The Victims
According to my father, the kingdoms of Ania, home to the beastkin, and Elfa, home to the elves, had already been notified by the royal castle, and they were now waiting for envoys. However, they requested that I use my [Search] skill to determine the background of the victims in their own countries. Apparently, they had tried communicating by writing, but the victims couldn’t—or wouldn’t—write anything.
I went to the clinic with my father and Gray.
On the second floor, we entered a room shared by two patients: a tiger boy and a lizardman man. Upon seeing us, they immediately displayed caution.
“Feeling any better? Your voices still aren’t back, I take it?” my father asked.
They only nodded.
“I see… Today, I’ve brought my daughter. She has the skill [Search S], which allows her to scan people or objects and see their condition. If it’s alright, may she look at you both? This will help us report your details back to your countries.”
I explained this, and the lizardman glanced at the tiger boy, as if giving him the decision.
The tiger boy nodded after a moment’s thought, and I stepped forward.
“Nice to meet you. I am Joan Lampail, eldest daughter of the Lampail family. I will be performing the scan. May we begin? By the way, my [Search] can display the results visually—would you like me to do that?”
The two looked surprised, but the boy nodded, allowing the display.
First, I scanned the boy.
“Then, excuse me. Search Open.”
---
[Tony Tigger］
From Ania. Tiger beastkin. Fourth son of Duke Tigger. 8 years old.
Condition: Malnourished. Muted from poison.
Notes: Brought as a slave from Ania.
He was poisoned by the slave trader, causing muteness.
One more day of [Aqua] water needed for recovery.
---
“““““!!”””””
Both Tony and the lizardman were astonished that the scan could be displayed and that it even showed the time remaining for recovery. My father and Gray were shocked to learn Tony was the son of a duke. As for me…
Tony, a tiger…
Oh, cornflakes, isn’t it? That name is just straight-up cornflakes.
And the surname is Tigger…
I wonder if his family has a honey-loving yellow bear at home?
Completely irrelevant thoughts, of course.
“Is the information displayed here correct, young Duke Tony?” my father asked.
Tony nodded firmly.
“Then, may I continue with you as well?”
The lizardman nodded this time.
“Excuse me. Search Open.”
---
From Ania. Lizardman. Fifth son of Viscount Ordile.
Member of Duke Tigger’s knight squad. 23 years old.
Condition: Malnourished. Muted from poison.
Notes: Brought as a slave from Ania.
Poisoned by the slave trader, causing muteness.
One more day of [Aqua] water needed for recovery.
---
Ah, he was Tony’s guard… no wonder he was so cautious earlier.
Ordile… a Pokémon? Has it evolved?
“Thank you. It seems your voices will return tomorrow, so may we speak again after that?” my father asked. Both nodded.
We left the room.
“““Phew~”””
A collective sigh came from somewhere.
“To think… he’s from a ducal family…”
“Yes. But it’s the truth, Father.”
“… You two, it seems Countess Reluta has arrived,” Gray said, looking out the window. My father and I approached and saw a carriage bearing our family crest entering the grounds. She had come via the royal mansion.
Countess Reluta was my classmate’s Ed’s mother, a half-elf. Since she was from Elfa, we called her to see if she might recognize the unconscious elf girl.
We went down to meet them. Stepping out of the carriage were not only Countess Reluta but Ed as well.
“Welcome to General, Countess Reluta. I apologize for calling you out on such short notice.”
“It’s been a while, Countess Reluta.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I will gladly help in any way I can.”
“Then, I will guide you to the patient’s room immediately,” my father said, leading the way.
The room was shared with the rabbit girl, and one of our housemaids had been assigned there as both nurse and guard. Seeing us, she stood, bowed silently, and moved to the wall side of the room.
“This is one of our housemaids. She will stay by the patient in shifts, ready for when she wakes,” my father explained. Countess Reluta and Ed nodded. When they saw the unconscious woman, their eyes widened in shock.
“Countess Reluta? Ed?”
“Oh, Lord Lampail, Joan, my apologies. This woman is my cousin.”
““What!?””
“My cousin, Saelmira Eden. Fourth daughter of Marquis Eden. Saelmira… she had been an exchange student in Ania. But we’d lost contact for two months. I never imagined… she’d be here in Exzaria…”
Ed looked painfully at Countess Reluta, who was holding Saelmira’s hand in prayer.
“Countess Reluta, Young Master Edrahil, I apologize for the timing, but may I have Joan perform a scan? Joan’s skill [Search S] can detect the state of any person or object. We should be able to see Saelmira’s current condition.”
Countess Reluta and Ed looked at us in turn. I nodded to them.
What do you think about this chapter?
