Chapter 76

Amanda Low, an employee of the Recovery Guild, stepped down from the carriage she had shared from the capital, briefly thanked her companion, and hurriedly left the Adventurers' Guild.

Then, moving quickly to the agreed location, she met a young man.

"That guy ruined my business! The townspeople even went so far as to ask me to lower my treatment fees!"

The young man, who was one of the healers residing in Amrus, was spitting out his anger.

"Nexen, please calm down. I understand your anger."

Nexen, a young man in his mid-twenties, regained a bit of his composure at Amanda's soothing voice.

"…I'm sorry. I've been quick to anger lately. I know it's not right to take it out on you… damn, Reta Dixon!"

"Is the other healer in this town doing well?"

"He was complaining about being idle ever since Dixon came to town, but he doesn't seem to care much. He's a bit eccentric. He places a lot of importance on obtaining, using, and mastering recovery magic. In that sense, he's probably unhappy that he can't use recovery magic because there are no patients."

"I see. I understand. I heard that Reta Dixon's treatment fees are quite low?"

—Nexen slammed his fist on the table in reaction to Amanda's words.

"That's right! That prideless imposter of a healer is treating people for just a few silver coins!"

"…That cheap, huh?"

"He seems to charge more for severe injuries, but even then, it's only about one silver coin!"

"…I can't believe it."

"From what I hear, he gets a lump sum from the guild for treating people, but that's about it."

Amanda recalled the information she had gathered beforehand. The Adventurers' Guild entrusts the injured from adventures and town development to Reta. Whether it's early morning or midnight, Reta treats them regardless of the time. Despite this, if the fees are as low as Nexen says, they are indeed very cheap.

(The fees might add up because of the number of people, but even so, they are quite low for a healer.)

He seems to charge a bit more at certain times, but it's probably a negligible amount.

"Excuse me, but how much do you charge for treatment, Nexen?"

"I charge at least one or two gold coins. I add to the fee based on the severity of the injury and the time of day, but I try to keep it reasonable."

"Compared to the capital, it's definitely much cheaper."

However, the going rate is not clear. Skilled healers might charge ten gold coins per session, while newcomers typically charge one gold coin. From this perspective, Nexen's fees are indeed reasonable from the Recovery Guild's standpoint.

"Even though I'm considerate because it's a rural area… I'm treated like a money-grubber!"

"It's because Reta Dixon's fees are too low."

"That's right! If we're treated like ordinary doctors or pharmacists, we can't survive!"

"But I can understand the residents' feelings. Cheaper is better, and they probably think that way."

"That's true, but!"

"I understand. However, healers should be proud and respected. They need to be paid what their skills are worth."

"Indeed, Amanda, you understand."

Nexen let out a sigh of relief, knowing he had a supporter. Amanda also understood his anger. Reta's fees were too low. It couldn't be left alone just because he was happy with it, as it would lead to healers like Nexen losing their jobs.

(…Did he not even have the courtesy to greet the other healers before starting his practice? If he had, they could have unified their prices and avoided losing patients… He seems to lack common sense.)

Amanda believed that Reta was the cause of all the problems. Without him, the residents would have continued to respect and rely on healers like Nexen.

"To be honest, I came to this town to recruit Reta Dixon to the Recovery Guild."

"What?"

Nexen's face clearly showed his displeasure. It was understandable; he wouldn't want someone who was hindering him to be in the same guild.

"I wanted to instill a sense of responsibility in him by making him a prestigious member, but if he's capable of such outrageous actions, we might have to let him go."

"Hah, he'll be shocked. But it's a good lesson. Maybe he'll realize his mistakes."

"From what I've heard, Reta Dixon seems to lack common sense, but we don't want to lose a talented healer. However, based on what you've told me, it seems he does lack it."

"Exactly. It makes me angry just to think that he calls himself a healer."

Nexen, not hiding his frustration, asked Amanda.

"Can't the Recovery Guild do something about him?"

"Understood. First, I'll talk to him. If he apologizes to you and changes his attitude and fees, we might allow him to join the Recovery Guild."

"Agreed. Also, I want compensation for the trouble he's caused me."

"Of course. If he refuses, he will become an enemy of the Recovery Guild."

Nexen nodded in satisfaction at Amanda's clear statement.