episode_0026

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What’s going on? Why is everyone suddenly silent?

As the explanation concluded, instead of the flood of questions I had anticipated, an inexplicable silence filled the hospital room. Just moments ago, the three of them seemed eager to speak, but now, despite my explanation being finished, they maintained a steadfast silence.

I wondered if perhaps the three of them had suddenly shouted, activating some kind of auditory protection function, rendering their inner thoughts inaudible. However, the only notification flashing in the corner of my vision assured me that their inner thoughts were being heard as usual.

So, what gives? Why is everyone suddenly so quiet? I really can’t stand this atmosphere.

To think that three S-class awakened individuals, heroes who saved the world, would hear me out and then fall into silence, made enduring this dreadful silence all the more unbearable for someone as insignificant as me, barely even an F-class.

And so, just as I was about to break the silence by speaking first…

[······Well, it doesn’t hurt me. Alright, I understand.]

Ryuin Mir shattered the oppressive silence with her first words, a silence so heavy it felt suffocating. Could anyone else’s voice be as welcoming as Ryuin Mir’s?

Feeling a sense of relief at the sound of Ryuin Mir’s voice, I listened intently to her following words.

[By the way, it’s surprising there’s no specific reward. If it were me, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity. It’s a chance to owe a huge debt to none other than Ryuin Mir, isn’t it?]

Certainly, it was difficult to comprehend losing such an opportunity to owe a debt to Ryuin Mir, among others. However, owing a debt to heroes like Ryuin Mir meant continuing ties with them, and for someone like me, who wanted to leave behind the life of an awakened individual and live as an ordinary person, severing those ties was absolutely necessary.

The three people before me had such fame and competence that they attracted an overwhelming number of followers and adversaries alike.

If the fact that I am associated with them becomes known to their followers or enemies, my desired peaceful and ordinary life will be extinguished like a beacon in a storm. I absolutely detested such an eventuality. From the start, I had no desire to continue the karmic ties with these personality disruptors and the eternal master-servant relationship.

“Oh, so I only mentioned this to Miss Mei Luina. The reason I treat all of you is not for your sake in the first place, it’s for my own. I can’t stop until you all get up from your sickbeds.”

[Can’t stop?]

“When I signed the employment contract with the Central Information Department of the Association, it included a clause like that. If I were to quit this job, the Association would block my future, so I can’t stop until you wake up. Now do you understand why your release from the curse is for my benefit?”

So, this morning, I elaborated on the forced contract incident, providing three people with a convincing reason why I don’t seek compensation for the treatment. If I say this treatment is not for you but for me, it naturally creates justification for why I don’t want compensation.

[Hmm…]

Mir Ryuin made a slightly intriguing nasal sound in response to the same resolute words I had said to Mei Luina. “Well, thanks to that, Stayne became my caregiver, and I can be released from this cursed state. It’s good for me. Alright, I understand. It’s actually beneficial for me, so I’ll do as you say.”

Then, as always, he concluded the conversation with a decidedly self-centered remark. Although it was a selfish statement that didn’t consider my perspective at all, it was accurate, and since I didn’t expect any sentimental response from Mir Ryuin in the first place, I nodded in agreement.

Alright, Mir Ryuin was convinced. I had already told Mei Luina the same thing earlier, so that’s settled. All that’s left is Dain Adamas.

I looked at Dain Adamas.

Like a fierce lion with fiery red hair, and an expression that seemed angry even while sleeping, she possessed a sharp charm that could turn such a demeanor into allure. Upon seeing her, I wondered if there was any need to bother convincing her. After all, once the treatment was over, someone like me wouldn’t be of concern to her.

At this moment, I am in the position of treating her, engaging in conversation and pretending to be familiar. Once the curse is lifted, my usefulness will naturally diminish, and then, she will probably lose all interest in me. It was the same when I graduated from the training camp four years ago.

So, without further ado, I concluded our brief encounter, not bothering to dwell on this matter any longer. “The only person who hasn’t reached the peak here is Miss Mei Luina. Therefore, I will start with Miss Mei Luina tomorrow, followed by Mr. Mir Ryuin the day after, and finally, Mr. Dain Adamas for treatment. I hope that’s clear to everyone. That’s the end of the explanation! Now, everyone, please move to your respective rooms!”

***

“Phew, you’ve been through a lot today, Dain Adamas. See you in three days.”

After moving her to Dain Adamas’s ward, I greeted her as she lay unexpectedly still. Tomorrow would be Mei Luina, and the day after, it would be Mir Ryuin’s treatment, so I wouldn’t see Dain Adamas for another three days. How should I handle the three of them efficiently so that rumors don’t spread? No, I shouldn’t let rumors spread. Yes, how can I handle them so well that rumors do spread…?

As I pondered these constructive thoughts and prepared to leave, Dain Adamas, who had been quiet until now, called out to me. “[Hey, Stay.]”

She had been quiet all day, and I had hoped she would remain so, but as expected, Dain Adamas always dashed my hopes.

Suddenly, why is she calling me? Did something I said today get on her nerves? No, that can’t be it. If Da-in Adamas is annoyed, she’d let it out right away. She wouldn’t have held onto her anger until now. So why did she call me? Oh, this is nerve-wracking.

Da-in Adamas’s voice, calling my name, sounded quite serious, so I turned to look at her, pondering various worries and thoughts in my mind. “Hm? Why are you calling me?” I responded to her summons with a tone and manner that would not ruffle any feathers, appearing harmless and casual to anyone who might overhear.

Upon this, Da-in Adamas paused for a moment, then asked me with a voice that seemed to carry a lot to say. “[You’re coming back… in 3 days?]”

“Huh? Um… Today, the healing energy has become unbalanced, so I need to rest a bit to replenish it. Tomorrow, I have to treat Meiruina, and the day after, I’m treating Mir Ryuin. I’ll come to treat you in 3 days.”

“Sigh. Hm. Ugh. Alright. I understand. See you in 3 days.”

“Uh, yeah. Let’s meet in 3 days. Rest well.”

Unable to fathom the reason behind Da-in Adamas’s discomforting tone, which seemed inexplicable, I swiftly bid farewell and left, feeling that if I lingered, she would undoubtedly press me for an explanation.

Click.

“Phew… What was that?”

Exiting Da-in Adamas’s room and closing the door behind me, I found myself at a loss, unable to articulate the clear message Da-in Adamas had wanted to convey, only recalling the uncomfortable murmurs.

“What was that really about?”

Even upon reflection, I couldn’t guess what Da-in Adamas had wanted to tell me.

“Well, there’s no point in pondering alone. If there’s no answer, just ignore it and focus on planning for today.”

So, I decided to simply disregard Da-in Adamas. After all, I’m a plant-human now. There’s no need to command what I want; I’ll move swiftly and take care of things on my own.

※※※

Click.

Stei left, and there was a sensation as if their connection had been abruptly severed. At the same time, Dain Adamas let out a deep sigh.

“Haahhh…”

Having something to say but being unable to express it was frustrating and irritating for her, who had always lived according to whatever circumstances came her way.

But then, wouldn’t it be more comforting to just do it? One might ask, but there was a reason for not doing so. The reason Dain Adamas couldn’t say what she wanted to say to Stei was because it was something she had never said in her entire life.

“Why, why on earth did I have such a thought? I’ve never had such a thought in my entire life.”

Dain Adamas was perplexed by an unfamiliar sensation she had felt since hearing Stei say, “Our bond is only until the treatment is over.”

It was a chilling sensation unlike the helplessness and fear she had first experienced when she became a plant-human. This feeling intensified greatly when Stei said, “See you in 3 days,” almost causing her to utter words she had never spoken before.

“Don’t go… Why did I want to say that?”

Dain Adamas couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason she wanted to say those words. She simply thought of herself as a weakling who had unwittingly succumbed to weakness due to the exhaustion of her mind and body from the curse.

“Well, once the curse is lifted and I regain my strength, there won’t be any need or desire to say such things. It’s all because of the curse. Yes, once the curse is lifted, everything will return to normal.”

That’s why Dain Adamas hoped for this curse that turned her into a plant-human to be lifted soon.

“Ugh, isn’t 3 days too long? When Stei comes in 3 days, I should talk to her.”

Dain Adamas waited for Stei to come.