The Next Morning.
The day for executing the plan to defect had finally arrived.
“Alright, let’s get to another lively day of torture, partner!”
With the casual familiarity that had developed between us, Second Lieutenant Gorgon and I stepped into the torture chamber.
Today’s schedule began with the interrogation of a high-ranking official from the Demon Kingdom.
“Come on, spill the information already!”
Second Lieutenant Gorgon cheerfully hummed a tune while carrying out the torture. The two guards watching looked at him with a strange expression, but the interrogation proceeded without a hitch.
“Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you, partner. Make sure you heal him up. But don’t let him fully recover, haha!”
Gorgon threw a clumsy wink my way. It made my skin crawl, but I managed to keep my reaction hidden as I approached the Demon Kingdom official.
“Now then, how are you feeling?”
As I murmured my usual question, the official responded.
––Twitch, twitch, twitch.
Their index finger moved three times.
It seemed that they had already resolved themselves long ago.
“Very well, let’s begin.”
“Oh, yeah! Show me again, partner, the skills of the kingdom’s best dark healer!”
Thinking he was being addressed, Gorgon sat in a chair in the corner of the chamber, crossing his legs and cheering me on. Without turning back, I placed my hand on the battered arm of the Demon Kingdom official.
“I apologize for the time it took to get to this day.”
Gathering my magical power, I began to work.
“Now, unleash your full power.”
––‘Demon Kingdom Official, Optimized Dark Heal’.
With complete knowledge of the official’s body structure, self-healing abilities, and immune responses, the specialized healing spell enveloped them in a dark, intense glow.
And then—
––Snap.
The iron restraints that tightly bound the official to the chair snapped.
The raised arm of the Demon Kingdom official no longer bore any wounds. Their skin and nails had been fully restored.
“…Huh?”
A foolish sound escaped Gorgon’s mouth.
Simultaneously, a smash echoed. The guards, caught off guard by the official’s lightning-fast movements, were flung against the wall, becoming mere stains upon it.
“Ugh!”
A pained cry came from Gorgon.
Before anyone realized it, the Demon Kingdom official had moved again and was now gripping Gorgon’s neck, lifting him into the air.
“Torturer… what was your name again?”
With a piercing glare, the official’s fiery red eyes bore into Gorgon.
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I have lived a long time, but this is the first time I’ve experienced such… hospitality.”
“W-What? Why!? Why are they fully healed!?”
Gorgon flailed in a desperate attempt to escape the official’s grasp, looking like a child struggling against a grown man’s hold. It was completely futile.
“P-Partner, Kiwi! What is happening here!?”
Gorgon turned his frightened eyes towards me.
“Why did you heal them completely!? Was this… is this some kind of test from Lieutenant Colonel Schwizen!? Am I still being tested…?”
“Sorry, Gorgon. Everything I told you yesterday was a lie.”
“A li—?”
His face fell, filled with despair.
“What do you mean—”
Crack.
The sound of a neck snapping.
“Gh… Help… me…”
“Sorry. I can’t heal people.”
After all, I’m a dark healer.
With the sickening sound of bones grinding and cracking, Gorgon’s face turned purple, and blood-tinged froth began to bubble from his mouth.
“Oh, that’s right, torturer. Your name was Second Lieutenant Gorgon, wasn’t it?”
The official tightened their grip on Gorgon’s neck and spoke.
“I should repay the hospitality you’ve shown me.”
“Why… why something like this… P-Partner, help—”
“Take this, Gorgon ‘Captain.'”
Crush.
The official squeezed Gorgon’s neck, shattering it. Blood splattered as his head fell to the ground with a dull thud.
…But just now, did they say “Captain”? I thought Gorgon’s rank was Second Lieutenant.
As I tilted my head in confusion—
“Wasn’t it customary in the kingdom for those who die in service to be promoted two ranks posthumously?”
The official let out a low laugh and turned to face me.
“I owe you my thanks, Dark Healer. This time, it’s not out of enmity but sincere gratitude. Your name is Kiwi, correct?”
“Yes. And how should I address you?”
“I am Agito. You may call me Agito.”
“Understood, Lord Agito.”
“There’s no need for formalities from the one who saved my life… However,”
Agito suddenly vanished from my view.
Before I could react, something cold pressed against my neck from behind.
“Being an ally or an enemy is a different matter, even when it comes to those who saved my life. Regrettably.”
A slight prickling sensation spread across my neck. It was likely the edge of a blade pressing against me. I raised my hands.
“Kiwi, let me ask you this. What is your goal? Your message did not reveal that to us. You released us—what do you intend to do now?”
“With such a brief, one-way message, I couldn’t detail my intentions and thoughts without risk of misunderstanding. That’s why I refrained from explaining until now.”
I carefully chose my words, trying not to provoke him.
“Hmm. So, you’re saying that now you can explain?”
“Yes, of course.”
Without moving my head, I shifted my gaze toward Agito behind me.
“I wish for you to assist me with my defection to the Demon Kingdom.”
With that, I began to explain the plan I had carefully prepared in my mind.
