Chapter 138: The Prime Suspect
Since production needed to ramp up, Hilda was already scouting locations for a third workshop.
Back to Yuvika, she glanced at the investigation team’s door. "I’d like to say goodbye to the leader, but I didn’t see him join the group for the mountain this morning."
Yuvika turned back to Gara, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was also planning to stop by your house to say goodbye."
Gara gave an awkward smile. It still felt strange to have a girl show interest in him. "Safe travels. Please give my regards to your father."
"Yes. It would be wonderful if Sir Gara could visit our home in the county— I mean, to discuss our cooperation directly with my father," Yuvika stammered, flustered.
Gara only responded with another sheepish chuckle.
Click.
The door to the investigation team’s room opened, revealing Kian with glasses perched neatly on his nose, his clothes sharp and proper. His gaze swept over everyone in the corridor.
The Liners, feeling the weight of his stare, quickly blurted out, "We hurried back from the mountain because we wanted to see Yuvika off. We’ll still deliver the water."
"I didn’t say anything," Kian replied with a shrug. Then his eyes shifted to Gara, holding his gaze for a little bit longer.
Under that stare, Gara struggled to hide the awkward flutter in his expression. Thankfully, Yuvika stepped forward. "I want to say goodbye to the leader."
As she entered the room, Gara seized the chance to slip away. The longer he stayed, the more awkward things would become.
...
Yesterday, Gara had meant to return to Camp Liner in the afternoon, but his lingering embarrassment kept him away. Instead, he spent his time concocting more Vena Pills and tending to Rima.
But today, he couldn’t avoid it any longer. He had to face Mohan and Kian. If he wanted to join their next expedition, meeting Mohan was unavoidable.
Stepping out of the house, Gara was greeted by the bright laughter of a little girl.
In the village chief’s yard, Rima was hopping around by herself. Nearby, Hari was chopping firewood, smiling as he worked.
Gara’s lips curved up. "Rima, are you feeling better?"
The girl spun toward him, beaming. "Yes, Brother Healer! Rima doesn’t feel any pain anymore!"
He walked over and gently patted her head. Her black hair was soft beneath his palm. Hari had truly taken his advice to heart, not only making sure of her food, but caring for her in every way.
"That’s good. But Rima still needs a quick check-up, okay?"
She nodded eagerly. This Brother Healer was nothing like the stern old healers or the sharp-eyed miss healer who used to frighten her. Rima adored him.
Gara handed her a Vena Pill, one made with a slightly softer consistency.
As he waited for her to swallow it, noise suddenly erupted outside. Gara’s stomach tightened with unease.
It seemed like every week, some new problem came knocking.
Together, he and Rima stepped out of the house.
Outside, villagers and Liners had gathered. The villagers gasped when they saw Rima who was not only alive but walking around in good health.
Some opened their mouths to praise Gara’s skill, but one Liner’s sharp voice silenced them all.
"Gara, we don’t mean to be disrespectful, but tell us... Why is the water you provided contaminated with poison?"
Gara didn’t answer right away. Instead, he scanned the crowd. Nearly all the Liners were here, even Mohan, Kian, and Narin among them, standing shoulder to shoulder with the villagers.
This wasn’t a simple incident anymore. It was serious.
And he was the prime suspect.
When Gara stayed silent, Mohan stepped in to explain.
"Some villagers came earlier, complaining that the water distributed by the Liners was contaminated. Every barrel we hand out is recorded with its source. After checking, the poisoned villagers were all those who received water from the barrels you filled."
"What happened to your water, Sir Healer? My child’s been vomiting since morning!" one villager cried.
"My elderly father’s stomach hurts so bad he can’t even stand!" another added.
"My little brother turned pale and keeps clutching his head like it’s being crushed by iron!"
Voices rose one after another, the complaints piling up.
Hari quickly stepped forward, trying to calm them. "Please, everyone, settle down! There might be a misunderstanding here."
"There’s no misunderstanding, Chief. That water really came from Gara," Mohan cut in. "So tell us... Why did Gara provide contaminated water?"
The first question resurfaced, sharper than before.
"Please answer honestly, Sir Gara," one of the Liners said. "We respect you, but we won’t be made into sacrifices."
"That’s right. We don’t want to take the blame for something we didn’t do."
"Every day we climb up and down that mountain. It’s backbreaking work. Don’t let this ruin the value of our efforts."
This time, Gara noticed, the Liners weren’t being reckless or hot-headed like before. They genuinely wanted the truth.
But what could he say? He didn’t know either. His routine had never changed. He did the same thing every day. Nothing was different.
"You all know Gara’s always provided good water," a voice broke through. It was Madha. "If something like this happens out of nowhere, shouldn’t you check the storage first? Or maybe... there’s a wicked hand at play."
Madha’s gaze slid toward Narin. The blonde woman instantly moved behind Mohan, her body stiff with fear.
Ever since the incident with Loka, she no longer dared to approach Madha. Normally he ignored her but now, the way he looked at her, it was as though he could kill her with his eyes alone.
"We already checked the storage," Mohan shot back. "Kian and I even visited some of the contaminated villagers’ homes. Their barrels were fine.
The problem really is with the water itself. And what’s strange... Gara’s water here at the Camp Liner shows no issue. Only the water distributed to villagers is poisoned."
That statement struck hard. Any remaining goodwill vanished in an instant.
"I didn’t do anything," Gara finally spoke. "And why would I poison the people of my own village? I’m not just a Liner, I live here too."
"Because you wanted them to rely on you," Narin’s voice rang sharp.
...