Chapter 4

"I'm sending this kid home, so don't worry about it. Look, go home quickly!"

"Wait, doesn't that kid need medicine?"

He stopped the shop owner who was trying to push the boy out of the store. The boy looked to be around eight years old and wouldn't come to such a place alone unless it was something serious.

"Yes, but he doesn't have enough money, so I was about to send him home."

"If that's the case, I'll pay for it. Give him the medicine. And... do you have thyme, rosemary, laurel, and basil?"

"Y-Yes! Uh, they're over here. Should I prepare them?"

The shop owner pointed to a place where various herbs were stored in wooden boxes. Most of the leafy herbs seemed to be treated as medicine, and he grabbed a few familiar ones.

"Oh, there's also chili pepper. Then, this kid's medicine and this... and this one too."

There were also healing potions and antidote potions, so he bought one of each.

"Here! Right away!"

While the child was fidgeting, he received the items in exchange for the money. The quantity was about the same, but the price was less than a tenth.

"Well, some herbs multiply every year once you plant them."

After receiving the items, he tried to leave the pharmacy, but the boy didn't follow.

He probably never thought that the notorious knight captain would buy medicine for him.

"Where's your house? You need the medicine, right?"

"Ah, y-yes! Thank you so much!"

With a face on the verge of tears, the boy thanked him and started leading the way. Even at a brisk pace, it was a normal walking speed for him.

While receiving the shop owner's farewell, he followed the boy into a dirty alley.

The boy's house was in a part of what could be called a slum. The wooden house looked like it would collapse with a single kick.

"Ah, big brother!"

Inside the house, there was a girl around four years old. In the back, on a bed, was a woman with a pale face, presumably the mother.

"Chloe, have you been a good girl? The captain of the Vandieer Knights bought medicine for your mother! You can relax now."

"Wow! Va... Van...?"

The little girl, called Chloe, struggled with the difficult family name.

"Hehe, if it's hard to say, you can just call me big brother."

"Okay! Thank you, big brother!"

"You're welcome."

Because the little girl didn't know his reputation, she thanked him with a full smile. When he squatted down and patted her head, it felt very greasy.

"‘Purify,’ how does that feel? Refreshed, right?"

"Wow! I feel so refreshed! Is big brother a magician!?"

In this world, most magic users are nobles, or rather, many became nobles because they had magic. As a result, the common knowledge for children is that being able to use magic equals being a noble.

"That's right. Come on, let's give the medicine to Chloe's mother."

"Okay! This way!"

Chloe pulled his hand with her small hand. Thinking about how cute his younger brothers were, he felt warm thinking that having a sister would have been nice too. The boy was frozen in place behind him, but the priority was to give the medicine to the mother.

To be honest, the mother was also very dirty and smelly.

The medicine from the pharmacy was supposed to be a potent all-purpose herbal medicine. Would it work properly on this mother?

"For now... ‘Purify.’ Hey, here's the medicine. Can you sit up?"

When he called out, the mother opened her eyes slightly. She seemed to be having trouble focusing, but after a few seconds, she suddenly opened her eyes wide.

"V-Vandieer Knight Captain!? W-Why are you here...!?"

The surprised mother tried to sit up but fell back onto the bed due to lack of strength.

"Don't overexert yourself. I just happened to meet the boy at the pharmacy. I'll support you, so take the medicine."

"But... how could you afford the medicine..."

Mentioning the money first, she must be in dire straits.

"Don't worry, I bought it while shopping. It's a small amount for me, so don't worry. More importantly, take the medicine quickly and reassure the children."

He supported her back and helped her sit up. She drank the medicine with trembling hands. The quality of the medicine from that store seemed good, as her complexion quickly improved.

"How do you feel?"

"Thanks to you, I feel much better. I don't know how to thank you... Thank you, Mark."

It seems the boy's name is Mark. I hadn't even asked his name.

The children looked relieved to see their mother's improved complexion.

"Thank you, Vandieer Knight Captain!!"

"Thank you, big brother!"

"Chloe! Calling the Vandieer Knight Captain 'big brother'...!"

The flustered mother scolded Chloe, but he raised his hand to stop her.

"It's fine. I said you could call me that because it's hard to say."

"Well, the Vandieer Knight Captain is... very kind."

There was a brief pause, probably because she wanted to say, "Unlike the rumors."

"I was definitely a troublemaker until a short while ago. More importantly, I'll cast ‘Purify’ on Mark too. If you don't tidy up, the store will refuse you. ‘Purify.’”

"Wow, amazing! Thank you, Vandieer Knight Captain! Haha, how many times have I thanked you today?"

As he said this, Mark wiped his eyes. He must have been very worried about his unconscious mother and young sister.

At that moment, the door opened with a force that could have broken it, and a man reeking of alcohol entered.

"Hey! Is it true you brought a man in!? Joseph said he saw you just now!"

It seems the pest of this house has returned.