第１８８９堀：最近の悩みと移送された人たち (Part2)
"Well, since Mikos-chan started her own publishing company, we’ve finally been able to handle catalog updates and revisions properly. That’s why we’ve been producing trial versions for the Southern Fortress and other outposts, testing them out before sending the final drafts to the Alliance."
"Ah, that certainly makes sense. We’ve found those catalogs incredibly useful at the Weed General Hospital as well. Beyond medical supplies, we frequently need to restock consumables, desks, chairs, and all sorts of other equipment."
"I’m just glad to hear they’re being put to good use!"
As we chatted, we made our way into the General Government Building and arrived at the office where Seraria was working.
"Oh, welcome. This is a rare sight—Mikos, Rurua, and Riel all together?"
"We bumped into each other on the way here. Our departments don't usually cross paths, so even Mikos-chan was surprised. But anyway, setting that aside, here is the catalog for the Intercontinental Exchange Alliance."
"Ah, so the one I requested is finished. I’ll review it and send over any necessary revisions later."
"Understood. And as for these two..."
"We have the report on the people being protected and treated in the capital of the Giadana Kingdom..."
"And I have the progress report on the demi-humans we rescued from the northern town who were being held hostage."
"Right, those as well. I understand. I’ll look over those too. Tell me, Rurua, are there any urgent matters regarding the people you rescued?"
"No, for now, we are simply monitoring their progress. If anything critical arises, I won't wait to file a report; I’ll contact you immediately."
"I see. Still..."
Seraria flipped through the reports Rurua had handed her, her eyes scanning the pages.
"I had received updates on the patients' conditions from your side, but looking at the details... it would be strange to call it an improvement. There isn't a single 'minor injury' in the lot."
Seraria’s words weren't a flight from reality; they were the quiet wish of someone who desperately wanted the number of people suffering to be as low as possible.
"...Yes. I wish I were mistaken, but unfortunately, these are all facts, and they are all severely wounded. That said, everyone who still draws breath has received treatment, so their lives are not in immediate danger. What worries me is..."
"The psychological toll. It would be ideal if they could recover as I did, but how was it when Lady Enora was rescued?"
At Riel’s question, all eyes turned to Mikos-chan.
"Eh? Rurua was there too, right?"
"I was, but after we provided the initial treatment, the Haire Church took them into their custody."
"Ah, that’s right."
Since that incident had occurred right under the nose of the Church headquarters, it was only natural that once the cultists were apprehended, the Church would take charge of the victims' care. The victims themselves might have preferred otherwise, but given it was a matter involving another nation and we hadn't been explicitly asked to intervene, we couldn't just spirit the patients away.
"Well, even a layman like me knows that psychological care is no simple matter. Take your time and face it with them."
"Yes, I understand. That said, we still have those mental stabilization bracelets we used for Riel previously, so I believe that should help somewhat."
This time, the gaze of the room shifted to Riel.
Thinking back, she had been through such a horrific ordeal that we had resorted to various measures to prevent her from taking her own life. The bracelet had been one of those safeguards, and Riel had worn it faithfully.
"Ah—I can confirm that it does have an effect. It certainly stabilizes the mind."
"Oh, so it really does work?"
"Yes. Well, at the time, my head was a complete mess, but thanks to the bracelet—or perhaps just the fact that I had it—I felt a sense of moving forward. Besides, we didn't really have anything else back then, just counseling."
"..."
True enough. It’s not as if there’s an easy answer for how to mend a shattered mind.
"Though, I also had Yuki-sama by my side, and I think that played a massive role as well."
"Ah..."
We could only nod in agreement at that. Yuki-sensei had been involved in Riel’s treatment from the very beginning, visiting her hospital room every single day—ostensibly to gather "good samples" of her mental state, though we all knew better. He had even gone so far as to do his work from her bedside.
As we were talking, a knock sounded at the door behind us, signaling that it was time for us to take our leave.
Mikos’s greatest headache these days was the constant pressure from her superiors to have children. It felt like dealing with a nagging mother-in-law, but considering the political implications, it was a matter of no small importance.
Still, these things have their own timing, and children are a gift, so it’s never quite that simple.