Chapter 21

I am currently being carried by the cheerful Vincent as we move to the cafeteria for dinner.

Vincent smells more of green notes than disinfectant. It’s different from a medicinal smell.

In the infirmary, Vincent played with my cheeks for about thirty minutes. By the time I was finally rescued, the strength I had regained from a nap was almost completely drained. I was utterly exhausted.

Actually, it was Bax who couldn’t bear to see me and rescued me. Dillan was also being toyed with by Vincent, so I assume he was drained of his strength too.

Vincent’s voice is, in a sense, a weapon of mass destruction. Not only is it malicious, but he is fully aware of its effects.

Before leaving the infirmary, when Bax mentioned Dillan, Vincent replied with a cool expression, “I’ve already proven that my voice is effective even on patients who resist.”

It’s a profound statement. Thinking about what might have happened in the past, I got nervous again. After all, it’s something that stirs the imagination.

"Captain, don’t you realize you’ve gone too far? Yuriko is so exhausted. It’s pitiful."

"Well, she’s just so cute, I couldn’t help it."

Bax, say more to him.

Vincent, even if you pat my back, I won’t forgive you. ...Though, to my chagrin, it feels really good.

"Even though you’re the head of the internal unit, you have the physical strength to match or even surpass the head of the external unit, Dillan. I’ve always wondered how you can push him to this extent. Just how out of the ordinary is your voice, Captain?"

"Well, I’ve always had this voice. On the contrary, I think it’s only because Dillan can endure it to that extent and only end up tired."

"Of course. After treatment, when he came to his senses, he repeatedly hit his head against the wall, feeling inadequate, and ended up with new serious injuries. He even prostrated himself, begging, ‘Please, no more treatment from Captain Vincent!’ The same thing happened with today’s morning patients."

"...I don’t want you and Elies as my enemies."

Somehow, a terrifying conversation is taking place above my head.

Dillan, despite being the head of a non-combat unit, can fight on par with or even better than the head of the combat unit? The number of knights who must have been traumatized by Vincent’s voice, which can drain Dillan’s strength so much, is evident from this anecdote.

To mutter that he doesn’t want Dillan as an enemy, Vincent and Elies must be really dangerous.

...I didn’t hear anything! If it’s discovered that I heard, I’ll feel in danger, so I’ll keep my body relaxed just in case!!

We arrived at the cafeteria again. It’s still early, so there are few people.

The smell suggests fish. There’s the smell of oil and the sound of frying, so it’s probably fried fish. There’s also the smell of consommé and dairy products.

My stomach growled, now familiar with the smell. It was subtle, though, probably because I had eaten krill. Dillan, Vincent, and Bax were used to it and were laughing.

"Vincent, Bax and I will go get the food. Yuriko, wait for us at the table."

"Got it."

While still being carried by Vincent, I parted ways with Dillan and Bax at the entrance. I was taken to a table in the back, where there were few people, and placed in a chair, with Vincent sitting next to me.

...Is it just me, or are the people in the cafeteria subtly avoiding looking at us? It’s quite a shock to have their gaze immediately avert when our eyes meet.

Ah, I made eye contact with the old man in the kitchen. This old man doesn’t avert his gaze.

He looks tough, but his eyes are gentle.

"...Why are you smiling so much, Yuriko?"

After a while, Dillan and Bax returned to the table with the food.

When Dillan spoke to me, I looked at him. Why is Bax trembling?

"Isn’t it cute? We were looking at each other and smiling. Usually, he would make us cry, so he must have been happy too."

Before I could say anything, Vincent answered for me. It’s embarrassing that he noticed!

"The old man can even make grown men cry."

"Uh? ...But the old man isn’t scary??"

I have to say something about Bax’s comment. He looks tough, but he has gentle eyes.

Moreover, it’s natural to be scared in a kitchen. It’s a dangerous place. One wrong move with a tool can lead to serious injury or even death.

Only someone who understands this can be strict. It takes a lot of energy to be angry, and they do it for the good of the person. I think they are loving people. I was raised as a cook this way.

The worst are self-centered old men who complain about everything.

There was one in my workplace, but he was a perfect example of what not to be. I’ll never be like that!

"If you’re not scared, that’s the best."

"I love the old man."

He didn’t avert his gaze or make a single unpleasant face. Yes, I think he’s a kind, craftsman-like person.

...Wait, Dillan and Bax are stiffening as they try to place their trays on the table.

...Huh, when did I end up on Vincent’s lap?

"Do you love him that much?"

"Yes, I love him."

Please stop leaning in and asking such a meltingly sweet question, Vincent. It’s hard to escape. I’ll answer, though.

Oh, when you hug me so tightly, it makes me blush. Do that to a wife, not to me.

"Captain...!"

"...You bastard."

Dillan and Bax’s low, scary voices. Are they angry about something?

I can’t see what’s happening behind me because I’m being hugged. Honestly, I don’t want to see it.

*rumble*

"...Dinner."

But please, give me dinner before it gets cold. I’m begging you.

Thanks to my stomach’s protest, the food was brought to me. However, I’m still on Vincent’s lap, just facing a different direction.

The same bread as lunch, with blue tomatoes cut in a comb shape and a different leafy vegetable shredded, a thick white fish fillet fried to a crispy batter with plenty of tartar sauce, a creamy potato and bacon gratin, and a hearty potage with plenty of vegetables and two types of sausages. It looks delicious.

Moreover, it seems they prepared it for me from the start, unlike lunch.

It’s properly cut and arranged, and the fork and spoon are smaller and easier to hold.

The plate is a special one for children, and the mug with the potage is also child-friendly.

"Let’s eat."

I followed everyone else in taking a fork.

Ah, the food at the Northern Demon Castle doesn’t disappoint! The seasoning, cooking, balance of ingredients, and finish are all perfect. I think the phrase “can’t stop, won’t stop” was made for this food.

The only downside is that, as a child, my jaw strength is weak, making it hard to chew. I have to chew a lot, so I eat very slowly.

I can’t finish everything in its best state!

"...You eat so well. When my son was this age, he made a mess."

"He doesn’t seem to be picky, and his eating manners are clean. Fufu, like Tichis’s cheek pouches."

While I was chewing hard, Bax pinched my cheek.

"Huh?"

"...Correction. Yuriko’s existence is like Tichis."

"Only in appearance. If you can say you love the old man and immediately get close to my mount, you’re a big catch."

What’s “Tichis”? If it’s about cheek pouches, it must be something like a squirrel or hamster?? This body is small.

Ah, when Dillan said that, Vincent and Bax’s forks stopped.

"“Huh?”"

"Yuriko is a big favorite of Letz and doesn’t fear him at all. She even used Letz’s fur as a bed for a nap. Seeing that, Elies gave her provisional enlistment permission."

...Letz is much cuter.

Why are Vincent and Bax looking at me as if they can’t believe it?

I have something to say, but I won’t stop eating.

"Thank you for the meal."

After finishing the food and saying my thanks, Vincent patted my head.

The other three had already finished eating.

Being able to finish everything in its best state is enviable.

"Come, Yuriko, let’s go back to the infirmary. Say goodbye to Dillan."

"...Huh?"

Ah, I made a silly sound again. ...No, say goodbye to Dillan? What’s that about?

"Yuriko needs to rest soon. I’ll take responsibility for her, so you should hurry and get ready."

"Damn, I understand."

Dillan, who clicked his tongue, agreed with Vincent’s words.

The moment I realized we were parting, a loneliness and anxiety, even greater than when I parted with Elies, overwhelmed me.

The satisfaction from the delicious meal vanished instantly. My vision blurred.

"Wh...What?"

"Make sure everything is arranged by the end of today. Got it, Dillan?"

Tears started streaming down my face, and I heard Dillan’s voice waver in surprise.

Bax, standing next to him, seemed to hold his breath.

Only Vincent remained as calm as ever.

"Normally, when a child is separated from their guardian, they cry and resist. It’s expected. If it got to the point of a tantrum, I would have considered sedatives, but this child doesn’t need them.

I feel sorry for her, but considering Yuriko’s current strength, I can’t allow her to accompany you after this as a doctor."

While crying, I heard Vincent’s voice from a distance, and my vision went white.

The soft feeling of a towel on my face. It’s the familiar towel.

Vincent is stopping for me, and Dillan is leaving. It’s inevitable. But the tears won’t stop.

It’s inevitable, but I really don’t want it. I’m very scared to be separated from Dillan.

"...I’ll come to get you in the morning. Get a good night’s sleep."

"Yes, big bro..."

"Good girl. ...Vincent, I’m counting on you."

I received a pat on the head from Dillan and tried to hold back my emotions.

Is it really this hard to hold back?

After receiving the towel from Dillan, Vincent carried me and left the table, quickly exiting the cafeteria.

Being separated from Dillan, who had been with me since we met, made me feel incredibly lonely. I clung to Vincent’s white coat without realizing it, crying.