I Opened an Illegal Animal Hospital in Another World - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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59

 

Medical Chart 4. People Who Come After Hearing Rumors (4)

 

Large green eyes rolled around restlessly. Her stiff cheeks were pale, unlike their usual red color, and her lips were clenched shut in bewilderment.

 

Shana, who had been fidgeting with her fingers as if wanting to run away immediately, eventually couldn’t avoid the Old Man’s piercing gaze to the end and broke into an awkward smile.

 

‘Why is he acting like that…’

 

If there were even a hint of impure emotions mixed in, she would have shouted “There’s a pervert here!” to embarrass and drive him away, but the Old Man’s blue eyes only held the tender longing of someone missing a dead granddaughter.

 

Shana’s heart softened, and she eventually decided to put aside the embarrassment of being called a fairy or angel and focus on manners first. After all, her soul was from the land of Eastern courtesy and Confucian values.

 

“Grandfather… Is there somewhere that hurts?”

 

“What did you say!”

 

“Huh?!”

 

Startled by his sudden shouting, Shana hugged tightly into Maria’s embrace. Maria’s eyes also changed as she became wary of the Old Man before them.

 

Then the Old Man cleared his throat with a few “ahem, ahem” sounds and spoke.

 

“C-could you say that again?”

 

“Say what? About where it hurts…”

 

“Not that, what you said right before that. Hmm?”

 

“…Grandfather?”

 

Shana said cautiously, half-hiding her face behind Maria’s gown collar.

 

‘What’s with this grandfather. He’s having a sudden outburst.’

 

That’s what she was thinking.

 

However, with her clear green eyes filled with moisture, round eye shape, slightly wrinkled nose bridge from making a tearful expression, and cute red lips, she was just a pitiful little girl who was frightened. One could never dream that she was having such insolent thoughts.

 

The Old Man looked at the tearful Shana and made an expression of being crushed by guilt, as if he were dying from distress.

 

“I-I wasn’t trying to scare you. It’s just that those were words I wanted to hear so badly that I…”

 

“…?”

 

“I have a granddaughter too. Though I haven’t seen her face even once in 7 years…”

 

“Ah…”

 

Maria felt the tension in the small body in her arms relax.

 

‘To have her heart softened by just those words, no matter how mature she is, a child is still a child.’

 

Shana was very sympathetic. She liked people and was honestly quite easy to win over – quick to open her heart when someone loved her.

 

Like a young puppy following people’s feet, unable to hide her feelings.

 

Bailey, Ella, and Maria had come to love Shana, but they couldn’t help being amazed by her extraordinariness from time to time.

 

It couldn’t all be explained by simply saying she was clever. It was, so to speak, the difference between someone experienced and someone inexperienced.

 

Her thinking ability, the way she looked at things and people, and her judgment and coping skills in situations she was clearly encountering for the first time.

 

Such things couldn’t simply be expressed as being ‘smart’ or ‘clever.’

 

Even her reaction of seeming uncomfortable when praised for such things, as if the words weren’t quite right and she felt awkward hearing them, seemed like proof that she was hiding something.

 

Feeling unease toward something ‘different’ from themselves was human instinct.

 

It was the wariness that humans, who had no claws, fangs, or thick hide, had honed to avoid being hunted by enemies wearing similar shells.

 

But then, seeing her quickly open her heart and follow people like this, suspicion would disappear and worry would come first.

 

‘How is she going to survive in this harsh world being so trusting!’

 

She never said a word of complaint, let alone resentment, to the parents who raised her practically locked up, never cast suspicious glances at the dubious former mercenary nanny and caretakers, took in a mysterious injured and abandoned Beastmen and raised her as her closest maid…

 

Even knowing she was being used, she ran to the slum where an epidemic was raging for a friend’s sake, easily forgave the Beastmen who kidnapped her, and built a hospital for them. Her devoted care was a bonus.

 

Looking at it all together, one had to wonder if there could really be such a pushover.

 

“Grandfather, by any chance is your granddaughter… No, never mind.”

 

“…She’d be just about your size.”

 

Shana hesitated about how to bring up the topic. Had his granddaughter perhaps died? Even if not, there was surely a heartbreaking story. Judging by his melancholy gaze, it was certain.

 

‘Then I’ll let the angel and fairy comments slide.’

 

He must miss his granddaughter he can never see again, so any child around that age probably looks pretty to him. Shana steeled her heart.

 

“You’re really pretty. Just like I imagined.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“It’s nothing. What’s your name, little miss?”

 

“Shana, it’s Shana.”

 

“I see, Shana. If it’s alright with you, would it be okay if I came to see you sometimes?”

 

“Here?”

 

Was it okay to say she was here? Shana fell into brief contemplation. Her parents had told her to hide her identity, but naturally she couldn’t hide that the Wentworth Family was involved with this hospital. What they told her to hide was the ‘medical practice.’

 

‘Maria was my nanny, and this is a hospital I begged to have built after seeing the terrible conditions in the slum… Coming and going should be fine, right?’

 

It’s fine, right? It should be fine, right?

 

If someone else had heard this, they would have said, “What noble family’s young lady goes in and out of slums like her own home? That would be gossip material too.” But unfortunately, there was no one present to listen to Shana’s inner voice.

 

“That sounds good!”

 

“Then I’ll come tomorrow.”

 

“Ah, Grandfather, I come around 10 in the morning.”

 

“Is that so? You’re diligent. Do you eat breakfast before coming?”

 

“Of course. I eat with Dad and Mom. I don’t really need to eat breakfast, but Dad insists we eat together, saying we might not be able to eat dinner together because of work, so we should at least have breakfast together…”

 

“That’s a good rule.”

 

“Sometimes it’s bothersome though…”

 

Lady Shana, you’re practically going to work there… Maria teared up watching Shana chattering away as she followed behind the rising old man.

 

However, she couldn’t leave the old man and Shana alone together, so she followed them.

 

Lili, who was sitting at the desk, looked at the old man and Shana as if seeing something strange. It was natural she’d find it odd – not only had the hiding Shana come out, but they’d been chatting like old friends for several minutes.

 

‘This terrifying affinity…’

 

Anais had lamented that if only Shana had sufficient magical power, she might have been able to instantly contract with high-ranking spirits. Though truly opening one’s heart would be a different matter.

 

“Are you seeing me off?”

 

“It’s not even far.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Where did you come from, Grandfather?”

 

“I came from far away. You wouldn’t know even if I told you. It’s very far.”

 

“Then aren’t you tired?”

 

Shana’s eyes sparkled. As if telling him to say he was tired.

 

“Hmm? Huh? Yes, I am a bit tired, I suppose.”

 

“Here! We also sell fatigue recovery potions!”

 

Shana shouted proudly as if for all to hear, looking at the old man with expectant eyes. Please say you’ll take it! Take it! Listen to my boasting!

 

The old man looked around. Then he immediately burst into hearty laughter.

 

“Really? Then I must see its effectiveness!”

 

The old man’s voice also grew louder.

 

“Right? Right? You won’t regret it!”

 

Still not noticing the people gathering around, Shana stamped her feet and called Maria.

 

“Maria, let’s give Grandfather a bottle!”

 

The ears of the loitering people perked up. What, was that place a clinic? People who didn’t even know what the building without a sign was for whispered among themselves.

 

“They’re called potions, you need a prescription to buy them! They’re really cheap! Really!”

 

“I’m curious.”

 

Maria now had a “whatever happens, happens” attitude. She took out the potion she had put in her pocket.

 

“Here it is. The usage instructions are written on the memo, so please follow them.”

 

“Oh my, this is really…”

 

So it really was a clinic! The small crystal medicine bottle, only as big as an index finger, reeked of money at first glance. It seemed like you could get money just by selling the bottle alone. Several skilled thieves’ eyes gleamed.

 

Just a young girl and a female healer. And seeing the building without a sign, it was clear they weren’t under any guild’s protection.

 

The Apothecary Guild didn’t try to do business in the slums either. Of course, with criminals and addicts lurking around and no money circulating to buy medicine, anyone opening a shop there would be a fool.

 

Everything would be stolen before they could sell anything.

 

“If you have any discomfort, please feel free to visit us.”

 

“Can’t I come if I don’t have any discomfort?”

 

The old man asked quietly. Maria inwardly wanted to answer “If you want, I’ll break an arm or so for you,” but being conscious of Shana’s gaze, she answered meekly.

 

“Please come even if you don’t. We’ll serve you tea and cookies at least.”

 

At those words, the children murmured. They weren’t even trying to hide anymore. What are they giving? Cookies, they said. Have you tried cookies? I don’t know…

 

Among them were people who recognized Shana’s face.

 

“It’s the Angel!”

 

“I wasn’t seeing things wrong! It really is the Angel! Mom said so…”

 

“Our dad said that too!”

 

“Does that place belong to the Angel?”

 

“Then it’s not dangerous, right?”

 

“…”

 

Shana’s chattering mouth shut tight like a clam.

 

What, I didn’t mishear, did I? The angel-something rumor had spread this far? Why didn’t anyone tell me? Ron and Renate didn’t say anything either. Don’t tell me I was the only one who didn’t know, that the rumor spread everywhere while only I was unaware. Why is everyone so serious? Why are they serious? What is this? Why does everyone know me? Are they trying to tease me? If they’re not teasing, it’s even scarier. Please tell me they’re teasing…

 

‘That’s what it says.’

 

Maria smiled slightly and opened her gown. Shana clung to her legs as if she’d been waiting and covered herself with the gown like a blanket.

 

“Raven… Just you wait… Not even telling me…”

 

It was nice that people liked her. But ‘Angel’ and ‘Fairy’… Just hearing it made goosebumps rise on her spine and made her want to run away.

 

‘Seeing how he teased me about the statue thing, he knew! He knew and left it alone!’

 

In truth, even if he had known, there probably wouldn’t have been anything he could do about it.

 

The old man spoke to Shana, who had turned bright red and was expressing anger in the wrong direction. This time he spoke quietly, as if whispering.

 

“…Would it really be alright for me to come tomorrow?”

 

The old man quietly added that it might get busy.

 

“Nanny, no, I’ll ask Bailey to bake some cookies. Let’s eat them together.”

 

“…I’m already looking forward to it. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

“Yes! Goodbye, Grandfather!”

 

The old man placed his hand on his chest and squeezed his eyes shut. His gesture and expression looked like a gourmet savoring a taste, or perhaps like someone on the verge of shedding tears of emotion.

 

“Grandfather… Grandfather…”

 

“…”

 

Shana pretended not to hear.

 

She waved at the old man’s retreating figure, then became conscious of the gazes gathering on her and looked up at Maria.

 

Maria grinned.

 

“Shall I hold you?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Only at times like this does she act spoiled. Maria smiled so wide her mouth seemed ready to split as she lifted up Shana, who was spreading her arms toward her.

 

Then she adjusted her non-prescription glasses and smiled at the people. She appealed that she was harmless and fragile, inviting the people closer.

 

During the day, and at night too.

 

‘I should call Bailey and Ella. I’ll be able to have fun after such a long time!’

 

After Maria and Shana entered the building.

 

Someone hesitantly emerged from among the murmuring crowd. The gaunt woman hesitated for a long while, then opened the door.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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