Chapter 10: The Fugitive II (Yanmar Deech Low)
A Fugitive Holy Knight, Yamada…?
I was in a state of utter confusion. I had done everything within my power up to this point. Every single action had been for the sake of this world.
Though I had parted ways with Ryuguin and the others, I had not committed any sins worthy of being scorned by a girl who had just turned ten in this remote land.
Sure, I had taken a little swing at Ryuguin, but with Mika around, I should be able to heal without a scratch…
“W-wait, what do you mean—”
“Whoops, we’ve arrived! This is my home!”
I was about to ask for more details, but the timing was unfortunate, and the conversation was abruptly cut off.
“Mom! I’m back!”
The woman who greeted us at the door resembled Milan quite a bit. However, compared to the lively Milan, her mother seemed to embody the word ‘ill-fated.’ Her cheeks were as pale as paper, and dark circles were visible under her eyes.
“Welcome back, Milan.”
She might have just been lying down until now. She seemed to notice me standing behind Milan and placed a hand on her cheek.
“By the way, who is this?” she asked.
“This person is my guest! Right, mister?”
That didn’t clarify anything at all. In fact, it could lead to some strange misunderstandings. Letting out a sigh, I stepped forward to introduce myself and explain the situation to Milan’s mother.
“I’m Yama—”
Just as I was about to state my name, a loud alarm rang in my head for a brief moment.
Isn’t the name Fugitive Holy Knight Yamada widely known? And not for good reasons, either.
“Yama?”
Milan’s mother repeated my words, tilting her head in confusion as I faltered.
“Oh, my apologies. I’m a Seeker named Yanmar. Yanmar Deech Low.”
Phew! I managed to say it without stumbling! My heart raced as I continued.
“Please call me Row.”
Someone, please commend me for getting through that impromptu (and false) introduction without showing any signs of panic.
“Well, well! A Seeker, you say? Did my daughter do something to offend you?”
It’s no wonder she misunderstood. Milan’s mother looked anxious, her hand on her cheek. I explained the events of the day and how Milan had suggested I stay over, and somehow, we managed to secure lodging.
Milan’s mother was named Maro.
In exchange for letting me stay, she served us hamburgers, exclaiming, “Oh my!” Everyone, both children and adults, loves hamburgers, after all. It’s only natural.
Noticing that I was watching her, she blushed and smiled softly, placing a hand on her cheek. There was a certain elegance about her.
As I listened to her story, it seemed that Maro had originally been a noblewoman who had given up her title when she married a commoner.
A little girl sitting next to Maro asked in a slightly lisping voice, “Is this the person, sis?” It was Milan’s younger sister, Fio.
As I conversed with them, I began to understand the cause of Maro’s unusual pallor.
Maro had lost her beloved husband and was supporting the household on her own. The situation was dire, and even I could see that she was struggling.
“Mom fell and hurt her leg while trying to avoid a cart from the Tulkane Trading Company!” Milan explained. Until then, they had been living a poor but happy life on their combined earnings. Now, that life was on the verge of collapse due to Maro’s injury.
“Then, why not rely on your family?” I suggested bluntly, though it was better than nothing.
“When I married a commoner, I severed ties with my family…”
“Oh, I see.”
Knowing that they were likely to face misfortune in the future made it hard to just walk away.
But still… a fracture…
To heal her leg, I could simply use a Potion. I had a large stock of high-grade Healing Potions in my Magic Bag, far superior to ordinary ones. Their efficacy was such that a fracture could be healed in no time.
As for the quantity, I initially thought they might be rare, but since both Eris and I had been downing them like energy drinks, I had more than enough. Each one cost a fair amount (gold coins ×× pieces), but given the vast wealth I had earned from conquering the Labyrinth, I felt I could just buy more if I ran out.
When a fracture heals, there’s a chance that it won’t align properly, leading to a permanent limp. While a Potion could heal it quickly, ensuring it healed correctly would take a bit more effort. I would need to remove the improperly fused parts and reattach them with the Potion.
“If you don’t mind…”
I offered to provide the Potions and perform the procedure. It would undoubtedly cause her unbearable pain, but she must have understood that refusing my offer would only lead to their gradual decline.
Maro hesitated for a moment before bowing her head.
“Row-sama, thank you very much.”