Orcus looked at his mother's grin in exasperation.
"Whatever floats your boat."
Although Orcus acted cheerful, the war was taking a toll on him.
He had to see dozens of people begging to him to save them every day.
His heart was crushed when he lied to them, assuring them they could be saved.
"It's the war's fault, eh?"
Orcus lay on the bed.
He stared at the roof.
His thoughts wandered.
"Sigh, I hope the war ends soon."
The next day was not easier.
The war showed no sign of stopping.
Orcus' medical skill increased with plenty of surgeries he was doing each day.
He did not know how to feel about it.
It was not as if he was saddened by the deaths.
By now, he was used to them.
Orcus just could not forget the look in the eyes of his patients when they were about to die.
"Dammit, it really makes me feel shitty.
"Maybe I should've chosen a different career."
The war lasted a few years.
Orcus was promoted to senior surgeon.
In a few months, he would become the Royal Surgeon.
"My baby is about to become a Royal Surgeon!
"Hahaha, I can see it. Long lines outside our place for an appointment with the Orcus Hargraves!
"Now, I just need to find a good lass for you and I can leave without worry," Anna said.
"Hey! Watch what you are saying."
"You are too lively to die."
He showed the pamphlet to Anna.
"And I need to complete these tasks if I want to become the Royal Surgeon.
"Who knows maybe I'll fail?"
"Bah, there no way my child would fail."
Orcus left for the task the next day.
He, along with several other surgeons, had to go towards one of the remaining frontlines and treat the wounded soldiers there.
Orcus encountered a problem during the job.
"Tavren eshka lo verindor, shal ti'nak v."
Orcus stared at the woman, who looked like someone from his kingdom, thanks to her silver hair, with anxious gaze.
"Please, tell you can understand my words. Please."
"Oraleh den! Froska! M-mel disharu vo'relin, kashten val orendo!"
Although her words were sharp, she was too weak and could barely speak in a whisper.
Only Orcus heard her.
The woman was a soldier of the enemy kingdom.
"Those idiots rescued her due to her hair, didn't they?"
One of the nurses approached her.
"Doctor Orcus, is there a problem?"
The foreigner woman glared at the nurse.
Orcus used a cloth to shut her mouth before she could say anything.
He spoke to the nurse,
"This patient seems to have received a shock. Bring me…"
He listed the name of the herbs.
After the nurse left, Orcus removed the cloth from the woman's mouth.
Looking at her not being a bit thankful, he sighed.
"Do you know I just saved your life?"
"Wait, you do? I thought you couldn't understand my language?"
"Kalon frisha d'vorith."
Orcus did not understand a word.
Still, he could guess what she meant.
"You understand a bit of it?"
After treating her wounds, Orcus left the tent.
"I really fucked myself over by saving her.
"Damn this doctors ethics."
The war on the remaining frontlines ended in the few weeks.
While he was there, Orcus did his best to make sure no one realized the woman was a foreigner.
They returned to their kingdom's capital along with the soldiers and the yet to be healed patients after the final battle ended.
The administrator demanded a report from Orcus when he said he would take the foreigner woman with himself.
"Are you saying you are taking…"
"Yes, Vanessa, with you because she has not been healed yet?"
"What about her family?"
"Husband? Relatives? Nothing?"
The administrator turned to Vanessa — the fake name Orcus gave her since she refused to share her real name — and asked,
"You have no problem going with Doctor Orcus?"
Orcus answered instead of Vanessa.
"And I've asked for her permission already. She would've been refused by now if that was not true."
The administrator took a good look at Vanessa.
Her starry silver hair, small nose, red lips, and proportionate figure made the administrator drool.
"Can I get the permission, Sir Administror?"
Orcus stepped in front of Vanessa, shielding her with his body before she decided to punch the administrator.
"tsk, I can see why you want to take her with yourself."
The administrator stamped the documents.
After they left the tent, Orcus noticed Vanessa staring at him.
"Sigh, I'll help you return to your country. Just follow me until then. Please. Because if you get caught, my head will go flying with you."
He returned to his home.
Anna was waiting for him.
The whole neighbored was gathered with firecrackers and boards ready to celebrate his homecoming.
"Congratulations, Orcus! Your promotion to Royal Surgeon has been…."
Anna noticed Vanessa walking closely behind Orcus.
She blinked before she shouted enthusiastically.
"My baby has brought a girl home! He is not a boy anymore!"
Vanessa flinched when she heard the loud noises of the firecrackers.
She grabbed Orcus' arm.
Orcus massaged his brows.
It took him a lot of time to convince his mother that he was not in a relationship with Vanessa and she was his patient.
Time continued to pass.
Soon, the channels between the Hazriel Kingdom and Pangea Kingdom were reopened.
Orcus approached Vanessa's room to tell her the news.
He noticed her praying to a small silver cube in her hand.
A sharp pain tore through his head when he saw that cube.
"The cube… Quella… Vanessa…. descendent?"
Neo's ego surfaced for a short moment.
It was quickly suppressed by an unknown power.
Orcus snapped back to his senses.
He noticed Vanessa staring at him with concern.
He pointed at the cube.
"What's that? I've seen you joining your hands in front of that cube for the last year.
"Is it your God or something like that?"