Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Miracle and Compensation

We hurriedly chased after the boy who had dashed off.

“This is awful.”

A girl, about ten years old, lay on the ground covered in bruises and bleeding.

She had likely been beaten by multiple people.

Several children were gathered around her, calling out to her.

Earlier, there was also the boy who had snatched Farne’s wallet.

“Hey, wake up, Mil! Mil!”

The boy desperately shook the bruised girl.

I approached him from behind and stopped him from shaking her.

“What are you doing, old man!”

“Who are you calling an old man! I’m only fifteen!”

“You’re totally an old man!”

To a child around ten years old, I might seem old.

“That’s beside the point. She might have hit her head after being hit. Stop shaking her, it’ll make things worse.”

In a tone that brooked no argument, the boy was left speechless and stepped back.

“W-what, hey, are you, are you a doctor?”

“I’m not a doctor, but I know a thing or two.”

I’ve read quite a bit of medical literature, and since there were no doctors in the pioneer village, I gained considerable experience in treating injuries.

“Please, help Mil, please.”

“That’s the plan. That’s why I’m here. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth when a child dies.”

While gently lifting the girl’s upper body, I continued my examination.

To be frank, it’s the worst.

Her ribs are broken and piercing her lungs. Additionally, she has fractures all over her body, with signs of internal bleeding.

“Hey, what’s the deal, can you fix her?”

“If we’re talking about conventional methods, it’s too late.”

As I administer first aid, I respond. No matter how skilled a doctor is, if the situation has deteriorated to this extent, there’s no cure. We can only wait for death.

The boy’s face turned pale at my words.

“Why, why does Mil have to die?”

“That’s something you probably know best.”

I counter his anguished cries.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m asking if this isn’t the consequence of your actions.”

“But, but for us to survive—”

Having done all I can with basic first aid and medical knowledge, the next step requires magic.

“I’ve done what I can for now.”

“I thank you, Mil’s color seems to have improved a bit.”

“You don’t need to thank me. I haven’t saved her. I’ve just made her condition slightly better. Left alone, she’ll die.”

It’s sad, but this is the limit.

“Still, thank you. I’m glad you did your best for her, even if it was just a little.”

The boy clenched his fist.

“Hey, you.”

The boy looked at me with pleading eyes.

“You said earlier that she can’t be healed with conventional methods. But isn’t there an unconventional method?”

Hmm, he remembered the words I said in that situation quite well.

Certainly, I have a way to heal the girl.

“Indeed, I can do it.”

“Then, please help her. I’ll do anything, anything I can. If you tell me to work, I’ll work. If you want money, it’ll take time, but I’ll gather as much as needed. So, please, help Mil.”

With that, he knelt down.

The other boys and girls also bowed their heads.

I sighed.

I’m too soft. I don’t have the strength to abandon them here.

“Before I make the decision to help, may I ask one thing? Why did she end up like this?”

I start by asking that.

“Mil… no, we, we sell medicine for a certain acquaintance’s request.”

“Drugs?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Mil lost the bag she was carrying the medicine in. Probably, she was attacked by addicts who had run out of money to buy drugs and forcibly took the medicine from her. She resisted and ended up like this. If the medicine is taken away, they’ll kill her, so I think she resisted desperately.”

“So you’re a pickpocket, and this girl is a drug dealer… Why?”

I knew it was a pointless question, but I still asked.

The answer was obvious.

“It’s to survive. We’re all orphans. I gather up the ones with no place to go, get jobs, and live like this.”

I see, just as I suspected.

Pickpockets and drug dealers. There’s probably an adult behind these kids, exploiting them.

“That’s impossible. There are proper orphanages in this city. Children shouldn’t have to do things like this.”

Farne interjected.

“I can’t believe it. If you’re caught there, you’ll be killed… Many of us have escaped from there! We couldn’t eat, we were beaten, it was even worse.”

“But it should be better than living like this.”

“We ran away from that kind of life because this life is better! We don’t want to go back to the orphanage!”

Interrupting Farne’s words, the boy shouted.

This kind of situation has always existed. Orphanages are opened for subsidies, and children are forced into hard labor or treated as toys.

In a sense, it’s a common story.

“Farne, it’s reality. Accept it. If you can’t believe it, ask these kids later about the orphanage they came from, and send spies. Then everything will become clear.”

That’s probably the best course of action.

After that, it’s up to Farne.

“Yes, I’ll do that. I want to know the truth.”

I’m being forced to make a decision.

There’s a way for everyone to be happy.

“I’ll ask you.”

“Not you. Johann.”

“Got it. Johann, would you be the leader of these kids?”

“Yeah, everyone will listen to me.”

“So, all of you are involved in pickpocketing and drug dealing?”

“That’s right. It’s the only way we can survive.”

The boy nodded, feeling guilty.

If that’s the case, there’s room for rehabilitation.

“Farne, may I ask you something? I was planning to recruit people for my settlement in this town.”

“Could it be, Kurt-sama!?”

Farne’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Can I take these kids to my village? Will Count Fernande allow it?”

There are certain procedures to follow when immigrating.

I honestly don’t know what to do about immigrating these parentless children.

Taking them to my village is to take responsibility.

Even if I heal their injuries now, they will eventually lose their lives.

Once I extend a helping hand, I have to take care of them until the end.

“…That’s difficult. No, I’ll make my father approve it.”

“I see, that’s a relief.”

With her words, the legal issue is resolved. And so is Farne’s will.

Now, it’s about what I want to do and what these kids want to do.

“Johann, the condition for saving this girl is that you, as the leader of these children, and all of them who are gathered, move to the village I govern and work there.”

The children all gasped.

To them, I might seem like a slave trader.

“Will they be forced to work there?”

“I’ll make them work, but I won’t overwork them. They’ll do about the same amount of work as the people in the village do now, and they’ll be provided with similar meals. It’s a poor village, but they won’t go hungry. I promise them a better life than they have now.”

“You’re lying. You don’t care about kids; you’ll just use them as spare parts. They’ll probably be worked to death… Hey, can’t you just forgive me and let them go? I’ll go, I can endure any job, work for as many people as needed. So please, help Mil. Have mercy on them.”

Johann, who was already kneeling, lowered himself further, pressing his forehead against the ground.

I felt a bit of sympathy for this boy.

There aren’t many people who would go this far for their friends. He’s small, but he’s a good guy.

“No, everyone has to come. Besides, if the leader like you leaves, can these guys really survive? If they continue this way, more kids like Mil will suffer. Wouldn’t it be better to start a new life?”

Johann hesitated at my question.

There’s no way staying in their current life is okay. He must realize that much.

“Johann, I’m going too. I won’t let you go alone.”

“I’m going too. I’ll stick with Johann no matter what hell we face.”

“Me too. I’m scared, but we’re all in this together.”

The children were buzzing with strange excitement.

Seeing them like that, it seemed Johann had made up his mind.

“Alright, everyone, let’s go to hell together!”

“Yeah!”

“Okay!”

“Woohoo!”

The children cheered excitedly.

There’s someone behind me who seems really angry about all this.

Yes, it’s Tina.

Her fluffy tail stood on end as she yelled, defending me.

“You can’t say that about Kurt-sama! He would never lie! He’ll make sure everyone is happy!”

“You don’t understand our feelings!”

“Yeah, yeah!”

“And you’re all dressed up so nicely!”

The children seized the opportunity to strike back. They must see Tina as some sort of noble lady or something.

“I understand! Because I was an orphan too! Kurt-sama took me in and made me happy! I won’t allow anyone to speak ill of him!”

“Maybe because you’re pretty, sis.”

“Yeah, she’s his mistress.”

“She’s just after his body.”

Kids these days are oddly mature.

“That’s not true! Kurt-sama doesn’t do anything… you know, intimate with me at all! He doesn’t even kiss me! But he still treats me so well, so he’s a kind person!”

Tina shouted with all her might.

And then, after yelling, her face turned bright red.

She’s so clumsy. But that clumsiness makes Tina charming.

“Setting Tina’s words aside, the truth is, my village really needs more manpower. Anyone who works diligently is welcome, and they’ll be rewarded for their efforts. So please consider that when making your decision.”

“The answer is already clear. We’re going. But not reluctantly. After hearing what sis just said, I want to go even if it’s not for Mil.”

That answer is enough.

I take a deep breath.

Then, I pulled out a black lump from my bag.

“Bro, what’s that?”

“This is a legendary medicine that can heal any illness or injury in an instant.”

“Come on, there’s no such thing.”

“There is. I’m going to use it on Mil now. You’ll see it’s real.”

With a serious expression, I bring the black lump towards Mil’s mouth with trembling hands.

“Bro, your hands are shaking.”

“Well, yeah, honestly. I’m quite hesitant. This is a legendary medicine. Probably never going to get my hands on it again. It’s a medicine that can heal any injury or illness in an instant. Its value is immeasurable. If sold normally, it would be enough money to live a life of luxury forever.”

Everyone present gasps.

Well, if such a thing really existed, you could indeed live a life of luxury forever.

In reality, it’s a blatant lie. It’s just a lump of brown sugar.

I can’t let anyone know about my Heal, especially not with Farne around.

So, I’m putting on this act.

“I’m doing this much for us. Because you’re becoming new members of my village.”

“You’re a good person.”

The children are crying.

Well, it’s a good opportunity. Let them feel indebted to me.

I put the black lump into Mil’s mouth and simultaneously activated my heels.

I start healing Mil’s wounds. Of course, I don’t use magic.

The girl slowly regains consciousness.

“Huh, I thought I was beaten up a lot and died.”

The girl sits up.

Then, Johann, with tears in his eyes, rushes over and embraces her.

“Mil, I’m so glad you didn’t die, I’m so glad.”

And then he starts crying, holding her tightly.

The other children are also drawn into tears.

They will become members of my village.

Their bond will surely be beneficial for the development of my village.