CHAPTER 239: WATCH CAREFULLY

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In the midst of everyone’s silence, Rendering approached Ethan and bowed his head.

“In our family, if one could insert five needles without issue, they were called an excellent doctor. I, too, inserted five needles and was called a doctor within the family according to that standard. Thanks to honing my treatment skills along with that acupuncture technique, I was able to enter Royal Gwyn and rise to the position of deputy director.”

Rendering said.

“I wanted to research this acupuncture technique further, so I looked through old books within the family. And I learned about the true realm of acupuncture. The realm discussed within the family and the realm described in the books were completely different. Within the family, they called you an excellent doctor if you could just insert five needles, but in the old books, five was said to be the most basic. It was described as a very ordinary level.”

Rendering had thought that book was mistaken.

But today, upon seeing Ethan, he realized that thought was wrong.

“It was written there that from seven needles one could be called an excellent doctor, and if one could insert eight needles they were a fully bloomed healer, and if one could insert nine needles they were a healer who had reached the realm of the gods, a divine doctor. I couldn’t believe it then, but it seems it really was possible.”

At Rendering’s words, all the healers looked at Ethan.

Ethan had inserted nine needles into the chicken.

The chicken was not dead, but alive. Nor was it making any sounds of pain or distress.

It was truly the realm of divine doctors, just as Rendering had said.

Even upon close inspection, there were no traces of the needles being inserted.

“I have committed rudeness to a divine doctor. I’m sorry. No, I apologize.”

Rendering, who had been speaking with his head bowed, was now bowing at the waist.

“Please forgive me for not recognizing a divine doctor and committing rudeness.”

When Rendering, the deputy director, showed such a polite attitude, the other healers also bowed their heads simultaneously.

“It’s alright. How could you not doubt when an unfamiliar young man came and said such things without his skills being verified?”

Ethan also responded politely to match.

The healers’ eyes sparkled at the sight of Ethan being humble instead.

Ethan had reached the realm of divine doctors that Rendering had acknowledged.

With that level of skill, it would be natural to get angry if doubted.

Yet he forgave their rudeness like this. They couldn’t help but admire Ethan, who had such a great capacity at such a young age.

Moreover, that skill. It even gave rise to hope that perhaps this Ethan Whiskers could treat Princess Evangeline.

“It must have been inevitable since you all have skills. I, too, would have reacted the same way if I had been part of Royal Gwyn.”

“We’re sorry!”

“Thank you for forgiving us!”

‘He has pride, but doesn’t force it. Such people can’t work at Royal Gwyn.’

Seeing the situation resolve well, Evangeline also relaxed her stern expression and started smiling again.

She, too, had directly witnessed Ethan’s incredible acupuncture.

As Evangeline had experienced acupuncture several times through Rendering, she became even more curious about the effects of Ethan’s acupuncture technique, which Rendering had acknowledged as divine.

Ethan too, confirming that the situation had been resolved, slowly began to rise from his seat.

It was now time to properly treat Evangeline.

However, Ethan paused his movement and sat back down.

‘Yes, I thought so.’

The aura felt from outside.

It seemed the situation wasn’t resolved yet.

“I wondered what all this noise was about, it seems we have a guest? Lady Evangeline is here too.”

The one who entered was a large man. With a height easily over 2 meters and a bushy beard.

What especially caught the eye were his hands. He had hands as big as Princess Evangeline’s face, hands that could be mistaken for those of a martial artist.

“Director.”

His identity was Vanderas, the director of the Royal Gwyn clinic.

Rendering, the deputy director, bowed deeply.

“What’s all this commotion?”

“Well…”

“I’ll explain, Vanderas.”

Evangeline explained the current situation.

Just as the Royal Gwyn healers had been angry, Vanderas’s eyebrows twitched at the part where Ethan had guaranteed he could cure her illness.

‘I had only heard stories.’

When Ethan was Regia’s disciple at MePan, he had never been sick. So visits to Royal Gwyn were rare.

Also, as the director, Vanderas was extremely busy and didn’t stay long at Royal Gwyn.

‘He’s huge.’

Even Schudlen, Ethan’s guard, was a big knight, but this man seemed about two heads taller.

“So, you’re saying he can cure Evangeline’s illness? This young man here?”

“It’s understandable to be doubtful. But we’ve already finished discussing that matter. Rendering here and all the Royal Gwyn healers have seen it.”

“That’s right, Director. I, too, couldn’t help but doubt Mr. Ethan because he’s so young. But I confirmed it myself. Ethan has acupuncture skills far superior to mine.”

The healers behind also chimed in. They were already enchanted by Ethan’s outstanding skills.

“Quiet.”

Vanderas, who had been listening, made a shushing gesture with his index finger.

“Mr. Ethan Whiskers, I’ve heard your story well. But from what I know, Mr. Ethan Whiskers is a swordsmanship teacher at Ivecar Academy, with no connection to medical arts.”

“I see my reputation has reached even Director Vanderas.”

At Ethan’s words, Vanderas spoke warningly.

“Since Rendering has evaluated you as excellent, your acupuncture skills must be certain. Acupuncture, certainly a great treatment method. But it’s not a cure-all. If we could cure all diseases with just needles, there would be no sick people on the continent. And all the healers of Royal Gwyn, including myself, would have learned acupuncture. But look. Only Rendering has mastered acupuncture. And our deputy director has other excellent medical skills in addition to acupuncture.”

Vanderas immediately turned to Rendering and asked.

“Rendering, did you also confirm this Ethan Whiskers’ other medical skills?”

“Ah, no, I didn’t.”

“So all you confirmed was his outstanding acupuncture?”

“…Yes.”

The enthusiastic reactions from just moments ago instantly faded.

“Outstanding acupuncture skills, that’s certainly admirable. But that alone is not enough. As Lady Evangeline’s attending physician, I’ll say this clearly. I do not permit your treatment.”

Evangeline stepped forward at Vanderas’s words.

“Director Vanderas, isn’t it worth trying at least once?”

“I’ll say it again. It’s impossible. Acupuncture skills alone can absolutely not cure Princess Evangeline’s illness. You asked if it’s not worth trying? It’s not even worth trying.”

Vanderas said.

“Your Highness, your body is barely in balance right now. It’s a balance that I and the healers have painstakingly achieved. If this Ethan Whiskers were to stir up Your Highness’s body saying he’ll treat it, that balance would be completely shattered.”

He shook his head. This was not a matter to be taken lightly.

“With that one attempt, Your Highness could lose your life.”

“……”

At the words that she could lose her life, even the princess could no longer speak. Ironically, the one who knew her illness best was not Princess Evangeline herself, but her attending physician, Vanderas.

It was Vanderas who had discovered the princess’s illness, and it was Vanderas who had prolonged the life of the princess who had been expected to die young until this day.

“Everything could go wrong with just one attempt. If that happens, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to treat Lady Evangeline again.”

Vanderas shook his head.

“Mr. Ethan Whiskers, with that level of skill, you should know well that attempting treatment itself is a gamble. Yet you still confidently say you can treat her?”

Then he spoke looking at Ethan. Vanderas’s voice grew increasingly agitated.

“You say you can cure the princess’s illness with mere acupuncture? Nonsense!”

At that moment, an immense pressure emanated from him.

“Aren’t you deceiving the princess by saying impossible things are possible!”

At this point, even Evangeline couldn’t mediate the situation.

“Di-Director, Mr. Ethan Whiskers is only acting out of good intentions…”

“Can one say impossible things are possible out of good intentions? This is a matter of life and death. And it’s the life of Princess Evangeline, of noble blood of our Holy Empire.”

Then Ethan, who had been quietly listening, spoke to Vanderas.

“Why are you angry?”

“…You ask why I’m angry? Are you truly asking because you don’t know? Aren’t you deceiving the princess with lies right now!”

“It doesn’t seem to me that’s the reason you’re angry.”

Ethan said.

“Absolutely not, impossible, cannot be treated.”

Ethan mimicked Vanderas’s tone as he spoke.

“You keep repeating the same words. As if treatment is truly impossible.”

Vanderas’s eyebrows twitched at Ethan’s words.

“Then do you think it’s possible?”

“It’s difficult.”

“If you know that…”

“I said it’s difficult, not impossible.”

“Are you playing word games?”

“It’s not word games. And this doesn’t just apply to you, Director Vanderas.”

Ethan looked at Evangeline first.

Then he looked at Deputy Director Rendering and the Royal Gwyn healers watching from around.

“Can you tell patients to give up because their disease is incurable?”

“……”

Everyone was silent at that question.

Ethan’s charisma that had captivated the students in their stormy adolescence was fully displayed here as well.

“Don’t you say you’ll do your best? Then why do you shut your mouths about this disease and dismiss it as impossible?”

Ethan said.

“Director Vanderas, I don’t know how many times you’ve failed. But I can clearly see the fear you have.”

“I… I’m afraid…?”

Vanderas’s expression twisted severely. At the same time, a pressure incomparably stronger than before pressed down on Ethan like a tidal wave.

However, Ethan paid no mind and took a step closer to Vanderas.

“You’ve already given up. You think it’s an incurable disease.”

Ethan stopped his steps and looked him straight in the eye.

“And you’re afraid that I might cure the disease that you’ve given up on treating.”

With those words, cracks began to form in Vanderas’s expression.

Basically, Ethan thought there was no need to use harsh words unnecessarily. But when the other party acts like this, it’s a different story.

‘For those who’ve lived off their own self-importance, shock is necessary. Looking at him, I can see that strong words will be much more effective than kind words.’

One must move according to the opponent and the situation.

“What nonsense!”

Vanderas exploded in anger.

But Ethan saw it.

The subtle trembling in his tightly clenched fist.

Shaaaak-.

A staff popped out of Ethan’s hand and then seeped into the back of his hand like a tattoo.

-Asclepius’s staff effect is activated!

‘So it can be made into a staff form, and used like this too.’

For treatment, both hands need to be empty after all.

“May I use some herbs?”

Ethan asked the healers in front of the herb room. They glanced at Vanderas before nodding.

Entering the herb room, Ethan took a deep breath and smelled the thick scent of herbs.

‘Good herbs all have different smells. That’s why they’re very easy to distinguish.’

Royal Gwyn’s herb room was filled with high-quality herbs that even Ethan hadn’t used. Ethan gathered all those herbs and brought them out.

‘I’ll take a bit more of this.’

And he put an appropriate amount in his spatial pouch as well.

“Lady Evangeline.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll begin the treatment. Please lie down.”

Vanderas took rough breaths at the sight of Ethan confidently declaring he would treat the princess.

This was the first time he had experienced such humiliation. But somehow, it was as if cold water had been poured on him, clearing his mind.

As Evangeline lay on the bed, Ethan looked at Vanderas while organizing the herbs.

“Watch carefully.”

Ethan said with eyes full of confidence.

“I’ll show you.”

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