“──In other words, there is no place for Dark Healers in the kingdom, so you want to find work in the demon country where you’ll seek asylum. I understand.”
Agito said this and removed the sharp object he had pointed at my neck…
His claws, which seemed sharper than a knife, were set aside.
“The reasoning makes sense. For now, let’s believe your words and actions as they are.”
“Thank you very much, Lord Agito. Then…”
“Leave it to me. Kiwi, if you can escape with your compatriots from here, I’ll take you back to the demon country.”
I was relieved.
It seemed I had successfully navigated the first hurdle, the negotiation with Agito.
…It was fortunate that Agito was a rational demon.
In the worst-case scenario, there was a possibility I could have been killed in frustration with questions like, ‘Why didn’t you help sooner?’ or ‘How could you participate in torture?’
In reality, even now that I was freed and my wounds treated, he must still harbor a deep hatred for me, a human.
…The fact that he doesn’t express such feelings directly towards me is likely due to Lord Agito’s high self-control. I was grateful for that.
When Agito used the words “temporarily trust,” I sensed a bit of that negative emotion.
It seems that within him, trust and doubt toward me were about evenly matched.
…But that’s fine.
I’m not thinking about clearing all doubts.
“Well then…”
I looked outside the torture room to confirm there were no patrolling soldiers, then gestured for Agito to come over.
In preparation for today, I had thoroughly memorized the safe route from the east wing to the west wing.
“Let’s start moving right away, Lord Agito. First, we need to free the other demon kind.”
What should be prioritized is not “gaining heartfelt trust.”
I don’t care about abstract relationships of trust.
What matters is that I am recognized as a “valuable human.”
As long as Agito perceives me that way, my safety will be guaranteed.
…Everything is for the assured success of my asylum. I will do my best to promote myself!
＊ ＊ ＊
“L-Lord Agito…! Thank you so, so much!”
“‘Gigi,’ you’ve had a tough time too. But I’m glad you’re alive.”
Agito and I secretly infiltrated the west wing of the facility and, guided by me, freed the other two demons.
The first one we rescued was “Forte,” a demon with the head and wings of an eagle.
And the last one we just saved was “Gigi,” a handsome vampire demon with bat wings.
The kingdom soldiers on watch were all dealt with by Agito’s swift actions, yet still,
“Shh. Be quiet. We can’t be sure that the patrolling soldiers won’t come.”
“Hmm, that’s true. My apologies.”
Upon my warning, Agito fell silent and signaled to Forte.
Forte nodded silently and kept a lookout in the corridor outside the torture room near the entrance.
“Kiwi, I’d like you to heal Gigi’s wounds as well, if you could?”
“Yes, of course. In fact, I’ve already healed him.”
The grotesque wounds that had previously been on Gigi, who was hanging by both arms from two chains extending from the ceiling, had completely vanished.
Gigi, like someone waking up from a dream, blinked his eyes in disbelief, repeatedly checking his body.
“Hmm… No matter how many times I see it, that ‘Dark Heal’ is remarkable.”
Agito said, resting his chin on his hand.
“Even after having experienced it myself, it’s hard to believe that injuries, including limb loss, can heal in an instant… Even the Dark Healers in our country, specialized in demon healing, wouldn’t be able to achieve such speed.”
“It’s an extraordinary Dark Heal.”
There’s a trick to this healing speed.
Agito and the others aren’t exactly colleagues, and right now, it would be better to answer sincerely than to hide it for the sake of appearances.
Also…
I had been waiting for another opportunity.
Now was the perfect time to do it.
“The Dark Heal I used on you three this time is actually one that has no effect on anyone else.”
“Oh…?”
“I had pre-‘constructed’ a Dark Heal tailored to each of your individual body structures. Ironically, I was able to do this thanks to my job as a torture assistant.”
“…I see, so that’s how it is.”
Agito nodded as if he understood.
“Since you treated our injured bodies repeatedly, you were able to utilize the accumulated know-how.”
“Yes, exactly. So… I would like to apologize once again.”
I knelt on the floor and deeply bowed my head.
It was a formal apology.
“Kiwi? What are you doing?”
“I’m truly sorry. Until now, I could do nothing but watch you suffer.”
I didn’t raise my face.
I needed to show my sincerity.
And then…
…This was also one of the steps to increase the probability of a successful asylum!
Now, onto Mission II.
Let’s make this apology a complete success!
