The Missing Countess

The "Black Gold Merchant Guild" is a very low-profile super conglomerate.

This crocodile hidden beneath the water's surface commands numerous smaller merchant groups whose businesses cover almost every sector, including mining, technology, potions, food, and textiles.

People of this era may not understand how terrifying these financial tycoons are, but Rein, a transmigrator who was used to the tricks of financial conglomerates in his previous life, knows very well that these "lowly merchants" who seem to have a status no higher than a minor nobleman can infiltrate every aspect of your life without you even noticing.

Their influence can be seen in everything from steel for forging factories, food, clothing, hunting equipment, and even the currency issued by the empire.

Before the high-ranking nobles of the two great empires even realized it, the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" had already built a massive monopolistic commercial empire.

Ilubeck usually gets most of his experimental consumables and materials supplied by the "Black Gold Merchant Guild," and the two sides have a certain relationship.

When Rein returned to the lab, several men dressed in black were anxiously waiting at the lab entrance.

Upon seeing outsiders approaching, they became extremely wary; these were guards from the "Black Gold Merchant Guild."

After Rein revealed his identity, the men in black apologized repeatedly.

He didn't say anything, went inside, and saw a man who looked like a manager talking to someone next to the operating table.

"Dr. Ilubeck, we don't trust the hospitals in the city, and our own doctors can't handle Sam Sam's injuries. So, we have no choice but to trouble you."

"Okay, put the wounded on the operating table. Manager Chapman, you can go wait outside."

The old man didn't say much, but checked on Sam was unconscious on the operating table.

He saw Rein come in and greeted him, "Rein, I'm about to have surgery, come and help me."

Rein: "Yes, teacher."

The steward, holding his top hat to his chest, bowed slightly to Ilubeck and said politely, "Then I'll trouble you, Doctor."

"It seems someone is going to take action against the 'Black Gold Merchant Guild'."

When Rein saw Uncle Sam, who was seriously injured, he was slightly surprised. He never expected that after their parting, they would meet again on the operating table.

Upon closer examination, the reason becomes clear.

In fact, he had a premonition all along.

Recent newspaper reports indicate that the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" has faced restrictions across both empires. Its presence in City of Radiance, in particular, has been subjected to devastating attacks by various forces.

The biggest attack on the wasteland was ostensibly launched by the "Black Skull Phantom Thieves," one of the three major Phantom Thieves in Omar, for the sake of money. But no matter how strong such a Phantom Thieves are, do they really have the right to stand up to such a large conglomerate?

Without a doubt, only the royal families of the two great empires and the top noble groups have the courage and ability to do so.

The Established Nobles still held the mindset of old landowners collecting rent, believing they could live well simply by guarding the properties inherited from their ancestors. They thought that controlling the vast majority of raw resources made them the wealthiest and noblest class.

Little did they know that these small merchant groups, who profited from the price difference by reselling and transporting goods between various territories, were the ones who truly reaped the lion's share of the profits. Like grains of sand forming an ocean, they amassed wealth comparable to that of a nation.

Unfortunately, this was a society where imperial power reigned supreme.

The Black Gold Merchant Guild has grown rapidly in recent years, so much so that the royal families of the two great empires want to swallow this lucrative business and get rich quick.

Thinking of this, for some reason, a stunningly beautiful face suddenly popped into Rein's mind.

Now that Uncle Sam was acting as a guard, is injured like this, what about the Countess?

I calmed myself down and began the surgery.

Uncle Sam's injuries were complex, including external wounds, poison, and traces of witchcraft such as curses.

Ilubeck removed the bandage from his wound and then had Rein clean it again with medicine.

"Connect the ventilator and inject the 'Advanced Exorcism Potion'."

"One hundred milliliters of 'Heart Strengthening Potion,' prepare to cut out the necrotic tissue."

"Rein, help me treat the poisonous wound on the wounded soldier's leg. Cross Cut and clean it with Purification Potion."

"."

The surgery proceeded smoothly.

This sewer laboratory has the most advanced equipment in the entire medical field, as well as top doctors like Ilubeck. As long as the person brought in still has a breath left, the probability of them dying is very low.

Moreover, it must be said that the old man's "Ten-Handed Monster" with eight spider legs and two human arms makes performing surgery incredibly convenient.

He doesn't need anyone to help him hand him forceps or scalpels; he can perform cutting, suturing, and debridement all by himself at the same time. He can easily handle a surgery that would keep seven or eight people busy.

As for Rein, he was merely helping Ilubeck, as a teacher, to improve his student's practical skills.

Two hours later, the surgery was successfully completed.

For Ilubeck, Uncle Sam's injury, though complicated, is not a major problem.

He looked at part of the wound that Rein had treated and praised, "Hmm, not bad."

Even if a student at the Royal Medical Academy is a genius, their mentor would not dare to let a one-month apprentice start treating patients directly.

Rein performed really well, just like during his usual practice, his mindset remained stable, which was based on his confidence from his extremely proficient surgical skills.

Ilubeck, pointing to Uncle Sam's wound, began his lesson, saying, "The reason many doctors can't handle these complex injuries is because they only see the surface wound and ignore the secondary and tertiary injuries. Especially injuries involving Transcendent powers often need to be viewed as a whole. Toxins, Dark Magic, and elemental magic can cause multiple mixed wounds inside the body, from the outside in."

"Okay, teacher."

Rein listened and nodded thoughtfully.

The surgical manuals had all the details of Sam's injuries, but if a regular doctor were to treat them, their first thought would be to treat them one by one, just like the doctors who had bandaged Sam's wounds before.

I did everything right, but it just won't get better.

This falls under the category of "difficult and complicated diseases".

That's the benefit of having a top mentor: the teacher can use their experience to connect the textbook content and handle more complex situations.

Ilubeck said to Rein, "Take a record of the procedure and write an analysis report for me."

He paused, then added, "The wounded soldier's life has been saved; his subsequent care can proceed according to normal procedures. Go and call the people from the 'Black Gold Merchant Guild' outside to come in and take him away."

After finishing the surgery, Ilubeck gave one more instruction and then, without wasting any more time, returned to his operating table.

Rein nodded. "Yes, teacher."

Uncle Sam emerged alive from the lab, and the Chamber of Commerce manager named Chapman finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ilubeck had no interest in wasting research time or engaging in polite conversation, so his disciple, Rein, became the object of gratitude for the "Black Gold Merchant Guild."

The steward, his face filled with gratitude and apology, said, "Doctor Rein, thank you so much. I know the Doctor doesn't like to be bothered, but this time we had no choice. We were helpless regarding Lord Sam's injuries."

Even knowing that Rein was an apprentice, the steward still maintained a very polite demeanor.

He paused, then had his men in black jackets bring out some items, and said, "This is the consultation fee for the surgery. Please give it to the doctor later, Doctor Rein."

Rein looked at the things the steward had brought; most of them were medical supplies. Of course, he, the apprentice, also had a bag of jingling gold coins.

He casually remarked, "You don't need to be so polite. Uncle Sam has taken good care of me in the past."

Upon hearing this, the steward asked in surprise, "Doctor Rein, do you know Sam?"

"Um."

Rein was indeed curious about what had happened to them, so he said directly, "Mr. Benjamin, Ms. Susan, and of course, the distinguished lady. We came to City of Radiance together earlier."

He guessed that "Madam Vanessa" was a pseudonym, and it was even unknown whether Countess or not, so he could only vaguely refer to her as "Madam".

"Do you know the Vice President?"

Upon hearing this, the manager became uneasy and then glanced at Rein again without making a sound.

Being able to recount the timeline and whereabouts, and being a disciple of Dr. Ilubeck, it's unlikely to be an exaggeration.

Vice President?

Rein roughly knew who the lady was. "Yes. She's been very kind to me. If it's convenient for you, please give her your sincerest greetings."

"Oh, this."

Upon hearing this, the manager's expression immediately turned somewhat unpleasant.

After a pause, Rein vaguely guessed what was going on and tentatively asked, "We haven't seen each other for just over a month, why is Uncle Sam so badly injured?"

"."

Upon hearing this, the steward frowned, his eyes flickering slightly, clearly finding the question somewhat difficult.

Rein felt that he might have touched on some secrets of the "Black Gold Merchant Guild," so he didn't intend to ask any further. "Sorry, I was abrupt. Uncle Sam's injuries are not a big problem. I'll go back to the lab now."

After saying that, he turned around and prepared to go back into the laboratory.

"No, no, no, the reason for Lord Sam's injury is not a secret."

At this moment, the manager seemed to remember something and continued the previous topic, saying, "However, this matter has a significant impact on the reputation of our chamber of commerce because the vice president and his entourage encountered danger in the wasteland and lost contact."

Upon hearing this, Rein's pupils contracted slightly.

The lady has encountered danger and gone missing?

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