Chapter 124.4: That's some hardcore comfort
「 The medicine has been delivered. I should go and report the situation to Danshu.
Returning to the Synwood Pavilion, Danshu heard footsteps and asked, "How is it? Has the medicine been delivered?"
"Yes." Stelle nodded and recounted everything that had happened.
"She reminds me of myself when I was little. When she was young, she, like me, fumbled in the darkness, having to face obstacles that might appear at any moment, and the unconscious malice of people."
"When I was bullied or injured from a fall, I could only cry and beg the healers of the Alchemy Commission to treat my wounds. After repeated visits, I eventually walked down this path myself."
"Thank you for protecting that child. Stelle, may I trouble you with one more matter?" Danshu asked gently.
"You are worried about the child's condition?" Stelle guessed easily.
"Yes. I worry about her traveling alone, and I also want to hear what's been on her mind lately," Danshu sighed.
"That child's parents were lost in the Denizens of Abundance Wars. The relatives who took her in aren't very close to her either. When I treat her, I often become the person she confides in."
"A physician's medicine might protect a person's body, but sometimes, the loneliness and trauma in the heart can only be slowly healed through companionship and care." 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
The Teyvat Continent, Liyue.
"Mr. Bai, could Miss Danshu really be one of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?"
Inside Bubu Pharmacy, Xingqiu began to question his previous judgment. Based on the group, Zhixin, who had met Stelle, he had been certain that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were an evil organization.
But looking at Miss Danshu's approachable and charitable demeanor... he suddenly became hesitant.
Her medical skills were superb, but her strength and gentleness were even more rare and precious.
Zhixin, the Green Hibiscus... Xingqiu truly found it difficult to connect Danshu with those two "great masterminds." At first, he suspected Danshu's gentleness was merely a facade, and that she might be ruthless in private, but now...
"Hmm, I still maintain my view... This Miss Danshu is not only one of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, but she is also a key figure within the organization."
Baizhu wiped the smile from his lips and adopted a more serious expression:
"Young Master Xingqiu, it's not that I haven't doubted my own judgment, but after I saw that little girl who was blind from birth, I became even more certain of Miss Danshu's identity."
"Oh? Mr. Bai, why is that?"
Xingqiu immediately grew curious.
"A healer's compassion... As a fellow physician, I can deeply understand Miss Danshu's desire to cure those born with defects, yet feeling powerless to do so."
Baizhu calmly shook his head:
"Xianzhou technology and medicine are so advanced, yet Miss Danshu remains blind. This is enough to prove that Xianzhou does not possess the technology to cure 'congenital defects.' No, perhaps it can be put another way... Humanity does not possess a method to cure congenital defects."
"For some people, the more superb their medical skills, the easier they are drawn to miraculous therapies. Perhaps after witnessing the great power of 『 Abundance 』, Miss Danshu resolved to walk this path,"
Baizhu sighed.
"Miraculous therapies...?"
Xingqiu scratched his head, not understanding.
The small white snake coiled around Baizhu's neck, however, let out a chuckle.
The "Way of the Dragon-Dragging Jade Snake"—this secret art involved its contract with Baizhu after all, so it was inconvenient for it to explain it to Xingqiu. As an arcane method that allows the transfer of vitality, Baizhu was constantly pushing himself to the limits of all poisons and diseases because of this contract, hoping to reach the state of immortality.
It was fortunate that this fellow wasn't born in Xianzhou; otherwise, he probably would have joined the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus long ago, right?
—
「 According to Danshu, the little girl usually finds a corner to sit in at the Artisanship Commission, but the Artisanship Commission is not peaceful right now. As a child who cannot see, she cannot be allowed to run around freely.
Danshu's tone when she said this was very anxious; it was clear she was extremely worried about the little girl.
"The Artisanship Commission..." Stelle felt slightly relieved. Mr. Welt happened to be there clearing out monsters, though she didn't know how the cleanup was progressing.
Danshu knew the places the little girl often frequented, so they quickly found her inside the commission. Unfortunately, the little girl was cornered by two automaton monsters.
"What's wrong? Is the girl in trouble?" Hearing the commotion, Danshu couldn't help but ask anxiously.
"Minor problem."
Stelle calmly pulled out her stick and turned the monsters into scattered fragments in a few swift movements.
Hearing the fight end, Danshu quickly crouched down, stroked the girl's head, and comforted her, "It's alright, you're safe now, Xiaoyu."
Xiaoyu wiped her tears, still shaken: "Wuwuwu... Thank you, Big Sister, thank you, Lady Danshu..."
"But I..." Xiaoyu choked out sadly, "When I think about how much trouble I've caused Lady Danshu... caused Big Sister, and how I've dragged you two down, I feel so ashamed..."
"Is that why you're crying? Maybe... you should start getting used to this feeling..." Danshu's tone was sorrowful yet cold: "Because for the next few hundred years, people like us who cannot see will continue to drag down everyone we meet."
"So, if a little bit of guilt like this is enough to break your heart, then how will you manage such an arduous path?" 」
「 .....」
〜Zenless Zone Zero World〜
"That's some hardcore comfort. Is it really okay to say something like that to such a young girl?"
Asaba Harumasa was somewhat surprised. He usually saw this Dan-shu sister as quite gentle, and he wasn't accustomed to her saying something so realistic and provocative to a child so suddenly.
"That's not comfort... that's reality,"
Tsukishiro Yanagi said softly.
"The more unfortunate a person is, the more resilient their mindset must be... Perhaps Miss Danshu wants the little girl to accept all of this as quickly as possible."
"Why does the Deputy Section Chief sound like he has personal experience with this?"
"No, I simply admire Miss Danshu very much."
Tsukishiro Yanagi pushed up his half-rimmed glasses and lamented,
"To live in darkness for hundreds of years, yet not only avoid being crushed by it but instead become a light that illuminates others—that is truly remarkable..."
"Deputy Section Chief, you don't need to only praise others. Aren't you also the light in the eyes of those affected by the Hollow now?"
"Harumasa, why are you suddenly..."
Having said something decent for once that wasn't about taking leave, Tsukishiro Yanagi was deeply appreciative, and his previously overcast mood gradually began to clear.
"I'm just telling the truth, Deputy Section Chief. Your kindness is well-known among the fan club of the Hollow Special Operations Section 6..."
As he spoke, Asaba Harumasa's hand slowly slipped into his pocket and pulled out a slip he had prepared beforehand...
Handing over the leave request with both hands, Asaba Harumasa wore a pitiful expression:
"Therefore, a Deputy Chief as kind as you surely couldn't bear to refuse me, could you?"
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