenny visited the Meyer Infirmary.

It was for a Sick Visit to that peculiar woman they met last night.

"Charlotte, I didn't know you would obediently come for a Sick Visit. I thought you would consider this a waste of Time. I guess you were also thankful for the help you received yesterday?"

"......"

Charlotte did not answer Jenny's words.

It wasn't that she didn't have Gratitude.

If the Duke's Daughter hadn't appeared, Charlotte would have had to endure some fatigue as well.

But to put it differently, it was a situation Charlotte could have sufficiently overcome.

Therefore, the purpose of this Sick Visit was more out of curiosity than Gratitude.

However, Charlotte did not bother bringing that fact up.

It was the Result of learning 'Social skills' and 'Consideration' while hanging out with Jenny for a year.

"Didn't she tell us to buy Fruit on the way? What should we buy?"

"I will buy it. Jenny, you are short on your Allowance."

"As expected. Charlotte is the only one who thinks of my Wallet."

Like that, the two visited the Meyer Infirmary on good terms.

"Charlotte. What brings you here?"

"I heard an acquaintance was released from quarantine yesterday. I came for a Sick Visit."

"Ah, the only person whose quarantine was lifted yesterday is Young Lady Keres. Did you know each other?"

"Yes."

To be exact, they became acquainted yesterday.

However, recalling the request Gretel made last night, Charlotte did not explain it in detail.

And just as she Intentioned, Yulian simply moved on, figuring that was the case.

'Come to think of it, Charlotte is also a Marquis family's Young Lady. It wouldn't be strange even if she had a Connection with the Duke's Daughter.'

Convinced, Yulian nodded.

"It was just Time for the Young Lady's Ward Rounds, I will give you Guidance."

Since it happened to be the Duke's Daughter's Morning Ward Rounds Time, Yulian personally took charge of the Guidance.

During the Guidance, Yulian handed a Mask to the two people.

"I confirmed that the risk of Infection of the White Death Disease is now gone, but let's put it on just in case."

Only after Charlotte and Jenny wore the Mask like that, Yulian provided Guidance for the two to the Duke's Daughter.

The Hospital Room where the Duke's Daughter was staying was a VIP room located on the top floor of the Infirmary.

It was the Result of the doting Duke paying the hospitalization fees generously.

Slide-

The VIP room door opened.

Inside the VIP room, which was distinctly wider than other Hospital Rooms.

On the bed that first caught their eyes, only neatly arranged bedding was placed instead of the Young Lady.

The sunlight entering through the window cast long shadows over the ownerless white bedding.

Jenny was momentarily flustered.

It was the Fault of the Patient not being seen on the bed.

Perhaps the Patient had escaped, or some problem had occurred regarding her Personal Safety.

Such Worry came to mind first.

It was a habit developed while working at the Infirmary for a long Time.

However, Yulian turned his head as if he was used to it.

It was the Fault of this not being the first Time such a thing happened.

"Young Lady Keres. It's Time for Ward Rounds."

The place he turned his head to was the floor a little distance from the bed.

Gretel had laid out a carpet on the floor and was kneeling on it, focusing on drawing.

That drawing was a landscape painting of the Academy Territory as the sun set.

Gretel, holding a Brush in one hand, was carefully dropping ink onto the spread Rice Paper.

Yulian waited for her.

Because he knew well that Ink Wash Painting is difficult to stop in the middle once the Brush touches the Rice Paper.

The Brush slid down.

With that single stroke, one building of the Academy Territory reached Completion.

"I am sorry for making you wait, Lord Saint."

"Not at all."

Yulian glanced at the painting and praised her.

"The residential area is almost at Completion."

"Yes. I plan to draw the commercial district starting Tomorrow. At this rate, it seems it will reach Completion before the White Death Disease treatment is over."

"Please be sure to show it to me upon Completion."

"Of course, Lord Saint."

Yulian gave a pleased smile.

A Patient being able to immerse themselves in a hobby meant that their recovery was going that well.

However, there was one point to address.

"You are definitely wearing a Mask when drawing, right?"

"Yes. I am keeping all of the Lord Saint's requests. I am also making sure to draw only in a location with good Ventilation."

She was a Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Patient.

The dust and Brush hairs flying from the Rice Paper, and depending on the case, even the Component of the ink.

Such substances could act as a fatal Antigen to her Lungs.

Therefore, he wouldn't tell her not to draw, but he urged her to make sure to wear a Mask.

Although it is a Disease infamous enough to be called the Demon Disease by The public,

Just one Mask can block a significant amount of the particles that cause Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

"You are doing well."

Yulian, having finished a simple greeting before the Ward Rounds, pointed behind him.

"There are people who came for a Sick Visit today. I will finish as quickly as possible and step aside."

Yulian unfolded the test paper.

Most of the levels recorded on the test paper were Normal.

Among them, Yulian focused and checked the Liver Enzyme Levels.

[AST : 51]

[ALT : 42]

[Total bilirubin : 1.1]

"Your Liver Enzyme Levels have slightly exceeded Normal. By any chance, did you drink alcohol when you went out yesterday?"

"A-No!"

Putting on a serious Facial expression, Gretel waved her hands in Denial.

"The only thing I ate while out yesterday was a little Meat......"

"Ah, that must be the cause. It's possible. If you eat greasy outside food after only eating Infirmary meals, your Liver Enzyme Levels can go up like this."

Yulian waved his hand as if it was okay.

"It's not that a problem has occurred in your liver, and it's a perfectly natural reaction, so you don't need to Worry too much. Ah, I also offer my Apology for doubting you."

Yulian, who checked the numbers like that, soon nodded.

"Everything is fine. How are you feeling by any chance?"

"Thanks to the Lord Saint, I have gotten much better."

Gretel answered in a demure Stance.

"The fever that rose every night has now subsided, and that dreadful Cough has gotten much better. It is all the Lord Saint's Grace."

"That is a relief. Are you making sure to drink water well? Because your bronchial tubes have weakened due to the Cough, it's good to drink frequently."

"Of course."

Gretel gently lifted the water bottle at her waist.

"I haven't forgotten for a moment, and I keep it by my side to drink."

"Good."

Yulian nodded.

"Since going out has been permitted, meeting people and getting some fresh air is good. However, when having a Discussion, do not take off your Mask."

"May I ask what the reason is?"

"From the White Death Disease to the Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, the Young Lady's respiratory system is currently in a very weakened state. At times like this, even a mild Cold can lead to severe Worsening, so you must be especially careful."

"I will keep it in mind."

Gretel bowed her head politely.

"Then, I have to finish seeing the other Patients, so I will get going now. Please rest comfortably."

Yulian gave a Nod and quietly left the Hospital Room.

Giving a Farewell to Charlotte to have a good Time before leaving was a bonus.

After the door closed like that.

"......"

"......"

"......"

Silence descended upon the Hospital Room with only the three people.

The three people wearing a Mask made eye contact with each other.

Soon, Jenny opened her mouth first.

"......Who are you?"

"You all came to visit, so what exactly is your Intention in asking who I am?"

"......Who are you, really?"

Jenny was confused.

In Jenny's head, Duke's Daughter Gretel was not this kind of image.

A Heroine who skewered a Black Sorcerer to a wall on a moonlit night when the Full Moon rose brightly, and crossed over roofs lightly shouldering a Glaive as big as a person.

That was exactly the Duke's Daughter Gretel that Jenny knew,

But right now, before her eyes was only a sickly, demure lady whose hobby was drawing.

Jenny felt a bit of Perplexity at the gap.

It was the same for Charlotte.

"If you are perhaps worrying about your public image, we will not tell anyone."

"Ah, I see you think I am being coy."

At that, Gretel burst into laughter, saying Pfft.

"There's no need for that. I am not the type of person to act coy depending on the person. I am like this when dealing with Retainers in my Hometown as well, so pay it no mind."

"Isn't the gap too big to say that?"

"The only people I treat with etiquette are the parents and grandparents who gave birth to me, and my Benefactor, the Lord Saint. How could I act unreservedly like usual toward the person who saved my life?"

"That is true too."

"Rather, think of my true nature as this one. Cough. Hmm, excuse me."

Gretel turning her head away while speaking.

And then, with her head turned, she pulled down her Mask, unfastened the water bottle at her waist, and gulped it down.

As if drinking alcohol.

"Ahem. Sorry about that. Because the Cough keeps coming out."

While readjusting her Mask, Gretel changed her Stance.

From a demure kneeling position to a comfortable cross-legged position.

Gretel looked back and forth at the two.

"After finishing A walk last night, I personally looked into it a bit. Charlotte Hausen. The Young Lady of the Marquis Hausen Family. And the other is a Priest."

"......Yes."

"Although I am in the body of a Duke's Daughter, treat me comfortably as well."

Jenny blinking her eyes at that Stance.

"......That's surprising. Since you are a Duke's Daughter, I thought you would be stricter about Social status."

"Respect, you see."

Gretel smiled faintly.

"It naturally blooms from people's hearts when they see the deeds one has built up themselves. What on earth would be the value of reverence forced out by putting up the Insignia of Birth?"

"It is the exact opposite of what I heard."

Charlotte said in a low voice.

"I heard the Eastern Region has the strictest culture of Etiquette even in the Empire."

"Right. Just because it's the Keres family doesn't mean it's completely unrelated to that trend."

Gretel obediently gave her Acknowledgement and nodded.

"However, I have no intention of living tied to such false fame."

Her gaze headed to the corner of the Hospital Room.

There, old-fashioned-looking Letters were piled up high.

"The Noble's Children who said they would dedicate their Life to me, all turned their backs as if they made a promise as soon as I showed signs of illness."

"......"

"Those very people, as soon as they heard there was a possibility of me rising from my Hospital bed, started sending these Letters."

She snorted.

"Although the only ones actually coming for a Sick Visit are you two whom I met for the first time yesterday, and my family. So I do not wish for that kind of Respect. Respect should be received for what I have accomplished. Treat me comfortably."

From Gretel saying so, Jenny suddenly got an Impression as if she had transcended The secular world.

It was that kind of detachment that only someone who had been to the threshold of death due to a Disease could possess.

At that Time, Gretel's gaze headed to the basket the two people brought.

"What is that?"

"Ah, it's a gift for the Sick Visit. It's Fruit, and I hope you like it."

"I will accept it with Gratitude."

Jenny held out the basket.

Gretel looked inside and slightly frowned.

"Tangerines? ......No, they are oranges."

And then, she muttered in a low voice.

"Eating tangerines makes me crave Takju...... Hmmm."

"......?"

Jenny tilted her head.

'What does a tangerine have to do with alcohol?'

"Then, should we bring something else next Time?"

Charlotte asked.

"For instance, grapes."

"That is an absolute no."

Gretel firmly waved her hand.

"Because seeing grapes makes me crave Wine."

"......"

Jenny's Facial expression strangely hardened.

Come to think of it, there was something she learned from Yulian a while ago.

Alcohol Use Disorder.

A Disease where seeing a specific thing brings alcohol to mind, and thoughts of alcohol never leave the head.

It was also a Proposal that caused a great stir in the existing Field of Healing Arts, which only considered physical Flaws as diseases.

What did he say again.

— "We must slowly begin a Discussion on Substance Use Disorder."

From what she heard, he was making those diseases known to the Field of Healing Arts first because of the New Medicine he would announce soon.

As Jenny was merely a Second Year in the Department of Healing Arts, she couldn't fully understand the meaning of diagnosing that Disease.

'Drinking alcohol is one's own responsibility, so why are they treating that?'

Even so, she definitely remembered what kind of Disease Alcohol Use Disorder was.

Because of that, one Doubt naturally arose.

'......Why didn't the Lord Saint make a Diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder?'

Did that mean it wasn't a Disease that made one go crazy over alcohol?

Department of Healing Arts Student Jenny was slightly confused.

Unaware of Jenny's inner thoughts, Gretel calmly sipped her water bottle.

Regret dripping from her eyes as she looked at the water bottle was a bonus.

"By the way."

Gretel changed the Topic of conversation.

"Charlotte Hausen. Do you, by any chance, know how to play Baduk?"

"......A little."

"Oh, that's great."

Gretel's eyes sparkled.

"Lying on the Hospital bed, I was bored to death. Shall we play a Board?"

She pulled out an old Baduk Board from under the bed.

She must have been quite bored, seeing as she seemed to have prepared it in advance.

"Good."

Charlotte sat in her seat.

Stones began to be placed.

The two people's match lasted for about an hour.

The match ended more anticlimactically than expected.

"Huh. I lost."

"What? This is the end?"

Gretel laughed dejectedly as she put down a stone.

Jenny, who only roughly knew the Rule of Baduk, tilted her head.

There is only one territory made yet?

But the Duke's Daughter lost?

However, Charlotte didn't particularly express Denial of this either.

The two seemed as if they already knew how this match would end.

"Goodness. In my Hometown, I made quite a name for myself for playing a good move."

She stared down at the Board.

"If it were you, you would have easily gained at least one Sobriquet in The Martial World just with Baduk."

"I was lucky."

Charlotte replied calmly while organizing the stones.

Then, she suddenly stopped her hands.

"......Excuse me, Duke's Daughter."

"Call me Gretel."

"Then, Gretel."

Charlotte looked at her.

"Do you have any thought of becoming my Bodyguard while staying in the Academy Territory."

"......Bodyguard?"

The Duke's Daughter looked at Charlotte with dumbfounded eyes.

"A Marquis's Young Lady using a Duke's Daughter as a Bodyguard? Isn't the order completely reversed here?"

"Ah, the word Bodyguard might be a misnomer. How about a friend who hangs out together?"

"You mean to hang out with you and protect you from your side?"

"Yes."

Charlotte nodded.

"Due to the Fault of my Fiancé becoming so famous, it seems there will be many occasions where I'll be in danger in the future too."

"So you want me to hang around with you and protect you from dangerous people."

"That's correct."

"Hmm......"

Gretel let out a Groan.

Seeming to ponder just like that, Gretel readily nodded.

"Well, sounds good. I have nothing to do while staying here and receiving treatment anyway, so taking on the role of your Escort Warrior seems quite fun too."

Of course, there was another reason.

Charlotte is Yulian's Fiancée.

And Yulian is Gretel's Benefactor.

'I was at a loss on how to repay my Grace to The Revered One, but I hope this serves as a small Reward.'

Protecting Charlotte is equivalent to repaying the Grace to Yulian.

To Gretel, who values Complicated relationships, there was no reason to refuse this Proposal.

Charlotte bowed her head to Gretel, who readily accepted.

"Thank you."

"Instead, my body isn't like it used to be either, so don't have too big of an expectation."

"If so, may I ask what your Rank is by any chance."

Charlotte asked.

Charlotte had already figured out Gretel's Rank, but

It was a necessary Question because Charlotte's publicly known Rank was Rank 1.

To this, Gretel calmly replied.

"I was originally 4th Rank, but right now breathing is a bit difficult due to the Disease. I would like you to consider my fighting power as around 3rd Rank."

At that moment, Jenny opened her eyes wide.

"F-4th Rank?"

She hurriedly interrupted.

"Excuse me, but...... how old are you by any chance?"

Gretel's face frowned slightly.

"......Isn't it a bit rude to ask a lady her age?"

"Ah, I'm sorry! That's not it─"

"Well, it's fine."

Gretel waved her hand.

"Twenty-two."

"4th Rank at twenty-two......!"

Jenny was astonished.

"How could you reach that level of Accomplishment at such a young age......"

Of course, Jenny's older brother, Gregor, also achieved that level of Accomplishment at a young age.

However, this stemmed from the distinct characteristic of Old Testament Style Divine Magic.

Due to the characteristic of Old Testament Style Magic, where Faith and an ascetic lifestyle directly link to one's Rank,

Because it is theoretically possible to Skyrocket from Rank 0 to 7th Rank overnight.

However, Magic is not like that.

Magic is essentially Academia.

Therefore, the fact that she had accomplished 4th Rank at that age was hard to believe, at least for Jenny.

"What do you mean by that, Lady Jenny?"

"Please understand, Gretel. Jenny is a Priest, so she doesn't know much about this side."

"Ah, that could be. Since Priests are often ignorant of Nobles' Circumstances."

Charlotte and Gretel looked at Jenny simultaneously.

......With eyes looking at a strange person.

"......W-Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Jenny."

Charlotte cautiously opened her mouth.

"Usually, a Noble's Child does about that much."

"......What?"

"To be exact, the more of a Prestigious Family it is, the more it is like that."

Gretel sipped her water bottle and added an explanation.

"People often think that because Accomplishment in Academia directly links to Rank in Magic, one cannot do Shortening of Time. But that is strictly only half true. It is only so when one does Self-study or has to personally pioneer a new domain."

Gretel raised a finger.

As if pointing to the sky.

"Rank of Magic is, in essence, the stage of enlightenment. Those without a family must build that stage alone from the beginning, so their growth is slow. But a Noble is different."

"How is it different?"

"They inherit and absorb the enlightenment their ancestors built up over a Lifetime just as it is, so how could the speed be the same?"

"But the friends who stand out in the Hero Department are also Nobles, yet they are all staying around Rank 1?"

"That is because they are Minor Nobility to the point of needing to come to the Hero Department. 'The real deal' Nobles have no need to come to the Hero Department in the first place. Like me."

"Ah......"

Charlotte added.

"New nobility also has slightly slower growth. Because they do not have many stages to inherit from their Predecessors, they have to pioneer most of it themselves."

"In contrast, the older the family is, like the Keres Ducal Family, the faster the growth speed. Because they have done Research for generations not only on what to teach but also on how to teach, it is much easier for the Successor to absorb the enlightenment."

"This is exactly the reason why the Empire emphasizes Arcane Magic."

The most powerful point of Arcane Magic is that its Rank can be continued as it is.

Even if the head of the family dies suddenly, if the Successor is continuing that Secret Technique, they can quickly catch up to that Rank.

That is why the Empire so heavily emphasizes a 'Successor' and 'Arcane Magic' to Nobles.

"So I too, am actually not that great. Rather......"

She laughed bitterly.

"I fell greatly behind due to the Disease at the most important Time. Thinking of my grandfather's and Father's Rank, I originally should have accomplished 5th Rank by now."

"Then...... may I ask about the Duke's Level of Mastery?"

"It is a public secret, but just know that it is at a similar level to the Great Sage."

"......!"

Jenny swallowed a Gasp.

At the same time, she thought.

A Ducal Family isn't a Ducal Family for nothing.

There was bound to be a good reason why a Noble Family, which could only climb up to the Marquis title through Normal methods, received the Ducal Title of Nobility.

Gretel, having finished the explanation, held out her hand toward Charlotte.

"Anyway, I look forward to working with you then. Lady Charlotte."

"You can comfortably call me Charlotte."

"Ah, I find this comfortable."

The two shared a Handshake.

It was the moment one person was added to Charlotte's friend list.

"......Lady Charlotte. Do you, by any chance, know alcohol well?"

"I don't enjoy it, but I have memorized about it for investigations."

"Then what is the most delicious alcohol in the Academy Territory?"

At Gretel's Question, Charlotte pondered for a moment before speaking.

"My Fiancé occasionally makes something called a cocktail, and personally, I found that the most delicious."

"Oh! Then I definitely must ask the Lord Saint for it upon my Discharge from hospital."

Jenny looked at such Gretel while letting out a deep Sigh.

'Why is there no one Normal around me besides myself.'

Lamenting the fact that even her newly made friend was this kind of person.