"Don't worry, it shouldn't be a big problem."
Nearl let out a relieved sigh, released her grip, and carefully placed the clothes back.
Seeing that Nearl had stepped aside, the doctor behind her moved forward and slipped a thermometer into Ardan's mouth.
"Her head is a bit warm, but it's not severe. Her breathing isn't feverish either, so it doesn't seem like a pathological fever. It's likely just a stress response—perhaps from overexertion, or maybe she hasn't adjusted to the environment yet?"
"Impressive. My conclusion isn't far from yours. To think someone so young already possesses such extensive knowledge."
After finishing her examination and reaching a diagnosis, the doctor looked at Nearl with admiration. At that age, she herself had been just an ordinary girl who only knew about romance.
But she quickly realized something was off, though her assistant beat her to expressing surprise.
"Nearl! The Undefeated Radiant Knight! I've been waiting for your Japanese Derby!"
Her eyes sparkled as if she were about to leap forward.
"A prodigy. I originally thought you were like me—an Uma Musume who chose the path of medicine. But to think it's actually her?"
The doctor's emotions were unusually mixed, filled with both envy and admiration, leaving her somewhat flustered in Nearl's presence.
"Thank you for the praise, but for now, let's focus on Ardan's condition. Even if it's just a minor fever from fatigue, we still need to take action."
"Right, the young lady is the priority. I got a bit carried away."
The doctor chuckled awkwardly.
"My teammates are just over by the lake. I'll carry Ardan. The bags will have to trouble you two."
"Trouble? Carrying a person is far more tiring than carrying a bag. Besides, we still have to cross the lake. If anything, we're troubling you."
Soon, Nearl had Ardan on her back and set off first, leaving the other two to pack up.
The Slime Lake, called a lake, was at its deepest only up to Nearl's knees.
Combined with the slime's stickiness, it lacked the dangerous undercurrents or hidden pushes of a real lake. The only discomfort was the sheer effort of taking each step.
Oh, and the risk of stumbling if you misstepped, ending up completely disheveled—just like Manhattan Cafe and Tachyon had.
"Nearl…"
Halfway across, Ardan had regained much of her awareness. She weakly turned her head, unconsciously brushing against Nearl's temples.
"It's me. How are you feeling now? While you're not in serious danger, discomfort is unavoidable."
"Mhm, my head feels dizzy. It's throbbing as if a bowstring inside keeps being released without an arrow. How embarrassing, to have you taking care of me like this."
"Looking after a friend is nothing. But for pushing yourself like this, I have to give you a stern criticism. Be prepared for it once you've recovered."
"Mhm, I'll be waiting."
After saying that, Ardan tightened her arms around Nearl. Though her body felt miserable all over, deep down, Ardan felt a sense of ease.
The lake wasn't large. Even though Nearl slowed her pace for Ardan's sake, she still reached the opposite shore within a dozen minutes.
As soon as they reached the bank, Tachyon, Manhattan Cafe, and the two goddesses gathered around.
"Isn't that Ardan-senpai? She looks unwell."
Manhattan Cafe watched with concern, while Tachyon rummaged through her bag and produced a suspicious-looking vial.
"Should she drink this? It's a stamina replenishing potion. The downside is it might affect her sense of taste a bit."
"Let's pass on that. Ardan is already too weak and needs proper nutritional support. Messing with her taste buds would only complicate things."
Hearing Nearl's refusal, Tachyon didn't insist. She shrugged and put it away.
"So, what now? With a patient, we shouldn't keep going. Should we just set up camp here today?"
Byerley suggested cheerfully. The surrounding Uma Musume had no objections—they were all good-natured girls at heart. Even Tachyon, usually the most troublesome, was now worried about Ardan.
"The third rest area is still too far from here. Even pushing hard, it'd take a full day and night to reach—impossible. I'll take you to a smaller rest area nearby instead."
See, Tachyon was already making a suggestion, and an important one at that.
"Tachyon, you actually know a place like that?"
Manhattan Cafe looked incredulous.
Faced with that reaction, Tachyon gave a 'hmph' and proudly puffed out her chest.
"What, you think I've come to the Pillar of the Goddess just once? If I didn't wander around to clear my head every time, I'd have gone stir-crazy long ago."
With that, she turned around.
"Let's go. I'll lead the way. That place is much closer than the third rest area, but it'll still take two to three hours. We can make it before dark if we start now."
"Alright!" *N
--+--
Nighttime. Ardan, who had fallen asleep again, woke up. Opening her eyes, she saw it was already dark outside.
'Nearl's back… it isn't particularly broad, but it's so steady. No jolting or awkward pressure—it makes you feel drowsy easily.'
Recalling the afternoon's events, a faint shyness mingled with overflowing affection, making her already slightly feverish cheeks flush even redder.
"Ardan, are you feeling better now?"
Nearl's voice came from a distance, followed by footsteps. Soon, that reassuring golden figure arrived at Ardan's side.
"Drink this. It's a medicine your doctor prepared to reduce fever, replenish energy, and soothe the nerves."
"Mhm."
Ardan nodded obediently, but her movements to sit up were clumsy, prompting Nearl to quickly reach out and support her.
"Careful."
A hand slipped behind her back, the palm cradling her shoulder.
Ardan was practically nestled in Nearl's embrace, yet she had no objection. Instead, she relaxed even more, as if entrusting her entire body to Nearl's support.
"Ah…"
"Mhm…"
Don't misunderstand—those were just the sounds of drinking the medicine.
"There, now you can rest some more."
Once the medicine was finished, Nearl laid Ardan back on the bedding and thoughtfully pulled the blanket over her.
It was still spring, and with the altitude being genuinely high, going without a blanket was out of the question.
"If you can't sleep now, I can talk with you."
"Really?!"
"Really. About anything. I'll stay with you, Ardan."
Deep inside the great tree hollow, a campfire burned at the center, surrounded by scattered insect-repelling herbs that gave off a distinctive smoky fragrance.
But Ardan didn't mind it.
No matter the circumstances, being able to see Nearl's gentle smile was more than enough for her.
Right now, the tree hollow held only herself and Nearl—an arrangement made for the patient's need for quiet. Everyone else was resting in other hollows.
"You can see the sky directly from here. The moon hanging high… it's so beautiful."
"Indeed. With no clouds to hide it tonight, the moon is bright and the stars are sparse."
Ardan's gaze drifted dreamily toward the moonlight, but truly, who was she paying attention to?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.