By the Grace of the Gods (LN) - Volume 1 - Chapter 3

Chapter 1 Episode 3: Parting

“Ugh...! Hah, hah...”

When Ryoma and the others returned to the room, Hughes’s condition had worsened.

“Hughes!”

“Hang in there!”

“The bleeding stopped thanks to the potions and healing magic, but now he has a fever. And a fairly severe one at that...”

“Fever reducer... I have.”

While beads of sweat ran down Hughes’s flushed face as he groaned at the voices calling out to him, Ryoma went running into another room at Camil’s words.

“Good thing we ran into that kid, right boss?”

“Yeah. If we hadn’t met him here, there’s no doubt Hughes would be beyond saving.”

“It’s still too early to relax, but my healing magic wouldn’t have been enough without him. Healing magic can’t reduce fevers, after all.”

“He may have been fine under normal conditions, but after losing as much blood as he did...”

Once they finished discussing the state of their companion, the topic changed to Ryoma.

“So what will you do? The kid shouldn’t be living in this forest alone, it’s dangerous.”

“He’s already lived here for three years, so I think he’s aware of the dangers.”

“He’s survived here up until now, after all... Not to mention those resistance skills he had. With those levels, his village must have been a terribly harsh environment. Would he understand if we told him the town was safe...? Seeing people may scare him into a sudden rampage.”

“Yeah... There was someone who caused such an incident before, if I recall.”

“As a father, do you have any ideas, Lord Reinhart?”

“You’re the only one among us with a kid, boss. We have no idea what to do.”

“The same goes for me. I can’t leave him alone, but I can’t imagine anything good would come out of forcing him away... Either way, I want to return first and discuss this more with Father and Elise.”

A silence fell between them, until several minutes later Ryoma returned with a slime carrying a jug of water and medicine. Ryoma himself carried a blanket made of fur under one arm, while the vital medicine and water was being carried by the slime.

“Umm, thank you.”

“Treatment first.”

Ryoma said, covering Hughes’s body with the blanket before transferring water from the slime’s jug to a drinking cup, then handing it to Camil.

“Tilt it... and drink.”

Ryoma pointed at Hughes’s mouth and Camil moved to obey.

“...It looks like he was able to drink it.”

Hearing those words, Ryoma next offered the medicine.

“Fever reducer.”

“Thank you, that’s perfect,” Reinhart said, accepting the medicine and feeding it to Hughes.

Roughly an hour later, Hughes’s condition had stabilized enough for Reinhart and his men to relax. That was when Ryoma suggested they stay the night, as it was already getting dark. The party decided to gratefully accept his offer, having deemed Ryoma to be friendly from what they had gone through, and in consideration of Hughes’s condition.

That night’s dinner was a stir-fry of Ryoma’s own cave-grown bean sprouts and rabbit soup. While it was a simple meal to Ryoma, Reinhart’s party was more than grateful for all the hospitality and medicine provided. And thus, the night wore on.

■ ■ ■

The next day.

Thanks to the medicine and nursing, Hughes showed better recovery than expected overnight. He could stand on his own feet and was able to leave Ryoma’s home with Reinhart by noon.

“Man, I really thought I was a goner. You sure saved me, kid!”

“Are you... really... okay?”

“Aww, are you worried about me? I heard you didn’t want to go to any village or town, so I thought you hated people!”

“I still... worry... for injured people.”

“Gahahah! I see, I see! My bad, then! Oops...”

The force of Hughes’ laughter sent him staggering into Reinhart and Camil beside him.

“Hughes, are you all right?”

“Y-Yeah, just got a little dizzy for a sec. It’s no problem.”

“You’re still recovering, so try not to push yourself.”

Seeing that, Ryoma took out a bottle he had prepared in advance.

“Drink.”

“Hmm? What’s that bottle?”

“Hematopoietics... Need to... produce more blood.”

“Hematopoietics, huh? Thanks. I’ll drink it right awa— Ugh, that stinks! What is this smell?!”

The force of Hughes’s recoil sent the foul stench of grassy medicinal herbs blended with green caterpillar corpses into the surrounding air. The smell reached not only Hughes, but Jill and Zeph beside him too, making them contort their faces.

“Old recipe... Not made anymore. The smell... hindered sales. Can guarantee... effect... though.”

“Well, you heard him. He’s giving it to you out of pure good will, so drink up.”

“B-But this is...”

“We can’t have you collapsing on us on the way there either.”

“We were worried for you too, after all.”

Jill and Zeph grabbed a shoulder each and stopped Hughes from his attempted escape...

“I’m sorry!”

Camil made eye contact, grabbed the blood producer and poured it into Hughes’ mouth.

“%#%$!!!”

Hughes made an inhuman sound and spasmed several times, supporting himself against the wall afterward.

At a glance, it looked like he had ingested poison, but it was actually a very safe and effective medicine.

It just smelled and tasted revolting.

“Y... You idiots...”

“If the medicine tastes awful, that means it works, Hughes.”

“Don’t worry, this kid’s medicines are effective.”

“The potion he used for your treatment was also of good quality.”

“Damn it, argh... I thought I was gonna die... Urgh...”

Ryoma handed a cup of water to Hughes, who looked nauseous from the scent of the medicine in his mouth.

“Need... armor?”

“Phew... Hmm? Come to think of it, my armor was done in by that bear. I don’t have weapons, either.”

“Have equipment... Take it.”

“I’d be grateful for that, but are you sure?”

“Sure.”

After answering Hughes’ question, Ryoma went into the back room and returned several minutes later with a dozen or so slimes carrying five spears and three sets of armor.

“This... can use.”

“You sure have some good stuff for bandit gear. Are you sure you want to give them to Hughes?”

“Weapons should be used... Leaving them... No use...”

“Spears like this would go for five small gold coins, you know?”

“Take it.”

Surprised at the quality of the equipment, Jill and Hughes checked many times, but Ryoma was insistent that they take it.

In the end, Hughes folded first.

“...Then I’ll gratefully accept them. But it isn’t my style to just be on the receiving end. I can’t repay you right now, but if you ever need anything, you can count on me. If you tell the gatekeeper of the Jamil estate in Gaunago that you want to see the lord’s escort Hughes, you’ll be able to contact me. There’s no need to hold back.”

“Got it.”

And so, the party of five finished their preparations for their journey and departed. In the third year of his otherworld life, Ryoma finally had a proper interaction with other people. Ryoma felt tired and nostalgic after his first human conversation in a long time, but still set off for his daily hunt again.

Unaware that this meeting was about to change his life in a dramatic way...