Emlyn's Potion

The young man before them had black hair and red eyes, with his hair swept back at an angle. He looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, handsome and slightly feminine, with an undisguised arrogance between his brows.

He was Emlyn White, the vampire who would later join the Tarot Club.

Emlyn said, "Sorry, my father happened to go out. Please come back another day."

Hobart smiled. "I heard that Doctor White's son is also highly skilled in medicine. We came a long way. Please treat my friend."

Emlyn hesitated before saying, "Come in."

The four vagrants carried Veil onto a bed in the clinic. As Emlyn examined him, he asked casually, "You don't seem to be residents from around here."

In Hobart's impression, Emlyn had always been somewhat carefree. Now it seemed that this vampire gentleman was rather cautious, even asking about the background of unfamiliar patients.

"Yes, Mr. Moriarty referred me." Hobart said shamelessly, "Mr. Moriarty once suffered from severe liver disease. The doctors had practically pronounced him dead.

"Introduced by a friend on Riverbend Avenue, he found Doctor White. After drinking the medicine only three times, Mr. Moriarty's condition miraculously improved."

Upon hearing that they had been referred by one of his father's clients, Emlyn diagnosed, "His lumbar vertebra is broken! I happen to have a potion that can regrow bones, but it will be very painful."

He explained, "My father and I both specialize in treating internal illnesses. Your friend is lucky. I just read about a potion that regenerates bones in a book a couple of days ago."

Was it really such a coincidence? Or was that just this vampire doctor's excuse? Hobart wondered.

He said, "That's wonderful. Please begin the treatment now."

"The potion costs 30 Pounds!" Emlyn explained. "One of the ingredients is very precious, so naturally it's expensive."

It looked like it contained a small amount of Low Sequence Extraordinary Material. Without hesitation, Hobart counted out the banknotes. "Please begin."

Fortunately, he had borrowed 50 Pounds in cash from the Law Firm that morning, or he really would not have had enough for today's expenses.

Lisa, who had come in with them, looked as though she wanted to speak but held herself back. She clearly wanted to remind the young man: What kind of medicine cost 30 Pounds? Had they run into a swindler?

Even Veil, lying on the bed, thought it was too expensive. But then he remembered it was not his money, so he said nothing.

Emlyn began his "Bloodletting Therapy," making a shallow cut on Veil's arm.

As he collected the blood, he said, "The fluids in every person's body are limited. If some blood isn't let out beforehand, the potion I prepare will be difficult to absorb."

It sounded quite reasonable. If Hobart had not seen him subtly lick his lips at the sight of blood, he might almost have believed his nonsense. Well, it really was "ghost talk."

After collecting around 200 milliliters of blood, Emlyn went to the dispensary to prepare the potion and had Veil drink it in one gulp.

Then, as though setting a bone, Emlyn restored Veil's lumbar vertebra.

The process made Veil howl in pain. Once Emlyn finished "setting the bone," Veil cried even more miserably, "Was that poison you gave me? You want to kill me to silence me, don't you?"

Emlyn said, "The bone has begun to regrow. I told you before that the process would be painful."

Hobart simply ignored Veil's howls and leisurely chatted with Emlyn about amusing happenings in the South Bridge District.

After Veil screamed in despair for more than ten minutes, the pain finally began to fade. Then he discovered that he could miraculously sit up.

Pete and Lisa, standing nearby, could hardly believe their eyes. Both began praising the Goddess, calling it a miracle.

Emlyn's proud expression became even more pronounced. "All right. At most, he'll basically recover in another hour or two."

Even Hobart had to marvel. "Your medical skill is truly exceptional."

Those 30 Pounds had been well spent! Amid Emlyn's smug expression, Hobart had the vagrants carry Veil back to the carriage, and they returned to the East End together.

On the way back, Lisa was still saying, "Oh, Goddess, this is truly unbelievable. Mr. Hobart, I did not expect there to be such an incredible doctor in Backlund."

Hobart smiled meaningfully. "In Backlund, even more unbelievable things can happen."

Lisa asked curiously, "But if that young doctor and his father are so skilled, why are they completely unknown?"

Because they did not want to attract too much attention, Hobart thought. If I hadn't let "Mr. Moriarty" start operating early and told Emlyn that this business came through an acquaintance, Emlyn definitely would not have treated Veil.

Though that was what he thought, Hobart said, "As far as I know, their family does not like being disturbed by too many people, so Madam Lisa, please do not publicize what happened today."

Lisa sighed. "That's such a pity."

After returning to the East End, Hobart first paid each Vagrant 6 Sule as compensation. The vagrants thanked him profusely in excitement. With this money, they could have two full meals and rest at a cheap inn, giving them a chance to find work.

Once they found work, they could rent a shared floor bed for 10 Pennies or 1 Sule a week and finally leave their lives as vagrants behind.

Pete stepped forward. "Sir, what about my payment?"

"I'll give it to you later," Hobart said. "So you don't catch up with those four vagrants and extort them."

Pete smiled awkwardly. That had indeed been his plan.

Hobart said to Veil, "It's only two-thirty in the afternoon. We still have time to withdraw the lawsuit."

Veil, who was almost fully recovered, replied respectfully, "Yes, sir."

Having stood up again, Veil felt as though he had been given a new life. At the same time, he was thoroughly convinced by Hobart and unconsciously became more respectful.

Hobart's group completed the withdrawal of the lawsuit shortly after four o'clock, and the matter was resolved perfectly.

After returning to Earl Hall's Mansion, Lisa still found everything that had happened today somewhat unbelievable.

Only after the earl's family had finished dinner did Audrey have time to hear Lisa's report.

Earl Hall and the countess were also present. They had nothing to do after dinner, so they sat nearby and listened as well.

Audrey asked, "How did it go, Lisa? Did you meet my friend and the person who was injured?"

"Oh, beautiful miss, the progress exceeded all our expectations." Lisa said, "Miss Hugh will be released tomorrow."

Audrey froze. "Could it be that the injured person was not hurt by Miss Hugh?"

"Of course he was. It's hard to imagine how such a small girl could injure an adult man." Lisa said, "It was our Lawyer, sir. He demonstrated highly efficient action and extensive, valuable connections."