Chereads / The Adamas Project: Restoration / Chapter 17 - Moral Duty

Chapter 17 - Moral Duty

"If you don't hurry, her life won't be saved," replied the old man; he had the same expression as me, pale and worried even though Eve was nothing to him.

From that, I can conclude that the older man sitting in front of me is a good person. He also knows very well how the risk of a wound from fighting.

"Do you have any anesthetic?" I asked, the older man nodding his head while his hands were seen checking his pockets.

The two young grandchildren I saw continued to watch me closely. Their eyes looked at Eve lying face down on the ground with a pale white face.

Then the older man handed me a bottle of the powder used for sedation. I immediately took a pinch and put it in the bottle I always carry.

I let Eve drink it all up so that the anesthetic effect from it can work optimally. Then, the older man came closer and showed me the things. I immediately turned my gaze to the rows of items that were quite old but still well-maintained.

Starting from knives, needles, threads, scissors, and so on. I don't understand why he's showing me such a thing.

"I've been hit by arrows like that woman a lot. So I brought all these things with me when I went hunting," the old man replied.

"Is it okay for me to use it?" I asked; the older man nodded.

He would gladly help me get the arrow stuck in the calf of Eve's right leg. The man said he even saved the life of someone hit by an arrow in the back of the neck.

The older man saved him even though now the person could not go on adventures or hunts as usual. I furrowed my brows, imagining how painful the adventurer's wound was.

I noticed that Eve's eyes were starting to close, and her breathing was no longer audible. That was a sign that the anesthetic was working effectively on Eve.

We started doing minor surgery to remove the arrows in Eve's body. I remember very well that Eve told me about arrow wounds. Before removing them, I needed to make a wide enough incision horizontally to prevent infection from the friction of the arrow iron.

Luckily the older man was by my side to help, so he gave me a lot of advice to pull out the arrow stuck in Eve's right leg. I did what he said because for me this experience will be precious in the future.

We had to act fast. Apart from the possibility of heavy bleeding, I don't even know how long the anesthesia was given to Eve. That afternoon, I did my best to save Eve.

***

After going on for thirty minutes, we can finally take the arrow stuck in it. It's not that big, but the sharp tip of the arrow made it difficult for us to pick it up on the first try.

"Thankfully. Now you can sew it," said the old man, placing the arrow on top of the iron bowl.

I did as the older man said, sewing the open wound in Eve's right calf firmly and neatly. I do it slowly and with high focus because I don't want this stitch to come loose while Eve is on the move.

"More or less like that. That woman is lucky because it doesn't get hit in the upper body area," replied the old man.

"Thank you very much. I don't know how to repay your kindness," I explained, thanking him as I continued to close Eve's wound.

"You don't have to do that. I always do this to everyone," the old man said, smiling with his eyes closed.

For God's sake! Is he a saint? Why is he being so nice to a stranger like me?

"Not only to humans, but grandpa likes to help animals that are injured the same way as the woman," explained one of the old man's grandchildren.

Shortly after that, Eve's Stitches were well finished. Looking neat and strong, I even admired the first thing I made on a human body. An older man walked over and immediately complimented my stitching like a professional.

"Alright, it looks like there won't be any problems with that."

I put the needle and thread on the wooden box filled with the older man's medical items. I saw it was still raining outside the hut, so I stretched out my hand under the pouring rain to clean Eve's bloodstains.

"She will wake up soon enough. Let her rest here for the night," replied the old man, wrapping a white bandage around Eve's right leg.

"I can't. I can't bother you any further. Once she wakes up, I'll be going with her immediately," I said, refusing his kind request.

"It would be bad for her. She can't move first, then her bottom can't be wet."

"I'll wait until the rain stops," I said insistently.

"What if the rain stops tomorrow?" asked the old man; I fell silently, unable to say anything.

The older man seemed to have started walking back to where he was. This hut is not that big, but it is enough for the five of us to rest while waiting for the rain to stop. It couldn't be helped; I had no choice but to agree with what he said.

"I apologize for bothering you again, Mr…."

"Call me Bernard," the old man named Bernard said.

"Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Bernard."

"No problem. I'm the type of person who likes to help others in need," Bernard replied; I smiled hearing that.

Suddenly the atmosphere turned quiet; no questions or words came out of my mouth or Bernard's. Two of Bernard's grandchildren were fast asleep in front of a small fire covered with a long cloth the size of an adult.

I looked at them. It seemed that Bernard was treating them both well.

"Are you adventurers from the Stockhelm Village?" Bernard asked; I saw the cursor he had, it was green.

"No. She's from outside of Stockhelm, and I came from outside this world," I replied.

"Outside the world? Are you of the same race as the demon race?"

"It's not like that. I'm an Adamas," I said. As soon as I saw the initial response Bernard showed me, surprised.

"An Adamas? What is your class?" Bernard asked, immediately asking which class I had.

I was silent for a moment. I'm really uncomfortable telling Bernard about my real class because I still don't trust the older man even though he saved my friend.

The trust issue is something I'm currently thinking about.

"I'm a Templar."

And again, I said a class that wasn't mine just to protect Eve and me. I knew I had lied, but I thought that if I had lied for my own safety, I would have done it no matter how hard it was.

"Wow, a Templar knight," said Bernard, looking amazed.

Unexpectedly, the older man woke one of his grandsons, who had been fast asleep. Then, there was the child's whimpering sound as his grandfather woke him from a deep sleep.

"What's the matter, Grandpa?"

"This guy. He's a Templar," Bernard explained.

"Templars?!" The eyes of Bernard's grandson, who had just woken up, looked wide. His pupils shone brightly, with a red hue developing on his face. For some reason, the little boy idolized the Templar figure so much.

"I want to be in the army of the Knights Templar. I wish I could be in your army," the boy explained, excited.

"Haha, I was looking forward to that. If I may ask, what is your name?" I asked, smiling as I gently stroked the head of Bernard's grandson.

He stood up with his right hand raised, giving me the typical warrior salute. Although, I was excited too, I immediately responded with the same attitude.

"Aye, sir. My name is Edmund, Lord Knight."

"Edmund, huh? All right. Using my sword, I assign you to be strong and formidable to join the Royal Army under my commander, Arthur Mason." I demonstrated the ritual of handing over the task to the boy named Edmund. I once remembered that this ritual was called the Order of Bath.

I moved the blade to touch Edmund's shoulders alternately. The boy smiled broadly; his heart must be happy to get such a ritual. I'm sure, with the passion I gave him. He will be a strong person in the future.

"I shall carry out the duties as you have instructed with honor and dignity," replied Edmund.

Soon after, the rain stopped. Bernard started to wake his other grandson to prepare to go home. Considering Eve's unconscious condition, I chose to rest here until the next day.

"You don't have to worry. I always supply firewood to accompany your nights," said Bernard, pointing to the large box near the wooden cupboard.

"Thank you again. We'll be leaving as soon as tomorrow morning comes."

"Don't rush. You can stay until your woman's condition improves," Bernard said, smiling differently.

"She's my friend, not my woman."

A shrill laugh was heard clearly from Bernard's mouth, "Yeah, I know, she's just your friend."