Chapter 59 The Former Fiancée Learns From Regret
Leaf's former fiancée, Dokuonna, is undergoing a survival test in Abyss Wood.
Even though she cannot move one arm and one leg, she still manages to gather materials while staggering.
"Alright... with this, I can make an anti-inflammatory..."
She gathers materials such as medicinal herbs and mushrooms using only a stone.
With time and effort, she is able to create an anti-inflammatory.
"Alright... here I go..."
Rustle!
"Eek! A m-monster... no, wait...?"
There stood a small rabbit with horns.
However...
"...You're injured too, huh?"
A wooden branch was stuck in the rabbit's leg, causing bleeding and making it drag its leg.
"..."
Normally, Dokuonna would prioritize herself over such a small animal.
But things are different now.
"...You got hurt in this dark forest, where no one would help you, huh?"
She find herself relating to the rabbit and its situation.
Just like she's feeling pain now, the rabbit in front of her is also enduring pain.
"..."
She used to be someone who didn't know pain, didn't appreciate when someone did something for her, and didn't do anything for others but still received help. But that version of herself is no longer here.
After doing terrible things to Leaf and facing the consequences, various things happened...and now she's here.
She understands the feelings of the suffering rabbit in front of her painfullly well.
"You, just trembling like that won't get anyone to help you."
Yes, no one will help. However, there was someone who helped her.
The image that came to mind was Leaf's. And...
Memories of her grandfather from a distant day.
...That's right. Whenever she got hurt and cried, her grandfather always made medicine for her.
Unconditional love. A heart that is always kind to others. That is the soul of a Pharmacist that was passed down from the master to the disciple, Leaf.
What she doesn't have... No, even if she lacks it, should she just abandon this poor life in front of her?
"..."
If it were Dokuonna, she wouldn't do something hypocritical like that. Because she values herself above all. But what about the people who have valued themselves, how would they act?
Leaf and Grandfather Asclepius always extended their hands without hesitation.
...In the midst of that, she was always thinking about herself.
Somehow, it seemed incredibly childish and embarrassing.
And the current situation. This situation where no one is helping is normal.
Yes, the world is cold and cruel. Dokuonna didn't understand that obvious fact.
After all, in the past, if she's in trouble, someone will help her. Isn't that obvious?"
No, it wasn't obvious at all. She realizes that during the Abyss Wood survival.
The world isn't kind. Kindness comes from those who are strong.
So, she questions herself again. Dokuonna, what will you do?
...But still, she can't easily change herself.
So, she decides.
Instead of herself, she thinks about what those people who reached out to her would do, and then acts.
"Wait a minute."
Her arm hurts. But... she puts it off for later.
Dokuonna crushes smelly herbs and mushrooms with her left hand, sweating as she mixes them with stones.
...Strangely, she never stopped making the medicine.
She thought she was lazy and worthless, thinking she'd give up quickly.
But...
"No, that's not right. Making medicine human-sized would lead to overdose. Dosage should be based on body weight... How much does a rabbit weigh?"
...It's not just about making medicine randomly and dispensing it carelessly.
She has to seriously confront the life in front of her, craft the medicine with prayers so that it works properly on the child, and so that the child doesn't suffer anymore.
Finally, she finished making the anti-inflammatory for the rabbit.
"Come on, come here. Well, even if I say that, you won't come..."
The rabbit tries to escape. Despite feeling sorry, Dokuonna applies the anti-inflammatory to the rabbit's wound.
Then, she got bitten by the rabbit.
"Ouch..."
The rabbit didn't say a word of thanks, just hopped away energetically.
"Good grief, what an ungrateful rabbit."
She muttered like that, but she didn't hold any grudge against the rabbit.
The one she was venting her frustration at was herself.
That rabbit was like her in the past.
Taking help for granted, not saying a word of thanks even when someone helped her and spitting at the person who treated her. How self-centered she used to be.
"Oh... so that's how it was... me..."
Tears fall softly.
Finally seeing herself objectively... she realizes something else.
"Leaf... you're such a... kind person..."
Leaf never abandoned her, even with her being such trash.
By identifying with the rabbit, she finally becomes aware of her selfish actions.
Feeling more sorry for Leaf, who has supported her selfishness for so long, than ashamed of herself.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... Leaf... I'm really sorry..."
...She no longer wants to bind Leaf.
He's taken care of her more than enough. She's been holding him back.
...Enough is enough. He should be free now.
She'll apologize properly after the exam. For everything until now.
And she vows to him. She'll make sure to take care of the villagers after he leaves.
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