Published: July 30, 2025
August 10 — Today, three chapters are updated simultaneously. This is the third chapter.
"Ugh...! Haa, haa..."
As Ryoma and the others returned to the room and chatted casually, Fuse’s condition suddenly worsened.
"Fuse!"
"Stay with us!"
"The bleeding has stopped thanks to the Potion and healing magic, but now he’s running a fever. A pretty high one at that..."
"I have some antipyretics."
Voices called out to the feverish Fuse, who was sweating beads of sweat on his flushed face and groaning. Hearing Kamil’s words, Ryoma dashed to the back of the room. Zeff, watching Ryoma’s back, remarked:
"We were truly lucky to have met that kid, sir."
"Yeah, if we hadn’t met him here, Fuse definitely wouldn’t have survived."
"His condition is still far from stable, but even if we had healing magic, without him it would’ve been dangerous. Healing magic can’t reduce fever, after all."
"Normally, maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal, but after losing so much stamina and blood..."
With nothing more to say about their companion’s condition, their conversation shifted to Ryoma.
"But what do you think, huh? Leaving that kid all alone in a forest like this is dangerous."
"He’s been living here for three years already, so he must be aware of the dangers."
"He’s actually survived, after all... And considering the number and level of his resistance skills, he must have endured a very harsh environment back at the village. Even if we say the town is safe, I’m not sure he’d understand... Luckily, he’s not one to be scared of people or suddenly lash out."
"Yeah... I remember there was someone who caused trouble here before."
"Lord Reinhardt, you’re a father. Don’t you have any ideas?"
"Among us, only you, sir, have children, right? We don’t know what to do."
"Same here. We can’t just leave him alone, but forcing him out probably won’t end well... Anyway, we’ll have to return once. I’ll consult with Father and Elise about this."
A silence fell among them. After a few minutes, Ryoma returned, leading a slime carrying a pot of water and medicine. He himself held an animal fur under his arm, while the slime carried the medicine and water.
"Um, thank you."
"Priority is treatment."
Ryoma said this as he draped the fur over Fuse’s body, then poured water from the pot into a stone cup and handed it to Kamil.
"Tilt him and let him drink."
Pointing at Fuse’s mouth, Ryoma instructed, and Kamil obediently gave him the water.
"...Looks like he drank it properly."
Hearing this, Ryoma next offered the medicine.
"Antipyretic."
"Thanks, this will help."
Reinhardt accepted the medicine and gave it to Fuse, who began to stabilize about an hour later, allowing Reinhardt and the others to breathe a sigh of relief.
Since it was getting dark, Ryoma suggested that Reinhardt and the others stay at his place for the night. Judging from their previous actions, Reinhardt and the others concluded Ryoma bore no hostility and agreed to stay for Fuse’s sake.
That evening’s dinner was simple for Ryoma—a stir-fry of bean sprouts grown in the cave and rabbit meat soup—but Reinhardt and the other three were deeply grateful for the meal, the treatment, and the lodging. The night passed quietly.
The next day.
Thanks to the medicine and nursing, Fuse recovered faster than expected. By late morning, he was able to stand on his own and ready to depart Ryoma’s house with Reinhardt and the others.
"Man, I really thought I was going to die this time. Thanks, kid!"
"Really... Are you okay?"
"Why, you worried about me? I thought you hated people since I heard you don’t want to go to the village or town."
"...I do care about injured people, at least."
"Hahaha! Well, that’s good! Oh..."
Fuse laughed but suddenly staggered, supported by Reinhardt and Kamil.
"Fuse, you okay?"
"Y-yeah, just a slight dizziness. No problem."
"Since you’re just recovering, please be careful."
Seeing this, Ryoma produced a bottle he had prepared earlier.
"Drink this."
"Hm? What’s this bottle?"
"A blood tonic. You’re low on blood."