第１１５５堀：医者としての見解 (Part1)
Chapter 1155: A Physician’s Perspective
Side: Rurua
When I saw the footage showing the state she had been left in, I didn’t just feel my blood run cold—I felt a tremor of such intense, visceral rage that my entire body shook.
Is this truly the extent of the cruelty a human being is capable of?
The others felt it too. Seraria and the rest of them stood there, their faces masks of stillness, yet beneath that surface, they harbored a murderous fury that burned like a furnace.
"Everyone," Seraria said, her voice chillingly calm. "I know you want to scream, to tear everything apart, but you know that doing so here accomplishes nothing, don't you?"
They all nodded. She was right. Raising our voices now would change nothing. What we needed to do was act.
"Now, Rurua. What is the condition of the patients?"
"…Yes. Every illegal slave rescued by Asu-san has survived. I have examined and treated each one individually, and their physical conditions are currently stable."
"If you say so, Rurua, then I trust it is so. However, there is a possibility that there are other illegal slaves Asu could not reach. We will dispatch a unit immediately to rescue them. No objections, I assume?"
Exactly. Our priority now is to storm the bandits' lair and save the remaining slaves as quickly as possible. We cannot allow such filth—those who would trample so thoroughly upon the dignity of women—to remain at large.
We were all of one mind; there was no room for dissent.
"Milly. What is the information from the adventurers?"
"Yes. Based on the location of the attack and the testimony of the bandits captured by the adventurers, the lair appears to be in the forest on the border between Roschur and Gartz, just barely on the Roschur side. It seems those bandits approached Asu-san’s firm to sell the illegal slaves. However, because the meeting point was within a safe zone, they only brought three adventurers as the bare minimum for protection, which is why they chose to attack."
"In a way, it’s a stroke of luck. It revealed that such a pack of scum was running rampant. Still, a forest on the border of Roschur and Gartz... I suppose both nations were too wary of one another to intervene."
"After all, they were at war just a few years ago. Both sides would be hesitant to send troops to the border. That said, since it was our officially recognized merchant who was attacked, we can handle this with full authority."
As Milly said, since it was a Weed merchant who was targeted, neither Roschur nor Gartz would have grounds to complain about our investigation and subsequent subjugation. We have suffered 'actual damages,' after all.
"Very well. I will handle the contact with Roschur, and Shera, you handle Gartz."
"Understood. Leave it to me."
"As for the dispatch unit, Kirika, take your elite subordinates for advance reconnaissance and prioritize the lives of the hostages above all else. I will send Steve and his men as reinforcements."
"As you command."
Kirika gave a curt nod and vanished in an instant. She was likely already in motion.
"Also, Eris, Ratz. Investigate who those bandits intended to sell the slaves to and trace the flow of their money. We cannot allow the buying and selling of illegal slaves to fester in the very heart of this Intercontinental Exchange Alliance."
"Yes!"
Eris and Ratz’s expressions were more serious than I had ever seen them. Having once been slaves themselves, perhaps this hit closer to home for them than it did for me.
"Now, regarding her—the one in the photos who was subjected to things far beyond mere torture, treated as if her body were nothing more than a toy to be broken. You said she is 'surviving,' but is that truly the case?"
"Yes. Physically, she has been fully restored. I haven't taken any photos of her current state, as Master forbade it, but she has healed properly. After all, Master performed the treatment himself."
"For my husband to perform the treatment himself in front of everyone... that is quite irregular. Though, looking at these photos, I suppose I understand why. It is a miracle in itself that she was alive in that state."
"Yes. Under normal circumstances, she would have perished long ago. It is partly due to the skill of the recovery healer who happened to be with the group, but I believe it is also because the bandits intentionally kept her alive, treating her just enough so she wouldn't die. Otherwise, she would never have survived the journey to Weed."
"Hmm. That is a rather strange story. From these documents, it is clear that the girl Yuki is currently attending to has no significant status, position, or high stats. Why would such a girl be subjected to such torture?"
It was indeed a mystery. Usually, keeping someone alive through such torture implies they are a vital source of information, or that they have some inherent value that justifies the effort...
"That’s true. Yuki-san appraised her too, but the records only say 'Village Girl'."
"…Her stats and skills are mediocre. So why on earth did she suffer such a fate? It doesn't make sense even from the perspective of selling slaves. If you do that to them, they won't sell."
"I wonder if there’s something hidden behind this?"
As Riel said, we still don't know the details of 'her background,' so we are using the dungeon's functions to gather information. She isn't particularly high-leveled, and as Kaya pointed out, her stats and skills are nothing out of the ordinary. It leaves me with the unshakable feeling that there is something 'hidden' underneath it all, just as Tori suggested.
"Well, we will have to hear it from her eventually. Regardless, she needs rest for now... Tell me, why has my husband been staying by her side the whole time?"
"It is hard to say. I would like to think it is a romance born from him saving her, but I feel as though he is simply holding onto the nearest thing he can reach. Perhaps he lacks the emotional capacity for anything more..."
"That’s right. Yes, looking at those photos, I am convinced. Her heart is already broken. Perhaps she is just clinging to the only warmth she can find."
Lilishe-sama spoke the words I had been hesitant to voice, without a shred of doubt. Seraria looked troubled upon hearing that answer.
"She is broken?"
"Yes. To be able to remain calm after such torture... well, perhaps only Enora-chan could?"
"Ehh? Why me?! Well, I do have the track record for it, I suppose. Though, it wasn't quite as severe as what she went through."
"No, Enora. You were quite severe enough."
"True. Though I agree that her case is worse."
"Fufu. It’s good that you can joke about it. But she truly had no salvation until she reached that point. Whether it is a blessing or not, I cannot say, but Yuki-san saved her. Or perhaps, he has 'saved' her."
"…Are you saying Yuki’s actions were wrong, Lilishe-sama?"
"Hmm, that is difficult. If you look at it as saving a life, then it is correct. But whether she will ever be able to think to herself, 'I want to live,' is something I cannot say."
"..."