Chương 250: B4—Chapter 29: The Cost of Compassion

I couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd put the time to good use. I divided all the food I'd prepped into takeaway boxes, peeled and chopped fruits and vegetables, and sorted through my stash of vitamins and minerals. I even went through my storage, pulling out every piece of clothing and footwear I had left. Unfortunately, after getting back from Shimoor, I'd donated all the unsold clothes. Well, live and learn, as they say.

The only clothes I had left were the black designer pieces from Vegas that Adi hadn't wanted, some clothes we'd found in that castle on the way back from the Junkyard, and a few sets of army fatigues from surplus stores. These were all way too big for the kids, but nothing a needle and thread couldn't fix. The only shoes I had were military boots, a few crates of designer shoes from Vegas, and some castle finds. The designer shoes were beautiful, but completely impractical.

I tilted my head, looking at them from every angle, but finally decided they just wouldn't work. The military boots were massive, and the only viable option seemed to be the castle shoes, though they were in pretty rough shape. I spent the rest of the night channeling Restore to get everything wearable again. I also cast Clean on all the clothes I'd salvaged from the guards that the house ate. The guards' pants were strange.

Tight as a vise from ankle to just above the knee, then transitioning into a wide sack that hung down awkwardly between the legs. Slipping them on felt bizarre—unsettling, even. Boxer briefs helped a little, but the lack of support was unnerving. At first, I thought they made them for riding wolves, but I saw the fieldworkers wearing the same ones. So maybe not? Al couldn't sleep either and spent the entire night holed up in his lab. Shortly before sunrise, he appeared, looking worn but satisfied.

"I am ready," he announced. I raised an eyebrow.

"What did you make?"

"More health potions," he replied, nodding toward the lab.

"Also, a formula to strengthen the body's systems, one to restore the energy lost during healing, and another to enhance energy absorption." He listed each with quiet pride, and a faint hint of a smile. Rue trotted over, tail wagging and sending me a feeling of determination.

"Rue come help children too."

"No problem, buddy," I chuckled, giving him a quick pat.

"But cancel the glamor and return to your normal look." Rue's head tilted, ears pricking up in protest.

"Why? Rue look very dangerous," he insisted, puffing up a bit.

"I know, and you can cast the glamor again once we're out of the city," I explained.

"But here, the enforcers ride those wolves, and everyone hates them. People won't warm up to you if you look like one of them." He paused, considering that, then huffed as he let the glamor fall away. After breakfast, Al climbed on my back, and we all turned invisible before flying toward the rooftop room. I just hoped no one beat us there. If they had, we'd have to drop the invisibility below and trudge up all those stairs. As we hovered above the roof, I spun in the air, checking the place. Empty.

With a sigh of relief, I descended. The rooftop room was in rough shape. One wall and half the roof were gone, and what remained was caked in grime. I cast Clean, and almost immediately, Rue and Al joined in. Within five minutes, the place sparkled. I glanced up at the broken roof and the missing wall, taking out some wooden boards to start a patch job—then paused mid-action. It hit me: I had scrolls for stonework in my stash.

I set the boards aside, pulled out the box of scrolls, and began identifying them one by one. Fuse Stone For 50 mana, fuse two stones together into a single, solid piece. Bind Timber For 50 mana, joins two wooden beams together seamlessly without nails or fasteners. Lift Block Gently raises a stone or wooden block into position, hovering until it is set down. Mana cost is determined by the size of the block and the height it is lifted to. Reinforce Bedrock Fortifies the bedrock, making it denser and more stable.

Mana cost varies depending on the condition of the bedrock. I had no need, at least not right now, for Bind Timber or Reinforce Bedrock, but the other two scrolls would definitely come in handy, especially since the stones from the wall and roof were still scattered across the rooftop.

"What is this?" Al asked, his curiosity piqued. Without a word, I handed him the scrolls while I learned the two I'd picked.

"Is it okay if I learn these?" he asked, glancing over the spells.

"I will reimburse you."

"Of course, and don't worry about paying me back—they didn't cost me anything," I replied with a shrug.

"By the way, is it okay with that 'double benefit' thing?" He nodded with a grin.

"No concerns. With the mage class, I can now learn spells freely from any source." I clapped him on the back.

"Cool!" These spells were impressive. Lift Block was similar to telekinesis in a way—after casting, I just had to guide the stone into place. The difference was that once it was cast, it didn't drain any extra mana; I simply had to aim. Fuse Stone was even more amazing. One cast, and instead of two mismatched stones, I had a single, solid piece. With these spells and Al's help, we had the room repaired within fifteen minutes.

Just to be safe, I cast Fuse Stone on all the stones in the room; it would be a shame if, after all our work, the old stones crumbled apart. By now, the sun was fully up, but still, no one had shown. I set up a dining table with a few chairs, arranged a treatment table, then glanced outside and down the stairs. Still no one. While Al and I worked, Rue roamed around the rooftop, sniffing and pacing. He trotted back over, looking unimpressed.

"Roof boring," he reported before wandering off to explore more of the terraced structure. After half an hour, he returned with another verdict.

"Still boring." Al and I finally settled down with books, waiting it out. After about an hour with no sign of anyone, I suspected no one was coming.

"I don't think my little friends are going to make it," I said to Al.

"No need for you to wait here all day." He waved his hand dismissively.

"To open the house, you will have to come with me. So, I will sit here and read until you are ready to leave." After another hour, maybe more, Flower finally arrived. He looked hesitant, barely meeting my eyes.

"Everything okay?" I asked, noting his fidgeting. He scuffed his feet, his eyes darting around the room. After a deep breath, he finally said, "My mother said to tell you that the people of The Shambles won't help you overthrow the prince." He paused, seeming lost in thought, then his face brightened as if he'd recalled a line he was supposed to deliver.

"Yes, I remembered," he said, straightening up. With a serious expression, he added, "When we helped the prince capture the city, more than half of us died, and things are worse now than before. We're done helping anyone bleed and kill us." He gave a firm nod.

"Yes, that's all." This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Then he scratched his head, looking uncertain.

"I think… that's all." I barked a laugh.

"I'm no prince, and I wouldn't want to be one. Trust me, I've heard it straight from a prince—it's not nearly as grand as it sounds." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Al smiling and nodding in agreement.

"I'm a healer. I heal people. I offered my help because I wanted to, not for any other reason. I won't argue with you or try to convince you or your mother. The choice is yours. I'll be in the city a few more days and will come to this room each morning for a short while. If you want my help, it's yours—no strings attached, no payment or compensation needed. Remember, at first, you thought I wanted to eat you—" Al burst out laughing, cutting me off mid-sentence.

"They thought you wanted to eat them?" I nodded, and Al's laughter grew louder, filling the room. Turning back to Flower, I noticed his eyes widening as he took in the room.

"Did you… fix it?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

"Yeah," I replied, glancing around at the now-clean space.

"I can't work in a dirty, run-down clinic." His brow furrowed.

"What's a clinic?"

"A place where a healer helps people." He swallowed, fidgeting with his hands, then glanced up, asking in a shy voice, "Do you have any more food?" I chuckled, reaching over to ruffle his hair.

"Sit down and eat. After that, you can let your mother know you delivered her message." He took a seat, then looked up at me skeptically.

"Are you really a healer?" I raised an eyebrow, giving him a sideways look.

"You saw Sky's leg before and after I healed it. And you can see the difference in yourself and your three friends. Do you really have to ask?" He hesitated, chewing on his lip.

"Do you heal big people too, not just children?"

"Yes," I replied, studying his face.

"Why?"

"There are sick people I know who need help. Can you help them?" He glanced over his shoulder as if checking for eavesdroppers, then added in a whisper, "But don't tell my mother." I laughed.

"Eat first, then lead me to them. And if you don't want to get into trouble, ask one of your friends to guide me instead. That way, you won't have to lie to your mother." Flower was in the middle of inhaling his food when Rue returned. His eyes went wide as saucers, and he leapt up, tumbling back with the chair. I approached him and offered a hand to help him up.

"Don't be afraid—this is my familiar. His name is Rue." He looked up at me with even bigger eyes.

"Your family is a wolf?" I laughed.

"Not family — familiar. It means he's bonded to me by magic. He's my companion, my friend. He's very gentle and friendly, so don't be afraid of him." But Flower was still shaking, his eyes glued to Rue. I turned to my familiar.

"Please wait outside, buddy. Flower needs a moment."

"Stupid name," Rue grumbled as he trotted out, and I could sense that Flower's reaction hurt his feelings. After Flower polished off three lunch boxes, he led us downstairs, and led us to a narrow alley I'd never have noticed if I hadn't known it was there.

"Wait here," he instructed, darting off. Making sick calls with Rue was not a great idea.

"Wait here for Flower," I told Al.

"Come on, Rue." We turned invisible and flew back to "our" area. I opened the house for Rue, then flew back to Al. Flower hadn't returned yet. He returned half an hour later with a girl a few years older than him—maybe thirteen, or fifteen if you accounted for the malnutrition.

"This is Cloud," he said, nodding toward her.

"She'll take you to see the people." He leaned in closer and, half-whispering, added, "Remember, not a word to my mother."

"I promise," I replied in a grave tone. Flower looked pleased and slipped away into the shadows.

"Follow me," Cloud said, turning to lead the way. Cloud led us deeper into the slums, guiding us through narrow alleys barely wider than our shoulders. Down here, especially in these cramped passageways, the stench of excrement was overwhelming. Sunlight barely trickled through the maze of rickety structures, casting everything in a perpetual shadow. We climbed a few terrace routes to reach the first place. When we arrived, Cloud finally spoke.

"Wait. I go ask if you can enter." Inside, the first woman lay on a cot, her breathing shallow and wheezing. I knelt beside her and cast Diagnose. A respiratory infection, complicated by malnutrition. One cast of Healing Touch handled the infection, but the malnutrition was more problematic. I didn't want to spend hours there feeding her or helping her body absorb nutrients manually. I set five boxes of food and two bottles of water beside her.

"Al, didn't you say you had a potion to help absorption?"

"Yes, and I recommend one to strengthen her body's systems as well," he replied, handing me the vials.

"Good idea, thanks." I turned to the woman.

"Eat all the food I've given you. I know you'll want to save it for your kids, but don't do it. I'll leave more food for them separately." She looked as if she might argue, so I raised a hand to stop her.

"What will happen to your children if you don't recover?" Her gaze dropped, and she fell silent. I handed her the potions.

"Finish all the food and water, then take these. They'll help your body recover." I glanced around.

"Where should I leave the food for your children? And how many do you have?"

"Five," she whispered, nodding toward the rickety table in the corner. I stacked twenty boxes on the table and returned to her side.

"There's food for you and your kids. Finish it all within two days, or it'll spoil." I handed her two bottles—one of vitamins and one of minerals.

"Give each of your kids one from each bottle daily, and take one yourself. It'll help keep everyone healthier." She took my hand, kissing it softly.

"Thank you. May Zyrran bless you and all your line." I patted her shoulder, casting another Healing Touch for good measure.

"Now eat and drink. Healer's orders." I noticed the way Cloud eyed the food, so before we moved on, I asked, "Is there a place on the way to the next patient where the enforcers don't go?" She nodded.

"Lead the way," I said, gesturing for her to go ahead. She took us to a secluded corner at the end of a dark alley. I set up a small table and chair, placing two lunch boxes and a bottle of water in front of her.

"Eat and drink, then we'll continue." She looked at me in surprise.

"Truly? But I'm not sick. Food is for the sick."

"It's not just for the sick. You're helping me, so you deserve it too." She didn't need further encouragement, diving into the food eagerly. Once she finished, I cast Diagnose and discovered she actually was sick—early-stage pneumonia, though she didn't notice any symptoms yet. I healed her and handed her three more lunch boxes. After she finished each box, I cast Healing Touch to strengthen her further, while Al gave her three potions—everything except a healing potion.

When she was done, we moved to the next place—a cramped room with crumbling walls—Cloud lingered by the door. Inside, a young woman lay curled on her side, her face pale and gaunt as she clutched her stomach with each shallow breath. Her abdomen was distended, and her veins showed faintly beneath her skin. I cast a diagnostic spell, letting the magic reveal what my medical instincts already suggested: likely fluid buildup around the liver.

"Possibly ascites," I murmured, running my hand over her abdomen to confirm the diagnosis. The spell's energy pulsed under my fingers, detecting the fluid shift just as I'd expected. We followed the same routine with her: healing, food, water, potions, vitamins, and minerals. She had only two little ones at home, so I used the opportunity to feed and heal them as well until their physical condition improved. The whole time I treated the children, she stood nearby, quietly crying.

When I was done, she hugged me, her sobs muffled against my shoulder. Home after home, the pattern persisted—signs of malnutrition, untreated infections, and injuries left to fester. With each case, I leaned into both my magical and medical training, casting spells to mend broken bones, clear infections, and dull pain. Al followed with potions to replenish their strength, designed to help their bodies absorb the nutrients they so desperately needed. Between house calls, I fed and healed Cloud repeatedly.

At one point, she even protested—half-heartedly, but a protest nonetheless.

"You're doing an amazing job. Don't worry about it," I kept reassuring her, trying to ease her conscience about eating so much. In one home, I found a woman burning with fever, her skin so hot it nearly stung my hand. I cast Healing Touch, feeling the magic pulse from my hands as her temperature dropped to safer levels. Her breathing steadied, and Al handed me a potion to help her regain the energy she'd lost fighting the disease.

She had three children at home, all of them also sick, and sadly, a fourth who had already passed. I healed each child, fed the entire family, and sat with the mother as she wept for her lost child. Al left quietly, tears in his eyes.

"Do you want to bury him?" I asked gently. She shook her head.

"I will consign him to the flames of Zyrran."

"Do we need to wait for your husband?" Her sobbing grew harder. When she finally managed to speak, she said, "My husband chose to become an enforcer to get a class and food. To become an enforcer, you must kill one of your children to prove loyalty to the prince—or desert and renounce your family. I didn't let him kill our girl." I had no words, so I just held her until her tears subsided.

Outside, I took out a metal bathtub I'd "liberated" from Lord Damarion's bathroom, placed the boy's body inside, and Al and I cast Blazing Orbs until the flame consumed the body. Some of her neighbors joined us, and together they chanted a prayer: May the flames carry this soul to peace, And the light guide him on his journey. May the spirit find rest beyond the shadows, And strength be given to those left behind. May Zyrran watch over the lost and the living, Until we all return to the quiet of the stars.

I asked her to repeat the words of the prayer, activating Musical Memory to memorize it. Then, with a gentle intent to ease her pain, I activated Arcane Lullaby and sang the prayer softly. After the service, I distributed food to all the women who had come to the funeral, casting Healing Touch on each of them as we provided extra food, potions, and vitamins for their children. In several homes, I healed the kids as well.

In one home, as we were finishing, the woman glanced out the window and said, "You have to leave now. If my husband finds a man here, I'll be in trouble. Thank you for everything, but please, go now." As we left, Cloud looked up and said, "There are five stars in the sky. The men will be back soon. You should go."

"Can you help us again tomorrow?" I asked. She nodded.

"Yes. I'll meet you when the sun is high in the sky, in the same place as today." As I flew home with Al on my back, he murmured, "I hate this world."