I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

"Sir Hector, Madam has arrived."

A man came into the factory's back yard, drawing Hector and Gideon's attention. His only purpose was to announce that Hector's wife had come.

Hector nodded. He told the man to escort his wife to his office and wait there, as Hector still had business with Gideon. The man obeyed and left the two men.

"I've seen the wastewater reservoirs of your factory. That's impressive enough," said Gideon.

"Just do what I suggested, it'll make your work easier."

"Of course, Lord Gideon."

He took his leave, which immediately shocked Hector. Hector offered Gideon the chance to meet his wife first, but Gideon declined. He reasoned that there was still much to do in the village, and he could not leave his team for too long.

Hector could not force him, but he insisted on escorting Gideon to the front gate. Gideon had no objection.

The two walked from the back yard to the factory's front, passing through the work floor where the laborers occasionally greeted Hector and Gideon while continuing their tasks.

Gideon could already picture what the economic growth would look like if Hector expanded his business into other fields—profits for the village, more jobs for the people.

They parted ways, Gideon saying he would visit again next time. Hector had no objection; he would welcome Gideon warmly, even better than today.

Once his business at the factory was finished, Gideon left for the village. Without Hector knowing, his wife had seen her husband walking with Gideon across the work floor.

Curious, she left the factory and approached her husband, startling him.

"Wasn't that the new Baron you once told me about?" asked Melinda, Hector's wife.

Hector turned and smiled faintly, his eyes fixed on Gideon's retreating figure.

"Yes. He's the one who refused the tribute I offered."

"A remarkable man—handsome, too," Melinda remarked.

"Excuse me?"

"Haha! I was only joking. Don't take it so seriously, dear."

Hector sighed and led Melinda back into the factory.

Elsewhere, Gideon arrived near a cluster of village houses, where many villagers were gathered around one of the homes.

His arrival drew their attention. They turned, clearing a path for their Baron. Gideon stepped through the crowd, quietly studying the villagers' faces.

Many were thin, pale, and hollow-eyed. A foul smell lingered in the air, a sign they had not bathed in a long time due to water scarcity.

The clean water delivered with the food aid had been used strictly for drinking. None of them wasted a drop on bathing. That was why many complained of itching skin.

Inside the house, he found Lena taking turns examining the villagers. For those with the same symptoms, the checkup was brief. But some had chronic conditions requiring more attention.

"Gideon," Lena greeted.

"Do you need something?" asked Gideon.

"Of course."

After finishing her current patient, Lena asked Nath to pause the line because she needed to speak with Gideon. Nath nodded in agreement.

The door shut, Nath waiting outside while Gideon and Lena remained inside, accompanied only by the glow of a candle on the table.

"I've been examining the villagers by listening to their symptoms and checking their breathing. I may be able to conclude what diseases they suffer from," explained Lena.

"What are they?"

"Diarrhea, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis, Scabies, Fungal infections, and Anemia. Five of these might be treated with traditional methods, but Tuberculosis will be difficult," said Lena.

Gideon was shocked. He had not expected so many illnesses to plague the villagers, most caused by poor sanitation and hunger. They had likely suffered from this crisis for some time, worsening their conditions.

"Are you certain you can cure the rest, aside from Tuberculosis?" asked Gideon.

"With proper recovery and discipline, yes—as long as the root causes are addressed."

"Clean water and food."

She nodded, stepping closer to the window and looking out at the villagers gathered outside, awaiting her decision.

"Separate those with Tuberculosis from the others. As far as I know, it's contagious and dangerous," said Gideon.

"I'll make a list of those with Tuberculosis and separate them from their families."

"Have you explained the illnesses to them?" asked Gideon. Lena shook her head.

Even if she had, none of the villagers would understand what diarrhea was, or how to treat it. Better to leave them unaware and focus on healing.

"Then don't tell them. We'll treat them without letting them know what they have."

"I understand, Capt."

Gideon opened the door and stepped outside, startling Nath, who quickly returned to the crowd. Lena followed, still wearing her white coat, gloves, and medical mask.

"Lena has examined some of you. If you have the symptoms she described, raise your hands and separate yourselves."

The crowd nodded in agreement. They were ready to hear Lena explain the symptoms, so they could easily sort the seriously ill from the less sick.

Lena began by describing the symptoms of diarrhea—frequent watery stools, nausea, and vomiting. Several villagers raised their hands, a large number of them. Gideon ordered them to separate into another group.

"Nath, can you write?" asked Gideon.

"Of course."

"Help me record their names," said Gideon.

"Yes, sir," Nath replied, pulling out paper and pen to note the names.

Once that group was recorded, Lena moved on to the symptoms of Hepatitis. The villagers separated again, and Nath wrote their names under that category—even though he had no idea what it meant.

Gideon observed and occasionally helped. When Lena finished listing the symptoms, she asked those with other signs to step forward in line. Nath once again recorded their names.

Lena glanced at Gideon. He cleared his throat and nodded. Everything was running smoothly. Now, their next task was to prepare medicine and bring the remedies to Dergon for the villagers to drink.

"Doctor Lena will return to Rockvalley to make medicine for you. You must drink it regularly and follow her instructions," Gideon explained.

"What if we refuse?" asked one man.

"You'll die."

An uproar followed Gideon's response. There was no truth more painful than knowing they stood at the edge of death. Gideon would not hide it—their illnesses were dangerous and potentially fatal.

"If you refuse the medicine and disobey, separate yourselves. I'll make sure you die soon enough."

"How can you say that? Aren't you our leader?!" one of them shouted.

"I am leader only to those who obey me. If you refuse, I might as well kill you with my weapon.

"That would be better than letting you suffer from your own disease!"