The doctor didn't bring the plague Chapter 3: Small caffè

Read chapter 3 of The doctor didn't bring the plague by Samael on NovelPedia.

As the steam lingered in the air, Fenric poured the coffee into the cup. With a careful tilt of milk, he traced a small cat drawing across the surface. Just like that, the latte was complete. He placed it gently before the girl sitting behind the counter. “Oh, thank you. You never cease to amaze me with your drawing ideas,” she said, smiling as she took a sip of the hot drink. Seeing her subtle smile, Fenric added a slice of cake beside the cup, his own expression growing even bright and cheerful. “Oh? Fenric, I don’t recall ordering this,” she blurted out, eyeing the sudden plate in front of her. “This one’s on the house, Maria. The least I can do before you leave for the academy,” Fenric said casually, resting his arms on the counter. Maria stared silently at the lemon cake before her ‘It was her favorite’ she whispered as she stared at Fenric, who had always been that kind of person. “Then I’ll make sure to enjoy it,” she said at last. Watching her eat, Fenric suddenly remembered something. “Oh Maria, weren't you supposed to leave for the academy yesterday?” “That’s true,” she nodded. “I came by to check up on you before leaving, but I couldn’t find you… so I waited.” “Dear Maria, you shall have an endless supply of cakes on the house,” Fenric blurted out, unable to contain his happiness. If only that person cared half as much as she does… His smile soured briefly at the thought. “Don’t worry so much about me,” he added quickly. “I’m a whole lot stronger than you think.” He puffed out his chest and flexed his biceps. Seeing Fenric’s bubbly expression, Maria’s face twisted with a faint pained expression. Fenric wasn’t blessed with mana, he was like any other ordinary human and with how the world beyond the village was steadily crumbling, she couldn’t help but worry. She didn’t know when she would see him again and so she decided to cherish the moment and gently shift the subject. “Fenric… have you heard about the rumors going around among the adventurers?” “Which ones?” Fenric rubbed the back of his head, thinking. “Those fellas are always talking about all kinds of shenanigans.” “It’s about an urban legend.” Her expression grew serious. “The Doctor of Decay.” At the name mention, Fenric’s face stiffened slightly. “Some say he’s a monster with a crow’s face,” Maria continued, her voice lowering, “a mutilated body that whispers in human words, luring people into the shadows before devouring them.” As she spoke, her eyes grew sinister “They say he’s a harbinger of omens. Wherever he appears, misery and misfortune follow. And if you ever hear the constant cawing of crows…” She paused. “Run for it means he’s watching.” The only reason she kept talking was to warn him about the dangers of the outside world… and something else entirely. He looks kind of cute when he’s wary, she thought. “So,” she finished, “you’d better be careful. And take good care of yourself.” As the words left her mouth, a sense of unease settled in Maria’s chest. The stories never sat right with her since every adventurer told them differently, some swore the Doctor of Decay slaughtered entire caravans, others claimed he appeared only after disasters, walking calmly through ruin as if inspecting it ,few whispered that he was manifestation of their fears No one could agree on what he truly was, whatever a monster a curse an omen. The idea that such a legend could exist in the same world as him felt wrong.If someone like Fenric can exist , then the world shouldn’t be allowed to create something like that. Fenric remained silent for a moment, his gaze lowered as he looked a bit down until he noticed her staring. Almost instantly, his usual cheer returned, though his voice carried a hint of seriousness. “I will,” he said. “I’ve got a café to look after… and my dear customers to take care of.” At those words, Maria couldn’t quite tell what he meant as her thoughts drifted. She still remembered their first meeting half a year ago, when Fenric had first arrived in