Claude opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of a dark, herringbone roof. There were a few yellowing stalks of straw hanging in the air between the beams.
This was a small wooden hut with four single beds and a small square table. The wooden beds were covered with dirty yellow linen sheets. On the small square table in the corner were many vials of medicine. Some of the vials were empty, while others were full.
This was probably the infirmary where the medics were stationed.
Claude's entire body was aching and his chest felt stuffy. He felt like he couldn't breathe. Even the slightest movement would cause him to feel intense pain in every part of his body, including his bones.
Claude forced himself to reach out and pull on the bell at the head of the bed. Soon, he heard the clear sound of a bell ringing outside the hut.
The sound of footsteps stopped outside the door. With a creak, the wooden door opened and a middle-aged man wearing a white robe and a military uniform rushed in. He was probably a herbalist.
Seeing Claude look at him, he nodded expressionlessly. "You're awake. How do you feel?"
Claude looked at him for a while before saying, "My whole body hurts."
"That's normal. Your internal organs were shaken and it affected your entire body. It's only natural that you would feel pain everywhere.
I've already taken a look at it for you. Your bones are fine, but there are a few slight fractures. Drink some healing potions and apply some plasters. After resting for five to six days, you'll be able to get out of bed and jump around. "
The herbalist didn't seem to mind Claude's injuries at all. "Compared to you, those who were injured by you are the unlucky ones. If they aren't treated properly, they might be forced to retire due to their injuries and disabilities."
Claude forced a smile. "I don't think I'm that powerful. I'm the one getting beaten up the whole time. There's no way they'll be forced to retire due to their injuries, right?"
"That's none of my business.
The middle-aged pharmacist was still expressionless. "My duty is to help you recover from your injuries. As for whether you hit them hard or not, whether you injured or crippled them, or even killed them, it's none of my business. That's for the military police to handle."
"But I really admire your battle record." The middle-aged apothecary began to fiddle with some potion tubes that were placed on a small square table in the corner. As he mixed the potions, he said, "You single-handedly sent six veterans to my treatment center.
Even though you came in, it was an honorable defeat. "
Claude couldn't tell if the herbalist was being sarcastic. He tried his best to recall the fight and shook his head. "I'm not as honorable as you make me out to be. I've already forgotten. I only remember that I was the one getting beaten up. They're fine."
The herbalist stopped what he was doing. "They're fine?
Ha … Corporal Engo, both of his wrists were fractured. In the next three months, he would have to wait on all his food and drink. If the treatment was not effective, his hands would be crippled, and he could only retire with a disability.
He'll have to be taken care of for the next three months. If the treatment doesn't go well, his hands will be crippled and he'll have to retire as a cripple.
Sergeant Luton, you beat him up the worst. I heard that you only grabbed him when the four of them were beating you up. He has a concussion, a fractured sternum and a fractured right hand. He's still unconscious even now. "
"Of course, the unluckiest one was Corporal Wembley. He wasn't injured at first, but at the last moment, you somehow grabbed him and bit off a large chunk of flesh from his neck. Fortunately, you didn't bite his main artery. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been sent to me. He could have been cremated and sent home in a jar." "That's right, Corporal Wembley.
I don't know what the outcome of his treatment will be. He might even have to retire due to this injury for the rest of his life.
"The other two have minor injuries. Sergeant Bartholomew got his nose broken by a headbutt from you.
Corporal Fergusson's calf was kicked by you and he's limping with a brace.
I really don't get it. It's only the first time you guys met and there's no deep grudge between you two. Why do you fight like you're mortal enemies? Why do you have to resort to such brutal methods?
You just joined the camp and you're not on the battlefield. They're not your enemies. "
Claude could only smile helplessly. "Sorry, I didn't want to do this. I was just lining up to get food. They provoked me first, so I could only defend myself. You can't just let them hit me without retaliating, can you?
In the end, I was beaten senseless. I don't even remember what I did. "
The herbalist looked at Claude. "You don't have to explain yourself to me. You can say that to the military judge.
I can only blame it on their bad luck. They're veterans who've been in the army for four to five years. They know how to control their strength in a fight.
You, on the other hand, are a newbie. You don't know how to control your strength and only know how to hit the vitals. Even your teeth have to be used.
Now, everyone in the camp is laughing at their bad luck for messing with a tough character.
Do you know that you've been given the nickname Bloodthirsty? "
After giving it some thought, Claude realized that the herbalist was right. When he fought the old soldiers, they only hit the fleshy parts of his body. Those parts were hard to injure or cripple. Even though it hurt a lot, they were mostly used to humiliate him.
Perhaps it was because he was used to fighting the thugs of Blacksnake back in Whitestag, he mostly aimed for their vitals. Fortunately, the veterans were experienced and didn't die on the spot.
Therefore, he was so confused that he even used his teeth. No matter what, he would bite first before anything else.
As for his nickname, Blooddrinker, he didn't mind it. Only in the army would he have more power. Soldiers looked down on cowardice the most.
Perhaps after this fight, his days in the army would be a little better.
Normally, no one would provoke him unless he was certain that he could withstand his counterattack.
"Lift your head a little and drink this concoction."
The herbalist walked to the bedside with a concocted concoction. "I blew the concoction into your stomach yesterday and wasted most of it outside.
Now that you're awake, you can drink it on your own. I believe your injuries will ease up a little at night and you won't feel as much pain all over your body. You can sit up and have some porridge. "
The room was very bright. Judging from the color of the sky, it should be daytime outside.
Claude tried his best to lift his head, but his arms were too weak. He could only let the herbalist bring the concoction to his mouth and gulp down the bitter concoction.
"How long was I out?" Claude asked.
"Almost a day. It's three in the afternoon now.
You were sent here at 6.20 last night. We were all shocked at the time. You looked really pitiful, as if you were beaten up by 18 burly men.
After a checkup, apart from some superficial wounds and some slight bone fractures, you're completely fine. The only thing that's slightly more serious is your internal organs being shaken. "
The herbalist ignored Claude's eye roll and continued, "Then, the six unlucky fellows were sent here as well. They looked fine, but after a checkup, they were sent to the treatment room almost immediately. If we were any later, I'm worried that two of them would've died on the spot. If that happened, we would've had to bear the crime of failing to save them."
Claude closed his eyes and pretended he didn't hear anything.
After all, the more the herbalist described the six veterans' injuries, the more worried he became.
No matter how righteous he was, he didn't expect the consequences to be so severe. He just didn't know how the higher-ups would punish him and the six veterans.
"Alright, get some rest and have a good night's sleep. I'll change your bandages tonight and feed you a bowl of porridge.
If you feel that something is wrong with your body, pull this bell rope. "After saying that, the middle-aged pharmacist went out.
Perhaps because the medicine he drank had some hypnotic properties, Claude felt drowsy after lying down for a while and quickly fell asleep.
When he woke up again, an oil lamp was lit in the wooden hut. He saw three more people in the room. One of them was the herbalist from the afternoon and the other seemed to be his assistant. He also wore a white robe over his military uniform. He looked to be in his twenties and was a medic.
There was also a first lieutenant who held a black briefcase and stood there silently like a block of ice. He gave off an unapproachable aura.
"I knew you'd wake up at this time," the herbalist said smugly.
The middle-aged pharmacist said proudly. It was obvious that he was showing off the efficacy of the potion he had concocted in the afternoon. "How do you feel?"
Claude took two deep breaths. "I feel much better. My chest doesn't feel as tight anymore.
My bones still hurt a little, but it feels better than in the afternoon. I can endure the pain. "
The herbalist nodded as if he expected it. "Bell, help him relieve himself. Then, go to the kitchen and get his meals."
As expected, the young medic came to take care of Claude. He took a long-necked wooden can from under the bed and removed the thin blanket covering Claude's body. Without hesitation, he pulled down Claude's underwear and whistled in front of Claude, the herbalist and the first lieutenant. "Big fella …"
Under Claude's furious gaze, the medic named Baer picked up Claude's big thing and stuffed it into the long-necked wooden container. He smiled at Claude and said, "Don't get worked up, buddy. I've seen it all. After a few years in the camp, you'll be able to take off your clothes in front of everyone without feeling embarrassed and take a bath in broad daylight.
Also, this fella of yours is quite something. It's worth showing off in front of everyone and making those earthworms jealous. "
Claude couldn't move at the moment and could only let the medic do as he pleased. Due to his nervousness and embarrassment, he couldn't come out no matter what.
So, the medic, Bell, started whistling and it was quite effective. Not long after, the herbalist couldn't take it anymore and cursed, "F * ck, I just peed and now I want to pee again."
Following the herbalist's exit, the first lieutenant also couldn't take it anymore and followed him out.
Bale whistled gleefully as Claude emptied his bowels and finished half a can of the stuff.
After pulling up Claude's underwear and covering him with the blanket, Bell said, "Buddy, lie down properly. I'll go get you some porridge."
After saying that, he took the long-necked wooden jar and walked out.
Claude's mind went blank. Seeing Bell open the door to leave, he finally snapped out of it and yelled, "Remember to wash your hands first before helping me get the porridge."
Bell stumbled at the door and hurriedly grabbed the door handle to prevent himself from spilling the contents of the can on the floor.
"I know. I'll go wash my hands after this and get the porridge for you."
Bale left. After a while, the middle-aged pharmacist and the cold lieutenant returned to the room one after another.
Even though the two of them went to relieve themselves, they didn't seem to have much to say and entered the room with a straight face.
The herbalist went to Claude's side and had him open his mouth and stick his tongue out. Then, he checked his teeth and asked a few questions.
Seemingly feeling that Claude was recovering well and awake, he turned to the first lieutenant and nodded, indicating that he could talk to Claude. He then retreated to the table in the corner and started fiddling with the tubes.
The first lieutenant walked to Claude's bedside and asked even though he already knew the answer. There was no helping it, it was standard procedure. "Are you Claude Ferd?"
"That's me," Claude replied.