CH 181

Chapter 181 – Unexpected Reunion

“It’s been a while. Do you remember me? My name is Tanaka Sayuri.”

She gave me a gentle, peaceful smile that resembled the Virgin Mary.

Tanaka Sayuri. In the past, I had used the [Elixir・Mini] to heal the serious burns on her face. Back when I was staying at the Fukuzawa residence, the Fukuzawa family’s eldest son had a best friend named Tanaka Yaichi, who needed help. So I visited the Tanaka family, and he promised payment in exchange for my help. That was where I met her. Tanaka Yaichi’s wife.

I was able to heal her injuries right away without any problems, and I received the reward for the request. I thought that it was a house that I would have nothing to do with in the future.

However, shortly after, I’d heard news that the Tanaka family had been attacked by looters. When I looked into it, I found that the Tanaka family had been completely wiped out. The bodies of Yaichi and his two children were confirmed. The only body that hadn’t been found was that of Sayuri, and I concluded that she had most likely been kidnapped by the looters.

In this day and age, anyone could predict what might happen to a beautiful woman after being kidnapped by a mob of looters. They would be raped and violated until they were satisfied, then killed when they were no longer of use. Such cruel acts of inhumanity were being carried out in many parts of the world.

I concluded at the time that Sayuri had also been killed in the end.

“You’re managed to survive, Sayuri-san.” (Torimoto)

“Yes, God willed that I should live on.” (Sayuri)

God’s will?

“Would this cult happen to be…?” (Torimoto)

“The fact that I am able to meet you again in this way is surely nothing but God’s guidance. After all, God never abandons his most pious followers.” (Sayuri)

I looked into her eyes and shivered. She was making eye contact with me, but there was no life in her eyes, as if she was looking at ‘something’, but not me.

“I heard about Yaichi-san and your children. I am deeply sorry for your loss.” (Torimoto)

Then, I momentarily saw a glimmer of light in Sayuri’s eyes for the first time. But they soon returned to a thick darkness.

“Ah… Don’t worry about that. That person and our children are already by our God’s side. I will join them one day. So I have nothing to worry about.” (Sayuri)

“…I see.” (Torimoto)

I had a feeling that this person was dangerous business. I wanted to hurry up and get out of here as soon as I could, but…

“I heard from that person over there—that you wanted to meet with me.” (Torimoto)

I gazed over at the woman in the blue bandana who was silently standing by Sayuri’s side.

“That’s right. In fact, I was looking for you because I have a request I’d like to ask of you, Torimoto-san.” (Sayuri)

“My power? …Is someone injured or ill?” (Torimoto)

Sayuri gave a single firm nod. She gestured with her pewter staff, which jingled with a pleasant chime as it moved. Two of the believers who were previously sitting down got to their feet and disappeared into the door on my far right.

But they soon reemerged and… they were carrying a stretcher of some kind, like the type that might be found in a hospital.

Lying on the stretcher was a woman, whose right leg and left arm had been amputated. The bandages wrapped around the wounded areas were stained bright red. She looked like she was enduring severe pain, and her breathing was labored. It was clear to see how badly she was suffering.

“I would like you to heal her.” (Sayuri)

“I see. This person is certainly in terrible shape. …Did you not take her to a hospital?” (Torimoto)

Upon taking a closer look, it didn’t look like she had been treated in a hospital.

“Most of the doctors are men. There is no way we will allow a man to touch her body.” (Sayuri)

“Sayuri-san… I understand that you hate men, but circumstances are circumstances. You should have just gone to a hospital for treatment, you know?” (Torimoto)

Hearing my slightly disapproving tone, the followers all stood up, brimming with animosity.

But Sayuri pounded her pewter staff on the ground and called for them to calm down, and they quietly took their seats once more.

“I’ve yet to explain. The women gathered here are those whose bodies, hearts, and… souls have been damaged by men. Therefore, they do not acknowledge the existence of men.” (Sayuri)

“…What about Yaichi-san…?” (Torimoto)

Sayuri’s eyebrows twitched at the question, but she quickly smiled and said in a gentle tone, “He no longer exists in this world.”

Indifferent.

Apparently, her sense of values towards men had changed completely. It must have been triggered by the slaughter of the Tanaka household, but…

While she had been held captive, she must have seen things she didn’t want to see and experienced far more than she ever deserved.

This person’s heart has been broken…

She had been robbed of her loving husband and children, and she had experienced the cruelness of men when being held captive. I couldn’t blame her for being traumatized.

“Torimoto-san. You can cure her with that miraculous drug, can’t you?” (Sayuri)

“…If you’re asking me whether it’s possible or impossible, I would say that I certainly can.” (Torimoto)

Just how much did she depend on her God? In the first place, there was no God in this world. If there truly was a God that could provide salvation, I wouldn’t have been such a cynical person who hated people so much.

“Then would you please heal her right away?” (Sayuri)

“…And the reward?” (Torimoto)

“Eh?” (Sayuri)

“Can you pay the reward for this request?” (Torimoto)

The believers began to whisper amongst themselves when they heard my words.

The gentle smile on Sayuri’s face crumbled, and she directed a serious look towards me.

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