Rise of the Eromancer

Chapter 300 A Favor

"Can you heal her?"

Everyone's breaths just created an orchestra of intense pressure as they all just stared at Rhys, or more specifically, at the petrified nymph the gorgon beside him was carrying in her arms.

Some of them had even summoned the elements they controlled or outright wanted to attack there and then, but Ayesha, Olga, and Edissa quickly moved to Rhys's side and glared at everyone who even dared to raise their hands; with Edissa even snarling at them.

Rhys did not seem to care at all about what was happening around him, however, as he just looked Dr. Dhani in the eyes.

"Hm…" Dr. Dhani also did not seem to care about the commotion, as he just stood up and started examining the nymph, "...Let us go to a clear place. I believe they have set up a tent for us."

"Okay."

"Wait!"

Before Rhys and Dhani could actually move away from the conference, Rukawa suddenly moved in front of them and blocked their path.

"What do you think you are doing?" Rukawa stared at the nymph before glaring at Rhys, "You bring the enemy to our doorstep?"

"She is not an enemy," Rhys shook his head, "And we're already inside your country, Sir."

"...You think that after you showed us that nymph, we're actually just going to let you keep it here?" Rukawa let out a small scoff before brushing his glowing orange hair back, "The Commander of the Russean Underworld Corps just told us that the nymphs are the ones responsible for what is happening now — and you expect me to just let this pass?"

"Yes," Rhys blinked a couple of times as he glanced at Olga, "And therefore this nymph, Aengela, would be able to provide us with more information that will be highly valuable in this operation, Sir. I hope you understand that."

"Then give it to us instead," Rukawa then approached Malenia, but Malenia's eyes quickly started to glow as he did so, "This monster—"

"It's just a difference in cultures," Rhys stood in front of Malenia, "The nymphs are sacred beings, even more so for the gorgons — I hope you understand."

"No…" Rukawa shook his head before looking at the guards who were keeping watch in the warehouse, "...I think we need to confiscate that thing from you."

"Very well," Rhys let out a small but very deep sigh as he covered Aengela again, causing Rukawa to smirk as Rhys followed his orders. But alas, contrary to his expectations, Rhys did not hand Aengela to him at all and just started walking away,

"I will come and find you when this is over, Dr. Dhani — the nymph really needs your help."

"...I am obliged to help," Dr. Dhani squinted his eyes and placed his hand on his chin, "Where are you going?"

"Returning to my country," Rhys whispered.

"Very well, I will come and find you," Dr. Dhani Raj then just returned to his seat.

"Ayesha, let's go."

"Alright then," Ayesha just shrugged before shaking her head, "Remember, we still have to get some of that authentic wasabi. The Doll's still kinda pissed at us for leaving her behind."

"...Right," Rhys then gestured to Edissa and Malenia before walking away.

"What the…" Rukawa could really only widen his eyes as Rhys and Ayesha started leaving. He was about to say something, but then also saw Esme following behind them, "Where… where are you going, Madam Esme!?"

"Back to my country," Esme shrugged as she walked past Rukawa, "If you really think I am doing this without the brute force of Ayesha behind my back, think again. So… right, ain't gonna happen."

"W… what?" Rukawa could not help but just stutter as he watched the 2nd Strongest Explorer just casually walking out of the warehouse, "Wait, wait!"

Rukawa could really only grit his teeth as he blocked Rhys's and the others' path, "Wait! I… I made a mistake. I made a mistake! Please…"

Rukawa closed his eyes and bowed his head, "...My country needs your help. I'm… sorry."

"...I can feel your frustration, Sir," Rhys let out a small sigh as he placed his broken wooden wrist on Rukawa's shoulder, "But you have to remember…

…your country asked us for help. We're not your soldiers."

"That…" Rukawa's lips slightly twitched. But after a few seconds, he let out a very long and deep sigh, "...You're right. I hope all of us can start over."

Rukawa then turned to look at the other people too, bowing his head at them to apologize.

"Ayesha's at fault too for trying to rile you up," Rhys also sighed as he glanced at Ayesha, who just shrugged in response.

"Right… please," Rukawa then gestured to Rhys and the others to return to the warehouse. And almost instantly, the mood inside the warehouse changed completely — no one was trying to insult or start something with any of the Nihons.

"Well, so much for that," Esme rolled her lips as they all walked back to the warehouse, "Black's right, though — why are you trying to get the Nihon mad?"

"...You're not aware of his crimes?" Ayesha whispered at Rhys and Esme.

"Liking little girls?" Esme squinted her arms, "That's fucked up and all, but that ain't really a crime if he doesn't—no. For real?"

"Uh huh," Ayesha nodded as she subtly glanced at Rukawa who was walking toward back to the other Nihons.

"I've heard rumors, but — what's your source on this?"

"Maria."

"...What's that supposed to be?"

"Oh…" Rhys blinked a couple of times as he looked at Ayesha, "...It must be true then."

"What…? No way," Esme's eyes turned wide as she looked back and forth between Rhys and Ayesha.

"Don't tell anyone," Ayesha shook her head, "Apparently their government's trying to hide it."

"For sure," Esme shook her head, "I'll just tell Sorokin and no one else."

"Wh—"

"Sorokin!" Esme then just suddenly ran toward Sorokin.

"I just told you not to tell—"

"It is not right to gossip."

"!!!" Ayesha could not help but almost leap to the side as Dr. Dhani Raj suddenly appeared right between her and Rhys, or more specifically, in front of Malenia who was holding Aengela.

"But I suppose the young truly like to talk about other people," Dr. Dhani Raj then unfolded the cloth covering Aengela, and Malenia did not really try to stop him as she already understood the situation from Rhys,

"Come then — I already know where my tent is…

…I can try my best to heal her."

***

"Here?"

Dr. Dhani asked Rhys to place Aengela on the bed, before very gently turning her body to see the extension of the wound.

"The incision is very crude, and it did not seem to hit any vital organs," Dr. Dhani whispered to himself before writing on a piece of notebook he got from his bag.

"...You know about Nymph anatomy?" Rhys did not really want to bother or disturb Dhani, but he could not help but be curious about what he was saying.

"Of course," Dr. Dhani nodded as he very gently returned Aengela to a more comfortable position, "This is not the first time I have healed a nymph, boy."

"Oh… wow."

Dr. Dhani's age is evident by the wrinkles and dark spots on his already dark skin — even then, however, the way he moved showed no signs of his supposed age at all. From all the info he gathered, Dhani was already active 60 years ago, and he really only stepped down from the limelight 10 years ago due to the passing of his wife… who Katarina assassinated.

It… was a weird dynamic.

"I think I've seen what I needed to see," Dr. Dhani then nodded as he looked at Rhys, "You can release her petrification now and I will just follow the flow."

"...Okay," Rhys then gestured to Malenia to unfreeze Aengela.

"Are… we sure, Rhys?" Malenia's breath slightly stuttered. But she did not really wait for Rhys to answer as she already trusted him enough to release Aengela's petrification.

And as soon as she did so, Dr. Dhani raised his hands in the air; releasing strands of light from his fingers that quickly crawled around Aengela's body before quickly moving toward her wounds as soon as they turned to flesh.

"!!!" Aengela's eyes opened wide, causing the entire warehouse—no, causing the entire ground around them to quake. But it did not last long, however, as very soon, Aengela's wounds started to close—no, they closed almost instantly; not even a scar to remind anyone.

"Hero…" Aengela whispered as she looked at Rhys, "...I'm going to sleep for a bit."

"...Glad to have you back, Aengela," Rhys very gently patted Aengela's head with his finger.

"You truly do have a connection with them," Dr. Dhani quickly commented as he let out a long and deep breath, "This gorgon, and then the cenleon outside — times are truly changing."

"Dr. Dhani…" Rhys no longer hesitated, "...After all of this is over, can I ask you for a favor?"

"You seem to be asking for a lot of favors from someone you just met, boy," Dr. Dhani let out a small chuckle while shaking his head.

"I need you to please heal someone else, two of them," Rhys breathed out, "In exchange…

…I will tell you who killed your wife."