chapter 15
15 – Newly Established Kim Chul-soo Medical Team
The next day, I treated all the additional patients as well.
Perhaps I was getting the hang of it; it ended quicker than the first day, leaving me feeling relieved.
“The end…!!”
I hung the newly made sign “End of Treatment” on the desk and stretched out on the chair.
I miss being in bed.
To me, life is lying down on a bed and playing with a mobile phone!
“How rewarding.”
Miss Catherine wiped the sweat off her forehead, wearing the smile of a diligent worker.
Have you already adapted to the work?
Such incredible stamina.
“Kim Cheolsu, have some water.”
“Oh, thank you, Miss.”
I took the cup of water that Miss Catherine handed me, quenching my thirst.
It does feel rewarding indeed.
As long as it’s not overwhelmingly busy!
The Marquis’ estate was still bustling with people, and outsiders were a sight to see in the countryside.
Estate servants, villagers, temple people, everyone gathered to watch.
Among them, Mr. James, who had come upon hearing rumors, pretended to know me.
It’s fortunate that I was planning to visit him.
“It’s chaos, pure chaos! Are all these people here because of Kim Cheolsu’s rumors?”
“Oh, Parish Priest.”
“Yes, Kim Cheolsu. Long time no see. Don’t forget to come to the temple now that you’re famous. Make sure to come to the temple regularly for worship.”
“Haha… Yes.”
Mr. James, the temple’s representative and ambassador, is a person for whom “likability = frequency of temple visits,” so he must regularly visit the temple.
If the average number of temple visits decreases, he becomes sulky.
Mr. James had already subtly hinted at his displeasure, giving me a knowing look.
“Yes, visiting the temple brings blessings. Even if things are going well.”
“Haha… Of course. By the way, Parish Priest, can I hire a believer?”
I brought up the main topic.
To recruit an assistant!
Might as well hire someone who can also utilize divine power.
Divine power has a sterilizing effect.
In a medieval era without disinfectants, sterilization is valuable.
Mr. James asked, stroking his chin.
“Hmm, Kim Cheolsu, do you want to hire our believer?”
“Yes. I want to hire them as a medical assistant.”
“Are you planning to open a hospital?”
Hospitals in this era are more like religious places than places for treating illnesses.
They see diseases as curses from the devil, so when patients enter a hospital, they pray collectively.
They say, “Devil, be gone~.”
If the patient recovers naturally, it’s considered God’s grace, but if the patient dies, it’s seen as the devil’s curse being too strong.
In this chaotic reality, naturally, as someone with modern medical knowledge, I have no intention of setting up such a hospital.
And if I were to, it would be a hospital based on modern concepts.
I had no intention of building a hospital yet.
A hospital by myself? Absurd!
But the way Mr. James’s mouth curled seemed to suggest that I had a very noble idea.
It’s as if he knew how to pray when patients come in.
“Indeed, even Kim Cheol-su’s brothers cannot hide their fervent faith!”
“Oh… no, Reverend. I’m thinking of opening a free clinic.”
“A free clinic?”
“Yes. I will only provide basic medical care to patients.”
Just sitting at the desk like now and examining the patients’ conditions?
Mr. James seemed to soften his voice as if he was impressed.
“Well, I thought of having a prayer meeting with Kim Cheol-su.”
“Haha… If we worship together, wouldn’t that suffice?”
“Yes, but how many disciples are needed?”
“Well, let’s start with two as a trial. I can’t handle too many people. I’ll pay a generous salary!”
With the money received from Duke Jackson, there is enough for salaries!
But Mr. James shook his head.
“Forget the salary. Just provide meals. The original intention is to serve the patients.”
Mr. James said something nice.
Even though Mr. James often seems bitter, he is a man of character.
I’m grateful.
Should I send him a box of kimchi at least?
But after coughing twice, Mr. James subtly hinted at me.
“Hmm, bring Malboi. He’s stuck in that temple and doesn’t think about the outside world.”
“Malboi?”
Malboi.
He insulted me as a colored barbarian in the temple, but then repented after receiving soap. He acts friendly when he sees me with acne.
Malboi is a recluse in the temple.
Now I see, is Mr. James not trying to get rid of his malicious thoughts on me!
“Malboi still has some sanctity. He can help enough to treat.”
That statement was somewhat reassuring.
“Just close your eyes and accept it.”
Mr. James’s expression was sinister, but I couldn’t refuse if he was offering.
After much contemplation, I agreed.
“Alright.”
“Hoho, you made a good choice! I’ll have a word with him, so if he doesn’t listen, tell me. I’ll give him a stern scolding!”
“Oh, that’s fine, but…”
“Kim Cheol-su, can I join too?”
Quietly, Catherine, who was listening to Mr. James and my conversation, showed interest.
This proposal was quite appealing.
Thanks to Miss Catherine’s help yesterday and today, I was able to handle so many patients.
Miss Catherine’s assistance ability is remarkable.
If Miss Catherine comes, I want to escort her even if I have to beg!
“If Miss Catherine comes, I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“Hehe… Does that mean I’ll be a therapist too?”
“Yes, oh right. Should I tell Viscount Roland?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the small things.”
“Understood!”
“Hehe… That’s great. Now I can closely monitor those who bother Kim Chul-soo.”
“Hmm…?”
I heard something strange, but I tried to forget it.
Sometimes, not knowing is a remedy.
* * * *
And so, the Kim Chul-soo therapy team was formed!
The members are me, Miss Catherine, and Mr. Malboi.
I had already talked to Miss Catherine in advance.
Mr. Malboi was brought here by Mr. James and was as anxious as livestock being led to the slaughterhouse. He has a severe case of Hikikomori.
He belongs to the category that mistakenly believes that all sorts of dangerous things lurk outside the temple.
“Well… Nothing unusual will happen, right? Huh? Suddenly the world is going to end or something.”
“That won’t happen, Brother Malboi. Don’t worry too much.”
“I hope so… Phew! I only trust Brother Kim Chul-soo.”
Mr. Malboi trembled sweetly and tried hard to overcome his fear.
He is afraid of this place, Roland Viscount’s estate, outside the temple.
While gently comforting Mr. Malboi, I guided him to adapt well to the newly established Kim Chul-soo therapy team.
After all, the treatment for phobias is getting used to the causes of fear!
I have to manage Mr. Malboi’s mental state from now on.
…Honestly, I feel like I’ve been deceived by Mr. James! But still, I want to believe that Mr. Malboi’s divine power is worth something.
“Honestly, it’s a therapy team I created for my own comfort.”
I have to treat the patients properly.
I quickly glanced at our therapy team’s headquarters.
I found an empty house near the Viscount’s estate, put a desk there, and wrote “Kim Chul-soo Free Clinic” on the signboard, but there’s nothing inside.
It’s poor.
Even if I just put a desk in a dilapidated house, it would be believable.
“For now, let’s fill it with some supplies.”
As the leader of the Kim Chul-soo therapy team, I assigned my first mission!
Miss Catherine skillfully accepted my mission.
“Hehe, understood. I’ll tell the maids to bring in some suitable furniture and clean cloths.”
“As expected, Miss. Thank you!”
“What~ This will be the house where Kim Cheol-su and I will live together.”
“Hmm, to already have such great affection for the company. Kim Cheol-su, you’ve moved me.”
“Hmm..? Is it really like that?”
Miss Catherine giggled, maintaining a casual atmosphere, while Mr. Malboi seemed nervous.
“What if, while going outside, you step on poop, slip, hit your head on a rock, and faint..?”
“If you’re careful while walking, that won’t happen, Malboi brothers. Miss Catherine, I’ll go out with the Malboi brothers to do some bargaining. We’ll get some herbs and supplies for the infirmary.”
Here, due to the lack of antibiotic production skills, they were planning to substitute with herbs.
Regarding the infirmary, they were considering asking for the method from “Traitor Mateo.”
‘Traitor Mateo, who betrayed me by revealing my treatment to the authorities…! Unforgivable!!’
Seeing how patients flocked in fear, it must have been due to Mateo spreading rumors.
Once evidence is found, I will make the traitor Mateo pay for his betrayal!
And I’ll obtain the method for making the infirmary as a bonus!
“Since the Malboi brothers are men, it should be fine, right? Okay.”
Miss Catherine’s reason for agreeing was strange, but she gave her permission.
* * * *
“Oh, Kim Cheol-su! Lately, there seem to be many patients in the territory. Truly, Kim Cheol-su’s skills are so outstanding they can’t be hidden…”
“Matteo! I told you not to spread rumors!!”
“Matteo, did you really spread the rumors even though you agreed not to, Kim Cheol-su?”
I summoned the hero Daisy to judge the sinner Matteo.
After all, a fellow hero should be treated as a hero. Even the seemingly powerful magician Matteo would be no match for Daisy, who had become very close to me and sided with me!
Coming to visit Daisy, the betrayed Matteo stood at the door, facing the intense scrutiny of me, Daisy, and Malboi.
His appearance was like a demon cornered in a dead end!
“I-I didn’t spread any rumors! It’s a misunderstanding!”
“Then why did patients flock even from distant Rorlang and Baekjak?”
“I really don’t know! It’s true!”
‘Hmm…’
Did Matteo spread the rumors?
Did I accuse an innocent person?
Matteo’s unjust expression truly seemed like that of an innocent person.