Chapter Fifty-One: Even If It’s the Emperor, I’ll Cut Him Open for You

"Father, are you having another attack? Quickly, summon Physician Ayad!"
Seeing this, Tinasha hurried over to her father's throne in just a few steps, her face filled with worry. She then issued orders to the attendants beside her.
"A young lady shouldn't be so impetuous. It's just the old ailment acting up again—I'm used to it."
A gentle light flickered in the eyes of Kaisk XIII. He had reminded Tinasha many times to mind her manners; in formal settings, she should address him as 'Your Majesty the Emperor', but she never listened. No matter the occasion, it was always 'Father.' In the royal family, she was quite the oddity.
The Emperor's health was naturally of utmost importance. Soon, a white-haired old man was ushered into the grand hall. Placing his hands on Kaisk XIII's abdomen, he cast healing magic to quickly suppress the pain, and the Emperor's color returned to normal.
"Physician Ayad, is there really no cure for my father's illness? If he must endure this pain every day..."
Tinasha's face was filled with distress. After all, this was her father. Who could bear to watch their loved one suffer so each day?
"Your Highness, even the Holy Empire's most renowned healers would tell you this disease cannot be eradicated. The human body is a mysterious thing. All I can do is alleviate His Majesty's pain as much as possible."
Old Ayad, though he did not call himself the finest healer, was certainly close; otherwise, how could he have become the Emperor's personal physician? His tone, naturally, carried a hint of arrogance.
"Weren't you the same with Magiuna? Ruby, didn't you cure Magiuna? Could you take a look at my father?"
Though Tinasha spoke without malice, her words brought a flush to Old Ayad's weathered face. Of course he knew about the Archmage being saved, and following Tinasha's gaze, he caught sight of Ruby—yet he couldn't believe that such a young boy could surpass him as a healer.
"...All right."
Ruby did not agree blindly to Tinasha's request. He first glanced at Magiuna, and only after receiving her approving look did he respond.
Having received permission, Ruby approached, and firmly pressed the spot where Kaisk XIII felt pain. The Emperor, caught off guard, turned slightly green in the face, almost crying out in agony.
"You brat, what are you doing? I just managed to suppress His Majesty's pain!"
Old Ayad was aghast, quickly pushing Ruby aside to resume his pain-relieving magic, all the while wondering if this boy had a death wish—how dare he cause the Emperor pain so recklessly?
"From an initial assessment, it appears to be appendicitis. For a definitive diagnosis, a blood test would be best."

Countless memories told Ruby exactly what ailed the Emperor. This illness was all too common, but he didn't want to make a hasty judgment, intending instead to ask Dragan to assist with a blood test.
"Appen...di...citis? Is there a cure for that?"
Tinasha repeated the unfamiliar words, curiosity in her voice. She'd never heard of such a thing, but if Ruby knew what it was, perhaps he could cure it.
"Yes, simply remove it and it's done."
"Re...remove it?"
A chill ran up Tinasha's spine; her face turned awkward as she stammered her question.
"You just cut open the abdomen here, remove the inflamed part—just like slicing a vegetable."
Ruby gestured across his own belly. The entire hall, from Tinasha to the assembled nobles, felt a jolt of terror. Many were shocked—this fearless youth actually proposed to cut open the Emperor’s abdomen, as if it were nothing! How was this any different from murder? And he said it so brazenly.
"Nonsense! Are you a spy sent by an enemy nation? Do you have any idea how complex the human body is? You think you can just cut it open?"
Old Ayad, outraged, forgot his station and scolded Ruby harshly. Such a method was utterly unacceptable.
"Then I can't cure it. I was just talking nonsense."
Ruby nodded, ready to leave. He had little interest in these affairs, especially since he would soon be leaving the capital. Whatever happened to the Emperor meant little to him—after all, the man wouldn't die from this.
"You! Are you trying to deceive His Majesty? Do you take all the nobles in this hall for fools? Your Majesty, I recommend throwing this charlatan in the dungeon!"
Old Ayad's finger trembled as he pointed at Ruby, instantly casting him as the enemy of all the nobles present. The nobles themselves felt Ruby was being unreasonable—if he couldn't cure it, why make up such a story to deceive them?
"You're welcome to try. There's no dungeon in this world I can't tear down."
The Archmage spoke calmly, her words echoing in everyone's ears and instantly cooling the nobles' indignation at being made fools of.
"Gentlemen, let's remain calm—consider it a small jest."

Kaisk XIII, regaining his composure, mediated to ease the tension in the hall, letting Ruby's words pass. What could he do, really, when Magiuna herself had spoken? With his dignity bruised by the Archmage, Old Ayad sulked back to the Emperor's side.
"Your Majesty, forgive my tardiness."
Just as the Emperor was about to broach a new topic, another figure entered the hall. He wore golden mage robes, with two jewels at his shoulders securing a red cloak that fell gracefully behind him. On the cloak was emblazoned a fierce lion, and his shoulder-length golden hair rested lightly atop it.
This handsome man seemed to shine like a human sun, radiating golden light. Ruby, the only stranger in the hall, couldn't help but study him. Noticing Ruby's gaze, the man met it with a bright, genial smile.
"Ryan, I've waited so long for you. I'm glad you're back—let's catch up in private later."
Kaisk XIII, delighted to see his beloved general's return, did not linger in reunion, instead redirecting attention to the matter of announcing Magiuna's return.
"Curious about who he is?"
Out of courtesy, Magiuna didn't pull Ruby away, but stayed to listen to the nobles' empty chatter. She set up a soundproof barrier around them, then spoke openly.
"Yes, and those eyes—surely not natural?"
Ruby recalled the eyes he had just seen. They weren't human at all, but a pair of linear golden pupils, brimming with wild energy.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
PS: Please add to your favorites and recommend!
PS: Ruby: Taste the scalpel of the proletariat!
PS: Extra chapter (6/7)
PS: Thanks to the readers Silent Stranger, Global Cold Weather, Can Er, a708020, Sunbathing at Night for the 500 coin tips, and Alex Moser, inGRaitei for the 100 coin tips.