"Ahem, ahem."
I first cleared my throat.
I even lifted my chin slightly, but of course, not enough for the other party to think, 'Is this bastard being arrogant?'
It was just a slight show of energy, I'd say.
Since the other party is the King.
If I tried to show confidence and ended up being disliked, what kind of foolish move would that be?
'Professors used informal speech.'
Not my advisor, though.
By then, civic consciousness in Korea had long been vastly improved.
Even earlier than that...
I'm talking about the times of tenured professors when I first entered school.
I heard they used to smoke in the examination room and speak casually to patients.
Some even believed that was the authority of a doctor.
Some lamented over drinks that the world had gone strange and patients wouldn't listen.
'Now is even further back in time than that.'
The 19th century...
Common sense would suggest that doctors should have more authority now, but that's not exactly the case.
Frankly, even now, if you go to a place with a proper university hospital sign, not some back alley in London, it's still full of quacks.
Even if they seem plausible, it's problematic...
The problem is that these bastards are clearly engaging in quackery.
And patients are, of course, dying for absurd reasons.
In such a situation, what authority?
'Authority comes from skill...'
Generally speaking, this is an era where doctors could be considered little more than butchers.
But I'm a bit different, aren't I?
I've already built up numerous cases.
Plus, I know the future.
I didn't remember the King's name, but anyway, I recall hearing that the previous king passed away less than a month after Princess Victoria turned 18.
That was William IV.
"Your Majesty."
Thinking again, it's definitely correct.
Thanks to that, I could speak with a confident face.
One of the guards standing behind me frowned at the sight.
Usually, those who flatter power are never good people, and if it's a doctor, even more so, right?
They probably haven't seen good come from it.
But it's fine.
The King is focused on me.
"Yes, speak."
It's natural, having seen his brother's hair restored.
Plus, the rampant rumors about me must be playing a part.
Honestly, it was a bit annoying when people called me a lunatic despite being sane, but now I feel like I'm being repaid.
"Your Majesty, you can live for at least four more years."
"Oh... Is that so?"
"There will never be a regency you don't desire. However."
"However?"
I wonder what my expression looks like now.
Does it seem too arrogant?
Or do I look like a fraud?
Even with these worries, I spoke unwaveringly.
"You'll need a little help from me."
"What kind of help?"
"First, allow me to become your personal physician. I'm not asking to be just one of many."
"Hm? Then...?"
"I must be the sole personal physician. I don't like badmouthing colleagues in the same industry... but honestly, aren't they all quacks? Their prescriptions will mostly be poison rather than benefit."
I mean it sincerely.
I have no interest in monopolizing power or anything.
Looking down on people is wrong, but 19th-century medicine has no aspects worthy of respect, even as a courtesy.
"Hmm... Dismiss all my personal physicians?"
"Yes. Not just me, but my team will handle it. That would be much better for Your Majesty. Moreover, given your current health, you don't really need many personal physicians."
"Hmm..."
While thinking that, I worked my silver tongue hard.
Glancing at His Majesty's face, I felt he was about halfway convinced.
Normally, with time, he should be fully convinced, but...
In damn 19th-century London, things might proceed differently.
Even if it's misguided common sense, it's a worldview where everyone shares that common sense.
In that case, he might become suspicious of me.
Plus, don't I look perfectly suspicious?
I need to do something more, that's what I mean.
"If Your Majesty cannot live beyond four years, I'm willing to stake my life."
"Ho, your life? Why speak such medieval words?"
"It shows how confident I am. Look at Sir Jamie. His health was poor too, but it improved greatly after meeting me."
"Well... but is that rumor true?"
"Which one...?"
"Sir Jamie's testicles..."
"Unfortunately, it's true. This, too, ultimately happened because he met another doctor, not me."
"I see. Hmm."
William IV was clearly greatly swayed by my bold declaration.
He kept fiddling with his noticeably thick mustache and his legs trembled slightly.
I understand.
The people currently claiming to be His Majesty's personal physicians are probably quite famous in London.
Dismissing all of them and keeping only me isn't an easy decision.
"It's not an easy decision to make right now. Ah, I'm not doubting your skills."
"I fully understand, Your Majesty. I just hope you recognize that my advice comes from sincerity."
"Yes, yes. Anyway, we'll meet again soon regardless."
"Huh?"
"Isn't there a knighthood ceremony scheduled? I didn't come just to see my brother today. The rumors about you were just too rampant."
"Ah..."
I can feel it in his gaze.
If I had acted strangely today, I probably wouldn't have become a knight.
Not that my freedom would be immediately restricted, but...
Still, the future I dream of would have become much more distant.
'Whew.'
I sighed inwardly with relief and continued.
"Thank you for your favorable view, Your Majesty."
"Haha. Yes. We'll see each other soon. Until then, take good care of my brother."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will always do my best, as always."
After sending William IV off, I returned to the Duke of Adolphus and examined his head.
Obviously, the transplanted hair won't fall out immediately, so there was no change.
After saying a few encouraging words, I entered the lounge, and Liston hurriedly ran over to ask.
"So, what did His Majesty say?"
It was an expected question.
I had a private audience with the King.
For people like Sir Jamie or Sir Damian, it might be different, but for others, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event.
"I suggested becoming his personal physician."
"Ah... Given our reputation, it's possible."
"Just us."
"Huh?"
"Brother, frankly, aren't the others all quacks?"
"That's... true, but... dismissing everyone and keeping only us... Wouldn't there be immense dissatisfaction?"
"From whom? His Majesty?"
"No... Why do you only think of high-ranking people? Those who get dismissed will be upset."
"Ah."
Right.
I just realized I'm messing with someone's livelihood.
No matter how justified I am, this is somewhat risky.
Even in the 21st century, there were situations where, even if something clearly seemed absurd to a doctor's eyes, you had to stay quiet, right?
If it turns into a turf war, I'd have to bear some blow too.
The problem is, in the 21st century, it might only be a psychological blow, but now, physical blows are possible too.
"Hey!"
It didn't even take days.
When Liston happened to be absent, someone approached.
An unfamiliar face, but just by looking, I could tell.
"How dare you try to take my position as personal physician... Ugh."
They probably waited for Liston to be absent.
They wouldn't dare confront me with the Sword Saint Liston around.
But he's not my only guard, right?
Kim Tae-pyeong, the Heart Extractor, is practically the shadow leader of London's gangs, no exaggeration.
They might stab me in the back once I'm no longer useful, but far from being obsolete, they're now almost connected to the King.
"Shall I kill him?"
A slaughterhouse executive, with his underlings, had been following me around.
He used "Shall I kill him?" so habitually that I told him, "Do you think people are pigs?" He hurriedly shook his head and left me with this memory:
- People are easier to kill than pigs.
Yeah, right.
Still, killing a gentleman who's even the King's personal physician in broad daylight is a bit much.
If he'd shot a gun or drawn a sword, it might be different, but for throwing a punch...
'Doesn't seem like it'd be a problem, though.'
I'm a generous person.
I was in my past life, and I am now.
'Above all, I don't want to hear that I became personal physician through force.'
The rumors about me are already rampant, aren't they?
And it came from the King's mouth, no less.
Probably because on the day of the surgical duel, cardiac tamponade occurred, so people remember me drawing blood from the heart more than winning that match.
No matter how I think about it, there's nothing else in my record so far that could be misunderstood.
"Let him go. How pathetic must a doctor be to come throwing punches?"
"You, you..."
"Ah, I'm letting you go now, but remember, we can kill you anytime."
"Uh..."
Look at him tensing his eyes immediately when I said to let him go.
No matter how generous I am, this is hard to tolerate.
So I threatened him, and his voice immediately died down.
"Let's settle this with skill, with skill."
I patted his shoulder to cheer him up.
Frankly, shouldn't we just use skill?
I don't know what method they'll use to evaluate skill...
But no matter what, I don't think I'll lose.
If it seems like I might lose, I can just... take care of it.
A game I cannot lose has begun, that's what I mean!
"Diefping Kim, step forward."
London folks' slow processing is nothing new.
It was somewhat unexpected that there was no word at all about the personal physician matter...
Fortunately, the knighthood ceremony proceeded as scheduled.
I stepped forward as my name was called and took my place beside Liston, who was already kneeling.
"Him, him... a man with no background..."
I heard someone muttering from somewhere.
Daring to cause a scene in the presence of His Majesty the King.
But what can you do?
What can they do?
At most, all they can do is curse.
And when it comes to curses, that's my specialty...
"Ugh."
Eek.
At a coincidental timing, a groan came from the very voice that had just uttered those resentful words.
Thud.
If it were just that, it might be different, but I even heard the sound of someone collapsing.
I found myself looking up at the sky without realizing it.
'Really... am I a shaman?'
I asked myself that, but there was no answer.
Instead, what started to be heard was a scream.
"H-he's not breathing!"