311 The Limit of Endurance (Toilet)

"Apologies. This is hardly the time, but—"

The tension in the air shattered as Kusama, utterly forgotten, spoke up.

Kusama, bound face-to-face with Ogihara, spoke with an unusually sharp expression.

"I'm about to lose control. Can I go to the restroom?"

Ogihara’s expression shifted in a way that was entertaining to watch.

From a look of exasperation—*can’t you read the atmosphere?*—to one of shock—*wait, are you serious?!*

Yeah.

After all, they were bound together.

If Kusama leaked, Ogihara, pressed tightly against him, would be in serious trouble.

No wonder he looked that way.

"Perhaps it’s acceptable. Someone seems to need to cool down. A brief pause, that’s all."

Before I could say anything, the Vampire Child declared a break.

And the instant he did, he stood from his chair, stretched, then marched out without delay.

He hadn’t bothered hiding his bored expression since earlier—but he’d really been bored, huh…

“Then I’m going to the toilet!”

Kusama shouted, vanishing in an instant.

As if the restraints had never existed, his form dissolved completely.

Oh.

That was a bit ninja-like.

He could’ve escaped immediately if he’d wanted to.

But he waited, asked permission properly—so he was at least reading the room.

Was the toilet declaration actually intentional, a way to reset the atmosphere?

…No, not likely.

Not with Kusama.

He just happened to need the toilet at the right moment.

You know the type—someone who inexplicably feels the need to use the restroom precisely at critical moments.

During exams.

The Vampire Child and Kusama-kun strode out with brisk efficiency. The other reincarnated individuals appeared momentarily uncertain about what to do next.

But when Oni-kun closed his eyes in silence, and Yamada-kun rose to his feet in response, the scene began to move as Yamada-kun slowly straightened the overturned chair and sat back down.

They immediately act according to their own will.

Some began conversations with those nearby. Others ascended the stairs.

Ah!

If it's about the upper class, the teacher should be the one being tended to!

I will go check the situation.

Would it be alright if I, the one managing proceedings, were to disappear?

Everything's already a mess. I'm gone, and it'll still manage somehow.

It’s not like it’d matter either way, whether I’m here or not.

Rises from the chair and begins to walk toward the stairs.

Something about being intensely stared at by everyone still present—probably just my imagination, I’ll pretend it’s nothing.

Especially from Kudo-san and Shikihara-san—feeling their gazes like sharp spears—ignoring them, ignoring them!

"Can I come along if you’re going to see the teacher?"

A warrior who speaks without reading the air, despite me struggling to maintain composure, as if walking on a bed of needles with iron will.

Yeah, well, real hero, Yamada-kun.

Actually, that’s not something you ask permission for—it’s a question, yet already standing and clearly ready to follow.

Getting annoyed by the whole situation, I nod silently in affirmation, then keep walking without looking back at Yamada-kun.

Yamada-kun follows silently behind me.

Behind him, Oshima-kun follows, slightly off-balance.

From even further behind, the pressure of stares strikes against my back—but to react is to lose.

Silently, I ascend the stairs. Arrive at the intended room.

Knock, as a courtesy. Wait for a reply at the door.

Before a reply comes, the door opens from within.

Kuzuya-san, who accompanies the teacher, stands there.

"Please. She’s still asleep. Be quiet."

As expected of a former adventurer, she must have sensed our approach.

Since the discussion earlier, I’ve thought: Kuzuya-san and Tanikawa-kun understand both the outside world and life in this elven village—because they’ve lived in both.

Perhaps because they’ve survived as adventurers, their decisiveness differs from the other reincarnated.

Just now, they volunteered to care for the teacher without hesitation.

That’s different from Yamada-kun and the others, who grew up in the sheltered world outside.

Upon being prompted by Syrilis to enter, the teacher lay on a bed, visible at once.

The teacher had been conscious when Syrilis had led them out earlier, but apparently had succumbed to emotional strain and exhaustion.

Besides the teacher’s bed, another bed occupied the room, on which Hasebe was lying.

Fermine sat silently beside that bed, monitoring Hasebe.

…Fermine’s gaze feels cold.

Must be imagination!

I’m feeling many stares today, but all of them are just my imagination!

I must convince myself of that!

Right?

“Condition of the teacher?”

Yamada-kun asked Syrilis.

“Can’t say for sure. It’s more a matter of mind than body. Now, he’s asleep from exhaustion, but who knows what’ll happen when he wakes.”

Sophia shrugged her shoulders as she spoke.

The words were detached, perhaps even cold in tone, but she was showing concern for the teacher in her own way.

“Your side?”

Sophia turned her gaze toward me, not Yamada-kun.

She seemed to be asking about the lower level—why we had appeared so soon after the meeting had ended.

“On pause. I got distracted and veered off course a bit.”

Yamada-kun replied with a wry smile.

He was aware he had diverted the conversation.

“Honestly, it’s unavoidable. There’s too much I want to know. I don’t even know where to start.”

Sophia sighed, glancing briefly in our direction.

She was also uncertain about how we would proceed from here.

Even an experienced former adventurer feels unease when the future is unclear.

There is one thing I must ask. Shiomaru, what are your intentions toward us from now on?

Looking determined, Kusaya asks.

Hmph.

I understand you've mustered considerable courage to ask that. But my response to it... is absolutely unyielding.

"Not particularly. Nothing special."

Yes?

Even Sofía, usually composed, made an odd sound in response to my reply.

—How… to…

Suzukaya looked as though she might clutch her head at any moment—well, I suppose, whatever.

It's true, after all.

The greatest reason for attacking and destroying this elven village was to kill Potimas.

Releasing the teacher used next will allow rescuing the reincarnated individuals imprisoned next.

Rescuing the reincarnated was merely a side effect of killing Potimas.

So, honestly, I haven’t given much thought to what happens to the reincarnated afterward.

Whatever they choose to do from here on out, I think they should be free to do so.

That said, just throwing them into freedom with no guidance would be irresponsible. I’ll provide at least minimal support.

After all, they’re all well past middle age, including their previous lives. I believe they can sustain themselves if the foundation is set.

Perhaps due to living in a closed garden, their mental age hasn’t advanced much, I suppose.

But explaining that would be tedious.

This mouth!

It’s protesting—telling me not to speak!

So, in situations like this, the quickest solution is to hand it off to someone else.

“Fermna.”

“Huh?”

And here, a capable human sacrifice exists.

“Leave the rest to you.”

“…Huh.”

A slight pause before the reply. But Fermina-chan accepted the responsibility without hesitation.

I’ve seen the teacher’s condition. There’s no point in causing further disturbance in this place while they sleep.

This is proper leisure.

Not a retreat from the enemy.

Not at all.

Therefore, I shall return.

Leaving Kusaya-san and Yamada-kun staring in disbelief where they stood, I turned and exited the room.