Garrett frowned in disappointment. His money pouch felt heavy in his hand, jingling faintly, yet it did little to lift his spirits. In this city environment without running water and minimal access to clean water, diseases were practically imminent, with people relieving themselves anywhere they pleased.
A slew of infectious diseases, each capable of causing widespread devastation, all easily transmitted through contaminated water sources!
This was infuriating!
Which goddess protected the people? Which goddess bestowed clean water? That tiny fountain at the temple gates couldn't possibly suffice!
A sense of responsibility as a healer ignited within Garrett. When he first arrived, just surviving was a challenge, and he couldn't afford to be concerned about this. But now, with resources and influence, able to reach out to influential figures directly, to stand idly by would contradict his duties as a doctor!
Garrett lifted his head, seeking help. Elder Elwin Wilkinson waved a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence.
"The matters of the streets can wait. For now, tend to these injured!"
The current injured took precedence over future patients! Garrett clenched his fists and dashed forward once more.
With the city lord inspecting personally and the heads of the three major temples present, the priests quickly assembled. Guided by a circling hawk in the sky, the servants of the god of nature arrived the fastest. Soon enough, with a rush, even the priests from the temple of the war god, who had been guarding their temple, arrived in full force.
After a while, those war god priests who had been strolling around gradually rushed into shops, each taking on their respective roles.
Garrett realized there wasn't much for him to do.
Severely injured patients were being tended to by high-ranking priests. As for the lightly injured, it seemed they didn't need his assistance for minor treatments??
Medical resources were overflowing...
He stood aside, trying not to interfere with the priests' work. Unconsciously inching closer to the wall, he was suddenly tugged by his sleeve:
"Sir... please, a healing spell... just one..."
Garrett snapped back to attention. Right, a healing spell! Apart from clinical medical methods that required checks, infusions, or surgery, he had the healing spell!
Although it was the lowest level, with weak effects, it was still a healing spell!
"Just wait! I'll do it now!"
Garrett focused, channeling his intent to heal, guiding a white light to shoot from his fingertips. As the light descended, the wound before him slowly began to close, an inch, two inches...
His current healing ability could only mend superficial wounds less than 10 centimeters long.
Tsk... following the usual upgrade process won't cut it; a person from another world needs to cheat! Without cheating, with only five minor healing spells a day, what could he possibly heal!
Garrett let his hand fall. The injured and the nearby assistant had been watching intently, sighing simultaneously at this point. The assistant asked in a hushed voice:
"Sir, what can we do?"
He had no idea what they could do... boil water? Give the injured sugar and salt water? Bring a basin over for washing wounds?
It seemed like these tasks had already been taken care of...
Garrett didn't know the answer himself. Seeing everyone looking at him expectantly, he casually said, "Pray..."
He uttered those words offhandedly, but everyone took it seriously. The assistant immediately bowed their head, clasping their hands together, murmuring softly. The injured also made an effort, raising their hands in a gesture of prayer:
"Great god of nature, I beseech your mercy..."
"Great goddess of the springs, I pray for your grace, please bless your people..."
In times of disaster and illness, people were most inclined to seek the divine. One telling another, and soon, within moments, both inside and outside the small shop, there was a chorus of intertwining prayers, buzzing like a unified hum.
Each sought their respective gods, the congregation jumbled together, yet their prayers became solemn and dignified surprisingly quickly.
"John! Go outside, gather the faithful, lead them in prayer!"
The bald bishop turned and shouted loudly. Another war god priest looked over, envious: leading the faithful in prayer was one of the fastest ways for a priest to connect with their faith and ascend, usually not given to novice priests.
But the bishop directly called out John's name... having a powerful friend was really nice.
John nodded firmly and turned to leave. On the other side, Elder Elwin was instructing the junior priests he had brought:
"You, go outside, gather the faithful, lead them in prayer..."
The area outside the shop quickly became chaotic. Soon, the sounds of prayers began from both left and right:
"Great god of nature..."
The prayers expanded in circles.
From dozens to hundreds, and even a few hundred people. More importantly, the faithful were guided into orderly lines, their voices praying to the god of nature, praying to the war god, all in unison, coming from both sides.
As one side increased in volume, the other quickly followed suit, the momentum akin to chanting at a military training ground.
People here... Garrett shrugged, brushing off the word "ignorance" silently, and cast the healing spell again. Soon, he widened his eyes in astonishment:
This time, the healing spell's effect was more than twice as strong as before, mending wounds over 15 centimeters long!
Prayer had this effect?!
Garrett finished his prayer and slipped away quietly. Looking left and right, he couldn't make sense of it he wasn't familiar with the effects of higher-level healing spells. He grabbed a novice priest who had just finished praying and wiped sweat from his brow:
"Uh... does prayer really work?"
"It does!" The other looked at him as if he were clueless. After a moment, he pulled Garrett into a corner:
"Why else would we build temples? Why bring them here for treatment? Why sing hymns together? Why, during major festivals, start with a prayer before displaying miracles? With others' help, how much effort do we save!"
Wow... it really seems to work! If that's the case, when he treats in the future, he'll gather a group to pray, and the effect will immediately double!
No... that's foolish!
Garrett slapped his forehead. Why gather people! He was supposed to train assistants! All those priests were supposed to learn medical skills from him! Set up a hospital, train a batch of doctors, gather together for prayers, perform surgeries in groups!
Even involve the patients and their families! Those who are ill or have family members ill, when they pray, they'd surely be the most devout!
Patients pay for treatment and contribute their healing power for free...
This idea was fantastic! Absolutely perfect!