CHAPTER FORTY-TWO: The Inquiry

KENSHI

"It's been a while since I tasted your cooking, Mother, and the food is still delicious as always," I praised, earning a bashful smile from Mother.

"I'm glad that you still liked it. I was kind of hesitant to cook for you because I thought your taste buds had changed," she replied. "Anyway, are you really certain that you can go out with just yourself? I could ask someone to accompany you."

I shook my head.

"No need to bother other people, Mother. I'm fine now. Besides, the shop is not that far, and it would be best for my recovery to go out and enjoy the scenery outside."

I knew Mother would want to disagree, but she knew as well that I was old enough now to look after myself. After all, my time as an exile shaped me to become more independent than ever.

So, instead of persuading me to stay, she heaved a defeated sigh.

"Just be careful. We just got you. We don't want to lose you again. We already lost someone, and I don't plan to lose another one." Mother stated while wearing a worried face.

"I promise."

"You better be home before sunset, Older Brother. I still have so many stories to tell you!" Gresa energetically pleaded, and I responded with a smile of reassurance.

"Be back, Brother Kenshi," Kenshiro bashfully requested.

"I will."

After we had my first ever family meal after years of being exiled, I left the house and navigated my way towards Grosi's shop. It was the only place where Daku could have been resting. Just thinking about him enveloped my body with an unsettling worry and anxiety.

I knew Daku was strong. And I didn't mean physically, because that was already obvious, but emotionally. But I still couldn't help but think negatively. Because sometimes, the strongest person, once challenged, could be very vulnerable and unstable.

Dwelling in those pessimistic thoughts would be a waste of time, so I diverted my attention to the scenery before me. Just then, I noticed the resilience of the people of Thorn. Even though parts of their houses were destroyed and in ruins, people always found a way to smile and laugh as if nothing dreadful had happened.

The kingdom guards worked hand-in-hand with the citizens as they mended the damages caused by the recent infiltration. Speaking of the said battle, it felt surreal to think that I fought Hirako and somehow defeated him. But of course, it was Daku's effort and Thelah's possession that made it happen.

I wondered where Hirako was being held now. I bet in the city's cellars, along with the criminals and falsely accused citizens. 

Deep in my thoughts, I almost forgot my original plan. Thankfully, I stopped just in front of the shop. And even this structure did not escape the wrath of the Dark Order and the corrupted beings.

"Mister Kenshi!" a girly voice called, catching my attention. When I turned to face her, she was already on her way towards me. "I'm glad to see you well!"

"I'm happy to see you too, Kana," I replied.

"I know what brings you here. I'll bring you to him," Kana offered, and I didn't have other choice but to nod my head in agreement since she already guessed the reason behind my visit.

Kana and I carefully went inside the shop, and the state was much worse than it looked from the outside. Shards of broken glass from the fallen potions covered the floor, along with moist patches of, I think, spilled concoctions. Luckily, only the front portion of the shop was damaged and not the whole building itself.

"Is Grosi and Shiro not here?" I inquired upon realizing that the shop was a lot quieter than usual. Normally, Grosi's voice would dominate the place, ordering Shiro to do some tasks and complaining about the cost he would had to expend to cover the damages and the loss.

"Grosi left earlier this morning to visit his brother," Kana explained as we ascended the stairs to the second floor. "As for Shiro..."

Kana opened Daku's room, revealing two unconscious bodies. One is Daku, who was lying on the bed. Normally, seeing someone sleeping was calming and comforting, but this was not the case. I could feel that there was bad news 

behind his slumber.

Meanwhile, on the edge of the bed, Shiro was sitting, who was also sleeping. He used both of his hands as pillows as they rested on the bed where Daku was sleeping.

"Shiro didn't have enough sleep for days. He was waiting for Daku to wake up. It's bad for children like us not to sleep, so I have decided to put some sleeping potion in his food. I know it's bad, but it would be much worse if I let 

him."

"He'll understand," I reassured Kana. "How about Daku?"

"Marika believed he's in a coma." Hearing the last word, shot daggers to my heart. To think that a healer like him would be in such a state. "Grosi thought so too."

"What could be the reason?"

"They only have a few speculations, but none were confirmed. One is that Daku used up all of his mana and induced a mana-depleted coma. Or a consequence of a god's possession. Or because of Rupture Magic."

The first one was indeed possible and more common. But the second reason could be the reason as well. Few records said that individuals who were possessed by a higher being often fell into a coma. But among the three, I feared the third the most. There was little information about Rupture Magic, especially its consequences.

"How about you? How are you?"

"I'm doing okay, Mister Kenshi. Thank you for asking. Though sometimes I feel scared that Mister Daku would never wake up. That's why I have to keep myself busy to distract myself from thinking negatively."

"That's good, Kana. We have to be optimistic about Daku."

"Tell me, Mister Kenshi. Will Mister Daku ever wake up?"

"I know he will. He always will. He's Daku after all. If he could heal everyone, then I'm pretty sure he could heal himself as well. We just have to be patient and maintain our faith in him."

Knowing Daku, he couldn't bear to just lie in bed and do nothing. As a healer, he would spring right up and dash to the infirmary to mend the injured. But I had to admit that there were parts of me that were worried about what the future might have for him. Will he continue being a healer once he finds out that I was no longer cursed?