Chapter 81

The protagonist's perspective and content in chapters 39-42 are almost identical. If you don't like it, please skip it.

From today, Yurii will gradually distance herself from Dilnan.

Of course, with the help of those around her. Today, I will take her in, and I plan to bring her home to spend the upcoming holiday together.

And it has already been decided that Elies will take care of Yurii during the next holiday.

This was a decision made from the moment Yurii temporarily joined the Northern Demon King Castle.

No matter how much Dilnan is a guardian, he is the captain in charge of the Northern Demon King Castle's cooking team. It's not possible for him to always be with Yurii.

Considering that she is a child, we must gradually but surely help Yurii become independent.

The environment is changing rapidly, and Yurii, without any complaints or whining, is trying her best to adapt. Those around her are generally quite supportive.

However, this is only true for a part of the team involved with Yurii.

Indeed, opposition is growing in hidden places.

What is the right thing to do? What is the best way to handle this?

No one knows.

"Captain Vincent! Good morning!!"

As soon as I enter the castle and go to Dilnan's room to pick up Yurii, she comes running out as soon as I call her name.

I am surprised by her momentum, but it is also endearing to think that she has been waiting for me.

After returning her greeting and informing her that we will start with a health check, she pouts and grumbles.

Still, I take her to the medical room, where most of the team members scheduled to work today are already gathered, even though it is still an hour before the start of the shift.

It makes sense that For, who is assigned to guide Yurii, is here. It is his first day as a guide, and he probably has a lot of preparations to make.

Grain, who is For's mentor, is known to arrive early. He is helping For with his preparations and giving advice.

I also know a few diligent members who arrive early to learn from Grain and refine their skills and knowledge.

However, the majority of the others are clearly here for Yurii.

They laugh as if their stomachs are about to burst or pretend to support Yurii when she gets teary-eyed during the health check, much like Bax.

On the other hand, those who keep their distance are likely those who are bitter about a child being involved in the medical team, or those who are truly observing the situation.

Still, knowing my character, they don't think I took Yurii under my wing just because I found her cute. They are probably trying to figure out the reason, watching Yurii and me.

After the health check, Yurii's thoughts are dominated by breakfast.

Thanks to this, as soon as I let her go, she pulls me by the hand towards the cafeteria.

It has been a long time since I was pulled by the hand like this. Probably since my son was a child and I was rushing him to play outside.

I never thought I would be pulled by the hand in the Northern Demon King Castle. Life is full of surprises.

The reactions of the team members from other units in the cafeteria where we arrived prove how unusual this situation is.

Only Yurii, tilting her head, doesn't understand the situation.

Laughing at her and encouraging her to eat, I see how straightforward she is. She is so simple that she might be easily deceived. I am a bit worried, but it wouldn't be good to correct her personality and make it twisted. What should I do?

Meanwhile, a young team member at the food service counter bowed to support Yurii.

The fact that those around her naturally take such actions suggests that Yurii is truly beloved by the cooking team.

Seeing this, Yurii, who seems to have something on her mind, praises the young boy, showing a cute affection for him.

Unable to resist, I gently pat his soft hair and carry the food to the table together.

Dilnan then appears with Yurii's booster seat, apologizes to me, and gives Yurii a stern warning.

Despite his emotional encouragement, which was quickly dismissed by Yurii's grumbling, his caring and attentive demeanor is very much like a "mother."

Yurii, despite her desperate denials, undoubtedly thought the same.

This child is truly breaking the ordinary image in various ways.

Yurii, who is eating breakfast with great enjoyment, is probably unaware of this, but in this short time, she has become a topic of conversation for other units, including Dilnan and myself.

Eating breakfast with Yurii for the first time in a long time, the food from the cooking team tasted surprisingly delicious.

After breakfast, we return to the medical room, where Kalaf is already waiting with Yurii's nurse uniform.

After seeing Yurii off to change in a separate room with Kalaf, I call For, Yurii's mentor, to confirm the final details of today's schedule.

During this time, the team members who are scheduled to work today naturally gather around.

"Captain, good morning."

"Bax, good morning."

"It's finally happening. By the way, I heard Yurii's nurse uniform is a skirt type today."

Deputy Captain Bax approaches with a smile.

"Apparently, the first day is crucial. Kalaf was very enthusiastic. He said a cute nurse uniform was made."

"Well, the first day is important. If there's a failure, the medical team's evaluation is over. After that, they'll just be assigned to disinfection duties."

Some team members grimace at Bax's words.

However, when they hear my honest thoughts, their expressions change to surprise.

"If you are a member of the Northern Demon King Castle, it is only natural to expect appropriate skills from the team captain. Age is irrelevant. Especially in my medical team, such leniency is not acceptable."

"That's not possible. Given that you have assigned For as Yurii's mentor instead of me or Dr. Grain, it's clear that you are serious about testing Yurii. I, too, have no intention of compromising on the evaluation."

"Once she changes, she will no longer be a child from another unit but a member of the medical team. Evaluate her without any leniency. If there is anything concerning, report it to me, Bax, or For.

—... The Northern Demon King Castle is not a daycare center."

By cutting off the doubts that the team members might have had, their expressions change.

At the same time, the way they look at Bax becomes more serious.

They must have recognized that Bax is the strictest in evaluating Yurii among the medical team members at this point.

Bax, who mixes his true intentions with jokes, is hard to read. Therefore, by the time you realize it, Bax's judgment is often already made and the conclusion is out.

His actions are quick, with no hesitation or leniency.

I am raising him as the deputy captain... and the next captain, and I am making sure that his abilities are recognized by the team.

"Well, from what I've seen of Yurii so far, she's not the type to fall on the first day. Rather, I'm looking forward to how far she will push herself."

"...Bax, you have no worries about Yurii?"

"What is there to worry about with a child who has been recognized by Captain Elies for her work? Besides, with For as her mentor, there's no way she won't learn the basics."

Bax smiles at For, who smiles back. It is a calm smile, but one that makes the external security team shudder. When will Yurii realize this?

Just then, Yurii comes out with Kalaf after changing.

...I asked Kalaf to make something that would make Yurii's presence immediately recognizable.

Yurii, who makes a silly sound with each step, is very cute.

Most of all, the skirt-type nurse uniform suits her very well.

Her cuteness makes those who love cute things, led by Bax, struggle to hold back their excitement.

Unable to resist, I praise Kalaf, who smiles bitterly, seemingly unsatisfied with the result.

Despite his unique appearance, Kalaf is a top-notch craftsman, standing at the top of the forging team, a gathering of first-class craftsmen.

Kalaf then shows us the first-aid kit Yurii needs and gives it to her.

Finally, he attaches the trainee armband to Yurii's left upper arm.

After completing the necessary tasks, he hands me Yurii's previous clothes, exchanges greetings with Yurii, and bows to us before returning to his duties.

This is where my main act begins.

"Alright, let's move on to explaining Yurii's work."

First, I introduce For, Yurii's mentor, and explain the meaning of having For as her mentor through a command to For.

Then, I get to the most important point.

"...Remember, the medical team is a team that sometimes takes responsibility for lives. Even as a trainee, I will not tolerate half-hearted actions."

How Yurii interprets these words.

Not from a personal standpoint as someone who cares for her, but from a public standpoint as the captain of the medical team, how she receives me.

To see this, I look at her directly, just as I would with any other team member.

In response, Yurii.

She answers firmly and looks back at me straight in the eye.

Her eyes show "understanding" and "resolve."

She is not just a cute child. She clearly understands the meaning of being placed in the medical team.

Most of all, she shows a strong competitive spirit, determined not to lose.

Even Bax and For, standing next to me, seem to notice this.

I can hear them let out a breath that sounds like a smile.

"...Let's start the work."

After observing Yurii's response, I announce to the team, and the team members, except For, start moving in unison.

Even so, Yurii's eyes do not waver from mine.

They are the eyes of a team member, not a child, ready to work.

Seeing such Yurii, I feel a sense of joy, and my lips naturally curve upward.