第１４１８堀：調査継続中救助者たちの状況 (Part2)
"As for that, I really can't say. They are certainly grieving, but there’s no wailing or screaming."
"It’s only been about two days since the rescue. Perhaps their hearts haven't caught up with reality yet?"
"That’s a possibility, isn't it? When people suffer a massive psychological shock, they often become desensitized to protect their minds from shattering."
I’d read as much in Yuki’s books, and I’d seen patients like that during my own medical rounds. Some refuse to acknowledge reality, while others simply exhibit a hollow, muted reaction.
"Most of them were children or the elderly. There were a few servants at the lord’s manor, but once the walls were breached, they seem to know nothing of what became of the lord or the knights."
"They’re quick to judge, aren't they? Well, once the walls are broken, a defensive battle is effectively lost. It’s only natural, I suppose."
"Come to think of it, why were they separated into the manor and the church basement?"
"It’s not that complicated. The people at the manor were those who helped with the fighting until the very end, while the people in the church were complete non-combatants who had no way to flee."
"I see. Oh, forgive me. I’ve stopped cooking. Let me help."
With that, Enola began assisting with the meal. She took the ingredients we had chopped and set them to simmer in the pot, carefully skimming off the foam. As we pulled out the chicken to slice it, we continued our conversation.
"I’ve been wondering—why did they stay underground for a whole month? Usually, one would venture out after two or three days, wouldn't they?"
"You haven't been able to ask them directly, have you?"
"No. I don't believe they are in a state to answer yet. But, given the circumstances, I find it quite strange."
"True, it is strange. But then again, perhaps it isn't."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I can't know for sure without hearing their side, but they were non-combatants—women, children, and the elderly. They had no strength to fight. If they had stepped outside and encountered a stray monster, what do you think would have happened?"
"That is..."
Enola trailed off, clearly understanding my point.
"If they had run out of food and had no other choice, they might have come out. But if they could endure, they would stay put. They were likely told that help would come if they just held on. Though, I must say, the fact that the priest of the Lilishe Church abandoned them still doesn't sit well with me."
The church we had rescued them from was, of course, a Lilishe Church. While it was fine that we liberated the basement, the priest there had fled to the northern town along with the refugees. I’d had half a mind to give him a piece of my mind—or perhaps a punch to the face.
"Lilishe-sama, if you look at it objectively, it couldn't be helped. The priest left to secure support from the northern town. It was a more reliable course of action than a mere sister heading out alone."
"Yes, Rurua is right. That’s why the priest came to us with the request, so let’s keep things civil."
"I just wish he’d shown the resolve to accompany them himself. Though, I suppose there were some lingering glances from the people hoping he’d stay."
I understood the reasoning. But, well, I just couldn't reconcile it with my own feelings. Surely, the pride of Lilishe lies in putting one's own life on the line to protect the peace of the people.
"Well, what’s done is done. Overall, it seems the enemy’s primary goal was to seize supplies. The human casualties were mostly limited to the soldiers who fought back, so, all things considered, the total damage was minimal."
That, in itself, was a surprising fact. Whether the lord had been exceptionally capable or the commander of the Great Flood simply had no taste for slaughter, I couldn't say. They hadn't attacked the refugees fleeing toward the northern town, and as for those who remained in the city... well, we would know the extent of the casualties once we finished searching the rosters and the remains. That was a job for Agil and the others.
But for now.
"Let’s make a delicious meal. Agil and the others will be happy. And Princess Hasnia and her group, too."
"Yes. A good meal leads to vitality, after all."
"Indeed. Let’s do our best."
And so, I continued preparing our meal. The people who had been hiding had endured with remarkable patience. After all, they couldn't exactly show their faces until it was safe.