Episode 14.18-19 (1/2)
The next day, Lecan spoke of the stuff he discussed with the vice head temple when he arrived at Norma's medical center.
”I had no idea. That reminds me though, I've been seeing something weird going on lately here as well.”
”Hou.”
”New patients from faraway places have been coming to this medical center lately.”
”Fumu?”
”I've also been getting requests for house calls at some really distant locations. Mostly to places where the wealthy lives.”
”Sounds like you've got a reason for not looking pleased with the booming business.”
”That I have. Some of those patients were supposed to be under other physicians' care, see. No, I probably just didn't notice that we had snatched quite a lot of patients from other medical centers already.”
”Patients have rights to choose their physicians.”
”Lecan. Do you know how many physicians are in this town right now?”
”No clue.”
”Excluding the temple's clinic, there are eight. Every one of those only has one or two stand by physicians at most. They're small in scale. We're talking about <Recovery> users who failed to get hired by noble houses.”
”Oh really.”
”Okay now, how many physicians do you think this town need?”
”No clue at all.”
”I believe around 20 all at the same level of what we have would be appropriate.”
”Hou.”
”But I think more people should go visit medical centers. Infants especially. If we include them, we would require 50 medical centers. It's only a rough estimate, but that's what I believe.”
”Think that's way too many.”
”If medical centers could get close to people, both physically and physiologically, and if they would consult to a physician whenever they don't feel too well, we would see a huge decrease in sick people.”
”I see. I get your line of thinking.”
”If this medical center becomes the only one left standing in this town, there's simply no way we can handle all the cases in this town even if Lecan and Eda exclusively work here, not to mention those coming from elsewhere. I won't have time for my research or tea time too. Give me a break on that.”
Lecan realized something.
Vice temple head told Lecan about how Bazrig was bad-mouthing the temple.
Among those who found out about the slanders directed at the temple, some might develop animosity toward Norma. Worse, some might even believe she's infringed upon their wellbeing.
Lecan doesn't think physicians who were robbed of their patients would resort to unscrupulous means, but ill wills will accumulate. Those ill wills would eventually join up together and swallow up Norma.
It might come in the form of violence or something more devious and threatening. In any case, Lecan can't possibly take all the steps needed to deal with that.
”But really, the temple sure has got quite the network of information. I mean, it's only been two days since we started this stuff. It's also so kind of them to inform us. Lecan, make sure to thank them.”
”Got it. So what do now.”
”Let's stop offering your <Recovery> service. However, we've got four house calls we have to take care of no matter what tomorrow, let's make those the last. I'll tell those who request <Recovery> that the users have departed this town. I'll also tell them that even though these users haven't decided to resume their service, each treatment would cost one gold coin if they ever did.”
”20 times price hike huh.”
”No. It's true that both your and Eda's <Recovery> are way too cheap at five silver coins. To the point that people misunderstand we put that price up to steal their patients.”
”Really. Tomorrow will be the last then.”
”You and Eda have been such a great help. I can't thank you enough. I've got my hands on some good data as well. And also. Feel free to drop by again and ask me anything you need anytime.”