20
My Villains Chapter 20
6. Broken Things (1)
Today, once again, I couldn't go to the sewer.
It's not because pirates or bandits attacked, nor because the guards closed off the entrance to the sewer.
It's not because it rained and the sewer flooded, nor because there were reports of a terrifying monster appearing.
So why couldn't I go?
Suppressing the sighs, curses, and chuckles that were about to burst out, I asked Ellen, who was lying down covered with a blanket, "Are you okay?"
"...Do I look okay?"
"No."
The kid, either finding it difficult to speak or just being lazy, closed her half-open eyes completely and turned her head away.
I wanted to say something, anything, I really wanted to give a sharp retort...
But I held back. Isn't it true that when you're sick, being scolded makes you feel a hundred times worse?
That's right.
Our useless human, the loser who can't use skills, the wand stand without a wand.
They've fallen ill with a cold.
Well, it's a common story. It's not strange to fall sick after traveling to a foreign land and going through hardships.
Of course, getting stabbed in the back of the knee with a spear, being trampled by military boots, having the heirloom passed down by your master shattered and lost, suffering mentally because of your own powerlessness, getting robbed... No, having all your possessions fairly collected according to just standards, and not being able to sleep properly for days while claiming to be meditating - these aren't exactly common hardships.
...Come to think of it, given that the kid can't use skills, it seems her stats haven't been allocated either.
If that's the case, her current health score is exactly 10, no more, no less. This is just... Slightly healthier than an average person.
And considering Ellen's age on top of that, well, it's natural to be sick.
"Sigh."
I soaked a cloth in the cold well water I had brought in a bucket. Then I removed the cloth that was on the kid's forehead and replaced it with the new one.
"Mmm-"
"Is it cold?"
"No. It's cool..."
The kid seems to be suffering from a cold, but it's not certain since she haven't been seen by a doctor.
To begin with, in this world, there's practically no such thing as a professional doctor, so it can't be helped.
They say there's a doctor staying at the castle, but from what I've heard, that person seems closer to a surgeon.
Instead, Grania, the innkeeper, and Daria all agreed that it's a cold.
And decisively, Sister Olga, the clergy of Grania's group, said it was a cold. She said a day of good rest should cure it... Well, I have to believe her.
My brief contemplation was interrupted by Ellen's groan.
"Ugh..."
"What? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"
"Arm. My arm hurts."
"Where?"
I suspect that the kid suddenly falling ill might be because of the new stonebow she acquired.
She has gone from being a completely useless human to being able to contribute at least half a person's worth. The tension that was tightly wound must have loosened a bit.
And now, the soreness in her arms is because she've been excitedly pulling the bowstring.
...Pitiful, but terribly pathetic.
Still, I silently massaged the kid's right arm. Startled slightly, she frowned a bit with her eyes closed.
"What are you doing? Stop it."
"Stop whining and just go to sleep."
As I was nursing her like this, I suddenly remembered my military days.
Around the time I had just been promoted to private first class, I once fell ill with a cold.
It was a case of unbelievable unfairness - I fell sick the day after a week of intense survival training followed by a return march.
On that miserable Saturday, it was our squad leader, Sergeant Moon, who took care of me.
Sergeant Moon stayed by my side all day, checking my temperature, ventilating the room, applying ice packs. He even brought me food.
And when I couldn't eat it, he bought and warmed up some porridge from the PX.
Even when my peers offered to help, he refused, telling them to take care of themselves, and did everything himself.
I still can't forget the taste of that warm egg and vegetable porridge I ate then.
I think I won't forget it until the day I die.
"...It's okay now."
"Oh? Alright."
I shook my dazed head slightly and moved to the other side of the bed to start massaging the left arm.
Actually, while nursing Ellen now, I was having some bad thoughts.
For a while after recovering from that cold, I thought I could give my life for a squad leader like Sergeant Moon.
So now I was-
Thinking that if I put in this much effort, maybe the kid would die for me when I'm in danger?
She's a young girl who's at most three years older than my niece.
"...What an idiot."
"What?"
"Ah, nothing. Aren't you hungry?"
"I'm fine."
Ellen raised her half-lidded eyes to look up at me.
Afraid she might read my vile thoughts, I quickly averted my gaze.
As I was frantically rolling my lost gaze around, Ellen suddenly spoke up.
"Why are you doing this much?"
"...Huh?"
"Why are you doing this much for me?"
At the kid's sudden question, I tried to maintain a calm expression. My lips might have trembled a bit, but she probably didn't notice, right?
"What do you mean? It's because we're comrades."
"...We haven't even known each other for ten days."
"What does that matter? We owe each other our lives."
"We've saved each other once each, what debt is left?"
Is it because she's sick? The kid's voice seemed more humid than usual.
"Stop saying weird things and just sleep. What a state to be in in a foreign land?"
"Do you perhaps think I'm a noble?"
"...What?"
What nonsense is this kid talking about?
When I made a dumbfounded expression, the kid turned her head to the other side and spoke softly.
"If you're thinking of changing your fate by putting a noble lady in your debt... I'm sorry, but I'm not like that."
"Hey, why are you talking like this?"
"It's a waste of time to stick with me."
"Hey, I-"
I want to get angry and say that I'm not doing this for such money, I should get angry, but I can't get angry.
The cowardly thought I had earlier choked my throat.
The reason I cared for Ellen was because I expected her to become a powerful magician like in a game. That fact paralyzed my tongue.
The reason I tolerated her snippy attitude was because she reminded me of my niece, Ji-won. My lips won't part.
"I have no home, no family, and no money. The person who raised me also died because of me."
"I studied for ten years but can't use magic. As you said, I'm just useless-"
Ellen couldn't finish speaking and shut her mouth tightly.
Although Ellen had turned her head away, I could clearly see her face scrunched up trying to hold back tears as I was looking down at her.
Usually, I would have said something, even jokingly, seeing such a crumpled face, but I couldn't utter a word.
At thirty years old, I can't even comfort a child. Maybe it's because I'm still a kid myself.
I continued to massage Ellen's arm without saying anything.
About two hours after Ellen cried herself to sleep? Sister Olga returned.
Sister Olga looked to be in her early thirties, and true to her role as a clergy, she had a calm and caring personality.
She said with an apologetic look, "What should we do? It seems difficult to find herbs, perhaps because the city is under lockdown."
"Ah... It can't be helped."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of help."
"No, Sister. I'm grateful that you even tried."
Sister Olga was a clergy member of the 'El Ganor Order'.
The most major religion in the Middle World is the 'Light Faith', and within the Light Faith, the El Ganor Order was the most prosperous.
Sister Olga said she joined Grania's group for a pilgrimage combined with training. Apparently, she's from a monastery near where Grania used to live.
Anyway, as expected of a clergy, I thought the Sister would know how to use holy magic, but it seems her level isn't that high as she said she can only do wound healing and detoxification.
Even with just that, she would be pulling her weight, but they say she's also quite skilled with dual swords.
She learned swordsmanship at the monastery... What kind of monastery teaches killing techniques?
Shaking off my thoughts, I hesitated for a moment before taking out a few coins from my pocket.
"Um, if it's not disrespectful, could I offer a small donation?"
When I asked politely, Sister Olga looked surprised for a moment, then soon smiled warmly.
"Well, I'll accept it gratefully. May the blessing of light be with you."
"May the blessing of light be with you too, Sister."
I bowed my head, following Sister Olga in placing my hand on my chest and then my lips in turn.
This must be the greeting of the Light Faith. I should remember this.
"I'd like to visit a general store I know, could I ask you to look after Ellen for a while?"
"Of course. I was planning to rest in the room anyway."
"Yes, then. I'll leave it to you."
I returned to the room and gathered my equipment. No one would ask why I'm arming myself to go to a general store, right? In these turbulent times, being armed isn't a choice, it's a necessity.
After putting on all my gear over my casual clothes, I quickly looked myself over. Thanks to spending almost all my money on equipment, I felt quite secure.
Leather boots that came up to below the knee, long leather gloves, a linen cap and a round iron helmet, and a breastplate made of iron plates linked with chains.
Every item was of considerably good quality. It says a lot that even after selling the pirate equipment we captured in the port battle, money was still tight.
Especially the leather boots and gloves were extremely expensive. I paid eight silver coins for the two sets. Still, they seemed to worth the money as they were very sturdy and comfortable, so I didn't have many complaints.
Next, I put on my belt and attached the falchion and buckler.
The round shield... It might be too big and cumbersome.
Ah, let's take it. You never know what might happen.
I slung the round shield over my shoulder and went down to the first floor, where Daria called out to me from the bar.
"Oh, Poi! How's Ellen?"
"Sister Olga is looking after her for a while."
"Ah, I see. Where are you going?"
"To get medicine. I'm thinking of going to Oreg's general store."
At my words, Daria's eyes widened and she clapped her hands.
"To the general store? Then you'll pass by the trading post? That's great!"
"Huh? What is that?"
"You know the granary in front of the trading post, right?"
I don't. Was there such a thing?
"They say they're distributing wheat to the residents there on the lord's orders."
"The lord?"
Come to think of it, the lord of South Harbor in the game was a bit stupid but seemed to be a decent person.
Wheat distribution. Looks like he's loosening the purse strings to appease the people.
"That doesn't matter to me though. They're only giving it to residents, right?"
"That's true, but- could you take me there on your way?"
Daria smiled with a charming look and shrugged her shoulders.
...Something heavy under her shoulders moved with the motion. Because she had her hands raised on the table, the three-dimensional effect was even more pronounced.
In a conversation, you should look at the other person's eyes, but- as if pulled by gravity, my gaze kept dropping without me realizing.
"W-with me?"
"Yeah. The city's been dangerous lately, so it's a bit scary to go out alone."
Light red hair, nicely tanned skin, a figure with dramatic curves... If you dyed her hair blonde, she'd look like she could be cast as the queen bee in an American teen drama.
"Yeah, you'd really be in big trouble."
"Huh? What did you say?"
Ugh, my thoughts slipped out without me realizing...
"Ah, nothing. I meant it's terrible that the city is so dangerous."
"Hmm?"
I forced myself to raise my gaze and meet Daria's eyes. Her emerald eyes were twinkling.
...So her eyes were green. I only noticed now because I was distracted by other things.
"Okay, let's go together then."
"Really? Thank you!"
Daria smiled brightly, threw off her apron, and jumped out from behind the bar.
We're going like this? Well, I guess it doesn't matter since there are hardly any customers.
"Don't you need to prepare anything?"
"Nope. Let's go right away!"
As we started walking, a boy appeared from behind the bar, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
The young apprentice saw Daria about to leave the inn and asked with a puzzled expression.
"Sister Daria, where are you going?"
"To get rations!"
"Rations? But the owner said he'd go get them later..."
"I'll be back! Please watch the bar for a bit!"
Daria shouted hurriedly and pulled me out the door.
Only after we got out on the street did she seem to notice my gaze. Daria's face flushed as she slightly stuck out her tongue.
"...Could you not say anything?"
I nodded with a silly smile.
Oh, damn, what's this?
Suddenly, it felt like something pink that had been sleeping in a corner of my heart slightly raised its head.