story_ncdeer_1_1

As a dream, as a fantasy. As a bubble, as a shadow. All that is false, all is as real.

Please, I'm begging you!

The merchant is offering a fortune to anyone who saves his daughter! Please, doctor, I'll do anything!

A Catastrophe is coming to the city my family lives in, and they're trapped... I can't bear the thought of leaving them there!

I know it's asking a lot after you saved my life, and I know you don't want to come down from the mountains, but I'm at my wit's end...

I'll only use the money to get my family out of there! I won't use it for anything else!

Please, this means everything to me! I swear to the heavens that I won't tell anyone! Let my flesh rot off my body if I break my vow!

It worked! It worked! Thank you! Thank you so much! I swear to the heavens that I'll repay your kindness! Let my flesh rot off my body if I break my vow!

Oh, mother... Here, drink up, it'll make you better.

We're out of medicine? Don't worry, we have Dr. Nine-Colored Deer here!

We haven't been able to contact the outside for days. Is there any other way?

More and more people are dying! I thought Nine-Colored Deer was supposed to save them!

Something's not right with her... Where did she come from? Why doesn't she charge any money? Don't tell me she's...?

She only stayed behind to advertise her medicine and gain our trust!

Look at her Originium Arts! She was the one who brought down the Catastrophe!

Elafia! Bringer of evil! Get out! Get out!

Get out! Get out!

I thought I could earn their trust by saving their lives.

I thought we could coexist in peace as long as I healed them, and showed them love.

But is that true?

Go.

Doctor!

You should not have come to me. I want nothing more to do with the world outside these mountains.

Go, and do not return.

I-I understand. I was foolish.

I-I'll try to think of something else... I'm sorry for bothering you.

Hello?

Ah, I knew you'd show up. Thank you for coming so late.

How is the merchant's daughter?

She's here in the clinic. It's not clear what afflicts her, but she's getting weaker by the day. She's able to eat, but she spends most of the time sleeping. She complains of neck pains, and has had a fever for days.

Her father is extremely anxious. Everyone knows he's looking for the great healer rumored to be living in these parts. I thought it was only a matter of time before you came down.

I have never stood idly by and watched a patient die.

But I had a visitor today. I'll need to find somewhere else to stay for a few days.

Someone you saved?

Yes.

There's always people like that... Why don't they respect your wish to not be disturbed?

It doesn't matter. I'll be more careful.

Well, I'm just glad you're still willing to stay in the area at all.

Thank you, Zishu. Now take me to the child.

It hurts... It hurts so much...

Hmm...

This is a rare illness... Not something that I can just whip up a remedy for.

I'll be staying here for a couple of days. I want no visitors, other than patients.

Understood. I'll make sure to keep out unwelcome guests.

Mm.

One more thing. I want you to pass this on to the merchant tomorrow...

What will people think this time? A cold and merciless Elafia...?

Two mace, half a mace, three mace... Roll these herbs into balls, and take them for eight days.

It's so bitter...

Would you like another flavor? Flowers perhaps, or tea?

I like flowers...

Well then... there.

Take a sniff.

It smells... sweet?

There, now swallow it. Not bitter at all, is it? It won't hurt so much anymore.

Why is it sweet?

You were crying because you didn't want to take your medicine, weren't you? It's sweet now, so there's no need to cry.

*Sob*...

And I'll give you some honey once you've had your medicine.

Doctor, you need sleep. You haven't slept in three days!

No, I need to finish this book first. It's important. I'll have my dinner after I'm done.

What...? You just had dinner! I had to make you eat it!

Oh, I see... Well, I'll go to bed after I finish this book—

Go to bed NOW!

Day 2

What's up, Wang?

I'm busy! Don't bother me!

What's the matter? Still short on money?

People like us, we've gotta make it penny by penny, don't we? Wish I was like that rumored doctor who cured the merchant's daughter. Must've gotten a handsome reward.

...Doctor?

Yeah!

Anyway, I'll leave you to it. It's already been a few days, and you need to get your family back as soon as you can, before anything else happens.

Impossible... But she said...

The doctor's not that kind of person...

I'll confirm it with my own eyes tonight!

This one didn't work... This one's no good either; they can't be taken together.

The last prescription was a little strong for little Ci's constitution... I need to rethink the dosage...

The side effect of this ingredient is too strong for her. It needs to go...

She's allergic to this one. I need to find a substitute...

No, it's not enough... I need more knowledge, to find another way. Time is running out...

We have the herbs you asked for... Whoa! What happened to your hair?

Oh... Here, look at this, this recipe...

You keep doing that, I'll fetch a comb.

These two ingredients don't go well together, but...

But...oh!

Whoa!

I'm going into the mountains!

I guess your hair can wait...

What?

It's way after dark. Do you really have to go right now?

I could be back by dawn if I hurry. This new medicine should finally do the trick.

This is a poisonous weed that looks like an edible plant. Better mark it so no one eats it by accident.

I've tried marking immature herbs, but that hasn't worked. Next time, I should move them into the garden.

I hope bugs don't get to them... Never mind, I don't have time for this.

The sun's already rising. Still no luck...

Was it here? I can't find the marks I left the last time...

Whoa, this is a poisonous plant... Never mind, it can wait. But this is about as high an altitude as the herbs will grow.

'It is the color of snow, with a bitter but pure taste. It is found mostly in the clefts of rocks or on cliffs.' On cliffs...

I'm exhausted... but I have to get the herb. Ci can't wait...

The books say you should tie a knot like this... Never thought I'd be using that knowledge like this.

There! Let's hope this works.

She's treating the girl?

Didn't she refuse? Didn't she say she didn't want to come down from the mountains?

...Why?

How is she?

Her fever has subsided, she had porridge this morning without throwing up, and the swelling in her neck has gone down somewhat.

Thank goodness.

Why is your hair a different color from ours?

Hmm... Do you like the pattern it makes?

Yes! Daddy said your hair is so beautiful because you're a really good person.

My daddy's a good person too. Why won't you trust him?

What do you mean?

Zishu won't let me or daddy tell anyone that you saved my life.

I...

It's alright.

I'm just happy you're alive and well, Ci. You don't need to say or do anything for me.

Hmm...

But I haven't seen daddy for days. Where'd he go?

I asked your daddy for a favor. Just let him see you happy and healthy when he comes back in a few days, okay?

Okay!

It's getting late. Come on, lie down and I'll tell you a story.

A long, long time ago in a forest far, far away...

Two days later

*Yawn* Oh, it feels so good to stretch like this...

*Yawn*...

You need to rest your eyes after going through an entire roomful of books these past few days. It's a nice day outside. I should let Ci's bedding get some sun too.

It's nice to see her getting better, isn't it?

Yes, I'll go see if she needs a change of medicine. Let's get her an armchair so she can sit outside.

And I'll make some tea. Any preferences?

Anything made by you.

Remember to add some sugar for Ci though.

Sugar in tea? Blasphemy!

I want something sweet...

Alright, alright.

What a beautiful day... Not a cloud in the sky.

Ci, remember that poem you said you liked? How did it go?

'A little sun, and floating cotton, speckles made of porcelain paint.'

My name means porcelain, too!

Now, make sure you keep your blanket on, so you don't catch a cold.

Hm?

Is somebody there?

Open up! Open up!

Who is it?

Anyone in there?

I know you're there, doctor! I saw you with my own eyes!

You've been treating that merchant's daughter, haven't you? I thought you didn't care about money.

I believed you, and look what it got me!

Who's this doctor you're talking about?

What's going on here?

What nonsense are you on about!?

What happened...?

I know you're in there, doctor!

They say they've already evacuated the city, but I haven't heard from my family in days! I have no idea where they are! The Catastrophe, it...

It's my own fault that I couldn't get the money to save my family! I'm not blaming anyone for that!

But do you really take us for fools!?

Did you lie to me because you wanted the money yourself!?

Me? Money?

My goodness! It's one thing to not offer help, but to lie?

Who is this doctor? I'm certainly never visiting them!

That's right! That's right!

*Sigh*...

I knew it would come to this.

(I thought I could earn their trust by saving their lives.)

(I thought we could coexist in peace as long as I healed them, and showed them love.)

(But is that true?)

You're lying! She didn't ask for a single coin! *cough*...

Hey, you shouldn't be running around!

I'm fine... I can't let them bully her!

You're all bad people! How could you think... She's not like that...

*cough*...

Ci...

Thank you, Ci.

I'll speak to him.

Showing your face at last, doctor?

The door's opening... So who is it?

Here they come... Wait, Dr. Nine-Colored Deer?

He was talking about Dr. Nine-Colored Deer? Er...

I'm an ass! We're all asses! It's Dr. Nine-Colored Deer!

She's the who saved my life when I was so badly hurt from falling rocks that my family started preparing the funeral!

Oh, THAT doctor? Wait, who should I believe now?

S-She told me not to let anyone know! But didn't I tell you? She didn't charge me a single coin, and even gave me a whole bunch of herbs!

Ah... it's you.

Yes, me! You remember, right?

You guys hear that? Everything I said was true, every last word! She's not the kind of person who'd lie for money!

You saved my life, doctor! I'm on your side, no matter what anyone else says!

...Thank you.

But—

Daddy's back, Ci! But why are you standing out here like that? And what's with all these people?

You're back, daddy! A bad guy is bullying the doctor!

He said the doctor tricked him and won't save his family...

Family? You mean the two people from the city?

She didn't ask me for any money. She only asked me to fetch those two. They're staying at a nearby inn right now. What's going on?

Two people from the city... You can't mean...?

I never intended for you to find out.

I wasn't lying when I said I didn't want to be involved with other people.

Really? My family... They're safe?

If you mean the woman and child I brought back, yes, they're perfectly safe.

Y-You did this for me, doctor?

I wasn't helping you.

I was just... just...

You were helping me the whole time...

But I doubted you... I... I...

What have I done... I'm such a fool.

I... I'm so sorry...

It's alright. I never told you anything.

Thank you for saving my daughter, doctor. It seems we've caused you more trouble than expected though.

I owe you so much, and have more than a few connections... I could put you in touch with one of the big city hospitals, if you like.

D-Don't go, doctor, I still have to make it up to you!

No need to worry.

I'm happy right where I am.

Some days later

My daughter has made a full recovery, thanks to you. Please accept these medical books as a token of my appreciation.

Nine-Colored Deer! Zishu!

Mind your manners, Ci.

It's alright. It's good to see her up and about like this, after being sick for so long.

I thought I could earn their trust by saving their lives.

Thank you so much... I thought I'd be fine after washing the wound, but that plant turned out to be poisonous and my leg started swelling...

You would have lost it if you'd waited any longer!

Thank you so much, doctor. We're so blessed to have you in our village!

Just be careful in the future. Take these pills; they'll cure the toxins from most poisonous plants.

I healed them.

Let's see... I believe I left a mark here, for the herbs on the cliffs?

Good, the bugs haven't gotten to them.

It's almost autumn. I should save some seeds and try planting them myself.

Showed them love.

I got Nine-Colored Deer! I win!

Aw, I want some too!

No, I won, so I get the candy!

No need to fight; there's enough for everyone. We'll play again tomorrow, okay?

And we coexisted in peace.

As a dream, as a fantasy. As a bubble, as a shadow. All that is false, all is as real.

Hmm...

How was it?

Has the painting helped you come to terms?

It is...

All is ethereal, like a fleeting dream.

So, how are things now?

I...

I have not seen Zishu in years. I should find her.

But I also have herbs to deliver elsewhere... They should be nearby.

Already giving yourself more work? Fascinating.

I don't wish to leave this place just yet... When these mountains are covered in flowers, I'll seek you out again. Let's have a drink together.