Episode 62

Robert looked puzzled at Sierra’s words.

“What do you mean? Offering help…?”

“I heard you developed a cure for the epidemic, but lack the funds to mass-produce it.”

She was right. Robert had created a cure for Meslin, the disease that had afflicted more than half of the East District’s residents.

However, the cost of producing even a single dose was so high that mass production was impossible.

Given the highly contagious nature of the disease, the only way to stop it was to manufacture enough medicine for everyone to take. But for a poor doctor, that was a far-off dream.

Then Sierra made him an unbelievable offer.

“I’ll sponsor you with 10 million gold.”

“……!!”

At the staggering amount, Sharon, who stood next to Robert, gasped in shock.

Ten million gold—a sum she had never even imagined in her life.

And yet, this woman, who didn’t even look twenty, seemed to have that kind of wealth at her disposal.

Hearing that, Robert felt a wave of distrust.

Many people had tried to bribe him with money in the past.

Even though he had hidden his real name while working, wealthy individuals who recognized his genius had approached him, hoping to profit by partnering with him in the pharmaceutical business.

Others had offered him positions as a personal physician for high-ranking noble families.

But he had chosen to remain a doctor for the poor.

That had been his wife’s last request to him.

“I don’t believe for a second that you’d offer such a large sum with no strings attached. Nobles like you, raised in comfort, can’t possibly understand the pain of the poor and sick.”

Robert’s words came out more harshly than intended, reminding him of the wealthy individual who had persistently tried to win him over recently.

He immediately regretted saying it. He knew speaking rashly to a noble could cause trouble.

Yet, to his surprise, she showed no sign of anger.

“You’re right, Robert. I’m here to make a deal.”

Robert’s expression shifted to one of confirmation—so he had been right after all.

“However, even if you refuse my proposal, I still plan to donate the 10 million gold. If it means ending the epidemic in the East District, I’m willing to pay any price.”

“…….”

Robert was confused.

“…Why?”

No one had ever approached him without expecting something in return.

Nobles were always demanding, as if they had entrusted him with something and now required repayment.

But Sierra was a little different from them.

“I can persuade you after the epidemic is over.”

She wasn’t here just to negotiate.

“As someone who needs your help as a patient myself, I’m not going to bargain with the lives of people who suffer as I do.”

“…You’re saying you’re a patient?”

She smiled warmly, her expression completely sincere.

“I’ve heard from people on the streets that your home is always open to patients, Robert.”

“…That’s correct.”

Judging a patient based solely on appearances was unlike him.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Robert nodded and said,

“Let’s go inside. It’s best to continue this conversation in the house.”

* * *

Ludwig and the Queensbury agents decided to wait in the carriage while Sierra went inside Robert’s house to talk.

Though Ludwig had suggested bringing a guard just in case, it was better for Sierra to go alone to break down Robert’s walls of suspicion.

The inside of Robert’s house was as shabby as it looked from the outside.

Though Eveline had mentioned he’d been living here for a year, the house was as empty as if it were just a temporary lodging for a passerby.

There were no belongings or furniture to speak of, and it seemed like a place used solely for sleeping.

Considering he spent his days on the streets treating patients and only came home in the evening, it made sense.

However, one thing in the empty house particularly caught Sierra’s eye: a picture frame.

On the table near the door was a photo of a young Robert with a gentle-looking woman.

‘That must be Robert’s wife.’

She had passed away a few years ago after battling the same illness as Sierra.

As Sierra looked at the picture, a pair of small hands placed a teacup on the table in front of her.

“I’m not sure if it’s to your taste, but this is chamomile tea. Sorry, this chipped cup is the best I have.”

It was Sharon, the little girl Robert had with him.

“It’s fine. Thank you.”

Sierra took a sip of the tea Sharon had offered.

Though Sharon called Robert “father,” they weren’t related by blood.

Sharon was a wandering orphan Robert had taken in as his own child.

Just then, Robert sat down in the chair across from Sierra and asked,

“May I know which noble family you belong to?”

“The Drenihan family.”

“…Dr-Drenihan?!”

Robert seemed incredibly shocked and began coughing.

‘That’s exactly why I didn’t want to tell him… I hope he doesn’t become more suspicious of me.’

Sierra felt a bit tense, but Robert’s next words were unexpected.

“…Now I know why your face seemed familiar.”

“Familiar?”

He cleared his throat before speaking.

“In the past, when I was just a commoner, it was Terghon Drenihan who recognized my abilities and sponsored me.”

This was news to Sierra.

Seeing her surprised expression, Robert spoke with a bitter smile.

“It’s not widely known, but it was the financial support from the Drenihan family that allowed me to become a renowned physician. Now, here I am, repaying that kindness like this.”

“Ah…”

“You are his granddaughter, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Robert’s tone softened.

“Whether by coincidence or fate, it seems my life is deeply intertwined with the Drenihan family. Now, the granddaughter of my benefactor wishes to sponsor me as well.”

He looked at Sierra directly and continued,

“So, what is it you want from me? Is it about the illness you mentioned earlier?”

Sierra nodded.

“Once the epidemic in the East District is resolved, I’d like you to come to the capital and develop a cure for an incurable disease.”

Robert had developed cures for many rare diseases in the past.

During his time in the capital, the imperial medical field advanced rapidly under his influence, with notable achievements like curing diseases in places such as Conrad, Delrade, and Kionel.

Feeling more at ease, Robert found Sierra’s proposal not so bad.

If he could end the epidemic in the East District and help the granddaughter of his former benefactor with her illness, it would be a worthy cause.

Robert cautiously asked her,

“What is this incurable disease you’re suffering from…?”

“Lisbeth.”

“……!”

At the mention of the disease, Robert nearly dropped his teacup.

Of course—Lisbeth was a traumatic disease for him.

Back then, Robert had been desperate to save his wife, but in the end, she had succumbed to Lisbeth.

Even now, somewhere in his notebook, there were traces of his frantic research from that time.

“That disease… I’m sorry to say, but it’s incurable. It’s literally an untreatable illness. I know this better than anyone, as I lost my wife to it.”

After his wife’s passing, Robert had convinced himself over and over that Lisbeth was beyond the reach of human effort.

If he hadn’t, he would never have been able to forgive himself.

“If you were someone to give up so easily, you wouldn’t have been able to develop cures for so many other incurable diseases.”

“…I’m not the same person I used to be! Just look at me. Do I still look like the genius doctor of the past?”

“I see it. Robert, today you made rounds in the East District to treat patients. Your heart hasn’t changed, not then and not now.”

“No, I can’t do it. Lisbeth is an impossible disease to cure. I don’t want to give you false hope.”

He regretted it. He had once given false hope to his wife, confidently telling her he could cure her disease.

The memory of her trusting him completely and looking to him for salvation still haunted him in his dreams.

But Sierra met his trembling gaze directly.

Her eyes were so sincere that he couldn’t look away.

“I don’t need certainty, Robert. What I need is hope. And… I believe your wife felt the same way.”

“…….”

“Knowing that someone was fighting for her, not giving up, is the greatest comfort for those standing on the edge of despair.”