Spending two months on the battlefield of Westwood, where the Western Elf nation confronts us, has passed in the blink of an eye.
In that time, the battle lines and situations have changed rapidly, causing our medical camp to relocate multiple times. Now, we’ve been stationed at the heart of the demon nation’s base, where patients that the frontline camps can no longer handle are being concentrated.
It was there that—
“What… what in the world has happened in just two months!?”
The chief medical officer, Eisei, trembled in shock as he inspected the site, his tentacles quivering. His gaze was fixed on the cadets moving swiftly and efficiently within the tent.
Without needing any instruction from me, the team had naturally organized around two key members: the Goriate of the Magori race and the Swan of the Harpy race.
“Uho! Bring all the large mammalian magical beasts to this side! We’ll treat them all at once!”
“All rodent, vampire, and winged-type demons, please come to my section! I’ll handle sorting them further from here!”
Each issued precise orders, guiding the other cadets. Those on the receiving end responded swiftly, executing treatment with remarkable efficiency using Dark Heal techniques, relying minimally on the Black Healing Tome.
“What… incredible coordination,” murmured Eisei in awe.
“I’ve observed the cadets’ Dark Heal techniques, and their proficiency is nearly on par with active-duty military medics. No, actually, their versatility as universal Dark Healers surpasses them by far!”
“If we’ve earned such high praise from you, Chief Eisei, that is the greatest honor.”
“Yes, yes indeed! ‘My ink pouch is empty’—as we say in Octoparcia, meaning this has left me speechless. Superb!”
Offering praise through what seemed to be a regional idiom akin to “I’m at a loss for words,” Eisei turned to face an elderly demon with an ape-like face—Hihi-Jii, a senior official of the demon nation who had also come to inspect the scene.
“This should be deemed a resounding success for the universal Dark Healer training program, don’t you agree?”
Hihi-Jii, arms crossed and expression stern, finally nodded with a gravelly “Indeed, their performance leaves nothing to be desired.”
“When I heard your cadets had taken to the battlefield and suffered numerous casualties, I nearly fell out of my chair,” Hihi-Jii continued, narrowing his sharp gaze on me.
“However, even taking those losses into account, achieving this level of competence in just two months is astonishing! Normally, it takes at least a year before medics are deployed to the frontlines. This is a revolutionary leap forward in military medical training!”
“Indeed…”
After a moment of grumbling, Hihi-Jii relented.
“Very well. A success is a success. Kiwi Alaya , I will report to His Majesty the Demon King that the universal Dark Healer training program has been completed successfully.”
“Thank you, Hihi-Jii.”
“But regarding the captured Elven prisoners you mentioned…”
Casting a sidelong glance outside the tent, Hihi-Jii observed the Elven women, including Anemone, using their holy arts to purify drinking water and clean soiled items with remarkable speed.
“They seem quite cooperative for prisoners…”
“Yes. As long as their freedom to research and their safety are minimally guaranteed, they have no reason to betray us,” I assured him.
Most elves are researchers like myself. If I would dislike something, it’s likely they would as well. If my standards for comfort and productivity are met, I believe the same applies to them.
“You’re proposing to make them your direct subordinates?”
“Yes. Would that be possible? To have them serve under me as medics?”
This was my key request upon completing the mission.
If left as prisoners, Anemone and the others would be ostracized in the demon nation, which would stifle their motivation to research. And without their research progress, the risks of capturing them would outweigh the benefits.
“With the remaining nine cadets and three elves, the total comes to twelve—still within the limit set by His Majesty for subordinate numbers.”
“That’s not an issue, but… they are, after all, soldiers of an enemy nation.”
“That’s irrelevant. Knowledge transcends borders, and intellectual curiosity surpasses species. If we’re to argue about someone’ past allegiances, wasn’t I originally an outsider myself?”
“…Hmm.”
After a long sigh, Hihi-Jii conceded.
“You can manage them, yes?”
“Leave it to me.”
Snorting, Hihi-Jii turned away.
“I’ll report this to His Majesty. Await his decision. For now, Kiwi Alaya , return to the demon capital with your subordinates and all your findings. Compile your final report and prepare for His Majesty’s next directive.”
With that, Hihi-Jii ended the inspection and departed, leaving behind the chaotic whirlwind of battlefield coordination, research, and a curious shift in my personal life.
To my bafflement, rumors of marriage proposals had started swirling around me. First came Hihi-Jii’s abrupt inquiry about a proposal from Urklow , which I flatly denied. Then Swan, one of my cadets, asked if I had begun searching for a partner.
And just when I thought I’d left the matter behind, I returned to the demon capital and was greeted by Milphobia at my hospital. After briefing me on the hospital’s smooth operations during my absence, she dropped another bombshell.
“Sir Alaya , actually… you have a matchmaking meeting scheduled the day after tomorrow.”
“…What?”
From battlefield coordination to unrelenting marriage inquiries—what in the world is happening to my life lately?
