Chapter : 61

‘To think I’d meet this person here.’

Andreas Vesalius.

He was one of the few 3-star great persons in [Pangea Universalise], created based on a medieval great person from actual history.

Hiring him had the effect of raising a city's public health and medical standards, and it significantly lowered the mortality rate from surgical operations.

“Hoho. I knew you’d like him. What do you think? Vesalius is the best surgeon I've ever seen.”

“Indeed, it seems so.”

I nodded at Magician Agpiel’s words.

Surgery in the era of [Pangea Universalise] was barbarism itself.

Having lost the splendid legacy of the ancient empire, the surgery of this era relied on apprenticeship-style education passed down by observation and folk remedies.

It was so bad that surgeons weren't even treated as fellow doctors, but were called surgical technicians. Thanks to that, one’s survival from a surgical operation was so uncertain that one out of two died.

But Vesalius was different.

‘Anesthesia, and disinfection.’

While he was cutting into live flesh, the patient's face was perfectly serene, and he continuously maintained cleanliness by wiping his hands and feet with a cloth soaked in hot water and alcohol.

Considering the importance of disinfection was only discovered in the modern era, it was truly remarkable.

‘And that's not all.’

Seeing his unhesitating hand movements, as if he knew everything that was there, I could understand why Vesalius was the founder and master of anatomy.

‘I really want to recruit him-!’

He was truly a mouth-watering talent.

Although it was a bit off that he was turning this into a 'show' to make money.

“Magician Agpiel. Can you introduce me to that man?”

“To Vesalius? Hmm….”

At that, Magician Agpiel frowned as if troubled.

“Vesalius is quite eccentric, you see.... Are you perhaps thinking of hiring him?”

“Yes. Wouldn't I be a fool not to covet that level of medical skill?”

I said, pointing to Vesalius on the stage, who was by then finishing the surgery.

If I gave him some of the future knowledge I knew, a tremendous medical advancement might occur.

“It won't be easy.”

“Pardon? Is Vesalius very fond of money? Like Bishop Marco? Well... for someone like him, I am willing to spare no expense.”

“What are you talking about. Of course... Hmm, no, while it's true that Vesalius is very fond of money, that's not the reason. It's all because of you.”

“Pardon? Because of me?”

At those words, I tilted my head. It won't be easy because of me? Then, Magician Agpiel opened his mouth as if frustrated.

“Vesalius is one of the scholars the Holy See dislikes. But aren't you close with the Holy See? Considering your relationship with the Holy See, it won't be easy to hire him.”

“Aah-!”

Is that all? Thinking I had worried for nothing, I spoke to Agpiel.

“It’s alright. There are ways to deal with the Holy See's side of things.”

“Really?”

“Yes. So please don't worry and introduce me. I will try to persuade him.”

Despite Magician Agpiel’s concerns, I answered confidently.

It wasn't for nothing; there were too many ways to appease the Holy See's dissatisfaction.

Furthermore, the Holy See's favorability toward me was at its peak right now.

If I just smoothed it over with enough piety, there was nothing that couldn't be done.

“Hmm.... I understand. But don't be too disheartened if he refuses.”

* * *

‘Hmm….’

Vesalius wasn’t particularly interested in what his old friend Agpiel had to say.

How many nobles had tried to hire him until now?

They were all amazed by the surgery, but they were horrified by what was necessary to perform this surgery.

‘No, they were rather disgusted.’

Surgery was a task that required advanced skills and information. Therefore, research involving dissecting people and looking into the human body was essential.

It wasn't for nothing that he had been kicked out of the nobles' courts and oppressed by the Holy See, only to be putting on a 'show' in this corner of the university.

It was to touch more human bodies and earn more money to dissect corpses for research.

Moreover, the noble Agpiel wanted him to meet was the Bellua Margrave, famous as the 'Performer of Miracles'.

His reputation was so widespread that it had even reached the ears of someone like him, buried in research in a corner of the university.

‘He said he performs miracles?’

Recalling the rumors, Vesalius clicked his tongue.

Most rumors were not to be believed, but judging by their content, the Bellua Margrave was a man of faith to the core.

‘Hmph, I'll be lucky if I don't get cursed at.’

He would probably spew insults in disgust upon hearing what he required.

Just like all the other nobles.

If it hadn't been for the proposal from his old friend Agpiel, he wouldn't have even met him.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Margrave. You wish to hire me? To do that, first, grant me freedom of research. Corpses for dissection are essential.”

Therefore, Vesalius spoke to the Bellua Margrave without high expectations, thinking he would naturally be horrified and refuse.

But....

“Oh? Is that all it will take? Your desires are quite modest.”

“Pardon?”

“Perhaps you'd like to prove your research in my domain? I will build you your own university. You don't need to be my personal physician. I only need your scholarly achievements.”

“???”

Somehow, the noble his old friend brought along was a bit different.

* * *

“Uh.... Are you really saying you will allow it?”

“Why shouldn't I?”

“The Holy See will dislike it, Your Grace. Dissection is... practically a taboo, isn't it?”

In short, a question of whether it would be possible if the Holy See applied pressure. But I just shrugged my shoulders.

What's the big deal about some dissections?

In the end, it was for the sake of saving people. The Holy See's discomfort could be resolved by talking my way around it nicely. If that didn't work, couldn't I just show a great deal of sincerity(?)?

It was a known fact that no one disliked money.

“That is not for you to worry about. It is a problem for me, your employer, to worry about.”

“Hah….”

Surprised by my answer, Vesalius clicked his tongue.

That was how groundbreaking my words were. They were words that only an infidel lord from across the sea might say.

Of course, regardless of that, I continued speaking without a care.

“I heard from Magician Agpiel that you are denied all your scholarly achievements and cannot even properly train disciples. All because you dissected a corpse.”

“Th-that's right.”

It was beyond ridiculous.

To enjoy executions as if they were a festival, yet to treat the dissection of a dead person's body as taboo.

To me, the custom of this era, believing that dipping bread in a death row convict's blood brought good luck, was far more horrifying.

“Even now, countless people are dying from flawed medical practices. I will stop that. To do so, I need you. What I said about building a university was not a lie either.”

“I-is that true?”

“Yes. What would I gain from lying to you? Develop your scholarship in my domain, and raise future scholars to your heart's content.”

As if he couldn't believe it, Vesalius looked at Magician Agpiel standing next to me. He seemed to be wondering if his old friend was playing a prank.

But Magician Agpiel just chuckled and shook his head.

“Our young noble is a bit peculiar.... Well, this could be a good opportunity for you.”

“Hoho….”

Vesalius was moved.

He had never seen a noble who trusted him this much. And with Magician Agpiel's guarantee, it was all the more believable.

“Do you happen to know any scholars or technicians in a similar situation as you?”

When it seemed Vesalius was almost won over, I subtly broached the subject.

I was still hungry.

I needed more talent to make my domain rich and strong.

‘Usually, birds of a feather flock together.’

The harder things got, the more people in similar situations would stick together.

Especially artists, scholars, and technicians.

Just as I expected.

After a moment of thought, Vesalius cautiously opened his mouth.

“There... are some technicians and scholars with quite decent skills, Your Grace.”

“Oh, really? In that case, could you introduce them as well? As it happens, my domain is very large and lacks population. I will give them land and allow them to flourish in their scholarship and skills.”

“It is a truly benevolent and grateful offer, but... there is a small problem.”

“A problem?”

“Yes. The thing is, my friends are... Moors, Your Grace.”

“Moors? Do you mean the black-skinned people who came from the Eastern Empire across the sea?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As soon as Vesalius finished speaking, I cheered inwardly.

Just as in real history, in [Pangea Universalise] too, the Moors were mostly holders of incredible technology and scholarship.

It was they who had inherited the lost technology from the days of the ancient empire.

‘What a stroke of luck! It really pays to be a good person.’

It was like a pumpkin rolling in with the vine attached.

“Good. That’s even better.”

“I-I suppose it would be difficult... Pardon?”

“I said it’s good.”

“S-so, are you saying you will accept them? Your Grace.”

Vesalius said cautiously, studying my expression as if he couldn't believe it.

“Why? Have your friends still not converted?”

“That is not the case. They have, of course, converted to be active here.”

“Then what's the problem?”

At my words, Vesalius once again couldn't hide his bewilderment.

He seemed quite taken aback.

Well, it was understandable. The continent's nobles held an extreme aversion to the Moors due to their different skin color.

But I was a modern person.

There was no reason for me to feel uncomfortable or disgusted just because they were black.

Moreover, since they were living under persecution in a distant foreign land, they would surely be loyal to the bone if given a moderate amount of freedom.

In short, they were the best human resources, as long as I could endure the uncomfortable gaze of the Holy See.

Thus, with a satisfied expression, I told Vesalius.

“So, please persuade them. I will gladly create a paradise for them.”

* * *

Although Vesalius wore a dazed expression throughout our conversation as if possessed by a ghost, the meeting ended well.

After persuasion from me and Magician Agpiel, Vesalius finally decided to join my domain.

And with the Moorish scholars and technicians, no less.

The high-level technicians my domain had lacked were finally joining. I had finally found a way to solve the various technical challenges that had been holding me back.

“Meeeeeeh-! Lord!!”

“Hm?”

And that wasn't the only good news.

“Meeh. Finally! Finally! An invitation has come from the Holy See. Meeeh.”

The Holy See, which had been silent all this time, had finally begun to move.