To be honest, Steven's so-called career as a doctor was solely dependent on a few bottles of potions he carried around.
Personally, he had no real understanding of pharmacology or human anatomy.
He was the kind of guy who had to Google symptoms whenever he felt unwell.
Asking him to actually cure someone was honestly pushing it.
Simple wounds or infections were manageable, but the girl standing before him had already undergone bodily modifications—something completely beyond his abilities.
Similar to Gladiia and Specter's conditions, all Steven could do was wait.
"Well, how should I put it... Her physical condition is pretty good. The only real issue seems to be her brain. By the way, was she subjected to body modifications?"
Steven carefully examined the young girl known as Rosmontis.
The title "Special Infected" appended to her name already indicated her uniqueness. But even more curious was how she exhibited clear Originium energy fluctuations within her body, yet somehow wasn't truly infected.
The Originium energy specifically surrounded the girl's brain, making her seem more like someone who'd undergone artificial cranial enhancements.
"I didn't know Rhodes Island did things like this. Pretty inhumane, if you ask me."
After thoroughly inspecting the girl, Steven sat back down, picking up his glass of eggnog for a sip.
Wasn't Rhodes Island supposed to be a pharmaceutical company? Human body modifications were entirely unrelated.
Moreover, Steven deeply disliked the idea—human experimentation always felt disrespectful to humanity itself.
"It wasn't us who did this. She's just... a poor child we rescued. You must understand, Terra is vast, and we're certainly not the only medical organization around."
Outcast stepped in to clarify.
Steven's deductions precisely confirmed his remarkable abilities; after all, even Kal'tsit required specialized instruments to detect such things, yet Steven discerned it at a mere glance.
"So, you want me to help remove that thing from her brain? Technically, yes, I can do it. But what kind of effects that'll have, even I can't guarantee."
Steven tapped on his head.
Things related to thoughts and memories couldn't be treated even by his healing potions.
Apart from that, the girl seemed perfectly normal, even healthier than most ordinary humans.
"If it's possible, it might indeed be best. She's in great danger right now. Being able to wield Originium Arts isn't beneficial for her at all; if she ever loses control, the consequences would be catastrophic."
Pith spoke up once again.
As a caster operator herself, no one understood Rosmontis's strength better than she did.
Precisely for this reason, Pith did not wish to see her continue down this path.
Admittedly, in the beginning, she had even advocated eliminating threats like Rosmontis entirely, should the need arise. But after spending so much time together, she gradually felt the emotions this young girl conveyed
Rosmontis saw all elite operators as family. That was why she willingly took up arms, using her own powers to fight for them.
The more it went like this, the harder it became for Pith to accept the current state of things.
A girl like Rosmontis should've been allowed to live as an ordinary person, rather than slowly eroding herself by continuously using Originium Arts.
Almost every elite operator understood that wielding power came at a cost.
The stronger Rosmontis appeared, the heavier the consequences she'd have to bear.
If it hadn't been for Kal'tsit once clearly stating that even Rhodes Island couldn't remove Rosmontis's artificial infected organ without causing her harm, nearly every elite operator would've supported doing exactly that.
And now, Steven was apparently someone capable of making this happen.
"Hmm, so what you're saying is that you'd all prefer her to live as a normal person rather than as the powerful caster she currently is?"
Steven roughly understood why these elite operators had come to him.
"If it could be done, nothing would be better," even Outcast chimed in this time.
Most elite operators saw Rosmontis as their junior or daughter; there wasn't anyone who didn't wish for her to lead a healthier, happier life, instead of struggling as she currently was—barely able to remember things properly.
"Well, it's definitely achievable, but I personally think her memory issue might have nothing to do with her abilities," Steven began thoughtfully. "It might just be that subconsciously she doesn't want to remember, or perhaps there's something she fears recalling, leading her to reject it."
Having spent hundreds of years himself packing away unwanted memories deep within his consciousness, Steven certainly had credibility in this area.
Her condition seemed less related to the artificial organ and more a subconscious avoidance.
Even more importantly, Steven caught a fleeting look of fear passing through her seemingly expressionless face when she overheard the operators discussing her potential "treatment."
"There's also another point that I believe you're all overlooking," Steven continued, approaching Rosmontis and gently ruffling the head of this girl who seemed about Amiya's age. "Have you considered how she herself feels about this?"
Rosmontis tilted her head up, confusion flickering across her green eyes, clearly puzzled by his actions.
"Her memories often vanish, and sometimes even basic common knowledge slips away from her. We know it might not be related to her artificial organ, but this undeniably increases the risks she faces," someone explained softly.
"Then even more reason to ask her directly, isn't it? Losing certain memories might actually bring her answer closer to her true heart," Steven said with a gentle smile, locking eyes with the girl.
"So, little Rosmontis, do you want to become an ordinary person and live a peaceful life, or would you rather maintain your current state, accepting both the power you now possess and the risks that come with it?"
At hearing Steven call her name, the girl's blank eyes briefly lit up.
But seemingly unable to understand his question, she quickly began flipping through her terminal, frantically searching through notes filled with miscellaneous records.
Soon, confusion and hesitation filled her gaze.
She couldn't help but glance backward toward the elite operators standing behind her, who gazed back at her with maternal tenderness and concern.
But after just a moment, the girl's eyes gradually steadied.
Slowly shaking her head, Rosmontis's eyes finally became clear and firm as she turned back to look directly at Steven.
"I want to live in the present, to continue as the elite operator Rosmontis. With this power, I can protect my family. Even though I might forget their names, forget who they are, at least at this moment, I hope I can use my strength to help them, rather than hiding behind them and simply enjoying their protection."
The girl named Rosmontis truly couldn't fully grasp the implications of Steven's words. Yet, through each name recorded on her terminal, she could distinctly feel her deep emotional connection to them.
She understood clearly, through her terminal, what being an elite operator truly meant. Seeing names marked as deceased triggered an inexplicable sadness within her heart.
But at least, if she possessed this strength, perhaps she could contribute her own efforts toward preventing future tragedies—at the very least, avoiding that mysterious sadness ever again.
"Well, then there's nothing more to discuss. If the person herself doesn't want it, you as her elders certainly shouldn't force her. Just as she said herself, she wants to continue living as Elite Operator Rosmontis. No matter how you feel about it, you should respect her choice."
Steven shrugged nonchalantly.
He saw nothing wrong with Rosmontis's refusal.
After briefly explaining this to the group of elite operators who fell into silence upon hearing her words, he casually resumed drinking.
Honestly, Steven was more than happy to avoid performing surgery.
Just thinking about splitting someone's skull open with an axe and pulling an artificial organ from her brain was enough to make anyone queasy.
Not everyone shared Warfarin's particular tastes, and Steven himself certainly preferred to avoid anything too gruesome.
"But... What about the danger of her losing control in the future?" Pith asked with worry evident on both her face and tone.
"That's something for the future. We, her elders, are still here, aren't we? Can't we handle at least that much risk? Besides, Rhodes Island is here too!"
"Instead of worrying so much, how about you have a drink?"
Outcast nudged the Liberi caster with her shoulder.
After all these years, Pith still tended to overthink everything.
"Exactly! Drink up—it's a party, isn't it? Stop being so serious, come on, let's liven things up!"
Steven enthusiastically pulled two large barrels of liquor out from his pocket (Inventory), dropping them heavily onto the ground.
Yet, when facing the little white feline girl who was clearly a bit overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Steven softened considerably.
After thoughtfully preparing a glass of fruit juice specifically for her, Steven then rejoined the lively drinking among the elite operators.
Taking a small sip of the sweet juice, a brief look of happiness crossed Rosmontis's usually emotionless face.
After hesitating briefly, she added a short note to her terminal:
[Mr. Steve. Good person.]
<+>
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind spending $5 monthly to see till the latest chapter, please go to my Patreon[1]
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 214: It Made Me Feel Like I Wasn't Alone[2]
Link to the latest chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/arknightcraft-129691441[3]
https://www.patreon.com/collection/55713?view=expanded[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/55713?view=expanded
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/arknightcraft-129691441
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/arknightcraft-129691441
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/55713?view=expanded