Chapter 33

"Is that so... Aina's mother..."

Aina talked to me while crying.

About how her mother fell ill.

How she spent the adventurer's reward money to buy a potion.

How the illness didn't get better even after that.

How she wanted to take her mother to a big city for treatment.

How she needed money for that.

She spoke through sobs, choking up many times.

"Uu... hic... ugh... I'm sorry... Shiro, I'm so sorry..."

Aina kept apologizing while crying.

On the other hand, Ria, who listened to the story with us,

"Tch, who the hell is that! The bastard who sold a potion to a little girl!"

She was inexplicably furious.

Rolf, standing next to her, also seemed angry, though he didn't say it out loud.

"Miss, do you remember what the adventurer who sold you the potion looked like?"

In response to Ria's question, Aina shook her head.

"...I see. If you see him, let me know. I'll give him a good punch."

Aina looked puzzled at Ria's words.

Rolf answered her.

"Aina, I'm sorry to say this, but the potion you were given has no power to cure illness."

"…Huh?"

Aina's eyes widened.

"Heal potions can only heal external injuries. There are also Cure potions that can neutralize poison, but the one thing all potions have in common is that there is no potion that can cure illness."

"So... the potion Aina bought... The adventurer said that... if Mom drinks this, she'll be fine...?"

"As a fellow adventurer, it pains me to say this... Aina, you were deceived by the adventurer who sold you the potion."

Even though it wasn't his fault, Rolf apologized, saying, "I'm sorry."

I see. The adventurer deceived the child Aina and sold her the potion.

That's why Ria is so angry.

"...I see. Aina... was deceived."

Aina looked dazed.

"I see... I see... uuu..."

This time, it was out of frustration.

Aina started to cry.

I kept patting her back and saying, "It's okay."

However... From what Rolf said, it's questionable whether the potion she bought was even a real potion.

I glanced at everyone's faces.

Though they didn't say it out loud, they seemed to be thinking the same thing as me.

"Damn it!"

Ria kicked a nearby chair.

It was probably out of frustration.

Adventurers have a lot of destructive power.

The chair I liked a little was easily broken.

"Rolf, I'm going to find that bastard! I'll leave the rest to you."

"Understood."

Ria stormed out, shouting in anger.

I watched his strong back, half hoping the 'bastard' would be found and half hoping he wouldn't be found to avoid more trouble.

◇◆◇◆◇◆

"I'm going to leave the search for the person to Ria and visit Aina's mother. What about you two?"

In response to my words, Rolf and Karen exchanged glances and nodded.

"Of course, I will go with you. I was asked by Ria, and above all, it is the duty of one who serves the gods to save those in need."

Said Rolf.

Karen also opened her mouth, looking as if it was a given.

"It is the duty of the mayor to save the townspeople. Shiro, I will go too. But before that..."

Karen turned to Aina and continued.

"Aina, the illness your mother has, could it be 'Living Rot Disease'?"

Aina's body trembled.

Then she looked back at Karen,

"...Yeah. The pharmacist uncle said Mom's illness is 'Living Rot Disease.'"

"Indeed, as I thought..."

Karen's shoulders drooped.

"How terrible, that your mother has Living Rot Disease..."

Rolf's expression also darkened.

Just by looking at their faces, I could tell that 'Living Rot Disease' was quite troublesome.

"Rolf, can you come with me for a moment?"

"Understood."

I led Rolf to the second floor of the shop.

"Tell me straight. What is 'Living Rot Disease'?"

I asked in a low voice so Aina wouldn't hear.

Rolf seemed to understand my intention and explained in a low voice.

"Living Rot Disease is a condition where the limbs become weak as if they are rotting. Some scholars claim it is contagious, but the cause is still unknown. And..."

Rolf, looking straight at me, said with a heavy heart.

"Most people who get this disease die."