Matthew thought for a moment before adding, "Keep an eye on Horace. If anything happens, let me know right away."
Dominic was a little bummed out. "Alright. I'll have someone monitor the situation over there. Do you need any help with anything on your end?"
After thinking it over, Matthew responded, "No. I don't need anything."
Dominic started feeling anxious. "Do you need a driver? I can drive if that helps."
At this point, the pressing matter was to retrieve Plague Compendium and Miracle Healing Banner, so Matthew didn't want to waste any time on other things.
"I've got everything I need. If something comes up, I'll call you again."
After ending the call, Matthew sat down and pondered about convincing Kingston.
Suddenly, the front door creaked open, and Kingston stepped out of the house. "Stay put at home. I'm off to work. There's some situation at the poultry farm, and I need to check it out."
Matthew immediately got up to his feet. "I'm coming along with you."
As of now, Kingston didn't trust Matthew at all. The only way to fix that was to hang out more, so he didn't want to miss any opportunities for that.
Kingston leaned closer. "Sure, but you're not driving. The road condition is pretty bad, so I'll bring you along with my electric scooter."
Matthew nodded and hopped onto Kingston's scooter. Then, they left the yard.
After traveling just a few yards down the road, they encountered an old man standing in their path. "Stop right here."
Kingston pulled the handbrake and stopped his scooter. "What's up, Uncle Dashiell?"
Dashiell Wooler jabbed his finger at Kingston's face. "How do you still have the nerve to show up in this town, Kingston?"
Kingston's expression went cold as his respect faded. "Why can't I be in the town?"
Furious, Dashiell snapped, "You bastard! You're worse than an animal. It's all because you're a plague doctor. Look at all the troubles you've brought to the town.
"The townsfolk are getting sick one after another and ending up in the hospital. We're seeing more cancer patients and an increase in dementia cases. Besides that, we also have cases of skeletal fluorosis and kids with learning disabilities. This is all your fault."
Kingston was visibly upset. "I've told you this is due to environmental pollution. Why do you have to pin this on me?"
Dashiell fired back, "You're the one who caused this mess. How dare you shift the blame to environmental pollution? You're shameless, Kingston.
"Two years ago, you treated a poultry farm for chicken flu. After you returned, everyone in the town got respiratory disease. One-third of the townspeople ended up in the hospital with fevers, and the rest had to take medication.
"One year ago, a lot of pigs died at the pig farm. Right after you came back, my son was diagnosed with cancer. You've hurt enough people already. I curse you to never have kids!"
Kingston grimaced in agony. "How can you curse me to have no descendants? You're really heartless."
Dashiell clenched his teeth. "If I didn't have to worry about the law, I'd cut you into pieces with my cleaver. From now on, you're banned from entering Woolfields."
Kingston coldly responded, "Unless I die, no one is stopping me from going home."
Dashiell glanced around and yelled, "Did you hear that, everyone? The plague bearer thinks he can't be stopped."
With a rustle, two figures emerged from behind a large tree. A creaking noise echoed as the gate of a nearby yard opened, and a group of people poured out from it. In the distance, a few onlookers headed their way as well.
In no time, about 50 people surrounded Kingston. Their gazes on Kingston were filled with hostility.
Dashiell shouted again, "Kingston Wooler! If you don't promise to leave Woolfields alone, you're not going anywhere today."
Kingston's breathing became quick and heavy as if a fire was raging inside his chest. The sensation made him want to scream out loud. But yelling wouldn't fix anything. For a moment, everything went quiet.
Upon hearing those words, Matthew was infuriated. He got off the electric scooter and walked up to Dashiell.
"Kingston nearly got himself killed for you people in this town, you old geezer. How can you chase him out? That's some serious ingratitude."