Chapter 94

Rage and Aisha returned to the port town of Zacharhaven from the Kingdom of Sylvius. Upon hearing that "Silver Scales" had not returned after visiting the "Sage of Pharmacology," they headed to the church where Non was.

In the church, Non's "master," the flirtatious ghost, was present.

Non's master, the flirtatious ghost—rather, Riviera, was indeed Non's master and a high-ranking member of the church organization.

"Surprised? Many people are surprised when I tell them I'm part of the church, but God doesn't forbid being sexy, you know~"

She was indeed a flirtatious ghost.

They moved to an office within the church. I, Non, Aisha, and Riviera sat around a table. Non prevented Riviera from sitting next to me and placed her diagonally across. It's really a relief to have some distance.

"......"

Aisha, sitting next to me, was eyeing Riviera with a wary gaze. I don't think she'll grow up to be like Riviera, but it's good to have a role model of what not to be.

"Non, about Dantes—"

"Rage, if the High Elf princess is here, then—"

"Actually, I have a medicine I brought—"

"This room is so dull. We should decorate it with some flowers~"

Everyone started speaking at once, causing a traffic jam of information. Some of them were saying things that didn't need to be said.

"Um... then, let me start."

I decided to recount the events so far. How I brought Aisha back, that she had brought an elf's secret medicine which might help in the treatment, and to thank them for treating Lark.

"Lark seems to be recovering a bit. Thank you very much."

"......"

"Non?"

When I expressed my gratitude, Non's expression darkened.

"—It's not going well at all."

Riviera, who had been looking around the room with a relaxed demeanor, now rested her cheek on her hand, looking displeased.

"Is that so?"

"I and this unworthy disciple are pouring in the maximum magic power. Even a dying old man would get an erection, but Lark doesn't even flinch."

Please don't say things like that. Non's face turned red, and Aisha looked bewildered.

I refrained from commenting to avoid making things worse.

"But, how do you know the level of 'recovery' that we, the professionals, can barely detect? Mr. 'Hero' of the 'Red Gate War'?"

"......"

That was a difficult question.

Though she was smiling faintly, she didn't trust me. Of course, we just met, but it felt like she was suspicious from the start.

I think she had heard something about me. Even the town mayor knew.

But why would she doubt me—

"Hey, Master. What's wrong? You usually drool and try to pet boys when you see them."

"Non, be quiet. Really, just be quiet."

"—Lark is my sister. I can tell how she's doing just by looking at her."

I didn't mention the "All-Encompassing" ability and gave a harmless answer.

"Hmm... so, that's fine then."

"Master..."

She seemed to have accepted it, or maybe not.

"But, her condition is abnormal. I've never seen anything like it—no injuries, no illness, just a gradual decline. Like an old person. If left alone, she'll end up like a snake's shed skin."

"......"

"Calling me at this time was a wise decision."

So, she was in a very dangerous state.

"Is that so... Non, thank you for calling Riviera."

"It's fine. I can't do much anyway."

Non shook her head frantically, but Riviera said,

"Really? Non, you cured the petrification of the mayor's brother, didn't you? I'm not even sure I could cure it if it progressed... You're quite capable."

"!"

Non was breaking out in a cold sweat and turning blue.

Ah, right, Non was heading to the Kingdom of Light Knights to cure Dantes' petrification poison...

"Non is covering for me."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I used materials that are generally not allowed. If it were to come out, I would be punished."

"What did you use?"

I smiled and shook my head, indicating I wouldn't say.

"...... Do you think I'll report it because I'm part of the church? I won't. Just curiosity, c-u-r-i-o-s-i-t-y."

She said it in a voice that sounded like it should have a heart attached, but I wasn't going to say anything.

"...... Well, no man can resist this. If you don't, then I'm just a good woman now. I just need to prove it, right?"

Riviera, about to throw off her hat and start taking off her habit, was stopped by Non.

"Master!? No, no, no!!"

"Rage, don't look!"

Aisha covered my eyes with her hand, but in the process, she lifted her skirt, revealing a glimpse of her underwear.

"Are you okay, Rage? Master showed you something embarrassing..."

"What, a man who doesn't enjoy it doesn't exist—"

"Are you a pervert?"

"Meanie!"

It's not mean. I can't say much because Lark is being helped, but if not, I wouldn't deal with her properly.

After Non calmed down her master,

"Non, so, is it difficult to continue treating Lark?"

"Yes... We're just barely holding the current state. And—about the elf's secret medicine?"

"Here it is."

Aisha placed a vial on the table. Before Non could pick it up, Riviera opened the vial and checked the contents.

"...... Amazing. This is the elf's secret medicine..."

"Master, you know about it?"

"I saw it once in the past. My master's master said it was for use if something happened to the Pope. It was used, though."

"What effects does it have?"

"I don't know."

"...... You don't know?"

"It's supposed to cure anything—disease, injury, anything. But it's rare because it uses the very precious leaves of the life tree, which the elves hold in high regard. It's impressive that you got it."

Aisha smiled slightly, probably thinking of Yurii.

"Anyway, let's try it. I think the church would give you enough money to last a lifetime if you handed it over, but—"

Geez, I knew it was expensive, but that much?

"Of course."

But Aisha answered immediately.

"Hmm, that's good. A girl in love is strong, Non?"

"...... Yes, Master."

"...... My disciple is too indifferent to romance."

"Because Master is too promiscuous."

Riviera, unable to say anything in response, fell silent, as if a plum had been stuffed in her mouth.

"Then—Non, about Dantes—"

"Yes. Actually, I don't know why he hasn't returned."

Non spoke more calmly than when we met in the chapel earlier. Maybe Riviera was trying to calm her down with her antics...

According to Non, the information I had was almost the same. The discussion about sending a search ship was not to find Dantes and the others, but because the mayor's brother was also on the ship that took Dantes and the others, and he hasn't returned either.

"——I understand. Then, I'll go to the mayor's office now. I'll get a ship and check."

"I will—"

"Non, if possible, I'd like to ask you to take care of Lark... Is that okay...?"

"...... I understand."

Even though she probably wants to go more than anyone, Non nodded.

"Well, it can't be helped. Non would just be a hindrance if she went."

"I know that better than anyone."

Non glared at Riviera with tears in her eyes, and Riviera laughed—like a sister to her younger sister.

"Even if you know you can't go but still want to, you can just ask. I can treat the patient, so—"

"!!"

Non, realizing the true meaning of Riviera's words, stiffened.

It was like, "Leave it to me and go."

"...... Is it okay, Master?"

"It's fine. It's the disciple's job to ask for help in such situations."

Non, standing up, bowed deeply to Riviera.

Then she turned to me.

From her expression, I could tell what she was going to say, and I couldn't refuse in this situation.

But I was a bit worried about leaving Lark with Riviera, who might not be able to control herself with girls...

☆

Non said she needed to prepare, so we agreed to meet up later. Aisha and I headed to the mayor's residence.

"Rage... um, I might be overstepping, but—"

"What is it? I won't dislike you no matter what you ask."

Scary prelude.

"What did you talk about with Riviera earlier?"

"Ah..."

When we left the church, Riviera had stopped me. Non had returned to the room, and Aisha couldn't hear us, so it was a private conversation.

—You're not the dangerous person I thought you were, so I'm relieved. Take care of your sister.

That's what she said.

I realized that from Riviera's perspective, I might have seemed like an abnormal presence next to her disciple.

I cured petrification, which even high-ranking clergy couldn't, and had combat skills from the "Red Gate War." And I'm only 14 years old...

Objectively, it would seem creepy.

"...... Riviera was worried about Non. She asked me to take care of her."

Riviera, who seemed to hold a high position in the church, was apparently a top-tier healer, despite her behavior. She came to the port town of Zacharhaven, which is far from the Kingdom of Light Knights, out of concern for Non.

She didn't say it outright to Non, though.

"...... A caring person, then?"

"Let's leave it at that."

When we arrived at the mayor's residence, it seemed my return was already known, and the mayor met with us immediately. He promised to send a ship to search for his brother.

"My brother is so unfair! He's experiencing a wonderful adventure with a great adventurer, while I'm left behind...!"

It seemed he was more interested in going on the adventure himself than in his brother's safety.

The knights tried to persuade him to stop, but he kept whining and insisting on going.

The head of the guard finally said,

"Lord Rage, let's go to the port..."

"Is it okay?"

"The permission is granted, so staying here is a waste of time."

"......"

The mayor's whims were dismissed as "waste." Poor guy... I also thought, "I hope this ends soon."

"Non!"

At the port, Non was waiting with a backpack on her back, containing the necessary equipment for the adventure.

The ship we were allowed to use was a military ship, the same one used in the battle against the sea monk. It was fast and sturdy enough for combat.

"Let's go."

We boarded the ship.

Dantes, Mimi, and Zelly—please wait. We're coming to get you.