Chapter 120

Defected Dark Healer’s Rise to Wealth

“Oh, so you came too, Kiwi!”

A nostalgic voice reaches my ears.

It happens just after our guerrilla medical unit arrives at one of the frontline bases on the Western Elven Front.

“Whoa?”

Suddenly, something soft and fluffy envelops my face.

It seems like someone has wrapped an arm around my shoulders from behind.

When I turn around, what greets me is the face of a large wolf with silvery fur.

“It’s been a while, Urklow .”

I respond, and Urklow  grins widely.

“It really has been a long time, huh? As soon as your field training as a military doctor ended, you up and left.”

“My mission back then was to train the next generation of military doctors as quickly as possible.”

“If you’d stayed on the frontlines, maybe this war would’ve been over by now.”

“…That’s an overestimation.”

“Not at all.”

Urklow  throws his head back and laughs like he’s howling at the sky.

He still hasn’t let go of my shoulder, holding me close.

“So, Kiwi. Which medical camp are you stationed at this time?”

His tone shifts slightly, probing.

I see. It’s only natural he’d be interested in the location of the medical camps.

Despite his boisterous nature, Urklow  is a key figure in the Demon Nation’s military—he knows he can’t afford to fall in battle.

“I won’t be stationed at any specific medical camp this time. His Majesty has ordered me to operate as a mobile unit.”

“A mobile unit? For a military doctor?”

“Yes. For now, I plan to concentrate my efforts here at the Northwestern Frontline Base, where you are, and gradually move south as the situation demands.”

The frontline is broadly divided into the Northwestern and Southwestern sectors, and I’ve heard there are currently twenty frontline bases in total.

“As a Dark Healer, my role is to keep our main forces alive. In particular, I must provide strong support to you, Urklow , and to the newly stationed Demon Nation officer in the Southwest, Bog Cherno.”

Demon Nation officer Bog Cherno.

All I know is that he is a large skeletal warrior. I’ve seen him at officer meetings, but since he’s a skeleton, he doesn’t have vocal cords, so I’ve never heard him speak.

“Hmmm…”

Urklow  listens to my reasoning, then strokes his chin before saying:

“I don’t think you need to go to Bog’s camp.”

“Huh?”

“That guy’s different from me or Agito. He’s… special. The kind who can only fight alone. If you get too close while he’s fighting, you’ll end up dead—enemy or ally, it doesn’t matter.”

“…What?”

“Well, the fact that even a double-edged sword like him is being deployed means His Majesty is dead serious about ending this war. That means we have to go all out, too. So—”

Urklow  brings his wolfish face even closer, peering into mine.

“Stay with me, Kiwi.”

“Stay with you?”

“Yeah. If you’re around, this war is gonna be fun.”

And then—slurp.

His long tongue swipes across my face.

It’s nice to be valued so highly by a Demon Nation officer, but I can’t agree with his idea of a “fun” war.

…That said.

The idea of staying on the battlefield with Urklow —

“Urklow -sama! Please release Kiwi-sama now!”

A force suddenly pulls at my arm.

It’s Swan, trying to pry me away from Urklow .

“On the frontlines, such… physical interactions with other unit leaders are inappropriate!”

“Heh, here comes Kiwi’s watchdog.”

Urklow  grins, while Swan flushes red.

“I—I have no such intentions! I’m merely concerned with maintaining discipline…!”

“Oh? So if no one’s watching, you wouldn’t mind if I took him somewhere private?”

“Wha—?!”

Ouch.

Swan’s grip on my arm tightens.

“No way! Besides, there is no ‘from now on’! We’re a guerrilla medical unit! We don’t stay in one place! Right, Doctor?!”

“Ah, about that…”

Swan’s voice is almost spitting with intensity, and I feel a little guilty as I open my mouth to respond.

“Our guerrilla medical unit will be moving with Urklow ’s forces.”

“…What!?”

Swan’s eyes widen in shock.

Well, it’s only natural to be surprised.

And from the looks of it, she and Urklow  don’t get along. No wonder she’s unhappy about working alongside him.

Even so—

“If Bog doesn’t require support, then the value of aiding Urklow  only increases. Our medical support should be concentrated on the strongest forces that can shift the battle.”

“B-But what about being a guerrilla unit…?”

“His Majesty ordered me to act on my own judgment. I trust he foresaw this possibility.”

Or at least, I’d like to think so.

Either way, this move has clear advantages.

“Whoa, Kiwi. Are you really okay with this? Having top-tier military doctors like you guys all to ourselves…”

Even Urklow , still gripping my shoulder, seems a bit hesitant.

But I have no problem with it.

“Of course. However, in exchange, I have one request, Urklow .”

“What’s that?”

I push Urklow ’s arm off my shoulder, firmly grasp his large, clawed hand, and say:

“I’d like to examine you.”

“Huh? Examine me?”

“Yes, thoroughly. If I’m to provide comprehensive support, I need to understand your body structure.”

I’ve always wanted to study a Magic Wolf’s physiology.

I missed my chance last time, but now, with the pretense of being Urklow ’s personal Dark Healer, I finally have the perfect opportunity.

This is the best scenario possible.

Not only do I fulfill my duty as a Demon Nation officer, but I also get to examine a Magic Wolf’s body.

A strategic move that benefits both my mission and my personal curiosity.

A true win-win!