Volume 6, Chapter 30 – The Porter

“Saint-sama!”

As soon as I released the Barrier, Alois-san rushed over to me.

“Yes. She’s out of danger now, so she’ll be fine. I’ve healed all her wounds, and she’s looking very lovely again.”

That said, the woman’s cheeks were sunken and her complexion wasn’t particularly great.

“More importantly, about this collar-like thing—do you happen to know what it is?”

I held out the collar I’d snapped clean in two to Alois-san. His expression instantly turned grim.

“Saint-sama, where on earth did this collar come from?”

“Eh? This woman was wearing it. It was getting in the way of my treatment, so I took it off. Was that a mistake?”

“No, thank you for removing it. It is the collar itself that is the mistake. This is a forbidden item known as a ‘Mana-Draining Collar.’ The origin of these collars is unknown, but they circulated among Hunters for a time. They’re atrocious things. The collar drains and stores the Mana from its wearer’s body, allowing whoever possesses the matching ring to draw on and use that Mana however they please.”

So, it’s basically an item that lets you transfer Mana to someone else?

“And the reason this collar is a forbidden item is that the wearer’s mind is manipulated into believing it is only natural for the ring-holder to use their mana. Of course, they cannot remove it themselves, but the victim never even thinks to question it.”

Ah, I see. So that was the ‘curse’ part of it.

Right, this person seems to have been treated quite horribly; it would be best to keep her in the field hospital for a while.

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“In that case, Alois-san. I’d like this woman to be admitted to the field hospital, so could you carry her there?”

“Understood.”

With that, Alois-san swept the woman up in a princess carry and gave the order for his subordinates to withdraw.

Hmm, as expected of a handsome knight. Even the way he carries a woman is picture-perfect.

Yeah, handsome guys should just blow u—no, well, never mind that for now.

Besides, that wasn’t what I meant when I asked someone to carry her…

And so, having provided some unexpected aid, our exploration came to an end.

◇ ◇ ◇

After transporting the woman we rescued to the field hospital, we had a late lunch.

Lunch, of course, consisted of special sandwiches that made abundant use of Airoll’s local specialties—the ones we’d missed out on eating in the forest. There were roast Big Boar with seasonal leafy greens, tomato and vegetable, and chestnut cream sandwiches.

As expected of something provided by a Viscount’s house, they were quite delicious, though personally, I found myself craving an egg sandwich.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an egg sandwich here.

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I wonder if they aren’t very common?

While I was enjoying my post-meal tea and pondering this, Alois-san approached.

“Saint-sama, the inquiry to the Hunter Guild is complete. Her name is Marie. She is a Porter—essentially a luggage carrier—under an exclusive contract with a Hunter Party called ‘Crimson White Snake,’ which has been active here in Airoll for about two months.”

Since only the Knights or Hunters enter that forest, and Marie-san wasn’t affiliated with the Knights, Alois-san had checked with the Hunter Guild, and her identity had been revealed in no time.

However, more than that, I couldn’t help but be bothered by the name “Crimson White Snake.”

Surely I can’t be the only one wondering whether that snake is red or white. I wish they’d just make up their minds.

Still, I didn’t let that show and instead thanked Alois-san for his hard work.

“Thank you for looking into that. But please, Alois-san, make sure you eat lunch properly too.”

“Thank you for your concern, Saint-sama. However, I already had a sandwich between tasks, so there’s no problem.”

Huh? Is this guy a workaholic?

“I see. Still, please don’t overwork yourself.”

“Haha. Thank you.”

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I’m not sure if he actually understands, but oh well.

“By the way, how is Marie-san doing?”

“I am told she has not yet awakened. Would you like to visit her?”

“Hmm, yes. I have patients to treat starting in the evening, so let’s go check on her before then.”

And so, we decided to go see Marie-san.

◇ ◇ ◇

Alois-san led me to Marie-san’s room, which was the furthest room on the second floor of the field hospital.

For the record, most of the rooms in the field hospital were currently empty.

Since I’d treated everyone all at once, most had already been discharged, leaving only a few who were still reeling from the shock of their injuries.

However, according to Dr. Melveik’s diagnosis, they should all be able to leave within a few days.

Dr. Melveik, who had come to greet me after hearing I’d arrived, accompanied me as I knocked and entered Marie-san’s room.

“Hello. How are you feeling?”

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called out toward the bed, but there was no response from Marie-san.

The blanket rose and fell rhythmically with her breathing, so she seemed to be sleeping deeply.

“It seems she has not awakened yet. Now, please, over here.”

Prompted by Dr. Melveik, I sat in the chair provided in the room.

“Now then, I have heard the circumstances from Platoon Commander Alois. However, it will take a considerable amount of time for this patient to recover.”

“Meaning?”

“There are several reasons. For one, she witnessed her own left leg being eaten. Then there are the aftereffects of the curse, and considering the state of the wounds I was told about and the fact that she was wearing a Mana-Draining Collar…”

“I see. That makes sense.”

I stood up and looked at Marie-san. Her face, illuminated by the gentle autumn evening sun, wore a peaceful expression.

She looked a little warm, so I moved over toward the window to cast a bit of shade over her. Then, without thinking, I placed a hand on her forehead.

As I silently prayed that Marie-san’s trauma might heal, even if only a little.

Then, suddenly, Marie-san’s eyes snapped open.