Maximus naturally wouldn’t speak to them, but he would speak to every nurse or doctor who remained in the ward, using Illyrian, in a loud and firm voice to remind them: they must take good care of these wounded soldiers. Though they are enemies now, they are also Illyrians, and a hundred years ago, they stood united with other Illyrian tribes, as close as brothers. He believes that one day in the future, the Pannonians and them will bond as one family again, just as they did a century ago.
No matter whether the wounded soldiers were moved or not, after leaving, Maximus further instructed Horace to ensure that doctors and nurses who spoke Illyrian deliberately impart similar words to the wounded soldiers as often as possible.
Horace gave him his assurance.
Maximus waited for a while outside the house where the Skodisqi wounded resided, and saw Emmerich approaching.
He had changed into a clean linen robe, which was probably found for him by Akegu. He had also trimmed his long hair and shaved his beard, though unevenly and a bit patchy, the transformation was significant—it was as though he had become a different person.
Maximus was pleased with Emmerich’s actions, feeling that his effort showed not just compliance with the Medical Department’s rules but also his resolve to join the Nix Tribe and become one of them.
After entering the house, Maximus gave Emmerich the lead role.
Emmerich was genuinely concerned for each Skodisqi wounded soldier, especially his severely injured compatriots, and his mood remained heavy as he saw them.
Despite this, he patiently comforted them, assuring them they could heal without worry because they were now members of the Nix Tribe, and the Nix people would take good care of them. Of course, he didn’t forget to introduce the Nix Tribe’s leader, Maximus, praising him as a capable, trustworthy, and compassionate leader who could protect them, and so forth.
After that, Maximus stepped forward to express his care for the wounded soldiers and made promises: after joining the Nix Tribe, they would attain freedom, and their lives would only improve from then on...
Their teamwork grew increasingly seamless.
Finally, they arrived outside Florist Luscia’s ward, and to their surprise, Nexia was inside.
"Leader, why have you come here?" Nexia asked in surprise and delight.
Maximus gestured toward the room with his lips and asked softly, "How is the patient’s condition?"
"Two ribs are broken, and the lungs have sustained some injuries, but it’s not too serious. Minujus has already secured them, but she’s too frail; her previous meals weren’t nutritious, and her body has other minor issues. She needs thorough care to gradually recover to proper health..."
Nexia explained in detail, and there was a unique tenderness on her face that Maximus hadn’t seen before.
He naturally did not know that due to Emmerich’s previous pleas, Volenus and Capito, whom he had helped, both wished the Medical Department could take good care of this unconscious girl. This heightened attention from several department heads piqued Nexia’s curiosity.
Through her inquiries, she easily learned about the girl’s ordeal in the Segestica Tribe, which inevitably reminded her of her own past years in slavery. That naturally sparked a sense of shared suffering, leading to her extra care for the girl.
"May I ask if the child is awake?" Emmerich interjected.
"Who is this?" Nexia asked, looking at Maximus.
"This is my newly appointed Medical Officer, your colleague Emmerich. He’s a renowned Skodisqi scholar, well-versed in herbal medicine, adored by many Skodisqi people."
Maximus introduced them: "This is another of our tribe’s Medical Officers, Nexia. She’s also the head nurse of the Medical Department and has trained many exceptional nurses, ensuring the wounded are well cared for!"
"Using specially trained women to care for patients—I find this a fascinating treatment approach. I’ll have to consult you more in the future," Emmerich spoke sincerely, intrigued by the unique medical practices of the Nix Tribe since he joined the Medical Camp.
Nexia was equally curious. She could sense Maximus’s high regard for this older man, but this was evidently not the right time to investigate further. She smiled and said, "You’re too kind. We are in need of doctors like you. In the future, we can all learn from each other. By the way, the young lady has already woken up. You can go in and see her, but she is still very weak, so don’t stay too long."
Maximus followed Emmerich into the room, which contained only one hospital bed. Florist Luscia lay quietly on the bed.
She had a slender figure and delicate limbs. Her grayish-brown hair reached her waist, not dense and lacking luster. Her upper body was tightly wrapped in linen.
Upon hearing footfalls, she laboriously turned to her side.
Maximus first noticed her bright, clear eyes, framed by long, curled lashes. Her skin was pale, nearly white, and there were visible bruises in certain areas. Her chin was sharp, clearly lacking the fullness that proper nutrition would provide. She looked as fragile and sensitive as a timid fawn.
Maximus found it hard to imagine such a shy and delicate young girl managing to kill the Segestica Tribe’s Great Leader, especially since he had seen the leader’s corpse—it was impressively strong.