Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior – Chapter 2

“This budget proposal and its scale are about this much. Do you need anything more?”

This place was the heart of the kingdom, the cabinet meeting room and audience hall.

Countless flags of the kingdom fluttered from the ceiling, and the King sat on his throne, listening intently to discussions about state affairs.

And the one who had to respond to the recently posed question from the Minister of Finance was none other than me.

“Yes, I’ve confirmed it. Compared to previous years, it’s significantly increased, so it should be sufficient.”

“That’s a relief, but the center’s scale has expanded so much, it’s hard to say for sure. If you find you need anything additional, feel free to reach out anytime.”

“Thank you.”

Three years after the war ended, the towns of the kingdom were still overflowing with veterans and adventurers suffering from various traumas, stress disorders, and functional decline.

As a result, the scale of rehabilitation centers grew day by day, and the kingdom was fully dedicated to expanding these centers, but the reality was that there were still not enough personnel and resources needed for rehabilitation compared to demand.

Especially in terms of personnel, rehabilitation medicine required collaboration with various professionals, not just specialists and physical therapists, but also occupational therapists, nurses, and psychotherapists.

At the time the center was established, there was only me, the specialist, and some auxiliary staff to follow orders.

Thus, to bolster the center’s personnel, I had to manage a killer schedule of practical residency training courses alongside patient treatment, and now we had finally reached the stage of implementing the training curriculum and accepting support staff.

I had endured a grueling life for the past three years, sometimes not even sleeping for three hours a day, but compared to preparing for medical school entrance exams or internship life, it was definitely doable.

“Director Hop.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Once discussions about the center’s operations, budget, and personnel support concluded, the King requested a moment to speak with me.

“You can clearly see that this support scale is enormous, right?”

“Yes, it’s all thanks to Your Majesty.”

“That’s correct. I’m not just saying this as a flattery. I genuinely ordered it that way. I directed that you should pack in more than necessary. The remaining funds would even be enough for you to travel abroad if you wanted.”

“Haha, I appreciate the thought, but for overseas travel, I need time more than a budget.”

While it was a blessing that the King was concerned about the center’s operation, I was certainly not in a position to go on a trip anywhere.

He must not be unaware of that, so it was likely just a joke.

Moreover, not only the center but also the entire country and the world were brimming with patients needing rehabilitation, and the interns needing training were no different.

“I also feel sorry for that. Even as a king, it’s impossible for me to give you a few days off.”

“Just your concern is enough.”

“You are an important person in this country. Without citizens, there is no country. That’s true of the economy and society as well. Anyone properly educated knows how significant your work is in helping people who cannot move return to society or daily life.”

Indeed, as the King said, but I was doing this simply because I enjoyed it.

Though it was busy and tough, the future of the profession looked bright, I was respected in society, I received ample support, and it was a completely unique job…

The more important thing than all this was simply that many ruined former adventurers came seeking help.

Even though I had been a rehabilitation specialist in my previous life, it was difficult to witness those who had experienced war in modern society, and it was a new fact I learned while working here that not all individuals who had endured war and hardships were hopeful or optimistic. They were certainly not the legendary heroes of reversals; they were merely survivors.

They still suffered from fear and trauma daily. I doubt anyone else saw someone shouting out the names of skills they could no longer use while screaming in the midst of nightmares as often as I did. It was common for them to weep while calling out the names of lost comrades or friends.

Not only were their minds troubled, but their physical functioning was severely impacted as well. They strained every muscle to perform small daily actions with shaking limbs, endlessly believing that they would improve little by little.

Adventurers who had once wielded swords and magic now struggled even to hold a spoon. How pitiable!

The most challenging aspect of treating them was not just their heartbreaking appearances but hiding the involuntary smile that wanted to rise up out of my chest.

“So, I hope you’ll go on a business trip rather than a vacation.”

“Pardon? A business trip?”

A business trip? It was hard to believe that the word came from the King’s mouth, moments ago praising me and emphasizing my necessity.

“I’m talking about the training program you created. You’re aware it’s been shared with various countries on humanitarian grounds, right?”

“Yes, of course, I’m aware.”

A worldwide war that devastated the entire continent and the globe. The war lasting six years had led to a massive number of veterans, not just in our kingdom.

Other nations needed rehabilitation centers too, and the Noden Kingdom, the only one currently with such a center, was flooded with inquiries about establishing centers in their own countries.

According to humanitarian agreements, it was decided that operating materials, operational data, and curricula beneficial for training professionals would be shared across the globe.

The current world was filled with wounds from the war. Speaking of humanitarian grounds, there was no atmosphere for me to claim rights over treatment methods, and while I knew the kingdom had certainly gained something from this agreement process, I had no way of knowing what that was.

“I hear the Keroa Empire has opened a rehabilitation center this time. I want you to go take a look. You should be able to spare three days without any issues for the operations of our kingdom’s center.”

“Three days? But just getting there would take several weeks…”

“I’ve obtained permission to use the Magic Tower.”

The Magic Tower… According to what I had read in novels, each nation’s capital housed a Magic Tower, and each was connected by high-level teleportation circles.

The Magic Tower and churches were independent forces. Even the kingdom’s king wouldn’t casually mention having ‘obtained permission.’ The teleportation circles of the Magic Tower were not for just anyone to use.

“About that permission, it’ll be very good news for you. I’ve obtained a permanent permit just for you, the founder of rehabilitation medicine, Hop Harvey. You can use the Magic Tower’s teleportation as much as you want whenever you wish.”

“Wha…? Whenever?”

“Yes, whenever. So, what do you think? Are you feeling a bit more inclined to go on an overseas trip now?”

I knew the teleportation circles of the Magic Tower were maintained and activated at a very high cost… Was I really being given a free pass for that? Wasn’t this something only tower lords could enjoy, now bestowed upon me, just a mere doctor?

“To operate centers in other countries, your help is essential. Kings and emperors have pushed for your unlimited use of the teleportation circle. The global cooperation on rehabilitation medicine is on humanitarian grounds, so the Magic Tower couldn’t refuse.”

That was the case, huh? The right to move freely to another country was certainly a tremendous privilege, but ultimately, it also meant that a multitude of business trips awaited me following this one to the empire.

“When do you think you can depart? The empire has asked for you to come as soon as possible.”

“If I’m to prepare so the center can endure three days in my absence… I’ll need another three days to arrange the handover.”

“Alright, then I’ll contact the Tower in three days.”

“Thank you.”

Just like that, my sudden business trip was set for three days later. For the next three days, I had to prepare handover procedures on top of my original schedule.

Come to think of it, I had never been absent before, so a manual for absence didn’t exist. The fact that there were interns and residents in the center who could conduct rehabilitation even in my absence was a remarkable improvement. It was necessary work, as this manual would be needed anytime I took a vacation or went on a business trip.

“You may leave now.”

“Yes, please take care.”

“Take care of yourself too. You are the most needed person in this world.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

The most needed person in the world… Well, I knew I was the busiest person.

Ironically, perhaps my time in the empire on this business trip would turn out to be a bit more relaxed.

Would it be acceptable to approach this as if I were indeed taking a vacation overseas, as the King mentioned?

The empire of Keroa, the largest nation in the world. That meant…

“A place that had the mightiest military. Where the most numerous and strongest adventurers and armies resided. And… the closest place to the Gate.”

Truly the center of war. The site of the fiercest battles and the place where the most people were broken.

I couldn’t help but wonder what the patients arriving at the rehabilitation center there would be like.