Baby Pharmacist Princess

If a knight falls back, it creates a gap in the formation, disrupting the order and putting everyone’s lives at risk. On the battlefield, even minor injuries can severely impact stamina and endurance. Stopping the bleeding was essential, but it had to be done quickly.

“Ugh!”

“Fall back and put that on!”

“Grr…!”

“You too! Swap out and use that!”

The term “bandage” hadn’t quite caught on in the chaos of battle, so the knights referred to it simply as “that.” Nevertheless, they were beginning to use it. And it didn’t take long—just half a day—for all the bandages distributed to be used up.

“Thank you, Princess, truly.”

“What exactly did you make these with? They didn’t fall off, even in the thick of the fight.”

“They made a huge difference. Um… do you perhaps have more…?”

Three days passed, with me stuck on the airship the whole time. Three whole days!

I couldn’t take it anymore. Dragging Gergys down to the camp with me, I wanted to at least have an early dinner with Dad.

As soon as we arrived, the knights slowly approached me. Even the ones from the Jen faction, who usually only gave me polite bows, seemed to have something to say.

“How did you like the bandages from the Imperial Health Department?”

“Oh, they were fantastic! Thanks to them, we bled a lot less and were able to return to the fight quickly.”

“I’m glad!”

The insignias on their armor suggested that even the Jen faction knights were coming to express their gratitude. Idsys told me usage rates were high, but it seems everyone really liked them.

Feeling proud and a bit smug, I placed my hands on my hips and raised my chin.

“I have more. I’ll give you some!”

“You have more?”

“Yes! I made sure we had plenty just in case.”

“The Imperial Health Department made these? The medical department could never come up with something like this…”

Of course not. These kinds of advancements came after the industrial revolution, didn’t they? I couldn’t help but chuckle as I imagined the helpless doctors being rendered obsolete by this.

“Just remember, you should only use them for a day, okay?”

“Understood!”

“And if the bandage gets too soaked, switch it out for a fresh one. I’ll distribute more to everyone now.”

It seemed like the knights had gone through their bandages rather quickly.

They’ve got cuts and bruises all over.

Without serious injuries, they wouldn’t get proper treatment until they returned to camp. In the meantime, the bandages prevented infections and stemmed the blood flow. But if they didn’t change them out, they could risk infections.

“Wait here a moment!”

I proudly called out, then nudged Gergys in the side. The message was clear—fetch them.

“Sigh, you little chick. Do you think I’m your servant?”

“Iiiing.”

“Acting cute won’t work on me, you know?”

Despite his grumbling, Gergys returned to the airship and brought down more bandages. With those distributed, I ran to Dad, hugging his leg tightly.

“Dad!”

“Cherie, you’re here.”

“Dad, did you get hurt anywhere?”

“As if that could happen.”

Dad gave a confident smirk, raising his head arrogantly. He wasn’t wrong—if Dad ever got injured, it would mean a truly terrifying monster had appeared.

“Those bandages you made were a great help.”

“Really?”

“Yes. When we return, I’ll recommend you for a medal to His Majesty.”

A medal? I blinked, nearly nodding in agreement before I caught myself.

“A medal for me?!”

“Yes. You significantly increased the knights’ return time to battle. It’s a worthy achievement.”

Wow, really? I glanced around, but neither Sir Rabjamun nor Gergys seemed to object to Dad’s rather over-the-top praise.

Dad, are you maybe… a bit too proud right now?

“Stop overthinking it. If you’re offered a medal, just take it.”

“Brother Gergys, do you really think I deserve a medal?”

“Yup. If Idsys were here, he’d probably explain with fancy numbers, but yeah, the efficiency improved.”

“Wow.”

“While fighting, I noticed that the time knights spent on recovery got shorter, and everything flowed much more smoothly. Morale also improved.”

I hadn’t realized it would have such an impact. Overwhelmed with excitement, I stomped my feet in joy, cheeks puffed with pride.

“Oh my gosh!”

“Exactly, so accept the medal.”

Gergys chuckled, messing up my hair as I gleefully stomped my feet. I pouted, grabbing at my disheveled hair, but then I looked up at Dad with wide eyes.

“Dad, you know…”

“Yes?”

“I can’t take all the credit. The entire Health Department deserves recognition.”

I had to be firm about this. I had no intention of hogging the glory.

After all, it’s not like medals determine how capable I am when I turn fifteen and take the aptitude test.

As long as Grandfather knew that the Imperial Health Department, which I led, had made such achievements, that was enough for me.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll make sure to tell His Majesty.”

“Kyaa! Dad, you’re the best!”

Soon, dinner was served. The meal didn’t look nearly as fancy as what we had at the palace, but it was humble, hearty, and filled with care. It was delicious in its own way.

The people here, who make such heartfelt food, must be warm and kind.

That’s the sense I got.

“This is crab soup, the staple of the Skoranta people.”

“It’s delicious!”

“Is it now? I’ll have to bring a Skoranta cook back with us to the capital.”

Uh, that’s not necessary…

But wait. Maybe someone here would want to work in the capital. If I stop Dad now, I could be ruining someone’s chance to go to the capital… Eh, whatever. A few more kitchen staff wouldn’t hurt.

The crab soup from Skoranta had a tangy, spicy flavor that was unlike anything I’d had before. It felt both foreign and familiar.

Ah, this is nice. So peaceful and warm.

The table was simple, made of dark wood, with a steaming pot of soup in the center, boiled potatoes and carrots, and pork wrapped in leaves. The fruit was small, tart berries, and everything felt… cozy. Even though Idsys was out fighting, I felt like we were a close family.

“This feels like life on a farm!”

It felt like nothing bad could happen, like there was no danger in the world. I imagined peaceful, repetitive days where the sun rose and set, casting the same shadows.

In my imagination, my brothers sheared wool while I carried it, and Dad came home from plowing the fields.

Everything tasted better with that image in my head.

“I’m so happy! Is it okay to be this happy?”

I laughed, stomping my feet in joy, and both Dad and Gergys smiled.

Just as I was about to dip my potato into salt and pepper and bring it to my mouth…

Bwoong bwoong bwoong!

An annoying and, frankly, unwelcome alert sound rang in my ears, and a heart-shaped notification box popped up in front of me.

[♡Administrator’s Message♡]

“Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘This is a death flag’?”

Saying, “I’m so happy, is it okay to be this happy?” has triggered a death flag!

From now on, penalties will increase every fifteen days.

Current penalties:

(1) Medical skill level D only available. (2) Cannot log out until main quest completion. (3) 10% interest on the entire debt. (4) Failure of the main quest results in a horrible death. (5) NEW♡ Mini-game triggered if you leave the royal palace.

We recommend repaying your debts as early as possible!

Enjoy your play, and note that a new penalty will be added in 15 days!

Ugh! Another penalty?!

I almost threw my potato across the room. If Dad hadn’t been there, I probably would have.

A mini-game this time? What are they planning?!

I was going to earn gems as soon as we got back to the palace with Dragon Home Shopping…

I groaned internally, clutching my head.

They’re definitely going to force this mini-game on me.

And just like that, the mini-game started, even before I’d finished my meal.

[Mini-game: Fall in Love♡]

Love is humanity’s greatest expression of emotion. Don’t you agree?

I’m going to choke.

Taking a deep breath, I pretended to focus on my food, lowering my gaze to the next part of the message.

[Here are the main characters listed in order of emotional connection with you.]

What are they planning now?

[Vikal/Idsys/Gergys/Pabel/Sihat/Alexandra]

Within the time limit, get all the characters listed above to say “I love you” to you.♡

(Time limit: 3 hours)

♡Failure Penalty: Secret

TIP: Emotional connection is measured by how much interaction, physical contact, or attention you’ve had, whether positive or negative.

Oh no…

Reading through the mini-game instructions, I realized just how doomed I was. Getting close to Sihat was going to be difficult enough, but the real problem was the last name on the list!

What are the chances Alexandra will tell me she loves me?

None! Absolutely none!

Are you kidding me, you crazy administrator?!

Crunch.

The potato in my hand crumbled under the pressure of my small, frustrated fist.