I’ve Returned Safely

After Luca’s story ended, Eve ordered another thorough search of both the mansion and the barracks.

As a result, five more people in normal condition were found in the barracks.

They too, like Luca, were new recruits who had recently joined, and they had been trapped in the barracks looking after the soldiers in the same way as Luca.

Being physically fit, they had initially tried to climb and go over the barracks wall, but as luck would have it, there was a magic barrier on top of the stone wall surrounding the barracks to prevent desertion.

Coincidentally, all five were unfamiliar with magic, so they gave up on crossing over. In the end, they had been desperately holding out while waiting for rescue.

They had been in a dire situation with food running out when Princess Aine’s knights broke down the doors with magic and rushed in, startling them into hiding, where they were eventually discovered.

After hearing the full story from the five new recruits who were hastily eating food, Eve gave several instructions to the knights, then sat at the desk in her room clutching her head.

What on earth had happened to the Duke’s mansion?

Eve couldn’t even begin to guess.

Shortly after, an investigation into the people in a state of mental absence was conducted by the knight order’s medical officer, who was brought in by a knight instructed by Eve.

The main force of Princess Aine’s knight order, which arrived with the medical officer, was also deployed to deal with the situation.

In the Duke’s mansion conference room.

Princess Aine, Commander Gareth, and Eve were sitting with serious expressions, discussing the matter.

“According to the search results, there are three dead servants in the mansion and thirty-eight dead soldiers in the barracks.”

Commander Gareth explained, reading the report brought by his subordinate.

“Based on the accounts from the new recruits who stayed in the barracks and Maid Luca, there are many consistencies, so I believe their credibility is high.”

When comparing Luca’s testimony with that of the new recruits, the symptoms shown by the mentally absent people and the timing almost completely matched.

According to their testimony, people started behaving strangely about two months ago.

Though they were acting strange, it was only to the extent of oversleeping badly or staring blankly in place, and they would regain their senses if awakened or called.

But as time passed, the frequency increased, and from about two weeks ago, they stopped responding even when called and just remained blank-faced.

At first, they suspected some kind of epidemic, but after examination by the medical officer, no diseases were found except for nutritional imbalances due to not eating satisfactorily.

“I apologize, Your Highness. You moved all the way here to help me, only to get involved in such a bizarre situation…”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

Princess Aine was reading the report written by the medical officer.

“This is very strange, I’ve never heard of such symptoms.”

Princess Aine muttered to herself while reading the report.

The one who responded to her muttering was another figure sitting beside her.

“Your Highness, about that.”

“What is it, Gareth?”

Commander Gareth seemed to hesitate a few times, then, as if having made up his mind, spoke.

“I have seen similar symptoms before.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Though only ‘similar’ at best.”

“What exactly is it?”

Eve’s question.

Gareth nodded once and said:

“…Drugs.”

“Drugs?”

“Yes, what we commonly call narcotics. Among those narcotics, there are several that show symptoms similar to this.”

Commander Gareth was a former mercenary.

Naturally, he had seen various rough things during his mercenary days, and among them, he had numerous occasions where he had to enter drug dens.

In drug dens where all kinds of narcotics were scattered around, he had seen many addicts showing withdrawal symptoms similar to this.

A state where they seemed to have lost motivation, as if their spirit had left them.

Of course, if one were to list and compare specific symptoms, they would be different, but there were several aspects where the symptoms matched quite well.

“Drugs… but according to the report…”

“Yes. It says there are no physical problems.”

Princess Aine and Eve were somewhat skeptical.

Gareth also nodded.

“Yes. That’s why I was hesitant about whether to report it or not.”

“…But the possibility isn’t zero. It seems we need to investigate considering this aspect as well.”

As the princess’s party was about to determine their future course of action,

At that moment, a knight urgently knocked on the door.

With the princess’s permission, the knight entered the room, paid his respects, and reported.

“I have a report! A person presumed to be a high-ranking individual was discovered inside the barracks! He is showing symptoms similar to the other soldiers and is in a state of serious malnutrition, so we have protected him for now!”

“…Who is it? That person?”

“Yes! After having the new recruits identify him, his name is…”

Eve’s expression changed subtly upon hearing the name of that person from the knight.

After the arrival of the reinforcements and the cleanup, I successfully returned to Arianrod Fortress.

Even though they were weak magical beasts, I had suffered contusions and lacerations all over my body from their concentrated attacks, so with various parts of my body aching and stinging, combined with the cold weather, it was hell.

I hadn’t noticed during the fight, but after it ended, the pain came belatedly.

Even after applying medicine, covering myself with warm coverings, and doing all sorts of things, it was still incredibly painful.

“Kyo!!”

Shortly after entering the fortress, I saw Riel running toward me with a loud voice.

Emilia was also standing behind her.

Riel, who had been showing a happy expression, suddenly turned serious.

“A-are you okay? Are you badly injured?!”

She hurriedly approached and examined various parts of my body.

Ah, um… Certainly, the injuries I sustained were minor, but with bandages wrapped around various parts of my body due to numerous small wounds, it might look like I was severely injured from the outside.

“Riel, I’m fine. They’re all just scratches.”

“Really?! Are you really okay?!!”

“I’m telling you I’m fine, look at this.”

I waved both arms around to show her that I was okay.

…In truth, due to the cold, the wounds stung a bit when I moved, but if it could reassure Riel.

Is there any other way to reassure her more?

Ah, right.

Poke!

“Urgh!!”

I suddenly poked Asta’s leg as he stood beside me.

Asta, who had been enduring severe muscle pain while standing, let out a scream and collapsed on the spot.

“See? I may look bad, but I’m more energetic than he is.”

“No, brother, did you really have to go that far?!”

Asta, unable to bear it, jumped up and started complaining.

Riel, who had been watching bewilderedly, had her expression soften slightly.

Hmm, it’s effective.

I thank you for the pain of your muscle soreness, Asta.

“You do seem… okay…?”

“I told you I’m fine. I promised I’d come back safely, didn’t I?”

“Yes…”

Riel suddenly embraced me.

It was so sudden that I couldn’t react and just looked around.

Asta and Kino with slightly surprised expressions. Phyllis smiling from behind them.

And Emilia, who looked on with a slightly surprised expression, gestured to me with her hand. To hug her back.

The atmosphere was right, and moreover, I wanted to do so myself, so I hugged Riel back.

Ah, she smells nice.

No, that’s not the point.

“As promised, I’ve returned safely, Riel.”

“Yes, welcome back. Thank you for keeping your promise.”

…The wound where Riel was hugging me hurt a little, but I could endure this much.

…Ow, it stings.

Though I said I wasn’t badly injured, the medical officer judged that the wounds shouldn’t be aggravated, so I had to lie down for two straight days.

But if I catch the last express on the final day, I’ll be able to return to the academy.

…As an aside, Asta, who had exerted himself despite suffering from muscle pain, also had to lie down.

During my bed rest, Riel never failed to stay by my side.

I felt too sorry, so I told Riel she could do what she wanted to do.

“This is what I want to do?”

She said, so I gave up.

Umm… this is really embarrassing.

“Here, let’s eat. Say aah.”

No, there’s really no need to go this far?!

“…So you’ve finished talking about Emilia?”

“Yes. Of course I was very surprised at first, but Emi is Emi and…”

…Um, I don’t really want to say this, but… can’t we do something about that nickname?

It might not be a strange nickname for people in this world, but as a Korean, my sensibility finds that nickname a bit odd…

“I had no idea that demi-humans were discriminated against so much.”

“…Well, it’s not something that happens openly.”

In reality, there are quite a few people who know nothing about demi-human discrimination and only learn about it later.

Even Allen in the original story knew nothing about demi-human discrimination until he became involved with Emilia and learned about it.

At that moment, Phyllis knocked on the door and entered.

“Young Master Kyo, Young Lady Riel. A visitor has come to see you.”

“A visitor? Who could it be?”

“Miss Emilia wishes to see both of you.”

“Emi?”

A moment later, Emilia entered the room and greeted them formally.

Riel welcomed Emilia with a happy face, and Emilia also faced Riel with a bright expression.

Hmm, how should I put this.

In the original story, Emilia appeared as I’ve seen her so far, quite timid and wary of her surroundings.

Then during the holiday, Allen discovers that she’s a demi-human, and she’s drawn to Allen, who keeps her secret, protects her, and accepts her, feeling saved by him… that’s the development, but…

It seems like Riel has taken on that role in the north?

“That’s right, would you like a cup of tea? I’ve been into making tea lately…”

“Ah… no, that would be too much of an honor…”

“What are you saying? We’re friends, so we agreed to speak comfortably with each other!”

“What? But… um… okay…”

“Is that okay with you too, Kyo?”

What? Me?

…Well, I guess it doesn’t matter.

In fact, even the daughter of a Duke is asking me to speak casually, so it would be strange for me, a Count’s son, to ask her to speak formally to me.

“Well, I don’t mind.”

“See! Emi. I told you he wouldn’t mind?”

“Um… okay…”

Meanwhile, in the next room.

Asta was lying in bed, suffering from muscle pain.

While listening to the cheerful voices coming from the next room.

“…When I go to the academy next year, I want to make friends with lots of pretty girls too.”

“Asta, you’re quite greedy when the Alukhinon is personally nursing you.”

If only she wouldn’t strike strange poses and say weird lines while nursing.

Like saying things about “the blessing of the blood wind” while applying medicine.

Inwardly muttering like that, Asta resolved to definitely get a pretty girlfriend next year.