Chapter 37
“Does it appear to even the doctor that I am, perhaps, a demon?”
As he stated this, he turned halfway around and looked miserable.
It hadn’t been long since the young master, who may have an attack-like cough at any time, had gone outside.
Just when treatment appeared to be gaining effect, the madam had a mental breakdown.
Pity and affection automatically flowed from their difficult situations.
“I’ve been with you since you were a child. A Demon? It’s definitely a plot by those looking to take advantage of your weak physique.”
“My mother believes that my skin burning up, unable to withstand the blessing of God, is evidence of being a demon.”
“Young master, I am a physician and scholar who does research. I only trust what I observe with my own eyes and base my reasoning on scientific data. The Pope utters a few words, and the water is blessed? When you pour holy water on a demon, its entire body burns and they flee. It’s a truly funny story. Even if the skin burning was accurate, it’s evident that someone deliberately added a drug. Whether it was a trace of poison or a medicine that triggered an allergic reaction, they designed it such that it just affects Adrian, the young master, and then made it appear as if he was mistaken for demon. Where in the world are there gods and demons?”
“Then, who would plot such a thing, even going so far as to borrow the power of superstition?”
“Humbly speaking, I suspect it might be the collateral relatives who have been coveting the position of the head of the Pfalzgraf.”
Hubert rubbed his chin with his calloused, rough hand.
“As the young master’s health improves by the day, the count will soon be ready to pass on the post of head. Until then, I will assist so the young master can fully heal. Even if I was unable to protect the madam, I shall at least safeguard the young master. It seems like my final mission as a doctor.”
“Having the doctor’s support feels like having a mighty army on my side.”
Adrian turned to face the red-patterned flower as he finished speaking.
It was well-known for being a difficult species to grow because it is a cultivar that does not exist naturally and requires meticulous regulation of light and humidity.
As a result, it was extremely rare across the continent.
Hubert looked at the flower and then spoke.
“The petals have already turned white. The name ‘red-patterned’ appears incorrect. Did you know? If that flower blooms in a cemetery and they change the burial site, people believe the roots suck the blood from the dead, making the petals red.”
“It seems this flower thirsts for blood, given how white the petals are.”
“It appears that someone destined to die will come shortly. How about you take that life?”
Hubert lowered his voice ominously.
Adrian used his keen hearing to scan the surroundings for any presence before turning to face Hubert.
“Officers have been raiding the village due to recent murders. When I was younger, the Count’s family would keep it quiet, but things have changed since then. Is it feasible without getting caught?”
“If you only use the gloves I gave you, not a single piece of evidence related to the young master will emerge.”
“Then, I will trust only in the doctor this time as well.”
“Leave it to me, young master.”
“…Now that I think about it, it seems weird. Preparing a ‘treatment’ that differs from what others use, in complete secrecy, while assuming that I could not possible be a demon.”
In reality, Hubert was the only human who realized Adrian was somehow connected to the killings of the staff in the estate.
He hadn’t seen Adrian commit murder or discovered evidence of it.
He simply studied his patient as a primary physician and saw that every time someone died or disappeared from the estate, Adrian’s condition improved considerably.
Without the use of any particular medication, death-like seizures and blood spitting halted.
Because the sickness was too severe to heal, he saw it as a strange miracle, but he also had reservations.
And as this incredible recovery happened five times in a row, he couldn’t help but feel confident.
Adrian’s sickness might be treated with human lives.
Only he, closest to and inspected the young master, could have understood this treatment.
Hubert could have gone to the village to call a coroner or run away, but he chose a different course.
He thought he’d found a particular remedy for Adrian.
As a physician working for the Pfalzgraf family, he set out to perform his duty by discovering this remedy.
Humans on the verge of death were utilized as the treatment since they had no families, were healthy, and so faced no consequences.
He designed a place within the count’s home where persons on the point of death could be readily contained.
He seduced individuals without homes, money, or family by offering free treatment, then sacrificed them for Adrian’s sustenance.
Of course, because all persons capable of leaving proof were removed, Adrian could only directly kill two people.
However, it was far easier than killing five people on his own, thanks to the well-prepared meals.
This allowed Adrian to restore his strength by killing two people.
“Young master, as you know, I’ve toured the world and treated a variety of patients. Believe it or not, some of them are unable to survive without ingesting human flesh. One was a member of a minority tribe who died after being beaten with clubs, yet he was still human. Just as his regular food differed from that of ordinary individuals, so did your treatment strategy. It was a coincidence, but I found a treatment that is ideal for you, young master, and as a physician, I am doing my best to treat you. It’s a considerably more logical and sensible conclusion than spurious beliefs like holy water and demons.”
“Do you not feel guilty as a doctor? They were also your patients.”
“Setting foot in the charity hospital was equivalent to surrendering their deaths to the Pfalzgraf family. I promised them treatment, but I didn’t guarantee a peaceful death. Isn’t it extreme greed for those without money or a home to expect to receive treatment without compensation?”
Hubert responded with an incredibly sympathetic smile.
It was a twisted cognitive process, but Adrian saw him as a helpful pawn.
He intended to employ him, who was blind but intellectual and capable of action, till a certain point.
It remains to be seen how long that will last.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how much healthier you’ll be following this. How much better your complexion is now than it was before… That’s why Hilda and the other servants blush when they see the young master.
“…Doctor Hubert, about that.”
“Yes?”
“Hilda, how does she compare to a month ago?”
“What do you mean by asking…?”
Hubert’s wrinkled eyes gleamed with uncertainty. Adrian fiddled with a pencil in his pocket, which Hilda had given him when they met in the hamlet not long ago.
“It’s difficult to explain. Hasn’t her attitude, her demeanor, changed dramatically?”
“Well, I haven’t felt any significant difference.”
“Is that so.”
“Now that you, young master, have matured and Hilda has, it is normal for her attitude to shift. This is how it is between men and women. But Hilda knows her place. She doesn’t seek prestige through a connection with the young master.”
Adrian wasn’t expecting a meaningful response after seeing him shrug it off as if it were nothing.
He advised Doctor Hubert to enjoy the garden more and left first.
As he returned to the mansion through the garden, he continued to play with the pencil in his jacket pocket.
Despite the fact that it was a cheap pencil produced with a lead simply placed in the wood, he liked it right away after Hilda gave it to him.
There were considerably more pricey and useful fountain pens littered across his room, but none looked as unique as this little pencil.
It appeared that it may be used for another purpose if properly sharpened.
Hilda reminded him of a pencil.
An ordinary servant who is readily exploited can be found anywhere.
Yet, for some reason, she drew his attention.
He seemed even more attracted to her after receiving the pencil.
Perhaps it was because there were so many unresolved questions about her.
His suspicions, especially about the garden shears, had grown during the last day.
Why did she appear pale and scared when she saw him with the shears, insisting on taking them away just to return them the next day?
It seemed weird that hypnosis did not work on Hilda, but it was evident she knew something he didn’t.
It’s like trying to hold onto something almost within reach yet slips away.
It was as if it were veiled in a faint, misty, imprecise, and indistinct mist.
It appears that capturing just one clue could lead to unraveling the others, yet it slips away like a slippery fish.
“There’s definitely something.”
He returned to his room with hesitant steps.
Something drew his attention as he sat down in the chair, expecting to be buried in concentration.
He looked absently at the desk.
Quill, book, stationery, and candlestick… Everything was in place, yet something was lacking.
Objects that he glanced over daily and dismissed as inconsequential were gradually eliminated.
A few pieces had been cleverly removed from a finished puzzle.
After a few perfunctory glances around the room, he realized something was missing.
Some of the instruments he had covertly accumulated over the years had vanished as if a lie.
It was inconceivable that someone had accidentally cleaned them up.
Only the specially customized fountain pens had vanished from the vast collection.
The same was true for other things.
It was as if someone had taken them, realizing the intent inherent in specific objects.
Above all, the gloves provided by Hubert were gone.
Who might it be? His murderous gaze moved across the room to the bed.
When his sight fell on the garden shears left alone, he had a moment of awareness.
There was only one culprit.
“Hilda.”
“I’m sorry to call you out so late, Hilda.”
“Yes, yes. What is it?”
“Some items have disappeared from my room today. They may not seem like much, but they are essential to me.”
“Is that true? What kinds of items…?”
“It is not for you to inquire. Hilda, did you take my items?”
“…”
“I don’t want to lay my hands on you. So, make sure you return everything without missing a single one.”
“…”
“Please, while I’m still patient.”