Chapter 34: Can't Cure You? What Kind of Vet Am I Then?

Six days before Baptism Day, the princess’s entourage had already reached Crescent Town. As the manor’s appointed reception staff, I stood waiting in the biting wind for her highness’s arrival.

"Made me stand frozen for two prayer-hours? I’ll remember this debt!" I thought fiercely, rubbing my hands together to generate warmth through friction.

Just a princess—yet she’d even removed the magic heater from the reception hall. What danger could a heater possibly pose? Formalities everywhere. I glared with hatred at Kasa Miladin, the burly captain of the Silver Scale Guard who’d arrived ahead of the princess in Crescent Town.

"Do people from the Imperial Capital all have such poor time sense?"

"Young Master Klath, please be patient. The roads are rough, and Her Highness is frail. It’s only reasonable the convoy moves slowly!"

"Cut the crap. Frail? I’m frail too! You big oaf can wait here for her—I’m out." I turned to leave; staying longer would freeze me solid. That Old Mage—must’ve known beforehand but didn’t warn me to dress warmer.

"Young Master Klath, as deputy head of reception, you must prioritize the bigger picture! Otherwise, Director Sibers will face serious trouble," Kasa replied calmly. Huh—brawn with brains? Anyone rising in the Silver Scale Guard was clearly ruthless.

I glanced at the middle-aged man anxiously scanning the distance: Martin’s father, Coolhand Sibers, mayor of Crescent Town. Martin and I were close friends; I couldn’t let my temper drag down his dad.

"Fine, fine—I yield. We’ll meet again someday!" My mood plummeted. Being threatened tasted bitter.

"Why feud with a mere captain like me, Young Master? After all, it’s the princess who’s late."

"Oh? Sounds like you’re不满 with Her Highness?"

"Young Master jokes. The Silver Scale Guard is loyal—I’d never criticize the princess. But lately, she’s grown... unruly. A firm reminder might do her good."

"Deals require leverage!"

"What deal? I don’t understand, Young Master."

"Hmph. Do I look like free labor?"

"You wouldn’t dare?"

"Such obvious provocation? Still—I do dislike her. A light scolding wouldn’t hurt. How about a bet?"

"Enlighten me!"

"I’ll make your princess apologize. If I succeed, you become my lackey—salute and call me ‘Big Brother’ on sight. If I fail, same for me. Dare you?"

"Haha, amusing. Done." Kasa grinned, as if humoring a petulant child. "A reminder, Young Master: for ten years, Her Highness hasn’t apologized to anyone—not even His Majesty. Are you certain about this?"

"Don’t lump me with yes-men."

Words clashed; Kasa and I fell silent again. No apologies for ten years? Around the time of Monaluna’s parents’ accident? She must still harbor resentment. But my belt’s spatial crystal held the perfect tool!

"Her Highness, Princess Komor, has arrived!!!" A staff officer’s shout echoed as a lavish carriage halted at the town entrance. I followed Mayor Sibers and Captain Kasa to greet her.

The door opened. A silver-haired girl in a luxurious fox-fur cloak stepped down slowly.

"Your Highness, the journey must have been exhausting," Mayor Sibers and Kasa knelt instantly. I remained standing—conspicuously so. Kasa tugged my trouser leg awkwardly; I ignored him.

"Exhausting? In that plush carriage?" I adjusted my stance, picking my nose while eyeing the Empire’s second princess. "Quite the grand entrance, Your Highness!"

"Who are you, brat? How dare you speak to me like this?" Komor snapped, furious and bewildered after such blunt mockery.

"Your Highness, this is Young Master Klars Masha, newly apprenticed to Lord Joseph."

"Oh—so you’re my junior disciple. Shouldn’t you greet your senior?"

"Drop the act! ‘Senior’? You? Don’t flatter yourself. You just joined earlier. In skill? I’d be ashamed to call you my junior!" I doubled down on the arrogant teen act.

"Insolent fool! Guards—seize him!"

"..." The Silver Scale Guards exchanged glances but stayed put. I glanced at Kasa still kneeling nearby; he must’ve signaled them not to move. This brute had unexpected influence.

"Yelling? Not convinced?"

"Hmph! Brat, I’m at Moonlight Rank 8. You’re a magic-less apprentice—dare to boast? I’ll discipline you on Master’s behalf." She drew a staff from her Spatial Ring.

I pulled an item from my belt’s spatial crystal and hurled it at her face! Chaos erupted. Guards surged forward; Kasa sprang up, poised to attack.

"What are you doing?! Who allowed you to treat my dear senior like this?" Komor roared at the guards. "Stand down—all of you!"

The guards froze, utterly bewildered. Their captain had signaled restraint moments ago. They’d watched this rude kid insult their beloved princess relentlessly. Now he’d escalated to assault—they’d finally get to chop him to bits! Yet Her Highness transformed completely. Had the cold frozen their brains?

Kasa’s mind reeled. From the start, this young master seemed lawless—a fearless rookie, he’d thought. Now he realized he’d underestimated him. He waved the guards off and rushed to Komor’s side.

"Your Highness? Are you... unharmed?"

"I’m fine. Dismiss them. I’ll speak with my senior alone."

"Uh... yes! Disperse!" Kasa obeyed despite his confusion, retreating with the guards.

"Convinced?" I cast a silence barrier, grinning at Komor.

"How did you get this? It’s Nana’s favorite handkerchief—she never parts with it! How is it in your hands?"

"Just a handkerchief. Don’t overreact. Oh, and it’s stained with Nana’s sweat."

"You! What do you mean, sweat..."

"Enough acting. We share... interests. Follow me, and handkerchiefs are the least I’ll provide. If I can get her handkerchief, imagine what else I can obtain..."

"What do you want?" Komor tightened her cloak. "I’m not interested in men."

"Neither am I in tomboys!" I rolled my eyes. "I pity you, love-struck and suffering. We’re fellow disciples—I’ll help."

"Senior Brother! I’ll follow your lead from now on!"

"Sharp learner. Then—making me wait in this cold wind..." I dropped the barrier, glancing at Kasa, whose face flushed with embarrassment.

"Impolite Komor made Senior Brother suffer!" The princess bowed deeply in an ancient noble gesture. "Please forgive me!"

"Oh dear~ no need for formality! We’re siblings in discipleship!" I returned the bow with the antique noble etiquette I’d just learned from Cindira.

Silence swallowed the reception area. Most soldiers’ brains short-circuited: Princess Komor apologized? To this shameless brat? We could act like jerks too, Your Highness! Must you travel to this backwater to "experience life"? And who was this polite boy? Where’d the earlier lunatic vanish to? Instant personality switch?

Kasa gaped. He’d wanted a scapegoat to curb the princess’s temper—instead, he got a miracle cure? One dose and she’s healed? What happened to the five-session treatment plan?

"Ahem! Little Sa?"

"Y-yes, Young Master Klath? You called?" Kasa responded respectfully, his earlier arrogance gone.

"Hm?" I eyed him. "What did you call me?"

"...Big Brother! Your orders?" Kasa snapped a crisp military salute, face crimson. Komor stared, baffled—why would a high-ranking knight address a fourteen-year-old as "Big Brother"?

"Good!" I sized him up anew. He knew when to yield—a real man. "Arrange the princess’s luggage. I’ll escort her to the manor."

I turned to the mayor. "Uncle Sibers, you’ve worked hard today. Head home early—it’s freezing. Don’t fall ill. I’ll take the princess; if anything comes up, Little Sa will inform you."

Coolhand glanced at Kasa’s twitching forehead vein, then at Komor, who’d been grinning dopily at the handkerchief since the apology. He sighed inwardly—this was surely the liveliest visit during the princess’s Crescent Town vacations. Shaking his head, he said, "Trouble you then, Masha."

"No worries!"

I pulled Komor into the lavish carriage. The driver urged the horses toward the manor at a slow pace.

"Senior Brother, how did you get this treasure from Nana?"

"Komor, today’s first lesson: ‘How to Obtain a Girl’s Most Cherished Possession.’"

"Oh!"

"The answer is four words!"

"What are they?" Komor’s eyes sparkled eagerly.

"Swindle. Bluff. Trick. Steal!"

"Senior Brother... that’s five words."

"Idiot! Everyone knows the Four Heavenly Kings have five members—it’s common sense!"