Vol. 4 - Ch. 32 - The Worst Ethics

"Johan, can you show me your research materials for now?"

"Huh? Are you trying to steal my research results?"

"Oh, don't you want a ventilation magic circle? From what I see, this appears to be the only corpse, and the terrible stench might be because this room isn't ventilated. If you install a ventilation magic circle in the room…"

"Over here!" Before Sheriel could finish speaking, Johan moved a thin cabinet, revealing a large wall behind it. It resembled a blackboard, densely covered with drawings and writings. Detailed illustrations of organs were displayed on an anatomical diagram of a human body, along with Johan's interpretations of their functions.

"Wow, this is impressive. To mimic human organs this precisely, you definitely need to dissect a corpse."

"Yeah. I even went to battlefields to acquire corpses in the past, but if the belly is cut open, you can't figure out the insides; and even if the torso remains intact, there's no time to examine it thoroughly."

Johan explained happily to Julius, who was admiring the blackboard.

"And this here is the heart. This one's famous—when this organ is damaged, a human dies immediately."

"Ah, and these on either side are the lungs? If you puncture here, blood usually spurts from the mouth, breathing stops, and they die."

"That's right. You have potential. Why don't we research together?"

Hey, wait a minute! You've been discussing nothing but ways to kill someone for a while now!

"I don't understand what the organs below here do."

"Those should be the digestive organs. They digest food here, and this long intestine absorbs the nutrients."

"Miss, you know medical stuff after all!" Johan turned around sharply. "Oops…" Sheriel regretted for a moment but quickly switched her mindset.

This is where the Marquis of Beriard comes in.

"One of my ancestors dissected corpses. I've read their materials." Ignoring Didier's grin and Julius's puzzled look, she followed the memories from her previous life.

High school textbooks, anatomical models, TV explanations… even in manga… By linking the initial media and those memories, the scenes replayed vividly like a video.

Having my past life completely preserved is really helpful.

"This large organ is the liver. It breaks down toxins and stores nutrients here. It also produces bile, which is necessary for digestion."

"That's amazing! Why didn't the Beriards’ research medicine utilize such information?"

"They're all people obsessed only with their own interests… Maybe someday someone obsessed with medicine will be born.

If the concept of medical techniques were to spread, the possibilities are not entirely out of reach. Though I don’t aspire to master it, a world without surgical operations—relying solely on healing magic to treat injuries—seems a bit frightening.

Healing magic can only mend wounds that can naturally heal. It merely accelerates the body's natural healing abilities. No matter how much magic power is poured in, it cannot heal fatal deep wounds, and if an arm is severed, the nerves and blood vessels are too complex to reattach properly.

It had always bothered me that even someone with Julius's extraordinary magic power couldn't manage it."

"Seeing it again, it's a complex structure. If each organ has its own function, indiscriminate healing might cause confusion in the repair process."

"That's right. Besides organs, the human body is also networked with blood vessels and nerves, so it’s not as straightforward as healing trees or flowers."

While I could somewhat imagine this, Julius seemed to gain new insights from the diagram. He expressed a desire to see actual organs.

"Wait! I'm sorry to interrupt, but do you intend to show Lady Sheriel the dissection of a corpse?"

Dirk, who had been feeling unwell in the corner, shouted. It was rare to see him raise his voice like this.

"Sheriel should be fine, right? She was okay with monsters."

"Well, I probably will be fine… but it’s not pleasant."

"Then isn’t it okay?"

"Lord Didier, you must not!"

Worried about the gruesome scene that might warrant an R-rating, Dirk tried his best to stop us.

But I had a feeling I could handle it. The lack of smell was the main reason. I was used to watching splatter and medical dramas, so visually, it wasn’t too disturbing.

"Dirk, I’ll be fine. If you feel nauseous, please wait upstairs."

"Understood! I’ll wait upstairs." Huh? So readily? Maybe he just wanted to get out of here...

So, we ended up witnessing the dissection. Later, we performed thorough cleansing and funeral rites for the deceased body used as the specimen.

"Wow, it's surprisingly neat."

"Corpses don’t spurt blood. This way, we rinse with water and inspect each organ, though half of it is decayed."

Oh...! Gross! But it's still bearable to watch. Some parts had melted into a gooey mess, making it difficult to tell what was connected to what.

"What were you planning to do by studying the organs, Johan?"

"If you understand the correct shapes and connections, you can sew them back together, right? That's what you call medical techniques."

"You want to perform surgeries. But isn't it challenging to gather the necessary threads and instruments? Without keeping things sterile, people could die from infections." In a world without even alcohol, I can't imagine being able to perform proper surgeries. While I could develop alcohol, I didn't have enough knowledge for surgical applications.

"My master said he used to boil the instruments for medical procedures. He used silk thread."

"Could it be that your master didn't possess magic power, Johan?"

"Yeah, so what?"

I see. I had assumed Johan's master had some magic power, but it seems I was too accustomed to aristocratic society. Magic power should have no bearing on respecting someone...

"Johan, you have the blessing of life, right? Why not perform surgeries and use healing magic to stitch things up?"

"Huh? I'm talking about medical techniques, not healing magic!"

"Using needles and threads isn't the essence of medical techniques, right? It’s just about the tools. While training commoner doctors, it's important to research non-magical methods, but…"

In my previous life, medicine advanced because there was no magic.

In this world, magic exists, so medicine hasn't progressed.

Why not take advantage of both for greater efficiency?

"That's true, but... what if I run out of magic power halfway?"

"How about storing magic power in magic stones beforehand? You could make a wand for suturing with a life magic stone embedded in it."

"That might work..."

It seems Johan hadn't considered using magic because he was trying to follow his master's teachings exactly.

Perhaps his limited magic power had led him to research medical techniques in the first place.

While Johan pondered this, Julius was busy examining the organs with nearby tools, showing his high tolerance for gore.

"Hmm, maybe there isn't much bleeding if you avoid the blood vessels, even if the person is alive."

"As long as you don’t damage major blood vessels... wait, what are you thinking?"

"I was considering experimenting on living humans. After all, treatments are for the living, right? Healing magic doesn't work on dead bodies."

"That's definitely a no-go…"

I think I understand how a mad scientist is born. I'm really glad Johan hasn't crossed that line.

"I've heard pig organs are quite similar to human ones. What if we conduct experiments on them, provided we anesthetize them properly and intend to consume the meat afterward?"

"Do you really go that far for livestock?"

"Without anesthesia, they'd thrash around, making experimentation impossible." Johan exclaimed, "Seriously?" He was thrilled at the prospect of obtaining living specimens for his research.

"Instead of healing the entire body at once, if you heal specific damaged areas bit by bit, it should be fairly effective. Johan, your research into understanding the correct structure and function of organs isn't wrong."

"You're quite something for someone so young! So, what do we do with the corpse? Are you going to provide it?"

Us, provide the corpse? Oh, right—why are we here again?

"Johan, unfortunately, the slaves who were providing corpses are being reassigned to other tasks, and we're planning to shut down Cussion's trade as well," Didier informed Johan, who responded with rage from behind his crow mask, "You've got to be kidding! You guys were all for it!"

But this can't be helped. There are ways, but it would be even more complex than the beauty business.

"Managing contamination and disease is challenging. If the specimen died of an illness, there's a chance Johan could get infected too."

"So, the young lady believes that diseases are spread by contamination and not by blood? You know about bloodborne infections?"

"Yes, well…"

Suddenly, Johan removed his mask and bowed deeply, in a manner akin to a commoner's kowtow—not the refined bow of a noble.

"Please! Let me continue my research! I was at a dead end, but you've just opened a new path! I can't stop now! I desperately want to become a medical practitioner!"

He pressed his forehead to the floor, his voice breaking with emotion.

What drives Johan to this extent?

"Why do you want to become a medical practitioner?"

"With medical skills, even someone with my low magic power can save lives."

"Even if you become a medical practitioner, you won't be able to save everyone."

"I know! But it's better than doing nothing..." His hands, resting on the floor, clenched into fists as he continued, bearing past pain.

"My parents... died right in front of me. Their carriage fell off a cliff, blood pouring from their heads and mouths, my father's leg was mangled—yet they were still alive. I had finished my baptism, learned healing magic, and was doing well in school... but I couldn't save them. My magic power was too low."

Johan was fourteen at the time. Because of their poverty, they could only afford a rickety carriage. It was an unfortunate accident, not an attack.

Johan whispered that they were in the carriage to send him to the academy.

"Because of me... they were in that carriage because of me, and because my magic power was insufficient, my father and mother bled out! If I had as much magic as you guys, they might still be alive! But I couldn't heal them with my magic! That's why I want to acquire medical skills, like my master who saved me!"

In that accident, Johan himself was severely injured. It was by sheer chance that his mentor happened to pass by. He found Johan desperately casting crude healing spells on his already deceased parents and decided to save the still salvageable Johan instead. After anesthetizing him, Johan awoke in this ruin.

"I had a tree branch impaled in my leg. Despite his lack of significant magic, my mentor managed to heal my leg. At first, I resented him for not saving my parents..." Once Johan recovered, he had no parents or title to inherit. They sold off their mansion, and he began living in this ruin with his mentor.

"Are you currently practicing medicine? Treating patients?"

"No, I've studied herbal medicine at the academy, but my medical skills are still lacking. I've been holed up here researching." I thought for a moment, then came up with a highly rational and efficient plan.

"How about we make a deal?"

"What do you want from me?" Suspicion instantly clouded Johan's expression.

"I'll provide the equipment, specimens, and financial support. In return, you must report all your research findings to us and start seeing patients gradually. But refrain from performing surgeries for now."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Johan looked bewildered, seemingly unable to grasp my proposal.

Strange, wasn't it Johan who said he wanted to save lives?

"Well, it's unclear whether your motivation is altruistic or merely a hobby, or if it's just self-satisfaction. If it's for the benefit of our people, I can justify supporting your research. But I see no reason to fund a personal hobby."

Johan's eyes widened at my response, and he protested—not with joy or despair, but with a hint of desperation.

"I've never treated a patient before!"

"At first, you'll learn by working with the castle's physician. Pure research isn't enough; it must be applied."

I'm taking the liberty of making these decisions, but if Sergio objects, I'll cover the costs from my own budget. We'll figure out the specimen issue later. Either way, it would be a waste to let Johan's potential go untapped.

Moreover, Johan's research could significantly aid in improving healing magic without me delving into gruesome studies myself.

"Sheriel, should I take him under my wing?"

"If I leave him with you, you'll start some shady experiments, like resurrecting the dead or seeking immortality."

"Oh, you've caught on."

"If you're willing to invest, we'll share the research findings."

"Deal."

Julius seemed interested, so this also meant that healing magic improvements would be included in his magic lessons. As for Didier, he just observed with a smirk, not voicing any objections.

Realizing his dream might come true and that he'd been given a job as a medical practitioner, Johan began to think things over.

"Wait a minute, can I really continue my research? The lord will support it?"

"I'll discuss who will provide the support with my father when I return. Continue your research between patient consultations. And remember, all research findings must be reported to us."

"Of course! I'd give you my soul if you asked! And I can rely on your wisdom, right?"

"I'll help if I can... but don't expect too much."

"Ah! Ah! That's more than enough! Now I can finally... ugh..."

—Urghhh...

Suddenly, Johan vomited violently. Removing his mask had made him unable to withstand the stench. We quickly cleaned the floor and set up a simple protective barrier around Johan, reminding him not to move from that spot as it had no fixed markers.

"Wow, this is amazing! Beriard really is a demon."

"Excuse me? He's a kind and generous supporter. That's quite rude, you know."

"I'm complimenting you! Your lack of ethics is a lifesaver! Looking forward to working with you!"

"Maybe I should reconsider the support..." Feeling like my own ethics were being questioned, I muttered in dissatisfaction. Johan hastily tried to placate me, but his words didn't help at all.

"Ahaha! Sheriel, you got yourself another pawn! Aren't you glad you came along?"

"It just happened... Although it would have been a waste if my father had gotten rid of him..."

Sergio might have found some pretext to execute Cussion and then left satisfied. After examining the body for a while, Julius and I performed purification and funeral rites in the backyard. Finally, we cremated the remains, intending to bury the ashes in a cemetery later.

"We've made a cemetery in the forest. My parents are buried there too."

"It must be quite lively."

"Haha! No kidding! Most of them are commoners, but my parents were well-loved by the commoners..."

Johan collected the bones into a wooden box, smiling slightly, though a bit wistfully.

"Johan, your research will surely help many people."

Johan looked down, kicking a small stone with his foot. "Ha! Says the kid acting all high and mighty."

Droplets of water began to form stains on the ground. I pulled out my short wand.

"Johan, you're smelling quite a bit, so I'm going to clean you up."

That awful smell in the living room was probably half due to Johan himself. Without waiting for his consent, I cast the cleansing spell on him multiple times.

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