Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 83: Plans in motion

"My child. I must give it to my child." She said frantically, as he tried to remove the talisman.

"There is no need. We have more," Elara then gently placed another talisman on the sleeping child.

Just as before, the infant’s fretful whimpering subsided into a more peaceful, even breath.

For fifteen minutes, a fragile peace settled in the small, dim room. The young couple held hands, watching their child sleep without pain for the first time in days.

"That will be it for now,"

Riku gently indicated it was time, and the young man’s face crumpled.

"Please, Master Healer," he begged Riku, his voice thick with emotion, "can’t we keep it longer? Or... or buy it? We don’t have much, but we have a few silver pieces saved... our wedding rings... take it all! Just let us have this!" He was already fumbling in his worn tunic.

Riku placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Friend, I cannot. These talismans are few, and many suffer. This is why we only ask for a small token, so we may continue to offer this to others."

He retrieved the talismans.

"However, this should be enough. Look. Isn’t your family much better now?"

The man turned to his wife and children. Riku was right. Though the marks were still there, the mother and child did not appear to be suffering as much.

Riku continued, his voice kind, "Please, do not lose hope. This relief comes from a benefactor who wishes to remain unknown. They ask for no coin beyond what is needed to sustain this effort, only that you keep a little hope in your hearts and perhaps, if you feel moved, offer a silent thanks to the one who crafted these tokens of mercy."

"And tell others who suffer, not to lose hope. The day when the Creep is eradicated from this world is not far. We will definitely return soon, so do not worry."

The young man was weeping openly now, clutching his wife’s hand. "We will," he sobbed.

"We will thank them every day. And we will tell everyone. Thank you, Master Healer. Thank you for this... this moment of respite."

Ding!

[Goodwill Accrual Notification:]

[Source: Sustained relief provided to the family]

Goodwill Points Earned: +10]

[Current Goodwill: 1 + 10 = 11 Points]

A small smile touched Riku’s lips. It’s working. Slowly, but it’s working.

Just at the same time, another notification appeared.

Ding!

[Goodwill Accrual Notification:]

[Source: Relief provided to an elderly Creep sufferer.]

[Goodwill Points Earned: +5]

[Current Goodwill: 11+ 5 = 16 Points]

Riku’s smile widened. The plan was in motion.

The next five days passed in a blur of quiet, determined effort.

Each morning, the small teams – Riku, Elara, Elder Borin, Thrain, Durnik, and the others – would set out from The Respite. They moved through the poorer districts of Luxia, knocking on doors, offering their fifteen-minute sessions of talisman-induced relief for a few coppers.

At first, the rejections were still frequent, born of fear and suspicion. But the successes, when they came, were potent.

Word began to spread, not through public proclamations, but through hushed whispers between neighbors, grateful sighs from relieved families, and the sight of individuals, previously bedridden, taking their first tentative steps outside in days.

"Have you heard of the ’Whisper Healers’?" "They carry glowing tokens... for a few coins, the pain just... melts away for a while."

"Yeah. They were at my home the other day. My father immediately felt better on putting on the talisman. However, the only problem with them is that they offer their services for a very little time. No matter how much we offered, they left, saying that they would come later."

"Whatever, man. We should be grateful. My daughter in law almost died despite taking multiple doses of the church’s Sunpetal Draught. Today, at least she is out of danger."

"What? Were those people telling the truth? They came to my house the other day, but I chased them away..."

"Idiot, you deserve to suffer."

"Nooo.. please call me whenever they visit anyone’s house. I stay in xxx building. I will even offer some coin to whoever calls me."

"Me too.."

---------------------

By the end of the fifth day, Riku checked his system panel with a sense of weary satisfaction.

[Current Goodwill: 1001 Points]

Over two hundred people reached, he calculated. Then he opened his ongoing mission.

[Quest: The People’s Panacea]

[Objective: Bring tangible relief and earn the genuine goodwill of 5000 individuals afflicted by the Crimson Creep. As the Host alleviates suffering and builds trust, hidden knowledge and pathways to a true solution may be revealed. The collective hope and gratitude of the people can illuminate the darkest blights.]

[Current Progress: 331/5000]

[Reward: Revelation of the ’Path Forward’ to understanding and combating the Crimson Creep.] freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Offf. Still such a long way to go. Loks like I will need to find some other solutions.

Meanwhile, in the opulent halls of the Church of Light, Vestarch Marius was listening to a report from one of his senior acolytes. "...and there are these persistent rumors, Your Eminence," the acolyte said, his tone carefully neutral, "of individuals offering some sort of... alternative relief in the outer slums. Small tokens, they say. For a pittance."

Marius waved a dismissive hand, his attention more focused on a ledger detailing the ’Benefactor’s Passage’ contributions.

"Slum whispers, Acolyte. As long as the right people continue to seek the Church’s true blessings and offer their appropriate tithes, let the desperate chase their fleeting folk remedies. Our coffers remain full, and our influence undiminished. The Crimson Creep, for all its unpleasantness among the lower orders, has certainly... highlighted the value of the Church’s solace to those who can afford it."

He smirked.

"Focus on ensuring the Benefactor’s queue remains swift and comfortable. Also, make a proclamation that whoever takes the mysterious remedy or whatever that is is responsible for his own actions, and the church would provide no support to them going forward."

"As you command, Your Eminence," the acolyte bowed, retreating silently.