CH-103

103 I Don't Need Your Gratitude

It was a tense standoff, the atmosphere on the verge of erupting.

But Claude's stern rebuke—"You are too presumptuous"—struck a strange nerve with pinpoint accuracy. Shu Yue's mind suddenly short-circuited, and a classic line from Consort Hua flashed unbidden in his head—

"If I haven't been allowed to be presumptuous before, I've already been presumptuous many times. What's one more time?"

It fit the situation so perfectly, as if tailor-made for this very moment!

For a split second, Shu Yue nearly lost his composure. He quickly took half a step back, putting some distance between them to prevent himself from bursting into laughter.

Shu Yue clenched his fist tightly, the corners of his mouth stiffening as he forced himself to maintain a cold expression and the tense emotion from before. "When words don't get along, half a sentence is too much."

He paused, continuing to feign calm. "I've said my piece."

His tone hardened. "If you won't listen, then just consider this a special trip I made to scold you. I'm leaving."

Claude: "..."

Without giving him a chance to respond, Shu Yue promptly turned on his heel and left the scene, patting his chest as he walked. After a few steps, he couldn't help but find himself utterly ridiculous. How could his mind have wandered like that in such a serious moment?

He had initially planned to go up to the deck for some fresh air, hoping the breeze would clear the jumble of thoughts from his head. But from a distance, he saw the deck was crowded with people. Realizing he couldn't just ignore them—he'd have to greet everyone, make small talk, and someone might even try to chat with him—Shu Yue abandoned the idea.

He had only taken a few steps when he saw Leighton approaching with two familiar faces. He instinctively wanted to hide behind a pillar, but Father Leighton had already spotted him and waved in his direction.

"Bishop Alis."

Leighton still couldn't quite figure out Shu Yue's specific temperament.

Sometimes, in public, Shu Yue was poised and eloquent, handling acquaintances and strangers alike with ease and composure. Yet in private, even when meeting familiar people—as long as they weren't children—he behaved like a shy cat, wanting to hide himself away. It took coaxing and pulling to fish him out of his shell.

Initially, when they weren't familiar with him, people didn't know how to handle this behavior.

Later, after getting to know him, the deacons and nuns had grown accustomed to it. Often, they would deliberately pretend not to see him and happily let him slip away. But sometimes, when the mood struck, the church folk would chase after their bishop.

In the corridor, Shu Yue's first instinct was to dodge.

Normally, Leighton would have pretended not to notice, waiting until the bishop let his guard down before glancing back casually with a smile, letting it pass.

But this time was different.

He had brought two old acquaintances—Father Jekyll from Sidan City and Dr. Phillips—and both were eager to meet Bishop Alis.

Thus, he naturally didn't stand by. He quickened his pace forward, and upon meeting Shu Yue's eyes again, gently took his arm and drew him out.

"Bishop Alis," Leighton said with a smile, introducing them. "This is Jekyll. And this is Dr. Phillips from Sidan City."

Shu Yue nodded, his voice low but clear. "We met a few years ago, during the bishop selection." Though he only remembered the names, not the faces.

Father Jekyll, however, seemed quite familiar with Shu Yue, his eyes shining as he looked at him.

Shu Yue couldn't help but feel a flicker of confusion. "..."

Father Leighton explained from the side, "Whenever I go back each year, I talk about you with Jekyll."

Shu Yue insisted that all clergy take vacations.

Unused leave could be saved temporarily, but if a full year passed without taking any, it would be completely forfeited. So every year, before the Harvest Festival, Administrator Sister Rita would urge the deacons and nuns to use their leave quickly to avoid wasting it.

Unlike other dioceses that strictly limited clergy departures, the Savoy Diocese was relatively lenient. Many deacons who had come from afar had the habit of saving leave to visit family. Leighton, for his part, returned to Sidan City every year during the diocese's quieter periods to see his relatives.

"If Sidan City didn't still need hands," Leighton added with a smile, "Jekyll would actually like to come to our diocese for further training, to learn different pastoral approaches."

Hearing this, Shu Yue understood that Leighton and Jekyll were close confidants. Naturally, he warmed up considerably, shedding the formal pleasantries.

He spoke frankly, "The Savoy Diocese always welcomes visiting clergy for training. We can issue invitation letters here. The duration doesn't matter—three days, a week, a month, or even a year. However, we do have many rules here that differ from other dioceses. If you encounter any issues, feel free to ask Leighton anytime, or come to me directly."

Essentially, he was saying Jekyll needn't worry about imposing on the Savoy Diocese; he should just seek out Leighton. And if an official reason was needed, they could readily provide documentation to facilitate it.

Father Jekyll's eyes lit up at this, and he agreed without hesitation.

Exchanging a glance with Leighton, both men's faces bloomed with smiles.

Dr. Phillips, standing nearby, had been watching the interaction among the three. Only when Shu Yue's gaze returned to him did he speak. "I've always been very interested in the Savoy Diocese's medical system. I've heard that in the past two years, Savoy's medical ranking in the Northern Territory has been first, especially with that microscope capable of observing cells. I've long wanted to see it with my own eyes."

Shu Yue didn't hoard his knowledge. "Tomorrow, all our medical personnel will be gathered. I'll have someone teach you how to use it. Operating it isn't complicated, though the optical technology involved does have a certain threshold. Not many people can use it well, so it's difficult to popularize."

In fact, the barrier to using a microscope effectively was high; otherwise, it wouldn't have fallen into obscurity again after Leeuwenhoek's time, neglected until the modern era when it revived.

Dr. Phillips had long heard that the Bishop of Savoy rarely kept secrets, but he hadn't expected him to be so generous as to actively teach everyone.

"Bishop Alis, perhaps I'm speaking out of turn. But I think, among the doctors accompanying this expedition, not everyone is genuinely willing to use this knowledge to save lives. Many who learn this knowledge and skill will likely hoard it for personal gain, using it to generate wealth. There's no need to reveal everything completely."

His tone wasn't harsh, but his words were sensible—stating facts and also reminding Shu Yue to guard against those with ill intentions.

Shu Yue had understood this principle since becoming bishop and taking over the Savoy Diocese.

As the saying goes, "All under heaven hustle for profit; all under heaven bustle for gain." Without benefit, no one is willing to act.

Shu Yue believed in the goodness within human nature, but he believed even more firmly in its weaknesses.

A single microscope could motivate dozens of doctors with specialized knowledge to venture into the perilous Loka Diocese alongside them.

For them, it wasn't a loss; it was a tremendous gain.

"One more doctor might mean ten more lives saved," Shu Yue said, his tone gentle but steady and clear. "I don't question their motives; I only look at the results they deliver. I believe the judgment of good and evil is not in my hands; the Lord God will decide."

Dr. Phillips paused briefly upon hearing this, then nodded. "Bishop Alis is right. No matter how many reasons there are to save people, a doctor should never forget the most fundamental task."

After saying this, Dr. Phillips smiled lightly. "I've learned much from Bishop Alis, both this time and the last."

Years ago, during that scandal, Sister Rita had been suspected of murdering a bishop, and Dr. Phillips had been called to testify.

"He did indeed bleed Bishop Whitmore that night."

After the trial concluded, Shu Yue had asked him privately, "What do you usually do with leeches after they've fed?"

Dr. Phillips, well-prepared for this line of questioning, answered promptly, "Though leeches are expensive, when the patient is a bishop, we always dispose of blood-engorged leeches as waste."

At the time, Shu Yue had looked steadily into his eyes, his voice soft but each word distinct. "That's good. I was worried you might reuse the leeches. After all, you had also bled sailors afflicted with the sea plague. If you used the same batch of leeches, even if they can digest harmful blood, cross-infection could still occur. That would be troublesome."

In that instant, Dr. Phillips remembered his eyelid twitching, his fingers stirring slightly. But quickly, he regained his composure, because he knew no one could find evidence.

He had said "Understood," as usual.

That day, they had exchanged no further words.

Yet Dr. Phillips had retained an almost instinctive intuition ever since.

Shu Yue knew what he had done; he simply hadn't exposed it.

Over the years, he had constantly heard tales of the Savoy Bishop's saintly virtue. He wondered: if the man was truly righteous and compassionate to the core, why hadn't he pursued that matter to the end? But if he hadn't sensed anything, what did that look in his eyes mean?

Dr. Phillips wanted to ask but feared incriminating himself.

Now, meeting the Bishop of Savoy in person and speaking again, Dr. Phillips felt the man was even more enigmatic than he'd imagined—powerful yet without sharp edges, possessing a disconcerting clarity within his compassion, and yet unimaginably young.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this that both Bishop Raines and Bishop Holm valued him so highly, pinning the entire Church's hopes on him.

...

Shu Yue knew Phillips had something on his mind but didn't wish to engage.

He remembered Phillips as a man of deep cunning, meticulous and leaving no loose ends. Dealing with someone like that, he wasn't willing to reveal everything either, so he kept his words brief.

But there was no need to show this reluctance.

After the social interaction ended, Shu Yue felt his social battery was down to three percent.

The moment he opened the cabin door, he saw Finnian already stripped down to his undershirt, sprawled on his bed, using Naxi as a pillow.

Naxi, bullied into submission by Finnian, only whimpered a few times upon seeing Shu Yue return.

Hearing Naxi's cries, Finnian turned his head, met Shu Yue's eyes, then promptly closed his own, feigning sleep.

Shu Yue was both amused and exasperated. He glanced around. "Where's Lesley?"

"In the washroom bathing."

Finnian propped himself up on one elbow and sat up.

Seizing the opportunity, Naxi slipped off the bed.

Finnian, quick-eyed and swift, snatched Naxi back and held him. "It's his own fault for not washing with us earlier. He had to be all aloof, acting like some noble young master, fussing over nothing. With his hair all wet, how long will it take to dry before he can sleep?"

Shu Yue could understand Lesley's embarrassment; not everyone was comfortable with communal bathing culture.

Finnian then turned back to Shu Yue, chattering away, "You have no idea how much I've had to look after him this whole trip. He's so clumsy. Do you know how tired I am?"

Knowing Finnian just wanted praise and recognition, Shu Yue sat down beside him and gently rescued Naxi. "Yes, Finnian is truly amazing."

Finnian loved hearing that. "See, you can't do without me, can you?"

"Absolutely. What would Lesley and I do without you?"

Finnian smiled.

Before the smile could fully fade, Shu Yue asked, "But with you running off like this, what about Mr. Bhandari and the others?"

"My dad caught me right as I jumped onto the wagon." Finnian patted his belly. "He took one look at me and closed his eyes, basically giving his tacit approval."

Imagining that scene, Shu Yue couldn't help but laugh. "It's a good thing your sister is well-behaved, unlike her brother."

"But I'm well-behaved too!" Finnian wouldn't accept such slander. "Haven't I always handled things perfectly? When have I ever caused you trouble?"

Shu Yue smiled, then responded seriously, "Thinking about it now, having you here really does allow me to accomplish much more. Truthfully, I wasn't entirely confident about coming out of this mission unscathed. But with you here, things will indeed be much more convenient."

Finnian's expression turned earnest. "Let me be honest with you. The reason I came here isn't to support you."

Shu Yue was momentarily speechless. So direct.

Finnian spoke with heartfelt sincerity, afraid Shu Yue wouldn't listen. He sat up straight and said earnestly, "I'm here on behalf of everyone else to make sure nothing happens to you."

He paused, then added, "Even if everyone else dies, I will ensure your safety. So if you're thinking of sending me away to save others, it's not going to happen."

"..."

Shu Yue knew Finnian was too clever. He didn't need to say anything for Finnian to know his thoughts.

But before he could reply, the washroom door slid open, and Lesley's voice emerged.

"I can be responsible for protecting Bishop Alis. You're perfectly free to tend to others."

Finnian hated how Lesley always undermined him.

As if anyone didn't know Lesley had healing abilities?

Finnian immediately buried himself against Shu Yue's chest. "Alis, he looks down on me. He thinks I'm not capable of protecting you. He's gone too far. My pride is deeply wounded."

Lesley watched Finnian's theatrics coldly. "Bishop Alis, if you have plans, you can be clear with him. Don't be fooled by his words now."

"I was thinking Finnian could be responsible for staying on the ship to guard the supplies. Maybe, if needed, Finnian could also go to other cities to restock."

Hearing this, Finnian glared at Lesley.

Lesley, eyes downcast, said to Finnian, "Makes perfect sense. You're thorough and good at dealing with people. Your father runs a trading company now, so you must have plenty of experience. Logistics and supply preparation truly suit you perfectly."

Every word was praise; every sentence was a stab to the heart.

Shu Yue added, "And then, I'll have Lesley protect you."

Lesley's relaxed expression instantly vanished. "..."

Finnian wanted to mock Lesley but could also see that Shu Yue still intended to keep them both safe in the rear. He wasn't pleased. "I don't need anyone's protection."

Over the years, driven by Shu Yue's strict demands for instrument precision, Finnian's abilities had grown increasingly refined.

Within the range of his consciousness, he could simultaneously manipulate over a thousand components—metal, glass, spools, copper wire, even dust particles suspended in the air.

He could assemble them at will and easily control temperatures.

With a single thought, they would all return to their places.

Finnian had dreamed he could kill with folded paper.

In an unfamiliar noble manor, flames raged, fire swirling through corridors and rafters.

With a flick of his finger, paper flew like blades, piercing armor and shattering bone. Armored knights were like soft sand and rotten mud before him, utterly defenseless.

In the dream, the firelight illuminated his calm yet unfamiliar face. It felt so real, as if it might shine into reality the very next second.

And he knew that his current self was even more precise, even more lethal, than that older self in the dream.

But this part, he didn't need to tell Shu Yue.

"..."

Knowing he couldn't persuade Shu Yue for now, Finnian changed tack. "Let's think it over more carefully, Bishop Alis."

He paused, then coaxed, "Think about it. If you only look after us, others might think you're playing favorites. Besides, your current plan makes it seem like you don't trust other people's abilities. And anyway, we're not children anymore."

"This ship will be sailing for a month. The most prudent approach is to first understand the capabilities of everyone on board, then assign roles accordingly. Knowing your people and using them well prevents mistakes."

Shu Yue found himself at a loss for words against Finnian's arguments.

Lesley stood quietly to the side, watching Finnian effortlessly dismantle Shu Yue's resolve once again. "..."

He usually took this for granted. Even when planning this trip, the first person he'd sought out was Finnian, because he knew Finnian could surely change Shu Yue's mind.

Yet sometimes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss or bitterness regarding these obvious facts.

Because he realized he could never match Finnian, and he even found himself asking, "What am I even doing here?"

Just then, a drop of water slid from his damp hair and landed squarely on the back of his hand. The cool sensation felt like a strike against his sensitive, fragile heart.

He clenched his fist involuntarily, suppressing the emotion rising within him. He murmured, "I... I'll go outside to dry my hair."

Shu Yue saw his listlessness and assumed it was still about Claude. But seeing Lesley so dejected for so long was rare. After a moment's thought, Shu Yue wanted to gently guide him.

He walked over to the shelf, picked up a dry towel, and offered it. "I just came back from outside. The wind is strong. Why not stay here and dry off?"

As he handed over the towel, Shu Yue got straight to the point. "I know something's on your mind. You can tell me anytime."

"I'm an adult. I can handle it myself."

The moment the words left his mouth, Lesley regretted them.

His tone had been too harsh, and he couldn't find the words to remedy it immediately.

He pressed his lips together, took the dry towel, but didn't agree to stay. He walked straight out of the cabin, leaving Shu Yue and Finnian looking at each other.

The room was quiet for a long moment.

Shu Yue sighed first. "The Duke's attitude towards him just now was terrible."

Finnian, naturally, had also recognized the Duke.

During dinner earlier, Finnian had noticed the shift in Lesley's mood. Now he understood his reaction. "None of the three brothers in that family like the Duke. Now having to deal with him every day for a month—it's truly awful. And what he said during that sailing ceremony was really harsh."

Shu Yue said, a little helplessly, "I even spoke to the Duke specifically on Lesley's behalf just now. But he was completely unreceptive, utterly unreasonable."

Finnian paused. "...Lesley is actually very proud. Even if it's someone he dislikes, because that person is his father, a single word can affect him for a long time."

Shu Yue sighed. "Let's just be extra accommodating to him lately."

Finnian nodded and offered proactively, "Mm. Tonight, let him sleep in the big bed. I'll take the sofa. Once he's feeling better, it'll be my turn for the bed."

"Thank you, Finnian."

Before Lesley returned, Finnian flopped back onto the big bed, stretching out luxuriously before sitting up again. "When it comes down to it, Lesley was born even later than me, so technically he's my younger brother. Looking after him a bit is only right. Bishop Alis, do you know about Lesley's mother?"

"I've heard."

Shu Yue's voice was gentle.

Because Odora's existence was a sensitive topic, and Shu Yue already knew the original novel's setup, he had no curiosity to probe further.

For a long time, Shu Yue had never specifically asked about anything concerning Odora.

Finnian seemed to ponder for a while before speaking slowly. "I spent some time wondering why Lesley trusts you so much and listens to you so well. Then one day, my dad told me that your personality resembles Lesley's mother in some ways."

Shu Yue had just been called "father" by Lesley, and now Finnian was telling him he was like Lesley's mother. He couldn't help but smile wryly. "Alright then. I'll take extra care of him."

"Be proactive about it."

Finnian felt Shu Yue's agreement was a bit perfunctory.

When Shu Yue was attentive, he was indeed very considerate.

But Shu Yue could also be incredibly oblivious. If people didn't speak up, he often wouldn't notice things on his own.

So, Finnian added a reminder. "You have no idea how he's always watching, waiting for you to notice him."

Shu Yue was taken aback, puzzled. "When has that happened?"

Finnian was stumped by the question, realizing he'd let something slip. He quickly glossed over it, changing his tone. "It's always been happening. I just never mentioned it."

Seeing Finnian's stubborn expression, Shu Yue said, "Finnian, you're really good to Lesley."

"Good? How so?"

Finnian didn't get it. "I don't even like him."

"But you see he's upset, and you're thinking of him in every way."

Finnian retorted righteously, "That's obviously because I'm kind-hearted!"

Shu Yue looked at his earnest face and smiled even more deeply.

*

The night wind gusted across the deck.

The sea was dark and choppy, offering no scenic beauty to admire.

Days like this would continue for over thirty more.

Head lowered, Lesley walked to a corner of the deck and leaned against the railing, letting the sea breeze dry the water droplets dripping from his hair.

He desperately wanted to tell himself not to care, and he knew Shu Yue wouldn't blame him, yet a stifling emotion clogged his chest. It clung to him like wet hair plastered to his nape, a chilling discomfort.

So what if he couldn't compare to Finnian?

At least he could follow in Finnian's footsteps, just to make Alis glance his way once more.

But he was already inferior to Finnian in every aspect. Now, deliberately vying for attention because of his own inadequacies only highlighted his pettiness of spirit, making him seem even more despicable than he'd imagined.

Lesley unconsciously brushed the damp bangs from his forehead, waiting silently for his heartbeat to calm.

He didn't know how much time passed before he finally returned to the cabin, intending to tell them he'd move to another room. But he found Alis sitting by the chair, flipping through a book, while Finnian and Naxi, exhausted from travel and full from dinner, were curled up asleep on the sofa.

Suddenly, Lesley didn't know what to say. "..."

Alis was also visibly tired. Seeing him return, he lowered his voice. "Are you sleepy? I wanted to go to bed earlier, but I didn't know if you preferred sleeping on the outside or the inside, so I waited for you."

Lesley felt the rush of blood pounding in his ears. His throat was dry. "...Either is fine."

"Then you sleep on the inside."

So, Lesley stiffly climbed onto the bed, moving with awkward, mismatched limbs. Once lying down, his shoulder pressed tightly against the wall. Only when Alis lifted the covers did the soft edge of the blanket shift.

And the strands of Alis's hair, falling forward, swayed gently in the lamplight. Light and shadow intertwined, dancing unsteadily before settling near Lesley's chest.

In that instant, he felt as if he'd been scalded, yet simultaneously drenched in ice water.

His body heated up, but his fingertips remained icy cold.

"Is this your first time sharing a bed with someone?" Alis's voice was right by his ear, like a gentle breeze, yet it inexplicably frightened Lesley.

But he couldn't tell if he was afraid of getting close to Alis, or afraid that after Alis got close to him, he would discover Lesley's countless unbearable flaws and then quietly, imperceptibly, keep his distance.

All the past criticisms from Kavin and Shemoth that he usually tried to ignore began swirling in his mind, one by one.

"I..."

Alis, ever considerate, said, "If you're not used to it, I can go sleep somewhere else. Don't force yourself." As he spoke these calm words, he began to sit up.

Instinctively, Lesley grabbed Alis's arm, hastily and urgently. "I'm not forcing myself... I'm just... not quite used to it yet." As he spoke, he buried half his face in the covers.

"I just need a moment to bear it."

Alis said nothing more, merely dimming the oil lamp slightly until the flame shrank into a soft, warm point of light.

Alis said, "I like to sleep with a light on. You don't mind, do you?"

Lesley whispered, "It's fine."

Just as the words faded, Alis continued in a breathy whisper, "Lesley, I have never treated you like a child."

Lesley looked at Alis again, listening as the person beside him spoke. "I care about you not because I think you're a child who can't look after himself, but because you are one of the few people I especially care about. I haven't had many people close to me before, so I may lack a sense of proper boundaries and distance."

The words "care" and "close" suddenly felt like a branding iron searing Lesley's chest.

His eyes grew hot, as if someone had suddenly thrust a burning ember into his hands—something he couldn't possibly hold, yet knowing it could warm him, he was utterly unwilling to let go.

He couldn't help but turn on his side to look at Alis, his vision blurring repeatedly with sudden, unexpected tears.

He didn't know where this emotion came from. He had heard countless similar words before, including many letters from girls at the academy saying they cared about him, wanting to understand his pain, and so on.

Lesley had always found such pitying words laughable and trite. Yet now, just hearing Alis speak them, he felt an intense burning sensation, as if his heart were being crushed and kneaded.

And Alis said softly, "Let's not grow distant because of my awkwardness and lack of tact in dealing with people, alright?"

Lesley wanted to answer, but felt as if his throat was clamped shut. He knew if he made a sound, it would be pitiful. So he just nodded.

Perhaps sensing Lesley's emotional state, Alis, protecting his pride, never once turned his head or looked sideways at him. But after finishing, he gently patted Lesley's arm.

Then, Alis added, "Although I don't know if you've realized it, I still want to say: you are an outstanding person. There are many people around you who care about you, many who like you. So don't let the poor or dark attitudes of others make you easily deny yourself."

Lesley nodded again, forcefully, as if trying hard to reciprocate that tenderness.

"You will certainly receive a response from the person you like as well."

After offering this encouragement, Alis caught a glimpse of Lesley's mood settling somewhat from the corner of his eye. He asked, "Want a hug?"

"You know, hugs can make people feel better."

But the words had barely left his lips when Alis had already turned over. His long arm reached across, wrapping around Lesley's shoulders.

Warmth radiated from the proximity of their bodies, slowly enveloping him.

The initial tension in Lesley's body gradually eased and relaxed over time. His hand crept tentatively in response, brushing against Alis's waist beneath the covers, attempting to return the embrace.

However, Alis was ticklish. He quickly moved Lesley's hand to his back and patted Lesley's back himself. "You must be exhausted today. Go to sleep now. There's much to do tomorrow."

Lesley gazed at Alis's face. His head slowly lowered, nestling against Alis's shoulder and neck, and his eyes gently closed.

He had never known that a person's heart could truly quiet down, simply from being held tightly.

*

Shu Yue couldn't quite articulate how he felt about initiating a hug.

Scientifically, hugs are proven to boost the immune system, improve sleep quality, and alleviate mental anxiety.

However, his own upbringing hadn't included hugging. Especially as a male, after childhood ended, he had essentially no physical contact with others. Moreover, with his mild social anxiety, any physical contact easily made him feel awkward and uncomfortable.

He remembered at his high school graduation, an unfamiliar junior student had hugged him for a full ten seconds as he left campus.

It wasn't just uncomfortable; he had felt a sense of panic. He couldn't calm down for the entire day, feeling incredibly restless.

At the time, he'd thought he should have just pushed the kid away.

Yet, to help Lesley feel better, Shu Yue mustered his courage and hugged him.

Truthfully, he wasn't as composed as he might have seemed. He even felt a bit of reluctance. But because Lesley was even more nervous than he was, Shu Yue kept psyching himself up.

Fortunately, Lesley not only didn't show aversion or rejection, but even nestled against him like a child and fell asleep.

This positive feedback eased much of Shu Yue's own tension. He even had the composure to catch the scent of soap from Lesley's freshly washed hair.

Though, making this small observation made him feel vaguely like a creep.

So Shu Yue closed his eyes again.

Time to sleep.

There was much to do tomorrow.

His primary focus was still producing a plague serum.

After all, streptomycin wasn't so easy to manufacture.

Next was epidemic control.

In fact, ancient China had experience in managing the plague. While they hadn't eradicated it, they had achieved effective control.

Fundamentally, rat extermination was the first step.

The 1666 Great Fire of London inadvertently burned down rat nests, which controlled the plague there.

And then there was...

As Shu Yue mulled things over, his consciousness gradually blurred, lulled by Lesley's steady breathing.

The next time he opened his eyes, Shu Yue felt a forceful shove against his back.

He stumbled forward two steps, unsteady, before catching himself.

The moment his eyes opened from the darkness, sunlight roared through his vision like a relentless inferno.

Shu Yue instinctively frowned and blinked. When his sight focused again, he realized he was moving forward with a group of youths dressed in coarse cloth, heading towards an unknown destination.

The sun blazed fiercely overhead.

Suddenly, a youth ahead of him, covered in injuries, collapsed onto the ground.

No one reacted. The crowd just continued trudging forward numbly.

They were at the very back of the column. The main group moved farther and farther away like a procession of wandering souls.

When Shu Yue looked up again, he saw a mounted rider notice the commotion at the rear. The rider urged his horse forward, whip in hand, his gaze seeming to fix on Shu Yue, or perhaps on the person on the ground.

Sensing trouble, Shu Yue quickly helped the fallen youth up, slung one of the boy's arms over his own shoulder, and hoisted him onto his back. He then rejoined the column, trudging step by step.

The rider reined in his horse a few meters away, observed Shu Yue's direction for a moment, then wheeled around and returned to his original position.

Thankfully, he wasn't the type who enjoyed roughing people up.

Shu Yue felt a flicker of relief.

The youth on his back spoke, his voice faint and ethereal. "...Didn't need you meddling... I can't walk anymore. Might as well be beaten to death."

"I didn't want to meddle either. You just happened to be right in front of me. Next time, collapse further away from me, and I definitely won't bother with you."

He meant it.

Shu Yue's kindness didn't stretch far enough to circle the globe; it only extended about a meter in front of him.

It wasn't particularly noble or vast.

The youth couldn't be bothered to argue. His breath was scorching hot, clearly running a high fever. He soon lost consciousness.

Shu Yue looked up at the sky, wondering why he was having such a dream.

But it felt too real.

The sun beat down relentlessly, and the road stretched long and endless.

Fortunately, the next rest stop came half an hour later. They halted by a riverbank. Everyone could drink water. Shu Yue also spotted a patch of wild dandelions nearby.

Although he hadn't studied herbalism in university, his time spent with scholars in the Savoy Diocese had equipped him with some basic knowledge, enough for wilderness survival.

Crushing fresh dandelion leaves into juice could help clear heat and detoxify, useful for reducing fever.

Shu Yue worked quickly, preparing the juice. Just as he was about to give it to the unconscious youth, the rider from before approached. He glanced at Shu Yue curiously. "So you know medicine?"

"A bit of the basics."

The rider said nothing more, merely giving Shu Yue a deep, searching look before walking away.

Shu Yue continued administering the dandelion juice to the boy. Afraid he might spit it out, he used clean water to help wash it down the boy's throat and fanned him gently.

The other youths nearby watched Shu Yue with a flicker of curiosity. They hesitated for a long moment but ultimately decided not to speak to him.

It was Shu Yue who, after sitting for a while, began looking around for someone to help carry the unconscious youth.

Naturally, none of the youths wanted to shoulder another person's weight during such an arduous trek on foot. They all tried their best to avoid Shu Yue's gaze. But Shu Yue deliberately chose those who seemed strong and approachable. "This fellow traveler has a high fever and can't walk for now. Could you help carry him for a stretch?"

The youths either continued drinking water and resting with expressionless faces, pretended not to hear, or shook their heads in refusal—offering at least that small acknowledgment.

But Shu Yue didn't get discouraged. He moved on to another person to ask. After facing rejection seven or eight times, he finally found someone willing to help him carry the unconscious boy.

"Thank you," Shu Yue said gratefully.

The light-eyed youth waved off the thanks. "I'm not the one who should be thanked. It's him on the ground. But honestly, I don't need gratitude from someone who can't even walk properly and has to be driven by whips. I'm helping you purely because I hope that if I ever need help, you'll step up for me the way you did for him today. That's enough."

"...What kind of help might you need?" Shu Yue asked, instinctively testing whether the request fell within his capabilities.

The light-eyed youth glanced at the sky, then at the column. He said quietly, "The Lord of the Duchy of Sermon claims he wants to adopt a son and train an heir, which is why they've gathered children of suitable age. But if that were truly the case, why were we first transported out by wagon, only to be forced to march on foot now? And why do they allow the riders to beat us with sticks?"

Shu Yue saw no need to fuel panic. He simply asked, "Are there no nobles among the selected youths?"

But that question alone was enough for the light-eyed youth to confirm Shu Yue as the cooperative target he sought—kind-hearted but not naive, neither overly timid nor weak, more reliable than most children his age, possessing some genuine skill, and quick-witted.

He decisively extended an olive branch towards Shu Yue. "I'm Kael. And you?"