Previously: Zenos participated in Professor Goldrun’s rounds and learned that Alfred disappeared after the professor’s dinner party.
“I see, Professor Goldrun’s dinner party, huh…”
Becker nodded slowly as Zenos relayed the information he had obtained during the professor’s rounds.
As usual, Becker’s room was piled high with books and experimental equipment scattered everywhere.
Navigating around them, Becker handed Zenos a cup of coffee.
“I’ve heard rumors. Alfred is a very talented healer, so it’s no surprise he was invited.”
Returning to his seat, Becker bowed his head slightly to Zenos. Umin seemed to be absent on some errand.
“That’s valuable information, Zenos. Thank you.”
“Oh, so I’m off the hook then?”
“Fufufu, I’m afraid not. We have a hint, but we’re still far from the core of the matter.”
“Thought so.”
After the professor’s rounds, Zenos had spoken to several people who seemed to have attended the dinner party, but the results were inconclusive. Because they were relaxing in the professor’s vast mansion after the meal, no one seemed to have been paying attention to Alfred’s movements.
“In that case, we’ll have to get you to become a favorite of Professor Goldrun before the special training period ends, and have you infiltrate the dinner party.”
“Hmm…”
“If you can do that, I’ll increase your contract fee. Of course, as promised, I won’t interfere with your ‘under-the-table’ work in the future.”
He could probably trust those words.
Given that Becker had him infiltrate the Royal Healing Institute under a false identity, Becker himself was already walking a tightrope.
“But, even if you tell me to become his favorite…”
“You can do it, Zenos.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Are you lacking confidence?”
“…”
…How about that?
Before he came, he felt that nothing he did would be of any use at the Royal Healing Institute, but he had also begun to feel that there were more things he could do than he thought.
“…Honestly, I don’t really know. There are people here like you who make amazing medicine, and then there are those who panic at the mere sight of a few zombies.”
“At the mere sight of a few zombies… Fufufu.”
Becker chuckled with a wry smile and slowly stood up.
“Well, there are some interesting people here too. However, they tend to do whatever they please, so it’s not easy to meet them.”
Zenos sighed and shrugged.
“In any case, when this is all over, I expect you to tell me about my master.”
“Yes. I’ll tell you everything I know, ah, oh!”
Becker, who had stood up, bumped his hip against the edge of the desk. The coins that had been carelessly piled on the desk scattered across the floor.
“Oh dear, how careless of me.”
Becker bent down to pick them up, and then suddenly looked up at Zenos.
“Zenos, I’ve been wondering about this for a while, but why did you become a healer?”
“Hmm… My master’s influence was probably the biggest factor. Well, it’s about the only thing I can do. What about you?”
“For me… It’s a bit cliché, but I wanted to make the world a slightly better place with medicine. I had absolutely no talent for healing magic.”
In fact, Becker was said to have created specific remedies for numerous infectious diseases. He was a sly one, but his achievements were undeniable.
“Healing magic can only save the person in front of you, but medicine can reach many people. I think that’s quite impressive.”
“Hahaha, I’m happy to be praised by you. Even so, there are still many areas where my power falls short.”
It was true that some diseases had become curable, but there were still many that were considered incurable in the world. Becker stopped picking up the coins, straightened up, and said.
“Zenos. One more question.”
“What is it?”
“Right now, there are many coins scattered all over the floor.”
“I can see that.”
“I would like to pick them up if possible, but I’m busy with research and meetings, so I don’t have much time.”
“So?”
“In that case, which coins would you pick up?”
“…?”
Zenos furrowed his brow and looked at the floor.
Among the scattered coins were rough copper coins and lustrous silver coins. Gleaming in the shadow of the stacked books, was that a gold coin?
Becker asked which coins he would pick up if he didn’t have much time. Not understanding what he was getting at, Zenos looked at Becker, who continued with his usual gentle smile.
“Zenos. Do you think all lives are of equal value?”
“…”
The brief silence that followed was broken by the sound of the door opening.
“Professor Becker, are you here?”
It was Umin, who seemed to have finished his errand. Umin looked back and forth between Becker and Zenos with a puzzled expression.
“Oh, Zenos is here too. Were you in the middle of something?”
Becker answered Umin in his usual manner.
“No, we were just chatting. Did you need something from me?”
“Professor, the office staff said you were supposed to be at a meeting.”
“Ah, that’s right. I’ll go now. Where was it again?”
“Honestly, I’ll take you there.”
“Thank you, as always.”
As he left, Becker winked at Zenos.
“Well then, I’m counting on you. I hope you become Professor Goldrun’s favorite.”
“I’ll do my best.”
The door closed slowly, and the room was enveloped in silence. Zenos took a sip of the coffee he had received and stared silently at the coins scattered on the floor for a while.