Chapter 262: Going Home for Now
It wasn’t until the next that day that word reached him.
“Rest?” [Ryouma]
“Yes. With all the arrests and raids, no new fires or attacks have been reported since last night. Presently, the residents are a bigger issue than the enemy.” [Lilian]
“I did hear about that a little. Apparently, there’s been some riots.” [Ryouma]
The maid, Lilian, had dropped by to give a report of the city’s situation.
“They claim to be Vigilantes・・・ who’ve taken up arms for their city and their families, but all they really do is beat those they recognize as “enemies” with sheer numbers. Looters stealing food and money from houses and stores in the city have also started to appear too.” [Lilian]
“People injured by them have started appearing in the hospital too – like those helping out with the evacuation and the firefighting efforts being mistaken to be with the attackers and being attacked. Riots are certainly within the realm of possibility, but what about the cause?” [Ryouma]
“We can’t give a definite answer until we finish interrogating the suspects. However, it is likely that some of the suspects, especially those who were willing to take the initiative to fight, have been subjected to “suggestion magic”. There is also little doubt that there are people behind the scenes inciting and providing supplies.” [Lilian]
“So it really was caused by someone…” [Ryouma]
Ryouma sighed exhaustedly.
“They sure left us with a messy present… Is it safe to presume that our main enemies have already left?” [Ryouma]
“It seems safe to do so. Some of their forces are likely still lurking, so we need to remain alert, but the authorities would much rather have your cooperation with the clean up rather than with the new problems popping up. That includes clearing burnt-out houses and setting up temporary housing for people in evacuation centers.
To that end, please be sure to get some proper rest now while you can.” [Lilian]
So that’s why she called him to this empty storage room, Ryouma realized.
Lilian must’ve taken that for reluctance, as her eyes were filled with resolve when she continued.
“I do believe they’re relying on you too much, but Ryouma-sama, you and your slimes are just too big of a help to ignore. So please make sure to get a good rest so that you’ll be able to use your power when needed.
You haven’t slept properly since the night three days back because of the firefighting efforts and the hospital, right? You’ve also been continuously relying on mana recovery medicine. There might not have been any problems so far, but that doesn’t mean it’s good for your body. Ryouma-sama, whether it’s in the battlefield or in the hospital, it is imperative that mana be recovered by resting.” [Lilian]
“Okay. I’ll rest then.” [Ryouma]
“Huh?” [Lilian]
Not expecting Ryouma to agree just like that, Lilian found herself in an unexpected spot.
“What’s the matter? You look like you’re looking at something strange.” [Ryouma]
“I didn’t think you would agree just like that.” [Lilian]
“Just how much of a workaholic do you guys take me for?” [Ryouma]
“Your abilities and character aside, you’re not very trustworthy when it comes to ‘resting’.” [Lilian]
“The clean up will take awhile, so I do intend to rest properly when there’s an opportunity to.” [Ryouma]
“In that case, I better get your room ready before your mind changes.” [Lilian]
“Actually, I might as well go back to the abandoned mine. I would be able to rest best at my house, and we’re not in a situation where we can afford to expend effort just to prepare a room for me.” [Ryouma]
“It’s to help you rest. That’s not a waste by any means. The enemy should still have some forces left behind. I know you have your matter with Yurdum-sama, and that you’re strong, but it’s still dangerous to leave the town alone.” [Lilian]
Lilian wouldn’t agree to his idea, so Ryouma had to persuade her with a smile.
“Don’t worry. Regulations to access the city have been tightened, and I can go home directly via Dimension Magic. Even if the remnant forces of the enemy do make it to the mine, there will be slimes waiting for them, and even before then, they’re bound to show up on the surveillance network. I can also run to town with my Dimension Magic if they do manage to make it to my house.” [Ryouma]
“It’s certainly difficult to catch a fleeing dimension mage, and I’m sure your slimes and your surveillance network are plenty reliable, but…” [Lilian]
“There are also produce and medicinal herbs that I’m raising there, so I’d like to bring them. The city and the guild have plenty of stock, but it doesn’t hurt to have even more, right?” [Ryouma]
“That’s… true. There aren’t any problems yet, but future supplies are certainly a concern. Among the buildings that have incurred damage are storehouses and stores that deal with food, and the season doesn’t make it easy to procure food.” [Lilian]
“Most of the produce I have back at home are potatoes and some variety of vegetables. I don’t have an exact number, but there should be enough to fill a storehouse or two from the warehouse district.” [Ryouma]
When Ryouma told her how much produce he had, Lilian was surprised and asked.
“Do you really have that much?” [Lilian]
“I laboriously farmed everyday as part of my magic training and agricultural studies, and the goblins helped out too. Some of the scavenger slimes evolved too, so that made things more efficient as well.
I’d love to go into more detail if not for the situation, but the important thing is that there’s a lot of food back home, and with the right conditions, the yield could be further increased.” [Ryouma]
“That much food is sure to be a huge help. But if you have that many, then won’t you need help transporting them?” [Lilian]
“I have the slimes and the goblins for that, so it’s fine.” [Ryouma]
“…That’s what you say, but the truth is that you just intend to work while no one’s looking, right?” [Lilian]
“Of course not! I’ll rest properly. If you want, I could even lie down on bed while using Shared Perception to command the goblins to transport everything. Their numbers have increased recently, and there’s 32 of them right now, so they’ll finish the job in a jiffy.” [Ryouma]
“I feel as though using Shared Perception would tire you, but… Alright, I understand.” [Lilian]
“Thank you for your understanding. I’ll inform Dr. Mafral of the situation, and if they don’t need any more help, I’ll go.” [Ryouma]
It was a bit forceful, but it was in that way that Ryouma convinced Lilian.
They left the storehouse to visit the examining room where Dr. Mafral was.
“――And that’s the gist of it.” [Ryouma]
“Okay. We’re starting to have more leeway, and supporting those that have completed their work is an important job too, so just leave the work here to us, and you go where you’re needed, Ryouma-kun.” [Dr. Mafral]
“Thank you. In that case, I’ll be going now.” [Ryouma]
Like that Ryouma was able to leave the hospital.
“Sorry to keeping you waiting. I got Dr. Mafral’s permission, so I can go home now. I have to carry the produce and other stuff into my Dimension Home, so will it be fine if I came back tomorrow?” [Ryouma]
“Yes. That’s fine. Please be sure to get plenty of rest. You collapsing would just be a hindrance to the clean up, and it would also only trouble the people dispatched by the duke. It would also make me personally worry.” [Lilian]
“When you put it that way I really do feel sorry… I’ll rest to the best of my abilities.” [Ryouma]
Ryouma and Lilian were talking outside of the examining room, so as to not get in the way of the doctors’ work, and as soon as he said that…
“Uwaah!?” [Patient]
“Please calm down!” [Staff 1]
A commotion started behind him, so Ryouma turned around. A man was being carried on a stretcher.
The man had most likely just completed treatment and was being brought out of an examining room. He was covered in bandages from head to toe, and in fact, there were fewer places not covered in bandage. He was basically a mummy.
Despite that the man desperately tried to get out of the stretcher and head outside.
Naturally, Ryouma couldn’t just watch that happen, so he was about to stop the man when—
“Sleep Mist!” [Isabella]
“Ah.” [Ryouma]
—The door to the examining room opened, and Isabella chanted out a poison spell.
In the next moment, a magically produced sleeping mist enveloped the man, and then he collapsed like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Before he could hit the ground, however, Isabella supported him and handed him to the staff responsible for him.
“Good grief…” [Isabella]
“That was well done.” [Ryouma]
“Oh, Ryouma-kun. You were outside, huh.” [Isabella]
“Who was that?” [Ryouma]
“Apparently, someone who witnessed some children being kidnapped.”
Isabella glanced around before telling that to Ryouma and Lillian in a hushed voice.
“Kidnapping?” [Ryouma]
“That sounds disquieting.” [Lilian]
Ryouma and Lilian’s gazes sharpened, and Isabella too did not hide her displeasure.
“I don’t know the details, but he was mumbling incoherently, calling out names, throughout his treatment, so he probably knew them. Walking should still be difficult for him, but his consciousness was restored by the healing spell, and he ended up like that.
We’ve contacted the guards, so I’m sure they’ll handle the problem, but… Hopefully they’re able to get those kids safely.” [Isabella]
As soon as she said that, another patient was brought in.
“Well then, I still have a patient to see.” [Isabella]
“Sorry to keep you, and thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
After seeing Isabella back into the examining room, Ryouma glanced at the man being transported on a stretcher.
That didn’t escape Lilian.
“Now then, I need to be heading home, so…” [Ryouma]
“Ryouma-sama, you’re planning on searching for those children, aren’t you?” [Lilian]
For just a moment, that unnatural smile on Ryouma froze.
“…How did you find out?” [Ryouma]
“That’s what I meant when I said you can’t be trusted to rest. A kidnapping incident is certainly alarming, but the guards are taking care of it already, and in the first place, it’s doubtful that searching randomly would be of any help. Unless of course you know where the criminals are?” [Lilian]
“Well, I do have a hunch.” [Ryouma]
“…Is that true? Well, I don’t think you’re someone who would lie like that.” [Lilian]
“I was also gathering information about the city in my own way, so I know a few places that are suspicious or hard for people to come by. I have nothing of substance that could move the guards, though, so I was thinking of checking along the way. If I don’t find anything, I’ll obediently go back. I know full well that it’s not my job to investigate crimes.” [Ryouma]
Ryouma wryly smiled apologetically yet resolutely.
Lilian made a sour look, and after a few seconds of silence, heaved a deep sigh.
“At the very least, take a few people that can fight with you, and regardless of result, go on your way once you’ve confirmed what you have in mind.” [Lilian]
“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
“It’s certainly a good thing to be able to respond to a problem immediately, and when accompanied by competence, it is rea.s.suring as well, but you should learn to take care of yourself better.” [Lilian]
“I’m really sorry… Oh, I know, once everything has been taken care of, how about we have a party to recognize everyone’s efforts?” [Ryouma
Just as abruptly as he’d proposed that, he realized a problem.
“Ah, but that would actually be making more work for the maids, won’t it?” [Ryouma]
“It’ll be New Years in three days, so it should be fine once things have calmed down to some extent. Hyuzu-san or someone will probably bring the idea up anyway once the situation calms down, and the guards do need to be thanked for their efforts.” [Lilian]
“Really? In that case, I’ll look forward to it. Please tell everyone ‘I’ll see them tomorrow’.” [Ryouma]
“Very well. We’ll await your return.” [Lilian]
Unlike the forced smile from earlier, this time Ryouma smiled naturally and quietly as he briskly walked away.
Lilian saw him off, and then she too returned to her post.