The Golem Adventurer - Chapter 20 Healing

It wasn’t until morning when we had finally left the now destroyed orc sty. The walk back to the village was one filled with silence. There wasn’t any cheering or laughter. Not from the adventurers or the soldiers. Not from the survivors. I certain did not. Just the heavy pall of loss that covered us.

When they entered the camp and discovered me burning all the corpses of monsters, none of them spoke. They all just stared at me like they saw a ghost. At first I thought they were angry I was burning possible materials for salvage. I would have quit the guild in disgust in that was the case. When the Guildmaster had found me later while the militia’s healers were triaging the survivors, he explained why. My eyes glowed, huh? Tessa had mentioned they did light up in patterns when I felt emotions.

As we advanced on through the forest, Lily continued to stay by my side and refused to let go of my hand. Her brown eyes were swollen red and lifeless. I may have saved her from the orcs but I can’t save her from her own memories. Being confronted by that Sowmother is something out of nightmares. Most of the other survivors were just the same. Seven adults and six children dead. Thirteen parents and kids who had to watch monsters devour their loved ones. Only time is going to heal post traumatic stress. I can only hope that they have people who will help support them through it all.

There was a crowd of people waiting for us back in the farming village. When we had finally come into view, the families of the missing children ran in full sprint towards us. Lily finally let go of my hand as her parents rushed over to embrace her, tears of joy running down their cheeks. The moment she realized what was transpiring, Lily’s eyes started to fill with light again as she let out a cry, burying her face in her mother’s chest. I’m glad she’s finally returned to life. I was starting to worry her heart would continue to stay shut.

In the corner of my view the Commander I was introduced to by the Guildmaster had to take two families away to the side who couldn’t find their own children among us. I didn’t even noticed my fist clench or myself start to hyperventilate as I watched them break down in despair. I forced myself to calm down. The orcs were nothing but ash now. They’ll never hurt anyone ever again. I made sure of that.

“You did what you could, Arlan.” Guildmaster Kurtz appeared at my side as he said these sympathetic words to me.

“I know.” I replied, “But it feels like it’s never enough, does it?”

“You say that like you’ve experienced this before,” Kurtz stated.

“I have,” I said solemnly and left it at that. The Guildmaster didn’t follow it up thankfully. There are some memories you just don’t want to share.

A moment of silence fell between us as we continued to watch the gathering, “What happens now?” I ask.

“We go home. The Commander and his forces are going to stay here to help clear the rubble and write up a report to give to the Region Lord,” he replies, “The farming villages are considered part of the city so the lord will cover the cost of repairs.”

“That’s good. The extra soldiers should help them feel some security after what happened.”

He then gives me a good look over, “And you need to get repairs. The orcs really did a number on you, didn’t they?”

The Guildmaster’s right. I was currently in shambles. Every part of me was barely functioning and I was running low on energy. The rations I brought with me gave me some fuel, otherwise I wouldn’t have survived the night. Taking out a war band of orcs only to die from a dead battery would have been embarrassing. Even my clothes were just rags at this point.

[Caution: Liquid Mana levels are still dangerously low. Performing any unnecessary activities are strongly not advised.]

The hit from the orc chieftain’s ax had managed to hit a bunch of my chest tubing, spilling out a flood of blue liquid. It was that liquid that ran throughout my body like blood. The upper left half of my body still wasn’t responding to any of my thoughts. It’s only hanging on by still intact tubes until one of the healers wrapped it up with cloth dressing and made me a sling for my broken arm. It was already broken by the time one of the orcs got hold of my arm though. I got lucky that the ax hit a spot that was already useless.

“It’ll take a while but the Guild does have connections with a group that specializes in golem and magitech repair. As part of your reward, I’ll get into touch and see if we can have one of them travel here for you,” he offered.

“No thanks. My self repair is working on it as we speak.” I stated. The last thing I needed was a stranger poking around in my body. I agree with Hina, in that the less people who know how my body works the better. The threat of my core being leaked out still loomed over me.

The Guildmaster seemed intrigued, “I knew you had that strange skill but I didn’t think it could mend such extensive damage like yours. You’re the only golem who I’ve seen has that.”

“Is that one of the reasons why one of the other intelligent golems don’t fight?”

He nodded, “If they get damaged, the cost for repairs is quite extensive. Only those who work lucrative crafts could afford it. Even then, they’d rather continue their practice than fight. Which is why I offered since the Guild will cover your repair expenses.”

I was starting to get suspicious, “I was told the guild wasn’t responsible for injuries sustained during requests. Why are you offering me instead?”

Guildmaster Kurtz looked me square in the eyes, “You and the survivors both gave me your account of the events. You dove head first into the sty and fought them all without hesitation to save them, regardless of your own safety. You even used your own body to protect a little girl from death.”

“You know I can’t feel pain or get tired, Guildmaster.” I said frankly, “Using my body as a shield isn’t a problem for me.”

He got visibly irritated, “But you’re not immortal, Arlan. And I hope this battle will make you give that some thought. I know your body isn’t made of flesh, but you can still die. Even intelligent golems living in the cities get killed once in a while. You just need the right weapon and some skill. All it takes is one good shot to hit your core.”

I know he’s right. The difference between a machine and a living body is just organic. My core is my heart after all. Hack off my arms and, yeah, I could it back to full unlike a living being. Pierce my core, my heart, and I’m dead just like anyone else. The danger was less but it was still there.

The Guildmaster sighed, “Regardless, you still fought against overwhelming odds to save them. And won. That’s not the work of an adventurer, Arlan. That’s what people would call a .”

“I’d prefer not to be called that,” I stated. I didn’t like the idea of being called a hero. It didn’t settle well with me. But why did it sound… weird when he said it? Like there was a slight distortion in his voice when he said the word. It was as if the sound had an actual physical weight to them.

“Hoh? What would you call it then?” he asked.

“Doing the right thing.” I said bluntly.

The Guildmaster let out a hearty laugh, “You’d be surprised how hard that can be for people, boy.”

“But you are one,” The sound of footsteps echoed behind us.

Both me and Guildmaster turned to see Niklas and Lily along with their parents standing there.

“You’re Arlan, yes?” her mother began, “Lily told us what happened. Said you jumped in front of an orc’s ax to protect her. I.. we can’t thank you enough for saving our daughter and son…” her eyes began to moisten as she struggled to continue her words.

Their father continued instead, “We can’t thank you enough for what you did… for all of us. Even for the ones who didn’t make it back. Their spirits can be at peace with Restalia now.”

All four of them began to bow towards me. In fact, that’s when I noticed that all the villagers had gathered around me, even the surviving merchants and their families. They had all began to bow as words of their gratitude filled the air. All I could do was simply give a silent nod. I wasn’t very good at receiving praise like this. And what I said the other day is true. I won’t ignore the people in front of me who need help.

Both Niklas and Lily rushed towards me as I knelt down for their embrace. I was glad I was able to rescue them, at least.

Lily looked up at my face, showing off her big smile, “Thank you for saving me, Arlan!”

“I’d do it again in a heartbeat, Lily.” She laughed while saying I don’t have a heartbeat as a golem. She does have a point. I then looked over at Niklas, “Did you still want me to talk to your mother about being an adventurer?”

There was a bit of hesitation before he let out, “…I should probably give it some more thought. After last night…” a flash of determination appeared on his face, “B-But I won’t be discouraged if I do! If I decide to do it, I want to be an adventurer just like you!”

“Only you can choose how you want to live your life,” I nodded at him, “But I know you’ll make the right choice, Niklas.”

All three of us detached as I waved my goodbyes to everyone. A carriage was prepped to take the adventurers back to Haldin. Some of them elected to stay behind and help the soldiers with clearing the rubble. Them helping the village to rebuild without any compensation or expectation of gratitude, that was true heroism in my eyes at least. Even if the people here don’t see it like I do.

We hopped onto the carriage and drove off into the morning. The pain of yesterday has passed. Today was a new day. A fresh start. Healing can now begin.
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