CHAPTER 39: LUKE AND LYRA OBSERVATION RESULT

Lena overheard the conversation. She stepped closer to Gideon and Silva, and Silva’s eyes shifted toward her.

"I’ll check on her," Lena replied quickly.

Gideon turned to look at her and nodded. Since Lena was the most skilled in this area, letting her treat Noelle was the best choice.

"You take care of her. I’ll help Jack," Gideon said firmly.

"Understood, Captain."

Before heading to Noelle’s house, Lena went into the inn to grab her medkit. It was important for making an initial diagnosis of Noelle’s condition. She also asked Silva to explain all the symptoms her mother had shown.

Meanwhile, Gideon unloaded Jack’s belongings from the carriage. There were quite a lot of them, and he didn’t know where to store them.

The house for Gideon’s team was still under construction, and he didn’t want to leave the items outside.

In the end, Gideon decided to take Jack and Sora to the inn with their belongings. He would pay for their stay himself.

For now, his main focus was making sure they had a temporary place to live. Once Noelle recovered, he would speak to her about it.

"Those things... did you bring a blacksmith, Mr. Gideon?" an elderly villager asked.

Gideon turned and nodded, introducing Jack and Sora to him. They greeted each other warmly, and the old man smiled wide.

"Well, that’s a relief. Most of our farming tools are dull and rusty," the old man said.

"I can help you," Sora offered, making the old man chuckle and nod.

"There’s an old, empty house that used to belong to a blacksmith. The owners left the village three years ago."

"Maybe you could stay there," the old man suggested.

"Really?" Jack asked, pleasantly surprised.

"Of course. Miss Noelle is sick right now, but I’m sure she’ll allow it. The village needs a blacksmith."

Jack felt like he had stumbled upon unexpected treasure. He never thought he and Sora would be welcomed so warmly by the villagers.

If I had insisted on staying in the city, I probably never would have known about this village or the needs of its people.

For Gideon, the news was a relief. He no longer had to worry about finding a place for Jack and Sora, nor spend money on an inn room for them.

The old man pointed toward an old house, its front yard overgrown with weeds, wooden walls rotting, and the roof full of holes.

Even so, it was still in good enough shape for them to live in with some repairs.

Jack and Sora would just need to clean and fix it up to make it livable. Jack looked over at Gideon, eyes glassy with emotion. Gideon had changed his life.

Gideon noticed Jack’s gaze, "What? You need my help?"

"No... I’m just grateful we met. You’ve changed our lives," Jack said.

"It’s a little scary hearing that from a big guy like you, but I’m glad you’re staying here and can help the people," Gideon joked.

"Welcome to Nemora Village."

***

Two days later.

Nemora Village.

Noelle slowly opened her eyes, her weak body still lying on the bed. The elderly woman winced in pain when she saw a transparent tube stuck in her hand, carrying a liquid she didn’t recognize.

Only Silva was in the room, sleeping on the sofa with a blanket over her. In a hoarse voice, Noelle called out to her.

Silva heard the faint sound. She slowly opened her eyes and saw her mother awake, her body thinner and her face pale.

Silva shot up from the sofa and hurried to her mother’s side. Her hands trembled, her heart raced, and tears streamed down her cheeks as her slender fingers gripped Noelle’s hand.

"Thank goodness... I’m so grateful," Silva whispered.

"What is this thing?" Noelle asked in a raspy voice.

"That’s an IV drip. Miss Lena put it in for you. She asked you not to remove it."

"Lena, huh? Sir Gideon’s friend?"

"That’s right. She came two days ago, examined you, and gave you medicine," Silva said.

"Not with magic?" Noelle asked.

"No, not with magic," Silva answered with a smile, her eyes fixed on her mother’s face again.

Overjoyed that her mother was conscious, Silva wanted to fetch Lena right away. She told Noelle she’d be back and left the house.

Lena, who had been leading the villagers in cleaning up the village, turned in surprise when she heard Silva’s voice. It was no wonder. Silva had come out to tell her about Noelle.

"My mother... she’s awake," Silva said.

Lena nodded and told Gideon to bring her medkit. He nodded in understanding.

Soon after, Lena and Gideon entered Noelle’s home. The bedroom door was open, and Silva sat on a wooden chair beside the bed where Noelle lay.

Noelle’s face was still pale, her movements weak, and her appetite gone. She turned her head slowly and smiled, happy that Lena had come to help her.

"How are you feeling?" Lena asked.

"Weak."

"That’s normal," Lena replied.

Gideon stood at the foot of the bed, watching Lena place a stethoscope in her ears. She listened to Noelle’s heartbeat and breathing.

She then used a flashlight to check her pupils. Lena smiled, her condition had improved a lot.

"What are you doing?" Noelle asked.

"Examining you."

"In my world, this illness is called typhoid," Lena explained as she removed the stethoscope.

"Typhoid?"

"Water Spirit Fever, Mother. Their typhoid is the same as our water spirit fever," Silva said.

"T-Then... tell the people to clean—"

"Don’t worry, Lady Noelle," Lena interrupted gently, placing her hand softly on Noelle’s chest.

"I’ve already told the villagers to start cleaning the area, separating the livestock, and disposing of waste and manure far away."

Noelle smiled, relieved. Lena’s help was far more than she could have hoped for. Normally, water spirit fever could be treated, but it came back easily. Noelle wasn’t sure if Lena’s way could break that cycle.

For now, keeping the village and water sources clean was the top priority. Lena also instructed anyone who had been in contact with Noelle to be careful and wash their hands regularly.

Silva listened closely. She had been the one caring for Noelle while she lay sick in bed. She would follow Lena’s instructions carefully.

"I’ll prepare an herbal antibiotic for you. Make sure she takes it regularly," Lena said.

"Of course, Miss Lena," Silva replied.

When they were done with Noelle, Lena and Gideon left. Lena went to the inn to start preparing herbal medicine, while Gideon returned to help in the village.

Over time, the village became cleaner. No trash in sight, animal carcasses were buried, and the foul smell disappeared. Gideon was happy, and so were the villagers.

"Thank goodness it’s all done."

"Captain?" a familiar voice called.

Gideon quickly turned toward the village gate. Luke and Lyra had arrived, wearing their usual outfits, though their boots were caked with mud from checking the river water and soil.

Still, Gideon was relieved they were back safe. Nothing bad had happened to them.

He hurried over and spoke with them. Lyra opened her pack and showed him two small bottles; one with black river water, the other with soil from the riverbank.

"Well? How was it?" Gideon asked.

"We met Lady Siver and gathered plenty of evidence. Lyra analyzed it quickly," Luke said.

"What?"

"Mercury, lead, and I suspect organophosphates," Lyra explained.

"Really? Did you check the ancient ruins?" Gideon asked.

Luke shook his head, and Lyra stayed quiet. She hadn’t gone there because she feared there might be danger. She also hadn’t brought a drone to scout the area.

"Alright. Let’s meet tonight to discuss this case."

"Understood, Captain."