OPDSP 3

People often think Betas can’t sense pheromones, but in truth, they can—just faintly. Their perception is far less sensitive than that of others, so they usually aren’t aware of it, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely unaffected.

According to Aeryl’s personal research, Omega pheromones had a calming effect on others. You could call it a natural sedative.

‘If this ever became known, people might start seeing Omegas differently.’

It was a discovery that could change the perception that Omegas were useless beyond childbearing. For now, though, it remained in the research phase—Aeryl’s own secret technique.

“Let’s have a look.”

Aeryl examined the child’s condition. She’d scraped her knee when she fell, but it looked like it would heal on its own. Still, better to make sure there was no pain.

“I’ll make it all better, okay?”

Aeryl held his hand over the wound. As he focused, a pale white light began to shine from his palm. In the blink of an eye, the wound closed up.

“That’s healing magic, isn’t it?!”

One of the onlookers gasped. The others who had been watching also began to see Aeryl in a new light.

“Yes, it is.”

While studying medicine, Aeryl had also learned healing magic. His teacher and fellow apprentice had both been doctors capable of using it, so at one point he’d believed all doctors could use healing magic.

“It’s rare to find a doctor who can use that. You must have studied properly.”

Medicine could be learned through study alone, but healing magic was a different story. It required deep medical knowledge and intense training to master. That’s why doctors who could use healing magic were generally seen as highly skilled.

“Oh, well… it’s something most doctors can do.”

Aeryl smiled awkwardly. To him, it was simply the truth, but to the villagers, it came across as modesty.

He’s got a much nicer personality than I thought.

That’s what the villagers were thinking.

In truth, the reason they’d been wary of Aeryl wasn’t just because he was an outsider—it was also his appearance. No matter how plainly he dressed, his refined features and elegant bearing were unmistakably noble. He gave off a sense of distance without even trying.

But now, they’d seen him throw himself in front of a horse for a child, and then heal her with magic. A kind and capable doctor, no less.

“Um, will the clinic be open today, too?”

“Hmm? Oh—yes, I plan to open it…”

“In that case, could I come by? My back’s been killing me since last year…”

The villagers hadn’t had a clinic in years, so most of them had built up some kind of ailment. They began shifting excitedly, as if ready to rush over at once.

***

By the time the sun had set, Aeryl had collapsed into a chair, utterly exhausted.

He thought back to earlier. After he treated the child, people suddenly started asking to visit the clinic. Aeryl walked back with one of them, but more and more people had joined along the way. By the time they arrived, there were over a dozen.

‘Seriously? All at once?’

Aeryl didn’t even have time to catch his breath. He took his seat and began seeing patients. The villagers wrote their names on the registry and waited their turns in order, then came to see him.

He treated them, prescribed medicine, and handed it out—over and over. And now, at last, the final patient had left.

“What a day.”

Aeryl smiled in satisfaction.

‘Now I’ll have some dinner and—‘

Knock knock.

“Doctor, are you there?”

“Come in.”

Another patient?

Aeryl stood, brushing down his coat. But it wasn’t a patient this time. It was the village chief’s daughter.

“My father says he wants to see you at our house.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“All right. Just a moment.”

Aeryl took off his white coat and gloves, and put on his overcoat. After checking in the mirror that his glasses were on properly, he followed the chief’s daughter.

The village chief’s house wasn’t far, so they walked in silence. Then the daughter spoke up.

“But… I think you’d better be careful.”

It was an abrupt warning.

“What do you mean?”

“Well… His Grace is at our house.”

“The Grand Duke?”

“Yes. He always stops by during the subjugation campaigns… Anyway, that’s how it is…”

In other words, it wasn’t the village chief who had summoned Aeryl—it was the Grand Duke.

‘Why? Do I seem suspicious?’

Aeryl looked at the chief’s daughter.

“How do I look?”

“…You’re pretty.”

She blushed as she looked at Aeryl’s face.

“No, I mean, do I look suspicious?”

“No! Not at all!”

The girl shook her head vigorously.

“That’s a relief… but then why is he looking for me?”

Surely he hasn’t figured out I’m a prince?

The urge to turn around and run was strong, but nothing was certain yet. Running away now might only make things worse. With no other choice, he followed the village chief’s daughter to her house.

“This way, doctor.”

The chief led Aeryl into the sitting room. Inside, Grand Duke Asirion sat in the seat of honor, conversing with his knights.

Aeryl looked at the Grand Duke. The situation earlier had been too urgent for him to get a proper look, so this was the first time he truly saw the man’s face.

Grand Duke Asirion had a cold appearance. His flawless features looked as if they’d been carved from ice, and his eyes were sharp and narrow. His expression barely changed, and his movements were precise, without a trace of waste. He was stunningly handsome, yet it felt like gazing at a statue rather than a man.

‘Like a yeti, maybe.’

Aeryl recalled one of the Grand Duke’s nicknames.

A monster made of nothing but the coldest things in the world.

At the time, he’d thought the nickname was too harsh, but after seeing him today, it felt all too fitting.

“Doctor, aren’t you going to greet His Grace?”

The Village Chief nudged Aeryl in the ribs. Startled out of his thoughts, Aeryl instinctively bowed in greeting. He stepped his left foot behind the right and dipped his knees slightly. The Grand Duke observed him closely.

“You’re familiar with court etiquette.”

“Ah… yes. I was taught at home.”

Aeryl kept his head bowed and shut his eyes tightly for a moment. A mistake. Without thinking, he’d bowed using court etiquette. Commoners usually bowed by bending at the waist, not the knees. He should have remembered that.

“Are you a noble?”

“…Yes.”

Aeryl composed his expression, suppressing his unease. It remained neutral. The poker face he’d trained for social debut turned out to be useful now.

“I am Aeryl Aden.”

“Aden? I’ve never heard of the name.”

“My family isn’t well known to Your Grace. We lost our lands in my grandfather’s time. By chance, I was fortunate enough to meet a master and learn medicine.”

He gave the identity he’d prepared. It was a new background he’d crafted together with his teacher. The Aden family had, in fact, been a minor noble house that had disappeared several decades ago.

“Your skills are impressive. Your healing magic, especially, seems quite practiced.”

Aeryl was shocked inside.

‘How did he know I used healing magic?’

The Grand Duke had already left by the time he treated the child. One of his subordinates must have reported it. So this was the reach of Asirion’s intelligence network. He couldn’t help but be impressed.

“In a remote place like this, talent like yours is rare. You could’ve gone anywhere, yet you chose this village—we’re grateful.”

“O-oh… not at all. I’ve always wanted to volunteer my services where they’re most needed.”

His mouth felt dry. The Grand Duke’s expressionless face was incredibly intimidating.

‘What is he trying to figure out?’

“The Great Purge is always dangerous. What do you say? Would you consider joining us? We could use more field physicians.”

“Your Grace!”

The people around him reacted with surprise instead. Becoming a physician for the campaign was no small matter. Not only did one need excellent skills, but also good character, background, and reputation. With that title alone, one could earn respect anywhere in the North.

‘This is an incredible offer… So why does it send chills down my spine?’

It was a sensation he knew well from the imperial palace. Whenever he felt this way, it usually meant he had to choose his next words very carefully, or risk serious trouble.

‘Why did he make this offer?’

The Grand Duke didn’t know Aeryl’s true abilities. He had no information about his background or character, yet he was making such an offer during a major campaign? It was unlikely he meant it sincerely.

…He’s testing me.