Chapter 9

"Eisen-sama, I will wash the dishes and pots, so could you please lay out the medicine from your luggage on that table?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

"And could you bring some water? I think we won't have enough."

Eisen, though puzzled, obediently followed the instructions and began to move.

Platina efficiently cleaned the sink, and when Eisen brought the water, she filled a large pot and lit the stove.

"You're quite skilled."

"We also did cooking at the temple."

"Is that so?"

At the temple, a few times a year, food was distributed to those in need. Platina sometimes helped in the kitchen as part of the preparation. The memory of stoking the stove and making vegetable soup brought a smile to her lips.

"Alright, the water is boiling... Now, I'll add this medicine."

From the prepared medicine, she took only the antidote and painkiller for one person and unhesitantly threw them into the pot. The boiling water began to take on a slight color.

"Hey, hey!?"

Eisen, startled, peered into the pot.

"You really have no common sense. If you dilute it, the effect will be lost!!"

"I know. Please rest assured, I'm just getting started."

Platina gently placed her hand over the pot and poured her holy power into the boiling water. The color, which was initially light, became increasingly intense, and the pot began to emit a distinctive medicinal smell.

"What...!"

"At the temple, we often increased the medicine this way."

The temple also made medicines for minor illnesses that didn't require a doctor. It was almost a duty, and the priests and priestesses would diligently make medicine whenever they had free time. Of course, even the holy maiden had this duty, and Platina would often make medicine in her spare time. Initially, she would carefully gather the ingredients and make them one by one, but after discovering that her holy power could enhance the medicine's effects, she often used this method to save time and produce large quantities quickly.

"Alright, let's give it to them."

With a smile, Platina noticed that Eisen's cheeks were twitching.

"Hey, hey... Can you even do that?"

"Um... Is something wrong?"

"Not wrong, but... damn, never mind. Let's just distribute it quickly."

"Yes!"

Platina, responding cheerfully, first delivered the medicine to the soldier from earlier. The soldier, who initially looked at the medicine with suspicion, seemed to decide there was no other choice and drank it all at once.

"...Huh? What is this?"

His sallow complexion quickly returned to normal, and his eyes regained their vitality.

"Amazing! What a powerful effect!!"

"I'm glad."

"Your master is incredible! We need to get the others to drink it quickly."

The soldier, bouncing happily, made Platina smile.

"I think Eisen-sama is distributing the medicine to the others."

"Right!! Ah, thank you, miss."

The soldier's attitude, which was initially hostile, had completely changed.

After distributing the medicine, Eisen and a few more soldiers emerged from the gate. They all seemed to have recovered thanks to the medicine.

"Phew. I thought we were in trouble, but thanks to you, we're saved. I'm grateful."

The soldiers took turns bowing to show their gratitude. Since about half the medicine was left in the pot, Eisen, pretending to be a pharmacist, explained how to store it for future use. The soldiers nodded solemnly and bowed again.

"I'm sorry for my initial attitude. You are undoubtedly a skilled pharmacist."

"You looked so cute, I thought you were on a romantic getaway, but appearances can be deceiving."

The soldiers nodded in agreement, and Platina let out a pitiful cry. Her face grew hot from their misunderstanding. Glancing at Eisen, she noticed he was standing there with a blank expression. Realizing this wasn't good, Platina hurriedly shook her head and spoke up.

"Such a thing, to be this person's lover, is far too much for me!"

Laughter erupted from the soldiers. In the warm atmosphere, Platina felt her heart warm.

(They are good people.)

The medicine itself wasn't special, but the desire to get better quickly and the belief that it was a special medicine made it effective. She remembered how people who came to the temple to buy medicine would be overjoyed by the holy maiden's medicine.

(I wonder if everyone is doing well.)

Despite the hardships, there were a few small moments of happiness in her days as a holy maiden. The believers who came to the temple trusted Platina, even though she rarely had the chance to speak directly to them due to fear of her mistreatment being discovered. Still, she felt a connection.

(I can't see them again.)

With her limited lifespan, she knew she couldn't complete this journey. The fact that she couldn't say goodbye to them now made her a little sad.

"Pharmacist."

The first soldier approached, holding out a small pouch.

"This is the payment for the medicine. Is this enough?"

Eisen took the pouch, checked the contents, and nodded solemnly.

"It's more than enough. I'm relieved that everyone has recovered."

"Really, we're saved. It's a good thing the pharmacist came when he did. I wish you a safe journey."

"Thank you."

"Take care, miss."

"Yes!"

Although it was an unexpected act of kindness, Platina smiled, feeling good about helping others. As she thought that this journey might turn out better than expected, one of the soldiers stepped forward.

"Where are you headed now?"

"Huh?"

"If you're going to the next town, I have a friend who runs an inn there. You should use it; I can give you a letter of introduction."

"Oh!"

"That would be helpful."

"Sure, leave it to me!"

Thus, Platina and Eisen were seen off by the soldiers and successfully passed through the gate. As they waved goodbye, Platina felt a slight sadness but bowed repeatedly.

"But this was unexpected income. Now we can prepare for the journey."

Eisen, playing with the small pouch in his palm, had a slightly mischievous look on his face.

"I feel a bit guilty. I just increased the medicine."

"...You say it like it's nothing, but increasing medicine is not something ordinary people can do."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Anyway, don't use that method carelessly in the future. It could cause a commotion."

Platina, wide-eyed, looked at Eisen's serious face. She had increased medicine many times before, and no one at the temple had ever said anything. Perhaps the common sense in the temple and the outside world was different. She nodded obediently, and Eisen finally relaxed.

"By the way, how is your body? Any fever or pain?"

"No, I'm fine for now... but I'm a bit tired."

The excitement and tension of being outside had masked any discomfort, but the unfamiliar act of walking for a long time had made her knees feel slightly numb.

"I see. I'd like to let you rest, but if we stay too late, wild animals might come out. Please try to make it to that town."

Following Eisen's finger, she saw a small town in the distance. Although she didn't know how long it would take to get there, seeing the destination made her feel a bit better.

"Yes, I'll do my best!"

Despite her cheerful response, by the time they finally reached the town, Platina was exhausted. Supported by Eisen, she entered the inn, and the moment she saw the bed in the prepared room, she felt all her strength leave her body. As she fell into a deep sleep, she faintly heard Eisen's worried voice, but she couldn't respond.