I had come to the clinic in town.
This was the clinic where Kurt and Ayra had talked about Giselle.
Giselle, the director, is skilled in healing magic, and her main job is to treat the wounded magic warriors from battles with monsters.
I had just received treatment a little while ago…
Healing magic is incredible; the broken bones I had from the battle with the spider man healed in the blink of an eye.
It’s truly astonishing, just like RPG healing magic, where everything seems to return to normal without a trace of injury.
I wondered if it could even bring dead people back to life, but was told that was, of course, impossible.
It seems there’s no resurrection magic in this world.
Diana and Iris had just finished their treatment at this clinic and were coming out of the examination room.
“Mom…”
As soon as I called her, she tightly embraced me.
“I’m so glad… that you’re safe…”
Diana had tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“No, thanks to you, I’m perfectly fine now.”
“I see…”
She hugged me tightly again.
It was a bit painful…
I managed to peek out from where I was buried.
“…Are you guys okay?”
They had taken the full brunt of that explosion. It wouldn’t have been surprising if they had died instantly.
However, they appeared before me with only slight injuries, not life-threatening ones.
I found that hard to believe.
“We’re fine. It’s just minor injuries. This is also thanks to Iris. Thank you.”
“Oh no, ma’am… I only did what any maid would do…”
Iris humbly downplayed it, looking a bit embarrassed.
According to what I heard, this is how it all unfolded.
Iris had originally received a judgment of second-class magical affinity.
While she has a general magical power that does not allow her to engage as a magic warrior, she can use magical armor, albeit with limited effectiveness.
When the spider man’s attack hit, she instinctively activated it, which prevented a direct hit.
She truly deserves to be called a lifesaver.
“Thank you, Iris. Let me thank you as well.”
“Even Lord Nero is saying that… If only I had more power, I wouldn’t have let ma’am get hurt…”
“Don’t say that. Just protecting Mom is more than enough. I’m glad you’re safe too, Iris.”
“Lord Nero…”
Iris bowed deeply with tears welling in her eyes.
It was at that moment.
A loud noise echoed, and suddenly the waiting room door burst open.
“Nero! Diana!”
It was Kurt, shouting our names as he rushed in.
He had also been receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the battle with the giant centipede at this clinic.
It seemed he had been worried sick until just now, with me and Diana running in.
“Are you okay?! Is there anywhere that hurts?”
He was saying the same thing as Diana.
And his voice was loud.
“I’m fine now, Dad. I’m not hurt at all, so don’t worry.”
“Really?! That’s great to hear!”
He said this as he hugged me tightly.
Ouch! Come on, I just got better, so ease up a bit…
“I’m glad you’re safe, Diana…”
“Yeah, are you okay too?”
“Yeah, I’m naturally sturdy.”
Kurt showed off by swinging his arms around.
Behind him stood a Ayra
When our eyes met, she lightly nodded back at me.
“I can’t thank you enough, Iris. But let me say it—thank you.”
“Master…”
After expressing his gratitude to her, Kurt turned back to me.
“By the way, I heard you defeated a high-level monster. That’s amazing! Nero really is a rare talent, born once in a hundred years… no, once in a thousand years. I’ve never heard of anyone defeating a high-level monster at your age. It’s incredible.”
Though he praised me like that, I had quite a hard time.
Without Kurt’s advice, I don’t know where I would be right now.
I am truly grateful for that.
From now on, I might encounter even stronger enemies.
I must become stronger for when that time comes…
I engraved that thought in my heart.
“Well then, since everyone is safe, let’s go home and celebrate.”
“Eh…”
As soon as Kurt cheerfully declared this, I, Diana, and Iris froze.
Ayra tilted her head in confusion.
Come to think of it… Kurt still didn’t know what had happened to our home…
Would he faint upon seeing our house, which had nearly burned down…?
I was worried about that.
I needed to find a way to soften the blow, to stretch out the conversation…
“Um… Dad? I’m feeling a bit hungry, so how about we stop somewhere for a meal?”
“Huh? What are you talking about? There aren’t any places open at this time. Besides, I’d rather relax and confirm our family bonds at home.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
At that moment, Diana chimed in.
“Ah, dear… I also agree with Nero. I have a friend who owns a restaurant, so let’s have them open for us.”
“What are you saying? You’d be putting that person out!”
“W-wait! Master! I’m terribly sorry to say this, but…”
“What is it, even Iris…?”
“I’m really starving… I might collapse before we even get home… At this rate, I won’t be able to prepare any celebratory dishes…”
Iris jumped into the conversation, piling on her plea.
But isn’t that reasoning a bit weak…?
“It’s rare for Iris to say something like that… She must be really struggling.”
“Eh…? Yes, I can’t take it anymore.”
She wobbled on the spot.
Her act was so exaggerated that it felt a bit off.
However, Diana, determined to push through, urged Kurt from behind.
“Let’s go, then!”
“Eh, wait!? Diana!”
“How about you, Ayra? Will you join us?”
“Y-yes… okay then…”
With that, we left the clinic.
Afterward—
It was several hours later that a red-faced Kurt, having drunk a fair amount of alcohol, stood dazed in front of our burned-down home.
