Chapter 94 - Chapter 93: Strengthening the Territory ⑦ The Aspiring Doctor (Part One)
"Dear, if you have some time today, there is something I would like to ask of you..."
At the breakfast table one morning. Just as the meal was coming to an end and Kimberly, the maid serving them, was bringing out the after-meal tea, Clara spoke up to Noein.
"I only have paperwork and reclamation work to push forward today, so I have plenty of time... what is it?"
"Actually, Selfers-sensei consulted me regarding a certain student... Since it involves the student's family home, it seems the teacher cannot easily interfere. He wishes for your assistance as the Lord."
Clara served as the principal while also teaching at the public school of the Arqvist territory. Due to that position, it seemed she had received a consultation from Selfers, the physician who taught the basics of medicine at the school.
"It involves the student's family... perhaps a matter of their future path?"
"It appears so. It concerns a student who has taken an interest in medicine, but the parents are apparently opposing it... Selfers-sensei seems to have a desire to educate the next generation of doctors."
Children clashing with their parents over their future was a common story in any era or place. However, if it meant the number of doctors in the Arqvist territory might increase, the situation transcended a mere parental quarrel and became a matter of benefit for the entire territory.
That was likely why Selfers had gone out of his way to seek Noein's cooperation.
"I understand. In that case, I'll drop by the school around early afternoon. Will that work?"
"Yes, thank you very much."
.....
That afternoon. Noein left the mansion accompanied by Matilda and headed toward the school as he had told Clara.
Since the school, being a public facility, was located close to the Lord's mansion, he arrived within a few minutes' walk.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Clara."
"Thank you for coming all this way, dear."
"It's fine, this is part of the Lord's duty... so, where is Selfers-sensei?"
"He is waiting in the office. Along with the student in question."
"Understood, I'll head there immediately."
The office—though it was merely a small room containing a few desks for administrative work and a reception sofa—held Selfers and a girl who appeared to be the student in question, sitting side by side.
"It has been a while, Selfers-sensei."
"Lord Noein, it has been some time. I apologize for taking up your time today."
"No, Selfers-sensei is a benefactor to both me and this territory... I am happy if I can be of help."
As he said this to Selfers, who stood up with a look of humility, Noein turned his eyes toward the girl standing beside him. Perhaps because she was facing the Lord, the girl was extremely nervous.
"Lord Noein, this child is—"
"Liris, right?"
When Noein correctly named the girl, both Selfers and the girl herself showed expressions of surprise.
"You knew this child?"
"She is one of the veteran residents who migrated during the first year of the Arqvist territory's reclamation. I remember all the residents from that time."
Back when the population of the Arqvist territory had not yet reached 50 people. This Liris had fled from the Marquis Galdwin's territory along with her father, Russell, and her mother, Admia, and drifted into the Arqvist territory. Noein remembered that.
"Furthermore, her father is a hero who fought bravely, sustaining heavy injuries during the previous bandit subjugation. There is no way I could forget his daughter."
"To think you remembered not only my father but me as well... thank you very much."
Noein gave a smile to Liris, who spoke as if overcome with emotion.
Her father, Russell, was one of those who had been seriously injured in the battle against the bandits. Since he had lost a leg and his body became unable to perform farm work properly, Noein had given him a sympathy payment and assigned him light work that could be done while seated, such as crushing soybeans.
Being the family of a man who was a resident from the early days of reclamation and who had suffered an honorable injury for the sake of the territory, it was only natural that Liris remained in Noein's memory.
"Well, for now, let's sit and hear the details."
Noein sat on the sofa on the opposite side of the table and urged Selfers and Liris to take their seats as well.
"I heard from my wife that 'there is a student interested in medicine who is clashing with their family'... is that the case for you, Liris?"
"Y-yes."
Asked, Liris nodded with a somewhat dark expression.
"The one who saved my father, who might have died after his leg was cut off by the bandits, was Selfers-sensei. Sensei is the savior of my father's life. After I started attending school and taking Selfers-sensei's classes... I also wanted to become like Sensei, so that I could help people who are injured or sick."
Thanks to Selfers, Liris's father was alive despite losing a leg. If one were given medical knowledge directly from a person to whom they owed such a debt, it was an understandable story to become interested in the path of a doctor.
"But, my father absolutely will not permit me to pursue the path of medicine... Just because I said I wanted to be a doctor, without even asking the reason, he shouted unilaterally, 'It's impossible for a woman to become a doctor, I won't allow it'... and Mother only told me that she had to obey Father."
"I see..."
Hearing Liris's words, Noein understood the current problem.
Though there were differences depending on the region, the idea that "this is a man's job, and this is a woman's job" could be seen in various scenes of the kingdom's society.
Physicians were also basically considered "men's work," and it was said that female doctors existed only in very small numbers to treat women of the royal family or high nobility. It was not unreasonable for a commoner like Russell to think that "a female doctor is impossible."
"Selfers-sensei, do you have any resistance to teaching medical knowledge to Liris?"
"I do not. Since I carry elven blood..."
"I see, that is true."
It was said that in elven countries and settlements, a society where men and women were completely equal had been built. There had been such a description in a book Noein had read in the past. It was only natural that Selfers, who had an elf among his relatives, held a social view different from humans.
"Furthermore, she is very studious and quick to understand. I have had many disciples until now, but she seems to have more talent compared to my past disciples when they were young. If permitted, I wish to take her as a disciple and bestow the knowledge I possess."
Perhaps happy to be praised, Liris suppressed a smile while her face reddened slightly.
"I understand. I am also very happy that a new doctor will be born from this territory, and as the Lord, I find it grateful... In that case, all that remains is the persuasion of her father."
"Yes, that is how it is. I thought it would be overstepping for me, who am merely a physician, to interfere in another's family circumstances, so I have shamefully come to rely on Lord Noein in this manner."
Selfers spoke apologetically, but for Noein, he felt that Selfers had done well to rely on him.
In order to further develop the Arqvist territory in the future, he wanted to eliminate restrictions based on such old customs as much as possible. For that reason, this matter would serve as a good precedent. It was worth the Lord moving personally.
"Understood. For the sake of the Arqvist territory, and above all, for the sake of Liris's determination and future, I shall handle the persuasion of her father."
"I am grateful, Lord Noein."
"Lord Noein... thank you so very much."
Selfers bowed deeply, and Liris spoke with an expression that looked as if she were about to shed tears.