Earth: The Second

Recovered Apetite

Roberto opened his eyes.

His memory is hazy after what happened the last time he awake. He did remember about the discussion in the village, and also after that when he feels a pain piercing through his stomach.

But after that, he does not remember what exactly is happening, besides the fact that he has to use all of his energy to hold off the pain.

When Roberto is awake, he finds himself in a bed inside a modest room. Warm morning light shines from the window beside him, and he himself can smell the freshly-baked bread for breakfast.

Roberto’s stomach is grumbling, and he intends to go out of the room, probably he can find an explanation somewhere else, and maybe, a meal too. But when he stepped down from the bed, Roberto realizes the bandages that covered part of his stomach.

“I see, I was saved after that,” he mutters to himself. Although Roberto also feels that something is off.

He walked out of the room, right when Sister Mia is going to check out his condition.

“Oh!” she was startled to see the knight walked out of the room without clothes covered his chest.

“Ah, I’m sorry” Roberto nodding to the sister. He feels bad to have shown an appearance like this the moment he wakes up. “May… May I know where I am right now?” he asked the sister.

“This is the orphanage. Father asked me to prepare the room for the injured, for you,” she replied.

Father? probably it is the Father that he see at the discussion yesterday. Thought Roberto to himself.

“Oh! I remember that this is right on time for breakfast! I will prepare the clothes for you immediately, and you can see Father Risto in the dining room!” said that sister awkwardly, She hurried to go back to the direction she came, not giving a chance for Roberto to say thank you.

***

Finally, Roberto dressed properly, it just a simple plain shirt and a pant, but it is better than having to show his chest everywhere he goes. He then followed the nurse to the dining room downstairs. That place is fully packed with kids that are chatting and laughing with each other.

Although, it is kind of different at one side of the table. Two adults are sitting face to face. One wears clothing like a priest, while the other one, Roberto recognizes him as the person who always wears the black mantle at the scene yesterday.

“Oh! You awake!” the priest notices Roberto first, and he stands up. His expression is friendly with a big smile on his face.

“Father Risto,” Roberto approach and greet the priest’s hand. He still remembers him from yesterday. Father Risto let Roberto sit at the chair beside him, and asked for the sister to bring the remaining breakfast for the guest.

Roberto’s stare meets Adma across the table. That mysterious white-haired man seems so composed and calm, even after what happened yesterday. Honestly, it makes Roberto curious about something.

“I’m sorry, you probably have introduced yourself that time, but I forgot your name,” asked Robert. 

“It’s Adma,”

“Ah! Yes! Adma! I barely remember my memories from yesterday,” commented Roberto. When the meal arrived, he instinctively reaches the bread and put it in his mouth. The man feels the drool on his mouth as he gulping down the bread, soup, and water.

“Judging from your appetite seems like we don’t have to worry,” commented Father. He glanced at Adma, which is giving a small nod.

“Ah, I’m sorry for being impolite,” said Roberto.

“You passed out one and a half-day. Of course, your body craves every nutrition that it can get now,” added Adma, Roberto only gives him a slight smile, as take a spoon to his mouth.

“Yesterday, after that arrow pierced me, I fainted,” muttered Roberto. “Are you the one who helped me?”

“Of course,” said Adma quickly, right before Father Risto can say anything first. “The whole village worked together to bring you here. We have a youth with a talent for healing magic. Luckily, your life is saved,” 

“I see…” the captain takes the last spoon of his soup. “By any chance, does any soldier came looking for me? A platoon of armored horse-rider for example?” asked Roberto again.

“Yes, they did. In fact, they are rather stubborn when we first met, but we manage to reassure them that you will be safe here.”

Of course, Adma doesn’t tell him about their little confrontation yesterday, since it will only make matters worse. But he just realizes that Father stares at him, concerned. It’s like he knows that Adma trying to hide something from their guest right now.

“Thank you very much. You see, those soldiers are my subordinates. They are very loyal, and I am afraid some of them would cause problems,” said Roberto.

For some reason, Adma can understand that. He remembers how those soldiers are refusing to listen to him and prefer to stab him with spears instead.

“If you have recovered, I suggest we meet them as soon as possible. They do seem concerned after all,” suggested Adma.

After breakfast, Roberto was asked to return to the room for the last checkup. But when Kiki and Adma get in the room together, he seems puzzled.

“Are you the doctor?” he asked Adma.

“Of course not, she is,” he replied, and Kiki bowing down shyly.

Roberto’s eyes are widening with surprise because he has never seen a teenage doctor.

Of course, Kiki herself is not a doctor yet, but with the ability to heal wounds, she has huge potential in the future.

Kiki stretches out her hand, and flowing mana into Roberto’s wounded stomach. Inside her mind, she can feel the condition of the cells, blood, and the organ of his patient.

“I see that your wound has closed completely,” said Kiki, “But for now, mister soldier need lots of food and rest. Also, please refrain from heavy workload such as fighting or training for a while,” 

Kiki suddenly realized all the words that come from her mouth. Her face blushed.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m not a doctor, but I’m acting like I know everything.”

“No! It’s fine, after all, you are the one who saved me,” replied Roberto. In his mind, Roberto thinks that this child indeed has potential.

***

A while after that, a horse arrived at the orphanage. Riding the horse is a girl with short brown hair, wearing ordinary citizen clothes. She arrived right on time when one of the sisters are working in the field, and quickly ask the condition of Roberto.

When she heard that his captain has come to, his face brightens up, and he walked to the orphanage entrance.

“Is that you, Feyana?” she caught a familiar voice and face, and walk quickly to her captain. Roberto himself has just come outside of the orphanage accompanied by Adma.

“Captain! Glad to have you back!” she shouted while giving a military salute. Her back is straightened, and her right hand formed a fist in front of her right chest.

“Thank you Feya, at ease!” Robert gives back the salute and Feya drop-down hers.

“I’m sorry for my abstain yesterday. How is the situation of the platoon?” he asked.

“The situation… is…” Feya’s sound is wavy. It sounds like she does not want to report the news until finally, she decides to come out. 

“Captain, we have a casualty at the Duke’s mansion.”