Gacha Kingdom Building-Chapter 297: Bitter and Soothing

--This Chapter is written in Agatha’s POV--

I woke to the sound of rain.

Raindrops fell on the grass outside my bedroom window, playing nature’s calmest symphony. One stray drop found its way to the nape of my neck, one of the few spots left uncovered by blankets.

Wet and cold against my warm skin. A sharp, icy bite sent a shock down my spine, my toes curling on their own.

My hands lowered. I clenched my fists. For a brief moment, I enjoyed the sensation. The second and third times, however, were too much.

Annoyed, I turned my head slightly.

The rain seeped through a narrow gap I left in the window, a habit born of my love for cold night air.

Refusing to move an inch more than needed, the window and I entered a staring contest.

In vain.

Groggy, I pulled at the blankets, too half-heartedly to free a single arm.

Instead, I wiggled my arm out through the path of least resistance, finally putting an end to the raindrops.

A late victory.

And a meaningless one.

The bed was now too warm.

I pulled one leg out, but it wasn’t enough.

I pulled another arm out, and it still wasn’t right.

I rolled to one side. I hugged the blankets.

I rolled to another side. I tossed the blankets on my knees.

Agatha: "Hah..."

Tired, I failed to stop a breath from escaping my lips.

The darkness in which I rested so comfortably betrayed me.

To reach my glasses, I needed to stretch my arm.

An effort I had already wasted on the window.

Blindly, I hovered my feet over the floor, searching for my slippers.

Without looking down, I fit one foot inside and then the other.

Sloppy, but enough to reach my glasses without touching the chilly floor.

A few steps from the bed, I reached the bathroom.

Like the window before, my eyes were still half closed.

I washed my glasses first.

Even without seeing clearly, I knew where to find the handkerchief, and the motion came naturally to me.

After drying them, I was prepared to face the warm water.

Lastly, I wiped the mirror.

I only took a glance at the blurry reflection. My eyebrows furrowed, and I turned away.

My eyes landed on the bed before me.

Nothing would feel better than lying on it, yet I resisted the urge.

A distinct, earthy smell of wet grass had invaded my home.

On any other occasion, nothing to fuss over. But that night, my patience for small irritations had already worn thin.

Luckily, the perfect solution was waiting for me in the kitchen, inside a jar.

Once opened, the coffee beans I’d grown released their bitter, intoxicatingly addictive smell.

Better already, and still, far from perfect.

Slowly, I ground the beans, pleased by the hum of my own movements, letting myself be guided by the familiar yet unintentional rhythm.

Once I noticed my own mouth humming, I stopped.

The only thing allowed to break the silence was the kettle, and only when the water had heated enough.

Agatha: "Heh..."

Something about the pouring water amused me. It always ended with a slight smile on my face.

The steam rose, the water thickened, darkened, and finally, burned my throat.

Slightly painful.

Perfectly soothing.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the first mug on the kitchen counter.

Then, I took the second to my bedroom, letting the bitter aroma spread. Minutes of bliss passed. My room was finally reclaimed, and I enjoyed some shut-eye.

Without the smell and the cold, I enjoyed the rain. It lulled me into calm sleep.

Until once again, it decided to end my rest with its hectic, loud downpour that no longer resembled a lullaby. Adding to the uncaring chaos, a frantic, desperate knock reached my ears.

Outside was still dark. I glanced at the clock, and despite feeling like an eternity, only fifty minutes had passed since I returned to bed.

No matter, I readied myself, looking for my shoes and quickly grabbing my coat from the closet. Before turning the handle, I already had my glasses and gloves on.

I opened the door slowly. Without hesitation, the puppy waiting there tilted her head into view, unable to wait any longer.

Agatha: "Lily..."

Despite worry written all over her face, a single mention of her name was enough for her tail to wag.

She wouldn’t normally be at the clinic at this hour, but she had misunderstood my permission to nap with a patient as permission to spend the night at their side.

Something I almost corrected, before realizing the calm and comfort she brought Lana.

Lily: "T-The, uhm... Help!"

She only made eye contact with me for a brief second before lowering her head, her ears, and her tail.

Slightly fearful of me, she extended her hand, searching for mine. When I gave it to her, she hurried me through the corridor that led to the clinic and then upstairs to the patient’s beds.

Even though I despised watching others suffer, on this second chance at life, I had once more failed to focus solely on herbalism and alchemy.

Unwillingly, I had fallen into the role of this Kingdom’s doctor.

Stubbornly, I had the clinic connected to my home.

This was the price I accepted to pay.

Marin: "Don’t look at me~"

The Kingdom’s admiral, a beautiful woman with orange hair, had a characteristic bottle in her left hand.

On her right, though, I found a not-so-characteristic mop.

Between her bed and the next, the floor was stained with a yellowish puddle.

A few other puddles could be found in the room, most small, light in color, and with no traces of blood.

The puddles continued toward the bathroom. Neither the patient nor Raella, the ghost-doll-Saint who sat between beds telling stories, was anywhere to be seen.

From this, I inferred the patient was already being cared for.

Agatha: "Leave this to me. You should rest."

I appreciated the help, but Marin wasn’t a guest.

She deserved to rest like any other patient.

Rather, I’d prefer her to rest.

Marin: "...You sure? I don’t mind, really. Had plenty of mates throwing up way back when. Not really a captain’s job, but you know... Not always that we get a choice, ey?"

Agatha: "...Quite. Which is why..."

After I pointed to the bed, Marin reluctantly returned.

It had taken me a while, but she now understood that the clinic was my ship, and I was its captain.

Agatha: "It would also be good if you stopped with the alcohol..."

Marin: "Hahaha~"

That remained a losing battle, and luckily for her, there were more pressing issues.

Due to the heavy rain, I couldn’t open every window to get rid of the acid stench. However, I had to let air in. It would linger and cause further nausea otherwise.

Lily helped me move a few patients from one side to the other, allowing me to open the windows on that side.

While the rain invaded the ward, the smell it brought was, for once, welcomed.

I used the soap sparingly. Too much, and the floral scent would only worsen things.

When mopping the floor, I was careful with the direction. Sometimes, the sight of vomit itself induced others to throw up too.

I posted Lily at the bathroom door to inform me of the situation inside while I changed the bedsheets.

Once the room was clean, I left the windows half-closed. Just enough to keep a steady flow of air.

I also prepared two changes of clothes...

Agatha: "Here. Take a bath and change."

Marin: "Aye..."

There were no discernible stains on her clothes, but when mopping, only her slippers stood between her and the puddles.

The risk of infection was low, but not zero.

Mia: "Ugh... Eh!? But I said I’d take care of it!"

A raspy, discontent voice echoed from the direction of the bathroom.

It belonged to a wolfgirl whose meek, frail appearance barely resembled her usual self. Even her skin was pale, a tone not too distant from that of the doll supporting her shoulder.

As she walked, her eyes fixed on the floor. She kept her head down, avoiding everyone’s gaze. Before getting past me, she whispered a resigned ’Thanks, and sorry...’

It wasn’t the first time Mia was under my care. I was aware of the deep conflict between her pride, gratitude, and condition, and the best way to answer it was with silence. A quiet acceptance that let her avoid what she didn’t want acknowledged.

Unfortunately, Marin wasn’t that aware.

When she returned from her bath, she thought joking would lift the mood, but Mia had already shut down, pressing her face against the pillow to hide her embarrassment and frustration.

Mia: "...What is it?"

Her attempt to lower her own temperature to kill the intruding fungus had worked, but her body had yet to realize it.

The vomiting and the upset stomach were the body’s classic responses to expel unwanted elements.

The fever was much the same, but in her case, her body pushed it too far, trying to regulate the already corrected temperature.

Before its death, the fungi had also managed to drain a portion of her energy.

Despite this tiring and dulling her senses, they were still sharp enough to recognize me approaching, and any other movements inside the ward.

Agatha: "I need to check your tongue and throat. Also, your temperature. After that, you’re free for a while."

I expected my offer not to thrill her, but it was the best compromise I could make in the moment.

She was reluctant, but after closing her eyes, she opened her mouth for me.

The tongue was slightly pale and dehydrated, possibly due to the vomiting earlier.

It wasn’t too serious. She would be fine if let be.

However...

Agatha: "Chew on this for a while. It will get rid of the sensation in your mouth."

I handed her a small, candy-sized concoction.

Nothing more than a couple of tasty herbs, wrapped on a nutrient-rich leaf. It was more for comfort than healing, which befitted her condition.

There was nothing left to heal. The Saints’ magic would do nothing, and all I could offer was comfort.

Mia: "...Can I swallow?"

Agatha: "There’s no problem. But try to refresh your mouth first."

She gulped it down immediately, and before she could hide again, I checked her temperature.

Just a touch on the neck was enough. She was still feverish, but the temperature had dropped throughout the night.

Agatha: "In two hours, I’ll bring your medicine. Take the time to rest."

Mia: "Ohway..."

She spoke while chewing, oblivious to her own cuteness.

I took a deep breath and did my best not to smile or comment. She would only feel embarrassed.

After she hid her face again, I gave her some space and entered my lab.

The white walls were bright, even before I turned on the switch.

The sun began to rise on the horizon, its light slowly creeping inside.

I closed my eyes for a second, careful not to sleep.

A few seconds passed.

I went downstairs, opened the clinic’s door, and grabbed my mug.

After a sip, I opened my office’s doors and started separating and labelling pills and herbs.

Agatha: "That’s not so bad..."

I kept an eye on the ward.

Lana, Marin, and Mia rested peacefully.

Lily had joined Lana, and Raella stayed by their side, adjusting blankets and sheets.

Meanwhile, I welcomed any new patients seeking treatment.