Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 85: Treating Lord Gregor

"What? Great Lord Gregor? You say you have a way to help him?"

"Not me, but him," Borin said as he pointed to Riku. "However, I can 100% vouch for him as I have seen him in action."

The guards hesitated, then one of them grunted. "Wait here." He disappeared through a smaller side gate into the manor grounds.

The guard looked skeptical but relayed the message.

However, the wait was very short.

The main gates creaked open, and Baron Charles Hummer himself came striding out, almost running. He was a man in his late thirties, his fine clothes rumpled, his face pale and etched with exhaustion and grief, but his eyes now held a desperate, grasping hope.

"Borin!" he exclaimed, rushing towards the old Dwarf. "Is it true? What you said? You... you know someone who can help my father?" He looked past Borin to Riku and Elara in the carriage, his gaze questioning.

"Baron Hummer," Borin said, bowing slightly. "It is good to see you, though I wish it were under better circumstances. This," he gestured to Riku, "is Master Riku. He possesses a unique skill, a healing art unlike any I have seen. He has brought great relief to my people. He believes he can help Lord Gregor."

Baron Charles looked at Riku, his eyes scrutinizing the disguised healer. "Mister Riku... if you can truly help my father... anything. Anything within my power is yours." His voice cracked with emotion. "The Church healers... they offer prayers and expensive draughts that do little. My father fades before my eyes."

"I cannot make any grand promises, Baron," Riku said, his voice calm and compassionate. "But I will do everything I can. May we see him?"

"Yes! Yes, of course! Immediately!" The Baron practically dragged them through the gates and into the quiet, shadowed halls of the manor. They were led to a large, dim bedchamber.

On a grand four-poster bed lay an elderly man, his breathing shallow, his skin pale save for the angry crimson marks that covered his hands and face.

This was Lord Gregor Hummer.

As they entered, a younger man, dressed in equally fine but slightly more severe clothing, who was sitting beside the bed, stood up. He had a sharp, hawkish nose and eyes that held a mixture of grief and fierce protectiveness. This was Lord Alaric, Baron Charles’s cousin. A portly woman in scholarly robes, the family physician, Doctor Emma, also rose from a chair in the corner.

"Charles, who are these people?" Alaric asked, his voice tight as his gaze fell upon Borin, then Riku’s simple healer disguise.

Baron Charles gestured towards Riku. "Alaric, Doctor Emma, this is Mister Riku. Elder Borin brought him. He... he believes he can help Father."

Alaric eyed Riku with open disdain. "Another charlatan come to offer false hope and drain our coffers further? Father has suffered enough. Even the Church’s own Sunpetal Draught barely touches his affliction now. What makes you think this... nobody... can succeed where they have failed?"

Doctor Emma stepped beside Alaric, shaking her head sadly. "My Lord Alaric is correct, Baron Charles. Lord Gregor’s condition is... most grave. The Creep has taken a deep hold. I fear there is little more that can be done, save to make him comfortable."

Baron Charles looked torn, his hope flickering. "But Alaric, Doctor Emma, Borin says this Master Riku has helped his people..."

"The Underbelly folk?" Alaric sneered. "It is your fault for being so familiar with them. Now they see an opportunity to bleed you dry and you take the first bait. Really, I expected more from you, brother."

He turned to Riku. "My uncle cared for me as his own son. If he is to die, let it be in peace, not at the hands of a random from the streets! Please leave."

"Mr Alariac, what can I do to prove that I do not come with bad intentions?" Riku asked calmly.

"You do not come with bad intentions, you say?"

"Very well, I challenge you, ’Master Healer’. If you fail to bring any significant improvement, if you cause him even the slightest distress, I will see you and your companions thrown into the deepest cells of the city dungeons for deceiving a noble house! Go ahead if you accept these terms"

Riku met Alaric’s hostile gaze calmly, his earlier resolve to avoid emotional instability holding firm. He had faced far worse than an overprotective, grieving relative.

"Lord Alaric," Riku said, his voice even and devoid of anger, "I understand your concern and your grief. I seek only to alleviate suffering, not to cause it. I will accept your terms." He paused.

"However, if I am able to bring significant relief to Lord Gregor, to ease his pain and bring clarity where there is now only shadow, then I will ask for a donation to my cause – ten thousand gold coins, to be used to help others suffering from this blight, those who do not have the resources of a noble house."

Alaric stared, then a humorless smirk touched his lips. "Ten thousand gold? You have a high opinion of your... ’art’. Very well. If by some miracle you succeed, the gold is yours. But when you fail," his eyes glinted, "I will personally ensure your imprisonment." He stepped aside with a flourish.

"Proceed, ’Master Healer’. Amaze us."

"But.." Doctor Emma seemed to want to say something, but was pulled back by Alaric.

Riku nodded once, then turned his attention back to Lord Gregor.

Advanced Heal. Advanced Heal. Advanced Heal

Riku placed his hands gently over Lord Gregor’s chest. A warm, golden light enveloped the old man. Riku focused, pouring his energy into the spell, then again, and a third time. The crimson marks didn’t vanish, but they visibly lightened. The shallow, ragged breathing deepened, becoming more regular. A flicker of color returned to Lord Gregor’s ashen cheeks.

After several long moments, Lord Gregor’s eyelids fluttered, then opened. He blinked, his gaze unfocused at first, then clearing as he looked at his son. "Charles...?" he whispered, his voice weak but surprisingly clear. "The pain... it’s... it’s gone."

Baron Charles choked back a sob, rushing to his father’s side, gripping his hand. "Father! You know me? You’re awake!"

"Of course, I know you, boy," Lord Gregor said, a faint smile touching his lips. "Felt like... I was drowning in fire. Now... now it’s just... quiet."

Lord Alaric stood frozen, his earlier sneer wiped clean from his face, replaced by stunned disbelief. Doctor Emma’s jaw was slack, her eyes wide as she stared at Lord Gregor, then at Riku.

"How.. How is this possible?"