Chapter 19
Since Colonel Nick had left the treatment room, it meant there were no critically ill patients in life-threatening condition, but on the flip side, there must be many injured people in need of emergency care—so much so that they'd accept help from a child.
"I'll step out for a bit. Rudo, don't leave the room until Rona or Rick comes."
I put on the red cross armband I had brought just in case I needed it, but hesitated and stopped mid-step as I was about to follow Colonel Nick.
Medics are required to carry not only weapons for self-defense but also large amounts of medicine and medical tools, so they carry rather large backpacks designed to free up both hands.
Ever since it was decided that I would train under Colonel Nick, I had been issued the same bag, but since I didn't have a military doctor's license, I couldn't do more than basic first aid. The bag only contained bandages and medical supplies, but if Colonel Nick found out I hadn't brought it...
I'd not only be yelled at, but would definitely get a fist to the head, so I shuddered and instructed a maid to go fetch the bag.
"Celes. Where do you think you're going? It's dangerous to leave the room."
"Eh, eek!? Um... I'm sorry."
My arm was suddenly grabbed, and when I turned around in surprise, Rudo's face was closer than I expected, which startled me into shaking off his hand.
I quickly apologized, knowing it wasn't right to react that way to someone who was worried about me, but Rudo's frown didn't ease. He stared intently at his own hand and muttered, "I thought I was holding back..."
"Um, do you know about Colonel Nick?"
"The military doctor, right?"
Relieved that he seemed to know, I raised my arm to show the armband.
"I'm going to help the Medical Unit now. Once I leave the building, I expect to find injured people lying around, so it's just basic first aid."
"Why you, Celes? Are you planning to become a doctor?"
I had spoken about entering military school and the training menu here, but I had never mentioned that after graduation I didn't plan to become a soldier, but rather return to my territory and discipline my fiancé.
The fact that Rudo said "doctor" instead of "military doctor" probably meant he didn't think I intended to become a soldier either.
"No, I don't plan on getting a doctor's license, but Uncle Ruget has been advocating for the non-combat medical department during school training. Because of that, Colonel Nick teaches me about medicine twice a week, so when we're short on hands like now, I'm called in."
"If it's the medical department, it shouldn't be that dangerous."
His gaze seemed to say, "Then you must be aiming to become a doctor, right?" and I gave a wry smile.
"A lord doesn't need a doctor's license."
If I were going to become a soldier, or if I were a commoner, then it would be better to get a doctor's license if possible. But since I just didn't want to go to the academy, the civil officer class should be enough.
"That's true, but I don't think it's necessary even for the civil officer class."
"It is for the martial officer class."
"...Martial officer?"
No wonder he was surprised.
I also thought I'd go for the civil officer class at first, but I never imagined my thinking would change so much in just a year.
"Since I'm the heir to a military noble family, rather than staying in the rear saving lives, I want to learn from a soldier's perspective—about troop placement, strategy, and how things change with the seasons and climate. If I'm going to attend military school, I want to learn everything. I can't provide proper support without understanding the battlefield."
In my generation, Uncle Ruget's sons, Roberto and Liam, are assigned to the battlefield, while I, as the family head, am in charge of rear support.
But I've learned here that even a single mistake in support could put Roberto and the others on the front lines in a dire situation.
So, if I'm going to military school, I've decided to learn everything I can.
"Celes, you're amazing... You're acting with the future in mind. Not just training—you're even studying medicine..."
"Even if you say medicine, it's not that advanced. It's just basic first aid."
"But I can't even do that."
In Srelan maybe, but in this country, the Crown Prince never goes to the battlefield, so there's no need to learn medical skills—but Rudo apparently doesn't think that way.
Seeing Rudo visibly deflate with a dejected "shun...", I panicked and looked to Altried, who had been silent the whole time, for help—but for some reason, he just shook his head.
"Rudo is attending the academy, not military school..."
I was about to add, "So there's no need, right?" but I met Rudo's dim eyes and instinctively shut my mouth.
Maybe in the academy's knight course, Rudo could still learn basic first aid. As for me, I was just learning in advance so I wouldn't fall behind in school life...
"I'm receiving free training, so I just wanted to help however I could... that's all..."
Seeing Rudo's face twist with a squish, I realized that even this phrasing had failed.
"Lady Celestia, I know time is short, but..."
The maid who had rushed off to retrieve my bag whispered apologetically in my ear.
The words that followed "time is..." were surely "Colonel Nick!"
"I can't break protocol, so I can't ask Rudo to come with me."
"...I understand."
"But if you ask Rona or Rick and get permission, then I think it would be fine for you to come."
As I said that while slinging on my bag, Rudo looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled.
Thinking he'd be fine now, I turned my back and dashed off.
Confirming that my escort was following me, I leapt down the stairs. When I arrived at the scene, a little behind Colonel Nick, the usual barrage of abusive language was flying around.
"You're late! What were you dawdling for? Get to treating them, you idiot!"
As expected, I was yelled at too as I joined the Medical Unit's support.
I was grateful that no one had lost any limbs, but I couldn't honestly be happy that I no longer trembled at the sight of blood.
A normal noble daughter would probably scream and faint...
"Colonel Nick! Let me help too—"
"Not needed!"
"But you said you're short on hands, right?"
"Yeah, that's true. But I don't even have time to give instructions, and someone who knows nothing would just be a burden!"
"At least let me carry supplies."
"I have some experience, so please leave giving instructions to Lord Rudo to me."
Hearing the negotiation going on a bit away, I thought to myself that he sure got permission quickly and rushed over... and silently cheered him on.
I occasionally felt a murderous aura muttering, "Who stuck their nose in where it didn't belong..." but in the end, Colonel Nick seemed to give in with a "Just don't get in the way!"
There were more injured than expected, and Colonel Nick finally gave the "dismissed" order at dawn.
Forcing my heavy eyelids open, I collapsed onto the bed without even changing clothes.
Even after that, the ambushes continued several more times until winter fully set in, and by the time Rudo had gotten used to midnight alarms and emergency care...
"See you next year. I wonder if I'll be surprised by you again when we meet next time."
Like a war comrade, he held out his hand for a handshake. (I'm still a noble's daughter though...) I was bewildered, but Rudo cheerfully returned to the Royal Capital.
—And then, another year passed.
"Nice to meet you. I heard about you from my brother and wanted to meet you."
Standing beside Rudo, who had returned to Ransheen Fortress, was an angel.
It seemed I was the one being surprised this time...