The six who landed on Drum Kingdom first decided to head for some town seeking a place to rest.
A rental would be ideal, but depending on the duration, an inn might be cheaper. They needed to look around first.
"...Now then, which way's the town?"
"I have a rough sense of direction from the town we saw on our way here, but if we take mountain paths, we might lose our bearings."
"Winter island mountains are all snow—easy to lose direction. What should we do..."
But standing around here accomplished nothing.
Marking a large X on a nearby cliff with a spear so they could find this simple port meeting place, the group began walking toward where a town should be.
Fortunately, the snow was light and left footprints, so they could occasionally check if they were walking straight—something to be grateful for.
Walking carefully along the snow-covered animal trails took some time, but eventually a town came into view.
"Looks like there's a town reasonably close. That's a relief."
"That doesn't mean I can study medicine there. I'd like to start learning immediately if possible, but things don't work out that smoothly."
Skura tempered Georges' relieved reaction.
Indeed, arriving revealed it wasn't particularly large. There didn't seem to be facilities for studying medicine.
If there were some famous doctor, they could apprentice and learn techniques, though.
"Well, what should we do..."
"Hey, let's get lodging first. Securing a base is important."
"Right. If we could gather information about this country while we're at it, that'd be good."
Georges took some subordinates to secure lodging while Zen, Skura, and Samuel decided to stop by a nearby shop and ask around.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment?"
"Hm? Ah, sure. What is it?"
"We're travelers, but we came here after hearing Drum Kingdom has the most advanced medicine. Is there anywhere we could study medicine?"
"A place to study medicine... I'm no doctor so I don't know much, but I know the best doctor in this town at least."
"Oh, what kind of person are they?"
"An old hag called the 'Witch Doctor,' nearly a hundred years old. She charges outrageous fees, but her skills are first-rate."
The years accumulated weren't wasted, then. If she possessed that much knowledge, he definitely wanted to meet her. Skura leaned forward slightly, asking where she lived.
The shopkeeper, slightly taken aback by his enthusiasm, provided information that she lived in a great tree on the town's outskirts.
"Could you tell me where that is?"
"Yeah, in that direction—"
"It's Hiriluk! Catch him! He stole money!"
Behind Skura's conversation came the sound of shattering glass.
Turning to see what happened, a man in a black coat was running away with a bag in hand. Bold theft in broad daylight—quite the committed criminal.
Zen and Samuel prepared in case he came their way, but he fled in a different direction, so they could relax for now.
Though from the shouted name, perhaps an acquaintance?
"Ah, sorry travelers. Made you see something unpleasant."
"It's fine, but... does that happen often?"
"Guy called Hiriluk. Claims to be a doctor but he's a terrible quack. Not once has anyone been cured by his treatments. Plus he steals money from anyone he thinks has it."
"That's... doesn't the national military take action?"
"The country's defense force has been chasing him for years but still hasn't caught him."
Either he was that skilled at thieving, or the defense force had no real will to catch him.
Either way, it was a terrible nuisance for citizens. No matter how high-minded a doctor might be, without skill they had no value.
The man sighed and muttered.
"Real nuisance... though his concern for the sick seems genuine."
"...I see. Thank you for the information, this is a token of appreciation."
Handing over some money, the three headed to the shop where Georges had secured lodging.
For now, they'd obtained information about a nearby doctor. They just needed to apprentice with that doctor if possible, but that could only be determined by talking first.
They should visit later, Skura noted.
"Oh, you're back. Learn anything?"
"Heard about the most skilled doctor around here. Also about a fake doctor who's a thief."
"What's that about? Well, whatever. We're staying at this inn for three days, so drop off anything unnecessary."
Handed keys, Skura's group went to leave their belongings in their respective borrowed rooms. Important items needed carrying constantly, but bulky clothes couldn't be lugged around.
Now unburdened, the six chatted as they headed for the great tree on the town's outskirts.
Living inside a great tree was stylish, they thought while chatting, their feet catching in the snowy path.
"They said she's an old hag nearly a hundred, but I'm wondering if she's all right."
"Uhahahaha, hard to tell who needs a doctor more!"
"From what I heard, she's still active—seems quite vigorous. Either way, I want that knowledge badly."
"Since they claim the world's best medicine, doesn't the country run schools or something?"
"That's also possible. Just seems like it'd take time."
"Medicine takes time regardless. I'd like to allow for several months."
Learning took time, plus effort and money. Still, if they'd let him aboard as ship's doctor, Kanata's crew had no complaints.
Though honestly hoping for speed was probably genuine.
While talking, they reached their destination.
"Excuse me! Is someone named Kureha here?"
Knocking and calling out, the door opened after a moment.
A single woman emerged. White hair with wrinkles, but not bent over—a healthy elder.
She wore sunglasses and eyed the knocking Skura's group strangely as she asked.
"What do you want? The secret to youth?"
"No, that's for later. I came here after hearing of your skills as a doctor. I'd like to study medicine."
"...I don't take disciples. Want to study medicine? Go elsewhere."
"I'm a traveler unfamiliar with this country. Are there schools?"
"Nope. Want to study medicine? Learn directly from doctors affiliated with the country. Otherwise, self-study or apprentice with someone independent."
Medicine couldn't be studied at national schools.
Partly due to high specialization, but becoming a doctor usually meant inheriting from parents. Even in a medical powerhouse, basic knowledge was unavailable to non-doctors' children.
That's why quacks like Hiriluk occasionally existed.
"Then I definitely want to apprentice with you. I've heard you have excellent skills."
"Don't make me repeat myself. I don't take disciples. If you're not a patient, leave."
"Hey now, granny, you could at least hear us out."
Ignoring Samuel, who'd been knocked down by Kureha's fist, Georges stepped forward.
"We'll pay. Only this one wants to study medicine—can't something be done?"
"You folks are persistent too. Medicine can be learned from others besides me, right? Why fixate on me?"
"When I asked around town, you were called this town's best doctor. I'm aboard a certain ship as ship's doctor, but came to learn better medicine so no one dies. Naturally I want to apprentice with the most skilled doctor."
At Skura's words, Kureha narrowed her eyes, considered something, then laughed softly.
"...Hihihihi. I'll consider it if you hand over all your money and cargo."
"Hey now, that's going too far..."
"I'm not the captain. I'll give whatever's in my discretion. Nothing compares to life-saving techniques."
"Skura!?"
"Hihihihi. Negotiations complete with you then. Let me talk with your captain later. And where are you staying? Come to my place tomorrow—I'll drill you from the ground up."
"I'm grateful. I'll be in your care, Dr. Kureha."
"Call me Doctorine, youngster."
Skura bowed his head in thanks.
Negotiations were settled for now. They'd return for today.
He didn't know how much time to allow, but there'd be much to learn at least. Skura steeled himself.
☆
"...I see. So that's why you contacted us this early."
"Yeah. Obviously had to check with you before giving up all our cargo."
"Give money if needed. But cargo... all this ship's cargo would be too much. We'd struggle, but they'd struggle receiving it all at once too."
Den Den Mushi in hand, Kanata answered while lying on a beach chair on deck.
The sunlight was pleasant, making her drowsy, but her mind stayed clear.
Originally the Den Den Mushi was only for emergencies, but judging that eavesdropping wouldn't matter without naming names, she was taking Georges' call.
Though the transmitted information could count as urgent anyway.
"Right now he's gone to study medicine with guards, so we should probably earn some here."
"True. If all our money's demanded, that's a considerable sum. If it means struggling for tomorrow's meal, we must consider that."
"Right... By the way, I keep hearing cannon fire—am I imagining it?"
"Not imagining it. We're currently under attack from a pirate ship."
"Is it okay to talk so casually?"
"Small fry. Not worth my involvement."
With no pirate flag, they probably attacked thinking it was a regular ship, but could only call it bad luck.
David and Junshi seemed to have boarded the enemy ship and were fighting, so Kanata judged her involvement unnecessary.
The more Kanata's face sold, the more cash cows—rather, pirates—would appear trying to make names as pirates by attacking. They'd done naval combat since their merchant days so had some experience, but David and Feiyun were inexperienced, so she was letting them take turns gaining experience.
Feiyun was slightly troublesome to handle, so she only did it when Kanata was present.
"Well, if there's no problem, fine."
"More importantly, how long will it take? There's a limit to using this area as a base."
"That's the thing. It's only day one, and he said he'd ask roughly how much there is to learn, so I'll tell you next time I come your way."
"Understood. Depending on circumstances, we may need to temporarily change bases."
"True... with an Eternal Pose, coming here isn't difficult."
Saying only that he'd call again, Georges ended the call.
Setting down the receiver, Kanata praised the two who'd returned after dropping the enemy ship and ordered them to seize cargo and money.
There seemed to be survivors, but beaten this badly, they couldn't resist.
"Scotch. If we base ourselves at Drum, how long could we hide?"
"Difficult... Drum Kingdom's a World Government member nation, so if our faces are seen, instant report."
"Probably. But Drum has no Marine branch. Even reported, we'd have a day or two's grace."
"Ideally we could recruit some doctor from Drum Kingdom. I want a girl. Preferably cute."
"I didn't ask about your preferences."
They couldn't sail onward leaving Skura's group behind, so no choice but to base near here for now.
But that too would reach its limit.
"...Everything depends on Skura."
At any rate, without hearing the schedule, they couldn't even decide future movements.
***
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