Chapter 137: Next Plan
Gara tasked Hilda with searching for the two creatures. At this rate, he figured he’d end up running not only a herb garden but a small ranch as well.
With that arranged, he told Madha and Fian about his plan to check the water contamination source up in the mountain.
"The mountain here is far more dangerous than the one near our village," Madha explained. "The poisoned water killed off a lot of the wildlife. Wild beasts that normally stay close to their lairs in search of food are now roaming freely, desperate to find something to eat.
They’ve gone without food for months. That makes them even more dangerous. Even the villagers who used to hunt can only manage around the outer edges now."
He paused before adding, "That’s why even Mohan, a rank-B Liner, hasn’t been able to reach the source. They wanted to ask the guards for help, but after what happened with Loka, they didn’t dare. The guards, of course, already know. But we have no intention of stepping in either."
Gara felt conflicted. A part of him was pleased the arrogant investigation team had finally been humbled. But on the other hand, leaving things as they were would only harm the village.
"What if I talk to Mohan," Gara suggested, "and act as a bridge between him and the guards? The water contamination is far more important than everyone’s pride."
Madha didn’t argue. He would follow Gara’s lead.
The next morning, Gara started his day by heading to the village chief’s house to check on Rima.
At the entrance, he ran into Madha returning from his night watch.
"You’re planning to meet Mohan later, right?" Madha asked, recalling Gara’s words from the day before. "I didn’t see him join the water-fetching group this morning. He’s probably at the Liner Camp."
"Alright. I’ll head there after I stop by the chief’s house."
Gara continued into the village chief’s house.
Inside, he checked Rima’s food and gave her another Vena Pill. She was already strong enough to eat rice and other solid food. Her energy would soon return.
Just as Gara was about to leave, Hari approached him, pressing a small cloth pouch into his hands.
"Sir Healer, for now, this is all I can offer, seven yellow coins. I know treatment at a county healer usually costs ten, but I need the other three coins to buy Rima proper, nutritious meals. I promise I’ll pay the rest once the village water is clean again."
Gara gently pushed the pouch back. "There’s no need, Chief. No payment is required. Just as with the patients at the village clinic, treating Rima needs no payment."
"B-but this is different..."
That was exactly what Narin had told him when she demanded payment for treating Rima. And indeed, it was the usual way of things. In truth, Gara’s way was the unusual one.
"All cases are the same to me, Chief." Gara gave him a small smile before walking away.
Hari stared down at the pouch in his hand, stunned. He thought he’d have to work his fingers to the bone, but Sir Healer refused a single coin for Rima’s treatment.
Once again, Hari felt profoundly grateful that Gara’s family had moved into their village. Their arrival was like a spark of fire in an endless winter.
By then, Gara was already making his way toward the Liner Camp.
Gara refused Hari’s money not out of pride or kindness, but because he honestly felt like he was the one being helped.
Thanks to Rima, he could directly observe the effects of the Vena Pill. When else would he get such a perfect subject for testing?
He was even considering supporting Rima until she could earn her own living. But that was a matter for later.
He also couldn’t bring himself to take the village chief’s money. Those ten yellow coins were a patchwork of sacrifices: five from selling his house, some from what little savings Hari had left, and the rest from loans.
How could Gara possibly accept it?
When he reached Camp Liner, Gara headed straight for the water storage. As usual, the place was quiet while the Liners were out fetching water from the neighboring mountain.
Completing his task, he continued down the corridor toward the investigation team’s room. It was silent, and the door was shut. From a distance, it was hard to tell if anyone was inside.
But when he arrived at the door, muffled moans slipped through. Gara was old enough to understand exactly what those sounds meant.
Mohan and Kian, huh? So that’s why they often skip water fetching duty. But doing that here, in Camp Liner of all places... pretty bold.
He had no intention of meddling in other people’s affairs, much less letting his ears be assaulted by such noises. His talk with Mohan could wait until later in the day.
Gara turned to leave only to spot a group of Liners led by Yuvika coming from the far end of the corridor.
Damn! If Yuvika and the others hear this...
On instinct, Gara called out, "Yuvika! How are you?"
The noises inside stopped, replaced by frantic shuffling. Thank the heavens, they’d quit their dangerous little adventure.
Gara walked toward Yuvika, deliberately giving those inside time to straighten up their clothes.
"Hello, Sir Gara," Yuvika greeted him shyly. "Today’s my last day here. My carriage is waiting. I’ll be heading back to the county."
Her mission had actually ended days ago, but she’d lingered under the pretense of discussing business with Gara. Now, though, she could delay no longer.
Their negotiations had gone well. Through several crystal ring discussions with Yugo, they’d finalized an agreement: Yugo Merchant House would handle distribution solely in Nozama Province, while production remained under Alrova Merchant House.
Yugo Merchant House would get lower prices than other shop in another counties, and once Yugo built its own shops, those outlets would be prioritized for supply as long as they weren’t in the same towns or cities as Alrova’s.
Beyond medicinal herbs, Yugo would also distribute products like herbal shampoo, herbal soap, and motion sickness pills.
The contract had already been signed, with Hilda managing all the paperwork. Surprisingly, the down payment from Yugo was enough to assure Gara he wouldn’t be short on money anytime soon.
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