A Hospital in Another World?
Chapter 34

Sir Roman's face was ashen.

Sending someone to apprehend Garrett hadn't seemed like a big deal to him—just a grunt, a stint in the temple, a few days locked up. What could be so hard about it? But why, for the sake of this insignificant person, would the City Guards march in with such force? Who knew they would actually show up—more than that, a captain and two lieutenants? Not only the City Guards, but even the Bishop from the Temple of the War God appeared, willing to vouch for that lad!

Why?

Why!

Sir Roman gritted his teeth audibly, his frustration mounting. His hand clenched into a fist involuntarily, only to realize that he couldn't muster any strength in his thumb. Instantly, a surge of anger erupted from within.

He was done for. Falsely accusing an innocent, violating the code of chivalry, and getting caught red-handed in front of esteemed guests—knights who engaged in such deeds were best suited to start from the bottom on battlefields, cleansing their sins with the blood of enemies.

And he was finished. He couldn't even make it to the battlefield.

If that's how it was going to be—

If that's how it was going to be!

"It was him who caused my harm!"

Sir Roman abruptly raised his head, glaring fiercely at Garrett, his eyes red as if they were bleeding.

"When I needed healing, he stopped me from drinking the healing potion! And after he and the necromancer went in, they sent that black cat out, trying to drag me in! If it weren't for me—if it weren't for me holding onto the doorframe—"

Garrett let out a sigh.

He truly missed Director Yu from the medical office. A stout man who could argue, slam desks, withstand the Health Commission, and handle medical disputes. Basically, with him at the forefront, any unreasonable complaints usually turned into trivial matters for the doctors.

But now, he was on his own. He had to face the storms outside on his own.

Garrett raised his gaze. Like any young lad who had just begun to grasp the world's complexities, witnessing human malevolence for the first time, he looked at the captain of the City Guards with clear eyes, his voice slightly trembling:

"Captain, if Sir Roman's accusations prove true, what will happen to me?"

What will happen?

A common lad colluding with enemies, causing serious harm to a knight. Whether it was the temple or the lord's manor investigating, Garrett being beaten on the spot or worse was entirely normal.

But Garrett was innocent!

Knight Nolan had been simmering with anger. Raiding someone's place, baseless accusations—even if the other party was a temple knight, the City Guards couldn't just bully them around. Not to mention, young Garrett's father had been a lieutenant in the City Guards, and he himself had just saved Sir Westlow—

Knight Nolan furrowed his brow. Just as he was about to speak, the high priest from the Temple of the Spring Goddess sighed and spoke first:

"Child, you needn't worry." The high priest's voice was gentle, his demeanor noble. Even if their temple knight had committed a wrong, it didn't shake the aura of authority he projected: "The clear gaze of the Spring Goddess can see through everything. She won't let an innocent suffer unjustly."

"Praise be to the Spring Goddess."

"Praise be to the Spring Goddess." The priests and knights bowed together. Garrett mimicked the gesture, silently muttering as if he'd already paid his respects. When he spoke again, his tone was firm, his words sharp:

"So, do you find it credible for someone who previously falsely accused me to do so again?"

Like a sharp blade unsheathed from a thick cloak.

Like a grazing sheep suddenly baring its teeth.

Knight Nolan slightly widened his eyes, somewhat astonished, as if he were seeing Garrett for the first time. Soon after, he smiled with relief, while the expression on the high priest's face darkened slightly. Sir Roman sharply shouted:

"You're lying! It was you—"

"Enough!"

The high priest suddenly erupted in anger. He pointed his staff, and a watery radiance burst forth, silencing Sir Roman instantly. With a slight tilt of his staff, he gestured in his direction:

"Take him to the most secluded chamber in the temple for penance. No breakthroughs, no release!"

...Penance?

Garrett was a bit displeased. But with the decision made by someone of that stature, as himself, protesting wouldn't do much. Garrett glanced at Knight Nolan, who subtly shook his head. He didn't say a word, lowering his head in apparent respect, but his mind was elsewhere, pondering the intricacies of the floor.

Hmm, the floor was remarkably smooth, not marble but close to terrazzo. Properly disinfected, it would make a suitable surgical room floor...

He detached himself, engrossed in the floor, while Sir Roman struggled in every way possible. However, under the high priest's magic, a knight's physical strength amounted to little, and he was swiftly escorted away. The high priest then eased his expression, exchanged a few courteous words with Knight Nolan, and saw them off.

"Captain, what is the most secluded chamber in the temple?"

Once the temple's lights disappeared, Garrett was eager to inquire. Knight Nolan chuckled softly, tapping his forehead lightly:

"Still not convinced? Lad, I've never seen the high priest be so severe!—That place I've only heard about. They say it's without light or sound, where even the meal deliverers don't speak. It's meant for high-ranking knights' solitary meditation. Even if that Roman were a fifth-level knight, to break through, it would take at least a year and a half."

"Uh..."

"What's...?"

Knight Nolan raised an eyebrow. Garrett hesitated: Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ ɴ0velFɪre.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

"Then, he probably won't ever come out..."

"What?"

Knight Nolan was surprised. "I sensed something amiss, especially with his right hand..."

He turned to the bald bishop:

"Can't you heal him?"

In the night, the bald bishop looked grave. Frowning in recollection for a while, he shook his head and then nodded:

"I haven't examined him closely enough to draw conclusions. But, the old man's healing abilities are similar to mine. If he couldn't cure it personally, I probably couldn't either. Hmm... with a higher-level blessing, say from our archbishop, perhaps..."

However, whether a bishop of level 11 or above would intervene for a fifth-level knight was another issue altogether.

Garrett glanced left and right, his mind racing. Higher-level divine magic might facilitate things like limb reattachment or regeneration—he needed to remember this. If he got the chance, he'd study the principles!

He silently set a long-term goal for himself. Meanwhile, Knight Nolan fell silent for a moment, pulling Garrett closer and advising cautiously:

"If Roman is truly incapacitated, the temple won't keep him locked up indefinitely. In a few months, or if his family pleads, they might release him. —This guy holds grudges, he might seek revenge even after coming out. Is your place safe? Just to be sure, do you want to stay in the barracks?"

Under the moonlight, Garrett tilted his head slightly and smiled.

"A few months? I only need a few months too. —I'll soon become an apprentice mage, don't worry!"

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