CHAPTER 505: CHAPTER 483 THEODORA AND JOAN OF ARC HOSPITAL

Fingers brushed against the wall stained with verdigris, feeling its rough texture, Theodora withdrew her hand, thinking it was moss.

Outside, the rain pattered against the eaves, swaying the wind chimes of this townhouse.

Looking at the greasy fireplace, Theodora lifted her skirt disdainfully and lightly jumped over the cornerless floorboard.

She pulled up the wooden shutters, revealing the somewhat desolate flower garden and courtyard outside.

A bit further afar, one could see the tower of Joan of Arc Hospital.

According to the nuns, that’s where the ward for infectious patients is.

The hospital tries to keep them isolated from the outside world, and they’re only allowed to leave once recovered.

Standing at the doorway, a man dressed as a steward was fiercely arguing with a middle-aged housing agent.

"Three months minimum lease, that’s my bottom line."

"Maybe we’ll be gone in a month, why not lower the price?"

"Is 60 Dinars a month too expensive for such a good house?"

"If it weren’t for us having women, who would even consider your house in the middle of nowhere?"

To treat the illness, Theodora and her company had been in Langsande County for over a month.

After staying in cramped lodgings for so long and recovering from two bouts of illness, naturally, she’d prefer to move to a spacious, breezy house.

However, these two arguing were truly annoying.

Theodora frowned as the breeze inside made her veil sway, revealing a delicate little chin: "Bonato, tell Mo Enstein to ask if there are other store properties? Can we buy them?"

"Yes, Miss Theodora."

Theodora’s meaning quickly reached Mo Enstein’s mouth and the agent’s ears.

He shook his head regretfully: "You’re not on Pope Country’s residence register, so you can’t buy property here, only lease."

Mo Enstein pointed to Bonato beside him: "Is it too late to register now? Perhaps let this companion register first."

"Sorry, you’d need to submit an application, and then work locally for a year without any criminal record to register," the housing agent said, adjusting his felt hat with regret, "Right now, it seems too late."

Selling a house brings much more commission than leasing a house.

Unfortunately, for now, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to buy.

"We don’t want to become local citizens, we just want to buy a house here. With this kind of residence system, which trader would want to come set up a business here?" Bonato glared discontentedly.

"Sorry, it’s our national situation, can’t help it." The housing agent shrugged.

"Can it be done within a month? For example, replacing someone, or altering a few words in the register?" Mo Enstein stepped forward, secretly slipping some Sola Gold Coins into the agent’s pocket.

The agent was taken aback, felt around in his pocket, and his expression changed.

He coughed, reluctantly took out the gold coins, and handed them to Mo Enstein: "I’m just a small housing agent, the Salvation Army is different from before, how could I operate the residence register?"

Mo Enstein smiled, pushed the coins back: "Once given, our lady never takes back money, please keep them...

Could you think of another way? Give us some suggestions, without compromising your noble conscience."

Looking at the gleaming coins, the agent hesitated for a few seconds: "Adding to the register indeed has special channels, for those with the authority, it’s just a matter of words.

You surely are wealthy merchants, if you buy enough Holy War Bonds to show your financial strength, I think I could find an elder to entertain you.

If you say you want to set up a business locally, it’ll be much more convenient then.

As for whether you want to set up a business or not, honestly, put on a front for a while, no one dares to forcefully rush you.

They may come visit every few months, and after some time, sell the bonds at a slightly lower price, won’t cost much."

Mo Enstein looked back at Theodora, who thought for a while, first nodded then shook her head.

He immediately understood and turned to the agent: "Then we’ll rent this house for now, and discuss the rest later."

"Alright." The agent touched the gold coins in his pocket, "Tomorrow I’m off, can take you to the Saintess Bank.

As for this house if you don’t mind the mess, you can move in and sign the contract now, 50 Dinars a month."

"Then let’s sign now, rent for a month first."

Mo Enstein, along with the housing agent, went to the neighboring house to sign the contract, while Theodora lifted the veil on her hat and began to look around the house.

She had her reasons for attempting to buy property or stores.

Having experienced the chief hospital at Joan of Arc Castle, Theodora planned to stay until the war ended and roads were cleared.

Idle nonetheless, perfect opportunity to bring out hidden funds and try a small business locally.

If Thousand River Valley truly became independent of Leia Kingdom, establishing a Crab Roe Clan business outpost here in advance would be favorable.

This time, Joan of Arc left a deep impression on Theodora.

Not just hard roads, orderly village system, and good governance, but also a fairly liberal atmosphere.

A monastery-shaped building had witch doctors openly practicing.

The witch doctors here were exceptionally skilled, better than the usual ones.

Theodora not only treated her parasite ailment but also cured the long-standing back boils.

The back boil was caused by Theodora’s father accidentally shooting her during hunting, and due to infection and other reasons, became a chronic illness.

Even priest-level monks couldn’t heal Theodora’s back boils.

Theodora’s father found the so-called "Codfish Castle Divine Doctor" for treatment.

The doctor claimed drinking a sleep potion first, then chopping the back open with an axe to remove the damaged spine would solve it.

Theodora’s father promptly ordered the "famed doctor’s" son over to demonstrate first, only after success administer on Theodora.

The result was the son having his back split with an axe, and the father having his head split with an axe.

She had resigned to living with the disease, until the witch doctors noticed her back boils while treating her parasite disease.

With a mindset to try, Theodora asked them if they could treat it.

To her surprise, they said such ailments were common on the battlefield, absolutely treatable, albeit pricey.

This wasn’t an issue for Theodora.

Joan of Arc Hospital deployed four Miracle Priests, continuously using frost techniques, hypnotic techniques, and Scorching Rays.

Three witch doctors worked together to remove the decayed flesh from Theodora’s back.

Then they gave her alchemical potions to drink, and invited a monk to use Divine Art to heal and repair her external injuries.

Divine Art blessings and witchcraft magic used in the same place didn’t result in angels battling demons; instead, the effect was remarkably good.

In merely a month, she could stand on her feet, rambling around on a cane.

Despite having an ugly scar on her back, and possible blasphemy against the Saint Master, she could finally sleep lying down!

For just 35 gold pounds, who needs a four-horse carriage?

gold pounds could be a laborer’s five-year total salary; for a noble like Theodora, it was merely two months’ pocket money.

Compared to Codfish Castle Church’s hundreds of gold pounds for temporary relief, it was practically free.

In the Norn nobility, there are countless who suffer from ailments difficult to treat.

Many of them can only go to the church for Divine Art, merely restoring them to initial states but not curing the root, sometimes only alleviating pain, sometimes aggravating the condition.

Many nobles donate to the church, not solely for political stance and faith, but also as compensation for the church’s healthcare.

An institution like the Salvation Army Hospital, which cures in a single visit and is afraid of you returning a second time, was rare for Theodora.

I just wonder if these witch doctors and Miracle Priests can conjure miracles for her father’s migraines?

"Miracle Priest... Alchemical potion..." She reached out and flipped over the frame on the wall, dusted it off, revealing the portrait of a Knight, the house’s former owner, "Interesting..."

"Miss Theodora, the notary has signed the contract," Mo Enstein placed his right hand over his chest and bowed to Theodora, "Are we heading to the bank next?"

"Why stray far?" Theodora put down her veil, "Mr. Harbin introduced the hospital to us, we haven’t visited to thank him."