Chapter 81 Take Care~
We teleported from the 36th floor's teleportation circle to the one at [Seal Temple] in one go.
As we, the Nord Extermination Squad, appeared, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
Looking out from the pillars supporting the large dome-shaped roof of [Seal Temple], the sunlight was shining down strongly. Since we departed for the hunt early in the morning, it was still a bit early for evening.
It was probably around lunchtime, but there were still quite a few explorers at [Seal Temple].
Some had returned from the labyrinth via the teleportation circle, while others were preparing to head in. They all stared at our group of 76 people.
In the center, Io looked around at the squad members and opened his mouth.
"Everyone! Today's hunt was truly a great success! We finished without a single casualty, which is truly wonderful To celebrate your hard work, I'd like to take everyone to the tavern, but since many of you are tired, let's disband here for today!"
Io looked around at the squad members, but no one raised any objections.
Especially Garon and the other shielders must have been exhausted. In fact, many were staggering around, relieved to be back on the surface. And above all, Fiona was in no shape to go drinking.
While many explorers loved to drink and party, no one suggested going out for drinks, leaving Fiona behind after her incredible performance.
Io nodded and opened his mouth again.
"Three days from now, let's gather at the guild's conference hall at the same time as yesterday's meeting. We'll report on the investigation results after the Nord extermination and receive our rewards. After that, let's go drinking with the members here. Don't worry, the guild leader will cover the expenses. Drink as much as you want, and empty the old man's wallet!"
"""OOOOOOOO!"""
The members of the Subjugation Team were thrilled by Io's words.
It's rare for us to be able to drink as much as we want without worrying about the cost, thanks to the Guild Master's generosity. Everyone here earns a decent amount, but that's beside the point. It's great to be able to enjoy expensive liquor without worrying about our wallets.
Io nodded deeply and smiled.
"Then, let's disband for today!!"
And so, we decided to call it a day.
* * *
I headed back home with Fiona and Lady Eva.
I put Fiona to bed and asked Lady Eva to watch over her while I stepped out for a bit.
My destination was a nearby medical clinic. I explained the situation to the healer there and requested a house call. A gentle-looking female healer with a soft, soothing aura accompanied me back home.
As I led her to Fiona's room, she said,
"Then, let's get started right away~."
and sat down in the chair beside Fiona's bed.
The healer placed her hands on Fiona, and immediately, the diagnostic magic for healing was activated.
Fiona's body, lying on the bed, began to glow softly, as if enveloped in a faint, luminescent light.
This diagnostic magic can detect all sorts of abnormalities in the human body, from external injuries to internal wounds, poisoning, and even lifestyle-related diseases. By using this magic, healers can identify the abnormalities and apply the necessary healing techniques.
Potions are certainly convenient, but they have their limitations. Depending on the severity of the injury or the rank of the potion, some wounds may not be curable. The same applies to poison, and especially diseases, which cannot be cured by potions. In terms of treatment, healers are far superior.
By the way, healing magic is a holy attribute, but healers, as a Job, do not learn attack magic, and their physical abilities are not significantly enhanced by their Job. That's why healers usually emerge from general Jobs, not combat Jobs.
Anyway.
As the healer examined Fiona, she nodded several times with a "Hmmm~", as if confirming something, and then suddenly turned to face me, her eyes wide open.
I couldn't help but flinch.
It's a bit scary.
That's because I'm not good with healers. I've been scolded too many times...
The time I got scolded the most was after I defeated Lich for the first time, when I was badly injured and barely made it back alive. I was taken to a medical clinic.
Since I was always solo and still inexperienced, I would often get hurt too badly for my potions to heal, so I had to rely on the medical clinic's help a lot.
That's why I ended up getting help from the same medical clinic many times, and I would get lectures from them every day. And when I was on the verge of death and got taken there, the healer who always treated me would put their hand on my shoulder and say with a serious face...
"Hey... you're going to get yourself killed?"
――And.
The healer's eyes were wide open, her pupils dilated.
Who would have thought I'd hear those words from a healer who's supposed to save people's lives...?
Since then, I've avoided going to that medical clinic.
Well, with experiences like that, I just can't get along with healers.
I was mentally preparing myself for what the healer with the thread-like eyes would say, and she told me in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Please leave the room~"
"Ah, yes."
I was relieved I didn't get scolded.
I nodded obediently and left Fiona's room.
I went back to the living room, made some tea, and drank it while sitting on the sofa, lying down, and thinking about what to have for dinner today, passing the time without doing anything in particular.
I wonder how much time has passed.
I think it's been around 30 minutes, but around that time, the door connecting Fiona's room to the living room creaked open.
By the way, Fiona's room is right next to the living room.
"Yes, the treatment is finished~."
The healer with thread-like eyes and Lady Eva came out of the room.
"...How was it, doctor?"
I stood up from the sofa to hear the conversation.
"Well~"
The healer with thread-like eyes――the doctor thought for a bit before answering.
"I mean, injuries like tendon damage, bone fractures, and internal bleeding were mostly healed with potions, but~ her muscles, bones, and organs were in a terrible state, you know~? It's like she suddenly put way too much strain on her body and it just stopped functioning properly~. What did she do to end up like that~? After pushing her body way beyond its limits and drinking poison~, did she also go on a crazy diet or something~? That's no good, you know~? Don't do extreme diets, okay~? Huff..."
"......"
"The remaining main symptoms are~ extreme muscle fatigue~, minor nerve damage from exercising~, her bones are on the verge of fatigue fractures~, and her organs are on the verge of multiple organ failure~ or so it seems~? Her circulatory system, especially her heart, was under a lot of stress too, it seems~."
She's speaking in a joking tone with a hint of exaggeration, but what she's saying is actually pretty serious.
She had taken a potion, but it seems there was still damage that couldn't be fully healed. If it was just physical exhaustion from overusing her body, that would be one thing, but the severity of the symptoms is no laughing matter.
"Well, I've applied recovery magic to promote self-healing~, so it shouldn't get any worse from here~. Just make sure to eat well and rest for now~. At the very least, she's banned from fighting for a week~, but with treatment like Unique Jobs' explorer~, she should be able to move around by tomorrow~."
"I see... got it. Thank you, doctor."
I bowed my head to the doctor with eyes like a thread.
"No need to thank me~, it's just business~. As long as you pay the fee~, I'll treat you for anything~."
"......"
This guy's changed.
Even Lady Eva is staring at her with a surprised expression.
I paid the doctor with eyes like a thread the treatment fee and travel expenses with a smile, and she was overjoyed.
"Wow, so much~! You're a really good person~!"
I saw the doctor off at the entrance, and she was still beaming with joy.
"Oh, right~."
Just as I was about to leave the entrance, she turned around, looking like she had just remembered something.
"Remember, it's not just fighting, but also intense exercise~. Please refrain from it for at least 5 days~, okay?"
"Got it. I'll make sure to tell her."
I guess it's better if I don't let her do any intense training either.
"From now on, please refrain from any nighttime activities~, okay? I mean, you can't help yourself~, so don't attack your wife~, got it?"
"......Ah, yes."
It's a hassle to correct all sorts of things. I just nodded in response.
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, the doctor nodded back and left.
"Yes~, then, take care~!"
* * *
Now then.
Fiona's treatment is finally over, and we can get to the main topic.
I brewed enough red tea for everyone and headed to Fiona's room.
Fiona was propped up on her bed with a bunch of pillows and cushions, somehow managing to sit up. Lady Eva was sitting in a chair beside the bed.
By the way, after Fiona came back, Lady Eva had helped her change into her pajamas while I was out.
Well, I couldn't help it because I wanted to apply the potion, but the smell of the potion's ingredients was pretty strong. And the pajamas weren't borrowed from Lady Eva, but were Fiona's own. Although the storage ring is currently unusable, it seems she had a spare set in this room.
I handed Lady Eva and Fiona their cups of red tea, took my own, and sat down in the chair I had brought in earlier.
"――So, are you feeling okay after waking up?"
I asked Fiona, who was still a bit shaky and had to use both hands to bring the cup to her mouth.
On the way back, Fiona had lost more than half of her consciousness on my back. Not that she had fainted, but she was struggling to stay awake.
"I feel a bit more conscious after the treatment."
So I thought she might still be pretty sleepy, but she seems fine now. Maybe she's just forcing herself to stay awake.
"So, I'll listen to the story too."
"Alright."
Well, if she wants to hear it, I'll tell her. Maybe Fiona was the one who suffered the most this time.
"――So, Mr. Aaron, what's the story?"
Lady Eva asked with a sharp, serious gaze.
I pulled out a letter from the Storage Ring and said,
"This is a letter I received from Margrave Lorentz through Glen yesterday. Take a look at it."
"Margrave Lorentz... isn't that Lady Glenda's father?"
"That's right, the Wooden Sword Margrave."
Lady Eva looked puzzled as she took the letter, placing her cup on the side table before opening it.
On the other hand, Fiona seemed to have a sudden realization. She's been reading about "Wooden Sword Way" lately, so it's no surprise she knew the name Margrave. In fact, she seemed more familiar with it than Glen's name, as if she knew the person well despite never having met them.
"F-FIona...?"
"What's wrong?"
"No... it's nothing....Cough, well, I'll take a look then."
Lady Eva was giving Fiona a suspicious glance, but she cleared her throat and composed herself. Then she started reading the letter, and her face was painted with shock just a few minutes later――.
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