Angel on earth

04 Four kinds of herbs

The next day, Mikhail failed to find an opportunity to go to the Miracle Clinic.

On the one hand, Dr. Terekin is indeed superb in medical skills and has a noble medical ethics. Although he still feels unwell, he went to see Father Vasily early in the morning, and also treated Ethan and Beto's injuries by the way, so there is no need Please trouble Arnold Edwards to make a trip; on the other hand, a tragedy happened in the early morning, just in the small bell tower next to the church in the abbey: a boy climbed up somehow, sat on the windowsill and blew the wind for more than an hour. Chenfeng; the deacon who was in charge of leading the choir was anxious to drive the children to the church to offer hymns to His Majesty Kupala, without thinking too much, he caught the slacker out and punished him after the preparations were over, and the child ended up in the famous In "A Sacrifice to Me", he stretched his arms, blood and flesh spattered on the walls and grass.

Mikhail Ivanovich Kupala rushed to the scene, tore his clothes like a true saint, knelt down and wept.He thought it was all his fault, at least he should bear a lot of responsibility.He was up at five o'clock in the morning, at the same time as the boy had climbed the clock tower.But he went to visit Ethan and Beto when he came together, and talked with Dr. Terekin for a quarter of an hour, and then enjoyed the breakfast served by a nun outside the ward. For some reason, he lost his appetite after taking a bite. The nun begged him Eat more, or she will be punished; Mikhail angrily took her to teach the deacons who set the ghost rules. Halfway through, he saw the crowd and the small and broken corpse; The curtains were drawn all the time, and as long as the sky was not so bright at five o'clock, he opened the curtains and looked out, and he could see the bell tower. To his eyes, the little boy was as close as being baptized in front of him.

Rollins probably turned the Ognessika forest upside down, and it was already noon when he returned to the monastery. Mikhail was kneeling outside the church, sobbing and praying for the child and holding a requiem ceremony.

He scratched his hair, sniffed and said, "Rollins, I don't understand. Did the person who committed suicide really do it because he didn't have the awareness and courage to atone for sin? How old is he, such a small one... can't You can't even go to the church...the deacon says he's going to hell! How can such a thing happen? What can such a small child do to go to hell...I don't understand! I don't understand!"

He almost started yelling at the end, but quickly restrained himself.Rollins pressed his chest with his right hand, drew a sun cross, closed his eyes and said, "To live is to atone."

"Then I want to save him." Mikhail sniffled and raised his head. His face was full of tears, but his eyes were not red at all. Under the sun, they looked like a statue inlaid with countless precious stones. Not to judge the world, but to save it[1].”

"You are not a god." Rollins looked a little tired, but he still comforted him, "But if you want to save him, I think God the Father will give His purest beloved Son a chance. Get up, Your Highness, this child will Into the church, back to the Garden of the Father. You have to meet the townspeople today."

"You treat me like a child." Mikhail was still very sad, and wiped away his tears with a big hand, "I'm sorry, Rollins. I shouldn't complain to you... I thank you for the search of the forest. .”

"I didn't find anything. Go and pack up first and change your clothes. It was supposed to be in the morning...but it's the same in the afternoon. I don't think the citizens will mind your being late for a poor child," Rollins said. After seeing him nodding, standing up and drooping his head to leave, he added, "By the way, Arnold Edwards—?"

"No problem. He is an excellent doctor. His family belongs to the Kingdom of Baal, and he was born in the Commonwealth. He kindly healed Ethan and Beto, and sent Ms. Catherine home." Mikhail stopped and thought for a while, Still adding, "I think he's a righteous man. It's just that he seems intimidated by you, no offense, my brother, I just... I promise him you won't go to him. Please."

Rollins frowned: "You know, 'Edwards' used to be the most authoritative physician family in Noren."

"Yes." Mikhail sighed, "They also have the most beautiful green eyes in the world, Queen Michelia named their castle 'Emerald City' for this reason, and rewarded countless gems to decorate the hall. But, Rollins, my brother, are you so tired that you forgot the most important question - Arnold also had a lot of bruises yesterday, if he was a vampire, the 'Bright Girl' would not be unresponsive .”

Rollins paused, staring at Mikhail's blue-purple eyes like morning mist and morning stars for a while, and sighed: "Everyone takes a step back, Your Highness. It's always good to be cautious, this small town is a bit evil." .——I promise not to take the initiative to approach Arnold Edwards, and you must bring the 'Bright Maid' when you meet him. Maybe she is too full in the Commonwealth."

Mikhail didn't feel offended in the slightest, thanked him happily, put on his mithril armor a quarter of an hour later, put on a cloak embroidered with dark patterns with gold and silver threads, fastened the sun cross brooch, and rode on Mier came to the main gate of the monastery, waiting to enter the city along the central avenue with Rawlins, accepting flowers and praises from the citizens, and offering blessings, purification and prayers to them.

He showed his golden head with shimmering luster everywhere, a white lance and a long sword hung on both sides; the snow-white cloak had been washed and hung down to cover half of the horse's back.

The elders, priests, deacons, monks, nuns, and children of the monastery were ready in the early morning, and everything was disrupted by the kid and Mikhail; fortunately, Rollins came back in time to take over the command, and everything was in order up and running.

Two days later, the little boy named "Ivan" was buried in the monastery's cemetery.The carnival atmosphere in Chalek City is still enthusiastic, and even the absence of alcohol and meat during the fasting period cannot affect it; the city government has delayed the curfew time, and Rollins has been involved in people's seemingly endless dance parties several times However, Mikhail was still very melancholy. After carving the tombstone for Ivan and reading the eulogy, he sat in the cemetery for a long time.When night fell, he changed his clothes, quietly descended along the edge of the holy mountain, and wandered aimlessly in the city.

He also knew that he couldn't hide his size, so he chose the path where no one was there—he went to see it from the clock tower where Ivan stayed for the last hour, by the height of Grant's holy mountain and his god-given eyes , met the whole Chalek.From the tidy urban area to the several factories under construction in the lower district and the vast farmland, the crowded thatched houses by the river, to the miracle clinic whose roof is covered with irises, thistles and lilacs overflowing from the yard.

I don't know how long it took, it was completely dark, and he suddenly came back to his senses amidst a prolonged meow.

Arnold Edwards is feeding the cat.He looks like he has been busy all day, his hair is messy, his glasses are a little blurry, he is not wearing a coat, and the sleeves of his shirt are rolled up to his elbows. A black and yellow cat is rubbing against his trousers affectionately, and a fat orange cat is reluctant to leave. Shirley licked his fingers where there might still be a little bit of meat sauce.Seeing Mikhail standing blankly outside the fence of his yard, Arnold straightened up and smiled politely:

"Good evening, Your Highness Kupala."

"...I'm sorry, Doctor Edwards, to bother you." Mikhail was stunned for a while, blushing, and said dryly for a long time.

Seeing that he was in a trance, Arnold softened his voice and changed the subject:

"You don't look very well. If you don't mind, why don't you come in and have some snacks? As a reward for Mr. Rollins' matter."

Only then did Mikhail realize that he had been carrying a lance, blinked, nodded, and walked into the courtyard gate.

Two lamps have been lit above the courtyard door and on the side of the gate. Arnold took out a candle from a grid next to the clinic door, raised his hand, put the wick into the lamp on the lower right side of the eaves, and lit it, making a "please." ” gesture; Mikhail put the lance inside the front door and followed him in.

The clinic is dark at night, with many windows open on the first floor, so it’s not too hot, but the smell of garbage and sewage in the lower area, coal tar from the factory, and the smell of nearby anti-epidemic incense are also blowing in the air along the wind. floating around.Arnold quickly realized this and went to light two more scented candles.The two rather tall men stood inside, and the crowded living room brightened up.

Bread and salt, as is the custom in Potosí, are the first to arrive.After Mikhail ate the bread, he gained a little appetite. Arnold quickly brought him cream pie and cold brewed scented tea. After he thanked him, he began to eat without hesitation.Arnold, with his fingers crossed on his knees, sat looking at him in an armchair, a little embarrassed—he hadn't expected at all that Mikhail would accept the invitation and sit in his living room eating.

Mikhail ate faster and faster, and finally picked up the glass cold jug and swallowed it together with fresh lilac, lemon mint and white rose petals, squinted his eyes for a while in satisfaction, and then blushed:

"...sorry, Arnold. I haven't eaten anything for two days...thanks!"

"You're welcome." Arnold pointed to the candle and smiled, his tone and volume were very low, showing a little hoarseness in the cool evening wind, "I used some doctor's tricks, I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not!" Mikhail cheered up a little, straightened his back subconsciously, and then quickly bent down, "I've had a terrible time these days, fortunately you are here."

He looked at Arnold in the rippling orange flame, the latter froze for a moment, waved his hand, and looked at an expensive glass jar on the cabinet, which contained spirits and poisonous snakes:

"My honor, Your Highness.—If you want to walk around the city and relax, I think it will be better in two or three hours until the curfew time."

It was also discovered that the first person Mikhail Kupala visited in Chalek was an outsider from the Siegfried Federation.

Mikhail said happily: "Then may I disturb you during this time?"

Arnold shrugged his shoulders: "Yes. Please forgive me, I have to change my clothes first. It is too easy to sweat in summer. ——You can browse the books on the first floor, but I don't think there is anything interesting."

"It's okay, I was the one who troubled you." Mikhail stood up and almost bumped into the glass oil lamp hanging from the beam. He held it with one hand, and sighed sincerely, "I have already had such a good place to rest. Very satisfied."

Arnold suddenly remembered something, and pointed to the screen opposite the curtains in the living room: "If you don't mind, you can lie there for a while, there are pillows and quilts. No offense, you look a little... not very good."

Mikhail thanked him, and walked around behind the screen curiously and cautiously, and saw several old and new square pillows scattered on the arc-shaped bay window covered with thin blankets, and cloth curtains were tied on both sides.Under the two open windows, the mixed smell of sewage and incense became more and more obvious.

The pillow was stuffed with herbs and dried flowers, and the smell was not too strong. Mikhail grabbed one casually, buried his face in it and took a breath, feeling a kind of selfless peace.

Arnold re-made a pot of cold tea, and the smell of burning wood wafted from the kitchen.He put the cold water bottle behind the screen, said a few polite words again, and then grabbed his hair to take a shower.

The clinic is small and crowded, and it looks solid and tidy, but Mikhail can still see that the building originally only had one floor, probably because the doctor made money but didn't have enough money to buy a new house, reinforce the first floor and expand it upwards .He drank some scented tea, lay on the pillow for a while, and was about to fall asleep in a daze, but with a big wave of his hand, something hit the ground.

The author says:

[1] Bible John 12:47