Chapter 12: The Saint Dew Leaf and a Knife

“Sigh…”

Sitting in the shop, I leaned against the counter and let out a long sigh, feeling utterly drained, as though a heavy cold had settled upon me.

Yet, I couldn’t recall a single detail of what Bella had done to me last night. Perhaps she had used some magic to wipe my memory, or maybe the experience had been so terrifying that my own consciousness had forcibly suppressed it.

As for magic, I knew nothing about it; such fantastical things were entirely beyond my realm of understanding.

“Dad!” The door behind me swung open, and Nina, clad in an apron, poked her head through. “Is curry alright for lunch?”

“Whatever you like is fine…”

“Hmm? Dad, what’s wrong?”

Noticing my listlessness, Nina approached me with a worried expression. She placed her hands on my shoulders and leaned her face close to mine.

Ah… for some reason, even through my clothes, Nina’s hands felt so warm. And that delicate, adorable little face before me truly stirred something within me.

‘Stirred something?’

‘Why would I feel stirred? She’s my daughter, after all.’

‘It must be because of yesterday’s events, right? Or perhaps, as a father, I simply feel at ease with my daughter by my side and have mistaken that sense of security for something more.’

‘Yes, that must be it.’

“It’s nothing, I just wanted to rest my head for a bit. Don’t worry.”

“Hmmph…”

However, Nina didn’t seem to believe me. Pouting, she gently pushed my hair up and pressed her forehead against mine.

“Uh, Nina?!”

“Don’t move, Dad!”

“…”

Though she could have simply used her hand, Nina insisted on checking my temperature this way, and I found myself unable to refuse her.

I could feel her breath, the warmth of her cheek. If I were to lift my chin just slightly, then claim it was an accident… No, no, no! I couldn’t possibly do something like that!

“Hmm~ No fever. Dad, you didn’t stay up late working again last night, did you?”

Because I had forcibly given her that potion yesterday, Nina had slept “peacefully” until this morning, completely forgetting what happened after the concoction.

“No, no. After I saw you fall asleep, I went back to my room to sleep too.”

“Is that so… But, Nina can’t remember anything about last night?”

“After you tried those medicines last night, you continued to practice, didn’t you? But you fell asleep shortly after, and then I carried you back to your room.”

“Is that really how it was?” Nina tapped her chin lightly, tilting her head, still unsure of my words. “Hmm~ It doesn’t matter, I’ll go back to cooking now.”

“Alright.”

Finally, she no longer dwelled on these minor details and went back inside.

It was a relief that Nina wasn’t a suspicious or overly persistent child. Otherwise, if she were to press for answers on many things, especially concerning her mother, I would surely be at a loss for excuses.

In the past, when she asked about her mother, I told her that her mother had passed away from illness when Nina was very young.

It was this very incident, I explained, that spurred my decision to study medicine. Nina had believed my story.

At the time, I had worried. What if Nina kept clamoring for a mother? I had no intention of seeking another partner; for me, having Nina was enough.

Fortunately, Nina was very understanding. Or rather, with me by her side, she was content. I only needed to dedicate myself to taking good care of her.

However, precisely because ours was a two-person household, the management of chores had largely fallen to Nina. The kitchen, in particular, was one of her ‘territories.’

Children her age should ideally be carefree, playing with their friends. Unfortunately, Nina wasn’t willing to do that.

I still had to mind the shop and prepare medicines, and without Nina’s diligent care, our home would truly be a mess. Thus, while lamenting my own inability to be in two places at once, I was profoundly grateful to Nina.

How long would this peaceful life continue, I wondered… It would surely last a long, long time, perhaps even forever. After all, I had promised Bella, and I had vowed to myself, that I would make Nina happy.

“Hello~”

“Ah… Welcome.”

Just as I was lost in my silent musings, a customer arrived.

It was a young woman, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years old. Her chestnut hair was braided into two long plaits, and she wore a headscarf. She appeared to be a simple village girl, though not from our village.

She must have been… just passing through.

“Do you need any medicine?”

“Yes, I wanted to ask if you have this herb?”

She approached the counter and handed me a piece of paper on which a herb was drawn.

“This is… Saint Dew Leaf?”

After a careful look, searching through the books and encyclopedias I had seen in my memory, I recognized the herb.

Its distribution wasn’t widespread; it was a relatively rare type, mostly found in highlands or places with clear water.

For example, near the capital of the Fahl Kingdom, the royal city of Brandes, there was a place called Blue Lake where this herb grew—that was the only known growth location I was aware of.

As for how I knew that place, it was merely a ‘natural coincidence.’ I no longer wished to recall it now.

Training? Back then, I was a useless wretch with no combat abilities. What good was training to me? It was simply meant to kill me.

Regarding the medicinal properties of that plant, it was rumored to be a panacea, capable of curing all diseases. I didn’t know the principle behind it, nor did I believe such a miraculous herb could exist.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have it here.”

“Then… could you help me find it? I’ve been searching for a long time and haven’t found it anywhere.”

“About that… I apologize, but our shop only sells medicine; we don’t provide that kind of service.”

“Which means, you know where to find it!”

“!!”

The young woman’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she leaned forward. I immediately recoiled, almost kissing her. Her burst of enthusiasm, as if she had suddenly found a savior, genuinely frightened me.

“Uh… No, no! I don’t know!”

“No! You definitely know! You hesitated for a moment just now!”

‘You pay attention to such details?! You don’t seem like an ordinary girl at all!’

“No! I was just very surprised!”

“Please help me find it! I must find it no matter what! Please help me!”

“No, I really…”

“I really need it! If I don’t find it, I’ll lose face returning home!”

“But I truly don’t know…”

“Even if you just look casually, please agree! Doctor!”

“The key is…”

“You can ask for any reward! Please help me!”

“What if I ask for your body?!”

“…”

“…”

‘Damn it, in my haste, I blurted out something like that. While it successfully stopped her pleading, such a sexually harassing remark certainly doesn’t come from a normal person.’

‘This can’t be entirely my fault. This girl simply wouldn’t listen, bombarding me with pleas like a machine gun. How else could I stop her without being a little harsh?’

‘Alright, how do I resolve this awkward atmosphere? At the very least, I need to clear myself of the suspicion of being a pervert.’

“You can! As long as you can help me find it!”

“I was joking! Don’t you dare agree!”

And yet, this girl actually agreed.

‘Hey, is your chastity really something so easily given away?! No, first I need to clear up this misunderstanding.’

“Whether you’re joking or not, I agree. You must help me find it!”

“I said it was a joke! Just calm down! When did I ever agree?!”

*Smack!*

“?!”

Before I even had time to calmly deal with the situation, the back door suddenly burst open, and a filleting knife flew out, embedding itself directly into the counter.

“Anyway, it’s settled!”

However, the girl paid no attention. Seizing my moment of surprise, she clasped my hand tightly, as if she had finally found a long-sought savior. Gratitude and fervent hope erupted from her eyes.

“Dad… what… are you two doing?”

In stark contrast to the girl’s passionate gaze, I sensed a pair of cold, hollow eyes awaiting me, emanating a distinct chill laced with killing intent.

Why did Nina always appear with a filleting knife at precisely these moments?

No, I had to be decisive this time. Nina wouldn’t listen, and neither would this girl. If I hesitated, I would never be able to explain the current situation clearly.

“Ah… Alright! Both of you, calm down—!”