Badlands Saga: Reincarnation in a Different World with Extreme Charisma - Chapter 22

Chapter 22   Turn Me Loose, Im Dr. FeelGood 3

“Alright, Medubal, we’re counting on you.”

“Leave it to me. I will prepare everything in Subado and be ready to welcome you.”

The so-called “Mystic Army,” a mysterious trading company funded by the chiefs of four towns, was placed under the guidance of the merchant Medubal. We headed toward the capital, Tsutomuporita, embarking from the nomadic lands.

This vast expanse of nomadic land is said to be the birthplace and stronghold of the Makiano people.

The biggest concern with Medubal leaving was the language barrier, but I had more or less learned to understand it…

And then there was Urok, the woman that Makiano had assigned to take care of us. She had also come to understand a fair bit of our language during the journey.

“I’m good at learning languages since I’m the daughter of Tegnon Nosh.”

“Tegnon Nosh?”

“Ah… goes to many places… and brings conversations together… uh…”

“Like a diplomat who travels outside the country?”

“Ah, that could be it. Diplomat, yeah. Diplomat.”

Well, there are still parts I don’t understand, but even Medubal isn’t perfectly fluent in Makiano.

This will take time, and we’ll just have to gradually understand each other.

“But man, there really is nothing as far as the eye can see,” said Kintman, walking beside me.

I, on the other hand, was quite fond of the scenery of this nomadic land.

Having lived in the wilderness since birth, I was used to these empty landscapes. The way the wind swept across the ground, the perfectly straight horizon like a sword’s slash—it all brought me a sense of peace.

“Sorry for the city-loving Kintman, but I like this kind of scenery.”

“I don’t exactly love the city. It’s just more fun when there’s booze and girls around every day, that’s all.”

“Girls? Oh, I’m an older sister, too!”

“Urok, what Kintman is talking about are working girls.”

“Ah, you’re naughty, aren’t you?”

As she spoke, Urok made a hand gesture toward Kintman with a somewhat mocking expression.

“But still, when there’s nothing around like this, it’s a real pain when it rains.”

“Don’t worry, it won’t rain here for a while. It’ll all come down at once later.”

“So, there’s a rainy season then,” I replied.

I pulled a blanket over myself and lay down on the palanquin.

Though the wind was cold, spring was approaching, and it wasn’t so bad that I couldn’t take a nap.

“Well, lots of wolves come out, though,” Urok said, trying to scare me.

But wolves wouldn’t bother approaching a group of a hundred armed people. Besides, we’ve even got a golden wolf with us.

With the sound of the wind and the horses’ hooves as my lullaby, I fell into a deep sleep.

*

“It’s a bit cramped, but make yourselves comfortable.”

“Thanks, we appreciate the hospitality.”

Without any formal introductions, the owner of the mobile dwelling offered us a place to stay for the night.

Of course, the Makiano envoy traveling with us must have smoothed things over, but even so, it was surprising how easily we were welcomed.

Still, not all of us could fit inside. Only the women, Kintman, and I went inside, while the rest had to camp outside.

The interior of the tent-like structure, supported by pillars, was surprisingly spacious and filled with various pieces of furniture.

In the center, a pot was being heated on a stove, filled with something white that smelled quite delicious.

The bearded host poured himself a cup of tea from a kettle nearby, drank it, and then poured another cup to offer me.

The tea had a bit of a medicinal smell, but just having something warm was a relief.

“Are you the ones they say came from the land of demons?”

“Yes, we’re heading to Tsutomuporita.”

“What will you do there?”

“I will meet the emperor. What happens next is up to them.”

That’s right, I’ve only been told to have an audience with the emperor. What they want me to do after that, I haven’t been told yet. Whether I’ll be forgiven with a gift like the Blade of Chiyonovagna or get my head cut off, I won’t know until I get there.

“Is your land of demons full of children like you?”

“There aren’t many children. The wilderness is harsh, so everyone has to help each other to survive.”

“It’s the same on the plains. We only manage to live by helping one another. Even so, the cold and disease take children quickly.”

He said this while pointing to a screen partitioning off a corner of the dwelling.

“My son also fell ill. He’s never been able to drink mare’s milk since birth, and I doubt he’ll make it through the spring… You should be careful too. On the plains, it’s important to get as much nutrition as you can.”

Hearing this, a woman—perhaps his wife—dressed in colorful clothing peeked out from behind the partition. In contrast to her bright clothes, her face looked dull and weary.

“If he’s sick, should I share some medicine?”

“Medicine? I appreciate the offer, but wouldn’t that be for your own use?”

“I’m an alchemist. Making medicine is my job.”

“What! A healer! Then please, take a look at my son!”

He stood up abruptly, reaching out to grab my hand.

… But his hand froze mid-air.

A sword, glowing faintly green, was thrust between us as if to cut him off.

“Don’t come any closer.”

The bearded man, looking like he had seen something unbelievable, staggered backward and collapsed to the ground.

“The Blade Chiyonovagna…? Is it real…?”

I patted Isara’s hand, which was holding the emerald sword, signaling her to step back.

“Isara, it’s fine. His child is sick. Riza, bring me my medicine kit.”

“Understood.”

I reached out to help the man up, but instead, Kintman took his hand and pulled him to his feet.

“Let me see the child.”

“Please… heal him, I beg you.”

With the man praying under his breath, he led me behind the partition.

There, a small boy lay, gazing at me weakly with his emaciated body.

“Is this a common illness in this area?”

“Yes. It often affects children and the elderly, but adults can get it too. It saps strength, causes teeth to fall out, and eventually leads to death.”

Lifting the boy’s lips, I saw his gums were indeed bleeding.

I knew this disease.

In my previous life, it was a rare condition, but I had learned about it in my work as a sailor, along with its history, symptoms, and cause.

This illness is most likely scurvy.

A disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C—there was no doubt about it.

“He’s probably not getting enough nutrients. Are there any vegetables or fruits around here?”

“There are hardly any plants people can eat. We’d have to go to town for that.”

“Then give him this, and if he recovers, make sure he drinks as much sour fruit juice as possible.”

I handed the man a bottle of vitamin supplements I had in my medicine kit. I had prepared it since vegetables are scarce in the wasteland, and there might be a time when it would be needed. However, Tanukan Castle provided enough vegetables in their meals, and the townspeople had been eating seaweed to fill their stomachs, so I hadn’t used it until now.

“Listen, giving it to him all at once won’t help. Give him a small amount, about the size of a pinky nail, with every meal.”

“Yes, thank you… thank you so much…”

“Really, thank you…”

The man and his wife knelt down, clasping their hands in gratitude toward me.

The child hasn’t even been saved yet…

“Please, let us offer something in return… I’m sorry we don’t have much saved up…”

As he stood up, I grabbed his sleeve and stopped him.

“It’s alright. We help each other, both in the wasteland and the grasslands.”

When I said that, he collapsed to the ground, crying.

I don’t have children myself, so I can’t fully understand, but the fear of losing a child must have been beyond imagination.

“There’s a trading house called the Mystic Army in the town of Subado. If you mention the name ‘Fu of the Wasteland,’ they’ll likely share some fruit with you. I’ll write a message on a wood tablet later.”

Though I said that…

In the end, I stayed at their house until the child recovered, sending one of the traveling Makiano tribe to Subado to fetch fruit.

However, during that time… things on the grasslands began to take a drastic turn.