Chapter 25

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"Our ship has a medical room with top-notch equipment and professional medical staff. It will surely meet your needs. Do you have a health issue?"

Du Feld had invested heavily in these researchers to build his reputation. If someone died from illness midway, it would be a huge loss for him.

Research is a bottomless pit, and Du Feld had already invested the bulk of the funds. He wouldn't mind spending a bit more on ensuring their health.

"No, but that child has a weak heart. I promised her that I would take care of it."

"Are you referring to that Mink Tribe girl? Is it a valve defect or blood vessel issue..."

"Congenital heart disease. If it weren't for the Mink Tribe's resilience, I doubt she would have held on this long. I had planned to take her to another country for treatment soon."

The Sorbet Kingdom's medical level is quite average. Although they have a surgery room, it's more of a gamble whether the patient survives the operation.

"I can help with medical issues; I am also a doctor. But have you found a suitable heart donor?"

Vegapunk had made significant strides in medical research, solving many complex problems. Open-heart surgery wasn't a challenge for them, but finding a suitable heart donor was.

The human body is incredibly complex, fragile yet powerful. Finding a strong heart is challenging, and rejection reactions eliminate most options. Even if compatibility is found, there's still the risk of post-surgery complications and long-term issues.

"I don't recommend a heart transplant. Conservative treatment might prolong her life... After all, she is a Mink. Finding a matching heart would be extremely difficult."

While humans and other races like Fishmen share the same blood, their organs have distinct differences. The Fishmen's dual respiratory system and the Minks' electrical abilities make their hearts different from humans.

"Director Vegapunk, I think you misunderstood. I never intended to find a donor heart."

Vegapunk's concerns were not issues for Orlan. From the start, Vegapunk had the wrong premise. Orlan's constraints were never about technology or finding a heart donor but the Sorbet Kingdom's basic environment.

This place couldn't even produce basic parts, and the populace lacked the skills needed for advanced manufacturing.

For instance, if someone could produce bricks, Orlan could teach them to build walls. But these people didn't even know how to dig and fire the clay for bricks, effectively blocking an entire development path.

If Orlan followed the usual development route here, Kate would probably need a memorial service before long.

Moreover, finding a heart donor is challenging even in relatively peaceful and well-structured societies. Few people willingly donate their organs, and even fewer have hearts suitable for transplantation. Even with a match, there's a slew of subsequent problems.

Killing someone for their heart is against Orlan's principles, and he doesn't need to resort to such low-level methods.

"Don't be limited by the physical body. Machines can be another option."

A Hextech heart was Orlan's plan from the start when he considered Kate's heart condition.

Such examples were not unique in Piltover from the original timeline. Both Camille, the Steel Shadow, and Orianna, the Lady of Clockwork, had their hearts replaced with Hextech hearts.

The former was for power, the latter for survival and her father.

Excessive modification might strip away humanity, but it's not entirely uncontrollable.

"Machines? Forgive me, but no current machine can operate as continuously and powerfully as a heart for decades."

"That's only because you haven't seen it yet, Director Vegapunk. You're confined by your current knowledge, which is a fatal flaw for a scientist."

Vegapunk's movements suddenly stiffened. Orlan's words made him realize a recent problem. He had been trying to tackle future challenges with known methods, leading him into a dead end.

Vegapunk wouldn't dwell on this issue for long, given his thinking style. Orlan's words, however, saved him considerable time.

"I once heard a saying: humans can't imagine things they've never seen. All fantasies are extrapolations from known concepts. An artificial heart is not beyond this realm. At least, I believe creating such a thing is easier than imagining a never-before-seen color."

"Since you've agreed to my conditions, I have no further issues. Since you plan to stay here for a few days, I'll take care of my tasks within that time."

Vegapunk had agreed to Orlan's conditions, so joining an organization beneficial to his research posed no problem.

As for drawing the World Government's attention upon setting sail, that wasn't a significant concern.

Firstly, no World Government member had seen Orlan's true face. The only one who had close contact was long dead. Even those who escaped with him largely didn't know Orlan's name or appearance.

Orlan had worn a gas mask in God Valley, changed his hairstyle, and removed his glasses. In this world plagued by face blindness, these measures provided substantial protection.

The World Government itself was clueless about what had transpired on the island. Countless pirate crews had turned it upside down, leaving no trace. The government's cover-up efforts were starting to show, silencing any news about God Valley.

Under these circumstances, even if they wanted to find someone, they couldn't issue a public bounty.

Given the World Government's efficiency, by the time they found anything, Joy Boy might already be dancing.

After finalizing his decision, Vegapunk gave Orlan a tour of the ship's medical room. Confirming the facilities were adequate, Orlan found Kate and explained his medical plan.

"Orlan, you mean you can fix my illness?"

"I remember telling you from the start. I wasn't just comforting you. The exact plan was finalized recently. As I said, a Hextech heart will replace your original heart. I am confident in this surgery. Soon, you'll be able to run freely. However, there are important special considerations I need to discuss with you."

After explaining the surgery, Orlan's expression turned serious. He was confident in the surgery's safety but couldn't control some random factors, a characteristic of Hextech crystals.

Seeing Orlan's serious expression, Kate's momentarily relaxed mood turned tense again.

She thought she had come to terms with it, but when faced with the choice, her mindset was different.

"Let's start with the positives. Given your Mink Tribe's traits, I've adjusted part of the Hextech heart's structure to enhance your control over electricity. I have named this heart model 'Zaun Fireworks'."

(End of Chapter)