第１１６７堀：治療へ (Part1)

第１１６７堀：治療へ (Part1)

Chapter 1167: Toward a Cure

Side: Yuki

Thanks to the tireless efforts of my wife, Agil, and that mad scientist Comet, we have successfully obtained the item we were looking for.

Now, all that remains is to test it on the subject herself.

...Man, is this what it feels like for those poor souls who have to gauge the efficacy of a drug in a single, high-stakes trial?

That said, experimenting on another "person" still weighs heavily on my conscience.

"Don't go spouting off about 'common sense' after you've spent so much time playing around with our bodies."

"No, Nina, that phrasing is going to lead to all sorts of misunderstandings."

"And besides, why did you even tag along, Nina? You really should have stayed behind for that interview with Micos."

As Comet pointed out, for some reason, Nina hadn't joined the other Holy Sword Users for the magazine interview with Micos after our experiment concluded; instead, she followed us.

It was true that Micos had gathered the Holy Sword Users for the sake of an interview. We had simply piggybacked on that event to conduct our own experiment first—Micos hadn't lied about anything.

But, putting that aside, the reason for Nina’s presence was the real question.

"That doesn't need asking. Since we were the test subjects, we have the right to see the patient's face, don't we? Besides, after all we went through, I want her to live just like you do, Yuki."

"I see."

"I get it. Well, that’s only natural, I suppose."

Given that Nina and the others had lived for so long and had been forced to make decisions that cost many lives, I had assumed they would be more cold-blooded. It seems I was wrong.

I see—the fact that she can talk to Comet so normally now means she’s regained a sense of her own humanity, in a way.

"Though, I do worry about how effective a suggestion meant to prevent suicide will be. After all, we didn't exactly have you guys *truly* attempt to end your lives."

Agil was right. This didn't prove that suicide could be completely prevented. It is incredibly difficult to induce the level of impulse required for a "genuine suicide attempt," and if we pushed someone that far just for the sake of a verification experiment, it would be entirely counterproductive.

"That's the crux of it. It's true you all cooperated, but the effectiveness of the 'anti-suicide suggestion'—our primary goal—remains unknown."

"Don't ask for the impossible. We weren't exactly going to kill ourselves for real, were you expecting that?"

"Ahaha, sorry, Nina. I didn't mean to sound like I was blaming you. Still, all the other suggestions we tested worked perfectly. I want to believe this will work, too."

"True. The 'scissors' suggestion only ever resulted in scissors, after all. And the suggestion that being naked is a good thing went through without a hitch."

"Please, let's not talk about that specific suggestion."

To Comet, it was just a standard suggestion experiment, but for Nina, it must have been mortifying.

Well, I was certainly surprised by it. And surprisingly, Nina was quite well-endowed. It seems she usually binds herself with sarashi to keep everything in check.

Then again, Lulua, Eris, Jessica, and Samantha often complain about how much of a nuisance a large chest can be.

Looking at the numbers, having two watermelons attached to your chest while trying to move around is a terrifying prospect.

"Hey, stop looking at me with those eyes. Don't look at me like I'm some poor girl burdened by heavy, annoying things—I don't feel a shred of lust from you!"

"My apologies."

I had no choice but to apologize. I really was just thinking about how heavy it looked.

"Don't apologize. At least look at me like a woman."

"Eh? Is Nina aiming for Yuki?"

"Seriously? If you want him as a husband, you'll have to go through me first!"

"I don't want him. I just think that since you've seen a person naked, you should at least act a little embarrassed."

"Ah, I see. Well, it was magnificent. Your chest was large. It looked heavy."

"Stop giving me a critique! And you're still just focused on the weight!"

"Now, now, let's calm down. Yuki has plenty of wives; he’s used to seeing women naked."

"Yup, yup. He’s a great guy who’s ready for anything, but he’s the type who only gets those kinds of feelings for his wives."

Exactly. As Comet and Agil said, I have many beautiful wives, so I have no desire for other women at this point.

Besides, in the medical field, seeing a woman's naked body is just part of the job. I know how to separate work from my private life.

And so...

"Enough with the small talk. This is where it really begins. I hope it goes well."

As I said that, I looked up at the Weed Hospital looming before us.

Even today, people with injuries or illnesses were coming and going.

Fortunately, there didn't seem to be any emergency patients being rushed in, which was a relief.

Thinking this, I entered the hospital, went through the proper disinfection procedures, and headed deeper inside.

I’m on familiar terms with the hospital staff, so I’m rarely stopped; I even exchanged light greetings as usual.

"Yo."

"Oh, if it isn't Yuki-sama."

The man who greeted me was the hospital's ace physician, capable of using both medical science and high-level healing magic.

Trained by Lulua and Elju, his skills were immense, and he was the backbone of the hospital whenever those two were away.

"Is it the same today?"

"I suppose so. How is she?"

"I haven't heard anything from the nurses regarding her condition, so I assume there's been no change."

"I see. No change, huh."

"...Yuki-sama. I understand your feelings, but for you to be this deeply involved with her..."

"Don't say it. Besides, I'm still doing my job properly."

"Haa... Why do you always work so hard at times like this? Well, fortunately, this is a hospital, and the Director—your wife—is here, so I suppose it's fine."

"Let's leave it at that."

If I were to collapse, I’d definitely get an earful. Or rather, I’d be locked up in a room for sure.

As I parted ways with him and headed toward the patient's room, I ran into someone else...

"Oh, if it isn't Yuki-sama and the others."

This time, it was Schans.

She looked different than usual, wearing a white coat.

"Why are you here? Asking that would be rude, wouldn't it? Is it... her?"

Schans glanced toward the patient's room.

Come to think of it, Schans was currently absorbing medical knowledge here. It wasn't strange to run into her, but the fact that she was here meant...

"Are you seeing her, too?"

"Yes. I am an apprentice doctor, after all. I make my rounds. But to me, she is just one of many patients. It seems that is not the case for you, Yuki-sama."

"Well, I was the one who treated her. I feel a sense of responsibility, or perhaps I just want to see where this leads. Whether she lives or dies."

"I understand that sentiment. And you even brought a laptop? To think you'd be working right there in the patient's room... I can't really complain. Still, you’re always doing such reckless things. I wish you wouldn't worry Lulua so much."

It seemed Schans, too, was against me being so fixated on one person.

As a politician, that was a natural judgment, and I’m sure talking to Schans would have been more beneficial for the country.

However, this time, I wasn't just here to check on her.

"I’ve brought a potential solution this time."

"Hah? A solution? Oh, my apologies, I haven't met this young lady before. I am Schans, from the Zlable Empire."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nina. A poor girl whose body was tinkered with by these madmen."

"...Ah, I see. An acquaintance of Comet-dono? Well, the things she creates are certainly unique."

Schans said, her voice trailing off.