kscans

Chapter 240 - The State of My Companions

Back at the inn, I couldn't help but be impressed.

"To think a monster that invincible actually exists," I mused. "This world is still full of surprises."

Tina nodded, sharing my sentiment. "I'd only ever heard rumors about it. I never imagined it was real."

After leaving the inn, we had found an adventurer at a tavern who knew about that time.

"Yeah, word is they saw a Reverse Slime in the forest," he'd told us. "It's a legend among adventurers. They say it regenerates instantly from any attack, even large-scale magic, and can heal the injuries of other living things in a flash. Some stories even claim it can cure diseases—a truly immortal monster. They say it has a sacred, pure appearance... or so I've heard. I'm a little skeptical myself, but the guy who saw it is a buddy of mine. Said they tried to kill it since it was so rare, but no matter how they sliced it or stabbed it, it just regenerated. Absolutely impossible to defeat."

"That's some monster," I replied. "But what did you mean when you said you wouldn't want to get involved with it? If you captured it..."

"Forget it, forget it," the adventurer said, shaking his head. "Sure, you'd make a fortune if you caught it, but it'd cause an insane fight. Even the nobles would get involved. There's an old story about a town that was wiped out completely because they caught one and everyone started killing each other over it. Don't know if it's true, but it's definitely valuable enough to fight over. That's why I want nothing to do with it. Dying for a reason like that would be a real waste."

He then took a long swig of his ale.

He had a point. Dying in battle is one thing; you could say it's an adventurer's fate. But dying in a squabble over treasure would leave you with nothing but regrets.

"Thanks for the info," I said, buying him a drink.

Back in the present, I thought it over. "What an incredible creature. But from the sounds of it, it doesn't seem hostile. It heals the wounds of others, right?"

"Yes," Tina said. "Reverse Slimes are said to have a habit of seeking out injured creatures and staying by their side. Still, it's best not to get involved. Capturing one would cause... a lot of trouble."

With that, she lay down on the bed.

She's right. Unless the circumstances were extreme, I wouldn't think of catching one. Of course, the people on Earth would be chomping at the bit for it. If they could study it, there's no doubt it would revolutionize the medical field. But I suppose that's got nothing to do with me.

With that thought, I got into my own bed. We weren't doing anything tonight. We were on the job, after all.

*

The next morning, after finishing breakfast at the inn, we moved to the port.

Since we obviously couldn't take a carriage on the ship, it seemed we'd have to rent horses in the Kingdom.

At the ship's entrance, a crewman greeted us. "We've been informed of your coming by His Majesty the King. Please, come aboard."

Our reputation preceded us, and we boarded without issue.

As we departed, the entire crew, including the captain, offered a prayer.

So the rumors about them doing this every time were true.

A short while later, we set sail.

As I watched the sea, rocked by the gentle sway of the ship, a thought occurred to me. "It's a little late to be asking, but... isn't a republic a country that did away with a king?"

Tina answered my question. "Ah, yes, that's how it is in your world, Shinsuke. But it's different here. The Republic serves as a bridge between other nations. You remember how the Empire and the Kingdom used to have poor relations, don't you? But even with bad blood, they still had to trade essential goods. That's where the Republic came in. They inspect imports from the Kingdom before sending them to the Empire, and vice versa. In short, they act as a checkpoint. That's why their monarchy is absolute—they need rulers that both countries can trust. Incidentally, this has been the common-sense way of the world for over eighty years. It's probably best not to bring it up."

She drove the point home.

Different worlds meant different common sense and knowledge. Here, they had a power like magic, straight out of a manga. On Earth, however, 'magic' was more often used in a medical context. Some even said it was synonymous with science.

There would always be differences. The important thing was to understand them and know how to react. To reject them outright was just asking for a fight.

How utterly pointless.

"You're right," I said. "In my world, just being from a different country is enough to start a war. It's only natural that everything would be different in another world."

I stared out at the sea as if lost in twilight thoughts.

Tina silently moved to my side and leaned against me.

The other passengers saw this and grumbled.

"Damn it. Flaunting it right in our faces... with such a beautiful woman..."

"Must be nice... I want a girlfriend, too."

"Maybe I should get my personal life in order..."

They looked out at the sea as if they'd been struck a heavy blow.

After that, the voyage passed without incident, and we arrived at the port of the Harg Kingdom.

For things to be this quiet, I almost felt the influence of some unseen will. But maybe I was overthinking it.

It was right after that huge war, after all. Perhaps the monsters outside the borderlands were also taking a rest.

With that in mind, we began preparations to head to the royal capital. This port town had a purveyor's shop that rented carriages to important figures. Of course, you couldn't get one without proof of status.

Captain Magnes presented his name and a letter of authorization.

"Ah! We've been expecting you," the shopkeeper said. "Her Majesty the Queen commanded us to send the Empire's envoys on their way with all haste. This way, please."

He led us to a place where a luxurious carriage was waiting.

Our captain offered his thanks and climbed aboard. The driver took his position, and we got in the back.

"Are you leaving already?" the shopkeeper asked. "We have an inn if you're tired from your long journey."

To this concerned inquiry, the captain replied, "That won't be necessary. After our audience with Queen Olivia, we will find lodging in the royal capital."

He then signaled the driver to depart.

The carriage left the port town. From here, it was about a half-day's journey to the capital.

Along the way, I saw an incredible sight.

A massive crater had been carved into the plains, so large it was visible even from a distance. It was clear the war here had been just as brutal. Which meant Bardos and the others must have participated. I hoped they were all right.

When we arrived before the gates of the Royal Capital, a gate guard approached us.

"Pardon me. Are you Captain Magnes of the Empire?"

"Indeed. I am Captain Magnes," he replied. "I request an audience with Her Majesty the Queen."

"Of course," the guard said. "Her Majesty is expecting you. An escort is waiting for you before the castle. Also... are the two people behind you 'Red Lightning'?"

"We are," I answered. "How did you know?"

The gate guard smiled. "It's only natural. Your exploits in the Kingdom are spoken of like legend among the soldiers. It pains me to be the one to tell you this... but your companions have suffered grievous injuries. They are currently in the castle's medical wing. It would be best if you went to see them."

"Grievous injuries?!" Tina cried out. "Captain, may we go on ahead?!"

"Of course," Captain Magnes replied. "Due to my position, I cannot rush things. Go quickly."

He gave us his permission.

Tina and I offered our thanks and took off at a full sprint. We moved so fast that the people on the streets probably thought we were just a blur.

We reached the castle in an instant.

"I'm Shinsuke of Red Lightning!" I shouted to a soldier. "I heard Bardos and the others are here!"

Seeing my urgency, the soldier replied, "Ah, yes. The medical wing is this way."

He led us there. He walked at a brisk pace, but it felt agonizingly slow. Still, I couldn't afford to cause trouble by rushing him.

We arrived at the medical wing. The sight was overwhelming.

Every single bed was occupied; there wasn't an empty one in sight. Men with broken arms, men with broken legs, men with half their faces wrapped in bandages. I had seen the situation in all three nations, but it felt like the Kingdom had suffered the most damage.

The soldier led us further inside to a separate room within the medical wing.

Inside were three beds, occupied by Bardos, Leona, and Rumily. Milfy and Matilda were sitting by Rumily's side.

"Milfy," Tina began. "What in the world happened?"

"Ah, Tina-san," Milfy said, looking up. "It's just as it looks. Bardos-san, Leona-san, and Rumily were badly injured in the war with the monsters. They were unconscious for a while but woke up yesterday. Now, they're just sleeping off the exhaustion."

Tina let out a sigh of relief.

I approached Bardos's bedside. "Still, for Bardos to be this badly hurt... Was there a particularly strong monster?"

To this, Milfy replied, "There were three high-class Orc Kings. But there was one monster that was even stronger. A monster we'd never seen before. It looked like a lizard, but its size was on another level entirely. It was so massive it looked down on the Orc Kings."

I was speechless just imagining it.

Just how big did it have to be to look down on an Orc King? Was it on par with Amon?

"Her Majesty the Queen told us about you two," Matilda said. "About how heroically you fought on the border. Thank you. Because of you, the war is over."

"Don't mention it," I said, deflecting her thanks. "We had our own issues. It wasn't exactly a victory we can be proud of. I'll tell you about that later..."

I looked uneasily toward Rumily. She was sleeping under a blanket, but I could see a strange depression where one of her legs should be. I wanted to believe it was just hidden from view.

"Milfy," Tina began, her voice firm with resolve. "This is difficult to ask, but I have to know. Rumily's right leg...?"

Milfy held back tears as she answered.

"During the battle with that lizard... she lost it."