Chapter 120

Providing the right explanation to a group of people with limited education who have no knowledge of your speech and manner of speaking is an art in itself.

Medic needs to make the Infected understand who you are, what you're there for, and what these things mean to them... and in order to achieve these goals, what you need them to do, what the consequences will be if they don't do it, and what the punishment will be for trying to interfere with your actions... Medic needs to explain all of this in just half an hour.

Fortunately, this was in the Snowfield, where most people's tasks didn't have time constraints. If this were in a Columbia city, and someone blocked your way to work and insisted on talking to you for a full half hour about selling something, both the salesperson and the customer would probably choose to go to the police station or the hospital.

"So, you're here to help us treat our illness? Do you have any medicine here to treat Oripathy?"

"Yes."

After understanding Rhodes Island's supposed purpose, the Integration members looked at each other in bewilderment, and the person who had asked the first question shrank back:

"We have no money."

"I know we're not here for your money... Rhodes Island is one of the few companies that employs a large number of the Infected, so we naturally know the Infected plight better than anyone else... I can only say that if you wanted to make money, you certainly wouldn't have come to the Snowfield."

After all, where would people making a living on the Snowfield get money?

When it comes to making money, isn't it just a matter of whoever has the money profits from whom?

During the brief moment Medic was distracted, the Reunion Movement began to discuss amongst themselves.

They desperately crave help, but like someone yearning for warmth yet fearing the scorching heat of a campfire... The Infected in Ursus, having been harmed by their own country, are extremely wary of any public authority... or any organization that is greater than themselves.

They feared they would fall into a trap called the 'unknown,' just as the initial Infected Enforcement Squad actually used 'treatment' as an excuse to gather the Infected and send them to the mine.

At the time, who knew that Ursus's treatment for the Infected was to send them to Originium mines to mine without any protection?

In terms of how they extract surplus value, Medic felt that the Old Nobility of Ursus might not be direct or clever enough.

After feeling that he had given the crowd enough time to discuss, Medic spread his arms to signal everyone to be quiet. Then, the still very young Feline said earnestly:

"I understand that you all still have doubts about us, after all, trust is not built in a day... But, humans ultimately have the instinct to survive, and even if you are utterly disappointed with life in Ursus, at least alleviating the pain is the basic goal of treatment."

"Oripathy is an excruciating pain. I'm also the Infected, and my case is an acute form caused by environmental factors, so I understand how it feels...290538713 That's why I want to help you all. This has nothing to do with trust, or even with the 'conspiracy' you're worried about... Rhodes Island's blocking medication is different from the Oripathy treatments available on the market; this is something that can be confirmed simply by using it..."

"Then, will you use those drugs to control us?"

Without showing any discomfort at being interrupted, Medic looked at the person who had asked the question and firmly shook his head.

"No, I have explained Rhodes Island's reasons for being here to your leader in detail, so I won't repeat them here. As for your concerns about ourselves... well, after providing you with the necessary training on drug use, we can even leave directly."

Seeing the Reunion Movement members begin their heated discussion again, Medic glanced at the Shieldguards and Yeti who had been promised to help maintain order, and, feeling the setup was nearly complete, gestured for Blaze, who was wielding an extended chainsaw, to clear the path.

"Having said all that, we must ultimately prove our point through the medicine and the treatment itself... Now, those who need it, please enter in an orderly fashion."

After Huang cleared the entrance road, just as Medic had predicted, the Reunion Movement did not immediately begin participating in Rhodes Island's treatment activities.

Although many looked expectant, they were still engaged in heated discussions and did not immediately enter the isolation tent.

Living in small groups on the Snowfield accustomed them to collective decision-making, which, while reducing risk, obviously led to decreased efficiency.

With someone like a leader from the Reunion Movement taking the lead, these ordinary members would probably remain in a wait-and-see state regarding venting their anger during activities because of Talulah's attitude.

Just as Medic was about to have FrostNova demonstrate to dispel the concerns of ordinary Reunion Movement members about offending their leader, a little boy suddenly appeared not far from the podium.

"... How effective are the drugs from Rhodes Island?"

Short, dark green hair, skin with a hint of green, and gray scales on her cheeks revealing her identity Fidia...

He was originally supposed to be a lively person only a few years older than Rosemary, but because of his dead eyes, his whole body was filled with a decadent temperament, as if he had been beaten by the maliciousness of the earth.

"Is it possible to help someone with stones in their throat sing again?"

"Sasha?!"

After glancing at the person carrying the crossbowman, the child named Sasha instinctively wanted to return to the crossbowman's side, but stopped short of taking a step, stubbornly looking at Medic.

"Will Rhodes Island's treatment allow Yinuo to sing again?"

"Sasha... the leader hasn't made a decision yet..."

"I'm sorry... but I can't wait any longer..."

Watching the conversation between the child named Sasha and the crossbowman, Medic looked at FrostNova, who realized she didn't need to be a shill but was hesitant about the treatment that was about to begin, and said:

"Yinuo again..."

"It's his friend, a very insecure little guy... Oripathy in his throat due to human error..."

At this point, FrostNova clenched her fist and sighed:

"In terms of his condition, it's not actually that serious. There are plenty of guys here who are barely clinging to life, ready to prove your strength..."

"But a promise to a child is always very important."

Seeing Medic say that, FrostNova scratched her head:

"Promise?"

As he spoke, he slung his first-aid kit over his shoulder and, incidentally, called over a real specialist in Oripathy. Out of experience and consideration for children, Medic called Su Sulo...

As for why Folinic wasn't invited along? Well, the clinic still needs to keep some staff on staff.

In just a few dozen seconds, Medic had prepared his medical supplies and, as was his habit, took FrostNova's outstretched hand.

"Yes, because as I just said, those who need it can enter in an orderly manner... Huang, I'm leaving this place to you. Little Cat stays here too. While I'm gone, I'll leave the medical matters to Folinic... You have to keep an eye on Huang and Little Cat and make sure they don't cause any trouble."

Feeling Medic pulling her towards Sasha, FrostNova quickly called out to the surrounding Yeti:

"Susanna, Big Mouth, you two come with me."

"Ah?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? You guys have treated Oripathy in the car before... Didn't you notice we're missing a lot of things here? Come and lend a hand!"

"Okay, sure!"

Rhodes Island's cat brought along a fox, Reunion Movement's rabbit brought along a bear... The whole team went from two to four, plus the expectant Sasha and the crossbowman who sighed and muttered, "I don't care if Talulah blames me later." The group of six, led by the boy Fidia carrying a crossbow, strode forward.

As a community, the Reunion Movement seems to uphold a primitive and simple fairness, providing the weak with an environment sufficient for survival, while the strong can receive lower treatment depending on their physical condition.

FrostNova said she lived in a fur tent... but in Medic's eyes, most of the children and elderly in the community lived in wooden houses with raised floors and fireplaces.

Of course, due to the nature of the construction, these wooden cabins are not very warm, but they are certainly much better than the tents that FrostNova described, where even fur mats would freeze solid at night without a fire.

"... By the way, Talulah doesn't seem to live in the Central District? I don't think I've seen her house..."

"Talulah shares a tent with the school teachers; they're friends... did I mention that yesterday?"

Unaware that her subordinates were exchanging glances as she held the black cat's hand, the White Rabbit simply asked with concern:

"And the temperature around Talulah is even more absurd than Huang's. Because my condition worsened and my body temperature made me very susceptible to burns, I haven't seen her for a while... And that guy's tent is incredibly warm. For a while, she was living in a wounded soldier's tent as a human heater... Never mind her, can Yinuo's throat really be treated with medication?"

The White Rabbit looked at the little black cat, and then the little black cat paused for a moment before looking at the Little Fox on the other side, its arm draped around its arm.

Facing her friend's speaking heterochromatic eyes, Su Sulo touched the corner of her mouth with her other hand, thought for a moment, and then said:

"It's uncertain... There are too many influencing factors: the location of the lesion, the root cause affecting pronunciation, the level of inflammation, the activity level of the Originium Crystals... These are all things that affect the condition and treatment methods... The only thing I can guarantee is that we will do our utmost..."

Although the White Rabbit found it strange that Su Sulo seemed to tighten her grip on Medic after she finished speaking, FrostNova simply thought the Little Fox was cold, so she didn't think much of it and tightened her grip as well...

She absolutely loved the feel of skin-to-skin contact with Medic. She didn't have to worry about frostbite or burns herself. This kind of intimate interaction... the last time it happened was probably ten years ago.

"Yes, I believe you... Ah, that's Yinuo and Sasha's house up ahead... Yinuo, are you there?"

At FrostNova's call, Medic soon saw the child who had removed the wooden partition from the window, peeked out with his little head, and then quickly shrank back inside.

Hmm... it's a child with white hair.

However, that white color is closer to FrostNova's.

It was like ice and frost, as if resisting the outside world, with the color of swords and steel... It was clearly different from the soft, cloud-like feeling of Rosemary.

Just as Medic was lost in thought, FrostNova stamped her foot and continued:

"Yinuo, stop hiding! Sasha might spoil you, but I won't! Everyone's here to help you, and there are many others who need their help. Yinuo begged for this before you even got here, so don't waste your time!"

FrostNova's somewhat distorted account of events caused Medic and Su Sulo to exchange a puzzled glance. Were they really that busy? How come they didn't know...? The problem was, neither the crossbowman nor the child called Yinuo seemed to find anything amiss...

This can only be described as a subtle misunderstanding arising from different perspectives and viewpoints.

"Help me? Cough cough cough..."

Medic heard the child's voice.

His cough was hoarse and sharp, filled with pain, but when he pushed open the door, his eyes were full of expectation.

"Hmm, if talking is too painful, you don't have to say it..."

Taking two steps forward and extending his hand to the white-haired child, Medic quickly got to the point after repeating the self-introduction he had given earlier:

"Okay, next we'll examine you. If you feel uncomfortable, raise your hand and we'll stop... Also, this lady might ask you some questions later. You don't need to force yourself to speak; just nod, shake your head, or point out where you feel uncomfortable, okay?"

Although she had already witnessed Medic's noticeably gentler attitude towards Rosemary and the Sarkaz twins, FrostNova initially thought it was just Medic taking care of his juniors...

But now it seems that she was just instinctively being gentle with the cubs.

As expected of a city doctor, her maternal instincts are practically overflowing!

If Medic knew that FrostNova was making fun of him like this, he'd probably be speechless for a long time.

However, after entering the house, laying the child down, and having Medic and Su Sulo put on gloves and turn on their flashlights to conduct the examination, she no longer had the leisure to observe the people around her.

With her back to everyone else, the little black cat from Rhodes Island explained to the child that she was going to use Originium Arts, and then black flames erupted from her left eye.

"... Vocal cords... intact... the problem is in the pharynx... give me a marker... here, here... depth drawing, shape sketching... wait... his inflammation is very serious..."

"What about the organs? Is there any sign of the Originium spreading?"

"Fortunately, perhaps because he's still young, his kidneys aren't as severely damaged as FrostNova's... Spell intervention shouldn't be necessary..."

"So, a set procedure is required?"

Seeing Su Sulo's relieved expression, Medic smiled and nodded after finishing sketching the Originium from several directions.

"First, we'll treat the inflammation, then use magic intervention, and finally, we'll remove the formed Originium with minimally invasive surgery... His Originium isn't inside any organs, so removing Originium should make things much easier..."

At this point, Medic remembered that a group of 'family members' were waiting behind her, so she turned to FrostNova and the others and said:

"In other words, with proper treatment, let alone singing... this child might even outlive me."

"Really?! That's wonderful..."

Compared to FrostNova and the crossbowmen, whose adult expressions betrayed their suppressed emotions, Sasha clearly showed her happiness for her friend.

"Yinuo, did you hear that!? You can sing again!"

Blinking, the white-haired child wanted to move but dared not... Seeing the child's pleading gaze, Medic smiled, removed his mask and gloves, and stuffed him into the Originium Pollution isolation bag:

"Alright, we'll arrange your treatment soon... Now, I'll use magic to reduce the inflammation in your throat... That way you won't cough when you speak, which should make things much easier."

As Medic first reached out his hand, then, as if remembering something, pretended to take out a pen-shaped medical casting unit from his bag, a green orb of light lit up at the tip of his staff.

In FrostNova's eyes, Medic stared intently at the orb of light for a long time... After about a second or two, he finally felt comfortable bringing the orb of light, whose color and brightness had subtly changed, closer to Yinuo's throat.

The white-haired little boy immediately revealed an expression of pleasure, like Rosemary being patted on the head.

At that moment, Su Sulo, who had been keeping an eye on Medic, suddenly noticed that Medic's gaze swept sharply to one side. However, because she was still casting a spell, Medic did not take any action. Su Sulo looked in that direction but did not see anything.

Just as Su Sulo was about to ask what had happened, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded outside:

"Big sister! Big sister! Something terrible has happened!"

A Yeti suddenly rushed into the house, startling everyone. Fortunately, Medic's spellcasting was unaffected.

"The Skullshatterer... that Skullshatterer brought people and surrounded the clinic... I mean, the clinic... she surrounded the clinic and Dr. Folinic!"

Almost simultaneously, the green orb of light disappeared.

Before FrostNova could speak, the Yeti and everyone present saw Medic's forced smile:

"Perfect timing, I also need to talk to her about something."

PS: Yesterday was really... I finished sending it out and then the power went out. I lay on the ground to cool off and ended up with diarrhea... After that, I drove several kilometers to several different places to buy a circuit breaker... That thing burned out along with the wiring, and it took me ages to fix it...

Worn out...

Take a break...

PS2: Meow Meow Cat

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AI fox↑ But our light↑ could also be a target of censorship↑

4th Crimson Warm Winter: 126 Don't come near me! (This title comes with its own voiceover)