I was on the verge of death when a doctor’s help allowed me to recover.
Outside, the boy from earlier and Piyo were running around happily. He looked a little younger than Piyo. It might be because he’s a Harpy that they quickly became friends with each other.
“Piyo, are you feeling better already?”
“Yeah! Heheheh.”
The boy happily patted Piyo on the shoulder.
“There’s something interesting over there, come on, come on!”
The two of them started running again, laughing merrily. Still, I hope they don’t fall and get injured when they’re still recovering. Seeing them playing innocently like this reminds me of her when we first met. No matter how strong she gets, Piyo will always be Piyo. It makes me smile naturally.
“Um, are you alright?”
Suddenly, I was spoken to and instinctively turned around. There stood a woman with the same feather color as that child. She must be his mother. So, she was a nurse’s child working here.
“Yes, thanks to you. By the way, have you seen that Arachne man? The one in the hood with long hair, did he leave already?”
“Ah, him? Now that you mention it, he was talking to an Arachne girl by the back entrance. Isn’t he still here?”
I went around to the back entrance of the clinic as I was told. There, Lauren and the Necromancer man were talking. As I was about to speak to them, I hurriedly hid. I shouldn’t go out now, not when they’re having their own time. Lauren looks happier than usual.
“Wow, you’ve been on all sorts of adventures. I’m envious, having companions like that.”
“Um, don’t you have… at Rainer’s village?”
“A Necromancer? No, they think I’m a weirdo who collects corpses.”
I suppose so, it would be a big problem if there were many Necromancers. Then, the man named Rainer took Lauren’s hand. She flinched, surprised by the unexpected action.
“Your glove, did you make it yourself? It’s well-made, but it’s a little old. Why don’t you come to the village?”
Lauren nodded hesitantly. Then the two of them started walking towards Rainer’s village.
“Finally, even that gloomy woman has found spring.”
“Yeah, hey, Nina! Don’t startle me.”
Nina was lurking behind me before I knew it. But it’s good that someone with the same taste as Lauren showed up.
“Not me, though, he’s kinda creepy. So, are you alright now? You collapsed earlier.”
“How mean. I just got a little tired, thanks.”
Nina replied with a “Well, well.” I was relieved for the time being, but the road to Shindo was still long. I should think about what to do next while I can. I returned to my bed and took out a map from my luggage. It seems to be around the middle. There seem to be a few places to stay ahead. I can go from place to place like that, if there’s no interference from Dark Elves.
I lay down on the bed and decided to sleep for a little while. I have a feeling the battles will become more intense from now on. The enemy has likely already learned that I defeated Gadou. If that’s the case, I can’t stay here any longer. I should recover quickly and leave.
When I woke up next, the sun was beginning to set, and the sky was dyed red. I seem to have slept for quite a while. I’m hungry, I should eat something. The clinic was silent and still. Suddenly, I peeked into Karubene’s bed and saw that she was gone. I had a bad feeling… I went outside and called her name. Suddenly, a scent of tobacco tickled my nose, wafting from a window near the back entrance. Really, Veronica, smoking near the hospital is a bit out of line.
As I opened the back door, I saw a Dark Harpy woman smoking.
