"Would you like to try this armor this time?"
Raymond pulled out the armor that had caused the soldiers to develop contact dermatitis.
Christine's face hardened as she realized what was happening.
Surprisingly, the result was different this time: the same force was used, but the armor was partially cut!
"Is this... Are you sure?"
"I believe so."
Raymond stiffened.
"Someone must have played a trick on our supplies from the rear."
***
'Someone mixed in a metal other than the right steel, and that metal happened to cause contact dermatitis!'
In other words, it was munitions fraud, and it was a big one!
Raymond immediately reported the matter to the man in charge of the rear, Mr. Galman.
'If I take it up the chain of command, it's likely to be covered up. I don't know who's involved.'
-Really?! I see. If what you're saying is true, this is unforgivable.
After receiving the report through his communications crystal, Galman nodded with a stern expression.
The wheels of investigation were set in motion, and soon enough, the truth behind the incident began to unravel.
It was revealed that the culprit behind the supply tampering was none other than Count Crimea, who was entrusted with overseeing the supplies in the capital.
The count had played a deceitful prank on the supplies, leading to dire consequences.
"Oh, no! It's a misunderstanding!"
"A misunderstanding?"
Galman held up the evidence coldly.
"I had experts and forges analyze the composition. It's a mixture of inferior metals, some of which lack the necessary strength."
Count Crimea had mixed these inferior metals into the production of weaponry, weaving, and armor.
To exacerbate matters, these substandard materials contained traces of nickel, leading to contact dermatitis in individuals with a sensitivity to the metal.
That's what Raymond discovered.
'H-how did it get caught? I thought it'd never be found out?'
Fate had dealt an unlucky hand to Count Crimea.
While the use of inferior metals caused a marginal loss in strength, it would have gone unnoticed unless someone harbored suspicions and made careful comparisons.
Moreover, correlating the occurrence of contact dermatitis proved challenging, given that the armor was individually crafted and only a fraction of the soldiers who wore it were hypersensitive to nickel.
'It would have been dismissed as an unexplained plague or skin disease.'
In other words, if it weren't for Raymond, it would have gone unnoticed.
'Raymond has once again surpassed expectations, even amidst the chaos of the battlefield.'
Galman received hourly reports on the battlefield.
To his astonishment, he learned that Raymond, the healer, had not only boosted the soldiers' morale but also led them to a recent triumph.
Now, Raymond had uncovered a discrepancy in the military payroll.
"Examine the supplies Count Crimea has been supplying. There may be other irregularities!"
"Yes, sir!"
What they discovered was beyond shocking.
Count Crimea's involvement extended far beyond armor, encompassing a wide range of supplies that exhibited both major and minor irregularities.
It soon became apparent that it wasn't solely Count Crimea embroiled in this scandal; numerous nobles from different military branches were implicated as well.
"Thanks to Raymond, we were able to root out some of the rot before it was too late."
Prime Minister Galman sighed heavily as he spoke to Odin.
If it hadn't been for Raymond, he shuddered to think how much the worms would have gnawed away at the armory.
"Baron Penin has certainly done a great job."
"...!"
Galman looked slightly surprised. Odin was usually stingy with his praise for Raymond, but this time he was surprisingly upfront with his credit.
'... So, he's changed a bit since that day.'
Galman's eyes narrowed, recognizing that Odin had undergone a subtle change since that particular day-the day he had shared the solitary 'victory ritual' with Raymond.
It was hard to put his finger on it.
"We must offer a reward."
"What kind of reward would you suggest?"
"A portion of the property confiscated from those wretched zombies, dedicated to funding treatments at the Penin Cure."
Galman nodded, recognizing that this reward would greatly please the compassionate and patient-centered Raymond.
"Additionally, there is another reward that would bring joy to Baron Penin."
"What is that?"
"Beef."
Prime Minister Galman smiled a big fatherly grin.
"Baron Penin has been buying beef out of his own pocket to comfort the wounded soldiers, and that's a fine thing indeed."
"And?"
"We shall allocate the funds confiscated from the corrupt nobles to provide beef and other forms of solace to the soldiers. Baron Penin is a noble soul who prioritizes the soldiers' comfort above his own, thus this gesture will undoubtedly bring him satisfaction."
It was a good idea.
This plan would not only bring solace to the soldiers but also alleviate their discontent caused by the scandal involving tribute payments.
"I'll do that. Only."
Odin nodded.
"When delivering the consolations, it should be done in the name of Baron Penin, rather than the royal family."
"...!"
Galman looked surprised again.
Odin spoke with his usual nonchalance.
"Since it is Baron Penin who has orchestrated this reward, it is only fitting that it be presented in his name."
***
News of Raymond's efforts to combat payroll fraud quickly circulated among the soldiers in the barracks, leaving them astounded.
"Are you telling me that Baron Penin has taken down those corrupt individuals who were deceiving us?"
"No wonder the rations seemed subpar. There was a hidden reason behind it all."
Amidst the soldiers' grumbling, others raised their voices in enthusiastic support.
"We'll be fine now! Baron Penin has exposed them all!"
"Absolutely! We are fortunate to have our prince."
"Yes, our prince is the only one who truly cares about us."
"Long live the prince!"
And so it was that Raymond's name was being chanted endlessly among the soldiers.
Wagons and wagons of men pulled up to the barracks.
They were loaded with cattle and gifts.
"What is that?"
"Beef? Goods?"
The men in charge of the transportation told us the story of the gifts.
"Don't be alarmed, it's from Baron Penin!"
"Baron Penin?"
"That's..."
The man in charge of delivering the package said in a booming voice.
"Baron Penin wanted you to enjoy the rewards he will receive for uncovering the payroll irregularities. He hopes that these offerings, including the beef, will provide comfort to soldiers enduring the harsh realities of the battlefield."
"...!"
"He said, 'I hope that the soldiers who are suffering on the harsh battlefields will find some comfort in this beef and consolation prize.'"
Correction, Raymond never uttered those words.
It seemed to be a misrepresentation of what Galman would have conveyed if he were in Raymond's position.
Nonetheless, the soldiers were deeply impressed by the gesture.
Once again, Raymond had displayed his unwavering compassion towards them.
It was a warmth they couldn't expect from anyone else amidst the desolation of the battlefield.
"... I'll never forget this favor."
"Me too."
Among the soldiers, there were various backgrounds-some hailing from the capital, others from provincial estates, elite regulars, and fresh recruits. Despite their differences, in this moment, they all shared the same sentiment.
They were genuinely grateful to Raymond.
***
[Quest Completed!]
[Bonus Level Up!]
[You have earned 30 bonus points!]
[Achievement Unlocked: Corruption Breaker]
[Bonus level up!]
[You have gained 30 bonus points!]
[Your reputation within the military is on the rise!]
Looking at the messages, Raymond shook his head.
"...How did things get so big?"
It had all started with his intention to address contact dermatitis, but it had uncovered a web of corruption within the military.
Now, soldiers in the barracks were singing his praises.
'I'm going to get an extra grant from the clinic, which is good, though. The delivery of consolation goods was not my idea at all?'
Anyway, thanks to Galman's nosiness, the messages kept coming.
[The soldiers are deeply moved!]
[Gaining the soldiers' favor!]
[Gaining the soldiers' favor!]
[Your reputation is skyrocketing!]
Next.
[Your reputation within the army has surpassed a threshold!]
[You have earned a new title!]
[Gained the title: 'Defender of the Soldiers']
[Received secondary effects upon acquiring the title.]
[Defender of the Soldiers]
[Description: A title bestowed upon those who provide unwavering care and support to their soldiers.
Prestige rank: Middle Barracks, Kingdom Army
Additional Effects:
- You have earned the unwavering support of your soldiers!
- Soldiers under your care exhibit heightened combat prowess and morale, driven to protect you.]
[Gained a bonus level up for achieving a title!]
[Gained 40 bonus skill points!]
Raymond was silent.
Something about the title seemed unintentional.
'Morale and combat enhancement. I'm a healer, I'll never have to fight, so I don't need it.'
It was then that Raymond realized something important.
'Wait. What's my level?'
His original level was 97, but he had experienced a rapid succession of level-ups through completing quests, earning achievements, and acquiring titles...?
'Finally?'
His heart skipped a beat.
A message popped up.
[You have reached level 100!]
[You have surpassed the 'first threshold'!]
Finally, Raymond's rank as a surgeon had transcended from being a resident to becoming a specialist!
'And what does that mean?'
Raymond eagerly awaited further information from the message. In the past, reaching the ranks of 'senior resident' and 'senior chief' had brought significant changes to his role and responsibilities.
This time, he anticipated an even greater transformation.
[After enduring a long and arduous training process, you have broken through to level 100!]
[You have now qualified to challenge for the specialist rank!]
'Qualified to challenge? What is that?'
A moment of wonder.
An amazing story was told.
[You are about to embark on the qualifying examination to become a specialist!]
[Demonstrate that your medical skills are deserving of the specialist title.]
"...!"
Raymond opened his eyes wide.
It's a test?
[The examination will proceed as follows.]
[You will be required to treat a patient at the 'specialist' level, with all skill and stat modifiers limited, relying solely on your own abilities.]
[Failure in the treatment will result in being 'held back.']
***
Then, the healers' barracks.
The senior healers, including Viscount Rand, were fuming.
"Damn it!"
"How long do we have to put up with Raymond's arrogance?!"
There was a reason for their sulking.
'Isn't medicine better than healing?'
Rumors like this kept circulating throughout the barracks.
Not only among the common soldiers but even among the nobles!
The rapid spread of these rumors was astonishing.
On the battlefield, where lives hung in the balance, everyone yearned for advanced healing techniques.
Traditional treatments or otherwise, all desired to be cured by superior methods.
"We can't let this continue!"
"We have to do something!"
However, there seemed to be no clear path forward, leaving them feeling helpless and frustrated, huddling together like a defeated bunch.
'Damn it.'
Viscount Rand took a drink in the barracks, determined, and then something happened that sank his spirits even further.
"Prince Enrique of the Clever Kingdom Army has a high fever again!"
"Again?"