Chapter 83: Stepping man’s whereabouts part two

Sem and the others split further into two groups.

If they took too long, it would get dark and it would be impossible to investigate.

Also, the places where they put dead bodies and where they buried them were not too far from Nargavas clinic. Surely, it would be inconvenient if they were.

Sem went to talk to Nargava by himself, while Tianna and Bond headed towards where the dead bodies were kept. Sem prayed for nothing bad to happen to them, but they told him it just made them feel even more like something would happen.

Sem reached Nargavas clinic. Unlike Bedrooms other floors, this one felt clean. There was no graffiti or trash and filth on the floor.

They couldnt make the building itself clean, but it did feel like a proper clinic.

A patient Doesnt look like it.

Nargava noticed Sem and seemed not too pleased about it.

Do I have to be a patient?

Im just using this room, its not mine or anything. Just dont get in the way of my work.

He did not seem to welcome Sem or want to kick him out.

Nargava seemed completely indifferent.

Still It seems this place is thriving.

Sem whispered while looking around.

People waiting to be treated were sitting on the floor, and the ones that were treated lied down on it. It felt even more like a field hospital.

Is that sarcasm?

Excuse me, I didnt mean it that way

I get it. One cant help but be cynical in a place like this.

So this is the treatment room Its a lot calmer than the rest of Bedroom.

Obviously.

Are you going to treat everyone?

I cant really call it treatment. Theres only so much magic and medicinal herbs can do.

Ill help. I can deal with minor external wounds.

Said Sem while rolling up his sleeves, and the patients looked surprised.

Having two doctors around was completely unprecedented.

Why are you here?

Yellow Devil Disease.

Said Sem while beginning to cast healing magic.

The patient let out a happy voice as he saw the wound close.

Are you the doctors assistant? Thanks.

A sword cut Its not too deep so it can be closed with magic, but it wont bring back the blood you lost. Make sure you get plenty of nutrients.

If I could do that then I wouldnt have any problems in the first place.

Said the man while laughing, followed by laughter from the patients waiting for treatment.

Sem felt like pushing the issue any further would be pointless, and only sighed.

Its hard to tell when someone has it. I can only tell when the patients symptoms are at their peak or dying down. I only have about a Sixty percent chance of detecting it while its incubating and before the symptoms get worse, like with Hale.

Sixty percent means youre pretty good.

Not as much as you. Do you have any tricks you can tell me?

I told you, its all down to experience.

Thats it?

If it could be explained with words it wouldnt be a problem.

And it would be better for the patients that would be here.

Yes.

Are you going to keep treating people forever?

Until I can put it into words.

Words?

How to treat Yellow Devil Disease and how to detect it before it becomes severe. I want to take my experience and intuition and put it into a skill anyone can replicate.

Those words were full of hope.

Yellow Devil Disease did not mean certain death, but it would cause many casualties if there was an outbreak somewhere with a lot of fragile people. What Nargava was saying would certainly prevent a lot of deaths.

But as Nargava mumbled this, his expression was full of fatigue. He even looked like an old man.

Thats splendid, but why are you so hung up on Yellow Devil disease?

That storys boring.

Nargava let out a small sigh, and started talking slowly.

I was a high ranking priest in the Lowell temple in the capital.

High ranking priest!?

High ranking priests were a step above where Sem ranked as a priest. Sem was in the Medlar temple, and Nargava in the Lowell temple, but the remaining two sects also had high, middle, and lower ranking priests.

But the Lowell temple in the capital had a lot of power, and was not outmatched by even important nobles. There was a world of difference between Nargava and some mid ranking priest from a remote region.

So why

My daughter died. From Yellow Devil Disease.

Sem had nothing to say.

Yellow Devil Disease was mostly a sexually transmitted disease.

For a child to catch it, the most likely scenario was that she was sexually assaulted.

She was intelligent and full of wisdom But she was very mischievous, and wouldnt stop playing around no matter how old she got, so I was harsh on her But one day, she ran away from home.

Sem stayed silent. He was imagining what horrible thing may have happened next, but Nargava cleared his throat.

Dont let that awful imagination run wild. She wasnt kidnapped and raped or anything, she just happened to find someone injured, and touched their blood while treating them.

Ah, no

Well, I dont blame you for thinking that. People around us treated it as a disgrace.

Nargava spoke quietly but his fist was clenched tight.

Sem felt inexpressible rage coming from him.

I Threw so much money around trying to clear away my daughters scandal, but it was all for nothing. I was seen as a father that couldnt protect his daughter, betrayed by merchants that thought it was convenient for them, and ousted by priests that saw it as a good opportunity In the end, I was excommunicated and left with nothing more to protect. I felt there was no reason to prolong my life, but

He had one regret. Nargava said, almost too quietly to be heard.

And so you started looking for the cure for Yellow Devil Disease.

Well, thats not all.

Im impressed. It really makes me see my own immaturity

I dont need your compliments.

Im serious My immaturity is what led to my excommunication.

Did you break the precepts?

I didnt Not that youd believe me.

Everyone that breaks the precepts says they didnt, without fail.

Of course.

Sem continued talking, with a bitter smile on his face.

In the meantime, he never stopped treating people, who kept quiet and didnt interrupt the conversation.

An underage girl accused me of raping her. I wish it was just some sort of prank, but my colleagues that were jealous of me used it to get me arrested, and before I knew what was happening, people were treating me like a scoundrel. I was thrown in jail, and excommunicated.

I see.

I stopped caring about precepts after that, and went to brothels in inn towns and started making my living as an adventurer. Basically doing whatever I want.

Nice going mister priest.

Do you want me to introduce you to a nice girl?

Dont worry about that, I already have a girl I visit all the time.

The patients laughed loudly, but Sem took it with a cool smile.

Do you resent them?

Oh? You believe me?

I dont know if its true or not, but that doesnt mean someones going to be alright with the people that cornered them.

Thats true. I do. When I see a girl about the same size, it feels like my heart is being torn apart. Even I dont know what would happen if the actual girl was in front of me.

I get it.

Nargavas voice was not as dry and unconcerned as usual.

This mustve been new to the patients as well, as a slightly awkward silence filled the room. Nargava cleared his throat to break this silence.

Anyway, dont you have something you want to ask? Youre from Survivors or something right?

Oh, you know?

News from the adventurer guild reaches here too. I know youre looking for that Stepping man, but Im not going to be of any help. I dont know anything about him either.

I see. Thats too bad.

Said Sem, and he focused on the remaining patients.

After treating ten more, he said.

Im leaving.

Nargava seemed surprised.

Are you going home?

Oh, should I have helped more?

Its not like youre being detained here or anything Well, thanks.

You dont need to thank me, I didnt do that much.

Said Sem as he made his way towards the exit.

Can I ask one more question?

What?

Do you like kids?

Nargava closed his eyes and sighed with grief.

I loved my daughter.

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