A week has passed since the hospital’s opening, and today, like every day, it’s packed with patients.
You see, with most dark healers summoned to the front lines due to the ongoing war, civilian healthcare has been under severe strain.
…Oh, what a perfect blue ocean of profit, untouched by competitors! The money just keeps pouring in!
The strategies I implemented on the first day are working splendidly.
One of those strategies involved enlisting zombie soldiers, thieves, and even a zombie queen to actively search for patients within the city of Delmond and bring them to the hospital.
It could sometimes come across as borderline forced treatment, but the results spoke for themselves, and not only were there no complaints, but word-of-mouth from cured patients even helped promote the hospital.
Another tactic was to offer services within the Demon Lord’s castle itself.
I focused on conspicuous patients like dragon knights and giants to make it obvious who we were targeting.
Surely there were residents of Delmond who felt compelled to visit our hospital upon seeing these high-profile patients coming in for treatment.
“Another thing that turned into unexpected publicity was the opening celebration… The bouquet from Agito and others arrived, and on the second day, even the Demon Lord himself stopped by with Amilta to endorse our treatment for Myrrh…”
Thanks to this, Alaya General Hospital has already gained a strong reputation as one of the leading hospitals in Delmond.
Now, what should I get as a thank-you gift for the Demon Lord and Agito…?
Just as I was pondering this—
“Lord Alaya , about the next patient,” Milphobia poked her head into the consultation room.
As my familiar in charge of assisting around the Demon Lord’s castle, she had kindly been helping out at the hospital as well.
“Is something up with the next patient?”
“Well, they’re a group of children…”
“Hm? Where are their parents?”
“They’re accompanied by an adult demon guardian, but apparently, the children are refugees from Elden. Their parents… well…” Milphobia lowered her gaze.
Elden—the city that Agito had governed and which is now targeted in the latest recovery operation. I’ve heard of numerous ordinary demons who perished due to the kingdom’s attacks.
In other words, these children are war orphans.
“Their guardian asked if we could see them first, even though he doesn’t have the funds for all of them right away. The children might have pneumonia, Lord Alaya , so if possible—”
“Please bring them in. I will examine them. Children are the treasure of a nation.”
“What?”
Milphobia’s eyes widened at my words.
“Wh-what did you just say…?”
“I said children are the treasure of a nation.”
“L-Lord Alaya , the one who cares for nothing but medical knowledge and money… is saying children are a national treasure!?”
“Milphobia, what exactly do you think I am? It’s only natural for adults to help children, after all.”
“L-Lord Alaya …!”
Milphobia looked both surprised and moved… was it really that unexpected?
I’m not that heartless. And if I might add—
“Rescue one child, and they grow up. That child may bring forth new life, which could mean more demons and… potentially more patients for us. The profits would increase twofold, at least.”
“Lord Alaya , you ruin it when you say things like that…”
“Is that so? What I meant to say is, this could also serve as an investment in the future. Now, if you understand, Milphobia, please bring the patients in quickly.”
“Yes, understood.”
Milphobia left the consultation room with a smile, gently closing the sliding door behind her.
After disinfecting my hands with an alcohol wipe and putting on my mask, I prepared for the patients’ arrival.
Later that day, after finishing the last consultation of the morning, another VIP visitor arrived at Alaya General Hospital.
“I’m glad to see the hospital is doing so well, Lord Alaya … or should I call you Director Alaya here?”
Taking a seat in the consultation chair was none other than Emeralda, a beautiful blue-haired demon with six distinctive black wings, the Demon Lord’s secretary.
“Thanks to you, Lady Emeralda. Please convey my sincere gratitude to the Demon Lord for his generosity and apologize on my behalf for not being able to visit him in person due to my busy schedule.”
“Yes, of course. But that might have to wait until the day after tomorrow.”
“The day after tomorrow?”
“Yes. Starting this afternoon, I have the entire day tomorrow… off.”
Emeralda’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“Oh, it’s been so long… Tomorrow, I’ll be able to sleep in till noon.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Yes, and it’s thanks to the schedule adjustments by the Demon Lord and… you, Director Alaya .”
“Me…?”
“Thanks to the zombies you acquired, which can perform simple tasks, we’ve had a bit more breathing room at work. So, thank you.”
With a smile that was both alluring and dangerous, Emeralda thanked me.
As Milphobia’s superior, her charm was no surprise.
“Today, I didn’t come for a consultation. Instead, I wanted to personally express my gratitude.”
“Oh…! I’m honored.”
Is this my chance?
To be honest, I’ve been quite curious about Emeralda ever since I first saw her in the throne room, and my interest has only grown as I spent more time in this demon kingdom.
What kind of demon is this Emeralda?
After all, none of the patients I’ve seen so far look anything like her.
Six wings, yet otherwise entirely human in appearance. Now that we’re talking face-to-face, I can tell her canines are sharper than human ones… but I can’t identify her species from my knowledge alone.
“However, nothing too… ‘extreme,’ please. I wouldn’t want to steal you away from Milphobia.”
Emeralda chuckled, as though seeing through my excitement.
Oops. Steal her from Milphobia? Whatever that means, I need to be careful.
Especially since this is a VIP, the Demon Lord’s secretary. A single misstep here could make life in the demon kingdom difficult.
—So, I need to gauge just how far I can go.
I should collect data that will be good for future research without crossing any lines.
I decided to proceed with caution.
