Chapter 19 Iru's Request to Buy Bird Eggs, A Late-Night Visitor

For dinner, Lai and Neil ate roasted deer leg.

The deer leg was too big; two people couldn't finish it.

Lai only roasted a portion of it, and marinated the rest with salt and spices. After marinating, he made it into smoked bacon to eat in the winter.

Neil sold the herbs to the village doctor and received two silver coins. He wanted to give the coins to Ray, but Ray refused and told him to keep them.

After dinner, Ray washed the pears and apples. Neil held the pears but didn't touch them.

“Brother, we have so much fruit at home. Let’s sell the pears. These pears can fetch a lot of silver coins.”

"good."

How many bird eggs are left in the house?

"I only have twenty-one eggs left from my own nest, but I've collected sixteen different bird eggs from the gate."

Neil took a small basket from the storeroom, which was filled with bird eggs of all shapes and sizes.

From the first day they found the bird eggs, they found several more. Afraid that Neil would overthink it and get scared, Ray lied and said that they might have been secretly given to him by a village girl. Neil blushed deeply on the spot.

"Brother, what should we do with these bird eggs?"

"Just eat it normally."

"oh."

Some of the bird eggs pickled last time have already been used up; they taste exactly like salted duck eggs. However, pickling bird eggs was somewhat experimental, so Lai didn't pickle many, not enough to last until winter. Lai plans to pickle another 150, and then send a few dozen to Hagrid's family.

There weren't enough eggs at home, and buying so many in the village at once would be too much of a commotion. He decided to take Neil to town tomorrow to buy some, and they could also sell the pears while they were there.

“Neil, come to town with me tomorrow.”

"Okay, brother!"

Neil was quite excited; he had never been to town before in his life, and the past two days had been full of surprises.

Ah! If I had known I was going to town, I wouldn't have sold the herbs to the doctor.

"We just went hunting today and are going to town tomorrow. Won't you be very tired? You can take a break."

"No, I want to go with my brother. I've never been to town before!"

Ray originally intended to go the day after tomorrow, but seeing Neil's anxious look, he swallowed his words.

Tomorrow it is, as long as Neil doesn't feel tired.

"good."

Lai and Neil packed the pears they were going to sell, and also selected some good-looking apples to put inside. They could just carry the baskets on their backs when they set off tomorrow.

I've arranged with the oxcart that will take me to town tomorrow, and everything is ready.

The sky gradually changed from light blue to deep blue, as if someone had draped a layer of gray gauze over it. As the light dimmed, the villagers, who had been busy all day, returned to their homes. In the small mountain village, every household lit candles, illuminating the twinkling stars.

"Brother, remember to wake me up if I don't wake up tomorrow."

"Okay, go to sleep now."

Neil yawned and dragged his slightly tired steps up the stairs.

In a village with little entertainment, everyone went to bed early. Lai was engrossed in reading "The Magical History of the Casa Continent."

This is one of the few books owned by the original owner.

The cover is made of cowhide. The pages have a worn yellow tinge, the edges are frayed, and the paper is quite rough.

This book mainly tells the magical history of the continent of Casa, where Ray now lives, interspersed with a large number of historical stories, making it easier for people to gain a deeper understanding of the magical world.

The book is written in ornate language, and praise for God permeates every chapter. You can tell it must have been published by a church without even looking at it.

Ray read it as a bedtime story, both to pass the time and to learn about the history of the continent of Casa. But he remained skeptical about the contents.

History is always written by the victors, isn't it?

"Chirp chirp chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!"

"Woof woof!"

The frantic cries of wildebeests and the barking of dogs could be heard from outside.

At first, Ray didn't think much of it, assuming it was just baby birds fighting. But after a while, the noises didn't stop, and he became suspicious.

Ray put his weapon in his pocket, pushed open the door, and saw a figure lingering at the gate of his yard. The light was dim, and he couldn't see the face.

"Who is it? What do you want?"

Upon hearing the sound, the figure instinctively tried to run, but stopped abruptly after a few steps.

The walls and gates of each house in the village are not high, typical of keeping out honest people but not scoundrels. During the day, the view is almost unobstructed.

The figure approached the courtyard gate, pulled down the wide hood, revealing reflective beast eyes.

"Respected Mr. Victor, I am the goblin Iru."

Lai thought for a moment, and realized it seemed to be the goblin whose wife was pregnant.

He still remembered the grotesque way Iru bit off the leg of the fleeing goblin that day.

"What brings you here so late at night?"

“I feel extremely ashamed and remorseful for stealing your bird. I have nothing to offer to compensate you for your loss, so I brought you these bird eggs.”

Iru is not very fluent in the common language and speaks very slowly, trying his best to make himself clear.

"Did you send all the bird eggs at the gate?"

Lei asked, somewhat surprised but without changing his expression.

"Yes."

"I've accepted them all, please don't send any more in the future."

Lei's tone was indifferent.

"There are a few more here."

"Just leave it at the door."

Yilu, with his body hunched over, carefully placed the bird eggs on the ground.

"I......"

Iru stammered, his cold, beastly eyes seemingly pleading as he stared straight at Laiyi.

"Is there anything else?"

"Ray asked."

Iru swallowed nervously.

“I heard that we were allowed to stay because of your suggestion. On behalf of my family, I express our heartfelt gratitude to you, and may God bless you with good health.”

"You should thank the elders; I was just making a suggestion."

"Yes, yes, and thank you to the kind elders and villagers as well."

"Irunono said."

Lai felt that Iru might have something else to ask him.

"If there's nothing else, I'm going to sleep."

Lai made a move as if to turn and leave.

"etc!"

Iru anxiously called out to Laiyi.

"Actually, there's something I'd like to ask you."

Lei gave Iru a look, signaling him to continue.

"My wife has become increasingly thin since giving birth and is now bedridden." Tears welled in the poor goblin's eyes. "I would like to ask you if you could help me buy some medicine."

After saying that, Iru lay prostrate on the ground, afraid to hear Laiyi's refusal.

He was at his wit's end. The goblins' bad reputation made them like rats in the street, and no doctor was willing to sell them potions.

Looking at Iru on the ground, Lai recalled that hot night from his childhood. That day, he suddenly developed a high fever that wouldn't go down no matter what medicine he took. His grandfather carried him on his back to the clinic in the dark, pleading with the doctor in the same tone.

Iru is a thief, but he is also someone's husband and father, and his love for his family is undeniable.

"Get up quickly, I can help you find a doctor in town."

Lai's words gave Iru a jolt.

"Your wife is already so ill, you should talk to the doctor about her condition yourself, so that the right treatment can be given."

"But what do I look like..."

"Why don't you just find a mask to cover it up?"

Yes, yes.

"I'm going to town to buy some things tomorrow. Try to find a way to get to town and meet me at the city gate."

"well."

Yiru nodded repeatedly.

"It's late, let's go back."

"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Victor."

Iru bowed again before turning to leave, and Lei watched his figure disappear into the night.

The next day at dawn, after breakfast, Lai and Neil boarded the oxcart to go to town.

Little Neil brought all his savings and sat quietly next to Lai the whole way, curiously looking around.

The two got off the oxcart at the city gate. Lai said he was waiting for an acquaintance, and the others didn't ask any further questions.

"You've come!"

Iru wrapped himself completely in a cloak, not revealing an inch of skin. His face was covered with a wooden board with eye openings cut out, which we'll call a mask. He looked quite strange.

"Okay, let's go."

The two humans and one goblin lined up to pay the city entrance fee, and as expected, Iru was stopped.

"Take off the hood."

Iru was trembling with nervousness.

"I...I..."

“He is my cousin. He is seriously ill and has many pustules on his body and face. He came to town mainly for medical treatment. He wore a hood the whole time so as not to frighten the two older brothers.”

Upon hearing Laiyi's words, the people queuing next to Iru silently stepped back half a meter.

As he explained, Lai discreetly slipped each of them a silver coin.

"Well, in that case, let's just go in."

The knight let the three inside. Iru breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother, where are we going now?"

"Go see Dr. Blake; it's been a long time since we've seen him."

"Um."

Rye led the two to Blake's clinic. Blake was looking for herbs on the first floor, and Jack was crushing a dark, unappetizing object.

The bell rang, and Jack looked up at the door.

"Mr. Little Victor and Mr. Little Victor, you've arrived."

Jack's eight-tooth smile looked somewhat obsequious and forced.

What's going on?

"Jack, you don't have to laugh if you don't want to."

"That's what Lei said."

Jack's face immediately fell.

“Mr. Victor, you are so understanding. Dr. Blake said, ‘We should greet every customer with the warmest welcome,’ so I practiced my smile for a long time.”

Lei's face was full of black lines, there were so many things to complain about that he didn't even know where to begin.

A doctor greets patients with a smile; aren't they afraid of getting beaten to death?

"Oh, little Neil, your new hairstyle looks fantastic."

"Greetings, Dr. Blake! My brother cut my hair!"

Neil smiled sweetly and proudly introduced her new hairstyle.

Lei was a little embarrassed, but as long as the child liked it, that was fine.

What brings you here today?

"Can we talk upstairs?"

Blake noticed the cloaked man who came in with him.

"good."

"Neil, wait for your brother downstairs."

"OK."

Blake, Ray, and Iru went upstairs.

"Actually, it was his wife who was sick."

Ray introduced Iru to Blake. Blake poured tea for both of them.

"Please describe the main symptoms in detail."

“My wife Nana gave birth to twins prematurely. At first, she bled continuously, but it stopped after taking herbal medicine. However, since giving birth, her appetite has been getting worse and worse, and she has become increasingly thin. Recently, she has been vomiting everything she eats, and she can no longer get out of bed.”

As he spoke, Yiru choked up a little.

"You're not human, are you?"

Yiru broke out in a cold sweat.

"Once bloodshed occurs during human production, it cannot be stopped."

Blake took a small sip of tea.

What race are you?

Ray was slightly impressed by Blake's keen observation skills.

“Goblin.” Iru choked out, his voice trembling.

"Please, please save my wife!"

After saying this, he knelt down deeply and begged.

"Hey, what are you doing? I didn't say I wouldn't help. As long as you pay the silver coins, I'll help anyone. Do you have any silver coins?"

Yes! Yes, there are!

Iru took out a small piece of gold and placed it on the table. He had found it by chance when he was still living in the forest.

Is this enough?

"enough."

Blake held the gold nugget in his hand, a very genuine smile on his face.

“Your wife’s illness is a bit tricky, but it’s not incurable. I’ll prepare two bottles of medicine for you using precious herbs. Drink some every day, and with some rest, she’ll recover.”

"Thank you, Doctor! May God bless you!"

Iru finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Come back in two hours to pick it up. Let's go for a stroll in town."

Iru was afraid of attracting attention and being taken to the church, so he was unwilling to leave.

Ray had no choice but to take Neil to do what he needed to do that day and come back to pick him up later.

A note from the author:

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During the Holy War, the archbishop received a divine message from the God of Light in his sleep.

God said, “Go eastward and seek a child with dazzling golden eyes.”

Following God's will, the archbishop found the first Holy Son, Antonio, in the East. He had dazzling blond hair and golden eyes that seemed to see through everything; he was the embodiment of righteousness and courage, and God's apostle on earth.

God was pleased and bestowed upon the archbishop the magic of light.

He used light magic to end the war between the various races and drove the demons off the continent. From then on, the entire continent was filled with "light".

—Excerpt from "The Magical History of the Casa Continent"