I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 181

The White Paladin (3)

Even before meeting Nightingale, I had already reviewed what I knew about her.

Doesn’t the image of a woman with a lamp, the great matriarch of modern nursing, paint a picture of a very benevolent and dedicated woman?

In fact, I only vaguely remember Nightingale’s achievements; it’s not like I boast extensive knowledge about her.

However, I had heard that, contrary to her public image, the real Nightingale had a somewhat unconventional personality.

Of course, that doesn’t mean she was harsh or ill-tempered.

From what William told me, she had always been eager to help the poor and sick since she was young, so there’s no way she could have a truly bad personality.

However, the fact that she insisted on becoming a nurse against her father’s wishes strongly suggests that she was quite determined.

It’s often said that those who made a name for themselves in the medical field, like [Albert] Schweitzer, all have a stubborn streak to some extent.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to effectively care for sick patients with limited resources.

But who would have thought she would directly voice what she wanted to say in front of the Queen?

The anecdotes about Nightingale that I had heard in the past suddenly made sense, and I chuckled, though her family’s faces, of course, turned pale.

“Y-Your Majesty! I’m so sorry! What she meant to say wasn’t that the city Your Majesty resides in is bad, but… well…”

Glancing over, I noticed that Victoria didn’t seem upset but rather intrigued, so I reassured William, whose face had turned white as a sheet.

“There’s no need to be so flustered. As Her Majesty mentioned, this isn’t an official reception. Miss Florence? I would like to ask you some questions now. Would you mind sharing your thoughts?”

“Yes, of course.”

“You mentioned seeing many sick people in London. Did you feel that they weren’t receiving proper treatment?”

“Yes. Thanks to my father, who loved traveling abroad since I was young, I’ve been to various places and seen sick patients everywhere. Although I haven’t formally studied medicine yet, the areas where sick patients were concentrated always had one thing in common: very poor sanitation.”

The belief that ‘dirty energy’ seeps into the body in unclean places has been around since the Middle Ages.

Since this was also the time when hygiene laws were being enacted, anyone with some interest would easily know that much.

“So, you’re saying that the unsanitary environment in London is causing more patients to fall ill…”

“In fact, when I cared for sick people, I often saw positive results simply by cleaning up the surrounding environment. Patients are more affected by their environment than healthy people.”

“You said you haven’t formally studied medicine yet?”

“Yes. I’ve studied mathematics, foreign languages, and philosophy, but I haven’t properly studied medicine due to my parents’ opposition.”

“It’s amazing that she came to such a conclusion on her own.”

“Thank you!”

“I heard you want to become a nurse, but becoming a nurse is a much more difficult and arduous path than you think. Why do you want to become a nurse?”

Perhaps sensing that this moment was the opportunity of a lifetime, Nightingale’s eyes shone with utmost sincerity.

She glanced uneasily at her father, who was looking at her with anxious eyes, then turned her gaze back to me and spoke.

“It has been a calling from God since I was young. Caring for the sick and healing them is the only wish I have ever had.”

“Do you know how nurses are treated in society? It will be difficult. Can you endure it?”

“I want to be someone who helps improve that treatment and perception. If I may be so bold, the medical system in this country has many problems. Isn’t Your Highness trying to improve it by establishing educational institutions because you are aware of that fact?”

“F-Florence! This is in front of Her Highness. Please choose your words more carefully…”

“Oh, it’s alright. I find it very easy to talk when you’re so direct. Can you tell me what problems you see in the medical system?”

Although it’s slightly different from the image I had imagined, the saying that a promising sprout is different from the beginning is indeed true.

To think that she had such a keen awareness of the issues even before becoming a proper nurse.

“What I’ve felt from visiting various hospitals is that the workload is too heavy. No matter how excellent the doctors are, they can never take care of all the patients. Claiming that we can create such a system is unrealistic.”

“That’s right.”

“Then the existence of nurses who can cover the areas that doctors can’t see is important, but the reality is that nurses have no specialized training. In fact, doctors don’t expect such expertise from nurses either. I believe that nurses should develop their expertise to the point where they can assist doctors in a practical sense. Wouldn’t that dramatically improve the level of medical care in hospitals and military units when war breaks out?”

That’s certainly a valid point, and that’s how history will actually unfold.

However, it’s also true that it’s too progressive to gain much support in this era.

Above all, it’s good to say that we should develop expertise, but who would study so hard to become a nurse when the treatment is so poor?

And that’s precisely why.

We need a talent who can become the face that can attract people’s attention.

“Although it’s somewhat idealistic, it’s a valid point. So, Miss Florence, do you think you can become such a professional nurse?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

Her answer is so cool.

“Then let me ask you something different. Suppose a war breaks out and many soldiers go to the battlefield. Of course, many medical personnel will be needed. What would you do, Miss Florence?”

“Of course, I would go and take care of the soldiers fighting for the country.”

“The battlefield is a much more terrible and frightening place than you think.”

William, who was listening to the story next to her, nodded wildly, but Nightingale shook her head as if she didn’t care at all.

“If I can’t endure such an environment, it means that the beliefs I have held are only superficial. I don’t think that will be the case.”

“Then, um… what about this situation? There are sick patients in front of you. And to get the medicine, you have to go to the supply warehouse, but unfortunately, it’s locked, and the officer says he can’t get the key without the commander’s permission. In this situation, what do you think is the right thing to do?”

Usually, they would say that they would immediately run to the commander and persuade him to give them the lock.

But she thought for a moment and then asked me another question.

“What is the condition of those patients? Are they in critical condition, or do they have time to spare?”

“Some have time to spare, and some are in urgent need. That’s how the field is.”

So, what kind of answer will come out?

Not only me, but Victoria was also waiting for her to speak with a rather intrigued expression.

And after thinking for a while, a decent young lady in her mid-20s calmly uttered words that far exceeded everyone’s imagination.

“Officers carry pistols or weapons, right? I’d use that to break the lock and take the medicine first. Then I’d report to the commander afterwards, wouldn’t I?”

“Oh…”

I thought she would come up with an answer that would persuade the officer to open the door without going through the commander in any way, but who would have thought she would say she would break the lock with a gun?

William’s sigh, as he covered his forehead and shook his head, sounded sadly loud in my ears.

But unlike the feelings of a father with a daughter who couldn’t lift her head in shame, I’m honestly just amused by the situation.

Ah, is this what they call a ‘girl crush’ or something?

It might be a little different in that she actually crushes it.

“But that could be against military law, right?”

“But it was fast, right?”

The more Nightingale talked, the more William covered his face with his palms and lowered his head, and I had a hard time holding back my laughter.

“You could be punished for violating military law.”

“I was punished, but the soldiers were saved, so it’s a net gain in the end.”

“Y-Your Highness! I’m sorry! I’ll take her back and talk to her properly…”

“No, it’s alright. I think I have a rough idea. I’ll enroll Miss Florence as a scholarship student in the educational institution that will be established in the future.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll take her out and… Huh?”

I feel sorry for William, but no matter how I look at it, this person is a born medical professional.

Not just talent, but a born mindset.

“Of course, as a parent with a daughter, I fully understand the parents’ feelings of not wanting to send their daughter to such a dangerous place. So, according to Miss Florence’s opinion, we will work hard to dramatically improve the medical environment of the British Empire in the future. We will also improve the professionalism of nurses and create additional positions so that they can work in other fields when the field situation stabilizes.”

If we create a system where they can not only work in the field but also move to other fields, wouldn’t the upper class be able to send their children with peace of mind?

“Miss Florence wouldn’t want to work as a nurse only in the field forever. Rather, she knows that she can save far more lives if she rises to a position where she oversees people. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. Of course…”

“Then the story is over. William, I’m sorry that the conclusion is a little different from what we talked about last time, but if Miss Florence comes from an institution guaranteed by the royal family, the things you’re worried about won’t happen even if she works as a nurse. What do you think?”

“…If you go to such lengths… But as you just heard, this child…”

“Isn’t it alright? It’s to save lives, so it’s okay to report after taking action.”

I thought that they would never make someone who calmly says that they would break the lock with a gun and violate military law to save lives a nurse.

But what I wanted was precisely this kind of person.

Originally, a little bit of radicalism is inevitable in breaking something that has been fixed for a long time.

The reason why I’m putting so much effort into medical care is not only for the country but also for the royal family.

Wealth, honor, power, and dedication to the citizens.

The last puzzle piece that will put the finishing touches on the praise and respect showered on the royal family is her existence.

It is human instinct to express deep respect and reverence for the act of saving lives.

And there is currently no group among the current parliament, government, or royal family that receives this kind of respect from the citizens.

Then we have to make it happen from now on.

The praise that she has raised great medical staff who will save tens of thousands of lives, although she may not become a white-clad angel, will be showered on the royal family of the British Empire.

“Miss Florence, continue to learn a lot and accumulate as much knowledge as possible to grow. Then, someday, the day will surely come when you have to use that knowledge and belief.”

“Yes! I will work hard with the spirit of reporting after taking action in everything.”

No, you still have to report to me.

…Praise may not be the only thing that pours in, but as long as the result is good, that’s all that matters.

I’m getting a little anxious, but I believe it.

You can believe it, right?