kscans

Chapter 245 - Hospitality at the Hospital

We drove for about two hours.

As expected of a luxury car, there was absolutely no shaking. This must be what it's like to enjoy a drink in elegant comfort. Kuroda offered me some high-class liquor, but I gestured that I wouldn't drink. Not with him, anyway.

After a while, the car began to slow down.

It seemed we were close to our destination. Looking outside, I saw we were entering a large hospital. It had the look of a place equipped with the latest technology. Well, we weren't coming here to stay.

The fact that we could enter a hospital like this made me realize just how much power Kuroda and his associates wielded. Though, I suppose it's only natural for someone who does business with politicians and the wealthy.

The car stopped.

The door opened, and I stepped out into a dimly lit space. It appeared to be an underground parking garage. The two vans also stopped, and Bardos and the others got out. The four of them surveyed their surroundings. The men in black suits took up positions around us to ensure no one saw them.

Just then, several doctors approached, pushing a stretcher.

The middle-aged doctor in the lead spoke. "We've been expecting you. Is it the young lady being held by that large man?"

"Yes," Kuroda said. "Please proceed as planned."

The doctor nodded, and the doctors with the stretcher approached Bardos.

As Bardos tensed up, a young doctor said reassuringly, "Please, don't worry. Just place the young lady you're holding onto this bed here."

He pointed to the stretcher.

Bardos looked at me.

"It's alright," I said, letting a bit of killing intent slip out. "Even if the worst should happen, it's no problem. We'll just have to dispose of everyone."

The doctors flinched slightly. The men in black suits reached into their jackets.

But Kuroda stopped them. "Stand down. You will not draw your weapons here. Their caution is only natural. However, Kaikawa-san, that last remark was not good. The people here are aware of the situation, but speaking it aloud will frighten them. In cases like this, it's better to be subtle. Being direct is fine, but please consider the time and place."

He chided me.

I reined myself in. "My apologies. I'm not used to this sort of thing."

The others also bowed their heads.

Kuroda's point was spot on. Even if they knew the circumstances, making threats was a bad move that would put a crack in our relationship of trust. And Kuroda's warning wasn't harsh; it was gentle, yet I could feel his anger.

The words of an older person who just yells at you are nothing but annoying and don't stick. Compared to that, Kuroda's words resonated with me.

Kuroda nodded. "Well then, if you please."

He looked towards Bardos.

Bardos nodded and placed Rumily on the stretcher. Milfy and Matilda walked alongside her. The doctors, regaining their composure, began to push the stretcher. They moved slowly, not trying to rush off.

We followed them for a short while until a door marked 'Isolation Ward' opened.

After entering, we went further down the hall and into a room at the very end.

The room was spacious, with a double bed by the window, a round table, and two chairs. There was also a simple kitchenette. Another door near the entrance opened to reveal a fully equipped shower and toilet.

It had everything we needed.

The stretcher arrived next to the bed, and Rumily was gently placed upon it.

The young doctor said, "Now then, we'll perform a simple examination, so we'll need to draw some blood. You'll feel a little prick."

He took out a syringe.

Seeing it, Bardos put his hand on his machete, but I stopped him. "It's alright. That's a tool for drawing blood. Over here, they can't start anything without checking the blood first."

I explained it simply.

Bardos took his hand off the machete.

The doctor, sensing this from behind, took a breath and inserted the needle into Rumily's right arm.

"O-Owwwwwwwwww!!" she cried out.

At this, Milfy and Matilda raised their staves. I quickly stopped them.

After drawing the blood, the young doctor said, "Alright, that's enough. Please use this to stop the bleeding."

He pressed a piece of gauze to her arm.

He placed the blood in a special container and handed it to another doctor. The doctors left, leaving just the five of us.

The young doctor then said, "Next, I have some questions. Please tell me the detailed circumstances of how you lost your leg. Oh, I'm aware of your world's situation. Please don't hesitate to speak freely."

It seemed Kuroda had filled him in.

I had explained it to Kuroda, but my knowledge was secondhand. It would be better to hear it from them directly.

Rumily, Milfy, and Matilda recounted the war in the Kingdom.

After hearing the details, the young doctor summarized, "I see. So, to block a massive fireball launched by a giant lizard, you put yourself in harm's way, resulting in severe burns all over your body. You were too slow to evade, and your right leg was blackened. The severe burns were healed with a high potion, but your right leg couldn't be saved, and leaving it would have been dangerous, so you had it amputated."

"Hmm. It's not my place to say this, but that was reckless. I didn't see what it was, so I can't say for sure, but it must have been a monster capable of easily destroying a city. To block an attack from something like that alone... it's beyond reckless."

He sighed.

At this, Milfy retorted, "! What do you know?! About how Rumily felt at that moment?!"

She was angry.

Matilda also had an angry look on her face. No one stays silent when their friend is insulted. Of course, Bardos and I felt the same.

But the young doctor was unfazed. "It's the truth, isn't it? Normally, anyone would have run. No one would have blamed her. The people of this world would definitely run. Including me. I'm just envious. I aimed to become a doctor to save many people. From high school to university, I dedicated everything to my studies. I never played or went on trips. And when my dream finally came true, I found that I can only save those who can pay. I can't even help someone suffering on the street for free. If I did that, my medical license would be revoked."

"What did I throw away everything a student should enjoy and study for? When I think about it, I'm envious of your actions. Of the courage to risk your life to protect others. I can't do that. Hmph, I'd just be scared and run away."

He spoke with self-deprecation.

The anger of the four of them seemed to vanish somewhere, and they fell silent.

The young doctor said, "Oh, but my story doesn't matter. Thank you for listening. Later, there will be an explanation about the procedure. Until then, please rest. If there's anything you'd like to eat, please press the nurse call button. Simple drinks like coffee and tea are by the kitchen."

He bowed and left the room.

Now that it was just the five of us, I said, "Alright, I'll explain how to make drinks. Milfy, could you come here?"

She nodded and stood at the kitchen counter.

I explained how to use the kettle, the electric stove, and the instant coffee. Milfy put it into practice by making tea for the four of them.

"Bardos," I said. "I'm counting on you for the rest."

Bardos nodded. "Got it. Leave this to me. You get your work done quickly too."

I nodded.

I turned to Matilda and Rumily, and they nodded back. I then left the room.

Kuroda was waiting in front of the room.

"So, what do you think of this hospital?"

To his question, I replied, "I have no complaints. It's a wonderful hospital. To be honest, I thought it would be somewhere far away."

To this, Kuroda said, "Considering your circumstances, I thought it would be better to be close by. The director of this hospital has connections in the political world. He's a regular at the auction."

That made sense. "So, the research on the slime will also be done here?"

Kuroda made a sour face. "Yes. However, the director said, 'This research material is too much for me to handle alone,' so he is currently holding an emergency meeting with the heads of various hospitals and research institutions. Oh, please rest assured. The base for the clone's right leg has already been prepared. We're in the process of getting it to adapt using the blood we just collected. However, he also wants to research that blood a little."

He had a suspicious smile.

I could guess what he was trying to do. "Well, I have a rough idea, but let me just say one thing. Whether you gain power from it is up to fate."

I added a disclaimer.

Kuroda chuckled. "Fufu. Well, it doesn't matter to me either way. I'm at that age. But the higher-ups want it. The power of the chosen."

His smile deepened.

That was a smile that looked down on people. It was best not to say anything here.

"Well then," I said, "could you give me a ride home? If you have work to do after this, I can walk back."

To this, Kuroda replied, "Not at all. We will, of course, provide transportation. There are also some things I'd like to discuss about the future of the auction."

At his proposal, I said, "Understood. Let's go then."

Kuroda and I headed towards the parking garage together.