Chapter 53

“The difficulty of our task is apparent, isn’t it?” Zem said. “I don’t want more trouble,” Nargava muttered with a sigh. “I just noticed something. There are no children in this room,” Zem observed. “Young children go to the almshouses in Labyrinth City instead of my clinic. I suppose I would treat any who are turned away by such places, though.” “You don’t seem enthusiastic about the idea.” “It’s too dangerous. What would I do if a child came here and got sick?” Nargava sounded truly angry. Nick thought he must truly believe this was no place for children, if he was telling the truth. “But if they are abducting children, the Steppingman must be condemned. Such a crime even goes against the moral code of this place. I’ll let you know if I learn anything.” “Are you sure?” “I want you to help me out in return. Stay until we’ve finished treating all the patients here.” “I don’t know…,” Zem said with a wry smile. If you counted the people lying outside in the hallway in addition to the crowd in the room, there were over fifty patients. “Well, I have already begun treatment. Though I can’t help but feel like I’m being used.” “You’re an interestin’ doctor. You should become Father Nargava’s assistant,” a patient said. “Working as an adventurer suits me better,” Zem responded, but he applied himself enthusiastically to treating the patients. He gave Nick and Bond orders to help out as well. “Treat the injured patients. I’ll handle the ones with colds and yellow demon fever,” Nargava ordered. “Okay.” Helping Nargava didn’t take as long as they expected. Most were either able to be treated with a simple healing spell, or were in a state where there was nothing Nargava and Zem could do beyond perform first aid. Once they finished treating everyone, they began to clean up, and Zem turned toward Nargava. “Do you like children?” he asked.