Chapter 73

Standing by the church bed with Crow, I observed and examined Tiga, but there was no change from this morning... However, while casting the status recovery spell <Refresh> and channeling magic power to find the blocked areas, I found that they had increased.

"Deteriorating, huh."

"Three places..."

"Huh? Six places, right?"

"Eh?"

"Here, and here, and..."

As I counted the blocked areas and spoke, Crow corrected me. It seems he could tell where I was channeling my magic power to confirm the blocked areas. He pointed to each location one by one. I cast <Appraisal>, but I couldn't understand. I initially pointed to three places where I felt a slight discomfort through the magic power, and then to the places I couldn't identify. It seems Crow could see more.

"Can you see them?"

I couldn't feel any discomfort or clear blockage even when I channeled my magic power, but Crow was confident. To detoxify, it's necessary to identify the areas that have become tumors. By using magic power to break through the tumor areas and allow the medicine to pass through, the chances of recovery increase.

"Why..."

"Appraisal and analysis are my specialties, and I can even see through lies. Useful, right?"

He pointed to his eyes and smiled. If he's a foreigner, it's not strange for him to have a unique skill.

It seems he can see what I can't. But...

"Never tell anyone about your unique skill, absolutely. No matter what, keep it hidden."

"Is it the same as hiding the fact that I'm a foreigner?"

"I don't intend to force you. But it won't end well."

"Got it. But I want to dedicate this power to you. Will you accept it?"

Huh?

What does he mean? Can't skills be transferred?

Originally, how to learn non-elemental unique skills isn't even known.

"I'll return the life you saved to you. I'll use this power only for you."

"No, no. That's too heavy, I don't need it."

"As a pharmacist, you'll need this ability. It should be useful for both treatment and making medicine, even though you can use it to some extent yourself."

Crow had a serious expression... or so I thought. But he wasn't. He was smiling, trying to suppress his laughter while observing me.

Is he amused by my anxiety? Is he mocking me?

"It is useful, but stop mocking me. ...So, you can see six places? Is there anything else you can tell?"

"No, why did you think there were three places?"

"Because when I channeled my magic power, I only felt blockages in three places... The additional places you mentioned had magic power flowing through them. I want to break through the tumors by channeling magic power, but I can't identify the other places."

Indeed, when I channeled my magic power, there were only three blocked areas. But Crow, who claims to have special eyes, is confident there are six. Channeling magic power had no effect.

"Can you channel something other than magic power through a person's body?"

"Probably. I'll try."

Besides magic power, it could be willpower. I've never tried it, but it doesn't seem impossible. I cast a spell and channeled willpower in the same way I would with magic power. It was more difficult than magic power, but I slowly and gradually circulated it through the body. Crow stood next to me, indicating the general flow of willpower with his fingers. It seems he could follow the flow of both my magic power and willpower with his eyes... Having a reference point made it a bit easier to channel.

However, is Crow's unique skill always active?

Glancing at Crow, I saw sweat trickling down his temples. He must be using SP or MP to see the flow of magic power and willpower inside the body.

"Keep going slowly. You should find the first one soon."

"......I found it. Indeed, it's a blockage. I'll continue <Willpower Manipulation>. Can you guide me?"

"Got it."

I confirmed the blockage just like when I channeled magic power. By continuing to channel willpower, I found the other two places as well.

"I'll keep channeling for a while to see the effect... Thank you, you can rest now."

"Let me know if you need anything."

"Got it."

I continued to channel willpower from my right hand, and once I got used to it, I also channeled magic power from my left hand, circulating both through the patient's body.

After a while, the patient's complexion changed. It looked better than before.

"There were blockages in both magic power and willpower... Does this mean that magic alone can't completely eliminate them?"

"Indeed... But even though we can channel them, they haven't completely disappeared."

"Crow, can you see inside your own body?"

"I can't... But the numbness from the medicine is fading."

"Can I try channeling willpower and magic power into your body?"

"Sure, but your MP and SP seem to be quite low already?"

Did he appraise my status, or is his skill always active? Even if he says "quite low," it's not even half gone. It's just a little for testing.

However, when I glared at him, he raised his hands, shrugged, and tilted his head.

Having eyes that can see is convenient, but it must be troublesome. He can even see through lies. If I had such an ability, I might become paranoid.

"Give me your hand. I'll channel from here."

"Sure."

Holding hands, I channeled both magic power and willpower. It didn't take long for the flow to reach Crow's entire body...

"..."

However, Crow's expression was strange. He was sweating more than before, his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were darting around. Did I do something wrong?

"Is something wrong?"

"Can you feel something different inside your body...?"

"I don't... Do you feel unwell?"

"Rather, it feels good... but it's a strange feeling. My body is getting warm."

"Hmm?"

Well, if it feels good, that's fine. There's no point in worrying about it.

I let go of Crow's hand and returned to Tiga. First, it's good that his condition improved a bit before the examination. It feels like the blood flow is better. Both magic power and willpower are flowing through his body.

Then, I took out the medicine. First, the alchemical reagent. This is a liquid that activates a few hours after ingestion. Next, the serum, also a liquid.

The reason is that the patient is unconscious, so solid medicine can't be administered.

The medicine is ready... and the method to administer it.

This is a rather tricky problem.

"Here, this is the alchemical reagent and the serum. I'll hand them over."

"What's the sudden rush?"

I handed over the two bottles and stepped back.

I didn't discuss this beforehand. Honestly, I didn't know either... I only learned from my master when the medicine was ready... Sorry. Not knowing the common sense of this world caused various problems.

"Administer it."

"Usually, it's injected into the body, right?"

"We don't have syringes... Even if we did, I don't have medical knowledge to inject... So, here's the problem. How do you give medicine to an unconscious person?"

"......Is it... mouth-to-mouth, maybe?"

Yes... or maybe there are other methods, but according to my master, mouth-to-mouth is the way to go. After all, if they don't swallow, it's useless.

"According to my master, when the patient is unconscious, someone else is usually asked to administer the medicine. They give the medicine to the person and let them handle it."

Yes. I heard that when my master saved Leonis, my father (foster) gave the medicine mouth-to-mouth. I didn't know how to react to hearing about my father, whom I've never met, and Leonis, whom I'm taking care of. My master said it was nostalgic.

In reality, even artificial respiration, which is done in life-threatening situations, isn't the time to worry about whether it's a kiss or not... Yes.

"So, please."

"No, wait, wait, wait... I have to give it?"

"Even as part of the treatment... I'd rather not. ...After all, there might be more opportunities like this, and it's not good to treat patients differently. So, please, among the companions."

"Among men!"

"If you don't want to be seen, I can leave the room."

"That's not the point! You should think of it as a perk! Look, he's handsome. I can vouch for his character."

"No, rather, because he's handsome, I feel bad... Seriously, it's not right to pretend it's a medical procedure and do something like that... When you give it, make sure the airway is clear, okay, see you."

I ran out of the room.

It might have been good that Leus wasn't there. Yes... Sorry.

Next time, if there is a next time, I'll make sure to explain before making the medicine. Sorry.

After a while, Crow came out of the room... and immediately gave me a chop on the head. He handed me an empty bottle and headed to the well.

The medicine seems to have been administered, so I returned to the room to check on Tiga again.

"Condition unchanged."

"Unchanged is impressive... Priest, what do you think?"

"If the serum has been administered, there's nothing else we can do. As a priest, I would advise praying to God... But for you, he's a patient, and you don't seem to be as devout as that monk."

I see. The monk must be Naga.

Yes. I haven't really thought about praying much.

Come to think of it, I might have never prayed even though I've been to the church many times.

I do hope he recovers. I'll pray.

"Let me pray. Is there a proper way to do it?"

"There is, but you don't need to worry about it. Pray as you like."

Then, let me pray.

"Please, let Tiga recover."

I went to the statue of the mysterious god, closed my eyes, clasped my hands, and prayed.

I don't know if this is the right way...

"..."

"Hmm?"

When I bowed and released my hands, it felt like my MP and SP had decreased?

Checking my status, both were down to about 20%. The values I used for treatment were different, but now both are at 20%.

I don't know what happened, so I looked at the priest... He was shaking his head in shock. What's going on?

"Um, what's wrong?"

"No... Do you feel any discomfort in your body?"

"My MP and SP are a bit lower... But they're not completely gone."

"I see... Just forget about it for now. Don't pray carelessly in the future. I'll explain properly later, but for now, go back with your companion. I'll take care of the patient."

"Understood. Thank you."

I didn't know what happened, but the priest's serious expression made me leave. I must have done something, but I don't know what.

Well, it doesn't seem to be something bad.

"Crow, the priest will take care of him, so I'm going home... If you feel unwell, I can take you to the inn where Leus is staying?"

"I seem to be fine... No need to send me. I'll check your place in case Leus is there, then head to the inn. And... don't make patients give each other medicine mouth-to-mouth in the future. Absolutely."

Hmm?

I was planning to do that anyway. Is he holding a grudge?

If it's a kiss, I'd prefer a girl. But even if he said, "I like girls," I wouldn't think he has a different preference.

When I got home... Leus was really there.

He seemed to have calmed down after talking to my master and looked refreshed. He apologized to both me and Crow. I didn't think I had done anything to be apologized for. I explained that I hadn't properly explained things, but Leus said, "Still, I'm sorry," and I replied, "It's fine." Crow was a bit angry, saying, "Because you weren't there," but that's a different issue, so Leus isn't to blame.

Then, my master and the two of them left... but soon, I heard a call from the room below and had to deal with a visitor.