Chapter 52

Holding my rumbling stomach, I was carried into the infirmary by Mars. ...Where did the Toot I got from the field go? Or did it make my stomach even emptier because it was so delicious?

While thinking about these things, I averted my gaze, but perhaps because I felt guilty, I saw black swirls on the infirmary door. I swallowed hard at the sight and clung tightly to Mars. Eliess watched me with a smile, while Mars remained expressionless.

Ugh. Out of nervousness, the bugs in my stomach, which had been making so much noise, fell silent.

"Excuse me."

Finally, Eliess opened the infirmary door and entered, and all eyes in the infirmary turned to us. Among them were Vincent and Bax. Oh no (crying).

"Eliess, what happened?"

"I wanted to disinfect Yurie's cheek."

"Yurie's cheek?"

Vincent immediately reacted, and Eliess pointed to me.

"After passing the document team's entrance exam with a perfect score, I took her for a walk around the Northern Demon Castle. Then, at the animal house, Retz escaped. After a series of events, Yurie was licked multiple times on the cheek by Retz, which caused her cheek to be rubbed raw. Since the culprit is a carnivorous magical beast, if fungi get in, it could be serious."

"...What? Passed the document team's entrance exam with a perfect score??"

While Eliess explained the situation, Bax was more interested in something else.

"Wasn't that the fifty-question math test?"

"Yes. It's the same test you took when you joined. She solved all the problems within the time limit."

"That's... quite something..."

While Eliess and Bax were talking, I was more concerned about Vincent slowly approaching me!

Scared, I clung even tighter to Mars, but when Vincent touched my hand, I was easily separated from Mars without feeling any pain. Truly, the captain of the medical team knows the human body's joints inside and out (cold sweat).

"Yurie, the lecture can wait. Let's check the wound first."

"..."

With a smile, Vincent lifted me up, and I gave up on struggling, hanging my head weakly.

"The wound itself isn't serious. ...Bax, check it just in case."

"Understood."

After disinfecting the wound with a well-soaked antiseptic, Vincent called Bax, who had been talking to Eliess. I managed to hold back my tears, but Bax touched my uninjured right cheek, and I was half-crying.

Bax, who didn't move, nodded after a while.

"There's no sign of any strange magic or spells cast by Retz. It should be fine."

"Retz, you don't do bad things, right?"

"Just to be safe. Despite appearances, Bax is the best medical mage in the Northern Demon Castle. If Bax confirms it's fine, it's fine. It would be too late if something happened later."

While Bax's hand was still on me, Vincent explained. Bax, who is recognized by Vincent, is actually a very skilled person. He seems kind and calm, but I didn't realize it.

"Alright, the disinfection is done, and safety is confirmed."

"Uh?"

Vincent, who had just applied a large bandage to my cheek, said this, and I felt a cold chill. I was completely off guard.

"Are you ready for the lecture, Yurie?"

Vincent smiled and asked, making me instinctively flinch. It's not good at all (crying).

*Gurgle!*

At that moment, my stomach made a loud noise, as if reflecting my state of mind. Why now!?

But Vincent's cold smile didn't change.

"Approaching magical beasts recklessly is out of the question, Yurie. Didn't Eliess tell you that?"

*Grrr!*

"Even if they are intelligent, they are carnivorous beasts that follow their instincts. And they can use magic. It's lucky you weren't seriously injured this time, but there are plenty of terrifying magical beasts in the world. Do you realize how dangerous it was?"

*Gurgle, gurgle*

"..."

Vincent's beautiful voice lectured me, and my stomach made strange noises. If I were to describe it in human terms, it would be like "Aaaah!" or "Ah, no!" (cold sweat). Vincent, noticing this, paused the lecture.

The infirmary fell into an awkward silence. Some people, like Mars, were trying not to laugh.

Ignoring the room's atmosphere, my stomach continued to rumble.

"Sorry. I'm really reflecting on it, but my stomach won't be quiet."

Unable to bear it, I sniffled and apologized, holding my stomach and looking up at Vincent. For some reason, not only Vincent but also Bax, Eliess, Mars, and the other medical team members were flustered.

The sound of my stomach echoed in the silent infirmary. As a woman, it was a truly embarrassing and pitiful situation.

"Maybe I'll lecture you another time. Instead, I'll give Dillnan a stern warning."

As I sobbed, Vincent unexpectedly gave in. What? Dillnan will get the backlash? That means a thorough lecture flag later...

*Gurgle!*

Despite this, my stomach seemed to cheer at Vincent's words. Rather, you should reflect and be more careful!

I was then carried out of the infirmary by Eliess. On the way to the cafeteria, Alf, a young boy, opened his mouth wide when he saw me.

"Yurie, what happened to your cheek!?"

Alf's shocked cry drew the attention of everyone in the kitchen.

"Eliess, what happened while you were with her?"

"Blaming me is too much, Dillnan. It's your fault."

"What?"

Dillnan protested, but Eliess quickly countered.

"Your riding beast escaped, caused trouble, and ended up licking Yurie. What kind of training are you giving your riding beast?"

"It was Retz's fault?"

"Retz licked me a lot."

Eliess's sharp tongue left Dillnan with a question mark. I also briefly explained what happened.

"Well, I have nothing more to say. Vincent will lecture you later."

"Why?"

"Because Yurie was injured."

"...Maybe Retz should be lectured by Vincent instead?"

Dillnan grumbled, frowning, but Eliess just smiled and let it go.

*Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!*

In the middle of this, my stomach made the loudest noise yet, drawing more awkward silence and several gazes in the cafeteria. The smell of food was filling the cafeteria.

"Captain, let's start with the meal."

"Yes, Yurie's stomach seems to be angry."

"Food!"

Mars interjected, and Eliess agreed, finally allowing us to start lunch.

Today's lunch was sandwiches. Thick slices of bread were filled with shrimp and a yellow avocado-like ingredient, and roasted chicken with plenty of sauce, along with lettuce-like greens, sliced orionions, Toot, and bell peppers. There was also a potato salad with plenty of ham, cucumber, and bellmon, using both mashed and whole tashi potatoes. For dessert, there was a fruit punch with plenty of juice. It looked so delicious that my mouth watered. *Slurp*.

My portion was thinner slices of bread, cut in half. The salad was in a small bowl, but the fruit punch was a full serving. And water. ...My eating capacity is well-known.

For a regular adult portion, the bread alone was more than a pound, and the salad and fruit punch were piled high. Even the slender Eliess and Mars finish these. It's a mystery.

Eliess lowered the tray to my height, and I carried it to the table with Eliess and Mars. Mars carried the auxiliary chair for me. Thank you, and I'm sorry.

Even as my stomach continued to rumble, drawing gazes from all around, I didn't mind.

Before sitting down, Eliess placed the tray on the table, and Mars set up the auxiliary chair and lifted me onto it.

"Eliess-taicho, Mars-fukutaicho, thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Don't worry about it."

You two are really handsome. As I was moved, Eliess had taken out a towel and wet it.

"Yurie?"

"Hm?"

"You've been walking around and touching various things, so you need to clean your hands before eating."

*Wet towel!*

And Eliess was wiping my hands himself.

"Let's eat, then."

Ignoring my moved state, Eliess smiled beautifully and said.

I take back my comment about the handsome older brothers! Eliess-mama!!

...I can never tell him that.

Today's meal is also exquisite, thanks to the cooking team.

The fluffy, chewy bread, crisp vegetables, and tender main ingredients are a perfect combination, making my mouth water. The potato salad has the perfect saltiness, and the light mayonnaise is just right. The fruit punch, with its refreshing natural sweetness after the salty flavors, is perfect. I can't stop eating with my fork.

Ah, I want to be able to cook such meals myself soon.

I know I'm a bit off, but I'm aiming to be a cook!

"Delicious."

As I was enjoying my meal, I noticed warm gazes from Eliess, Mars, the kitchen staff, and others. I smiled back when our eyes met.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Thank you for the meal."

After finishing my meal, I put my hands together, and Eliess and Mars said it with me. My stomach was satisfied and quiet, and I felt drowsy as my stomach was full.

Rubbing my eyes, Mars helped me down from the chair. I received the tray from a concerned Eliess, as before, and managed to carry it to the return counter. During this time, Mars had already cleared his tray and returned the auxiliary chair.

Mars took my tray and placed it on the return counter, then lifted me up. Ladastor was there, clearing the return counter.

"Thank you for the meal."

"Try harder in the document team."

"Yes."

I thanked Ladastor, and he responded. I managed to reply, but my consciousness was half asleep. I heard Eliess being called by someone in the back, but I couldn't open my eyes anymore. I tried to stay awake and snuggled closer to Mars, but I was at my limit.

"It's okay to sleep."

The timely permission from Mars, along with a pat on my back, was the final push. I was quickly overtaken by sleep.