kscans

Chapter 243 - Underground Medical Tech

Surprised by his proposal, I asked, "A real leg? You don't mean... from another person?"

I voiced the likely possibility.

Limb transplants. I'd heard of them in medicine, but I was pretty sure they were limited to internal things like organs and kidneys. Transplanting limbs was something you only saw in anime.

When I mentioned this to Kuroda, he replied, "You are correct. Current medicine allows for the transplantation of internal body parts, but not external ones. Reattachment is only possible if it's your own limb. However, that's merely the public story. In the underworld, external transplants are quite common. It happens often that a relative of a wealthy or powerful person loses the use of a limb."

"We secretly recruit poor people from foreign countries who are in need of money and ask them to provide body parts. Of course, the compensation they receive is quite substantial."

He wore a creepy smile.

I see. I'd often heard whispers and read on social media about human trafficking, but to think it was actually happening. Of course, something like this couldn't be done publicly. The reasons of the relatives aside, human rights groups and moralists would be all over it.

No matter how great the upper class is, they're powerless against numbers.

On the contrary, it would be a convenient story for a rival upper-class faction. They have no choice but to operate in the shadows. Well, whatever those people do is none of my business. As long as the fallout doesn't hit me, I don't care.

"I understand the situation," I said. "However, using someone else's limb would take time, and more importantly, she herself would not allow it. She is not the kind of girl to wish for such a thing."

I thought of Rumily.

I haven't known her for long, but I still get it. She's not the kind of girl who would live at the expense of others. While she's merciless to villains like bandits, her personality isn't one that would gladly accept something from people who just want money.

Of course, the other two are the same.

Kuroda mused, "Hmm. A good girl, then. However, please rest assured. Even with a donor, it takes a considerable amount of time to find a match in terms of age, gender, and compatibility. Moreover, with an Otherworlder, there may be differences in the very structure of the human body. So, what I mean by a real leg is... a clone, created from her own cells."

Another sci-fi term.

"A clone?" I said. "This is getting more and more like an anime. I remember the news said that animal cloning was a success, but I don't know what happened after that. I'm even skeptical if it was really successful. I've never seen it myself, and while I hear they're doing it in Japan, it's all animals, right? I've never heard of a human clone."

I relayed the current state of public information.

Kuroda chuckled. "Fufu. That, too, is the public story. In the shadows, human clones have already been created. The success rate is extremely low, and even when successful, most of them have some kind of defect. But creating body parts is possible."

His smile deepened.

I see. So they've moved beyond the human trafficking-like methods I was just thinking about. If it's her own, it'll be indistinguishable. And more importantly, even if word of this got out, no one would believe it.

They've made the public believe that human cloning isn't being done.

"In that case, there's no problem," I said. "But how long will it take? If you're starting from scratch, won't it take several years? I don't want to keep her confined for that long."

I was concerned about Rumily's life.

"It's alright," Kuroda said. "We already have data on all age groups. Furthermore, we have the base material for the clone. We just need to collect her cells and get them to take to the material, and it will be completed in a short period of time. However, she will need to stay for three years for post-operative observation and monitoring. But it might be over much sooner. If we use this..."

He looked at the Reverse Slime. Kuroda continued, "If we study this slime's regenerative abilities and develop them... the material's attachment period and post-operative observation will be over much faster. A year. No, even sooner. However, this is just my prediction, so I will consult with the medical department. But please, rest assured. We will absolutely not detain her for a long time simply because she is an Otherworlder. I do not want to make an enemy of you."

He answered seriously.

"You seem to value me quite highly," I said. "A mere person like me could be crushed by the power of you and your associates at any time, right?"

When I stated the obvious, Kuroda replied, "Honestly, with any other ordinary person, that would be possible. However, in your case, there are two differences. First, your ability to travel to another world. Other people, even if they go to a foreign country, have no escape as long as they are in this world. But you can escape to another world. After all, we have no means to follow."

"Second, you have power. Not political power, but physical power. You possess the unknown power of magic. In fact, I have received a report that your girlfriend dodged a bullet. Her physical abilities also seem to be high. Even if we use the police or the military, it's ultimately just human violence. Against overwhelming violence, it's meaningless. For these reasons, making an enemy of you is nothing but a disadvantage for us. In order to profit, it is better for us to be in a cooperative relationship with you."

He explained.

I see. No personal feelings involved at all, the relationship is everything. Even if someone is excellent, if they're not useful, they're cut off. Even if someone is a fool, if they're useful, they'll join hands.

What's necessary in the world is trust, ability, and experience.

It's simple and obvious, but it's surprisingly difficult. Even if you try to do it, there are often many entanglements that get in the way and prevent things from going smoothly.

"I understand perfectly," I said. "I won't sever my relationship with you and your associates unless something extreme happens."

At this declaration, Kuroda said, "I'm glad to hear that. Well then, we will be returning for now. We have various preparations to make."

As the three of them stood up, I asked, "Aren't you taking these two with you?"

To this question, Kuroda replied, "I'd like to, but there's a matter of convenience, or rather, a flow of events. Tonight at nine. I will come again. And Rumily-san will be with me then."

He smiled.

"Understood," I said. "I'll be waiting."

I bowed.

I saw the three of them to the entrance, watched them drive away, then hid the two items in the storehouse and returned to the other world.

I immediately teleported to the royal capital and headed for the castle's infirmary.

Rumily was still asleep, with Milfy and Matilda there.

When I asked where Tina was, Milfy said, "Tina-san was called by Captain Magnes. She went to explain your situation. She said she would tell him you'd be back, so you should probably ask one of the maids where she is."

I left the infirmary.

I asked a nearby maid about Tina and she led me to a room. When I entered, Tina and Captain Magnes were there.

"You're back," the captain said. "I've heard the situation from Lady Tina. There's no problem concerning you. Or so I'd like to say. But I have to consider His Majesty the Emperor and the Guild. I'd like you to continue your escort duties until we return to the Empire."

Given the circumstances, I couldn't argue.

As I was wondering what to do, there was a knock on the door, and Bardos came in.

"Bardos?! Are you okay to be up?!!"

To my worried voice, Bardos said, "Heh. No problem. I just woke up, and if anything, my body feels stiff from sleeping too much. I heard the situation from Milfy. How did it go?"

To his serious face, I replied, "No problem. The negotiations went well. But, considering the surgery and all, I have to take Milfy with me. I'd like to go with her, but... damn it."

I felt frustrated by my position.

Even though I'm a hunter, I'm currently working as an adventurer. Even if I have a good reason for abandoning the request, it will definitely make a bad impression. Since they've been good to me, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

As I was thinking about this, Bardos said, "Alright. Then I'll go with you. For Milfy's safety."

He smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

When I worried about his injuries, Bardos said, "I told you, it's no problem. Look at this body."

He took off his pajamas and bared his upper body.

He had bandages on, but the wounds themselves weren't that noticeable. They were probably temporary ones for resting.

"Alright," I said. "I'm counting on you."

I entrusted the task to Bardos.

The captain, who had been watching the exchange, said, "I'm glad that's settled. I'll be returning to the Empire tomorrow. Please finish up by then."

He stated the deadline.

I nodded and left the room with Tina and Bardos.

When we returned to the infirmary, Leona was also awake.

Tina approached her. "Leona?! Are you okay?! Your wounds?! Does anywhere hurt?!"

To her rapid-fire questions, Leona said, "Don't worry. You're exaggerating."

She smiled wryly.

Leona turned to me. "I've heard the situation. I'd like to say I'll go with you, but I can't just leave her. I'm sorry."

She apologized.

"It's alright," I said. "Besides, Bardos will be fine. If anything were to happen, I'll ask for your help then, Leona-san."

I told her I wanted her to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

Leona said, "You're right. They should know about us over there. Understood. I will be prepared."

She nodded.

Bardos, who was next to her, asked, "So, Shinsuke? What time are we going?"

To his question, I replied, "He said to come at nine o'clock at night. Let's go to the city of Alum with Rumily in the evening."