rdoc

'Thank you so much, Doctor. You saved Cuomo's life!'

'Make sure he stays in bed for two weeks. He needs proper rest to keep his illness from coming back. Keep an eye on him.'

'Of course! I will! How much do I pay you? How should I even pay you?'

'You don't have to pay.'

'That won't do! You're the first doctor who's come to this village in years!'

'You have nothing to feel bad about. I'm the one who should be ashamed of my comfortable situation, after seeing yours.'

'Then.. then we... we don't have any luxuries to offer, but at the very least... have a glass of water before you leave?'

'Merci.'

'What was that?'

'Sorry. I mean, 'thank you'.'

Any other documents to prove your identity?

Just these.

Then I can't let you enter Stonebreak Village. Your documents are insufficient.

No one asked me for any identification papers the last time I went there. Your predecessor even contacted a convoy to escort me.

He might have been passionate with his job, but I'm more responsible for my duty.

Fine. Mind telling me what documents I'm missing? I can go and fetch them.

Doctor, I'm sure you know what I mean by 'insufficient documents'.

All I know is that Stonebreak Village urgently needs me to deliver this medicine.

The way I see it, you're a stranger with a gun on your hip and a foreign accent. This Victorian village does not need a man like you to save them. You should be getting home.

I never claimed to be able to save the whole village. But I will try to save as many lives as I can.

Really? The 'lives' you wish to 'save' don't seem to think the same, Gaulish restorationist.

Gaulish... what?

Quit playing doctor, instigator. You can't fool me with that Gaulish accent of yours.

This is a misunderstanding.

If that's the case, then why not Sandbar Village or Titenay Village? Why Stonebreak Village, the only Gaulish resettlement under my jurisdiction?

Because Sandbar Village already has a retired doctor.

Titenay Village even has a hospital that's still functioning, and the other villages have regular caravans passing through providing medical services...

But the doctor in Stonebreak passed a few years ago, and there is no one to fill the vacancy. That, alongside caravans refusing to pass through the place, makes it the only village without access to medical care under your jurisdiction.

Could it be... that you're really a spy who's been collecting intelligence?

Quite the opposite. Your predecessor shared a breakdown of the available medical services in the area before connecting me with an escort.

I swear to you, I will do nothing in the village beyond the responsibilities of a physician.

Alright, that's enough hot air from you.

You know, there was a time we had a simple test to root out your kind. We just had you spit on a portrait of Corsica I. Anyone who hesitated would be suspect.

...Corsica I? Is that a Gaulish emperor?

Who else? Why the dumbfounded face?

(shrug) I thought Corsica would be his birthplace rather than his regnal name.

Finally here in Stonebreak... it's been a difficult journey.

Abel, how are you? Are your asthma attacks still as frequent as before? And what about Cuomo—

It's the doctor! He really did come back, just like he said!

It really is him...

It's the doctor! He's back!

Doctor, come over to my place!

What for? We need to throw a welcome party for him!

Let's get the medicine distributed first. The sooner I can get this to everyone, the sooner I can stop worrying.

I brought a newly developed long-lasting inhibitor you only use once a month. This is a six-month supply, so please keep it safe.

Merci...

Apple for you, doctor. Please. You told me not to work so hard the last time you were here, so I just wandered around the village picking fruits and the like.

Make sure you get enough nutrition too—

You haven't changed a bit. So afraid to disturb our lives last time, only to leave the village in a body out of shape. I saw it... yes, just take it.

Your medicine!

Merci.

Abel, why were you letting the others go ahead of you in the medicine queue?

I just have asthma, but the others are old or chronically ill, and there's the Infected too, so I should let them go first.

I have to thank you on their behalf. But didn't I talk to you about cutting down on smoking…

I've quit.

Good to hear. Here's the inhaler I mentioned before. Take it.

Merci.

De rien——

'Quit playing doctor, instigator. You can't fool me with that Gaulish accent of yours.'

No, you don't have to thank me.

You must be thirsty, doctor. I'll wash you an apple.

It's alright, I can do it myself—

No, please have a seat, I'll do it!

Abel, I heard the doctor's here. Where is he?

Around the corner. He's handing out medicine right now. Hale and hearty as you are, you should probably come back later.

Merci.

De rien.

Is that Gaulish too? What do you mean?

'No problem'. I learned it from the doctor just now.

De... rien...... Alright, I got it.

Your apple.

Abel... have you been teaching the French I taught you to the others?

'French'? Weren't you teaching me Gaulish?

It's been many years since we've spoken our mother tongue, so I passed on everything you taught me to the entire village. We're all grateful for the lessons... and we hope to learn even more from you.

'Merci.'

'What was that?'

'Sorry. I mean, 'thank you'.'

'Are you Gaulish?'

'Uh... I have a friend who has never been to Kazimierz, but she says that she would count as a Kazimierzian here. It's more or less the same with me.'

'So... you can speak Gaulish then?'

'Haha. If you could call me a Gaulishman, then I suppose my mother tongue counts as some sort of Gaulish.'

'Can you teach me a few phrases?'

Sorry to dash your hopes, but I've been teaching you French, not Gaulish.

Oh...? Well...

Sorry for not explaining the difference beforehand. If you do want to learn a new language, I think it should be your own.

I have to get going. I need to prepare for surgery.

Please wait! I'll help you!

How is it? Does your knee feel better?

Much better! I wouldn't dare imagine a day like this without you around... I know how you cured the others in even worse shape!

You're incredible. You're our savior...

...Savior?

Please don't get the wrong idea. I merely flushed out the excess fluid in your joints, but your arthritis is still quite severe, so you must avoid any hard work and cut down on your walks—

Yes, yes, I understand! Take good care of myself, and these old knees will improve too, yes! Thank you so much! Merci, merci! You are truly our savior!

I'll follow you to the end with these old legs of mine!

No, you've got the wrong idea! Please, wait—

Did that old lady leave something behind?

Abel, please go and tell her. At best, her knees will no longer deteriorate, but she shouldn't get her hopes up.

Forget that. She's in quite a sorry shape, actually. She's so old that she can't even have a proper meal without help.

Wasn't she picking apples around the village?

I'll let you in on something. Old man Victor over at the orchard took pity on her and left some damaged apples on the paths she always takes to make her happy.