第１７９９堀：北の町は落ち着きを取り戻しつつあります (Part1)
Chapter 1799: The Northern Town Begins to Find Its Calm
The northern town is beginning to find its calm.
Side: Enora
First, the complexion, then the breathing, movement, body temperature, and pulse. I checked that everything fell within the normal parameters I am familiar with, and then proceeded to fill out the medical chart.
"From my perspective, there are no issues, but are you feeling any discomfort in your body?"
"Nope! I’m full of energy!"
The one answering my question with such vigor was a young beastman girl. That said, children often don’t have a clear grasp of their own physical condition, so I turned my gaze toward the mother sitting beside her, who immediately spoke up.
"Yes, she’s just as usual—no, she actually looks even healthier than before. Thank you so much for your help, Dr. Enora."
"I’m glad to hear that. Well, the lack of food was a factor in delaying her recovery from the cold, so from now on, make sure she eats well, plays hard, and gets plenty of sleep."
"Okay!"
After seeing the energetic child off and tidying up the charts, Kagura entered in her place.
"What’s wrong? An emergency patient?"
"No, silly. It’s break time, so I came to see you."
"Oh? So it is."
Prompted by her words, I checked the clock and realized it had already passed twelve. It seems that last consultation with the mother and child had run long. As I was thinking this, a relief doctor stepped in.
"Dr. Enora, I’ll take over from here."
"Yes, please do. I’m counting on you."
With that, I handed over my duties and stepped out of the examination room. He was a doctor dispatched from Weed. To be honest, because I’ve been raising my level, my restorative magic is superior to his, but in terms of medical knowledge and technical skill, he is the better doctor. After all, he has worked at the hospital in Weed for many years. He is someone I learn a great deal from as well.
"Good work. Here, a drink."
"Thank you."
I accepted the drink Kagura offered and walked down the white corridor.
"So, did you come here for a specific reason? Usually, you’d be stationed with the prisoners or at the Ohe royal castle, wouldn't you?"
Indeed, this was a makeshift hospital established in the northern town—a facility permitted by Ohe to allow us to provide medical care here. Due to the recent shortage of supplies, it seems a cold has been spreading. If things went poorly, it could even trigger an epidemic, and since we couldn't have it affecting Yuki and the others—even if they are Doppelgangers operating here—we are providing treatment as a form of support. Of course, it is also to investigate whether there are any differences between the people living on this new continent and us.
Yuki really does like to layer multiple meanings into everything, doesn't he? Well, what he says is perfectly reasonable. We’d be in trouble if there were endemic diseases, and in this world, it wouldn't be strange at all if there were pathogens we lacked immunity to. But, setting that aside, as for why Kagura is here...
"Of course I have a reason. Is it alright if we talk while we eat?"
"Yes, I’d hate to have my lunch hour swallowed up by a meeting."
It was obvious she had business with me, and I certainly didn't want to be called into a meeting and miss my meal. However...
"The location will have to be the one Weed is using, is that alright?"
"That’s fine."
As expected, there are many things in our conversation that aren't suitable for the general public to overhear. Therefore, we would be using the facility Weed occupies—in other words, the cafeteria of the military installation. Incidentally, that military facility and this hospital are physically connected. It was a result of prioritizing convenience since it’s a Weed facility. Plus, it allows us to take our meals together.
While I was thinking about such things, we arrived at the cafeteria...
"As expected of lunchtime. It’s packed."
"We can’t exactly go eating outside. Supplies haven't been distributed sufficiently yet."
I replied to Kagura’s comment. The town still has many people suffering from malnutrition, and if soldiers were to go out into town and pay for meals at restaurants, it would likely invite resentment from those who cannot eat. Or rather, the town’s restaurants are closed anyway due to the food shortage.
"I see. So it hasn't reached a satisfactory level yet. Do you think we need to review the volume of supplies?"
"Ah, as far as the volume goes, we have it. It’s just that there’s no surplus."
"Surplus?"
"Exactly. There’s no luxury of being able to choose what you eat like in this cafeteria. We hold soup kitchens every day with a set menu. Breakfast and lunch are rations."
"I see. There’s no room for a surplus."
"That’s the situation. Even if Weed or Ohe soldiers went out, the people are thin enough that they’d end up giving away their own rations, and the supplies aren't exactly abundant. Or is it the same at the Ohe royal capital?"
"It’s about the same, I suppose. But in the royal capital, since the soldiers and adventurers have returned, the pace of hunting monsters has increased. If we can supplement that with vegetables, we might be able to manage, don't you think?"
"Ah, I see. Since there are no human enemies, they can divert that effort into hunting."
"Yes. Oh, the food is ready."
While we were talking, the food was prepared, so we picked it up and sat at an empty table. For the record, I had the grilled mackerel set meal, and Kagura had the ginger pork set meal.
"Now then, I’ve been doing all the talking, but what was your business?"
"Ah, right. Well, the content of what we just discussed was part of what I wanted to hear. Like, how the town is doing."
"I see. Well, as I said, regarding food, it is sufficient for now. But just because they’ve eaten doesn't mean their emaciated bodies will return to normal immediately. We aren't providing portions that significantly exceed the regulated amounts."
"True. If it were Weed’s all-you-can-eat, they’d probably be back to normal in no time."
"They might recover quickly, but then they’d get sick from the nutritional imbalance. Also, there’s a possibility they wouldn't be able to stomach the local food anymore."
"That’s true. Even in Weed, other countries' nobles come to eat every time, after all."
I don't think the food in this country is that bad, but well, once you’re accustomed to eating Weed’s food as a matter of course, it’s a very real possibility. In that sense, providing cooked meals from Weed is difficult. At most, providing the raw materials and ingredients is appropriate. Once Ohe stabilizes further, we can hope for spices, and perhaps even the opening of restaurants from Weed.
"As for public order, we aren't involved, but it seems stable, and they don't seem to hold any ill will toward Weed. Yuki’s initial grand gesture is paying off."
"He turned it into a festival during a time of supply shortages, after all."
"Well, they would have been anxious otherwise, and since it led to trust in Weed, it was undoubtedly a clever move."
"Hmm, hmm."
Kagura nodded at my words while eating her rice. I also took a moment to rest my mouth and eat my set meal. Yes, it’s quite delicious.