第１７７７堀：治療からの情報 (Part1)
Chapter 1777: Information from Treatment
Side: Yuki
When you actually stop to think about it, the world has a way of ensuring there’s always an overwhelming, terrifying amount of work to be done.
Well, sometimes it’s the opposite, and you find yourself with precious little to do.
This time, it was simply the former.
Or rather, since Orelia pointed it out and I realized it on the day of, that’s far better than realizing it after the fact, so I’ll count it as a win.
But that’s a conversation for another time.
What I need to hear right now is...
"So, you’re saying you managed to extract information from Baron Siana and his party?"
That’s right. We managed to get intel on the enemy from the Baron’s group—the ones we captured, or rather, the ones we made it look like we’d slaughtered.
This is something I absolutely have to hear.
『Yes. There is no hard proof, but it is certainly valuable enough as a piece of intelligence.』
『That’s right. Besides, they have no benefit in lying to us. If they wanted to harm us, there are far more efficient lies to tell than this one. For instance, they could have taken us hostage to force the army to stand down.』
The two of them seem to think the information is worth its weight in gold.
Well, knowing the situation as I do, I agree that Baron Siana has little reason to lie.
Though, I’ll still verify it thoroughly.
"I see. And the content?"
『It has been recorded. Kagura.』
『Yes, I’m playing it now. I think watching it again might help me notice something I missed.』
With that, the footage begins to play.
The time stamp shows it’s around 9:00 AM today.
The video pauses briefly so Kagura can explain the situation.
『The scene is just after breakfast. That’s when our rounds as recovery mages begin.』
"Come to think of it, Baron Siana isn't in a private room, is he?"
『It was his own request. Well, he was worried about his subordinates, and it seems they are quite devoted to him as well.』
"Well, they followed him through that suicidal charge, or whatever you’d call it. It makes sense they’d be loyal."
They wouldn't have participated in a battle like that for mere money or a contract. Like the conscripted farmers, they would have fled the moment the first surrender opportunity arose.
『Ah, he was concerned about those surrendered farmers, too. It seems some of them were conscripted from Baron Siana’s own lands.』
"Well, it wouldn't just be the Baron's private soldiers, would it? Let’s leave the details for the footage."
『That would be best. Resuming the recording now.』
The video starts again.
The location is a prisoner facility set up in a section of the northern town.
We had permission for the construction, and it’s essentially an expansion built using Dungeon Skills.
The interior isn't finished yet, so the cold, bare concrete walls are visible. We’re still arguing over whether or not to decorate them. You know, that "exposed concrete" aesthetic?
Fortunately, for the floors, we laid down those modular, square carpets—you know the type.
The beds for the injured are simple, but they provide warmth and can be partitioned with curtains to create private spaces.
Essentially, it’s a standard hospital ward.
『Six people per room, fifteen rooms in total, eighty-seven people in all.』
"You said there weren't a hundred. How are they recovering?"
『Everyone is doing well. Of course, even though we used rubber bullets, there are still fractures and such from bad impacts, so those are still being treated.』
"I suppose you can't heal everything instantly."
『Of course not. We need the fact that we are nursing them to sink in; we need to draw out their gratitude. If we healed them in an instant while they slept, they wouldn't even have time to feel thankful, would they?』
True. If their injuries vanished while they were unconscious, they’d likely forget they were ever hurt in the first place.
『Besides, the main reason Baron Siana and his men are so exhausted is malnutrition. By providing food, they’ve really started to open up to us. As proof...』
In the footage, we see the Baron’s subordinates thanking the staff as they clear away the breakfast dishes. There is no hostility on their faces.
The camera zooms in on one specific room. That’s where Baron Siana is.
Kagura is visible, and their conversation becomes audible.
『Thank you for the meal.』
『Not at all. It’s just my job.』
Kagura is dressed like the others, so they likely just see her as a hospital worker.
『How are you feeling? Does the wound from our duel still ache?』
『No, thanks to your Heal, there is no pain. I’ve had plenty to eat, and the bed is warm. It’s almost too much for someone who came here to attack you. All my men are safe, too.』
『It is good to hear you are not in pain. However, as for the rest, that has nothing to do with us. These are orders from above. Our job is simply to treat the injured and provide food.』
Kagura responds perfectly. Ordinary people working in a clinic have no right to decide the fate of war prisoners. In reality, Kagura is acting on our instructions.
『Even so, you are treating the very people who attacked your town. Surely you must harbor a hatred deep enough to kill us?』
Baron Siana utters words that could put him in a difficult position. He’s essentially saying he deserves to be killed. There’s no need to test us like that.
I wonder how Kagura will respond.
『...It is true that the roads of the northern town were blocked, the fields were burned, and townspeople and soldiers were killed. Their cries and laments reached our ears.』
『...』
『But, we ourselves did not suffer to that extent.』
『...Huh?』
Baron Siana looks bewildered, as if Kagura’s indifference to the sacrifices is incomprehensible.
Did he want to be condemned? To be cursed at?
Well, people who feel guilty often want to be punished so they can find some relief.
For people like that, Kagura’s approach—refusing to give them the satisfaction of a confrontation and instead forcing them to walk a path of atonement—is likely far more painful. It’s the kind of situation where apologizing, getting yelled at, and being struck would have been a relief they aren't allowed to have.
『Literally, we have not suffered. If we had, we wouldn't have been entrusted with this treatment. Well, it is infuriating that you attacked the town and killed defenseless civilians, but I work in a clinic. What reason would I have to lash out at someone I am treating? Baron Siana, you are insulting those of us who work to heal.』
『...』
Baron Siana is left stunned by Kagura’s machine-gun-like delivery.
Yeah, it’s always a surprise when a seemingly gentle beauty says something so biting.
Still, Kagura’s primary role is that of a diplomat, acting as a direct intermediary between myself, Seraria, and the upper echelons of Haiden.
She’s well-accustomed to these kinds of negotiations.