第１２４掘：事情聴取でさらに噴く (Part2)
Since we cannot afford to move carelessly, Rurua and Elju have been working 24-hour shifts at the hospital. Although the rings allow for easy travel, they insist on this arrangement to ensure they can respond as quickly as possible. For now, there are few severely injured patients, so they can take naps at the hospital, meaning their skin health is apparently not a concern. Perhaps because of that, Rurua has a habit of wanting to cling to me whenever we meet. After all, we definitely spend less time together than I do with the others. Perhaps the others understand this, as they never complain. Should I call them understanding wives, or should I call their coordination terrifying?
"In that case, I'll go and heal them. Ria, stay here and keep watch."
"Eh, but..."
"Don't worry. Besides, if I'm the one who gets taken out, then nothing can be done here anyway. Just run."
"Th-that's..."
"Haaah. What kind of terrifying things are you saying, Advisor? Listen, Ria-san. That demon came here because they have something to discuss. They have almost no intention of causing harm. I mean, if they could solve this with brute force, they wouldn't even be talking to us. So, there's no need to worry."
"Th-thank goodness."
"Hey now, I was just thinking about the worst-case scenario..."
"I understand that, but I hear Ria-san has only been here for two days. She doesn't know the true extent of Advisor Yuki's strength. I would appreciate it if you didn't scare her."
"My apologies."
There’s nothing I can do when put like that.
"Is he... strong?"
"Yes, he is likely the strongest in Weed. I hear he even defeated Deryu, our Special Duty Demon Lord, who is said to be the best among the wives. But keep that confidential. Information is intentionally being kept under wraps. On the surface, while he is strong, he is officially considered to be of average ability."
"I, understand."
For some reason, Ria’s eyes are sparkling, looking at me as if I were something dazzling. Is she misunderstanding something? I’m no hero, you know. I hide my information because it makes it harder to walk around town! I’m curious, but I don’t have time to dwell on that right now. I enter the conference room immediately.
"Oh, Yuki, you're here."
"Ah, Yuki-san."
Deryu and Eris turn to look at me. The demon woman is slowly drinking tea infused with a potion, supported by Eris.
"How is it?"
"How is it? She’s a stubborn one. Even though I told her she wouldn't die, she took a powerful blow to the jaw, and it was shattered. Even then, she used notes to tell me to keep the treatment brief."
"Is it that urgent?"
"Seems so. I detect no hostile intent. Eris has been helping with the treatment quite diligently, too."
"I see. Then, Eris, step back. I’m going to cast Extra Heal."
"Yes, please."
As Eris steps away, I cast the spell quickly without an incantation. Usually, I would hide this, but the urgency of the situation is concerning. The flashy effects unique to Extra Heal fill the room. It just occurred to me—setting aside combat, do we really need these visual effects for healing? I’ll think of a way to remove the effects next time. Regardless, the demon woman moves her body to check her condition.
"Amazing... to cast Extra Heal of this level without an incantation... Ah, my jaw is healed, too."
Realizing she could speak, she touches her face to confirm.
"Is there any problem with your body?"
"Ah, yes. It seems completely healed."
"Well, the blood you lost won't return, and you've lost stamina. Normally, I’d suggest you eat and get some sleep, but..."
"There is no time for that!!"
"Yes, it seems so. For now, please drink your tea. As you’ve heard, it’s infused with a potion, so it will help you recover. You need to calm down and explain things in order, otherwise, we’ll just get confused."
"Ah, yes."
She sits down obediently. In times like these, no matter how urgent it is, we have no choice but to have them explain from the beginning. If they tell us a massive horde of monsters is approaching, we’ll respond, but the lookouts outside will report that on their own. Therefore, what we need to do is listen to the information correctly to avoid making the wrong judgment.
"For now, what I need you to understand urgently is that the people who assaulted me have come to Weed. If we don't take measures, the residents will be harmed."
"Understood. Deryu, contact the others."
"Understood."
Though, since she’s talking to Tori and Riel, it’s already been decided by our conversation here. Eris pours a cup of tea for me and sits beside me. I sip the tea while urging her to continue. First, we need introductions.
"Let’s start with introductions. I am Yuki, serving as the military advisor for this dungeon city, Weed."
"As I said earlier, I am Eris, representing the Entertainment District here in Weed."
"Thank you for the polite greeting. My name is Liliana Reston."
Hm? Liliana Reston? That sounds familiar. Eris, sitting next to me, tilts her head as well.
"I was the Demon Lord of the Last Kingdom—no, you wouldn't know it."
We both spat out our tea simultaneously. Not only is she a big shot, but the final boss has arrived!? Where is the hero!? Oh, she’s in the next room. But she’s weak. And yet, this Demon Lord is weaker than Deryu. Even Eris could fight her. Huh, how mysterious!! I’m in total chaos. Troubles are piling up. Piling up even more.