On Darkday, I headed to Johnson’s shop.

“Good morning, Master Sai. Thank you for coming all the way,” Bale greeted me as he showed me into Johnson’s office.

“This time, the purchaser of the Red Dragon is Duke Dalaria, Master Sai,” Johnson explained.

Duke Dalaria, like my father, holds a high rank and serves as a minister. I’m acquainted with his daughter, but she’s quite arrogant and is firmly on my personal blacklist.

“The sale price came to 2,000 large gold coins,” Johnson said.

“That’s quite a hefty sum.”

“We had two other offers, so we held a final auction. Duke Dalaria won with his bid of 2,000 large gold coins,” he explained.

“Well, finding an intact Red Dragon is no easy feat.”

“Indeed. I’ve been in business a long time, and I’ve never seen one undamaged. Duke Dalaria clearly recognizes its rarity.”

I never thought the price would reach 2,000 large gold coins. My cut is 50 percent, which means 1,000 large gold coins for me—quite the windfall.

“A noble who had put out a request with the Adventurer’s Guild was apparently furious,” Johnson informed me.

“Considering how old that request was, they must have been livid seeing the Red Dragon up for sale here.”

“Yes. When the Adventurer’s Guild inquired about the Red Dragon’s supplier, I followed our plan and informed them.”

“Good.”

“But, Master Sai, are you sure it was okay to mention your name?”

I had told Johnson he could reveal my name if the Adventurer’s Guild asked. I didn’t want any rift to form between him and the Guild.

“It’s fine. They’d find out eventually.”

The Adventurer’s Guild would eventually investigate who brought the Red Dragon to Johnson’s shop. It was only a matter of time.

“Well then, see you next Darkday.”

“Indeed. Please take care on your way back.”

With plans to collect payment the next Darkday, I handed over the Red Dragon.

The next morning, a line of patients was already forming, so I opened the clinic slightly earlier than scheduled.

“Did you exorcise the ghosts from this haunted house, doctor?” asked a plump lady in her fifties as soon as she entered.

“More or less.”

“My, so you’re as skilled an exorcist as you are a healer!”

“Hardly. But you’ll need to lose a bit of weight to relieve your knees.”

“You sure know how to tell a lady to lose weight!”

“Do you overeat because you’re a lady?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll do something about it.”

“Not ‘do something’—actually do it. Next time, I won’t treat you for the same issue.”

“That’s harsh!”

“If you lose 10 kilos, your knees will be fine for life.”

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

The woman left, her large hips swaying as she walked.

Later, another patient named Manisha said to Pal, “Here, these are veggies from my garden for you and the doctor to enjoy.”

By noon, many people—patients and their families—brought us gifts like vegetables. The line of patients stretched on, so I kept treating without a lunch break.

As I worked, I noticed a commotion outside. Through the window, I saw five men who didn’t look like patients. Thinking they might be injured adventurers, I realized from their hostile demeanor that this wasn’t the case.

Pal went outside to speak with them, so I continued my treatments.

A young boy, not even ten, was brought in by his mother. It was a simple fracture, so I quickly set the bone. With children, it’s essential to minimize the treatment to avoid affecting their growth.

“Wow, it doesn’t hurt! Mom, it doesn’t hurt!” the boy exclaimed.

“Thank you, doctor. Go on, thank him too,” the mother urged.

“Thank you, doctor!”

“It’s just a fracture. It’s great you’re energetic, but be careful or you’ll hurt yourself again.”

“Okay!”

Right after finishing with the boy, Pal returned.

“Pal, was there something outside?”

“Oh, just some garbage bugs.”

“Garbage bugs?”

“Nothing to worry about. Shall I bring in the next patient?”

“Go ahead.”

No need to dwell on it. Another busy day passed, with no break until evening.