Previous page password is bold portion: 7rLthlj=ne&$d8
Translator: SumTLMan
Ghost Shipyard Island, Dock 4.
For the crew aboard the Moonlight Toucan, tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
Manfred had died, and all the combat power on the Broken Blood had been virtually wiped out. This should have been a cause for celebration, as it meant that the long-coveted Dock 1 was theirs for the taking with ease.
However, not a single person on board could muster a smile at this time.
All eyes were filled with hope and anxiety, directed towards the infirmary, even those standing on the deck, who couldn’t possibly see its location, turned their heads in its direction, desperately awaiting the final verdict.
Captain Barlow, Little Birch… and Renko.
These three were currently in the infirmary, where the doctor of the Moonlight Toucan, along with Little Flea, were working together to save them.
If these three were to die, what would be the point of taking over the Broken Blood and Dock 1? Captain Barlow was their nominal leader, while Renko was their spiritual leader. The loss of a ship’s leaders would inevitably lead to the darkest of times.
Moreover, Renko was the true martial force of the ship. His presence alone deterred others from the docks from encroaching. Without him, even occupying Dock 1 would ultimately be indefensible.
Thus, everyone was eagerly awaiting the final outcome.
“Can the captain and the others be saved? If they were going to attack Dock 1, why didn’t they inform us?”
“They can be saved; they must be. We’ve survived on this cursed island for so long, I refuse to believe that the captain and the others would fall here.”
This was their fervent hope, but could hope truly become reality?
As the deck fell silent, the hatch was opened, and several people came out one after another. Upon inquiry, it was learned that the doctor had advised against crowding outside the infirmary. The lack of air circulation and the noise were detrimental to the patients, so everyone was sent to the deck.
“Little Saza, you were the first to respond to the situation. Do you know the specifics? Is there any hope for them?” The question came from someone already on the deck, looking towards a young man who had emerged from the cabin. This young man was the first to hear the sounds of the fight and had gone to check the situation.
All eyes turned to the young man known as Little Saza. Some had heard bits and pieces of information, but it was all hearsay, and the specifics were unknown.
After a moment’s hesitation, Little Saza spoke, “Little Birch’s wound is in the chest. When I saw him, most of his body was still floating in the lake, and the surrounding water was soaked red. However, when Little Flea pulled him up, he mentioned that the wound showed signs of healing and that it wasn’t a big problem to treat.”
“Little Birch isn’t important. We want to know about the captain and Mr. Renko.” Someone whispered softly.
Though it sounded harsh, the reality was indeed such; Little Birch’s importance to the Moonlight Toucan was far less than that of Captain Barlow and Mr. Renko.
Captain Barlow’s injuries were grave; his skull shattered by the mighty fists of Manfred, leaving fragments of bone scattered on the ground. The mere recollection of the scene caused little Saza to tremble, indicating the brutality of the incident.
“Is there any hope for Captain Barlow?”
Little Saza hesitated, “…Thanks to the timely medical intervention of that person, there is hope. That’s what Little Flea mentioned.”
The identity of this person was known among those who had gone to the frontline to offer support. They had witnessed her power, one that could tear the earth asunder.
Such were those who witnessed that even knowing her name, they dared not speak it lightly, referring to her only as “that person.”
“What about Mr. Renko?” someone else inquired.
Upon mentioning Renko, a shadow of sorrow passed through Saza’s eyes. “I… didn’t see Mr. Renko’s condition myself, but Little Flea said… said…”
Saza couldn’t finish, but the conclusion was clear to some present.
A sailor, who had hesitated for a moment, shared, “Actually, when I went to support in the forest, I saw Mr. Renko. He was in a dire state, bleeding from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, unrecognizable to others, and would attack anyone who approached him in a frenzy.”
“However, around him were piles of corpses from the crew of the Broken Blood, each marked by the slashes of a knight’s sword. It was Mr. Renko who had killed them. He sacrificed his own life to protect us.”
The group asked, “And in the end…”
The sailor shook his head, “No one could approach him, in the end, it was that person who knocked him out and brought him back.”
“Will Mr. Renko be healed?” another couldn’t help but ask. For them, Renko, as a spiritual leader and guardian, held immeasurable importance.
No one answered; Saza looked sorrowful, and the sailor remained silent.
After a while, someone whispered, “I heard from the ship’s guard that Mr. Renko was poisoned and had taken forbidden drugs. Either could be fatal, and it’s likely that he might…”
“I don’t believe it!”
“Neither do I, but it might indeed be the harsh reality. Captain Barlow might die, and Mr. Renko’s chances are even slimmer.”
Despite the crowd on the deck, a chilling silence prevailed.
“Let’s not lose hope, remember, we have that person among us.”
“Can that person save Mr. Renko?”
“I’ve heard that some merchant ships are guarded by extraordinary beings. Rumors say they are omnipotent. If that’s true, perhaps that person could find a way to heal him?”
In the midst of despair, this speculation offered a glimmer of hope. Ordinary folks, unfamiliar with the full extent of a wizard’s capabilities, held onto the legendary tales of their powers, elevating their expectations and hopes amidst the uncertainty.
Perhaps, there truly is hope for salvation?
As everyone eagerly anticipated “that person’s” miraculous intervention to save Mr. Renko and Captain Barlow, “that person” was instead leaning against the wall of the medical room, pale-faced.
“Lady Asbay, are you alright?” a man in a white doctor’s coat asked with concern.
Nausica clutched her chest, her temples soaked with cold sweat, and it took her a moment to catch her breath before she shook her head at those around her: “I’m fine.”
“Do you need me to take a look?”
Nausica replied, “No need, physical injuries are of little consequence.”
The surrounding doctors thought Nausica was enduring her injuries, but in reality, she truly did not care about physical harm. Although her current injuries were severe, as a bloodline witch, repairing her physical body was not too difficult; she could fully recover in about ten to fifteen days.
What was truly challenging were the injuries beyond the physical, such as damage to her mental power, and… injuries to the soul.
These were beyond the aid of any ordinary doctor.
Nausica, enduring the discomfort in her chest, approached the bedsides, inquiring, “How are they doing?”
“Thanks to your timely treatment, Birch’s ribs are broken, but his internal injuries are healing, and his life is no longer in danger.”
“Captain Barlow’s injuries are severe, but with your help, there are signs of improvement.”
Another doctor added, “However, even if he recovers, there’s a high likelihood his skull shape will be deformed.”
“Yes, but that’s already fortunate. As long as he’s alive, a bit of a flattened skull doesn’t matter.”
After discussing Birch and Barlow’s conditions, Nausica’s gaze moved to the last bed.
Beside Birch’s bed was only one medical monitor, beside Barlow’s bed was a doctor with two nurses, but around the last bed, several doctors, including Little Flea, were busily working together.
From the distribution of personnel, it was clear that the patient in the last bed was in the most critical condition.
Nausica walked over: “Is there any improvement in his condition?”
After a moment of silence, the sweat-drenched Little Flea sadly shook his head.
The doctors opposite, equally exhausted and wearing masks, also showed helplessness in their eyes: “We’ve done everything we can, but Mr. Renko’s life is still rapidly fading.”
This fading was not due to poison, but the aftermath of swallowing a secret medicine.
After the madness, comes irreversible decay.
They were unable to counteract the aftermath of such a secret medicine, let alone the chasm posed by the toxin.
In the eyes of the gathered physicians, Renko was already Beyond Saving.
However, Renko was still clinging to life, however faintly, and they would continue to exert effort, regardless of the lack of reward. This unwavering commitment was the reason they stayed by Renko’s side, never leaving him.
Nausica looked at Renko, lying on the hospital bed, his appearance grievously altered, and her mind wandered back to the events that had unfolded not long ago in that stone cave.
Although she was unconscious at the time, her mental senses were acutely aware of everything happening around her.
She heard Renko’s last words to Birch: after leaving Ghost Shipyard Island, to convey news of his death to his distant family.
Such a simple last request, reminiscent of the oaths made by her crew when they first ventured the seas with her, swearing to follow her to the death.
Despite their fierce battles at sea, chasing a thrilling life without regret, fighting against the mighty waves, their final words were still of this simple nature, expressing guilt and entrustment to their distant families.
Nausica also remembered when they were discovered hiding in the stone cave, Renko, without any complaint, tremblingly stood up, took up his knight’s sword, and protected everyone behind him, fearlessly stating, “Your opponent is me.”
He was defending his inner principles with his life.
Although Nausica did not favor the knight’s sanctimonious standards, she admired those who were willing to uphold all principles of justice to their death.
Moreover, her rescue from the “pigpen” of Dock 1 was largely thanks to Renko.
Even though Nausica could have escaped without their help, since they saved her, she felt indebted to them.
Therefore, she wanted to save Renko.
“Step back, let me have a look,” Nausica said, tapping on the shoulder of the sweat-soaked Little Flea.
Little Flea: “My Lady, your injuries…”
Nausica: “My injuries won’t stop me from saving someone. You, on the other hand, need to rest. You’ve been up all night.”
Little Flea shook his head. Although it was his first time officially meeting Renko today, Renko’s actions had deeply impacted him, and he was willing to contribute.
“Ask yourself, who really has the ability to save him, you or me?” Nausica said lightly.
Little Flea lowered his head in silence for a moment before stepping back. Although he did not understand why Nausica possessed such extraordinary power, he realized that, given the current situation, Renko was essentially out of options unless a miracle occurred.
And this miracle was most likely to be created by Nausica, who possessed extraordinary powers.
Although he stepped back a few steps, Little Flea did not rest. Instead, he stood aside, wanting to witness how Nausica would proceed.
The other physicians also quieted down, watching Nausica’s actions.
Contrary to their expectations, Nausica did not perform any medical examinations. Instead, she extended her left index finger and gently touched Renko’s body. From his forehead to his neck, then to his chest and abdomen.
With each gentle tap she made, it seemed as though halos of light were pulsating around her.
As the halos flickered one after another, Nausica’s complexion became increasingly pale, a sign of magical depletion.
When she released the last bit of her magic, Nausica’s legs gave way beneath her.
Fortunately, Little Flea noticed in time and caught her, preventing her from truly collapsing to the ground.
“Lady Asbay, are you alright?”
Amidst the worried gazes of those around her, Nausica shook her head: “I’m fine, just a bit drained.”
Little Flea glanced at Nausica, then at Renko, who was lying on the bed with his breathing nearly ceased: “Is there still hope for Mr. Renko?”
Nausica’s expression turned slightly serious, and she remained silent.
Although Nausica didn’t say anything, everyone understood her meaning.
Even Nausica, a being of extraordinary power, couldn’t save Renko?
Although they had already deemed it difficult to save Renko, the moment the final verdict surfaced, their hearts were filled with profound sadness.
The atmosphere of silence and sorrow lasted for a long time.
When people began to weep softly, Nausica finally spoke: “I might not be able to save him, but I can use some methods to temporarily freeze him, delaying the inevitable.”
Nausica’s words lifted the spirits of everyone from the depths of despair, sparking hope once again.
“Delaying the inevitable is also good,” said Little Flea. “Given our current environment and the lack of medical facilities, we can’t treat Renko for now. But if we have the chance to leave this cursed island and find a superior treatment environment, perhaps Mr. Renko could be saved!”
Little Flea’s hopeful words, however, did not resonate with everyone.
Could any external medical equipment compare to the capabilities of an extraordinary being like Nausica?
Since even Nausica couldn’t treat him, Renko’s fate was essentially sealed.
Little Flea understood their sentiment and after a moment of silence said: “I’ve heard from my medical teacher that on a distant continent, there’s a country named Akesacresia. It’s the birthplace of modern medicine, a holy land of healing capable of creating miracles. If we can find it, perhaps there’s hope for Renko.”
The other doctors had never heard of Akesacresia and thought Little Flea was making up stories.
However, they didn’t debunk Little Flea’s “fantasy” because, deep down, they too hoped that Nausica could freeze Renko.
Even if he couldn’t be treated, even if it was just delaying the inevitable, it was better than turning to dust and sleeping eternally beneath the ground.