75. Searching for a Cure

“It doesn’t look like you’re here because you’re sick…”

Hobbs glanced over Kali and Joy quickly as he spoke, rolling his eyes.

“Hello, Dr. Hobbs.”

Kali stood up and reached out her hand. Hobbs stared at her hand with a reluctant look for a moment before finally shaking it. Rubbing his tired eyes, Hobbs moved to his desk and set his bag on top.

“We came because we’re interested in the cure for Krauf disease that you’ve been researching.”

Hobbs stopped moving and slowly turned his gaze to Kali. His eyes, which had been dulled by exhaustion, suddenly turned sharp.

“Who are you people?”

“I’m searching for a cure for Krauf disease.”

“…I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I don’t know anything about that.”

Hobbs shuddered and recoiled. Then he slumped into his desk chair, bowed his head, and covered it with both hands. Joy watched him closely. Kali glanced at Joy, then slowly approached Hobbs’s desk.

“Dr. Hobbs, I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I came looking for you under Her Highness the Empress Consort’s orders. Her Highness is interested in the cure for Krauf disease.”

At the word “Empress Consort” from Kali’s lips, Hobbs lifted his head. She was a completely unexpected person. He’d only read a few articles about her in the newspapers and heard some rumors from patients during appointments. But he couldn’t even guess why she would be interested in Krauf disease.

“Don’t think you can fool me with words like that.”

“I can arrange for you to meet Her Highness in person.”

Hobbs paused to think. Suddenly, many thoughts flashed through his mind.

“If what you say is true, let me meet Her Highness myself.”

“How dare you meet Her Highness when we don’t even know what kind of person you are?”

Joy shouted with a frown. Kali glared at him.

“Joy! Stay out of this.”

Kali was exasperated by Joy’s words and actions. Who was he to talk like that, when he was the most mysterious person among them? If Hobbs took offense at Joy and threw them out, what would they do? Kali’s gaze toward Joy grew sharp.

“Her Highness is waiting to meet you, Dr. Hobbs. I will arrange for you to see her.”

At Kali’s words, Hobbs picked up his bag again.

“Can I meet her right now?”

“…Right now?”

Of course, Larael would meet him. Kali was briefly flustered but soon regained her composure.

“Yes, that’s possible.”

And so, Kali and Joy returned to the capital with Hobbs. Hobbs, looking frightened, kept glancing around nervously as he entered Kali’s office with her. Even there, he couldn’t relax, his leg shaking as he sat. Kali led him to the drawing room, seated him in a comfortable chair, and offered him warm tea, but he was too tense to touch it.

As soon as they arrived in the capital, Joy went to the palace to tell the Empress Consort that Hobbs wanted to meet her. Without a moment’s delay, Larael left the palace with Joy.

When Hobbs saw Larael enter the drawing room, his mouth fell open. He’d only caught glimpses of her in the newspaper before. Seeing her face, he understood the rumors surrounding her. He couldn’t take his eyes off her for a long time, until he felt a chilling stare and turned his head to find the source. Joy was glaring at him, mouthing something that, judging by his expression, was clearly not friendly.

“Your Highness, I greet you.”

Kali bowed to Larael, then frowned at Joy, who showed no intention of leaving Larael’s side.

“Joy, wait outside.”

Joy looked at Larael, hoping she would let him stay, but she kept her eyes fixed on Hobbs and didn’t look his way. In the end, Joy left the drawing room, shooting Kali a resentful look.

“I heard you wished to meet me.”

Larael sat on the sofa, not taking her eyes off him as she spoke. Hobbs hesitated, glancing back and forth between Kali and Larael.

“Please, have a seat.”

Seeing him stand there anxiously, Larael spoke as gently as possible.

“Dr. Hobbs, if you came to see Her Highness, say what you wish to say. Are you going to waste your time like this?”

Kali leaned toward Hobbs and whispered.

“Y-Your Highness, I greet you.”

Hobbs, who had been sitting, suddenly jumped up and bowed to Larael. He realized he’d forgotten to properly greet royalty in his daze. After a clumsy bow, he sat back down, swallowing hard.

“Please, speak comfortably.”

“…How did Your Highness learn that I made a cure for Krauf disease?”

A cure? Larael’s heart thudded at those words.

She couldn’t believe he’d made a cure so quickly. In her previous life, the cure had only been discovered after the Krauf disease had swept through the entire Kazel Empire. Was there some connection between her return and the early development of the cure?

As Larael didn’t answer and simply stared at him, Hobbs spoke again.

“Did you hear it from the Grand Duke of Vellaus?”

At the mention of the Grand Duke of Vellaus, Larael’s heart began to race wildly.

“Did you just say the Grand Duke of Vellaus? Did you tell him you developed the cure?”

His eyes, once again filled with anxiety, began to tremble. He shut his eyes tightly and then opened them.

“Yes… But ever since then, strange people have started watching me.”

Kali understood then why he’d seemed so anxious and nervous.

“Strange people?”

“At first, they searched my house and clinic while I was out. Then, one night as I was leaving the clinic, they tried to kidnap me. Luckily, a late patient arrived and scared them off. That’s why I’ve been living in fear lately. I keep thinking I might suddenly disappear from this world, and I can’t sleep at night.”

“What exactly did you discuss with the Grand Duke of Vellaus?”

“Didn’t Your Highness hear about this from the Grand Duke? Then please tell me how you know about it. Those mysterious people could have been sent by you, couldn’t they?”

“Dr. Hobbs!”

Kali called his name urgently. Larael shook her head at Kali, signaling her not to interfere. Hobbs dropped his gaze, nervous. Larael understood how he felt. With his life threatened, it was natural to be suspicious of everyone.

“Krauf disease was originally a local disease in northern Kalia, but I heard the outbreak is spreading to neighboring regions. And the only medicine that relieves the symptoms is becoming less effective. If this disease spreads across the empire, it will be a disaster.”

This was what Kali had investigated and reported to Larael. Larael glanced at Kali, then continued.

“It’s true, I heard about the cure from the Grand Duke of Vellaus.”

‘Strictly speaking, it was in my previous life…’

“Ah…”

Hobbs looked shocked. The only person he’d told about the cure was the Grand Duke of Vellaus. So when Larael mentioned it, he’d guessed it must have leaked from the Grand Duke’s side, someone connected to her. Still, he’d tried to deny it, trusting the Grand Duke. And since the mysterious people had appeared after he informed the Grand Duke, Hobbs tried to avoid connecting the two.

Hobbs had devoted nearly his entire life to finding a cure for Krauf disease, not for wealth, but because he’d lost his wife and son to it when he was young. Unable to save them, he’d wandered all over Kalia, treating and researching patients with Krauf disease. And in the end, he’d finally developed the cure.

[Hahaha. Thanks to your efforts, the nightmare tormenting the North has ended. I’ll give you my full support—let’s mass-produce the cure before winter arrives.]