11 – Find Charles, Therapist Banquet
In the end, Viscount Jackson couldn’t find Kim Charles.
The name “Charles” was so common that a swarm of fake therapists with the name “Charles” flocked to the Pride Viscount’s estate and were driven away.
“Bath? Why take a bath?”
“Ugh… this person is not Kim Charles. Politely send him back.”
Viscount Charles frowned.
Despite sending invitations to many noble families in the West, only imposters gathered!
The issue was that the name of the therapist Kim Charles was too common.
“It won’t work. Searching bit by bit like this will never end! Butler!”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
After turning away all the imposters with the name similar to Kim Charles, Viscount Jackson ordered the butler.
“I will host a banquet for the priests. Summon all the therapists in the West, and I will find Therapist Kim Charles at the banquet.”
“All therapists in the West… Are you serious?”
“Yes, contact all the families in the West. No matter the cost!”
Viscount Jackson was determined!
Viscount Jackson planned a very grand banquet.
All for the purpose of finding Kim Charles!
He would do anything for his precious youngest daughter.
If he rounded up all the noble families in the West, Kim Charles would surely be brought to him. That was the idea.
***
Invitations from Viscount Jackson were sent to all noble families in the West.
Filled with flowery language and compliments, the gist was, “Do you have therapists in your territory? Bring them all. Put it nicely.”
The nobles in the West were perplexed.
The Pride Viscount’s estate was a prestigious and renowned noble family in the Empire! They couldn’t afford not to go!
Moreover, the Viscount had enclosed dozens of teleportation scrolls in the invitations, so it was just a matter of going and coming back.
Similarly, Viscount Roland in the West sighed.
“Ah… as expected of the Pride Viscount. He has an immense fortune, sending so many expensive teleportation scrolls.”
“Milord? Is that the reason you summoned me?”
“Yes, Kim Cheol-soo! You’ll understand from this invitation, Viscount Jackson is calling for therapists. Our esteemed Kim Cheol-soo from our territory cannot be absent!”
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“Ha… Haha… Is that so?”
“Yes!”
“Oh my, do I need to do something there?”
Kim Cheol-soo felt the weight of Viscount Roland’s trust!
To Kim Cheol-su, who was used to escaping even the most ordinary hospital dinners, a noble social gathering was a strange and distant concept.
“Don’t worry, Kim Cheol-su. I’ll be right here to help you.”
Miss Catherine chimed in, giving a reassuring wink.
Feeling like he had found a savior, the anxious Kim Cheol-su responded, “Thank you, Miss!”
“Hoho, yes.”
Viscount Roland spoke up, carefully folding the invitation. “Don’t overthink it. The dinner was originally arranged by His Grace for the benefit of the therapists.”
“Haha, don’t overthink… Viscount… Do these gatherings for therapists happen often, by any chance?”
Kim Cheol-su wondered if he had to attend these gatherings every time.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
“No, they are very rare. And when they do happen, it’s not just therapists who are invited, but also all the clergy. Seems like His Grace might have some need for therapists.”
“Hmm.”
Kim Cheol-su had a foreboding feeling.
“He must have heard something about Duke Jackson… looking for Kim Charles.”
Something ominous seemed to be brewing…
Apart from Kim Cheol-su, many therapists were said to be attending. It should be fine, hopefully.
Ah, hopefully.
Kim Cheol-su shook off the dark thoughts and as time passed, the day of the therapists’ banquet arrived.
The kitchen of Pride Manor was filled with the enticing aroma of various delicacies, and the youngest daughter of the Viscount, Irene, was excited.
Irene, who lacked enthusiasm for most things, only truly enjoyed social gatherings.
She liked seeing people engage in lively conversations and movements.
Already, the banquet hall was filled with nobles, including many therapists, although the invitation stated it was a “banquet for therapists,” there were no nobles who sent therapists alone. Such social gatherings were also a good opportunity for networking.
Ambitious Western nobles seeking to enter the central political scene were naturally present.
The Western nobles flocked to Duke Jackson, trying to win his favor.
“Hmm.”
Irene found their behavior amusing and entertaining.
“Bed is boring.”
Irene’s frequent rests in bed were not due to her frail body but rather her lack of interest.
“Spectating is fun.”
When attending social gatherings, Irene mainly observed people. Being in a crowd where she didn’t have to move much was satisfying for the delicate Irene.
She sipped on wine, enjoyed the banquet in her own way, and dabbed her mouth with a napkin.
Her makeup around her mouth was constantly smudged.
“Ah, many guests from other families have their makeup smudged. Laura.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Touch up my makeup.”
“I understand.”
Laura, Irene’s personal maid, gently dabbed powder on Irene’s lips.
Irene spread the powder around her lips, humming to herself, and took another sip of wine.
When her makeup faded, she reapplied the powder.
She repeated this several times.
Suddenly, Irene felt a strong headache.
“Ugh… My head feels like it’s going to explode.”
Irene placed her hand on her head and gripped the table tightly.
Not only did she have a headache, but she also felt weak and found it difficult to sit up straight.
“Miss?”
“…I’m fine.”
Irene forced herself to endure the pain.
It was supposed to be a pleasant dinner party.
She couldn’t spend it in a boring bed.
* * * *
I arrived at the Pride Duke’s residence.
The grandeur of the duke’s mansion and the number of people made it impossible to focus.
“Hmm… Is this how VIP gatherings for conglomerate families are?”
It’s mind-boggling.
For typical Korean citizens like Kim Chul-soo, a dinner party means a buffet with pork costing 10,000 to 20,000 won!
But the Pride Duke’s dinner party had premium dishes like roasted veal and beef bourguignon stacked like mountains.
How much does just one of these dishes cost?
Can I just eat without worrying?
I was cautious, but thankfully, Miss Catherine guided me well.
“First, we’ll greet Duke Jackson, the host of the party. We’ll eat afterward.”
“Ah, I understand.”
When you don’t know something, just follow someone who does.
Why? Because it’s much faster to get beaten by a high-level player in a game than to struggle alone!
I’ll just follow High-level Catherine.
So, I nervously followed Catherine and met Duke Jackson with the Marquis Roland, Lady Helen, and Catherine.
With a gentle demeanor, Duke Jackson emitted an aura that said, “I’m a good person,” and welcomed us.
“Oh, it’s Marquis Roland. We met at last year’s capital prayer meeting.”
“Haha, yes, Your Grace. Have you been well since then?”
“Hahaha, I’m doing well. Thank you for coming. But over here…”
However, Duke Jackson’s warm expression froze when he saw Chul-soo, a colorful Asian man!
It was clear that he didn’t like me.
Damn it, is it unbearable for him because I’m Korean?
Marquis Roland quickly covered for me.
“Haha! This is our territory’s healer, Kim Chul-soo. He is exceptionally skilled!”
“Kim… Chul-soo? The Marquis’ healer… Is he a foreigner?”
“Indeed, Your Highness. Although Kim Chul-soo is a foreigner, he is a devoted follower of Urkyo. He abstains from alcohol in order to faithfully follow the teachings of Urkyo.” [[1]]
“Rule 4 of Urkyo’s teachings: Drink alcohol in moderation! However, I have completely abstained. It has been 24 days since I last drank.” [[1]]
The Marquis covered for me, and I quickly accepted it!
I have become quite familiar with the devout follower act after attending the temple for so long.
In the eyes of others, I am the epitome of a loyal Urkyo follower.
The stern expression on Duke Jackson’s face brightened. It had an effect!
“Oh… how astonishing. I too am a follower of Urkyo, Kim Chul-soo! Within Urkyo, there are no foreigners or natives. Inform the servants and attendants not to offer alcohol to Kim Chul-soo! We must not hinder his great devotion!” [[1]]
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Wow… the Urkyo cartel is crazy.
To think they could turn these medieval people, who have a basic passive racial discrimination, into friendly ones!
Thanks to the Duke’s favor, I didn’t face any trouble at the banquet.
People did stare at me like I was some kind of fascinating monkey, though.
“Anyway, enjoy yourself!”
The Duke concluded with a smile.
The Pride Gala was divided into two sections: one with a buffet-style meal and the other with a course meal.
Guests were free to choose between the two options.
“The buffet is more convenient.”
Oh, but there were over 10 dishes for the course meal, making it impossible to sit comfortably.
And the guests who chose the course meal were talking as if they were Michelin-starred chefs, discussing the ingredients they used. I found it easier to just walk around and eat at the buffet.
“So, Kim Chul-soo, are you enjoying the banquet?”
“Munch, munch. I am thoroughly enjoying it.”
I nodded in response to Miss Catherine’s question.
They say humans are adaptable creatures.
I had become somewhat accustomed to the initially overwhelming atmosphere.
Well, no one approached me because I am a person of color.
And I didn’t particularly want to approach people either.
The nobles were so heavy-handed with their perfumes that I almost gagged when I got close.
One strange thing is that amidst the scent of their perfumes, there is a faint smell of iron?
“Did they put lead in cosmetics in this era?”
In the Middle Ages, lead powder was used as a cosmetic because it made the face appear fair. Of course, if you applied lead powder to your face, you would suffer from “lead poisoning,” which causes difficulty walking, mental disorders, headaches, vomiting, and more.
In short, it’s very bad for you, whether you apply it early or late.
“Gulp! Miss Catherine, do you use lead powder in your cosmetics?”
“Yeah, most of us do.”
“…Miss Catherine, do you experience any symptoms like headaches, loss of taste, or a metallic taste?”
“Huh…? I’m fine, though?”
Fortunately, Miss Catherine didn’t show any symptoms of lead poisoning, whether it was due to her divine power or because she bathes frequently.
I will teach her the proper way to mix cosmetics later, so she should stop using lead powder. It’s very unhealthy. It can even cause mental disorders if used incorrectly.
“Oh… really!?”
“Yes.”
Lead poisoning poses little risk of death, but it adversely affects the brain.
It’s correct not to use it!
“How many other good cosmetics there are.”
I persuaded Miss Catherine and looked around.
Certainly, there seemed to be many people using lead powder; many noble ladies walked unsteadily, and they all touched their temples as if experiencing a headache.
They were symptoms of lead poisoning.
Thud!
At that moment, a person collapsed with a loud sound!
Upon hearing the surrounding murmurs, the fallen person was said to be Irene, the youngest daughter of Duke Jackson.
Irene’s eyes were unfocused, and she seemed disoriented.
“Oh no.”
She’s an emergency case!