Volume 10 - Chapter 29

The Apothecary Diaries

A Bad Premonition #

The next day, the carriage took a different route than before.

“The direction is different, isn’t it?”

Maomao asked Chuue. Today, she was riding inside the covered wagon instead of on the driver’s seat. Kohong was riding with her uncle on horseback, so she wasn’t around.

“Yes, we’re going along the mountain range.”

I think cutting through the grasslands would be faster, but for some reason, we’re taking a detour.

“Why are we changing the route?”

“If we continue straight, we’ll run into my uncle, who is the same age as Shikyuu-san. Didn’t I tell you about their relationship?”

“Ah, that? Wasn’t it a serious duel with real swords?”

Maomao vaguely remembered something she had heard.

“Yes. They arrived later than us because they were avoiding each other. In a way, those two have a better relationship than anyone else.”

Chuue said with emotion.

(What a troublesome guy…)

Maomao looked around again. It was more like a rocky desert than a grassland, with cliffs on both sides.

“But is this kind of road okay?”

“In terms of distance, this is the shortest route. We avoided it when we had only one carriage, but large caravans use this road.”

In other words, it’s a road that cannot be used for small groups, and it’s assumed that bandits will appear. There shouldn’t be any fools attacking us in our current state with escorts.

Maomao thought so, but her anxiety couldn’t be dispelled.

“I prefer the normal road.”

It was a road along the mountain range. As someone riding in a carriage, the swaying made her feel sick.

“Wasn’t there another detour route?”

“At this time of year, the northern detour route is covered in snow. The horses consume a lot of energy, and a lot of fuel is needed for camping.”

If they made a comprehensive judgment and decided on this road, there was no other choice.

However, even Chuue’s expression was slightly clouded.

“I want to get out of here quickly.”

Looking outside, there was nothing but a barren wasteland.

To avoid exhausting the horses, they took frequent breaks along the way. One of the carriages was carrying feed and water for the horses. The horses ate the hay in the bucket with relish. Kohong also seemed to be feeding them something. She had something white in her hand.

“You’re giving the horses rock salt?”

“Yes, horses sweat a lot.”

It was a necessary item even though it was wasteful. It is said that giant deer living in the far north prefer human urine.

“Hmm”

Chuue prepared their meal with a subtle expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well, there’s still something that makes me uneasy.”

Chuue deftly turned the small knife while cutting the dried meat.

Maomao felt a sense of unease as she watched him.

“Chuue, is it okay to talk about these things in front of me?”

She asked to confirm.

Chuue looked surprised.

“…You’re right, that was careless of me. But my current job is to ensure your safety, Maomao-san.”

It was unusual for Chuue to show a sense of urgency. There must be something significant that even Maomao could sense.

“I want to eliminate any source of unease.”

“What’s causing the unease? Kumatoo can’t escape anymore, can he?”

“Yes. His limbs are bound, and both arms are broken. He can’t even swing a weapon…”

Chuue lowered her eyelashes lightly.

“What’s scariest is not his ferocity like that of a tiger, but his tenacity like that of a snapping turtle.”

(Naturally)

Kumatoo must hold a grudge for having his eyes gouged out and for repeatedly interfering with Shikyuu’s work. If they hadn’t caught him this time, he would have caused trouble again.

Moreover, he surely harbors a significant grudge towards Maomao this time.

“I don’t think he can escape, though.”

“Is that so?”

Chuue put down the knife.

However, Chuue’s intuition was correct.

That night, they camped without crossing the rocky desert. They could hear the distant howling of wolves, making it difficult to sleep. They layered their jackets and put on fur coats due to the cold. Their breath came out in white puffs, and their ears hurt as if they were being sliced. They couldn’t set up the tent properly since it wasn’t a grassland, so they slept inside the carriage.

If they slept for a while, it would be morning. However, drowsiness didn’t come easily. Just as they were starting to feel sleepy, their eyelids flickered open with effort.

The cold, drowsiness, and lethargy made it difficult to open their eyes, but they managed to do so. The canvas of the covered wagon was dyed red.

Maomao quickly put on her fur coat and looked outside the wagon.

The wagon was on fire, the horses neighed, and the men desperately tried to put out the fire. The wagon carrying the fodder was the one that caught fire. The flames were extraordinary.

Everyone was focused on the burning wagon, so they didn’t notice the person who appeared in front of Maomao.

“⁉”

She was hit in the side with a thud and fell off the wagon without feeling any pain.

“…You damn woman.”

There stood Kumatoo. His eyes were bloodshot, and blood dripped from his mouth. He was missing several front teeth, which were replaced with ropes that had been pulled from his arms and legs.

His arms were dangling, and one of the ropes was tied to a metal bar on his arm, more like a weapon than a support. He seemed to have lost even his sense of pain.

He hit Maomao to make her fall, probably aiming for the arm without the metal bar. He could inflict more damage on her that way.

(I’m going to be killed.)

Despite her thick clothing, the impact hurt. She had to get up and run away immediately.

Kumatoo was approaching. Maomao tried to stand up while backing away, but she couldn’t. Her body was still numb from the fall. If she could just run away to a certain distance, she might be able to escape.

But Kumatoo was faster than her. He was already swinging his arm to strike her.

Maomao tried to protect her head and closed her eyes.

How much time had passed? It felt like a moment and also like a long time.

Kumatoo’s arm never struck her.

“I’m sorry, Maomao-san.”

It was Chuue’s voice.

She opened her eyes.

Against the backdrop of the wagon engulfed in flames, the silhouette of Kumatoo and Chuue riding on him can be seen. Sprays of blood can be seen around Kumatoo’s neck.

“While I looked away…”

As Chuue jumps off Kumatoo, his body collapses.

“I’m sorry for the dirty appearance. Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

Not knowing whether to be relieved or shocked, Maomao sees Chuue’s face covered in blood.

It’s a relief that Xiao Hong wasn’t on the same wagon. She should be with her uncle.

“That’s why we should have taken care of it quickly.”

“Ah, zoudana.”

A muffled voice is heard. Chuue immediately turns around and blocks the fist that was swung at him. No, it’s more accurate to say he dodged it. There are no more bones left in his arm to act as a support.

The broken arm makes a crunching sound, and Chuue’s body is blown away as if to escape the impact.

His teeth are broken, blood flowing from his mouth, both arms hanging lifelessly, blood spatters from his neck.

“…”

He could have died a long time ago, yet he’s still alive. Perhaps it’s his tenacity, like a snake that can still move even with its head cut off.

But Chuue immediately stands in front of Maomao. A small knife is gripped in her left hand.

She grits her teeth and enters Kumatoo’s embrace.

“Let’s finish this.”

Chuue stabs Kumatoo with the knife.

(She’s skillful…)

The knife is embedded in Kumatoo’s chest, slightly to the left of the center, as if it were being thrust into the gap between his ribs.

Without hesitation, Chuue pulls out the knife as if it were just another task.

Even so, Kumatoo is still standing.

“Y-you…won’t…kill me…”

It was when Kumatoo was swinging his arm and Chuue jumped back.

A thud is heard as an arrow is buried in Kumatoo’s remaining eye.

“What a persistent guy.”

A somewhat disappointed voice is heard, belonging to Shi’ou. When Shi’ou raises his hand, his subordinates begin to shoot arrows one after another.

The sound of Kumatoo’s roaring can be heard, but it’s unclear what he’s saying anymore.

However, when the voice stopped, the thief who called himself Dokuganryu (meaning One Eyed Dragon) was standing still, having breathed his last.

“Sorry, I was distracted by the fire.”

Shi’ou speaks to Maomao, but what concerns her is Chuue.

“I’m sorry, Chuue-san.”

Chuue is still smiling as usual, but what drew Maomao’s attention was the fact that she was holding the knife in her left hand.

“Chuue-san.”

Maomao puts her hand on Chuue’s shoulder. Her right shoulder is dislocated. She looks below it.

It’s too dark to see clearly, but it appears to be black and discolored. Maomao grabs Chuue’s right arm. It feels slippery.

“Oh my, I’m sorry. You’ve made a mistake, Chuue-san.”

Chuue’s eyes become vacant. When did he suffer such an injury? Maomao thought it was only a moment when she closed her eyes, but how many times had they fought?

Blood is also oozing from her stomach. Maomao immediately carries Chuue to the wagon.

Kumatoo is bad enough, but Chuue is in the same condition.

“Boil some water! And bring the medical kit!”

“Y-yes.”

It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, even if it’s Shi’ou.

Maomao undresses Chuue’s kimono.

Her broken arm is almost torn in half, and there are bruises on his abdomen. Both are severe, but examining her internal organs takes priority.

At the same time, there are countless scars on Chuue’s body, which can be considered part of her history. Some are scars that even a seasoned warrior would envy, while others are clearly marks of torture.

“Maomao-san.”

“Don’t speak!”

“Please let me speak…”

Chuue strokes Maomao’s cheek with her left hand.

“Will I lose the use of my right hand?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“No, I will lose the use of it.”

It’s torn in half.

Maomao feels frustrated to have been hit on the mark. She doesn’t have the skills to reconnect severed limbs. Even if she were to reconnect it here, it would hardly function or rot away.

“If it can be used, please prioritize the arm over the stomach.”

“No, it’s the stomach.”

Internal organs are more vital than limbs. The stomach needs to be treated first.

“No, if I can’t use my right hand, then I’m worthless. It’s over for me.”

“That’s not true.”

Maomao takes out her medical kit. She has no proper supplies such as hemostatic agents, cough suppressants, or cold medicines.

“I can’t let you die. Chuue-san is needed. Please stay alive no matter what.”

Maomao waits for the arrival of Shi’ou with the medical supplies, hot water, and fire. Outside, the carriage that was set on fire is still burning.

“Hehehe, Maomao-san… Do you like me?”

“Yes, I do. Don’t speak.”

Since Chuue can speak this much, her lungs seem to be fine.

“That’s nice. A love confession from Maomao-san.”

Chuue’s face looks strangely innocent.

“It’s a good thing to be liked by someone, even if it’s only temporary.”

“…”

Maomao has no time to retort and slides her finger over Chuue’s abdomen. Her ribs are broken and are likely to be puncturing her internal organs.

“There are various reasons why Maomao-san feels the way she does, so it’s important not to be swayed by emotions. But…”

Chuue touches Maomao’s cheek with his blood-soaked left hand.

“Don’t use that as an excuse.”

Chuue laughs and closes her eyes.

For a moment, Maomao was surprised, but she can still feel his pulse.

“Hey, bring the hot water and medical supplies.”

Maomao takes the medical supplies from Shi’ou. She takes out a scalpel for incision and alcohol for disinfection.

(I don’t know what he’s trying to say.)

Maomao bites her lip tightly.

(I won’t let you die easily.)

She clenches her fist tightly and begins the surgery.