[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43: Let’s Start with Cutting His Stomach

Xion grabbed a piece of parchment from the counter. His pen moved swiftly across its surface. His handwriting was pretty, unlike the usual scribbles of the doctors.

As he finished, he turned toward Nikolai’s father.

"Here," Xion handed the paper over. "This states that you consent to me performing the procedure. You also acknowledge the risks involved, complications, or even... fatal outcomes. Surgery of this scale carries no guarantees."

The relatively young father looked up, looked up, his face contorted with despair. His shaking hands fumbled as he took the paper.

"You... want me to sign?" His voice cracked, his eyes darting to Nikolai writhing on the bed as muffled groans escaped his pale lips.

Xion sighed, "I want to help him, but this needs to be your decision. I’ll do everything I can, but there are things even I cannot control."

For a moment, the room was silent save for Nikolai’s ragged breaths.

Then, in a choked voice, the father said, "All of them, they turned us away. You’re the only one willing."

Swallowing hard, the man blinked back tears that refused to stay hidden. "If there’s even a chance, no matter how small... do it. Please."

No one in the entire Uzera had even dared to touch Nikolai. After all, no sane person would want to be cursed by the devil.

When he was on the verge of despair, someone told him to come to the new caped healer. That was how he rushed here.

Wiping the tears streaming down his face, he wrote his name on the parchment with shaking hands.

Another person who had accompanied Nikolai carefully consoled the crying father. The man nodded absently, his gaze locked on his suffering son.

There at the corner, a name was scribed. Lucian Valaria. What a strangely familiar sounding name...

He brushed the thought aside for now, folding the parchment neatly and tucking it into the drawer with the rest of his patient records.

After instructing Noxian, and placing Nikolai on the new bed hidden behind the curtains, Xion got ready.

He stood by the bed, surveying the purple gash spreading like an ominous stain. Every time Nikolai moved, he cried out, and each sound tugged at the hearts of his family members.

Noxian worked quickly as he placed the required tools on the nearby tray.

The surgical kit gleamed under the soft light. A collection of sharp instruments, sterilized herbs, and mana crystals for infusing healing energy were in arms reach.

Xion scrubbed his hands, using the herbs’ disinfectant properties, and donned the clean gloves he had summoned just moments ago.

He clenched his now gloved hands, willing his rising heartbeat to slow down. You’ve got it Xion. You can do it...

Allen had been lingering near the wall, still watching him intently.

The once-composed healer of nobility now looked hesitant. A subtle unease was crowding his handsome face.

"Allen," Xion said without looking up as he arranged his instruments. "If you have something to say, just ask."

Caught off guard, Allen stiffened but quickly composed himself. He cleared his throat.

"I... I’ve never seen someone daring to touch Devil’s spawn. If possible..." He faltered for a moment as his pride battled against his curiosity.

Finally, in a subdued tone, he finished, "Can I observe your method?"

Xion turned around to look at Allen’s face. It wasn’t the pride of a noble that shone in his sunset-orange eyes but genuine interest, an eager yearning to learn.

"Sure," Xion replied easily, "In fact, stay close. I’ll explain everything as I go. But first, clean your hands and wear the gloves and that mask."

He leaned forward, mesmerized by each careful movement of those small hands. He could not take his eyes away from the miracle.

No wonder, His Grace had been so fond of this little healer. Allen looked at the healer whose robe barely hid his thin form.

It was marvelous how this tiny body possessed such god-like skills.

Unaware of Allen’s thoughts, Xion summoned a small, flexible tube-like apparatus, "This will keep the pressure from building again while allowing his body to heal."

Even in deep sleep, Nicolai’s heartbreaking cries echoed in the vicinity.

"Almost done," Xion whispered after nearly an hour of meticulous work.

"We’ll need to monitor him closely for infections and such."

Finally, as Xion completed the final sutures, he stepped back. His stiff nerves slowly relaxed. He looked at his hands. They did not tremble, not even once.

With a relaxed smile, he turned to Allen. "Did you see your Devil’s spawn?"

Xion teased but Allen remained silent. His no response only made Xion embarrassed.

I was just joking... pouting, Xion slumped on the empty chair.

Allen, still staring at Nikolai, seemed momentarily lost in thought. Or perhaps, he was still rewinding what he had just witnessed.

Little Noxian handed Xion a clean cloth to wipe his brow. "Do you think he’ll make it?" his dark purple eyes shone with excitement.

Well, at least, someone is enjoying the bloodshed, Xion mused as he turned to look at Nikolai’s pale but slightly more relaxed form. "He’s got a chance now."