The Doctor's Insight and the Knight's Resolve

The doctor, who introduced herself as Pruna, examined Lisbel's entire body with meticulous care. It was the refined and innovative treatment style typical of a doctor from the eastern region. After completing all the prescriptions, she spoke in a tone as if the room were empty once the time for Hendrick to return drew near.

"The hot compress and massage I gave you today will yield better results the more consistently you receive them. I've heard you're staying in this village for several days, so I strongly recommend remaining hospitalized until you depart. If you absolutely cannot, you must come twice a day without fail."

"It may not be possible to come out so frequently..."

"It's unfortunate to say, but the lady's body is no better than a corpse right now. Trapped like this in a chicken coop of a carriage, it was probably awful enough to make one wish they were dead. Isn't that right?"

Not a word was wrong, so Lisbel simply nodded. Yet whether she would be hospitalized or not was a decision that did not belong to her, a prisoner.

"Excuse me, patient."

CLANG.

At the lukewarm response, Pruna was about to persuade her again when the door opened and Hendrick entered.

"I'm glad you're here in time. Guardian, this patient requires immediate high-intensity treatment. She must be hospitalized for concentrated care."

Hendrick's gaze turned to Lisbel under Pruna's firm insistence. But Lisbel averted her eyes from that gaze and turned her head toward the window.

"If I get hospitalized, how much will I improve?"

"At the very least, I can ensure you won't suffer the fate of dying from motion sickness. But if you don't address the root problem, you'll have a very hard time."

"The root problem..."

"I overheard that you brought a spherical carriage because the ride was so terrible you no longer use it. Being locked in such a chicken coop for several hours will cause motion sickness no matter how sturdy and strong a person is."

"...I'll keep that in mind."

The sight of Hendrick, who normally couldn't even give a proper response, nodding obediently to Pruna's scolding was far from usual.

Nevertheless, Lisbel remained completely silent, treating it as someone else's matter. She did not want to hear the rumors that she had seduced even the priest just to get away from the knights who had been badmouthing her for luring the priest away.

"Since you've already accepted it, would you consider hospitalizing her? If you simply consent, I will bring her body to its peak by the departure date."

Hendrick's reaction was not bad, so Pruna became even more proactive in urging Lisbel's hospitalization. Beneath that persistent persuasion lay naked greed for the money-smelling guest.

Well, this man had always been like that.

Even without dressing up extravagantly or showing off, he carried an elegant aura, and an overwhelming presence that could not be hidden. Pruna was certain that man was a rare lifeline that must not be let go.

"Can you really guarantee that you will completely cure her?"

It was unexpected. Hendrick, who would have flatly refused to take such liberties since he lacked the patience, showed quite a positive reaction.

"Of course. Just trust and leave it to me!"

Unlike Pruna, who rejoiced, Lisbel's heart grew complicated.

Why was the man suddenly acting this way?

Recalling it, since taking her from the Sanctuary, Hendrick had subtly provided her with special care.

He had punished the priest who tormented Lisbel the most, or even crossed a line, which would have been far more effective for suppressing his urges, yet he focused solely on making her feel pleasure.

Hospitalizing her who suffered from motion sickness and delaying the expedition schedule to give her ample recovery time was the same.

There had already been a medic on the expedition team, so receiving treatment from him alone would have been sufficient. Yet Hendrick had deliberately hidden his identity and entrusted her to an external doctor.

It was an excessive consideration that seemed excessive even for managing a cryptographer.

"Why is this happening?"

She could not understand.

She was abandoned so ruthlessly, yet every time this happened it made her heart ache as she recalled the man from the past.

"Then I'll come to pick you up in a week."

Even though it was only for a few days of hospitalization, just not having to see the expedition team members made her feel alive.

"This is a down payment. Most importantly, I believe you will honor the promise not to record the patient's history in any way."

Lisbel was surprised again by these words. It was a gesture of consideration for her, still a criminal, not to leave any record of herself.

"Originally, doctors do not disclose a patient's personal information. You have nothing to worry about."

Pruna declared confidently, and as she turned her gaze, Hendrick and Lisbel's eyes met. For a moment, he seemed to be staring at her intently. But soon he completely turned his body and headed for the door.

"Patient, I will do my best to treat you. Take care."

What on earth was that gaze.

Lisbel headed to the inpatient ward as Pruna recommended, amid unresolved questions. It was an accidental rest and healing time. For the first time in several years, Lisbel could truly spend a week without a heavy heart.

* * *

"Captain, I have finished the mission and returned."

Several days after Lisbel was admitted to the clinic, a woman quietly appeared from the window of the inn where Hendrick was staying.

Despite suddenly invading her private space, Hendrick did not show even a trace of surprise and did not take his eyes off the report laid out on the desk.

Estel, aide of the Grandia Knights under the Hautman Grand Duchy, approached familiarly and placed the prepared document folder on the table.

"How is the condition of the Baroness?"

"The Caltea Republic's medicine is truly remarkable. It has only been a week since treatment began, yet I can see clear improvement."

"Tracking?"

"It has not been detected. She is safe for the time being."

Hendrick, lost in thought for a moment, added shortly.

"Send someone periodically."

"Yes. I will be instructed to keep an eye on the lady's condition and report immediately if any changes occur."

Estel accepted the mission as if it were routine. It had been going on for three years now, so it was nothing new.

She immediately moved on to the next report.

"This is the recent status of dungeon occurrences."

Hendrick took the document.

"Due to your steady extermination over the past three years, it is still in a state of relative calm. No additional large dungeons have been confirmed, and currently it is at a level that the Imperial Knights can sufficiently handle."

"Report immediately if any changes occur."

"I understand."

Estel carefully pushed the final document folder forward.

"I have found the trial records you ordered at the end of the investigation."

"Testimony?"

"I found and secured all the priests and record keepers who participated in the trial at that time."

Estel's expression hardened slightly.

"All the testimonies were consistent. The imperial edict came first, and the search and seizure and interrogation followed afterward."

Hendrick's hand stopped.

Estel took out another sealed document and placed it before him.

"And I have also secured the trial process that was supposedly lost."

"Full copy?"

"The trial was so well-known that the manager who handled the records apparently kept a personal copy."

Hendrick immediately tore open the seal and examined the contents.

After a moment, a low voice flowed out.

"The evidentiary value?"

"It is sufficient. By comparing the handwriting of the record keeper at that time and the timing of the records, it can prove that it is the original."

A brief silence fell.

Hendrick stopped turning the pages and suddenly halted his hand.

"Did you read it too?"

"...Yes."

"Do you think this can be called a trial?"

Estel hesitated for a moment but finally spoke honestly.

"No. From the beginning, I believe it was a trial designed to turn Lis into a heretic."

Hendrick slowly closed the document.

"The heretic interrogation is supposed to follow strict procedures to prevent witch hunts."

Anger seeped into his voice.

"There must be an independent judge, evidence, and witnesses for a verdict. But this trial ignored every single procedure and law from beginning to end."

A brief silence followed, and Estel asked carefully.

"Will more material be needed?"

"Yes. To invalidate this trial itself, more certain evidence is required. Find evidence that the seized evidence was forged."

"I will do my best."