Chapter 87 I Next
Whew.
Raciel took a deep breath. He shook off the turbulent emotions with great difficulty. His head also shook violently once.
It wont work. No, no. Get a hold of yourself, Lee Han. If you lose your composure like this, itll be problematic.
He composed himself.
He believed that being level-headed was an essential virtue for a medical professional. He thought it was only natural not to lose ones composure, no matter the situation.
Understanding and empathizing with the patients pain is one thing. As a medical professional, you always need to maintain a rational mind. Thats fundamental, and its your responsibility to the patient.
That way, one can make quick and accurate judgments and responses in any emergency. In other words, the calm handling by the medical professional can determine a patients life or death. Especially when his patient was none other than the Emperor.
Weve only just gotten through the worst of it. Whats to come is more concerning. There are still many challenges ahead.
He had to keep an eye on the progress.
There was no guarantee that secondary or tertiary issues wouldnt arise. He had to check how many aftereffects would occur. He also had to plan for rehabilitation accordingly.
Just hold on for a month. Then, contact the Archbishop again to perform a divine blessing, and complete healing may be possible.
Raciel laid out the future plans. He steadied his momentarily shaken mind. The past was buried deep in his heart.
Thats when it happened.
A pleasant notification sound chimed in his ear.
Ding-dong!
[You have treated the patient through hypothermia therapy, precise acupuncture, effective use of Minotaur-bile Clear Heart Pill, and dedicated care. Thanks to you, the patient: Asterion Testarossa Magentano has overcome a critical situation, and theres hope for rehabilitation and recovery.]
[During the treatment, you are the first in the history of the Lorasia continent to propose the concept of reperfusion injury.]
[The concept of reperfusion injury you proposed will be recorded in future medical textbooks.]
[Future medical students will despair at the expanded exam scope and curse you.]
[You have left a significant mark on the medical history of the Lorasia continent.]
[You have earned Medical Points.]
[121 GDP has been credited.]
[Current Great Doctor Point (GDP) = 222]
[Currently available Deception Authorization Ticket = 2]
Heh?
The corners of Raciels mouth reached his ears. This was an unexpected reward. He could now buy two Deception Authorization Tickets. He hadnt decided where to use them yet, but they would surely come in handy someday.
Raciel felt a joy as if the value of his apartment had doubled and returned to the Emperor. The Emperor was still in deep sleep.
Your Highness, you have saved the Emperor.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
The steward approached.
He said, holding back tears.
Can you see the Emperors face? Hes back to his old self. How on earth did you manage to do this The Emperor will undoubtedly be proud of you.
I think so too. Today, Your Highness, you saved the Emperor and me.
Following the head steward, the chief physician also quickly approached.
Exactly. Your Highness saved us. No, you saved our lives. I also realized how incompetent a doctor I was, how complacent and careless Ive been through this incident
Did you realize?
Yes, Your Highness.
Then I hope you also realize your responsibility.
Yes?
With a blank face, the chief physician looked at him, and Raciel spoke with a tinge of regret.
The Emperor was on the brink of passing away. And you? You couldnt even properly identify the cause. You didnt provide any suitable prescription or response. Am I mistaken?
That is
Youre inept. You were careless. So, what do you plan to do? Take responsibility?
Your Highness?
No more excuses. Begin introspecting. Starting today, I will personally care for the Emperor temporarily.
I, Your Highness?
Is there anything else to say?
The chief physician bowed his head, but Raciel was indifferent. He believed it was for the best.
Truly, this guy is too inadequate.
He had failed to recognize the warning signs of the Emperors stroke. If only he had noticed them? Last night, he wouldnt have missed the critical window of time. He could have halted the progression of the stroke or lessened its aftermath.
That stir would transform into a storm. It would fuel militaristic expansion. It would lead to a major war. The war would engulf the Magentano Empire. The thousand-year-old empire would crumble beneath the Anbouaz dynastys might. This was the backdrop of the original novel, Devil Sword Emperor.
But why would Anbouazs diplomat seek an audience with His Majesty?
Drawing on the contents of the original novel, Raciel asked, his expression reflecting his contemplation. The head steward looked puzzled.
Actually Five days ago, His Majesty personally summoned the ambassador from Anbouaz.
His Majesty? Himself?
Yes, Your Highness.
For what reason?
It was related to the incident at Cremo port.
No way.
Did you deduce it?
Hmm.
Raciel furrowed his brows.
The merchant Guines, who competed with me at the Cremo ports auction over the Minotaur, hailed from the Kingdom of Anbouaz. Moreover, that very merchant who purchased the Minotaur failed to handle it properly. This led to chaos, and he fled back to his homeland without offering any compensation. Could it be that His Majesty intended to hold him accountable?
Exactly. Your understanding is correct, Your Highness.
As anticipated.
The head steward continued.
Upon receiving the news, His Majesty was greatly angered. Consequently, he formally summoned the ambassador of Anbouaz to demand an explanation. The meeting was scheduled for precisely
Today, then.
Indeed.
The head steward lowered his head wearily. Raciel clicked his tongue.
Tsk, tsk.
Now he understood why the head steward looked as uneasy as a dog needing to relieve itself.
Hearing this, the situation appears challenging. We summoned the ambassador, yet His Majesty is still incapacitated.
Yes, Your Highness. Thus, Id like to hear your thoughts on how to proceed.
How to proceed
It might be wise to offer a straightforward apology to the ambassador and send him back.
Just send him back?
Yes, Your Highness. We could publicly announce in the imperial palace that His Majesty is recovering from a cold?
The head steward inquired, but Raciel didnt rush to respond. Instead, he exerted himself mentally.
Sending the summoned ambassador away? Thats wasteful. And canceling a formal diplomatic meeting due to a cold? The pretext is flimsy. Far from sufficient. They might grow suspicious.
They might sense something amiss, or even speculate about the Emperors health.
Thats not acceptable.
This was a potentially adversarial nation, a rival they might face in war within a few years. He didnt wish to display vulnerability now, nor could he afford to miss this opportunity.
The responsibility lies with the Anbouaz dynasty. But if we simply dismiss them today? We wont be able to summon them again with the same pretext. Nor can we hold them accountable.
If they send the ambassador of Anbouaz away after summoning him to protest and then attempt to summon him again? It would reflect poorly on their side. It might even be embarrassing to make the call. Releasing the Anbouaz ambassador now seemed like an unwise decision.
So, whats the solution?
Raciel pondered deeply.
On one hand, he engaged in intense contemplation.
He revisited the original plot of Devil Sword Emperor. The unfolding storyline. The character dynamics. He laid out these memories like intricate puzzle pieces.
Gradually, a path emerged. A plausible approach took shape. The bigger picture materialized. A strategy to deftly exploit the present circumstances formulated swiftly. The outcome was
I will meet with the Anbouaz ambassador.
Excuse me?
I will represent His Majesty in the meeting.
Was his statement unexpected? As he gazed at the bewildered head steward, Raciel mused to himself.
Perhaps the current situation was a providential opportunity. If handled adeptly, it could potentially avert a major war that might engulf the empire.
Only I can accomplish this.
With his knowledge of the original narrative and the tools at his disposal, he felt a surge of confidence that this was indeed feasible.
(To be Continued)
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