Chapter 101: Chapter 101: The Birth of a Child
Chapter 101: The Birth of a Child
In the Joewood district, at 18 Louis Street, stood a row house with walls weathered and slightly blackened by time.
cheft Reed was squatting at the door, head bowed, smoking sullenly. The ground was littered with seven or eight cigarette butts smoked only halfway.
It was only when the number of cigarette butts on the ground reached a dozen that a slight noise came from inside the room.
cheft Reed immediately snuffed out the newly lit cigarette, stood up, wiped his hands on the sides of his clothes, and then looked towards the doctor emerging from the door.
Suppressing his anxiety, he asked in as calm a voice as he could muster, "Dr. Lord, how is my wife doing?"
Dr. Lord closed the door, shook his head slightly, and sighed, "The baby's situation inside the womb is not optimistic. We must go to the hospital for surgery as soon as possible. It's up to you to make a choice in this situation."
cheft Reed felt dizzy, his throat dry as he asked, "What choice?"
"Save the child or save your wife."
"…"
Sheriff Reed's face turned pale, his lips quivered, and after a long thought, he finally said, "Is there no other way?"
"This is just the best-case scenario. Given your wife's current condition, it's possible we can't save either."
"…"
Sheriff Reed's face grew even paler, wanting to say much, but only managed to say, "I will discuss it with my wife."
"Make a decision quickly, don't delay the surgery."
"Okay, thank you, Dr. Lord."
cheft Reed tried to squeeze a smile, "And thank Baron Campbell for his kindness."
"I will."
Dr. Lord did not stay long, leaving some medicine behind before departing.
cheft Reed looked at the closed door, wanting to step forward but feeling as if there were a thousand pounds weighing him down.
He leaned against the wall by the door, his body collapsing weakly, disregarding his image as he sat on the ground.
After a long while, he spat, cursed a few dirty words fiercely, rubbed his cheeks and the corners of his eyes with both hands, then got up, straightened his clothes, and slowly opened the door and walked in.
…
In the living room, sitting on the sofa, Hastur asked after hearing Dr. Lord's description, "Isn't there any other way to treat her?"
"It's difficult. With the current level of medical science, it would take great luck to save even one of them."
"If luck is sufficient, can both lives be saved?"
"The probability is very low, unless it's truly a blessing from the Mother Goddess."
"I believe the Mother Goddess will not stand by and watch the demise of any new life."
"Do you also believe in the Mother Goddess, my lord?"
"No, my faith is in the Goddess."
Disappointed, Dr. Lord left.
"We need enough luck."
Hastur pondered whether to help, after all, he had already sent a doctor to assist, it wouldn't do to give up halfway.
Luck, in fact, was simple to come by, borrowing some from Will would suffice, but that would trouble a Sequence 1 Mercury Serpent… it seemed too far-fetched.
Better to ask Grellan about his recent achievements, perhaps he had some medicine that could help.
He could also go to Sheriff Reed's house and establish a related rule.
That way, he would have done his part.
Just right, he also wanted to ask Grellan about the research on mosquito repellent powder.
At Grellan's house.
To study medicine, Grellan had specially built a basement in the backyard of his house.
As he said, studying medicine only felt right underground, to have that mysterious atmosphere.
When Hastur entered the basement, Grellan was still fiddling with his bottles and jars, occasionally worrying about the medicine in the crucible, busy as a spinning top.
Standing behind, Hastur watched silently for a while, waiting for Grellan to stop his work before speaking, "Grellan, what good things have you researched recently?"
"Hastur, you're here, wait a moment, let me adjust this."
Grellan, without lifting his head, continued to fiddle with the equipment. After about ten minutes, he finally ended today's experiment.
After washing his hands and face, he said cheerfully, "Hastur, I've been feeling much better mentally lately, as if I've broken through some kind of bottleneck. Do you think I've completely digested the Pharmacist's potion?"
"You should know better than I do."
"Then it's completely digested. I've experienced the feeling you described."
Hastur smiled and said, "Congratulations, you're ready to advance to Sequence 8."
Grellan was equally delighted, waving his arms, "I've gathered all the extraordinary materials for Sequence 8 Beast Tamer. After I rest for a few days, I'm ready to try to advance." Hastur congratulated him.
Grellan's speed was not in vain, as Hastur occasionally gave him a boost.
"By the way, Hastur, what brings you here today?"
After the joy, Grellan inquired about Hastur's visit.
"It's about the mosquito repellent powder business and a medical accident."
"The ingredients for the mosquito repellent powder are simple, and I've added some fragrance as you suggested. We can start production as soon as we gather the workers."
Grellan then handed over the improved mosquito repellent powder formula to Hastur and asked about Sheriff Reed's wife's situation.
After hearing Hastur's introduction, he frowned slightly, "Using one's extraordinary abilities to help others… Hastur, I suddenly feel the greatness of life."
Hastur said meaningfully, "Perhaps this is your extraordinary path."
The pinnacle of the Pharmacist's path, the Blood Queen Lilith, is the Mother Earth Goddess.
It's normal to be influenced by this extraordinary path.
"Maybe it's just my illusion, I don't have that much time to help others."
Grellan gave himself an acceptable reason.
"I happen to have a medicine that can regulate physical deficiency… cough… it's an accidental product, you understand."
Grellan looked embarrassed, and to avoid misunderstanding, he quickly explained, "I'm in good health, no problems at all, I'm just purely interested in this area."
"Grellan, I've always trusted you."
Trusted that you are indeed physically deficient.
Hastur silently added in his mind.
"This medicine I've concocted with many precious herbs is very nourishing to the body and can be taken by both men and women."
Grellan chuckled, "Hastur, do you want to try one too?"
"Grellan, I'm not like you."
"…"
Grellan's face turned slightly red, and he explained himself again, emphasizing that there was nothing wrong with his health.
"Can pregnant women take this medicine?"
"Of course, this is a medicine I've carefully formulated. Even the two doctors in my family have taken it, and they all say it works well."
Hastur trusted this point; the medicines formulated by a Pharmacist were far more effective than ordinary drugs.
Considering Sheriff Reed's wife's condition, she could first nourish her body with the medicine, then undergo surgery, which would greatly increase the success rate.
Adding the rule he had set, they should be safe and sound.
Hastur didn't stay long, taking one of Grellan's family doctors to Sheriff Reed's house.
This doctor had taken Grellan's medicine and could make a more accurate judgment based on Sheriff Reed's wife's condition.
Hastur's arrival made Sheriff Reed's eyes redden with gratitude, holding back his thanks as he greeted Hastur and the doctor.
"Everything will get better."
Hastur comforted him and secretly established a rule: The mother and child will inevitably be safe.
He also gave his own blessing: The mother celebrates the birth of the child, and the child rejoices to be born into the world.
After all, he was also a half-fate extraordinary, his blessing should have some effect.
Although not as much as Will's blessing, it could still increase some luck.
Soon, the doctor came out of the room, indicating that there was no major problem, and Sheriff Reed's wife could take the medicine Grellan had formulated.
She could recuperate at home for a few more days, and when her body improved, go to the hospital for surgery. The chances of mother and child being safe were very high.
"Doctor, is what you're saying true?"
After repeated confirmations, Sheriff Reed's eyes welled up with tears, hardly believing the good news.
Just this morning, everything was so bleak, especially Dr. Lord's choice of saving the mother or the child, which made him feel like he was in a cold hell.
But now, his situation had soared from hell to heaven.
The joy of this change was beyond words.
All this was thanks to Baron Campbell!
He was the one who helped change this desperate reality! He was grateful that he had taken on Baron Campbell's case and successfully protected him.
"Take good care of your wife, believe that a miracle will come upon them."
Hastur didn't linger, taking the doctor away under Sheriff Reed's grateful gaze.
With no one else around, cheft Reed could no longer suppress his emotions, leaning against the wall by the door, wiping away tears, then straightened his clothes and walked into the room with firm steps.
(End of Chapter)
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