Chapter 82

A little story about "The God's Eye" at work. Who is the stubborn one?

In today's activity report, I'm also revealing the character designs. Please take a look if you like!

"…Is it okay to take him away?"

Yuri smiles and says this. Her face is smiling, a very nice, usual smile. Yet, behind her, there was an aura like that of a great demon from long ago. Because she is usually so carefree, when Yuri gets really angry, those around her are so frightened they want to prostrate themselves. Now, three people are prostrating themselves, begging for forgiveness. Meanwhile, the one being scolded is still as nonchalant as ever, tilting his head in confusion. It's as if he's saying, "What's going on?" Mag's head, which was tilted in puzzlement, was forcefully lowered by Urgus, who was performing a splendid prostration next to him. The small Mag, unable to resist the powerful Urgus, collapsed on the spot.

"Urgus, don't use too much force. …Mag, is it okay to take you away?"

"…Why?"

"Why, you ask… I see… So, Mag doesn't realize it, huh…"

Yuri sighs deeply, but the great demon behind her is still there. Urgus, Camille, and Yack are trembling. When a usually gentle mother suddenly snaps, anyone would be afraid. Among them, only Mag is tilting his head in wonder, as always, too thick-skinned. Or perhaps, he's just dull.

Squatting in front of Mag, Yuri gently presses her palm to his forehead. He's hot. His face is as usual, expressionless, and his neck is covered by a scarf as always, so it's hard to see. Seeing this, Yuri smiles again. Her smile is scary, teacher.

--- Mag

Condition: Fever (Severe)

Today, "The God's Eye" was in top form. She caught the apprentices who were about to go for their usual training, specifically Mag, and gave them a stern lecture. She told them to rest, but Mag, who has no self-awareness, just looks confused. "The God's Eye" can't send a child with a red alert to training.

Yuri stands in the doorway, blocking the entrance, while the three, who understand that Yuri is angry even if they don't know why, prostrate themselves. Mag, on the other hand, is completely clueless. His lack of self-awareness is scary.

"Anyway, Mag is going to the clinic with me."

"…Why?"

"Hey, Mag, try to be a bit more self-aware, okay? You have a fever, you know!"

"‘Fever? ’"

"…Fever?"

Mag is so normal that the three are surprised and shout, while Mag looks puzzled. Seeing Yuri nod, the three start lecturing him, "If you're sick, you should say so!" They wouldn't think of dragging a sick person into training.

But Mag's response to them is...

"This level won't kill me."

Mag is as reliable as ever. His values are completely off the charts. Or rather, does he only see life and death as the only options? The three are taken aback, and Yuri's smile is strained. Mag, with his thumb up, doesn't notice their reactions.

Indeed, Mag, who grew up in the slums, has a completely different set of values from the others. Usually, it's not a problem, but sometimes he goes off the deep end. And when he does, it's not what you want to see when you're not feeling well.

"Urgus, can you come with me?"

"Got it. I'll be the carrier."

"Okay."

With a menacing smile, Yuri asks, and Urgus nods solemnly. He knows. Mag, who insists he's fine, will never go to the clinic. And even though Urgus is a bit bigger, Yuri, who is not a trained adventurer, can't carry Mag. So, Urgus, who can easily carry Mag, is chosen as the carrier. Also, Yuri asks Urgus because he understands Mag better than the others. He's the interpreter. Good luck, Urgus.

"What?"

"Shut up. You just stay quiet. Yuri's diagnosis isn't wrong."

"…Put me down."

"Refused."

"Put me down."

"Refused. Don't pull out your knife."

Urgus, who easily hoists Mag onto his shoulder, remains calm despite Mag's grumbling. When Mag pulls out a knife, Urgus grabs it with one hand and hands it to Camille, who is watching in shock. Camille obediently takes the knife and even takes the knife cover from Mag's waist, starting to put them away. Mag is indignant but can't move with Urgus holding him down.

"Yuri, we're ready to go."

"Okay. Just a moment. I'll get my bag."

Yuri goes to get her beloved school bag. It's a magic bag, and specifically for her, so no one else can take anything out of it. That's why she keeps her wallet in it. She's not sure how to handle medical expenses if someone gets sick at the hideout, so she decides to front the money. She'll report it to Alie later.

When Yuri returns with her school bag, Urgus is still arguing with Mag, who is thrashing around. Camille and Yack are just watching. They seem to have decided to leave Mag to Yuri and Urgus, as going to the clinic with everyone would be pointless.

"See you later, we're going to the clinic."

"See you."

"Mag, give up."

"Camille, don't egg him on. Mag, stop thrashing, it's a hassle."

"…Annoying."

Mag starts thrashing again in response to Yack's casual farewell and Camille's teasing. But the size difference between Urgus and Mag is too great. Mag, at 15, is thin and small. He's so thin that you might wonder if he's eating enough, even though he probably eats as much as, or more than, the others.

So, with Mag on his shoulder, Yuri heads to the clinic. On the way, they encounter several curious looks, but most people, seeing Yuri and the walking Luke, recognize them and nod in understanding. ...What's going on?

Fortunately, they can enter the clinic without waiting. The doctor, Nina, greets them. She's a beautiful doctor, always with a gentle smile, like a white rabbit. Her round glasses on her nose are charming.

She looks at Mag, who is thrashing on Urgus's shoulder, and then, at their request, examines him, pressing him into a chair. Even though Yuri tells her Mag has a fever, he doesn't look like it on the surface, so she is surprised.

"I don't think it's a serious illness, but I'll give you some medicine to bring down the fever. You shouldn't overexert yourself, okay?"

"…No."

"Don't say you're not. Both Yuri and the doctor diagnosed you with a fever, so you must be overdoing it."

"…No."

"Stop saying it's not overexertion."

"…No."

"I don't care about your excuses. Take the medicine when you get home."

"…No."

"Don't complain about the taste of the medicine."

Mag's denials are met with Urgus's rebuttals. How does he know what Mag is trying to say? Mag's face and expression are as usual, completely expressionless. Even if he seems a bit annoyed, it's hard to read his emotions. Yuri and Nina are blinking, watching the somewhat comedic exchange. The interpreter is not just for show.

"…Urgus, you really understand what Mag is trying to say, don't you?"

"Yeah… Compared to when he first came, he shows more on his face and in his reactions."

"Really?"

"Yeah. When we first met, I thought it was a life-sized doll moving."

"…Really?"

To Yuri, Mag is a troubled child who is enchanted by the umami and flavor of good food. He also has a craftsman-like obsession and meticulousness, which makes him interesting, even if a bit off. To hear that he was like a doll is hard to believe.

After paying, Mag, who was told to rest, is carried by Urgus. He insisted on walking, but was told, "Sick people should stay quiet," and ended up being carried. Despite his harsh words, Urgus is a good caretaker. Real life is great.

"Basically, you're too stubborn."

"…No."

"What's wrong with that? Idiot. You're not fine at all. …If it were the usual you, you'd put up more of a fight with me."

"…"

Urgus's comment refers to the exchange at the hideout's entrance. He was actually surprised at how easily he could carry Mag. Mag is quick and hard to catch. If Mag really wanted to escape, even if Urgus is bigger, it would be impossible to catch him. The fact that Mag was so easily carried revealed his poor condition.

Mag buries his face in Urgus's neck. Perhaps as a bit of revenge, he digs his nails into Urgus's arm. Urgus's complaints about the pain are ignored.

"Mag, you're not good at being dependent."

"…?"

"When you're not feeling well, it's okay to rely on others. You made food for me when I was down, didn't you?"

"…That, was."

"So, when you're not feeling well, it's our turn to take care of you."

Mag is speechless at Yuri's smile, seen from a different height because he's being carried by Urgus. Yuri smiles and says, "Right?" and Urgus joins in. Urgus knows that Mag, despite everything, trusts Yuri. Even if he ignores what Urgus says, he considers what Yuri says. Mother is great.

Yuri, who won't budge, and Urgus, who joins in, make Mag say, "…Agreed," in a small voice. In summary:

"I'll rest quietly."

"Good, that's the best. I'll make what you want for lunch."

"…Oyakodon."

"Got it. I'll make a proper broth with kelp and bonito flakes."

"…Agreed."

Mag doesn't resist Yuri's pat on his head. "You're really honest with Yuri," Urgus mutters. In response, Mag digs his nails into Urgus's arm, as if to say, "Annoying." Don't worry, Urgus.

The next day, Mag is back to his usual self, as if nothing happened.

So, the stubborn liar was Mag. Growing up in the slums, he's not good at relying on or being dependent on others.

And Urgus, thank you for your hard work as the interpreter. Keep it up.

I look forward to your comments and feedback.