Dr. Kureha seemed to have noticed Adrian's expression, and she snorted coldly.
"Kid, what are you staring at? Do you doubt my words?"
Adrian stammered, "No, not at all. I'm just surprised that a doctor possesses such profound knowledge."
Dr. Kureha snorted again, and at the same time took a sip of wine. "Hmph! Even though I'm a sprightly 118-year-old, I'm no ignoramus!"
Adrian's anxiety spiked. A 118-year-old beauty—what inner fortitude allowed her to utter such a statement with such nonchalance? Had she considered the etchings of time on her face?
Compared to her, even the eternally 17-year-old purple-haired woman seemed slightly inferior!
Regaining focus, Adrian pressed on. "Dr. Kureha, what's your plan for Mr. Sliver?"
The town of Gyasta had been rocked by a seismic event. Regardless of Sliver's innocence, he had acted as the "trigger" for this catastrophe. As a respected doctor, Dr. Kureha couldn't remain in Gyasta any longer.
Considering the potential repercussions from the Drum Country's palace, Sliver's stay on Drum Island appeared untenable. Moreover, his current condition was far from ideal.
As a Paramecia Devil Fruit, the Bandage Fruit is not like the Zoan Fruit, which can allow the user to quickly recover their physical strength and condition.
Sliver, having overused his Devil Fruit ability, lies prone on the frozen shore. The harsh ice and snow environment, coupled with his weakened state, pose a grave threat to his life. The remaining residents may not need to retaliate; nature itself could claim him.
Hearing Adrian's words, Dr. Kureha couldn't help but feel a little troubled.
After thinking for a long time, she said, "Let's pull him up from the ground first, and then take him to my place. Anyway, I don't live with the other people in the town, and I don't care what that little brat Swaro is thinking in his head."
"...?"
Adrian, puzzled by Dr. Kureha's response, clarifies his position. As an innocent passerby, he has already extended goodwill by aiding the injured civilians. He feels no obligation to continue caring for others.
Dr. Kureha's eyes widen at Adrian's words. She retorts, "Hey, you little rascal! Do you expect a hundred-year-old woman like me to carry this young and strong man all by myself?"
Adrian can't help but smirk. Perhaps Dr. Kureha's age doesn't hinder her as much as she claims. After all, kicking down walls seems well within her capabilities—even if she is a centenarian. Perhaps she's more than meets the eye!
Adrian's panel blinked, revealing an unexpected E-rank quest: "Respect the Elderly." The task was straightforward—cooperate with Dr. Kureha to move Dr. Silver to a designated location. The reward? A mere trickle of experience points.
Faced with this tempting mosquito leg of a quest, Adrian didn't hesitate. After all, every bit counted.
But there was more at stake than experience points. If he continued arguing with Dr. Kureha, Dr. Silver might succumb to the biting cold winds. Adrian couldn't let that happen.
He approached Dr. Silver, whispering, "I'm sorry, Dr. Silver."
And then, in an instant, Adrian shifted into his ghost state—the Free Ghost · Firefly Soldier. His form expanded, towering seven or eight meters tall. With gentle precision, he scooped up Dr. Silver like a fragile doll.
"Wow! What an amazing ability!" Dr. Kureha's voice echoed from below, feigning surprise. But Adrian saw through the act. A hundred-year-old witch like her wouldn't be genuinely astonished by such a small feat.
As they trudged toward Dr. Kureha's house, idle chatter filled the frosty air.
"Adrian," she began, "You don't quite fit the mold of a supernova with a bounty nearing 200 million berries."
Adrian smirked. "Dr. Kureha, you recognized me long ago, didn't you?"
Her response was matter-of-fact. "I just got some intel from that little brat in the Twin Cape. No need to be sensitive."
"I never thought that a man over fifty years old like Mr. Crocus would be called a kid by someone… Quite the paradox."
Dr. Kureha chuckled. "That's the beauty of longevity. When you're 118, may you be as carefree as me."
"I hope so…"
Ahead, a two-story shed emerged—a white-brick structure, its top floor buried under thick snow. Dr. Kureha's secluded residence stood just outside the town of Gyasta.
Silver, the doctor, stirred from his slumber, disoriented by his distance from the town. His eyes fluttered open, and in a hoarse voice, he addressed Dr. Kureha and Adrian:
"Thank you very much for your help, Dr. Kureha! And thank you, kind benefactor!"
Dr. Kureha, ever the professional, assessed the situation. "Your throat seems damaged," she observed, her fingers brushing her chin. "But there are no signs of burns."
Adrian concurred. "Perhaps he strained his vocal cords during his ordeal. Not uncommon."
Silver appeared to want to say more, but Dr. Kureha silenced him with a wave of her hand. "If you wish to speak in the future, Silver, do so sparingly."
His expression bitter, Silver finally sealed his lips.
After Dr. Kureha's meticulous care, Silver regained some strength over the next couple of hours. He struggled out of bed, bowing deeply to Adrian and Dr. Kureha. "I am really grateful to both of you."
Adrian quickly turned aside and avoided Silver's bow. He pointed to Dr. Kureha and said, "Don't thank me. It was Dr. Kureha who truly saved you."