Previously: Work at the Royal Clinic has finished, and the clinic is returning to its usual, everyday routine.
“Hmm, so, Sensei’s master, huh?”
The usual members were gathered at the clinic in the afternoon.
The leaders of the demi-humans, who had shown interest in Becker’s letter that Zenos was reading, immediately and gleefully started chatting.
“If he’s Sensei’s master, he must have been a really amazing person.”
“Ringa is also surprised that such a person existed.”
“If he was a Special-Grade Healer, then of course he was amazing.”
Zenos took a sip of the tea Lily had brewed and slowly nodded.
“Well, I guess he was an amazing person… I think…”
From his appearance, he just looked like a shady old man, so Zenos was actually more surprised to learn that he was a Special-Grade Healer.
“He taught me how to read, about healing magic, about the world, and many other things. I owe who I am today to my master. However, I only saw my master use healing magic once.”
“Sensei, are you going to investigate your master?”
“…Well, I’m curious about it.”
When he answered Zofia’s question, Ringa and Reve made slightly grim faces.
“Ringa… doesn’t really recommend it.”
“Yeah. I want to help Zenos, but I’m also not very keen on it.”
“Why not?”
“Ringa doesn’t know much about magic, but curses and forbidden magic… it just feels unpleasant.”
“If it were something with a physical form, I could punch it away, but even my fist can’t reach a curse.”
“Well… I understand what you mean.”
With his hands clasped above his head, Zofia rested her cheek on her hand beside Zenos.
“A curse, huh… I wonder what that really is.”
Eventually, the gaze of those in the conversation turned to Wraith, who was sipping tea at the edge of the table. Camilla, noticing everyone’s eyes, slowly raised her head and cleared her throat.
“The details about curses are unknown. Some say it is God’s punishment, others say it is the whim of demons, and there are rumors that it is a powerful contract magic of the First Great Mage. In any case, it is best to understand that if you meddle with things that go against the natural order of the world, you will suffer a painful backlash.”
Lily, holding the teapot, said admiringly.
“Camilla-san, you really know a lot.”
“Kukuku… It’s not for nothing that I’ve lived for 300 years.”
“No, you’re dead…”
After the usual exchange, Zenos let out a small sigh.
“Well, in reality, there’s no way to investigate anymore.”
Becker had said that if he wanted to know more, he should look for the notes.
When he was spending time with his master, he did see him holding a black leather-bound notebook.
Once, he innocently asked to see what was inside, but he was refused with a scary look.
He never saw the notebook after that.
It was either hidden somewhere or burned.
Either way, it would be extremely difficult to find.
There is only one place he could think of, but even that isn’t a realistic option.
――There were things I wanted to say to my master…
Zenos gazed dazzlingly out the window.
“By the way, Sensei. This is a bit of a change of topic, but—”
“Hm? Oh.”
Zofia’s voice brought him back to reality.
“We’re planning a little event.”
“An event? What are you going to do?”
When Lily asked with great interest, the female demi-human leaders looked at each other and said at the same time.
“ ” “A festival!!” ” “
“A festival…?”
Zofia leaned forward towards Zenos, who tilted his head.
“We talked it over, and we’re planning a festival in the slums. We’ll have stalls at night, play games, and dance together. We’ll also have prizes for those who do well in the games. And we’d really like Sensei to participate.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing, it sounds like fun!”
Lily said with an excited look.
“Huh, a festival. I’ve never been to one, but it sounds like it could be fun.”
When he was in the party, he had seen them in towns they passed by.
He was made to watch the luggage, so Zenos was the only one who couldn’t participate.
“Another pitiful episode as always…”
“I’m confident in my pitiful past.”
“Zenos, that’s not confidence…”
Zenos, who was rebuked by Camilla and Lily, scratched his head and said to Zofia.
“Sounds good. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yay! Be sure to come. We’ll let you know when the date is set.”
The demi-humans left the clinic looking happy. Camilla, placing the teacup on the table, said one thing.
“But… a festival in the slums, huh? It used to be a city with the charm of chaotic death, but now such a peace-loving event is being held. It’s all your fault, Zenos.”
“Huh, my fault?”
“Hey, Camilla-san, why don’t you participate too? It’s at night, so Camilla-san can come.”
“…Hmph, the Wraith King at a festival?”
Camilla glared at Lily, then slowly stood up and rolled up her sleeves.
“Kukuku… No one can surpass me in shooting galleries and goldfish scooping.”
“Yay!”
“This Wraith is really enthusiastic, isn’t she?”
And so, in the slums where bloody conflicts once took place, a very peaceful festival plan was about to begin—
A/N: The Dark Healer will finally be released in the middle of this week.
There are additions and newly written short stories, so please check it out~!