第１８９１堀：相談の結果 (Part1)
Chapter 1891: The Result of the Consultation
Side: Rurua
Just as I was thinking of taking my leave from Seraria’s office after our various discussions, Enora and Kagura walked in.
They seemed surprised, their eyes widening, as if they hadn't expected us to be there.
Well, it is quite rare for us to cross paths during working hours.
"Oh, if it isn't Kagura. And Enora, too."
"Why do I feel like an afterthought?"
Mikos noticed them as well and greeted the pair in her usual manner.
"Kagura was here first, you know~. If you worry about it too much, you’ll go bald~. Anyway, I don't even need to ask why you're here."
"That’s right. Reporting to Seraria. Seeing Rurua and Ryushi here, I can guess it’s about the patients, but why is Mikos here? From my perspective, it’s actually strange to see Mikos."
"What’s that supposed to mean~? Mikos-chan is working, too, you know~. Look at this."
With that, Mikos handed them the catalog she had been showing us earlier.
"Ah, come to think of it, you were asked to prepare catalogs for the various nations."
"Right, this was it. Can we take these? My mother and Archbishop Enor were asking for them."
"Oh, sorry. The final check isn't finished yet, so not just yet."
We can't release them to other nations without Seraria’s approval, after all.
"It won't take that long. Once I give the authorization and the revisions are made for production, it should take about a week, wouldn't you say?"
"If there are no major issues, that should be about right~?"
"I see. I’ll relay that to the Princess."
"I’ll tell the Haire Church as well."
Judging by the quality, there shouldn't be any major revisions needed.
I’d even like a sample for myself.
Ah, come to think of it, it might be good to ask for an update on the hospital catalog as well.
That one is for the nations, not for specific facilities.
"So, I understand why Mikos came, but what about you, Enora?"
"Ah, while Rurua and Ryushi are here about the patients, I’m here to discuss the soldiers involved in the rescue operation."
"..."
Enora spoke simply, but the fact that she brought this up after witnessing that carnage meant there was a psychological issue at play.
Mikos, not seeming to grasp the implication, looked blankly at us.
"Enora, are you saying there are personnel who have become incapacitated, or perhaps should be removed from their units?"
"Do they require counseling?"
Seraria and I followed up immediately.
If soldiers carrying this kind of burden aren't addressed quickly, it could lead to fatal failures in the field.
Ryushi seemed to understand as well; she caught my gaze and nodded instantly.
"Indeed. It’s fortunate that Rurua is here. That said, in my judgment, I’m not overly concerned. I believe they will be fine, but I wanted to consult on the matter. Here."
It seems it wasn't an emergency, but rather a matter of seeking Seraria’s counsel.
Still, I was curious, so I looked at the documents Seraria was handed.
Seraria seemed to think it better for me to see them as well, so she spread the papers out on the desk to make them easier to read.
As I scanned through them...
"I see. It is indeed a delicate situation."
"...That it is."
"See?"
Enora replied to our comments.
Kagura and Mikos, being outside their area of expertise, looked a bit unsure of what to do.
"Um, are we in the way?"
"Yeah. Should we step out?"
They asked.
"You aren't in the way at all. Besides, this concerns Kagura and Mikos as well, so listen in."
"That’s right. Neither of you is unrelated to this."
"Well, that’s true. I told Kagura, but it wouldn't hurt for Mikos to hear this either."
"Yes?"
Mikos tilted her head, not understanding what we were talking about.
So, I explained the contents of the documents.
"Ah, the psychological burden on the soldiers, huh~. Well, I get that~."
"Oh? Mikos understands, too?"
"Well, Mikos-chan participated in the defense of Baide with Kagura, and there were quite a few schoolmates who said they never wanted to see a battlefield again."
"Well, yes. That was quite an ordeal."
When Mikos and Kagura helped abduct our Master, the situation had been desperate.
The regular soldiers had charged in and were mostly killed in action.
What remained were the private soldiers of Baide’s lord, Catherine-san, and the student soldiers inspired by Princess Carrie.
I’m amazed they held out as long as they did.
It’s no wonder that students would have their minds break under such extreme circumstances.
In a way, calling for our Master was their salvation.
After all, they had their sovereignty snatched away on the battlefield in a way that defied logic.
But, putting that aside...
"It really is delicate. You say their 'will to fight has increased'? Well, that is a common occurrence, but..."
"Indeed. It’s normal to feel anger swell up when seeing victims after blowing away the evildoers. However, to have that override their rationality..."
The soldiers shouldn't be that simple-minded.
After all, in Weed, enduring such provocations is part of our training.
We have taught them the meaning of group action, and they understand the importance of obeying orders as an organization.
"Enora, I’ll ask you again: you believe there is no problem?"
"Yes. But the fact remains that they witnessed such a gruesome scene. That is why I wanted to seek your judgment."
I see.
Certainly, as a medical team, we are in a position where we often see terrible injuries.
But precisely because of that, we know how those wounds were inflicted.
We know what was used, and for what purpose those wounds were created...
Because we possess the art of healing, we understand the intent behind the harm.
The anger stemming from that must be immense.
Is that why Enora believes there is no issue?
"For my part, I want to trust Enora’s judgment. Some time has passed, and one could judge that the troops have stabilized. What do you think, Rurua?"
"Indeed. As Seraria says, it is possible for things to settle down after some time has passed... Kagura, Mikos, Ryushi. What do you think? Perhaps 'forgetting' isn't the right word, but do the memories fade?"
I posed the question to the three who had survived or were victims of such gruesome scenes.
"...To be honest, I think it’s true that you forget, or that the memories fade. But there are times when you remember. I do, too. The regular soldiers who died in the defense of Baide, the gruesome scene in the church basement..."