“Doctor, how is it?”

For the time being, I gathered all the doctors in the territory, be it those who were exclusive to the Duchy of Lowenberg or the orphanages. I had everyone from the slum undergo medical checkups out of concern they might be carrying disease due to their unsanitary living conditions.

It’ll be a disaster if a pandemic broke out.

Therefore, after taking them in, I contained them in one place until the results were released. Since time was of the essence, I didn’t just sit idly by and wait.

Those from the slums came from various backgrounds, resulting in them having varying levels of education. In order to figure out who could do what, we divided them into those who could read and write, those who could do arithmetic, those who were uneducated, and those who were uneducated but possessed a skill such as craftsmanship.

Afterwards, I filled them in on the situation.

Our new queen, Her Majesty Sheila, would be closing the slums as part of her policy.

Upon hearing that, they were thrown into confusion. While many shed tears of despair, wailing over their future, there were also those who were unresponsive, perhaps resigned to their fate.

After waiting for them to settle down, I told them that they’d be living in Lowenberg instead of the royal capital, and that I’d be having them work here.

Some were happy, some were confused, and some didn’t really understand. Regardless, they had nowhere else to go, so they had no choice but to accept my offer.

“Infectious disease, malnutrition, and stunted growth. What a parade of maladies. Well, I’m prepared to stay up all night until this is resolved. If there are any who’re in good health, they probably came to the slums in their infancy—but fortunately, or unfortunately, there’s no one like that at this point in time.”

“Right.”

I know that, but we’ll be focused on treatment for a while.

“The treatment costs will be quite expensive.”

“We’ve been told that 30% will be shouldered by the government. I’ll also be allocating the profits from my new business into this. The reconstruction of the territory will be covered by my previous earnings and bounty. I need an estimate of the overall costs for treatment to submit to the government.”

“Understood.”

We can still accommodate this number. After all, we had a shortage of manpower. However, due to the closure of slums, unemployed people—those who were supposed to go to the slums—would have nowhere to go in the future.

I’m sure the queen didn’t even think that far ahead.

“Iris.”

As I was looking at the treatment details written by the doctor, Eric barged in, seemingly in dismay.

“What’s the matter?”

“I just received a message from Lou. Her Majesty the Queen is going to dismiss Sir Ignaz from her inner circle!”

I knew this would happen.

“Ohohohohoho! I saw this coming from miles away! There’s no saving Paides, now! Don’t you think so, Your Excellency?”

The doctor remarked in a taunting manner. Given that he had served since my father’s generation, we were well-acquainted, so I knew that he could be a bit jaded at times.

“Doctor, don’t laugh at what could potentially be a national crisis?” Eric remarked in awe.

“Who cares?” The doctor stroked his beard, “A country will eventually perish one day. Nothing lasts forever. Even if the reign of the avaricious former king lasted for a long time, there’s no escaping fate.”

“But can’t fate be changed?”

The doctor opened his eyes slightly and stared at me. In his gaze was the wisdom that only those who had lived for a long time had.

“Then it wouldn’t be called fate.”

“It hasn’t come to pass.”

“What a shame. I’d hoped for a more heroic downfall, but with that lass around? Not possible.”

“Doctor, that lass is still our queen, so don’t call her that.”

“Eric, you’re basically doing the same.”

“Ah—”

The doctor burst out laughing. “Ohohoho.”

Again, what’s so funny?

“A lord without merit won’t be followed by anyone. Shall we perish together, Your Excellency?”

Will Lowenberg perish along with the country?

“Not happening.”

“I guess so. That’s what these people are for, right?”

The doctor turned to look at the patient who couldn’t follow our conversation.

Although he was the most knowledgeable and talented doctor in the country, politics wasn’t his strong suit. Yet somehow, he was still able to see through my thoughts. Perhaps due to his age. Either way, I couldn’t underestimate him.

“Don’t cut corners; focus on providing treatment.”

“Naturally.”

---

The final arc is upon us. Read ahead on Patreon~

***T/N: That princess really speeding up the downfall of her country

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