It didn't take long for them to arrive at their destination.
The nobles' estate met them head-on, impossible to miss.
Huge wrought iron walls surrounded the mansion that was placed in the middle of the already huge, lush lands. The walls stretched high into the sky, like a black cage of steel keeping everything inside safe from the outside world.
Alex already knew the man he had just made a deal with was a hotshot, but he didn't expect this much.
Throughout the gates, red banners lined the area, each one embroidered with a golden lion roaring proudly in the center, an orange sun blazing behind it.
That alone was enough to signal that this wasn't just an ordinary noble.
"State your business, commoners."
The knight up front stopped them head-on. He wore full steel armor, the kind that covered everything from head to toe, leaving no weak point exposed. It wasn't armor that an ordinary sword could ever hope to pierce. This was armor that required a mace—or even heavier weapons—to leave so much as a dent.
"The Count sent us; this should serve as enough proof," Cynthia replied, showing the basket.
The knight stayed silent for a moment, observing the plants along with Cynthia and Alex. His stare was particularly long when it came to Alex, as though he were trying to measure him up in silence.
"I see… the Count has told me in advance what to expect, and you seem to fit the criteria."
The knight moved quickly, pushing the gate open with a heavy creak. Beyond it stretched a huge paved stone road that led directly to the mansion itself. But before that, standing proudly in the middle of the path, was a massive fountain.
The fountain was a perfect circle, water flowing smoothly from carved spouts along its edges. The sound was clear and refreshing, the stream sparkling so purely that it looked clean enough to drink directly from.
The mansion beyond was nothing to scoff at either. The entire building was carved from stone and marble, a monument of wealth and permanence. Multiple pillars decorated the front, thick and tall, with vines crawling across them as though nature itself had tried to claim a part of the structure. Yet even the vines seemed to only make the mansion appear more majestic.
"Thank you, my lord."
Cynthia bowed politely, stepping into the estate.
"Thank you…"
Alex awkwardly bowed as well, still not used to medieval formalities. While he already knew the routine from dozens of hours watching historical dramas, doing them in real life was an entirely different matter. It felt difficult. Cringey, even.
"Miss Cynthia, was it?"
A chamberlain standing beside the enormous double doors spoke up. Her voice was sharp but proper, her posture perfectly straight.
She eyed the basket, confusion flickering across her face… along with a slight hint of disdain. "Is that really all you have prepared?"
"What do you mean?" Alex stepped forward, replying for Cynthia before she could.
The chamberlain's eyes shifted to Alex. Her expression hardened, her disdain growing clearer as she took in his attire. Still, she didn't comment on it. She knew very well that the Count's desperation was the only reason these two were even here.
"I meant the basket," the chamberlain explained coldly. "Dozens of skilled healers have already come to treat the prince, yet none of them succeeded. Why would a small basket make any difference?"
Alex smirked at her reply, crossing his arms confidently.
"Then they clearly weren't skilled enough."
He raised a single finger, wagging it slightly as if making a point.
"I wouldn't have taken this job if I knew I couldn't help. I'm fully aware of the consequences of betraying the Count's expectations."
He said it with utmost confidence. And it wasn't a bluff—this was his strong point. In this world, when it came to medicine and the field of health, he was the most knowledgeable of all.
The chamberlain blinked, then her expression softened. For a moment, she even looked a little impressed.
She smiled faintly at Alex's reply, her earlier disdain giving way to something closer to approval. After all, she herself was a commoner too. The only difference was that she had been lucky enough to land a better position.
"Good answer."
The chamberlain bowed slightly before pulling one of the grand doors open. "The prince is just on the second floor, to the right. Impossible to miss."
The inside of the mansion was no different from the outside—grand and overwhelming.
Stone and marble walls rose all around, lined with chandeliers that glowed brightly overhead, lighting every corner of the vast hall. It felt less like a house and more like an expensive courtroom, every detail screaming wealth and nobility.
As they entered, Cynthia glanced at Alex, giving him a knowing look. She was absolutely ecstatic at his earlier answer.
While she wasn't fully confident in Alex's skills, his confidence alone was enough to make her feel reassured—and maybe even like him a little.
"Hope you're not all talk. You're starting to raise my expectations." She laughed softly.
They climbed the stairs to the right of the foyer, one side of the massive dual staircase that split and led to the second floor. Even the staircase alone was extravagant, polished to perfection, every step wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Even Alex couldn't help but think it was absurd. If he added up the wealth of every single one of his coworkers back in the hospital, the total still wouldn't be enough to buy something even half this grand.
When they reached the second floor, they followed the directions the chamberlain had given.
Already, noise could be heard ahead.
The second floor opened up into a wide space filled with people. Maids, butlers, and even lesser nobles were all gathered here, mingling and whispering.
And every single whisper was about one thing—the Count's dying son.
"Are those supposed to be healers?" A noblewoman with a fan spoke, hiding her mouth as she sneered. "They look more like beggars selling flowers to me."
"Cardinal Gian already visited the prince," another said, sipping a glass of wine. "If even his healing magic couldn't help, then what could those two commoners possibly contribute?"
"Let's just hope they manage to slow it a bit," a fatter noble added with a shiver. "I fear to face the Count's sorrow when the inevitable passes."
"I dare not see him lose his benevolence if the child dies."
Cynthia turned her head slightly, looking at Alex with a smile.
"Don't let them get to you," she whispered, trying to ease the tension.
"They don't phase me," Alex replied simply.
And they really didn't. He had already experienced pressure far worse than this back in his old world.
Not exactly as a pharmacologist, but back in medical school.
Always expected to be top of the class, always pushed to score higher than anyone else. He had long been used to stares—whether scornful, jealous, or even respectful.
"This should be it."
Cynthia stopped in front of a heavy wooden door. Carved into its surface was the figure of a snake, detailed and lifelike.
Alex froze at the sight.
Unseen to the others, the snake's eyes flickered faintly, a brief green glow flashing as if it were staring directly at him.
[Ophiuchus notices you briefly]
[Granted: Blessing of Ophiuchus]
[Increasing Medicinal Effectiveness by Another 100%]
Alex felt the change immediately. A warm, serene energy spread across his entire body, like sunlight seeping into his veins. To him, the moment stretched on for five long seconds of peace.
But in reality, it lasted no more than a blink.
'Ophiuchus, huh…?'
He thought to himself.
'Much appreciated… whatever you are.'