Chapter 96

Chapter 96

She made an error.

She misinterpreted. No, she should have had a better understanding. She should have realized it from the beginning. She failed to acknowledge the evident.

You surely not

Princess Adeline couldnt finish her sentence. With trembling eyes, she gazed at Raciel. Raciel was pale. Beneath his sweat-soaked face, even his lips were turning blue.

Why?

How?

The moment she laid eyes on him, she comprehended.

Because of me.

Instead of her, he bore the brunt of the shockwave. The impact produced by the mana that surged towards the vital point. The jolt of striking and fracturing the gallstone multiple times. Raciel, the crown prince, had taken and endured all the repercussions.

The shockwave didnt simply dissipate.

In reality, that was anticipated.

Even simply slamming a desk with your palm spreads the shock around. But how could the aftermath of a powerful mana, unleashed from within, just disappear without reason?

Its impossible, such a thing.

Any generated shock must be transmitted somewhere. Therefore, the prince endured all of it, exerting all his strength to withstand it, hence his current condition.

Crown Prince, are you okay?

Adelines voice quivered involuntarily. Raciel couldnt easily respond. He barely managed a faint smile.

This is more intense than I thought

Breathing was difficult.

His head was buzzing. His skin was cold, and his heart raced. He felt so dizzy that he thought he might vomit. This was completely different from training with Demian.

The princesss mana I didnt realize it was this powerful.

Using Asrahan Core technique, he drew in the princesss mana. He precisely guided it to strike the gallstone. It was successful.

However, the shockwave inevitably created by the collision of mana and gallstone was the problem. It couldnt be ignored. If the shockwave spread, the gallbladder and surrounding organs would be directly impacted.

The liver, pancreas, duodenum, peritoneum. It would be problematic if other innocent organs were hit. It was essential to block it.

Thats why.

Using Asrahan Core technique, he drew in the shockwave. Absorbed it. Guided it into his mana circle. Endured and neutralized it. He tried.

But it wasnt easy.

Cough, choke!

Each time he absorbed.

Each time he endured.

It felt like being hit in the chest with a mallet. The intense aftermath of the mana spread through his veins from his chest. Striking him. Hurting all over. Almost making him faint.

Crown Prince? Are you okay?

The panicked voice of the princess reached him. He raised his head and looked at her. Thankfully, she looked fine. That was a relief.

Lucky

He weakly smiled.

The princess looked even more anxious.

Why? What happened?

Had she finally realized what he did for her? Holding onto him as he weakened, she asked. There was only one answer he could think of.

Because youre my patient.

What?

Once you decided to receive treatment youre my patient.

Its as simple as that.

Between the patient and him.

If one of them has to be hurt, it should be him. Patients come to him to alleviate their pain. Its only right.

Thats why, right from the start, Raciel made the decision to do this. To endure with all his strength. To withstand and reassure himself. To persevere. Whenever he felt like collapsing, he would prod and push himself. Thats how he clung on. And he succeeded. He successfully completed the initial gallstone treatment.

He felt a sense of pride.

So now, I need to

If thats the case

Its best to allow him to rest deeply. There shouldnt be any issues.

Gardin offered a faint smile.

He was more surprised than anyone else. Was he tending to patients at the Star Palace? He recalled the heaviness he felt upon hearing the news of the Crown Princes collapse.

He wasnt naturally robust. In fact, he was born with a rather delicate constitution.

Is that so? I must have caused significant harm.

No, Princess of Anbouaz. The Crown Prince had warned me beforehand.

A warning? From him to you?

Yes, Princess.

Gardin recollected the events of the previous day and spoke calmly.

Tending to you might be quite taxing for the Crown Prince. He might even faint due to the strain. Therefore, he asked me not to be overly surprised.

Yet, it seems you were surprised.

Why wouldnt I be?

Gardin sat down and faintly smiled at Adeline.

The Crown Prince does this often.

Often? Does what?

Yes, Princess. He consistently places the patient before himself.

Just like today.

As earlier.

Is that so?

Suddenly, Adeline remembered the powerful surge of mana directed at her vital point and the peculiar lack of sensation upon impact. It was all thanks to the Crown Princes sacrifice.

Once you decide to undergo treatment you become my patient.

The Crown Princes words echoed in her mind. Gardin continued.

Thats why Im always concerned. I am the sole physician to the Crown Prince. Its my duty to care for him. Every time I witness him exerting himself so much to care for others, I sigh.

Adeline saw it.

Tears glistened in Gardins eyes. His heart must ache, yet he couldnt easily dissuade his lord. Perhaps it was because the Crown Princes sincerity was so palpable.

Perhaps, thats his nature. The Crown Prince appeared to be someone who selflessly tended to others. A person who willingly made sacrifices for his patients. That seemed to be his character.

Thats why he selflessly cared for numerous patients. Thats why he summoned her, revealed her unknown illness, and offered a cure.

All his actions were genuine.

Otherwise, he wouldnt have made such a sacrifice today. She finally grasped it and felt a sense of shame. Ashamed that she hadnt placed her trust in such an honorable person. Ashamed of her narrow-minded self that had doubted and resented him.

Adeline tenderly reached out and touched the hand of the slumbering Raciel. Her perspective on Raciel had transformed completely. Perhaps that was the reason.

Ding-dong!

[Your devoted actions toward the patient have touched someones heart.]

[In truth, your dedication was a self-serving act. However, the sincere emotions that reached the patient, emotions you werent even aware of, were genuine. This dedication and sincerity will lead to numerous positive changes in the future.]

[Patient Adeline: The highest level of medical trust has been established between you two. Now, Patient Adeline will have complete faith in and follow your treatment. She will not question any of your medical decisions.]

[You have successfully won over the heart of a skeptical patient.]

[The Five Viscera and Six Bowels offer their wholehearted support.]

[The Five Viscera and Six Bowels have provided a sponsorship of 1,500 HP.]

[Your current HP: 2,500]

In the consciousness of the slumbering Raciel, before his self-blaming eyelids, a warm message was silently etched amidst the stillness.

(To be Continued)

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