"I'm extremely nervous."
The result?
The result was good.
Well… it still looks awkward to say it was entirely good.
But compared to just covering it with flesh, having cartilage in place definitely made it look more like a nose.
Of course, we'll probably have to make nostrils separately later… but that should be manageable.
I don't mean to say we'll do it carelessly, but it shouldn't be too difficult.
"Don't be nervous. Relax."
Anyway, after confirming the result, we called Colin's older brother.
Of course, he didn't come alone.
His father and mother also came.
'This kid… his family is more impressive than I thought.'
I…
I thought he was just a low-ranking noble.
It's a bit odd to say "low-ranking" in front of "noble," but anyway.
You could tell just by the clothes they were wearing.
These people…
They're not ordinary nobles.
"Please take good care of him."
"We've heard you've been looking after our son well. Thank you very much."
You can tell just by the way they're speaking to me without changing their expressions.
Our dukes are behaving decently now, but at first…
Huh?
Their expressions stiffened.
It's natural.
If I were living in Joseon and suddenly saw a white or black person for the first time, wouldn't I be shocked?
'Well… they do trade, so they might be familiar, but still…'
Their refined manners and clothes…
It's hard to understand why Colin, born into such a family, is so desperate for medical advancement.
'I understand, Director.'
Even in the midst of confusion, I could recognize the Director's wink.
It seems I'm not the only one who thinks his family is impressive.
Even Liston noticed, so of course, the Director did too.
It probably means to handle it well.
"Joseph."
"Yes! No, sir! Professor!"
There shouldn't be any issues.
Our team is truly seasoned now.
Swipe swipe.
Joseph quickly moved to clean the patient's chest.
Since he wasn't anesthetized yet, it must have been quite painful.
But unlike Colin, his older brother, who's quite robust, just winced without making a sound.
His father looks the same.
He seems very macho.
It'd be hard for someone like Colin to endure.
He seems more like someone from my side.
Anyway, just watching Joseph clean shows he's a real veteran.
He even shaved off the chest hair meticulously…
'This is what's called touching…'
What's a haircut?
They didn't disinfect back then.
Now they shave and clean diligently, it's almost tear-inducing.
It's been like this for a while, but it still feels fresh.
Probably because of the initial shock when I first saw what these guys were doing.
"Alright, Alfred."
"Yes!"
The perceptive senior responded with a polite "Yes" instead of his usual "Okay" and turned on the gas.
Since Colin's brother is quite large for this era, we used about 1.5 times the usual concentration.
As soon as the mask was applied, he passed out immediately.
He even smiled a bit in the middle, probably accustomed to laughing gas.
'Well… the concept of drugs doesn't exist in this era.'
Even now, if you go outside, you'll definitely smell cannabis somewhere.
Moreover, obtaining opium or morphine is getting easier.
It's really strange.
-Truly insane.
As far as I know, the higher-ups seem to understand that opium is bad…
But they don't enforce it.
Instead, beverages are coming out.
Maybe it's paranoia, but I feel like it's going to be marketed for kids.
Of course… that's probably not the case.
"Plain?"
"Oh, Joseph."
"Yes!"
While I was spacing out thinking about this, Joseph immediately cursed.
He probably didn't mean to curse, but hearing it makes one feel bad.
Anyway, it worked.
Snapping out of it, I watched Joseph disinfect the face for a bit.
His disinfection skills… it's pure talent.
The way he moves swiftly is insane.
"Good. Scalpel."
"Scalpel."
"Commencing nasal reconstruction using the forehead flap."
"Commencing rib cartilage harvesting."
Anyway, it felt like it was time to establish some procedures.
And just in time, these distinguished nobles arrived.
I recited the surgery name as usual.
Seeing this, Liston, who usually weakens in front of nobles, followed along.
A bit awkward but still quite impressive.
Glancing over, I saw them holding hands, pride shining in their eyes.
'Ah, it's not just because of me.'
Upon closer look, they're looking at Colin.
Well…
Colin in the operating room is different from Colin elsewhere.
He has really skilled hands.
Even the difficult and temperamental Liston uses him as an assistant without complaint.
Isn't Liston himself a genius?
He's experienced in dissecting people.
Colin, who can keep up with Liston's skill acquisition, is undoubtedly a genius.
"Good. Fortunately, the patient's forehead is broad."
Not a lie, it's really broad.
Probably not naturally.
It seems to have widened rapidly over the years.
Who does he take after?
No need to ask.
The person twitching right now.
In most cases, it wouldn't be a good thing…
'But baldness can be helpful too.'
Learned that today.
Anyway, thanks to that, we were able to rotate a broad flap towards the nose.
"Here."
"Yes."
Meanwhile, Liston and Colin harvested rib cartilage with ghost-like skill.
The more you do surgery, the better you get, they say, and it seems true for these two too.
Handing over the stretched-out cartilage, it felt like watching a medical drama.
"A hole here."
"Yes."
And what Liston does…
This is almost impossible even in the 21st century.
You must use a drill.
Tap, tap.
But Liston only needs an awl.
Who else can poke a hole in bone like poking tofu with chopsticks?
'Is this… swordsmanship?'
I've seen it many times.
But it's astonishing every time.
Maybe… it's a divine balance patch.
Some surgeries that only exist in my mind—things only possible in the 21st century—might be achievable with Liston's skill.
Anyway, I connected the cartilage with evenly spaced holes to the bone drilled similarly.
'Confirmed that disinfecting the thread this much is okay.'
Thanks to Joseph's obsession with disinfection, we treated the thread with iodine, phenol, and alcohol.
Though its durability decreases slightly, it's still acceptable.
We won't be touching it for a while anyway.
In an era where washing faces isn't common, there's hardly any reason to touch one's own face.
"Done."
I roughly shaped the nasal bridge and covered it with the forehead flap.
"Oh…"
"Wow…"
Seeing this, the parents began to admire.
Of course.
It's the moment a nose was created in an instant.
If this isn't called a miracle, what is?
Of course, I couldn't just stand there admiring, so I quickly finished the rest of the surgery—the forehead suturing.
The thread to be used here couldn't be heavily disinfected like the internal thread.
Even with a broad forehead, sewing after separating the flesh inevitably creates tension.
Sssk.
So I sewed it loosely, as usual.
By my standards, it's loose, but by theirs, it's meticulous enough, satisfying for viewing.
"Wow…"
"Truly a miraculous surgery. Clearly… you're gaining fame for a reason."
The mother couldn't offer much feedback.
She was sniffling; understandable.
But the father was different.
He left a meaningful comment.
'Gaining fame…'
The dukes and doctors alike are all making a fuss, so something significant must be happening.
"Alright, it's done now. Keep it as is… you need to disinfect frequently, so stay at the hospital if possible."
Right after finishing suturing, Alfred perfectly timed reducing the gas, so the patient woke up shortly after.
This allowed me to explain everything to both the guardian and the patient.
Of course, the patient wasn't fully conscious.
Even with proper anesthesia, waking up isn't instantaneous… what can you do?
"Alright. We'll do that. Just, a general ward is a bit…"
"Ah, we converted a lab into a ward. Stay there. Jamie was there too."
"Oh… Then there's no lack."
"Yes, yes."
Isn't it an era where only guardians need to be conversed with?
The authority of the household lies with the father, the head, as it's a patriarchal era.
"Colin."
As the hospitalization was decided and cleanup was underway, Colin's father called him.
Colin, more tense than when I call him, hurried to his father.
Seeing this, I felt bad.
He's as tough as drinking sewage.
"From what I see, this Mr. Pyeong is reliable. Now that I see your skills are quite good… And recognized… serve harder."
"Ah… Thank you, Father."
"Good. Seeing you so diligent is pleasing."
"Ah…"
I feared he might say something, but luckily, he didn't.
'Social skills at max level.'
He complimented.
Deliberately in my presence.
Probably meaning to boost him while asking for further favors.
'What expression would he make if he knew I made his son drink urine?'
Curious, but better not know.
Something bad might happen.
Of course, I'm confident.
It's not my fault, right?
"Ah, Doctor Pyeong."
"Ah. Yes."
Perhaps not as confident as I thought.
Suddenly being called was a bit scary.
But having worked long at a university hospital, I equipped the passive skill 'Calmness.'
I approached with a straight face.
"Thank you. You've taken care of both my sons."
"It's nothing. Haha."
"I'll definitely repay you for this."
"No need to feel obliged."
"Haha. No, I must. Well…"
Mid-conversation, Colin's father and the Director exchanged a glance, then he continued.
"There will be good news."
While patting my shoulder.