Contact, Sudden Change.

Upon hearing the name Shinnō, the residents, who had been wary until then, not only looked as though the clouds had parted to reveal clear skies, but quickly accepted the explanation as well.

Simply because the reason was both reasonable and sufficient.

"So they came looking for Doctor Shinnō."

"No wonder. Doctor Shinnō's medical skills are truly extraordinary, and he often travels between different villages."

The voices rising all around them quickly turned into praise for the physician's exceptional medical skills.

Yet amid such an atmosphere, one person was an exception—the tomboy who had been the first among the gathered residents to voice her doubts.

Upon hearing the purpose of these foreigners' visit, the look in her eyes immediately changed. It was as though a treasure she had carefully guarded had been discovered by outsiders, and those outsiders were now openly declaring their intention to take it away.

"Teacher Shinnō is currently focused on researching medicinal herbs for treating illnesses. It isn't convenient for him to receive outsiders, much less leave suddenly. If you have anything to say, tell me first."

She broke the admiring atmosphere around them, her gaze fixed unflinchingly on the two outsiders before her.

Aside from its cold rejection, her words also carried a faint hostility.

"I am Teacher Shinnō's disciple."

As if worried that the newcomers would not believe her, she decisively introduced herself.

"All right, Amaru, don't be so petty."

"Everyone knows how much you like Teacher Shinnō. But since these two outsiders braved the dangers of the rainforest in the dead of night to come here, they must have something urgent to ask of him. We have neither the reason nor the right to turn away Doctor Shinnō's guests on his behalf."

After the tomboy's hostile, resistant words, an especially kind elder's voice