The Thawing Forest and the Mysterious Healer
The long, harsh winter finally came to an end, and the forest was beginning to fill with the sounds of melting snow and the signs of new life sprouting everywhere. Around the cabin where Akio and the children lived, the ground timidly peeked out with fresh greenery, and the children, basking in the long-missed warmth of the sun, were playing outside to their hearts' content.
But despite spring's arrival, a small shadow crept into their lives. The youngest, Yume, came down with a high fever and was bedridden. Perhaps it was the toll of the winter, or maybe an unknown illness unique to this world. Akio did his best to care for her using his knowledge from Earth, but her coughing worsened, and her small body seemed to grow weaker with each passing hour.
“Akio-san… Yume… do you think she’ll be alright…?”
Ayane looked up at Akio with a worried expression. Even Miko, who had once learned from an old village herbalist about a certain fever-reducing wild herb, tried to brew a tea from it, but it seemed to do little more than offer false comfort.
“… I’m going to the forest to find something that might help.”
Akio stood up, determination in his eyes. He had no concrete knowledge—but doing nothing was not an option.
“I’m coming too!” Alto spoke up with concern in his voice.
“Alright, but don’t overdo it. We’ll be back before sunset.”
Taking Alto with him, Akio stepped into the forest, its ground muddy from the melting snow. They ventured deeper than they ever had before during firewood gathering or hunting, heading toward a damp valley, hoping to find unfamiliar plants that might hold healing properties.
After several hours of walking, they came upon a mossy rock formation. There, hidden in its shadow, Akio spotted a plant he had never seen before. Its peculiar shape and presence seemed to exude an aura of medicinal potential.
“This is it…!”
Just as Akio cautiously reached for the plant, a voice, clear yet carrying a cold undertone, rang out behind him.
“Don’t touch that, human.”
Startled, Akio turned to see a woman standing quietly behind them. She had long, pointed ears, deep green eyes like the forest itself, and simple but functional clothing woven from leaves and vines. She was unmistakably an elf—the legendary race Akio had only known from Earth’s stories.
The elven woman’s sharp gaze fixed on Akio and Alto, her hand subtly resting on the pouch at her waist, her wariness clear.
“… I’m sorry. My little sister is burning with fever. I was looking for something—anything—that might help.”
Akio raised his hands to show he meant no harm and explained their situation honestly. Alto stood beside him, nodding desperately.
The elf—Sylvia—silently observed them for a moment before letting out a sharp huff.
“You humans bring ruin to the forest. The spirits are angry. A sickness or two is your own doing.”
Her words were harsh, but Akio didn’t back down.
“Please… won’t you help? I’ll do anything. Just, please… save her.”
Sylvia stared intently into Akio’s eyes, then let out a small sigh.
“… You don’t carry the same stench of greed the other humans do. And the child’s eyes… they don’t look like they’re lying.”
With that, she glanced at the plant Akio had found and curtly said, “That one’s no good. It’s not something you can handle.” She pointed instead to a seemingly ordinary patch of grass nearby.
“Dig up the roots of that grass. Wash them thoroughly, grind them with a stone mortar, squeeze out the juice, dilute it with water, and have her drink it. About three fingers’ worth for a child. No more than that—her life depends on it.”
With those words, Sylvia turned on her heel, disappearing into the forest as if melting into the trees.
“Wait! What’s your name…?!”
Akio called after her, but she didn’t look back. She only replied, “… Sylvia,” before vanishing into the woods.
Akio and Alto carefully dug up the roots as instructed and rushed back to the cabin. Half in doubt but desperate, they worked with Ayane to prepare the medicine and had Yume drink it little by little.
Hours passed. Yume’s labored breathing gradually eased, and the sweat on her forehead seemed to lessen. Her fever, too, felt as though it was finally subsiding.
“Akio-san… thank you…”
Ayane, her eyes brimming with tears, whispered her gratitude. Akio, still wary of letting his guard down too soon, nevertheless couldn’t help but think of the elf healer who had vanished into the forest.
Who was she? Why had she chosen to help? And what was hidden behind that cold demeanor?
As he quietly watched over Yume’s small sleeping face, Akio had a strong feeling that this new encounter in this other world would bring about a great change in their lives.
What do you think about this chapter?
