A Hospital in Another World? Chapter 1020: Is Our Well-behaved Little Cub the Lord of Plague?

Garrett leaned on his oak staff, taking each step with difficulty through the forest. His entire focus was on avoiding pitfalls, climbing over tree roots, and steering clear of muddy patches hidden beneath the grass.

The forest gave him no warnings, and he received no alerts. Everything around him was safe; even the poisonous snakes and insects instinctively kept their distance. As long as he was careful with his steps and avoided tripping, he would be fine—

“Hey!”

A sudden greeting, enthusiastic and hearty, came from right behind him, startling him. The voice was friendly, but the source was just a step away. Something light yet heavy tapped on his shoulder—

Garrett immediately dove to the ground, casting defensive spells as he fell. He was already protected by [Advanced Mage Armor] and [Arrow Protection], and now he quickly added [Resistance Boost], [Fire Shield], and [Radiant Shield].

A [Force Field Shield] sprang up, causing the leaves and twigs on the ground to tremble and weave into a barrier around him. Nearby, the surface of a pond began to ripple, ready to form a water wall outside the force field at his command.

This was the maximum defense he could muster in an instant. But against someone who could silently get so close, how effective could it be? Garrett wasn’t sure.

He hoped the person meant no harm. Nature gave no alarm, and the person had greeted him while reaching out. Maybe, just maybe, there was no ill intent?

And Cirilla was nearby…

Aishe Moon Song felt both pleased and a bit miffed. Pleased that the young cub of her kind was vigilant, reacting with defense immediately when she approached. Miffed because, despite her friendly greeting, he didn’t trust her. Nature didn’t warn him, so why didn’t he believe her?

These mixed emotions flashed through her mind. The panther leaped from the forest cover, pounced, greeted, and reached out to tap Garrett’s shoulder—only for Cirilla to rush in like a whirlwind.

“Hey!”

She grabbed the outstretched paw of the panther, lifted, and flung it with all her might.

The strength of a young silver dragon, even in a hurry, was formidable, nearly matching that of an adult dragon. The panther was hurled into the air, spinning horizontally like a black whirlwind.

If it had been less agile, it would have been dizzy and then crashed into a tree trunk, possibly breaking its spine—

Fortunately, Aishe Moon Song, with her vast combat experience, was agile and flexible even in panther form. She adjusted her posture in mid-air, her tail shifting direction, quickly regaining balance.

At the same time, vines, branches, and leaves wove a green net in her flight path, cushioning her fall and making her disappear into the foliage.

“Hey! It was just a joke; why so harsh?”

A cheerful voice, full of laughter, rose from the greenery. Vines retracted, branches folded, and crushed leaves fluttered to the ground, revealing a tall, athletic elf warrior with short green hair crowned with a white floral wreath. She carried a long spear and waved vigorously at Cirilla from a distance.

“I mean no harm! Just wanted to say hello! This,” she pointed at Garrett, who had just gotten up, “is my kin! I can smell it! He’s wearing our elf concealment magic; I wouldn’t hurt him! Just saying hello!”

Cirilla clenched her fists, watching the elf warily. Aishe Moon Song spread her arms, palms forward, and slowly approached, smiling brightly.

“Look, I used my paw, not my claws, to tap him! It was just a gentle tap! My name is Aishe Moon Song, guardian of the Bountiful Forest, pleased to meet you!”

“…I’m Garrett Nordmark.” Garrett cast a cleaning spell to tidy his dusty appearance and spread his hands towards her, lightly nudging Cirilla with his elbow.

“It’s alright. She means no harm. Nature didn’t warn me, so it must have been a joke. Relax, it’s really okay.”

“…Alright.” The silver dragon girl reluctantly relaxed, extending a hand towards Aishe Moon Song.

“I’m Cirilla. Cirilla Moonlight Fress Greta. Nice to meet you.”

“Cirilla Moonlight Fress Greta…” Aishe Moon Song repeated thoughtfully, her eyes brightening.

“The Glittering Family! You’re a dragon, right? No wonder you’re so strong and adept at transforming into an elf! I’ve heard that many dragons like to take elf forms and walk the earth! No wonder your scent was different~~”

“You can smell?”

Cirilla blurted out, glancing at Garrett.

Do elves have such sharp noses? Why does Garrett never mention “smelling” anything?

Or is there such a big difference between elves and half-elves?

“Oh, I was a panther earlier.” Seeing her puzzled expression, Aishe Moon Song laughed heartily.

“My nose is keen, but not that keen normally. As a panther, I could smell the lively, natural scent on him. And Miss Cirilla, you smell like mist and mountain wind, cool and fresh…”

Cirilla finally smiled. Garrett laughed too; a silver dragon’s breath was icy, and she loved playing on snowy mountaintops recently.

Indeed, she carried the scent of mist and mountain wind.

With introductions and explanations done, the hostility faded, and they walked together. Returning to the forest path, Garrett continued introducing others to Aishe Moon Song.

“This is Bernard. And this is Appa; you can call him Appa.”

“Hey~~~”

“Hello, Mr. Bernard, and Appa~~~”

Aishe Moon Song greeted each warmly, even patting Appa’s antlers. She then wiped her face, removing two leaves stuck to her cheeks.

“Sorry about earlier, I approached too eagerly. I’m so happy! Mr. Nordmark, seeing you come out safe, you don’t know how relieved I am! I was so worried…”

Garrett: ???

When was I ever unsafe?

I’ve always been very safe!

Every day doing experiments, managing the progress, checking the mice, chicken embryos, monkeys, and subjects… Everyone in the lab, even Archmage Haines, follows my commands…

The only risk might be a mishap causing a yellow fever infection, but with [Remove Disease], there’s no real danger!

His puzzled look was too obvious, and Aishe Moon Song shrugged, laughing helplessly.

“You didn’t feel it? The heavy aura of death! Every day, so much death! I was outside, unable to get in, feeling your presence inside, worrying so much…”

Garrett imagined the scene, both amused and exasperated. He didn’t even want to ask what she guessed or planned to do anymore…

“Especially with the Lord of Plague in there! Think about it, the Lord of Plague, such a powerful and notorious necromancer! Falling into such hands, I feared for what you might endure… But the aura was too strong, I couldn’t fight it, not without a mage tower, so I could only watch, sorry…”

“Cough, cough…”

Cirilla tried to suppress a laugh, glancing oddly at Garrett, her silver-blue eyes full of mirth;

Bernard pressed his lips tight, turning away, making snorting sounds;

Even Appa lowered its head, pawing the ground, its nostrils flaring, snorting loudly…

Aishe Moon Song finally sensed something amiss. She looked at Garrett, then Cirilla, then Bernard and Appa, hesitantly asking:

“…What’s wrong?”

“Uh, well…” Garrett looked embarrassed. He stepped back, half-hiding behind Cirilla, using her as a shield in case Aishe Moon Song suddenly turned hostile.

“There might be a misunderstanding… Actually, the ‘Lord of Plague’ you mentioned, that’s, um, my nickname…”

“What?”

Aishe Moon Song stood as if struck by lightning, staring at Garrett in disbelief. She stepped back, transformed into a panther, and took a deep sniff:

No mistake!

Still the same fresh, fragrant, nature-imbued scent!

How could this well-behaved young kin suddenly be the Lord of Plague?!

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