Chapter 80

Chapter 80

The patients with the gray plague that were rescued by the Capital Guard were immediately transferred to the Imperial Palaces medical facility for extraction surgery.

As the patients with shabby appearances began to pour in, the physicians openly scowled. However, with the prince himself standing and glaring, they reluctantly set aside other tasks to treat the patients.

Although he had repeatedly instructed the physicians to take good care of the patients until they woke up, Seongjin was skeptical about their recovery.

Most had already developed psychic crystals in their brains.

Even the academy students, who were relatively fine due to early discovery, had not yet regained consciousness. It was unlikely that those whose brains had been damaged by psychic crystals would easily regain consciousness.

How is the patient who was brought to Pearl Palace yesterday?

Physician Ninnias is currently treating him, but there doesnt seem to be much progress.

The patient brought by Sir Calmen was currently receiving intensive care from Dr. Ninnias at Pearl Palace.

He had undergone extraction surgery as soon as he was brought in last night, but he was still unconscious and even struggling to swallow medication.

Well, he might be beyond saving. According to the Demon King, his brain was thoroughly damaged.

Still, they had to go through the motions of treating him.

After all, Seongjin had publicly declared him a guest of Pearl Palace. Considering the attitudes of Sir Calmen and Sir Kurt, a bad premonition that the patient might not be unrelated to Morress past actions surfaced.

I cant promise anything since the disease has progressed quite a bit. Even with the priests pouring in divine power, the gray plague patients show no response. Moreover, his health was already in a severely weakened state, explained Dr.Ninnias to Seongjin, who had returned to Pearl Palace and visited the treatment room.

The patient appeared much cleaner, likely due to the maids care.

However, his skinny body, full of wrinkles, and thinning hair suggested that he had been malnourished for a long time.

Above all, his aura activity was barely perceptible, indicating weak life signs.

If he had been the commander of the Royal Guard, he would surely have been an aura user. How did such a person end up in this state?

Commander

Calmen, who had been fussing since yesterday, was a complete mess, sticking right beside the patient and staying up all night.

His face was swollen from bruises, and he had a splint on one arm; still, he had no regard for his own condition and was solely focused on tending to the patient.

Continuously wiping the patients face and limbs with a wet towel, as if trying to make him absorb water through his skin.

Sir Calmen, you two must have had a special relationship. Its unfortunate.

Seongjin had carelessly remarked, thinking they were not related, but Sir Kurt asked, Do you happen to not remember anything about him, Your Highness?

Ah, I see.

This person mustve had some relation to Morres.

Regrettably, I dont have any recollection.

I see.

Looking at Sir Kurts seemingly calmer face, Seongjin recalled the conversations hed heard the previous night at the knights dormitory.

-Because of what happened back then, Calmen still cant raise his head around the 2nd Knight Division

-Its all Sir Kurts fault. Despite being a 2nd Division knight himself, he quietly supports the prince.

[TL/N: Refer to Chapter 73]

This meant that Sir Kurt, despite knowing all the details of the case, bore no particular grudge against Morres. Perhaps he could offer a fairly objective explanation about what had happened in the past.

Seongjin gave him a light nod.

Sir Kurt. If its alright, could we talk about that man?

Behind him, he felt the aura of Masain taking a sharp breath, as if startled.

Well, he (Masain) had been the commander of the 2nd Knight Division not long ago, so he must know something.

However, this is a man who hasnt even disclosed to Seongjin that hes part of the royal family. If he decides that Morres doesnt need to know, he will keep his mouth shut.

Ignoring the somewhat anxious Masain, Seongjin followed Sir Kurt out of the treatment room.

That man is Commander Bruno. About 7-8 years ago, he became the commander of the Imperial Guard and led the forces.

Leaning against the window in the hallway, Seongjin listened to Sir Kurts explanation.

Bruno Green.

He was a refugee from Ortona and, after joining the Imperial Guard, he received the surname Green for his various accomplishments. Remarkably, he had risen to the position of a commander, which is rare for a commoner.

Considering the sons of famous martial artists who have been training since childhood, Bruno was a self-made man who rose through the ranks due to his innate talent.

Especially during the early years of the Imperial rule, he stood by the Emperors side, wielding his sword valiantly.

He was a confidant of my father?

Seongjin widened his eyes and asked. It seemed unlike the Emperor to neglect someone so close to him.

But doesnt His Majesty usually take good care of his people?

Why on Earth?

Anyway, the commander ending up like that is all my fault, said Seongjin, feeling a headache creeping in.

At this point, he was even grateful for the rude glares that Calmen used to give him.

Whenever he looked at his face, he felt like stabbing him with a knife; how had he held back until now?

As Seongjin was massaging his forehead, Masain, standing beside him, exclaimed in a fluster, Thats not true, Your Highness! Youre not the one who requested his punishment, are you? You were just a child who knew nothing back then!

Being young doesnt absolve me of responsibility, Sir Masain.

Seongjin quickly organized his thoughts.

Initially, he had thought to help as much as possible just for the sake of making eye contact with Sir Calmen, but now he realized that he must do his best to treat the former commander.

The man had ended up in the slums and contracted the Gray Plague; in the end, it was all because of Morres actions.

But how could the man be cured?

A person whose brain has completely deteriorated cant be revived even with modern medicine.

The only possibility he could think of was to seek help from the Holy Emperor and bring about a miracle, but

If he completely ignored it just as before, what would change now?

Well, its not like I dont know how that man is.

There must be some reason, Seongjin thought.

First of all, I will talk to my father. Both of you, help Doctor Ninnias here. Make sure that the commander gets the best treatment possible

As Seongjin, having made up his mind, lifted his head to speak, the treatment room door violently swung open.

Dont bother pretending to care! Its all useless now!

Turning around, he saw Calmen, his face flushed red, glaring menacingly at Seongjin.

What kind of impudent language is this before His Highness

With a stern face, Masain took a step forward, but Calmen, exploding with anger, cut him off.

Why? Did I say something wrong? Stop pretending not to know, stop pretending to care! You all think theres no hope for the commander anyway! That it would be easiest to just bury him and be done with it! Dont you?

Calmens eyes seemed to flare with intense anger, as if sparks were flying from them.

Doesnt he look like hes so mad he cant see anything else right now?

How dare you show me pity like youre doing some noble deed? Its too late! What use is it now when things have gotten this far!

Sir Calmen

You people know nothing! Do you know what the commander always said, even after being driven out of the palace? That it was an immense honor to have been by His Majestys side even for a moment! That he has no regrets! He always said that like a mantra! But look at this! Is this the tragic end for a lifetime of devotion to Delcross and His Majesty? I cant, I cant

Shaking uncontrollably, Calmen couldnt continue speaking. Sir Kurt quickly approached him.

Sir Calmen, please calm down. His Majesty also did his best for the commanders treatment.

Dont make me laugh, Sir Kurt! The 2nd Knight Division is the same!

Calmen shouted as if he was lamenting.

Back then, was there anyone from the 2nd Knight Division who stood up for the commander? You did nothing for him! You looked down on him because he was a commoner, and now you suddenly talk about pity when he is tragically expelled! You are no different from that worthless prince!

Is he going to cross the line at this rate?

Seongjin frowned, and the arrows of anger were aimed back at him.

Nice job, you say! So, its all your fault, is it? Even if youre young, it doesnt mean youre not responsible. Stop saying things you dont mean! Anyway, you dont remember anything!

Yeah.

And all you could do is discuss with His Majesty? Why? Because hes

Thud!

Before Calmen could finish his sentence, he fell to the ground, knocked out by a punch from Seongjin.

.

Facing the bewildered expressions of Masain and Sir Kurt, Seongjin hastily explained.

Uh, sorry. I didnt mean for this to happen, but it seemed like he was really going to commit a serious act of disrespect, so I acted without thinking.

I mean, isnt disrespecting the prince and His Majesty not much different in weight?

He seems out of it, maybe he should rest.

As Seongjin thought this, he looked at Calmen, who was now lying quietly beside Commander Bruno.

On another note, Calmen really does have a fiery temperament.

Maybe I cant entirely dismiss the possibility that he could have committed an act of disrespect, just as the queen suggested.