The Baby Isn’t Yours

Chapter 125:

A sense of gloom hung over the faces of everyone in the room.

It hadnt been long since the outbreak of the disease, so the exact mortality rate wasnt yet known.

However, it was clear that the condition was worsening as time went on.

Where are the people who contracted the disease?

Well, the number was too high, so we divided them into two groups.

You divided them?

Yes. Half of them were isolated in the Lords castle, and the other half were quarantined in an empty farmhouse owned by the forest keeper.

Thats why the village feels so empty.

On the way to the Magic branch, the village, which was known for its bustling commercial activity, was eerily quiet.

It was as if no one was there, as if it was an uninhabited place.

I heard there are rumors that it might be an epidemic, so people have locked their doors and nobody comes out. Even half of the shops have closed their doors due to suspension of business.

Kalia, who had been listening to the conversation between the two, interjected.

Is there any way I can see the patients? I still havent seen how severe the disease is, what kind of skin condition it is, and I want to observe the patients condition.

Allen interrupted her.

Miss Kalia!

With a weary expression, he tried to dissuade her.

Kalia quickly nestled Sasha in Allens arms and said.

Allen and Hemmie are taking care of the babies here. Ill go there with Simon.

But! Wouldnt it be better for me as a doctor to go and examine them first? If someone has to go, Ill go.

Ill decide that after I go there first. Its less risky for me and Simon to go.

Miss Kalia!

For now, Ill entrust the babies to you, Allen. Okay?

He couldnt persuade her.

In the end, Allen decided to stay with Hemmie and Derek to take care of the babies and examine the collected data at the branch.

As Allen was examining the box of documents handed to him by Hendrick, he hurriedly grabbed Hendrick, who was about to leave.

Is there something called Akan Cream here?

Oh, Akan Cream.

The medicine that was said to be the only one effective against the demonic disease.

Only Akan produces and distributes it, so the supply on the market was scarce.

Thats why both nobles and commoners alike were going crazy trying to get their hands on it.

Fortunately, there was an announcement that Akan would provide additional supplies, along with a promise of full support for the cream

But even that was mostly monopolized by the wealthy and nobles.

At this imperial meeting, it was announced that Akan would bring additional supplies, so the people were eagerly waiting for it.

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Not only those who were already sick but also those who werent, in a preventive measure, were buying and using it without hesitation.

As a result, even the most cunning merchants moved to acquire Akan Cream.

The same was true for merchants in Lakoa; they were no exception to leaving for the outside.

As a result, the interior of the city looked even more empty.

To be honest, it wasnt easy to acquire. Maybe due to anxiety, there were no sellers no matter how much money I offered.

Saying that, Hendrick took out a small pouch that he had hidden inside his cloak and held it out.

I did manage to acquire two more, but the rest got stolen, and I barely saved this one.

Stolen? From here?

When youre offering more than 100 gold for something this small, there are bound to be a few sneaky individuals lurking around.

Hendrick said with a bitter smile.

Of course, strict punishment was later imposed, but the punishment wasnt the issue.

The fact that such an incident happened within the branch he managed indicated a weakness in the system.

Magic was a destructive force, and even among magicians, the chain of command was as important as in the military.

Of course, physical punishment wasnt imposed, but there were far scarier methods for the magicians.

Hendrick shook off his thoughts and looked back at Simon, who was waiting for him.

The days at the academy were long gone.

Hendrick had to seek permission from his superior first.

I was keeping this as a reference in the archives. What should we do with it?

Hendrick glanced at Simon as if asking if it was okay to hand it over to this doctor.

Simon glanced briefly at Allen and turned back, shaking his hand roughly as a response.

Please handle it with care. I heard that even the folks at the Mage Tower havent been able to acquire a few.

Without hesitation, Simon handed over the important data to him.

Simon also trusted Allen to that extent.

Allen escorted them as they descended the stairs of the magical branch, firmly holding the Akan Cream in his hand.

In the lobby, Hemmie, who had come down first, was scolding Kalia while hugging Sasha.

No matter how invincible you are, miss Kalia, you still need to be careful. Got it? My goodness, I have to follow you just in case something happens!

Hemmie puffed up her cheeks and followed Kalia, who was going out, step by step.

Click.

When they opened the door and went outside, they saw an empty street with no one passing by.

Despite being in the heart of the city, the Magic branch, it felt as if they were in a ghost town with not a single person nearby.

Hemmie grabbed onto Kalias dress, who was looking around the empty square with a serious expression.

She could see the eyes watching her.

Kalia smiled slightly, as if saying its okay, and ruffled Hemmies hair, petting her like a child.

Then, she kissed Sashas cheek, who was staring at her intently.

Mom will be back soon, Sasha.

Boo!

As if telling her not to worry, the baby let out a spirited coo.

Though his expression was serious, not befitting a baby, his chubby and round cheeks made him look adorable.

While Kalia laughed softly at Sashas cuteness and straightened her posture, a tiny body, about the size of an acorn, jumped under her feet.

Pl-please!

Trembling, the small body, a baby so tiny that it could barely roll around, lay prostrate at Kalias feet, extending its tiny hands and shouting.

P-p-please give me something to eat!

* * *

With small hands clasped together, the boy looked up with frightened eyes, now barely four years old at most.

A very small child, covered in grime and wearing tattered clothes.

Having plucked up a lot of courage on such a subject, he crouched at her feet and begged.

Unconsciously, Kalia stared at the child frozen like a statue.

Under the tangled, messy hair, there were plenty of dandruff and stains.

Kalias heart ached as she looked at the child.

You

No, dont!

Just as she reached out her hand to lift the child.

From somewhere, as if watching over, a slightly older girl, a little taller than the boy, quickly ran out and embraced the child before stepping back.

Dont touch him.

Two even smaller children, trembling, looked up at her near Kalias waist.

While Kalia stood frozen, hesitating, Simons group came out through the lobby door.

Whats going on?

Startle.

The two children, who were clinging tightly to each other, alternately looked at Kalia and Simons group, then tightly bit their lips.

The younger-looking child, unable to hold it any longer, burst into tears and spoke.

I-I havent eaten anything for three days. Im h-hungry. Huuuuh!

Michelle, dont cry!

S-sis!

The child addressed as sis bit her lip tightly and looked at Kalia.

Despite the fear in her eyes, her words were mischievous.

In fact, we also have that skin disease! If you dont give us food, well cling to you! We might even infect you! S-so, please give us food quickly and kick us out!

What is this? Is it a threat or a plea?

Kalias face looked as if the world was collapsing as she listened to the childs words.

Whether it was a threat or a plea, it was painful to hear such words from the childs mouth.

Ha.

She wiped her contorted face with one hand and bent one knee to be at eye level with the children.

You have a skin disease? Can I take a look?

But, but we might infect you.

When they threatened to spread the disease, it was at some other time, but now, when they hesitated, saying they might spread it

They were good children.

Although she uttered harsh words out of hunger, it was clear that girls nature was gentle and kind.

Kalia smiled as if everything was fine and spoke.

From what I can see, it seems youre not affected by the disease. Can you show me your condition?

Hemmie, who was holding Sasha, took a step back, and Simon and Hendrik quickly approached Kalia.

Soon, several magic circles appeared above the childrens and Kalias heads.

Although Kalia said it was fine, Simon seemed to have cast various protective spells just in case.

However, the children were frightened by the shimmering magic circles above their heads.

Eek! P-Please dont kill us! Were sorry!

Ah, this wasnt cast to harm you. These uncles created a defensive barrier just in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

But, but

Look, kids. If it were a harmful spell, would I have the same magic circles on top of my head?

Convinced by Kalias words, the siblings stared in awe at the shimmering magic circles above their own heads.

How many times had these poor siblings encountered magic?

Thats why they were scared, and thats why they were even more fascinated.

While staring blankly at the magic circles, the older sister seemed to have made up her mind and first showed her condition.

Here.

The younger brother also extended his condition, following his sister.

The youngers right forearm had turned a pale gray, and the sisters fingertips had also turned gray.

Hendrik, who was examining them, shook his head perplexedly.

Its strange.

Whats wrong?

Well, it seems like it could be that skin disease, but it doesnt seem severe. People with severe cases have completely black skin.

But whats strange about it?

Well, its just that weve rarely seen cases like this before. Maybe its because the disease is progressing

Kalia asked again in response to Hendriks words.

When did this start? Can you tell me?

Arin, Michelles older sister, hesitated and then spoke.

Um, it started the day before yesterday. Michelle originally fell and got a bruise, but the bruise hurt. So I got scared and applied ointment and it turned out like this.

Ointment? What kind of ointment?

Its called Akan Cream.