After three days, he walks out of the Mori estate with the head of the Mori family escorting him to their front door. It is all because Merin healed their daughter, and she regained consciousness.
At the Mori family estate door,
The head of the Mori family says," Again, thank you. Mr Matsuda for treating my daughter."
Merin replies with a small smile," There is no need to thank me anymore, and you have already paid me the treatment fees."
The head of the Mori family says," You have saved my daughter. You can tell me if you need any more help."
Merin thinks in his mind that he has decided to stay for a month to see if he can get any high-level samurai techniques. He cannot stay a month in the inn, and a house is needed where he can stay and also look after patients who would come to him.
So, he says," Mr. Mori, can you help me find a house where I can stay and see patients?"
The head of the Mori family says," Are you going to settle here? It is really good news for the people of the city, such an excellent healer like you has decided to reside here."
Merin says," No, No, No, I am not going to reside for a long time. I want to rent such a house for only a month."
The head of the Mori family says," Only for a month," and looks behind, says," Kadea, lead Mr. Matsuda to that empty two-storey house in Summer Street. And come back after Merin is completely settled."
Merin asks," How much will it cost to rent the house?"
The head of the Mori family says," It is only for a month..." and noticing Merin's face, that would not take favour.
He says," 10 round coins."
Merin asks," Only 10 round coins?"
The head of the Mori family says," Yes."
Merin says," Then I shall take my leave."
The head of the Mori family nods slightly as Merin climbs into the carriage waiting near the estate gate. He remains standing, hands behind his back, watching in silence as the carriage rolls down the stone path and disappears around a bend. Only when it vanishes from view does he turn and walk back toward the house.
He enters a modest building on the estate, and the moment he steps inside, a voice calls out from within.
"My daughter, what do you want to eat? I'll send someone right away to bring it!"
He shakes his head as he walks, voice firm with rebuke. "My lady, have you already forgotten what Mr. Matsuda said? Mei can only eat light food for three days."
He steps into the room. Mei is awake now, pale but alert, sitting upright against the bed rail for support. His wife sits at the foot of the bed, her eyes full of concern. Near them stands their family healer, an old woman named Rin, and her young niece quietly watching.
His wife looks up at him, worry plain on her face. "My lord, just look at her—her bones are showing. I only want her to gain her strength back quickly. Mrs.Rin said she can have something heavier."
He gives a long sigh, then says calmly but with authority, "Was Mei healed by Mrs.Rin or by Mr. Matsuda?" He meets his wife's gaze and holds it. "We will follow Mr. Matsuda's instructions exactly until Mei is fully well. Understand?"
His wife lowers her head slightly, nodding.
Mei smiles gently. "Father, mother was only thinking about me."
He walks over and caresses her hair, voice softening. "Then, I will forgive your mother—for your sake."
Mei's smile lingers, and she asks, "Has Mr. Matsuda already left?"
He says," Yes, he went away."
Mei, frowning, says," I did not say thanks to him for healing me."
He says," Then after you get better, I will take you to visit him."
His wife," Did he decide to reside here? I thought he is a travelling healer and would leave."
He says," No, he will stay only for a month, but I am thinking if I can make him stay permanently and become our family healer after Mrs.Rin."
His wife didn't answer him and looked to her side at Mrs. Rin and said," Mrs. Rin, you can leave us now."
Mrs. Rin says," Yes, Madam," and with her niece she leaves the room but before they step out they hear.
The madam's voice," Why are you saying this near Mrs. Rin? Don't you know she wants her niece to become our family healer?"
The master's voice," My lady, why did I say that in front of her?"
The madam's voice," You wanted her to hear? Why?"
Mei's voice," Father wants to break Mrs. Rin's delusional mind that after she was unable to heal me, her niece could be our family healer."
Master's voice," My daughter is so smart."
Mei's voice," I also want Mr. Matsuda to be our family healer." After hearing this, Mrs. Rin with a stoic face and her niece with worry on her face steps out of the house.
After some time, Mrs. Rin and her niece enter their room in the servants' house.
Immediately upon entering, her niece, with worry, says," What are we going to do?"
Mrs. Rin says calmly," Don't worry, you will be the family healer?"
Her niece says," But how? They want Matsuda to be their healer."
Mrs. Rin says," I acknowledge Matsuda's healing abilities are better than mine, but he should have healed Miss Mei of the poison."
Her niece asks," Why?"
Mrs. Rin says," Because Miss Mei was poisoned by Viper's Kiss poison, and the poison is the speciality of the viper gang."
She walks and sits on her bed and continues with a smile," Viper gang's advertisement that their poison cannot be treated, but now someone has proven their poison is not so effective."
" Now, someone created an antidote to their poison."
She looks at her niece," Did you write what herbs are needed to heal Miss Mei?"
Her niece says," I wrote them all after you're instruction."
She says," Good, I will write a letter and you will send the list of herbs and the letter together to the post office." She walks to her table and starts writing.
---
Merin closes the door of his newly rented house as the last of the Mori family's servants leaves.
A soft sigh escapes his lips.
The house is clean, furnished, and stocked—far more than he expected for a temporary stay. He walks through the lower floor, where the clinic is already arranged with medicinal cabinets, a patient bed, a desk, and shelves lined with empty jars ready to be filled.
The upper floor has a simple bedroom, a bathing space, and a kitchen area. It's comfortable, practical—made as if he were to settle here permanently.
But he won't. A month, at most.
Shaking his head, he mutters, "Too much effort for one month," and moves toward the drawer. He changes into a fresh robe and decides to eat out, hoping to learn more about the local samurai forces, especially the high-ranking samurai or those with a history of it.
As he steps outside, the soft drizzle of autumn greets him. The setting sun paints the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting long shadows across the street. The cool air carries the scent of wet earth and distant food stalls. Merin doesn't mind the drizzle. He pulls his robe tighter and walks down the street, blending into the gentle rhythm of the city.
Eventually, near the city centre, he spots a five-storey building bustling with activity. The warm light spilling from its windows and the steady stream of well-dressed customers mark it as a popular place.
He steps toward it, brushing droplets from his sleeves. As he enters, a young woman in a golden kimono approaches, bowing slightly.
"Sir, where do you wish to be seated—the ground floor or the first floor?"
Merin glances at her. "What's the difference?"
She straightens politely. "The first floor offers private rooms for guests. A fee is required for those. The ground floor is shared seating—lively but open."
Merin nods, considering. "And the food?"
"The same, sir. Only the setting differs."
He pauses for a breath, then says, " And what about the upper three floors?"
She glances over Merin's posture, his stride, and the way his clothes settle over his body. Then she says, "The second floor is for samurai of middle rank and higher. The third floor is for guests with prior reservations. The fourth floor is reserved only for those with our restaurant's golden card."
Merin nods calmly. "I am a middle-ranking samurai."
She raises a brow. "Then follow me."
He steps forward but hesitates. "Just like that? You believe me?"
She replies without turning, "No. A guard will test you at the stairs leading to the second floor."
Merin nods again and follows her through the grand hallway until they reach the stairs. A stern-looking guard waits there with his arms folded.
Without a word, Merin raises his hand and lets a faint shimmer of inner energy gather in his palm—stable, precise, controlled. A heartbeat later, he withdraws it.
The guard gives a short nod. "You may go."
Following the young woman up the stairs, Merin enters the second floor—a wide hall with soft lighting and elegant wooden décor. The tables are arranged with decorative barriers between them, offering privacy while still sharing the space. Gentle music hums in the background, and the aroma of grilled meats and warm broth fills the air.
She leads him to a low table where cushions round around. He sits, tucking his legs beneath the table, its interior warmly heated.
She hands him a menu, bows, and leaves. A short while later, she returns with tea and kneels a respectful distance from the table, settling near the entry.
Merin glances at her. "Are you going to sit there the whole time?"
She nods. "Yes, this is our second-floor service. A staff member is always present to attend to guests."
Merin takes a sip of the tea, thinks for a moment, then asks, "Were you born in this city?"
"Yes," she says.
"Then, can you tell me about the major forces in the city—those that have high-ranking samurai now, or had them in the past?"
She nods again and begins listing names.
Merin listens quietly, committing the names and factions to memory. This city may be peaceful on the surface, but underneath, it breathes with hidden blades.