Episode 94: A Week of Progress and Gratitude

For the rest of the week, our schedule remained fixed and efficient. Every morning, we would set up and operate our stall at Rat Town as usual. I was determined to make the most out of the weekly permit I had purchased, ensuring that every single day counted. Thanks to our relentless efforts, Azra Family Company wasn't just thriving in profits—it was flourishing in reputation as well.

Word spread fast, and soon, our stall had become a fixture in the town's daily routine. People came not just for the food but for the sense of reliability and stability we offered. Unlike many merchants who came and went, we were consistent, and that mattered to the people.

One of our biggest successes this week was the launch of the Charity/Exchange counter. As expected, it gained significant traction almost immediately. The poor and disabled citizens of Rat Town responded with overwhelming gratitude. Many rushed home to rummage through their storage, bringing whatever they could exchange for food and water.

Unlike the unfortunate incidents that had happened in Station Ail and Wail, where chaos and greed overtook goodwill, we encountered no such problem here. The people of Rat Town embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. There was no mob, no desperation-driven violence—just pure appreciation. Townsfolk frequently expressed their gratitude, saying that our charity efforts had allowed many to survive in this harsh world.

What truly warmed my heart was seeing so many familiar faces from my old neighborhood in the slums. Former neighbors, people who had seen me at my lowest, now stood before me with smiles, thanking me for not forgetting them despite my newfound success.

One elderly woman clasped my hands tightly, her eyes welling up. "Azra, my boy… you haven't changed a bit. You still remember us."

I simply smiled, handing her more bread and water. "Of course, I do. We survive together. That's how it's always been."

Natasha was absolutely glowing with happiness. Seeing her childhood friends and former neighbors receive the help they desperately needed filled her with pride. She had always been the compassionate one, the heart of our family, and now, she was seeing firsthand how much of a difference we could make.

Her friends, many of whom had doubted me in the past, now regarded her with admiration. "Natasha, you did it. You actually turned Azra into a respectable man!" one of them joked, nudging her playfully.

She laughed, shaking her head. "He always had it in him. Just needed a little push in the right direction."

Natasha had not only solidified herself as my guiding light but also as a role model for many of the wives in Rat Town. Women saw her as an example of what true dedication and partnership looked like, and she took the responsibility with grace.

On the public and social side of things, our lives were progressing better than I had ever anticipated. We were respected, appreciated, and—most importantly—we were helping people survive.

But privately, our focus remained on a more pressing matter: my surgery.

Every evening, after wrapping up business for the day, we would return home. While most of us settled in for some well-earned rest, Selene and Alfred dived straight into work. Their entire focus was on perfecting the Nurse and Doc-Bots that would be performing my operation.

Selene was meticulous in her approach, ensuring that every mechanical part functioned flawlessly. Alfred, with his superior analytical capabilities, enhanced the Automatons' programming, refining their precision and skill.

"These machines need to be perfect," Selene said one night, not even looking up from her work. "No room for error."

Alfred nodded, his fingers working swiftly over a control panel. "We are ensuring optimal performance, Sir. The final calibrations will be completed soon."

Though I trusted them completely, I couldn't help but feel a small knot of anxiety in my stomach. This was my life in their hands—or rather, in the hands of these machines. But I pushed the worry aside. If anyone could make sure I survived this, it was them.

"I know," I said finally, leaning back in my chair. "And I appreciate it."

Scarlett, who had been lounging nearby, smirked. "Azra, you better be ready. Once this surgery is done, no more excuses for slacking off."

I chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be back on my feet in no time."

With that, our week continued as planned—thriving in business, giving back to the community, and preparing for the life-changing procedure ahead.

"Business is booming these days, but we still have to move away from this city," I said, leaning back in the living room couch. Natasha and Scarlett were seated with me, enjoying a well-earned moment of relaxation after another busy day.

Scarlett stretched her arms and nodded. "Yeah, and honestly, the new location you picked looks promising. I haven't gone that far out, but from what I saw, there's a lake and plenty of space—it's the perfect place to finally settle down for real."

Natasha sighed dreamily. "I have to admit, waking up underground every day is starting to wear on me. I'd love to wake up to the morning sun instead."

I shared her sentiment. "Yeah, underground was safe when we needed it, but at this point, we're not just surviving—we're thriving. It's time we moved up."

I tapped my chin, mulling over our travel options. "The only question now is whether we should travel by land or air. Siena Lake Village is pretty far from here. If we go by land, we'd need an RV or something, and that'll take time."

Scarlett leaned back against the sofa. "Air travel is way faster. The skies are mostly clear these days, and the birds aren't hostile at all. Nine times out of ten, it's smooth sailing."

I nodded. "Alright, then it's settled. We go by air. Can you fly a helicopter?"

Scarlett smirked. "Not yet. But I can learn."

Before I could respond, Selene and Alfred entered the room with two brand-new automatons in tow.

"Darling, meet your doctor and nurse," Selene announced proudly, stepping aside to reveal them.

The two bots stood perfectly still, their polished exteriors pristine and flawless.

"We combined all the memories and data from the broken bots and transferred them into these new bodies," Selene explained.

One of the Automatons stepped forward. "Hello, Sir. My name is Doctor 1, and this is Nurse 1. We are honored to be resurrected and eager to continue serving patients. Worry not—I can confidently say that I am now the best doctor in the world."

I smirked, crossing my arms. "Well then, let's put that confidence to the test."