Chapter 82

The content overlaps with the main story from Chapter 42 to Chapter 27 from a different perspective. If you don't like it, please skip it.

Handing Yuri over to Fol, I entered the workroom and began to tackle the miscellaneous tasks on the desk.

"Captain, you're also expecting a lot from Fol, aren't you?"

"He's the top candidate for the next deputy captain. If he can't handle a single child, he won't be fit for a senior management position at the Northern Demon Castle. On the contrary, it's more fulfilling to train someone like him than several regular team members."

"Of course."

Responding to Bax, who had already been at the desk, Bax nodded.

"I thought as much, given that neither I nor Dr. Grain could be assigned as Yuri's mentor. Still, to suddenly choose Yuri... that's quite a bold move."

"I've asked Grain to assist."

"Fol will surely rise, Captain. And so will Yuri. That child seems to have a professional attitude towards work."

Bax chuckled, perhaps recalling our earlier conversation. Indeed, I was a bit surprised by Yuri's response earlier. I had expected her to be scared or cry, but instead, she looked back at me head-on. It seems she can already clearly separate her personal and professional life.

"To be honest, I can't wait to see how she handles the practical part next. How will she respond to the external security team, who are completely hostile?"

"Indeed."

"Captain, Bax, we were at the arena today, right?"

"It's the new recruits' rigorous training for the external security team."

I quickly finished the miscellaneous tasks and rechecked the shifts and times. There was about half an hour before the training started. There was plenty of work to do.

The training for the new recruits of the external security team is intense, both for the trainers and the trainees. As a result, there are many injuries. But the external security team is the main combat force of the Northern Demon Castle. This kind of mutual improvement is essential.

Of course, the training is not limited to the external security team. Various training schedules are planned in sequence to ensure that all units of the Northern Demon Castle are combat-ready.

As the arena door opened, Yuri, who seemed to have finished her nap, appeared with Fol. Following Bax's instructions, they headed to the east side where there were many injuries. The attention of the external security team naturally turned to Yuri's footsteps.

Indeed, the "pukkyu pukkyu" sound she made while they were seriously engaging in combat would likely break their concentration. It's very cute, though.

"...Vincent!"

As expected, Wald, the captain of the external security team, shouted at me. But I decided to pour oil on the fire. It's necessary to ensure Yuri's safety, and she needs to recognize it herself. Especially since the external security team is the largest faction that doesn't recognize Yuri. Even the medical team doesn't fully accept her. If she can't withstand this level of hostility, she won't be able to do anything in the future.

I glanced at Fol to confirm that Yuri could handle the work, and Fol nodded with a smile, even directing a smile at Yuri without giving her a choice. Watching how Yuri responded, she seemed to focus on the external security team.

"Scratches, cuts, and light bruises, I can treat them! For more serious injuries, Fol-san is here!"

Despite her trembling and teary eyes, Yuri declared this with a determined look. Fol couldn't help but laugh. It's typical of Fol, I suppose, to be slightly exasperated even though he set it up himself. However, this eased the medical team's gaze on Yuri. This is due to Fol's track record.

Even some members of the external security team, who had been helped by Fol, looked at Yuri with wide eyes.

The rest is up to Yuri to see how well she can embody her words.

When they blended into the medical team on the east side, Yuri was left alone, though she was still under the watchful eyes of Fol and other medical team members.

After preparing, the disinfection work began immediately.

At first, her movements were inefficient, but gradually, they became more streamlined. It was clear from the sidelines that she was absorbing and evolving during the practical work. Her growth rate was frightening.

During the treatment, when Yuri made some strange movements, Grain moved. It seemed she had found a seriously injured person that Yuri couldn't handle, and Grain took over the treatment of the young man from the external security team. This impressed those who were watching Yuri treat the injured.

Yuri, surprised by the unexpected incident, quickly returned to her work when she saw the longer disinfection line. She seemed to have no time to look around, checking her notes and desperately trying to process the queue.

Afterward, there were no further incidents, and Yuri successfully completed the disinfection.

Only then did she notice the surroundings. Seeing the seriously injured person she had found being treated by Fol, she rushed over. The young man, who had likely tried to return to training despite his injuries, was probably given rough treatment by Fol after Grain handed him over.

Wiping the sweat from the young man's forehead, Yuri talked to him. As those who had finished cleaning up watched, Yuri made a motion as if throwing something behind her, and a faint light appeared on the injured person's wound. The light quietly dissipated. Yuri, seeing that the surroundings were almost cleaned up, hurriedly returned to the cleanup as if nothing had happened.

"......What was that just now?"

Sherifas, the captain of the magic team, who had just finished checking the barrier, seemed to have seen the light and was startled.

If Sherifas is interested, it must be related to magic. However, from his reaction, it seems even Sherifas doesn't know what it is.

I glanced at Fol, who was with Yuri, and mouthed for him to come and report. Sherifas, noticing this, indicated with his eyes that he wanted to hear it too. Of course, I intended to. I wanted the expert's opinion.

As the surroundings were being cleaned up and people were dispersing, Yuri, following Fol's instructions, left the arena with Grain. Both the medical team and the external security team were watching her.

Although clumsy, Yuri had completed the disinfection work as a member of the medical team. The gazes on her had changed slightly, and the hostility had eased a bit.

Most of all, Yuri walking with Grain was very cute. I would love to hold her hand and walk with her, but that's impossible. The team members with children looked at her with a gentle expression, perhaps seeing their own children in her.

On the other hand, some very malicious gazes were directed at Yuri. I quietly memorized the faces of those who cast such gazes, noting their expressions of hatred and loathing. It's better to be cautious.

Meanwhile, I caught sight of Fol verifying the phenomenon Yuri had caused. He had prepared a reservation ticket, so he would certainly conduct a thorough follow-up. I would need to discuss this with Bax later. If necessary, I would work a half-day tomorrow.

"Sherifas, the mentor will be reporting soon."

"Alright."

I called out to Sherifas, who was sitting and writing notes. He quickly put away his notes and came over.

We waited for a while without saying much. Then, Fol arrived with a case of medical equipment.

"I'm sorry for the delay."

Fol calmly reported without being fazed by Sherifas's presence. I nodded and gestured for him to continue.

"According to her, it was a spell to reduce pain. However, the incantation was unique, and I couldn't hear it clearly. It was also a bit long, so no one around could understand it," Fol reported.

"‘A spell’?"

Sherifas narrowed his eyes at what Fol had heard from Yuri.

"At least, it doesn't match any magic I know. So, there are two possibilities. Either it's an unknown spell, or it's a type of healing magic that only those with the light attribute can use, which is rarely studied in the Demon Continent."

The magic research in the Demon Continent is most advanced in the Eastern Territory, but Sherifas is a respected magic researcher even there. He has read all the magic books in the Northern Demon Castle's collection. The spell Yuri used, which even Sherifas doesn't know, is a possibility.

"Personally, I'd be grateful if it's the light attribute. If so, there's a possibility we can learn a healing magic that we can't normally use."

While it's just a possibility Sherifas suggested, if Yuri can use light attribute magic:

As the head of the medical team, it would open up new possibilities for treatment. Most importantly, Yuri's value in the Northern Demon Castle would undoubtedly increase.

"If so, there's something at the root of it."

"And that could be one of the reasons why Yuri was threatened in the Eastern Territory."

Even without Sherifas pointing it out, it's clear that this could be the source of Yuri's danger.

Being a demon and having the light attribute is a clear sign that one of her parents has the light attribute. There were very few light attribute demons a few generations ago, but none are confirmed now. The light attribute in the Demon Continent can only be passed down for one generation.

As a doctor, I know this from my information network.

This means that one of Yuri's parents must have come from outside the Demon Continent, with the light attribute strong enough to rival a demon's. Otherwise, the magic element would be overwhelmed by the demon's blood.

In the bloodline-focused Eastern Territory, especially among the high nobility, it's surprising that such a connection was made. Or was she born to be studied and have the light attribute, which is impossible to obtain in the Demon Continent?

It's pointless to think too deeply about these possibilities when we don't even know if Yuri has the light attribute.

More importantly, how much of these possibilities can we verify at this stage? This is impossible without Sherifas's cooperation. Normally, I should keep Yuri's background from regular team members, but since Fol has already heard, I have no choice but to involve him.

"Yuri has been noticed by Rois in less than a month since her provisional enlistment. We can't just stand by. As the captain of the Northern Demon Castle, I need to understand her aptitude and potential to make the right judgment."

"‘...Huh?’"

"...Dilnan only brought in the necessary information, didn't he?"

"I've never heard of this before."

I explained, and even Sherifas was surprised.

Dilnan, you didn't want to involve Sherifas too much, did you? But it's too late now. With the seal magic on Yuri, her growth promotion in the agricultural team, and today's "spell," Sherifas's interest is fully on Yuri.

Most importantly, as a captain, I won't allow such leniency. Even the smallest details must be thoroughly investigated.

"When Yuri was shown the second floor by Elies and Mars, she casually revealed knowledge of a special structure that even Jott and Yaeto couldn't immediately create. Rois, who happened to be there for the second-floor inspection, heard it clearly.

Moreover, she evaluated Rois as a 'scary, absolute demon lord supporter' in front of Jean, Elies, and Mars, even though they had only met briefly. Elies has already reported this to Rois."

After explaining the current situation, Sherifas and Fol were speechless.

If you go to the next team leader meeting without knowing this, you'll definitely regret it. I signaled this to Sherifas, and he nodded in agreement.

This way, the information will be passed on to the external teams through Sherifas.

"...Captain Vincent, wouldn't Dr. Grain be a better mentor than me?"

Fol, who seemed to have thought about it, asked. At this stage, changing the personnel is only possible in extreme cases.

I won't be the captain forever, considering my age. The generational shift is already visible. The same goes for Grain.

One of my duties is to train Bax as the next captain and Fol as the deputy captain. Grain is also teaching his knowledge to the next generation, training specialized instructors.

For this reason, if Fol can successfully mentor Yuri, who is in such a unique position, it will be a significant factor in gaining recognition from others. Of course, the premise is that Yuri can continue to engage in the medical team's work.

For this reason, I maintained a firm attitude. Fol, who has a certain level of familiarity with me, quietly backed down.

On the other hand, Sherifas, after organizing his thoughts, let out a long sigh. After exchanging a few light-hearted remarks about Yuri's future, he said he would start moving.

"Right, Captain Sherifas."

Fol called out to Sherifas.

"There's one more thing about Yuri. During the training, when she saw Captain Sherifas checking the barrier, she called it 'shiny.'"

"! ...So, this is what it means to be extraordinary."

"Do you have any idea what she meant?"

"It's a trigger. ...Thank you."

When Fol reported the other thing, Sherifas showed a visible reaction. He bowed slightly and left the arena with a determined look in his eyes. It seems Yuri has touched some nerve in Sherifas.

I wonder what results will come out of this.

"...Let's go back."

"Yes."

I can't keep Fol here for the report indefinitely. There's still the cleanup to guide Yuri through, and the end of the day is approaching.

We ended the conversation and gave Fol the next instructions as we walked to the medical room, chatting along the way.