Seeing the King of Megaris and Prince Arlan arrive, the people inside stood up and paid their respects to them, except for the old physician who busied himself with his patient.
About this old physician's strange temperament, Drayce and Arlan didn't mind as they were already used to it. Besides, they were thankful to the old man for coming with them this far and doing his best to save Slayer.
"How is he now?" Drayce asked.
The old physician pretended not to hear his words, and it was one of the royal physicians who seemed to be the most senior who replied, "Your Majesty, Sir Sanders is stable, and his life is now out of danger, but we are not sure when he will wake up."
Just as he said those words, Lord Eudes came to inform them that King Armen would be arriving to check on Slayer.
When King Armen entered the chamber, he saw that Drayce and Arlan were inside as well, and they casually greeted each other. Looking at the unconscious man on the bed, King Armen then asked about Slayer's conditions. One of the royal physicians explained everything to King Armen.
The old physician, who had his back turned on the newcomers, suddenly paused from working on Slayer, his hand frozen midair, causing his own apprentices to gaze at their master in puzzlement.
'That voice…'
He could not believe his ears—that he would be able to hear that familiar voice owned by a certain person he had met decades ago.
The old physician turned to look at King Armen, and their gazes met. Although the two of them had not seen each other for years and time had aged their appearances, recognition flashed in their eyes. More than surprised, King Armen was actually shocked.
"Erich Winfield!" King Armen exclaimed.
The old physician stood up as he stepped towards the tall, middle-aged man donning a blue royal robe and a crown. "Valen! You… So you are the king here."
Still in shock, King Armen could only nod slightly in response, agreeing to his conclusion.
Others standing there felt baffled and confused over why this old man called King Armen as Valen and how he dared to talk to the king casually. The fact that the two knew each other made many question the old physician's identity.
Was there any important figure, perhaps a noble from another country, who was called Erich Winfield?
In fact, among those in the rescue party, no one knew the name of the old physician. Due to his nasty temper and arrogance, he did not get along with any of the members of the allied troop during the entire journey. When Sir Berolt inquired about his identity the first time, the old physician ignored him.
Aside from treating Slayer and necessities, he did not bother to talk to anyone but his apprentices. Since he wasn't willing to talk to them, the people traveling with him tolerated the strange old man. Moreover, they were all engrossed in worry about Slayer and reaching Abetha safely; would they dare bother about his temperament?
"I can't say I am happy to see you after so long, Valen." As usual, the blatant physician talked informally to the king, not caring for the consequences of his words.
The commander of the knights, Sir Berolt, who initially stood behind King Armen, stepped forward in a warning. "You should watch the way you talk."
The physician smirked when he saw the knight touch the hilt of his sword. "Don't just have that sword for the show. Feel free to use it."
Sir Berolt turned angrier, but King Armen was calm. He raised his hand, signaling Sir Berolt to calm down, and then asked the old physician, "Can we talk?"
The old physician, whose name was finally revealed to everyone, looked like he, too, had a lot to talk with the king. He nodded lightly, agreeing to his wish. "But don't expect me to treat you as a king. You are no one but the Valen that we believed in you were."
The king didn't seem like he had any issue with it. More like he was ready to agree to any condition of the physician in order to talk to him.
Drayce and Arlan shared a meaningful gaze but stayed silent.
Cian had just entered the room when Erich Winfield called his father with a different name. He greeted Drayce and Arlan before going to his father as he asked, "Valen?"
The old physician smirked as he recognized the young man's identity. Cian was a splitting image of King Armen when he was younger. "That's your father."
King Armen looked at his son. "In the past, Erich and I had come across each other, and I had to use that name. Nothing much."
The old physician didn't say anything, and the king said to him, "Thank you so much for coming to save Commander Sanders."
Erich Winfield didn't react and returned his attention to his patient to continue his treatment.
Just then, the Head Royal Physician arrived after treating Seren to check on the work of the other royal physicians. After paying his respects to King Armen and the other royals present in the room, he approached the bed where Slayer was being treated.
The Head? Royal Physician noticed the old man in worn-out clothes sitting at the edge of the bed. He was taken aback to see the familiar face. "Erich?"
The old physician calmly looked at the Head of Royal Physician. "Heath Leuven?"
The Head Royal Physician looked surprised as well as happy seeing someone he knew. "Good to see you after so long."
The old physician scoffed, "Are you going to keep talking, or are you going to help me treat this injured man?"
"With you treating him, I don't need to worry about Commander Sanders. He is already fortunate enough to be treated by you."
"Growing old has turned you talkative," the old physician complained.
The Head Royal physician smiled, already familiar with the old physician's strange temper, and started helping him.
Those in the room were all surprised that this old physician called Erich Winfield knew not only King Armen but also the Head Royal Physician, even though he was not from Abetha.