Royal Capital II-5

"Mr. Taro, I'm so glad everyone is safe."

William, fully recovered, rushes out.

Immediately, he sees what I'm carrying on my back.

"Father!"

"He hasn't regained consciousness yet. I'll start treatment immediately."

Treatment... I'm not a doctor, after all...

Though I know I can't do anything inside, I speak to calm William down.

For now, I place Simon onto the wagon bed.

Upon observation, there are several spots completely covered by the magical stones, but around the face and neck, they are only thinly layered. I'll start clearing the stones from this central area.

Fortunately, I had a large quantity of deteriorated magical stones on hand, and with my power, I can disperse magical particles into the air.

I steadily break away the adhered magical stones.

But consciousness still does not return.

Breathing is shallow but stable.

The severed left arm had its wound sealed shut, and destroying the magical stones posed no problem.

Eventually, after several hours, I managed to destroy all the magical stones.

While I was breaking the stones, I asked Coil to drive and head toward Entsi.

We stopped once we were completely out of the kingdom.

Simon still didn't wake up.

After finishing my duties, I rested in the corner of the cargo bed. Alec and Greg were taking a break outside. I couldn't tell what Alec was thinking, but he was lost in thought.

Noel was preparing dinner, a little later than usual.

Coil was maintaining the magic-powered four-wheeler. We'd been forcing it over rough, unpaved roads for a long time.

Every part was rattling loose.

William refused to move an inch from his father's side.

"Simple, but dinner's ready."

One by one, everyone gathered.

They sat close around the campfire to eat.

There was no conversation.

"Will Father wake up?"

William's voice slipped out, barely audible.

Only I could answer that question.

"I don't know. I did everything I could."

After speaking, I was immediately kicked in the shin by Noel. Ouch... But yeah, that's right. No, that's not right.

Well, you know, my breathing's steady now, and I've collected all the magic stones. From here on, things can only get better.

I wonder if these words were really the right ones.

William looked up, meeting her gaze.

The eyes, reflecting the glow of the fire, seemed wide open and sparkling brightly.

The sun rose, and they steered toward Enshi for now.

There couldn't be a better place for recuperation.

But that moment came quickly. Simon had just woken up.

"Father! Father!"

William clung to him, speaking urgently.

"So you're back, William. I heard you were on the battlefield."

"Yes, Father. Please come back with me. Your daughter is doing well."

"Is that so? So Lina is safe after all."

Only his gaze captured me.

"You've saved me again, haven't you?"

It seems they know me well.

Naturally—after being involved with siblings this much, research would be inevitable.

"Take care of the two of them."

That was all I was told.

Turning back to William, I opened my mouth.

"...Live."

With only those words left, I quietly closed my eyes.

"Father, Father! Nooo!"

Only William's scream echoed through the air.

To prevent decay, the body was immediately cremated.

Collecting the ashes, we set out toward Entsi.

Inside the vehicle, there was no conversation—only silence passed by.

"How long until we reach Entsi, Coil?"

"We won't make it today. Along the way, there's a small village. Even at this time of year, we should be able to find lodging there."

In this world, caravan groups traveling long distances and small settlements established by guilds for adventurers exist. You can stay there if you pay.

As planned, we arrived at an unnamed small village just as the sun was setting.

Each took a room and rested briefly.

"Live... like that..."

The events of the past few days flash through my mind, unavoidable. The countless human body stones, Simon's death, my stolen left arm.

It's okay. It's not my fault.

It's the one who misused the technology that's to blame. If there had been no war, none of this would have happened.

It wasn't meant to be a tool for killing people. It's a technology meant to save lives.

How many times have I repeated the same thought while sitting on the edge of the bed?

The sun has completely set, and only the moonlight illuminates the room.