Chapter 40 Surpassing The Legendary Medicine God
I'm an adventurer who has come to help with the recovery of the Votslak territory.
After treating the injured and repairing the damaged village buildings...
I was taking a break at the village head's house.
"Thank you very much, you are truly like a god!"
The village head of Zwei Village deeply bowed.
"No need to bow, this is my job."
"Oh, what a kind person! Amazing...! Just like the legendary Medicine God Asclepius-sama!"
He was talking about my amazing master's healing abilities as a pharmacist who taught me the basics of healing.
"No, I still have a long way to go before surpassing my master."
"What!? What did you just say?"
"Um, so it means I'm not as good as my master..."
With a trembling voice, once again the village head bowed down on the ground...!
"Oh, were you a disciple of Asclepius-sama! Without knowing, I showed such rude behavior...!"
"Huh, huh!?"
Why all of a sudden!? Rude? What is he talking about, these people haven't done anything rude at all, right?
Why is he apologizing...?
"Um, please lift your head. Really, I haven't done anything to you?"
"Not knowing you were a disciple of Asclepius-sama, I apologize for not trusting your strength, I'm truly sorry!"
Oh, he's apologizing for his reaction when we first arrived...
I got scared because he apologized so suddenly.
"Don't worry about it! If a weak-looking kid like me shows up, anyone would be suspicious."
Oh... how compassionate... just like a spitting image of Asclepius-sama..."
Suddenly, I asked the village head about something that had been bothering me. His way of speaking about Master seemed as if he had met him directly.
"Do you know Master?"
"Yes, yes, I know him very well."
The village head told me a story from his childhood.
There was a time when a Monster Parade occurred in the village, and a large number of monsters came flooding in.
Master, who has incredible power, not only healed everyone but also made protective incense to ward off monsters.
And without accepting any thanks, he left...
Master... he truly is kind and incredible!
I feel so lucky to be his apprentice.
"The protective incense of Asclepius-sama, it had a long-lasting effect. However, as I grew older, had children, and by the time of my grandchildren, its power faded..."
And that brings them to the present day.
But, wow. My protective incense only lasts for about a week, yet this has been sustaining for years...
"Leaf-kun, what will you do now?"
"Leaf-sama has treated the injured and rebuilt the damaged buildings, so the mission is clear."
I shake my head in response to Eileen-san.
"There are still things I need to do."
"What do you mean?"
"I will make more protective incense and leave it here."
Right now, thanks to the elderly villagers, the number of monsters has temporarily decreased.
But they will eventually return to their original numbers. When that happens, the village will be attacked again.
So... just like master, I should make and leave protective incense here.
"But my Lord. Unlike your master, it will only last for a week, right? Will you come to make protective incense every time?"
"I can't come that frequently. The capital city is quite a distance from here... that's why."
I had one decision in mind.
"I'm going to try making the perfect protective incense that my master used."
I learned the recipe and how to make the protective incense.
But when I make it, it doesn't last as long as when my master makes it.
I've always accepted that I can't beat my master and never aimed for anything higher than that.
But... after hearing stories about my master's past, I ignited a desire to become great like that person.
"I understand that, but what specifically are you planning to do?"
"I'm thinking of borrowing the power of the green spirits."
"The power of the spirits...?"
I place two kinds of herbs in front of Mercury-san.
"What are these herbs for?"
"Mercury-san, could you try Appraising them?"
"Of course. [Appraisal]"
Mercury-san has amazing Appraisal abilities.
She can read the information hidden within them.
"! This one's higher quality. It's the best, while this one's just normal."
"The high-quality one was picked by green spirits. I think they can enhance the power of things from nature like grass or flowers."
"Ah, I see... So, if spirits pick them instead of humans, the quality improves."
With that in mind, I shared my idea.
"I thought if I have the green spirits pick the herbs needed for the protective incense, I could make a semi-permanent one like the master's."
If the effectiveness of medicine made with the same technique varies, then the quality of the ingredients used becomes crucial, I reasoned.
"That makes sense. Even using the same magic, using a higher-ranked staff can enhance its effect."
Eileen-san nodded in agreement.
With her agreement, my confidence in the hypothesis grew. Let's give it a try, I thought.
"Can I use the kitchen, Village Head?"
"Of course! Feel free to use it as you like!"
I grabbed my magic bag and headed to the kitchen.
If I was going to work, it would be better to have a water source nearby (because I use water for potions).
I unpacked my bag and placed the ingredients used for protective incense on the kitchen table.
The green spirits gathered around me in a fluffy manner.
"Everyone, I have a favor to ask. Can you go pick the herbs on this table for me?"
The spirits became extremely happy and flew out the window.
The countless green lights flying towards the sky were truly magical.
Honestly, I felt resistant to ordering the spirits like this.
I felt bad for acting all bossy and making them do things, like a master and sl*ve.
But the spirits were actually happy to help out, and I felt relieved. Thank you.
* * *
Before long, the new incense was completed.
"I arrived at the center of the village with it.
"Before I use it, Mercury-san, could you check its quality?"
"Okay. [Appraisal]... Wait, WHAAAAAAT!?"
Seeing Mercury-san's usual surprised expression, I handed over the usual headache medicine (elixir) as usual.
"What's wrong?"
"Leaf-kun... this, it's amazing. The effect... it's permanent!"
"Permanent... no way!?"
"It's true! It's not semi-permanent, it's described as having a permanent effect... which means..."
At Mercury-san's words, Eileen-san said, her eyes sparkling as she looked at me.
"Which means, it surpasses Asclepius-sama...! That's incredible! Truly, Leaf-sama...!"
I can't believe... that I could surpass my master...
Master... I always thought I was no match for you. I felt like I couldn't catch up, like you were an unbeatable figure, and I didn't try to improve the techniques I inherited from you...
But... finally, I was able to elevate one of my techniques.
Are you happy...? If you are... I'd be glad...
"Leaf-kun, let's try using it right away."
"Oh, okay!"
I light the incense.
Then... a green phosphorescence spreads through the air.
It mixes with the air... and soon forms a thin film, covering the entire village.
"Leaf-sama... what happened?"
"It's okay. The smell that monsters hate, it's coming out properly."
"Wow! Then...!"
"Yes, monsters won't come to this village anymore!"
"Wow! Amazing!"
Including the village head, the villagers kneel deeply in front of me.
"Thank you, Leaf-sama! We will never forget this kindness! You are like the second Medicine God!"
Medicine God... huh. I still can't accept that title.
But I feel like I've gotten closer, at least a little.
"Oh no, I still have a long way to go! But I'm glad I could help!"
"What a humble person you are! Amazing! Your great deeds will be remembered for generations to come!"
And that's how I saved the first village.
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