I Am The Dying Emperor’s Doctor

‘How could I forget that?’

Serena, while listening to the conversation, realized whose emblem she had seen in her dream.

A pure white lily resting between the shells of an open clam. It was the symbol of Perianus, the god of destiny.

‘No wonder their attire didn’t seem like that of ordinary mercenaries or soldiers.’

The Empire hosts numerous temples dedicated to various gods.

Though the Kroten Empire worships Agnis, the god of fire, they do not shun other gods.

Serena recognized the symbol because she had volunteered at a charity event held by the Perianus temple long ago.

She had volunteered so frequently that she became familiar with the symbols, though she had forgotten them until now.

Perianus is a god beloved by those who enjoy divination. It’s said that sometimes the god descends to reveal the future and the past, but Serena had never met anyone who claimed to have actually seen the god.

In the Kroten Empire, Perianus was not a particularly popular god.

“Serena, what are you talking about?” Eldah asked, looking puzzled. Serena’s sudden exclamation had caught everyone’s attention, including Jack, who chimed in.

“Yeah, what’s all the muttering about? Let us in on it.”

“Oh.”

Serena, flustered by the sudden attention, awkwardly laughed. It was hard to explain everything.

“It’s nothing. Just remembered something I had forgotten.”

“Really? Thought it was something serious.”

Jack frowned, then continued his conversation with Eldah.

‘Why was a holy knight of the Perianus temple there? Could that boy be connected to the temple?’

While the others continued their conversation, Serena pondered over her dream. But she knew it would be futile to find more clues from her hazy memories.

“Hey.”

Jack’s tap on her shoulder jolted Serena out of her thoughts. She looked at him, startled.

“Do you want to pick up the items now?”

“Right now?”

“Yeah, unless you’re busy.”

“No, let’s go.”

Since she was already out, Serena decided to go along with Jack to the Gordon Trading Company.

The main office of the Gordon Trading Company was in the bustling part of the capital. But today, Jack led her in a different direction.

“Aren’t we going towards the trading company?”

“Oh, that’s the public office. We’re going to a place for acquaintances.”

Jack’s casual explanation led them to a more secluded area. Soon, they arrived at a rather imposing mansion.

“This looks like a house.”

“It is a house.”

Jack nonchalantly replied as he opened the gate. The creak of the ungreased hinges greeted them first.

“We handle personal requests here. It’s too bothersome to bring everything to the main office.”

Jack cleared the scattered mess on the floor with his foot, creating a path for Serena.

Despite earning a lot, doesn’t he have housemaids?

As if reading her thoughts, Jack spoke.

“The housekeeper had to go back to her hometown for personal reasons. I refused to hire someone new, so the place ended up like this.”

“She’s going to have a fit when she returns.”

“I’ll clean up before she comes back. Watch out for that ball.”

Jack kicked a small ball out of her path.

“You play with balls in the house?”

“When I’m bored.”

Serena cringed and kept an eye on her surroundings. She felt an urge to clean but resisted since it wasn’t her place.

Soon, Jack opened the door to a reception room.

“The hallway is a bit messy, but the reception room is fine.”

“It does seem better.”

Relieved by the clean reception room, Serena sat down on a sofa. Jack asked,

“Tea or coffee?”

“Just water. My throat’s dry from all the dust.”

“Water it is.”

Jack ignored her complaints and brought her a cold glass of water. As Serena drank it, Jack brought out something.

“Here, the item you requested.”

“It’s quite heavy.”

Serena lifted the box and opened it.

“Hm? It looks different from the design.”

“I thought it’d be more practical as a bracelet.”

She had planned to redesign it into a more portable form after testing its functionality. The original design was a bulky piece of metal.

Jack had transformed it into something more like a bracelet, though it looked more like handcuffs.

His taste, seriously.

As Serena inspected it, Jack spoke,

“I could cast a weight reduction spell, but…”

“It’d interfere with the functionality, right?”

Jack nodded in agreement.

“Correct. To avoid interference, we’d need a divine stone, which isn’t available right now.”

“I see.”

Serena examined the bracelet with disappointment. Divine stones, known as traces of the gods, were rare and valuable.

Magical and divine powers were opposites, so divine stones were used to prevent magical interference.

“There’s a pilgrimage returning from the Perianus temple soon. I’ll try to get a divine stone then.”

“Are you close to the Perianus temple?”

Jack blinked, then burst into laughter. Serena blinked, confused.

“What’s so funny?”

“It’s just amusing that you didn’t know. Though it’s not widely known.”

Jack’s cryptic response made Serena frown.

“What don’t I know?”

“Well, it’s a bit complicated. I visit the temple at least once a year.”

So, are you close or not?

Serena thought Jack was evading the question. As she was about to ask more, Jack changed the subject.

“By the way, Medeia’s memorial is soon. How’s the emperor holding up?”

“Not well. He’s often lost in thought.”

“Take good care of him. He’s always like this around this time.”

Jack sipped his coffee with a bitter smile. Serena watched him, curiosity piqued. After a while, she cautiously asked,

“I heard the emperor leaves the palace on the memorial day. Do you know where he goes?”

“Of course. I go with him every year.”

“Where to?”

“Well, that’s…”

Jack smiled but held back.

“It’s not my place to say. The emperor should tell you himself.”

In other words, if she was curious, she should ask Azeid directly. Jack was strangely tight-lipped about certain things. Perhaps that’s why Azeid trusted him.

‘Where does he go?’

In her previous life, Serena hadn’t been as free to observe Azeid. She had no idea where he went on that day.

Everyone kept it a secret, and she hadn’t been curious enough to ask.

He only took his guards with him, leaving the palace’s security a bit lax. Of course, external security was heightened to protect the emperor.

‘He sure knows how to keep everyone on their toes.’

Serena mentally criticized Azeid.

She could guess, though. It was probably near a shrine dedicated to Medeia.

Despite being a maid who bore a royal, Medeia was honored with a public shrine in the palace.

But since Azeid left the palace, it was likely a private memorial site outside.

Shrines were often built in meaningful places from the deceased’s life.

In her previous life, she hadn’t cared enough to learn its location.

All she did was hope he wouldn’t get hurt, cursing that she couldn’t tie him down.

“Physicians shouldn’t meddle in personal matters.”

“Even you have limits.”

“It’s rude to pry if they don’t bring it up.”

“I’m surprised. You were so aggressive when treating me.”

“I can’t stand seeing people in pain. Anyway, thanks for making this. Can’t we do something about the weight?”

Serena struggled to lift the bracelet. It felt like wearing a rock, and she feared it might break her wrist.

“It’s not for you, though.”

“But the emperor’s wrist is important. If he gets hurt, will you take responsibility?”

“You treat him like glass. He’s not that fragile. Anyone would think he’s on his last legs.”

Jack frowned at her overprotectiveness. But Serena, having witnessed his death twice, couldn’t help it.

“I need to test its stability, but it’s too heavy to wear.”

Serena groaned, struggling to lift her hand. It was indeed too heavy for practical use.

Jack stared at the bracelet, mumbling to himself.

“There is a way… but it’s temporary and needs constant recharging.”

Serena perked up at the idea.

“What is it?”