A Hospital in Another World?
Chapter 73

Disciple of the Elders of the Radiant Church?

Viscount Joane relaxed. Whether Garrett Nordmark rotted in the pot or not, he was still one of his subjects. As long as his identity was sound, how to cultivate him wasn't his concern. But the High Priest of the Spring Goddess Temple arched an eyebrow, "Your disciple?"

Naturists always had issues! A good priest wasted on those mages! Priests sought devout faith, yet those mages, each one more lawless than the next, even their belief in deities seemed feigned!

"Your disciple, and you let him go learn magic?"

He couldn't help but question. Elder Elwin's bushy brows raised, a glint of healing magic in play, the old man bared a toothy grin, innocent yet cunning:

"Oh my... You're aware of our ways. Powers bestowed by the gods of nature come from nature itself. What's odd about dabbling in a bit of magic? If the child wants to learn, let him."

"You!" The High Priest seethed. Naturists were all lunatics! They'd regret coddling this little lad! 

He stormed forward, entering the depths of the shop. A quick glance led him to the most finely dressed wounded person, and he casually cast a healing spell.

"Great Priest!"

"Thank you, Great Priest!"

"Save me, please, I beg you! Tomorrow, no, tonight, I'll come and donate to the temple!"

The green zone erupted into cries.

These conscious, mobile wounded, all categorized by Garrett as minor, had only a few priest apprentices tending to them. Despite their wealth, the previous arrivals were predominantly War God priests and naturist priests, all complying with Garrett's orders. Even the wealthiest screamed their lungs out but didn't see higher-ranked priests hurrying over.

Now, with the High Priest intervening, the rich, minorly injured saw hope, and chaos ensued in the green zone. Two more priests rushed in, unaware of the situation, bewildered, standing and looking around, unsure where to assist.

Garrett observed from afar, contemplating maintaining order, opening his mouth but reconsidering. He aimed to uphold medical principles but wasn't foolish; what authority did he, a mere priest apprentice, have to meddle when faced with nobles and temple officials? In this society of nobility and clergy, even in his previous modern world, with a supervisor leading a team, would a doctor dare make them queue?

He averted his gaze, pretending not to see. Beside him, the bald bishop smirked, bellowing in a loud voice:

"First and second-rank priests to the yellow zone—third and fourth-rank to the red zone—apprentices, assist in the green zone—"

The entire building reverberated. Garrett resisted the urge to cover his ears, finding humor in it all:

This volume... this bishop could've reversed the flow of a river in ancient times without a hitch!

The High Priest strained, pretending not to hear, solely focused on comforting the faithful and administering healing. The other priests quieted down, following the bald bishop's instructions.

Viscount Joane looked around, deciding to ignore the quarreling leaders of the church. He pulled out a money pouch, smiling as he tossed it around in his hand:

"You're good. Here, take this—it's your reward!"

Wow, money as a reward! There's a bonus! The jingle in the pouch sounded like it could be several dozen coins, even if they were silver, that'd be a few months' wages—unless they're not silver! Coming from the lord, there should at least be some gold coins!

Garrett brightened. Yet, another thought instantly surfaced: a rare opportunity to face the lord, rather than ask for money, why not seize the chance to accomplish something more important?

He didn't reach out for the money pouch. Stepping back, he met Viscount Joane's gaze, bowing slightly:

"Thank you for your reward. Healing and saving lives are the duties of a healer. If I may seek your approval, I'd like to exchange the reward for something else—"

"What?"

The Viscount was taken aback. Did this lad lack sense? Bargaining for a reward?

His displeasure showed a bit, naturally prompting someone to intervene. A knight guarding the Viscount stepped forward, hand on his sword, barking, "Bold!"

Garrett stood tall, showing no intention of changing his words. Elder Elwin and the bald bishop looked over, while on the other side, an old mage quietly approached. Suddenly, Viscount Joane smiled, waved his hand, dismissing the guardian knight:

"Oh, it's nothing. Kid, what reward do you want?"

One red-faced, one white-faced—pretending to be magnanimous? Garrett pretended not to notice the knight's expression, calmly speaking:

"I implore you to issue an order prohibiting defecation in the streets and relocating all excrement outside the city. Sewage flows breed diseases, causing plagues. For the well-being of the city residents, I beseech you to issue this order as a reward for my service."

"Nonsense!"

A voice interjected. The High Priest from the Spring Goddess Temple strode forward, his face dark:

"The Goddess will protect her people! The Goddess grants pure water sources, plagues aren't possible!"

"But—" Garrett attempted to argue. Elder Elwin and the bald bishop cut in unison, "Garrett!"

Oh...

Stepping into someone else's territory?

Temples were truly bothersome...

Garrett silently bowed his head, inwardly grumbling. Viscount Joane, on the other hand, chuckled:

"Priest, don't take the lad too seriously. Well, kid, do you know how much money is in this pouch? If I issue that order, how much money would I spend?" Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NøvᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

I don't know how much money is in the pouch, but I can calculate how much it would cost. Garrett swiftly calculated, already speaking as figures streamed out:

"The population of Hartland City, as far as I know, is around twenty thousand. The daily excrement is about a hundred loads. If sold outside for a copper per load, that's one gold coin per day, 365 gold coins per year. As for cleaning the current excrement on the streets..."

He paused, about to shrug or gesture as if he didn't know. Before he could, Viscount Joane said:

"You saved 29 people today. Originally, I planned to reward you with 29 gold coins. So, lad, why would I give you over 300 gold coins or even more as a reward?"

"But—" People's health matters more! If cholera strikes, it won't be a matter of a few hundred gold coins! Besides, properly used, excrement can fertilize fields, significantly boosting crop yields! This investment is trivial!

Garrett wanted to argue further, but Viscount Joane already raised his hand, tossing the money pouch to him. Amidst the jingle of coins, the lord turned and departed—

---------------

• Your invaluable feedback and ratings mean the world to me. Please take a moment to rate this novel at Novelupdate.
• If you come across any mistakes within this chapter, kindly notify me in the comments below, so that I can make the necessary corrections.

Sᴇarch the Nʘvᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.