It was seven days after the incident that Krishna finally arrived at the clinic.
“You’re late. I thought you were planning to skip out on your bill.”
When Zenos said this, Krishna replied in a tone that was not at all apologetic.
“My apologies. I’m terrible with directions, so it took me a while to find my way here.”
“No, there’s a limit to how bad with directions you can be.”
“It can’t be helped. I am a woman with many weaknesses.”
“Ugh, she’s taken refuge in annoying self-awareness…!”
Krishna smiled gently. Her smile was a little softer than it had been last week.
“Well, that was a joke. I was so busy with the aftermath of the incident that I couldn’t take any time off. I apologize. I brought a little extra to make up for it, so please forgive me.”
“So, things were settled peacefully, for the most part?”
“We’ve only just started climbing the first mountain.”
He said that although Lord Calendore had no choice but to admit to the abduction and confinement of children, he was tight-lipped about the trafficking routes, and it would likely take a long time to uncover the full picture.
Even so, the fact that the darkness of the nobility had been exposed had attracted considerable attention in the capital.
“Well, we’ll just take it one step at a time.”
“You’re persistent. I’m not particularly worried. By the way, I shot a noble with a gun…”
“That should be fine. That noble thought I was dead, and when he saw me alive and well, it seems his memories became quite confused.”
Krishna smiled wryly and bowed deeply.
“It’s all thanks to you, Mr. Zenos. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“It’s no big deal. I just showed up at the very end.”
“If you wish, I can arrange for you to be recognized as a special contributor by the Commander of the Imperial Guard.”
“Absolutely not. That would draw too much attention.”
“Heh, I thought you’d say that.”
“Um, miss. Krishna,”
Lily, who was standing behind them, hesitantly interjected.
“About, Zenos…”
“Ah, you mean the ‘Mediator’?”
Krishna lowered her voice slightly.
“The flag of sedition that unites the major races of the slums and harms the citizens—the ‘Mediator’.”
Her blue eyes met Zenos’s head-on.
“…I found no such person. That’s what I reported to headquarters.”
“I-Is that okay?”
“It is, child of the elves. We were looking for a dangerous individual who posed a threat to the citizens. Unfortunately, the ‘Mediator’ I found was far from having any dangerous ideologies, and was merely a small-timer desperately trying to collect on lodging fees.”
“Aren’t you subtly putting him down?”
“The fact that I can crack a few jokes now is also thanks to you.”
Krishna smiled faintly and asked, as if to confirm.
“But, Mr. Zenos, are you really sure? You played a remarkable role in resolving the incident. Are you sure you don’t want any record of it?”
“I’m sure. In fact, if you write my name down, I’ll haunt your dreams.”
“…I understand. Haunting dreams doesn’t sound too bad, but I’ll make sure there’s no official record. However, even if it’s not in the records, it’s certainly etched in my memory. The hero in the corner of the ruined city.”
“You’re exaggerating. I just healed your wounds.”
“Yes, that’s right. You healed my wounds…”
Krishna placed her hand on her chest and looked down slightly.
She remained in that posture for a while, then, as if making up her mind, she raised her head.
“Um, you know… Mr. Zenos.”
“What is it?”
“Even though I know the ‘Mediator’ isn’t dangerous, as the Vice-Commander of the Imperial Guard, I can’t ignore your influence.”
“You can ignore me. In fact, please actively ignore me.”
“I can’t do that. So… from time to time…”
“Hmm?”
“From, from time to time… is it okay if I come to… monitor you?”
For some reason, Krishna’s face seemed to be turning red.
“I refuse.”
“What…!”
Krishna cried out softly and slumped her shoulders.
“I-I see, you dislike the idea… That’s right… Women should smile… I suppose it’s only natural that you’d turn down a woman with a smile as stiff as stone…”
“Why are you saying such muddled things with a face that looks like you’re about to cry? I don’t want you to monitor me, but if you have business here, feel free to come.”
“R-Really!?”
“You suddenly brightened up. But I already have a lot of noisy customers, so just don’t interfere with my treatments.”
“I understand!”
“Speaking of which, is it really okay for the Imperial Guard to be frequenting an under-the-table clinic?”
“Heh, fortunately, clinic operations fall under the jurisdiction of the Royal Clinic, so I have no say in the matter.”
“Now you’re suddenly smug, huh?”
And so, Krishna left with a slightly lighter step.
Was she always someone whose expression changed so much?
“What was that last bit about…?”
“Mmmmmm, another beautiful rival… Mmmmmm.”
“Why is Lily pouting?”
From the second floor, a voice stifling laughter said just one thing.
“Hehehe… Another troublesome woman has appeared, hasn’t she?”
The back-alley clinic, while acquiring new customers, continued to operate quietly as always.
A/N: This concludes the Krishna arc for now.