Chapter 41: Maya

The conversation paused briefly, then Balko continued speaking.

“Miss Maya only picks out the youngest and weakest children from among them to take care of.”

Gazing at the thin figure fading into the twilight, Finihiya tilted her head and looked at Balko beside her again.

“Mr. Balko…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Balko stopped her with a tone that seemed almost helpless.

“You want to follow them, don’t you?”

Picio

“Although I’d like to advise you to come back tomorrow, it doesn’t look like you’re the obedient type.”

“Then let’s hurry up. It’ll be even more dangerous here once night falls.”

Upon hearing Balko say he would accompany her to find Maya, a hint of surprise crossed Finihiya’s face, then she sincerely and politely bowed to Balko.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Finihiya.”

With that, she quickened her pace, trying to catch up to Maya in the distance.

Under the sunset that flickered with a rust-like afterglow, a breeze blew toward them, carrying a damp and slightly briny stench.

“Miss Finihiya, you must be either rich or from a noble family, right?”

As she tried to close the distance to Maya, Balko’s voice came from beside her. Puzzled by the remark, she responded with a questioning, “Hmm?”

“Why would Mr. Balko say that?”

“Why…” Balko scratched the back of his head, “I just feel Miss Finihiya is too polite. That kind of courtesy isn’t something ordinary people like us have.”

Perhaps feeling the topic was sensitive, Balko hastily raised his left hand and added, “Miss Finihiya, you don’t have to answer me. I was just making an offhand comment, no other meaning.”

“By the way, could it be that Miss Finihiya is a powerful mage?”

“Huh?”

This sudden shift in topic deepened the confusion on Finihiya’s face. She tilted her head slightly.

“When I first saw you here, it seemed like you were about to cast some magic. And considering that Miss Finihiya dared to enter such a remote, dangerous place alone, I just guessed. I don’t know if I’m right.”

“Mr. Balko, you’re overthinking it. I’m just an ordinary woman.”

“…Miss Finihiya isn’t lying to me, right?”

Balko seemed doubtful that his assumption could be wrong.

“I have no reason to lie to you, do I?”

“Well, you’re brave, then…”

Perhaps believing her words, Balko gave a wry smile, clearly helpless and incredulous at Finihiya’s recklessness.

As they talked, her steps gradually caught up with Maya ahead, and she called out softly.

“Miss Maya.”

Hearing Finihiya’s voice, Maya stopped, turned around with a hint of puzzlement.

There stood a woman wrapped entirely in a gray linen cloak, and beside her, a broad-shouldered half-orc carried a large sword.

This suspicious pair immediately caused Maya to frown.

“I… I don’t have any money.”

This oddly strange opening line left Finihiya looking stunned. Before she could explain, Balko hurriedly spoke.

“We’re not suspicious people.”

Noticing Maya’s gaze fixed warily on the large, dangerous-looking sword, Balko quickly threw the weapon to the ground and raised both hands.

“We really, really aren’t suspicious. It’s Miss Finihiya here who wants to find you.”

Seeing the caution on Maya’s face gradually fade, Finihiya stepped forward half a step, bowed politely, and said seriously,

“May I have a few words with you?”

The small brick house was covered with ivy on the outer walls, looking dangerously dilapidated.

The window glass was broken into several shards, and the bluestone floor was cracked with countless thin and deep fissures.

Maya and the dozen or so children she cared for huddled in this cramped place.

Perhaps because two strangers had come to their home, or maybe simply due to Balko’s unfriendly appearance, the children were unusually quiet, watching them with complex emotions.

At this moment, Maya sat at a worn, slightly tilted wooden table, grinding leaves on a wooden board with a smooth stick.

A faint, pungent herbal scent filled the air.

Looking at the leaves that resembled mugwort, Finihiya parted her lips slightly and asked,

“Miss Maya, are you making a hemostatic medicine?”

“Yes.”

Perhaps because of the topic, Maya lowered her gaze, a complicated expression of sorrow and tenderness appearing on her face.

“Is someone injured?”

Maya nodded slightly. “Moke hurt his foot while playing. It’s all my fault for not watching him properly.”

“Miss Maya, you shouldn’t blame yourself. This isn’t your fault.”

She chatted with Maya for a little while longer.

Before long, Maya finished grinding the herbs, placed them into a chipped little bowl, and carried it toward the attic.

The ladder to the attic was wooden and old; when stepped on, it creaked loudly.

Given its dilapidated state, it wouldn’t be surprising if it collapsed at any moment.

She silently followed Maya’s back into the depths of the attic room. Balko followed up as well.

To be honest, when the wooden ladder creaked even louder under Balko’s solid weight, she was genuinely worried he might break the ladder and fall.

The room was small, the floor covered with a layer of dry straw, and a wooden bed stood in the corner.

On the bed lay a small demi-human boy who looked no older than seven.

His complexion was sickly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his expression showing pain from the wound on his ankle.

When Maya removed the coarse bandage from the boy’s ankle, the large, rotten, pus-filled wound made Finihiya’s brows knit deeply and her face flash with pity.

If this infected wound dragged on, it could truly claim the boy’s life.

“Have you sought a doctor?”

“The wound was too deep. By the time it was discovered, the infection was already severe.”

Maya sighed painfully, “Ordinary doctors can’t heal this level of infection. They said if we don’t find someone who can use advanced healing magic, amputation is the only option.”

Hearing this, Finihiya took a deep breath, then slowly knelt beside the bed, gently asking Maya,

“May I take a look?”

Maya seemed to understand and moved slightly to give her room.

“Basic healing magic can only delay infection; it cannot cure it.”