In Cooking, food tasting is the most basic of basics.
Whether making a Broth dish or a seasoned salad.
Even for a Star Chef, one could not guarantee the taste of a dish without checking the seasoning.
This was a point I always emphasized whenever I cooked,
and Erika, who would always freeload next to me under the pretext of checking the seasoning whenever I cooked, also knew this fact well.
"So, you're saying that tasting to see if the Tofu turned out well ended up becoming a meal?"
"As expected of Teacher. The summary is accurate."
And this was also the reason why the Tofu commemorating my release from Prison had disappeared.
"This is all that's left."
"Right."
I looked down at the Plate Erika proudly held out.
Strictly speaking, she hadn't eaten all the Tofu.
She just left so little that it wouldn't be wrong to call it Scraps.
On the Plate, a single piece of Tofu the Size of a bite-sized jelly was placed truly imposingly.
The shape was pretty.
I acknowledge that.
A small, neat cube with crisp edges.
It was likely the Result of cutting and cutting the Original body, which had been a rectangular prism that failed in length adjustment.
I put that cube piece into my mouth.
"......"
"How is it?"
"It is fine."
"Hehe. It's a Skill I learned over Teacher's Shoulder."
Erika said proudly.
"I'm practicing Cooking in Preparation for later, when our Sisters graduate and go Camping in the Demonic Realm."
"Then Unnie can be on Cooking Duty when we go Camping."
Freya also seemed to have no doubt that this Tofu would be delicious.
I looked at the two of them without a word.
'......If Erika takes Cooking Duty, I think the kids will fight.'
I Evaluated it as fine because of Erika's sincerity, but
to confess honestly, this thing that just entered my mouth was not Tofu.
It was merely an unidentified something in the shape of Tofu.
'It seems she Misunderstood Tofu for Cheese.'
Tasting it, it's certain that she ground Beans first.
The problem is the solidifying Process.
To solidify the soy milk, one must use coagulant.
However, Erika used Milk.
As if making Cheese.
What was born like that was exactly this, 'cube-shaped Bean and Milk Compound'.
To describe the taste......
Ricotta Cheese with a Gamey Smell of beans? Or milk-flavored Tofu?
It's not that it tastes bad, but it's not that it tastes good either.
That's why I Evaluated it as 'fine'......
Freya seemed to have taken that meaning differently.
'Well, if it tastes bad, they'll figure it out and change the duty themselves.'
Could it be that there isn't a single person in the Sisters who knows how to cook?
In the end, for Erika's Honor, I did not issue a Correction for Freya's Misunderstanding.
"Teacher, I could cook Dinner today."
"No. Let me treat you."
However, I didn't know about anything else, but one thing was certain.
From now on, as much as possible, I should be the one going into the Kitchen.
***
After having a harmonious family meal, the next Morning.
I checked the clock as soon as I opened my eyes as usual.
6:05.
It was 5 minutes later than the Time I used to wake up before going to Prison.
'Have I gotten too used to life in Prison.'
It seemed I needed a slow Adaptation to the Time.
I got out of bed immediately and hurried a little more than usual.
Since I took a week of annual leave, the backlogged patient care would be a mountain.
'There must be many people waiting for Surgery too.'
While I organized the Morning Schedule in my head, my body moved on its own without passing through my thoughts.
Even though I had been in Prison for a week, the habits ingrained in my body for several years were not easily erased.
Around the Time I finished those thoughts.
Coming to my senses, my hand was picking up a Mask.
A Crow Mask.
The Symbol of Director Schun, and the item that had been my face for nearly Ten years.
'......Does this even have meaning anymore?'
Until now, I had greatly benefited from the Perception Disruption Teacher cast on this Mask.
But now, Perception Disruption was meaningless.
From what I hear, the rumor had spread all over the neighborhood.
What use was such a Mask really.
I soon finished my thoughts and nodded my head.
'Let's just take it with me.'
For the sake of people who were still unsure, I felt it wouldn't be bad to carry it around for the time being.
I grabbed the Mask and left the house.
*
The road to the Meyer Infirmary was very congested.
Gregor, sitting in the passenger seat, said,
"Do you see this? These are all the Brothers and Sisters who have come a long way to see the Emperor's Countenance of the Lord Saint."
Perisia also chipped in here.
"Thanks to that, there is no Time when the Academy Territory roads aren't crowded. The Chancellor has Contacted us regarding this."
"Then please schedule the Afternoon Schedule over there."
"Understood, Lord Yulian."
Receiving Bodyguard escorts from Perisia and Gregor, the car headed sluggishly towards the infirmary.
The vibe of going to work in Seoul, which I had forgotten after coming to this world, was a bonus.
Like that, the car arrived at the infirmary on Time.
Fortunately, thanks to leaving early, I avoided Tardiness.
The workplace I returned to after a week was no different from usual.
The smell of Antiseptic, busy Priests, and the long line in front of the reception desk.
And......
"Healer Vine is late......"
"You're done with Preparation for Ward Rounds, right, Saintess?"
"Yes. Senior."
The Apprentice Healers and Ayla waiting for Healer Vine's Ward Rounds.
It seemed Healer Vine had taken them around in my place while I took my annual leave.
But now that I had returned, picking them up was my job.
I approached them, bringing Gregor along as a Bodyguard as usual.
"I'm here, everyone."
"......"
"We have to go on Ward Rounds."
"......Yes? Who...... Ah."
However, there was something different from usual.
It was exactly that their reaction, which would normally have answered in seconds, was late.
Not only the Apprentice Healers who were highly disciplined, but even my beloved Disciple Ayla's reaction was late.
"U-Um, Professor? No, Lord Saint? The Mask......?"
"Seeing that reaction, I wonder if there's really a need to wear it anymore."
An Apprentice Healer was confused about what Form of Address to use for me.
Another Apprentice Healer spoke carefully.
"Professor, weren't you...... returning late?"
"Why did you think that?"
"I thought you would be a bit busy......"
"Even if I'm busy, that doesn't become a reason to skip patient care."
Well, I don't deny that there is a lot on the Schedule going forward.
First of all, I have to show my face at the General Shareholders' Meeting,
and there will also be a Press Conference.
Considering Lectures as Professor Yulian, or the people who will request a Meeting with me in the future,
'I'll probably have to cut down on sleep for the time being.'
But that has nothing to do with a reason for not Going to work.
Originally, even in my Previous life, if an interview was scheduled, I would finish all patient care and then go do the interview.
It meant that even if I got busy, my medical treatment would remain the same.
"So hurry up and prepare for Ward Rounds......"
Just as I was encouraging the Apprentice Healers and Ayla and preparing for the Ward Rounds like that.
Suddenly, a familiar urgency was heard from the Emergency Ward side.
"S-So, Guardian, please calm down! Since when did the Symptom......"
"I'm telling you my father's Diarrhea won't stop! Since yesterday, more than ten times a day......!"
"Son. I'm telling you I'm fine."
"Father, please stay still! You're going to collapse again!"
At that Voice, I stopped my steps.
I turned my head toward the direction the Voice was coming from.
I saw a Party scuffling in front of the Emergency Ward reception desk.
The Old Mage barely standing with support, and his pale Guardians.
Opposite them was Healer Vine, unable to stay still from anxiety.
And The Old Mage who appeared to be the center of that commotion was a face I knew.
'Ah, it's him.'
It was that old man.
That Demon Disease— Crohn's Disease Patient whom I treated in exchange for a ticket to the Holding Cell.
I wasn't the only one who recognized The Old Mage.
"W-Wait. That Patient......"
"That Black magic from that time......"
"D-Diarrhea? Could it be...... again?"
The Healers around the reception desk recognized The Old Mage one by one.
Their Complexion turned into an earthen hue.
Whispering filled the Emergency Ward in an instant.
The more that happened, the more The Old Mage's children became nervous and pressed the Healer.
It wasn't unreasonable.
A Demon Disease Patient who had been treated with Black magic was suffering from severe Diarrhea.
It was only natural for the family to take this situation seriously.
"Isn't it a Recurrence?"
"W-What should we do. Shouldn't we Report this to the higher-ups?"
"Someone among the Healers needs to see him, but since he's a Demon Disease Patient......"
None of the Healers approached the vicinity of The Old Mage.
To the Healers, the Demon Disease was an entity that fearful.
"As expected...... that Magic from that time was a Fault......"
"Darling, don't say such Words......!"
"The Curse...... That person's Curse has finally begun......"
"Darling!"
Those Words leaked out from the mouth of the middle-aged man who appeared to be The Old Mage's Son.
Along with that, the air in the Emergency Ward froze even further.
"Hmm......"
Gregor's Groan could be heard from behind me.
"He is a Brother who lacks Faith."
There was no need to interpret the meaning of the Words Gregor said.
It was because the Holy Knights who were waiting on standby with Crossed arms suddenly began to uncross them.
Before those Holy Knights could approach that Guardian, I approached him first.
"Excuse me."
"Who are you......"
"I am this kind of person."
I roughly showed the Crow Mask I took out of my pocket.
Along with that, the Guardian's complexion turned pale blue.
"Lord Saint......!?"
Whether he did or not, I focused on the Crohn's Disease Patient.
"Elder. By any chance, does your stomach hurt, or has your Stool turned red?"
"No, sir. After the Lord Saint treated me, I haven't been sick even ooooonce."
The Old Mage spoke to me with a polite demeanor.
"Everyone who comes to visit is so eager to frame the Lord Saint. The people from the order too, the reporters too, and also, what was it. Inspector?"
"Are you talking about the Inspectors?"
"That's right. Inspectors. No matter how much I said I was fine, they tormented me so much, saying we wouldn't know until Time passes."
As if bursting out what he had been bottling up all at once, The Old Mage said.
"After the Lord Saint cast some Magic on me, I stopped hurting and got so much better. But whenever I do anything, the people around me say it's because of a Curse, or that it's a Recurrence, Tsk tsk."
"Then what about the Diarrhea the Guardian just mentioned."
"It's just that my poop came out a bit watery, but this Son of mine is making a fuss. I apologize for making a commotion."
"Father! The Inspector Lords said it too. This is the way Black Sorcerers commit fraud...... No, um, I don't mean the Lord Saint did that......"
The Son stopped mid-sentence and desperately waved his hands.
At that reaction, I unwittingly turned my head behind my back, where his gaze had been directed.
The Holy Knights who had been stuck closely to the wall somehow felt a little closer.
I turned my head back towards the Son.
"You must have had a lot of Worry. However, you don't need to worry too much. This has nothing to do with Magic; it's a Symptom that naturally appears as the bowel shortens after Surgery."
Also known as Short Bowel Syndrome.
They are symptoms that appear as the bowel becomes shorter due to Excision of the bowel.
Commonly Diarrhea, and rarely constipation.
The Stool can appear black, it can be very greasy, and Indigestion can occur.
It varies from person to person, but if the Symptom is not severe, you just live with it.
"Seeing as there isn't a lot of blood in the Stool, and your stomach isn't severely filled with gas, it doesn't seem to be severe."
Explaining thus, I briefly checked The Old Mage's Conjunctiva and lips.
They weren't severely dry, but slightly cracked.
It is a Dehydration Symptom common in The Old Mage.
But since he said he had Diarrhea......
"Today, I think it would be good to get some IV Fluid, check your bowel condition, and then go."
"T-Then is my father completely cured?"
"Unfortunately, that is not the case. Because the Demon Disease the Elder is suffering from is not a disease with a Complete Cure."
"Yes?"
The flustered Guardian.
However, he wasn't the only one who was flustered.
"Yes, Teacher? Then......?"
Ayla also spoke urgently.
"Then are you saying a Recurrence can happen?"
— That shouldn't happen...... the Taboo......
Gregor added from behind in a tiny voice.
I didn't quite know why they were Worrying about the Taboo.
However, Nuance-wise, I felt like I knew what part they were Worrying about.
"Recurrence is not a good expression, Ayla. Since I developed Insulin and Colchicine, have I ever used the expression that I treated Diabetes and Gout even once?"
"A-No?"
"It's the same for this Patient."
Crohn's Disease cannot be given a Complete Cure with Steroid and Black magic.
Even with 21st Century modern medicine, there was no medicine for a Complete Cure, so how could I treat it.
But my goal from the beginning was not a Complete Cure.
"Do not Worry too much. This Patient just needs Management like Diabetes."
Mass Production with Steroid is still far off, but
still, Management didn't seem like it would be difficult.
'The Black magic Effect is longer than I thought.'
Black magic Curse Lineage— Wither.
It seemed that Curse was still working on The Old Mage.
The trace of my Magic felt from The Old Mage backed this up.
Of course, just as there is no eternal Curse, that Curse would eventually wear off too.
It's just a feeling so I'm not sure, but at this Vigor, wouldn't it wear off in a week?
But it doesn't matter.
I can just administer Steroid again and cast it again when that happens.
"There probably won't be any issues if you live while getting an Injection from me once every Fifteen Days."
Of course, it would be annoying.
Getting a Steroid every Fifteen Days is such a tiring thing too.
But wouldn't a life of getting an Injection once in a while be several thousand times better than the bowel getting blocked by Inflammation, the bowel tearing, or dying from Sepsis.
Rather, it was much better compared to the Treatment Method standard of my Previous life.
21st Century Crohn's Disease patients had to take Steroid almost every day.
Therefore, for someone like The Old Mage, one could say he was already enjoying sufficient luxury.
"However, since it is a Treatment Method that has yet to reach Completion, it will proceed in the form of a Clinical trial....... The Trading Company will handle most of the Covering Costs for the Treatment fee, so the Elder does not need to Worry about the expenses."
I felt a slight sense of Guilt from the fact that we were proceeding with a Clinical trial.
But without showing it, I gave my final explanation.
"Have you understood?"
"......Yes. I understand."
The Guardian bowed his head.
"I am truly sorry for making a commotion, Lord Saint."
"Not at all. As a Guardian, I think it is your natural Right."
A complaint of this level is, well.
"Thank you...... Thank you, Lord Saint......"
The Old Mage and the Guardians bowed their heads repeatedly.
I finished organizing the Prescription and stood up.
Only then did my surroundings catch my eye.
The Healers, Apprentices, and Nursing Nuns in the Emergency Ward were whispering in unison.
"That tone of Voice, that Diagnosis method...... It's him, right?"
"Was it real?"
"I thought it was a false rumor."
Awe, confusion, certainty.
I looked around at the gazes tinged with all sorts of emotions.
I briefly savored those gazes, then raised the Mask and said.
"To treat me like someone you're seeing for the first time just because I took some annual leave, I'm a bit sad. Should we have a Meeting after such a long Time?"
"We are sorry, Lord Saint!"
Only then did the Healers begin calling me as usual.
*
"......"
And that Afternoon.
"Perisia."
"Yes, please speak."
"What is that Airship?"
"Looking at its Size, it seems at least a Duke-level Figure has visited the Academy Territory."
"By any chance, is there an event scheduled at the Academy recently?"
"There is no event, but there is an Incident."
"What kind of Incident?"
Perisia looked at me and said.
"The fact that Professor Yulian Schnabel can definitively treat the Demon Disease was proven this Morning."
"The Ducal Family is quick with the News."
"Because it is a Ducal Family."
I don't know if it's because it's a Misunderstanding Genre, or if there are more Demon Disease patients than I thought, but.
It seemed things had escalated more than I expected.
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