Chapter 28


    Demians eyes fluttered open.


    Instantly, he found himself immersed in an otherworldly sight. His body had shrunk, returning him to the form of a child. Around six or seven years old, he estimated, though he couldnt be certain.


    But one thing was undeniably clear: the woman who should have perished stood right before him.


    It was his mother.


    Just as he remembered her from his memories, right after her tragic demise. Demian finallyprehended the truth. He was reliving that day in his dreams. This ursed dream reignited the mes within his heart.


    That was the day he was left utterly alone in the world. No, the day he was forsaken. He had fought tooth and nail to survive, and thats how he had persevered until now. But he had never lost sight of his purpose.


    That was


    Demians eyes reopened.


    This time, reality greeted him.


    <strong>Chirp, chirp</strong>


    How long had it been since he had awakened to the melodious symphony of birds? At least, it was an experience he couldnt recall from the past few years. The morning sunlight streamed in through the expansive window next to his bed, casting an unfamiliar glow.


    The softness of the pillows and beddings caressed his skin, and the absence of neuralgia in the morning made everything feel strangely novel.


    He sat up.


    His back twinged with a dull ache, a reminder of the Moxibustion treatment he had received the previous night. The vivid sensation grounded him in the present moment.


    Memories from the previous night flooded back.


    Yes, this is the Star Pce.


    The residence of the crown prince.


    And


    <em>I came here following the Crown Prince.</em>


    The memory of the Moxibustion treatment administered by the Crown Princest night resurfaced. It had been scorching, as though he was being seared with a white-hot iron. Yet, after enduring the pain, a new world had unfolded before him.


    The excruciating neuralgia that had gued him for years vanished. But that was not the only transformation. Last night, the Crown Prince had employed the guard unit to dismantle the underground diator ring and arrest the organizers


    <strong>Knock, knock.</strong>


    A knock sounded on the door.


    Soon, a polite voice echoed.


    Are you awake? His Highness is seeking your presence. Please dress up and join us.


    Countless questions swirled in his mind.


    Why had the Crown Prince himself chosen to eradicate the underground diator ring? Why had he personally provided treatment to Demianst night? Why had he brought the remaining diators to the Star Pce?


    <em>What motivates him to bestow such kindness upon me?</em>


    Curiosity gnawed at him.


    Doubts crept in.


    He had spected until he sumbed to sleep the previous night, but the answers eluded him. Thus, he yearned to inquire. Demian donned the new shirtid out on the bed and made his way outside. In the corridor, a handsome middle-aged gentleman awaited him. It was a face he recognized from the previous night.


    Nice to meet you. I am Piero Gardin, the Crown Princes personal physician.


    Demian Cayenne.


    Demian briefly appraised Gardins appearance. He undoubtedly recalled the man who had discreetly shadowed the Crown Prince the previous night. As someone assigned as a guard, his posture and movements seemed somewhat unpracticed, which now made sense upon discovering his role as a physician.


    Please follow me. I will lead the way.


    Demian trailed behind the man named Gardin along the corridor. Every nook and cranny exuded meticulous cleanliness. The decor was subtly luxurious, neither ostentatious nor understated, showcasing a refined elegance.


    It all felt surreal.


    The scene starkly contrasted with the suffocating stench of sweat that permeated the underground arena. Demian found himself walking ceaselessly, ascending and descending stairs, turning corners. Every now and then, he caught snippets of conversations and faint salutes from passing guards.


    Is that him? The diator who caused trouble for the third squadronst night?


    Oh, yes. Thats him, alright.


    He took on five guards single-handedly and managed to incapacitate three of them Its not an exaggeration, is it?


    Absolutely not. I witnessed it myself.


    You saw it firsthand?


    Mmm. It was remarkable.


    How remarkable was it?


    Well, lets just say it was unlike any swordy Ive ever seen. Standard techniques? They were nonexistent. There were no rules or principles, no framework that should naturally be present in swordy.


    So, you mean it was simply wild, undisciplined swordy?


    Wild swordy, perhaps. But if he can subdue three guards, who have mastered the most sophisticated swordsmanship in the empire, without killing them using such wild swordy Can you really call it wild?


    Well


    Imagine if a beast took on the form of a human and learned swordy. I believe it would look something like that.


    Is that apliment?


    Indeed. Ive heard he was the champion of the underground arena.


    He was?


    Yes, for the past 2 or 3 years, he hasnt encountered a worthy opponent. Since he had no one to fight, he started battling trolls or something.


    Trolls?


    Yes.


    Can a person handle them alone?


    Im not sure. Not many have tried. Maybe amander could.


    That sounds difficult.


    Most likely.


    Yes. By the way, why were they brought here?


    Do you think I know? Considering they brought all the other diators as well, they must have a n.


    But I have no idea what that n is.


    Ha ha. I couldnt agree more.


    The guardsmen who had been trailing behind gradually faded into the distance.


    Theirughter lingered faintly in the air.


    On the outskirts of their conversation, Demian wanted to interject with his own thoughts. He, too, couldntprehend why they had been brought to the Star Pce. In fact, his curiosity was probably even greater than theirs.


    With that in mind, he continued walking.


    Weve arrived. This is the ce.


    Gardin, who had been leading the way, came to a stop in front of a massive door. Beyond ity a spacious hall, typically used for gatherings or parties.


    But today was different.


    This is


    Demian scanned the hall, his gaze fixating on the fourteen beds arranged neatly with pristine white sheets. Awkwardly seated on each bed were the diators who had arrived earlier.


    What is this ce?


    What do you mean, what is it? Its a clinic.


    The response didnte from Gardin beside him, but from another figure. Demian turned his head towards the source of the voice.


    The Crown Prince stood there.


    He gave a slight nod in Demians direction.


    Take your ce quickly. We will begin treatment once everyone is assembled.


    Demian settled on the bed closest to the Crown Prince. Then, he gazed intently at the royal figure.


    Why? Why are you treating us so well?


    It had been weighing on his mind.


    Frankly, he couldntprehend it.


    Why had the Crown Prince gone to the trouble of concealing his identity and secretly visiting himst night to offer assistance? Why had he swooped in and saved Demian and the other diators from the arena? And why was he allowing them to stay at the Star Pce?


    It was filled with iprehensible aspects. Yet, the Crown Prince maintained a meaningful smile.


    Im in a lot of pain.


    Excuse me?


    Thats why I need you guys.


    Raciel raised his head as he arranged the moxa sticks that had been prepared beforehand. He nced at Demian and the other diators, observing their puzzled and somewhat anxious expressions. They resembled elementary school students waiting in a dental clinic, unsure of what to expect.


    And Raciel knew.


    Their skepticism and unease werentpletely alleviated by his kindness. They harbored suspicions about the intentions behind his benevolence.


    <em>Of course. My kindness must seem out of ce. Its not like Im doing this out of the goodness of my heart like a volunteer activity. From their perspective, they probably have no idea why.</em>


    Indeed, Raciels true motive was to gain bonus lifespan.


    The numerous diators, including Demian, were afflicted by the curse of the stigma. The neuralgia they suffered as a result was what Raciel aimed to treat, thereby umting bonus lifespan.


    Naturally, there were easier and quicker ways to achieve this. He didnt necessarily have to save the diators.


    <em>Just go to the slums.</em>


    Countless people were dying there, presenting ample opportunities for him to obtain bonus lifespan through treatment.


    However, Raciel had different considerations.


    <em>Its too dangerous. The risks are too high.</em>


    Considering the unsanitary conditions of the slums, diseases like syphilis, tuberculosis, and numerous other unidentified infections would be rampant. If he were to venture into such an environment to treat people with his frail body


    <em>If I do that, Ill end up contracting all sorts of infectious diseases. Given the weakness of my body, my immune system must be at its lowest level.</em>


    He couldnt take that risk.


    Contracting an infectious disease with his fragile constitution would be disastrous. He would die without even having a chance to try anything, left to negotiate with the King of Hell.


    Raciel wished to avoid such a fate. He didnt want to jeopardize his life in the pursuit of bonus lifespan.


    Thats why.


    He made a solemn vow to gradually umte bonus lifespan by safely alleviating Demian and the diators neuralgia. Fortunately (or unfortunately), their neuralgia wasnt a simple pain. It gnawed away at their bodies like a parasitic affliction. The novel had mentioned that it weakened the body over several years and disrupted the flow of mana. What if they were left untreated?


    After the stigma was engraved and around ten years had passed, they would be disabled. The suffering would continue until death.


    By saving them, Raciel stood to gain significant benefits.


    <em>Most of them are in their early to mid-twenties, at most early thirties. If I can relieve them of the stigmas curse, their life expectancy will increase significantly. The bonus lifespan I would obtain would be substantial.</em>


    Such calctions came naturally to him.


    However, he couldnt be honest about it. Who would believe him if he exined that treating others granted him bonus lifespan and that only he could see such messages? He would likely be dismissed as a lunatic.


    <em>That would create problems.</em>


    The diators were his patients, and he needed to alleviate their concerns. As the one providing medical treatment, it was crucial to establish trust and rapport.


    <em>So, for now, I should mix in a suitable lie.</em>


    It would be better to disclose a fabricated reason and purpose behind his acts of kindness. Raciel, havingpleted his calctions, moistened his lips. With shamelessness and audacity, he ced an appropriate (?) lie on his tongue, ready to deliver it.


    Is there really anything free in this world? Think about it. Do you believe I rescued you all out of sheer kindness and brought you to the Star Pce as a mere favor? I hope you dont misunderstand.


    The diators perked up, attentive to his words.


    A good reaction.


    With an inward smile, Raciel continued.


    As Ive just revealed, Im a bit unwell. More urately, I suffer from multiple chronic illnesses. Im sure everyone here is well aware of this fact, right?


    Several diators nodded in acknowledgment.


    The prince with the most delicate health, constantlyining about his ailments. There wasnt a person in the empire who didnt know about it.


    Raciel continued speaking.


    However, the pce doctors have been unable to manage my conditions. Despite undergoing various treatments, my chronic illnesses have only worsened over time. Thats why Ive taken it upon myself to explore alternative therapies.


    Now that Ive shared this much, some of you might have already guessed. Right, Demian Cayenne? It seems youve also grasped my intentions.


    Yes, Your Highness.


    Would you care to share your assumption?


    Is it possible that you brought us here to test a new treatment?


    Correct.


    Of course, it was an incorrect guess.


    Raciel chuckled with satisfaction.


    This was precisely the misunderstanding he had intended to create. It yed out just as he had hoped. He surveyed the diators before him.


    As Demian just mentioned, my n is to employ all of you as subjects for testing this new treatment. Thats why I cleared the arena and brought you here, ensuring you receive good sleep and nourishment. Consider it a reward Im offering to everyone who will dedicate themselves to the development of this new treatment.


    The pupils of the diators trembled slightly. They had been brought here as experimental subjects. But Raciel, unfazed by their reactions, continued with his prepared words.


    Ah, and theres one more thing. Someone has already undergone this test. Demian Cayenne here received the first treatment from mest night and experienced its effects. Isnt that right?


    Yes.


    Demian nodded.


    He nced at the other diators and spoke.


    I received the initial treatment, and my neuralgia has nearly vanished.


    The diators exchanged nces, and a few nodded. If the champion, Demian, was attesting to it, there was some credibility to his im. Sensing this atmosphere, Raciel drove his point home.


    So, is anyone apprehensive about starting the treatment now?


    No one stepped forward. A satisfied smile graced the corners of Raciels mouth.


    <em>Its done. Its a sess.</em>


    Judging from the diators reactions, he could be certain. They held at least a minimal level of trust in him as their physician.


    What came next?


    <em>Now, I can proceed with the moxibustion treatment without difficulty.</em>


    It was worth reiterating that moxibustion could be hot and painful. To endure it withoutint, trust in the doctor was crucial.


    They had to believe that enduring the pain would lead to improvement. They needed certainty that this treatment would alleviate their worst sufferings, even if it caused burns on their skin or temporary difort.


    <em>Moxibustion is like a legendary panacea, akin to Albo-Seven administered during enlistment.</em>


    Short-term pain.


    Pain that was inevitable for the sake of treatment.


    If they could ovee it, the realm of healing would await them.


    Raciel was determined to break the chains of pain that bound them through moxibustion, ultimately gaining the valuable bonus lifespan he sought.


    With this resolve, Raciel pped his hands.


    Very well, pay attention. Letsmence the treatment immediately. Everyone, remove your shirts and lie down on the beds!


    From that moment onward,


    Raciels clinic for scar removal through moxibustion began.


    It also marked the grand first step towards the future establishment of the Star Pce Oriental Medicine Clinic by the crown prince himself.


    <strong>TRIVIA</strong>


    Albo-Seven is a nickname for Albo Monstera, a nt that is native to Korea. Albo Monstera is a type of Monstera nt, and it is characterized by its white markings on its leaves. Albo Monstera is a very rare and expensive nt, and the current price for an Albo Monstera with 7 leaves is about 7 million won (5,508 USD).