DMS Chapter 174

Flinx was grateful that the old farmer’s cart had a seat just behind the driver’s position, but after only a few minutes, he decided to get down.

“I’ll just follow you by walking beside the cart, Mr. Hank. The shaking of the cart is making me a little nauseous. Probably because I’m more used to walking,” Flinx told the old farmer.

“No worries, but please don’t call me Mr. Hank. Just call me Old Hank or simply Hank. Our old Muley walks slowly enough that it won’t be difficult for you to keep up beside the cart,” the old farmer replied.

As they continued traveling, Flinx learned that Old Hank and his grandson, Robert, had gone to the nearest trade stop to deliver some of their produce. Flinx had not noticed the trade stop because it was located on a road that branched away from the main road, and he had always been following the main path.

He had noticed a few large houses in the distance, which might have been the trade stop Old Hank mentioned, but he had assumed they were simply prosperous farmhouses.

After another thirty minutes of travel, they finally arrived at the old farmer’s farmstead.

Four children ran out from the large farmhouse to welcome Old Hank and his grandson, Robert. Flinx assumed that the children were probably Robert’s siblings. The children were soon followed by a couple and an elderly woman, who Flinx guessed were Robert’s parents and Old Hank’s wife.

At first, Flinx thought that Old Hank’s family would look at him with suspicion since he was a stranger accompanying their loved ones. However, all he saw were welcoming smiles.

In truth, ever since he had begun his journey, Flinx had been surprised by how friendly and accommodating the local farmers near the east gate of Ilioven had been. Everyone he encountered seemed content and healthy. He had not seen the harsh reality he expected from a fantasy medieval world, where the poor were exploited by the wealthy.

He decided that he should ask Old Hank about it. He did not want to remain ignorant of what he should expect during his travels.

Once Robert’s parents reached them, Old Hank introduced Flinx to his family.

“This is Mr. Flinx. He is a healer and is willing to heal our Daisy,” Old Hank said.

Flinx noticed that Robert was still a little embarrassed by what his grandfather had asked him to do.

“Sir healer, we don’t have many coins to pay you, so you don’t have to heal our cow,” Robert’s father said after hearing why Old Hank had invited Flinx to their farmhouse.

“You don’t have to pay me with coins. A simple meal and a place to rest for the night are enough. I can also check your entire family and your other animals to make sure everyone is healthy,” Flinx replied.

Robert’s father smiled and introduced the rest of the family to Flinx. Afterward, they invited him inside their home.

After drinking a cup of tea, Old Hank invited Flinx to the barn where Daisy, his cow, was kept. Flinx followed the old man, and he was not surprised when the rest of the family followed them as well.

When they arrived at the barn, Flinx saw the listless cow lying inside.

He honestly had no idea what kind of illness the animal had. He knew almost nothing about sickness or healing, but he was confident in his Cleric spells.

According to the description of his sixth-level Cleric spell, Heal could cure diseases, remove blindness and deafness, and instantly restore injuries. Thankfully, he had purchased every spell available for both his Wizard and Cleric classes.

Flinx did not waste any more time and cast Heal on the cow that Old Hank had named Daisy.

For added effect, he turned on the light from his cosplay staff while casting the spell. The sight made him smile internally.

After the spell finished and Flinx turned off the light from his prop staff, everyone saw that Daisy had visibly recovered. The cow looked healthy again and immediately began eating the hay that Old Hank’s family had prepared.

When he saw his cow restored to health, Old Hank rushed over and carefully inspected Daisy. After finishing his examination, the old farmer suddenly started crying.

Flinx was startled. He had not expected the old man to love his cow so deeply.

Even Old Hank’s wife had tears in her eyes, and some of Robert’s younger siblings had started sobbing.

Robert’s father invited Flinx back to the main house, and Flinx followed so that he could give the old farmer some privacy.

Once Flinx sat down on one of the comfortable chairs arranged near the fireplace, Robert’s father handed him a small purse.

“I can see that you are an accomplished healer. These are the coins our family has managed to save over the years. I want you to have them, especially since you promised to heal everyone in our family,” Robert’s father said.

Flinx shook his head and refused the purse.

“I already told you that I won’t accept coins. Please don’t ask me to break my word. I’ll still heal everyone as long as I can enjoy a couple of meals from your family,” Flinx replied.

Old Hank’s son had no choice but to put the purse away. Flinx had used the farmer’s own words against him, reminding him that he had said they could not afford to pay him. Flinx was simply honoring his promise not to charge them anything.

Soon, everyone returned from the barn, with Old Hank smiling like a child on Christmas morning.

Old Hank’s wife and Robert’s mother began preparing dinner while Flinx started checking each family member one by one.

Since he did not actually know how to detect illnesses, he decided to simply cast the Cleric’s Heal spell on everyone to ensure they were healthy.

To make the children feel like they were contributing, Flinx asked them to hold his glowing staff while he placed his hands on their heads to make it appear as though he was healing them. He then cast the spell.

He also made sure that the entire process lasted at least as long as the spell’s cooldown.

After a couple of hours, he finished healing everyone.

Each family member exclaimed that they felt full of life and energy, thanking Flinx for the blessing he had bestowed upon their family.

Flinx noticed that Robert’s father looked guilty. He assumed it was because the man had failed to give him the family’s saved coins, but Flinx did not care. He had no intention of taking the small amount of money their family had worked so hard to save.

After he finished healing them, it was time for dinner.

The children were delighted that Flinx had not taken his staff back from them. They played with it, including Robert, fascinated by the light coming from the plastic crystal attached to the top.

As the sun began to set, the children ran outside with the staff to see how far its light could reach.

At first, Robert’s father became concerned that Flinx had allowed the children to play with his magical tool. However, Flinx explained that the staff was not magical and was merely a toy prop.

The farmer looked completely stunned.

“How can it be a toy prop?! It has magical light!” Robert’s father exclaimed.

Flinx simply smiled.

A few minutes later, the children returned to the house with frightened expressions. Apparently, they had accidentally broken the staff, and all of them had started crying.

Flinx only laughed before casting his Wizard spell, Mending.

The staff was repaired instantly, and when he turned it on again, the light returned.

The children and adults, who had been alarmed moments earlier, immediately looked relieved, causing Flinx to laugh again.

When he offered the staff back to the children, they all shook their heads, saying they were done playing with it.

Flinx smiled at their reaction.

Soon, dinner began, and everyone happily ate the meal that Robert’s mother and grandmother had prepared.