Epilogue: A Clinic for Two

Epilogue:
A Clinic for Two

MASTERMIND OF CANAL-POISONING CASE ARRESTED!

The Lindworm Town Newspaper brings you good news.

Lindworm’s patrol team has apprehended the man thought to be the mastermind of the canal poisoning that had the city in an uproar.

Auchraw Dighton, known as a statesman in the human realm, is speculated to have requested that an assassin group poison Lindworm’s water because of a grudge against the Draconess, whom he blames for ousting him from power.

Although the amount of poison used did not result in any fatalities, Auchraw is still suspected of attempting a massacre. It was further announced that Auchraw was behind the slave-trade incident that took place in the past. The patrol team will pursue further charges.

Souen Litbeit’s efforts were instrumental to Auchraw’s arrest. Souen traveled all the way to Lindworm in pursuit of Auchraw, and investigated him in conjunction with the Draconess and patrol team.

Souen, who serves as secretary to the elder statesmen in the human realm, apologized for his superior’s actions and is taking control the situation.

In an interview with this paper, Souen stated, “This man, who was once a statesman, used monsters for vile transactions. Furthermore, after being ousted for those activities, he once again tried to attack Lindworm. I would like to deeply apologize to anyone his actions affected. I will make every effort to ensure that something like this never happens again.”

WHO EXECUTED THE POISONED-WATER INCIDENT?
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DRACONESS

Though the canal-poisoning mastermind was captured, the culprit remains at large. Draconess Skadi Dragenfelt made the following announcement regarding the case.

“An assassin group of lamia executed the attack. According to Ms. Saphentite Neikes, pharmacologist at the Litbeit Clinic, the likelihood is high that the suspect is from her clan. However, since the Neikes clan refrained from killing anyone while fulfilling the poisoning request, I’ve been told it’s unlikely that such an incident will occur again. I agree with that statement completely.”

Dragonfelt stated, “I will make an official complaint to the head of the Neikes clan. I will also initiate negotiations to ensure that this sort of incident is not repeated. Both Auchraw, who made the hateful poisoning request, and the Neikes clan are guilty of committing this crime. Most lamia, however, have no connection to the incident, and Ms. Saphentite—who was born into the clan—has dedicated her life to treating patients. I hope that unfounded claims will not spread on the basis of this tenuous connection.”

Although this was the official statement issued by the Draconess, do we really believe that it is acceptable for the culprit to remain at large? We went to the canals to ask whether there was any concern that Ms. Saphentite, who is meant to prescribe medication, is from the same clan as the assassins. We spoke to Lulala Heine, a singer, in the central square.

“What? Concerned?” Miss Lulala said. “Not at all! Sapphee said that it was fine, and Dr. Glenn comes to the canals to check on us every day. My family is alive and well, thanks to them. I will never forgive whoever caused this incident. I want to sink them to the bottom of the sea! But everyone knows that Sapphee is an amazing pharmacologist.”

It seems undeniable that the clinic’s relentless efforts are relieving anxiety about the canals.

SOUEN ACTUALLY GLENN’S BROTHER?
THEIR SHOCKING RELATIONSHIP!

In our exclusive investigation into Souen Litbeit, we learned that he is the brother of Dr. Glenn Litbeit of the Litbeit Clinic. While it is true that Glenn and Souen have the same last name, this relationship surprised our reporter.

We also learned that Sioux Litbeit, a member of the Radon District patrol team, is their sister. Sioux served in the arrest of former duke Auchraw Dighton, in what has been revealed to be a joint effort behind the scenes by these three siblings.

Souen will now return to the human realm and discuss the response with statesmen there. This reporter believes that although Lindworm will bear the scars of this incident for years to come, with people like the Litbeits looking out for the city, it won’t be long before we can breathe easy again.

Glenn folded up the town newspaper and put it into his lab coat pocket. They just write what they like without thinking about the people involved, huh? Unlike the bulletin issued by the central City Council, newspaper articles were written by journalists. There was always some truth to their articles, but whenever one was about him, Glenn found it hard to read calmly.

However, given the complexity of the poisoned-water incident, Sapphee’s subsequent exodus, and Souen’s visit to Lindworm, he appreciated the newspaper laying things out in a way that residents could understand.

“I’m sorry, Lulala. I really created problems for you.”

“No, no. It’s fine! You did nothing wrong, Sapphee! I told everyone the truth!”

“Yes…”

“Sapphee, you give me medicine for free. I’m far more grateful for that!”

Sapphee bowed her head.

Glenn put the newspaper article out of his head and bowed to Lulala. “I apologize that a relative of Sapphee’s was involved in this incident. I’m very sorry, Lulala.”

“Enough! The doctor, too? You didn’t do it, did you, Sapphee?! It’s fine!” Lulala splashed in the water, telling them to cut it out.

Sapphee and Lulala were close, and Lulala’s family were victims of the poison. Glenn and Sapphee had to apologize, but Lulala didn’t seem concerned in the least.

“We’re all fine now, and the criminal was caught. Illy said that she punished him.”

“Oh, really?”

When Sapphee had returned to the Litbeit Clinic, she asked that Skadi make everything public and not hide anything.

“Not even about the clinic?” Skadi had offered.

“I’ve decided to live as a pharmacologist,” Sapphee said. “I’ll do everything I can to treat everyone in the canals. So, please, tell the facts exactly as they are.”

And so, Skadi revealed everything in a City Council announcement. She also vouched for Sapphee’s innocence.

“But are you sure about the rest?” Lulala asked.

“Mm-hmm. The City Council and Central Hospital provided the funds, and all subsequent treatment will be free. The amount that you already paid will be refunded as well. It’ll take some time, but you’ll definitely get it back.”

Due to the hefty income gap among the canals’ residents, many patients required financial aid. The Litbeit Clinic was leading victim support; however, the clinic didn’t have the financial capacity to prepare all the medication for free. So, the City Council and the Central Hospital—Skadi and Cthulhy—had stepped in to offer them loans.

In other words, Glenn and Sapphee had taken on a significant amount of debt. That was the Litbeit Clinic’s way of setting things right. Since they had decided to spend their lives together, Sapphee’s problems were Glenn’s problems as well.

Well, I guess it’ll be a little longer before I’m on my own.

It didn’t make sense for Glenn to become a hospital director while in debt. He figured his clinic could remain under Cthulhy’s umbrella for a bit, which meant his master-pupil relationship with Cthulhy would also remain unchanged.

“Okay, thank you,” said Lulala. “Everyone will be very happy to hear that.”

“Good. Lulala, have you noticed any problems? Are you okay? The poison may have affected you.”

“Well, uh, I’m fine, but…” Lulala’s face turned red. She looked back and forth between Glenn and Sapphee, as if she didn’t know what to say or to whom. Glenn wasn’t oblivious enough to miss the meaning in her eyes. Lulala had told him to wait two years before deciding to marry anyone.

“Are you two going to get married?”

“Lulala, I’m sorry.” Sapphee looked down as she spoke. “The other day, Dr. Glenn officially proposed to me. I don’t know when the wedding will be, but someday, we’ll become husband and wife.”

Glenn had suggested that they wait to get married until the clinic was running smoothly again. Skadi and Cthulhy had offered them a reasonable interest rate, but it would still take years to pay back the loans they’d taken out. If free treatment for the poisoned-water incident was Sapphee’s way of setting things right, then waiting to be married until they could afford a splendid sign for the clinic was Glenn’s.

“I’m sorry, Lulala. I know you had your eye on Dr. Glenn, too.”

“Er, yeah. But I can’t get married yet… Is everything okay?”

“Yes. No matter what happens, Glenn and I will overcome it together.”

“No, no! That’s not what I’m talking about! Didn’t you read the town newspaper?”

“Huh?”

Neither Glenn nor Sapphee knew what Lulala meant. Sensing their confusion, Lulala dove into the water. She immediately popped back up, holding a newspaper encased in glass so it could be read underwater.

“This! Look at this!”

“I just read it,” Glenn said. “It was mainly about the poisoned-water incident.”

“No, here! Look—it’s written in the corner!”

They looked at the headline Lulala pointed to. It was small, but it described a new ordinance passed in Lindworm. Sapphee stretched her long body and read the text out loud.

“‘Amendment to an ordinance: certain insect monsters and hybrid beast monsters have suggested that there is an issue with Lindworm’s monogamy laws. In response, the Draconess has proposed the legalization of polygamy to the City Council. It passed with a majority vote.’”

“Huh?” said Glenn. “Just a minute, Sapphee.”

“This means that Lindworm will allow plural marriage!” Sapphee cried. Tourists in the canal turned their heads. Sapphee didn’t even notice, just thumped her tail loudly. “Whaaat?! Why…why?!”

“Umm…” Lulala looked embarrassed. “This means that…I still have a chance, right?”

“And, of course, it means that I also have the right to marry Glenn!” Tisalia Scythia appeared with a singsong laugh. In her hand was a marriage certificate. Tisalia had already filled it out with her and Glenn’s names; all it needed was Glenn’s signature.

“Interspecies marriage in Lindworm is tricky,” Tisalia said. “Especially for monsters from different cultures. Abolishing the monogamous system was really the only solution, so this amendment is great news! Don’t you think, Sapphee?”

“Tisalia…you…”

“You won’t try to say that this marriage certificate is null now, will you? Aren’t you the one who provided this to me?”

“Yes…well…umm…” Sapphee buried her face in her hands.

“You said you’d entrust the doctor to either me or Arahnia.”

“Yes, I did say that. Before I left the clinic. But—”

“Am I misunderstanding this contract’s contents?”

“At the time, I thought I’d never come back.” Why has it come to this? Sapphee lamented.

“Hey, Tisalia, just a minute,” Glenn said. “I already asked Sapphee—”

“Doctor, there’s also already someone in Lindworm whom I like and to whom I am betrothed. Such excuses no longer mean anything.”

“Hrm…” It was true. Under this new law, Glenn could have more than one wife. This meant that any reason he had for not marrying Tisalia had disappeared.

The idea that there could be no more than one “love of your life” was only commonplace among humans and monsters who practiced monogamy. The seal-skinned selkies had polygamous, harem-like arrangements, while many insect monsters lived in societies where the woman in charge took multiple husbands. Conversion to monogamy would’ve been a strange prospect for any of them.

“Arggh!” To Sapphee, this transformation of values felt like a direct attack. Her desire to keep her lover to herself, to be his one and only, was no longer Lindworm’s default.

“By the way, Arahnia will stop by later,” Tisalia added. “She says she has no problem being the third wife.”

“Tisalia…you already knew, didn’t you?” asked Sapphee. “Your father, Hephthal, has a powerful position on the City Council.”

“I’ve heard rumblings about this amendment before, but it was still being discussed. What difference does it make, Sapphee? You can’t deny that you gave us the marriage certificates and told Glenn to choose one of us. I made no such suggestion. Isn’t that right?” Tisalia’s gaze was unwavering.

“Um…er…” Sapphee hemmed and hawed.

Glenn frowned. The only way to turn Tisalia down now would be to say, “I don’t like you.” But… But that would be insincere.

He didn’t dislike Tisalia or Arahnia at all. They were both attractive women, and Sapphee hadn’t put their names on the marriage certificates for no reason. A part of Glenn thought that if polygamy could make everyone happy, it might be the best option. He was surprised to discover that he had such an enormous capacity for love.

Following his heart was probably the correct thing to do here.

“Okay, fine. I got it.” Sapphee sighed. “The new system permits polygamy. There’s no use arguing anymore. I’ll at least admit that it’s an engagement.”

“Yay! Doctor, how about a wedding ceremony?”

“Wait a second. Even I won’t be marrying him for quite some time. I’ll be his first wife, so you can’t marry him before I do.”

“Oh—now that there’s room for more than one wife, we have to discuss who will be first and second? Aren’t you being a little greedy, Sapphee?”

“I’ll never give up my place to anyone!”

“Umm, I’m currently in a large amount of debt,” Glenn said. “I want to pay it back through the clinic. Until I achieve that, please forget about marrying me.”

“Come to think of it, my father did say…” Tisalia replied. “But I can pay back such a debt myself.”

“I’m sorry, but I’d prefer not to rely on you for this, Tisalia.”

“O-oh, is that right? But, please, tell me if there’s something I can help you with.” Tisalia put her hand on his chest in understanding. “Sapphee and I are both your fiancées now. If we’re going to become your wives, try to be open with us.”

“Don’t forget that I’m the only one who got a proposal.” Sapphee looked quite irritated.

Tisalia’s smiling face hardened. “Wh-what did you say? I’m so jealous!”

“It’s only natural. I’m the first wife. Glenn told me at Deadlich Hotel that I was the only one!”

“If that’s the case, then, Doctor, please speak loving words to me, too! Whisper in my ear, ‘I love you, Tisalia!’ If my ear’s too high up, you can get on my back!”

“Tee hee hee! You sound so desperate.”

“At least call me Second Wife!”

They were growing quite loud.

Glenn was used to this kind of scene, however. It was only because these two were such good friends that they were able to quarrel like this. He could relax, enjoy it, and relish the fact that Sapphee had come back.

“Tee hee! Doc.”

He suddenly felt four arms embrace him. Their owner was so close he could feel her breath on his ear.

“Oh—Arahnia.”

“Excuse me for intruding. Nothing good comes from two women bickering, eh, Doc? Why don’t we go get a cup of something?”

“Hey! No escaping!”

“That’s right!”

“Oh, look! You guys finally agree on something.” Even as Sapphee and Tisalia threw accusations her way, Arahnia didn’t loosen her grip. Instead, she squeezed all four arms tighter, as if indicating that she would never let Glenn go.

“Doc, you’ll make me your wife, too, right?”

“Err, umm…”

“It’s fine. Sapphee and Tisalia can be your priorities. Tee hee! I’ll be happy to let you have your way with me.”

“Er…”

“Wait a second, Arahnia. If you want to marry him, get in line!”

“That’s right! We need to come up with a system to decide who gets to spend time with the doctor!”

“That’s why I’m saying that he can save me for later!” Arahnia handed Glenn something. “Here.”

It was a bunch of letters from different senders. Farm owner Aluloona, graveyard city manager Molly, Dione from the mountaintop, and Tisalia’s attendants Kay and Lorna. They all lived in Lindworm, and Glenn had examined each of them.

“Uh, what are these?” Glenn asked.

“They’re marriage applications. Illy told me to bring them if I went to the clinic.”

Wasn’t that Illy’s job? Wait—that wasn’t the important thing here.

“Tee hee hee! Thanks to this new plural-marriage system, the bar has lowered. Aluloona probably has a hundred suitors of her own lined up. Oh, my handsome husband-to-be, you’re going to have an interesting time of it now.” Arahnia seemed to enjoy the commotion she’d caused.

“I’ll screen these!” Sapphee grabbed the letters. “Dione’s is just a message to say hello. Ugh! But Molly included a marriage certificate! Why are Kay and Lorna sending the doctor love poems?! I won’t allow them to sleep with their boss’s husband! They’re just messing with me! Oh, there’s also a letter from Memé. She’s asking if you’ll order the engagement ring at the workshop. She’s always thinking about business.”

This was exactly what Glenn wanted for his clinic. Compared to the quiet when Sapphee was gone, this racket was heaven.

“Let’s start by sorting these letters! You can’t have too many wives, Dr. Glenn! You’re no longer allowed to just talk to anyone you choose!”

“I never did that in the first place. C’mon, let’s start the afternoon exams.”

The waiting room was already full of patients. Tisalia and Arahnia seemed conscious of this, and had therefore visited during lunch. Tisalia returned the letters, and Arahnia released her grasp on Glenn. They both had their own jobs to do, too.

“Even if I get married, I’m still a doctor,” Glenn said.

“I know. And I’ll be by your side forever as your pharmacologist.” Sapphee smiled.

That smile meant everything to Glenn. It was why he’d gone to get her when Souen nudged him. It was so obvious now.

Why had it taken him so long to realize?

***

A meeting was taking place in Cthulhy’s office at the Lindworm Central Hospital.

“What aid did the Central Hospital provide?”

“Three hundred pieces of gold. And the City Council?”

“The same. Of course, the loan is considered public welfare, so it’s interest-free, with no payment deadline. I also told Glenn that the City Council was willing to shoulder the debt.”

“But he refused, right? Unbelievable. Glenn and Sapphee are both so stubborn.”

Cthulhy’s friend, City Council representative Skadi Dragenfelt, was drinking herbal tea on the sofa. Her guard, Kunai, was also present.

There was one final person in attendance. “I can loan them the entire amount,” she said.

“Glenn will refuse. He and Sapphee said that this is how they’ll make amends.”

“They’re hopeless. I wish that young people would be more open-minded. They’re always so quick to suffer for pride and honor. They should learn from me!”

“Aluloona, you should have more pride.”

“People can’t live off pride.” The farm owner Aluloona declared as she nursed a cup of herbal tea balanced on her flowers.

Skadi rubbed the horns protruding from her forehead as she listened to the second-most powerful person on the City Council. Aluloona discarded all dignity when it came to mating.

“Unbelievable.” Cthulhy remained calm as she looked over the statements. “Just as I was getting ready to pass on my hospital duties to Glenn… I can’t do that now that he’s taken on so much debt.”

“You look happy with the arrangement, Cthulhy. Aren’t you glad that your pupil is still under your protection? You’re so overbearing.”

“That’s not true. I want to quit my role as dean and do research in the deep sea.” Cthulhy sighed heavily.

Skadi smiled. “Glenn really prefers the clinic. Perhaps because he wants to be under the same roof as Sapphee? Everyone has their own destiny. Maybe Glenn’s place is in the clinic.”

“In other words, you want me to work harder. You’re trying to say that the dean’s chair suits me, Skadi?”

“I would never say that.” Skadi laughed.

Cthulhy always said that she wanted to quit, but she never lifted her pen from her paperwork. She had her own destiny.

“That’s right,” said Aluloona. “You guys get to work. Enrich Lindworm. There will be more citizens, and more children born. The city will become even more prosperous.”

“You need to work harder, too, Aluloona.”

“Tee hee hee!”

Skadi looked annoyed, but Aluloona just blew off Cthulhy’s words. She was like a tree that stood firm and unbowed despite strong winds.

“I am working,” she said. “To help inaugurate the new plural-marriage system, I sent love letters to hundreds of potential grooms. I wonder how many will respond?”

“Hey, Aluloona! You sent one to Glenn, too, didn’t you?” asked Cthulhy. “Knock it off, will you? It’s as though you have no criteria whatsoever!”

“Like you’re in a position to talk, with the way you go after the young men! The master of the clinic decided on his own bride, didn’t he?”

“You’re crazy!”

“That’s enough. Stop your bickering; I’m trying to enjoy my tea.” Skadi glanced up at the women.

Tentacles and vines intertwined. It looked as if a battle might break out at any moment, but the dean’s office was far too small for that. Both Aluloona and Cthulhy sighed at the Draconess’s admonishment and resumed just staring at each other.

“Honorable Representative, aren’t you going to pursue the popular young lord?” Aluloona asked. Kunai was silent by her side, but her face was pained.

Skadi’s feelings weren’t as well hidden as she thought. Glenn was just one of many young men she was interested in. She didn’t want to live her life married to one person.

However, the Draconess thought it might be nice to experience something like that for a short time.

“I wonder,” she said. “You’re all from species that live for a long time, but Glenn is human. That must be frightening for him.”

“Do fire dragons care about such things?”

“I want to honor everyone. Especially Lindworm’s residents. If I joined the competition for Glenn’s affections, it would only fan the flames. There are many tales of royals who brought their countries to ruin in the name of love. The heat of love can easily turn to war.” Skadi sipped her tea. “So, I’ll just snatch him up when I decide I really want him.”

“His wives will be angry.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m a dragon. I say what I want, when I want it, and take it for myself.”

“Dragons have horrible manners,” Aluloona said.

“He’s my pupil. If you treat him like a toy and break him, I won’t forgive you.”

“I’m sorry, Cthulhy. I don’t think he’s a toy. Glenn and the others are important citizens of Lindworm. I’m prepared to love them to my heart’s content.”

Skadi tried to imagine looking down on Lindworm from the sky. She wondered what the view from up there was like. Her body had gradually recovered since the surgery, but flying was still a dream, albeit an attainable one.

“I’ll watch you, Brother.”

She said this quietly, so no one else could hear, to the one man she had even a bit of interest in.

“Draconess, please restrain yourself.” It seemed that her loyal flesh golem heard. Kunai’s expression suggested that she was both disgusted and pleased with her leader’s selfish comments.

Skadi shrugged her wings as if to say, Okay, fine.

***

Within the only medical clinic in a city where humans and monsters coexisted, a doctor and a pharmacologist worked side by side, indispensable to each other.

“Next, please.”

The clinic bell never stopped ringing.

Sometimes a centaur came bearing gifts, and sometimes an arachne came to show off a new outfit she made. Even a dragon visited from time to time. A cyclops delivered medical tools, a harpy delivered letters, and a corpse occasionally dropped by.

These were the monsters that surrounded the doctor.

What sorts of ailments would he treat today?