Back in the ward, Charles took stock of his current situation.
Dian Cecht had long since left, and his injuries were mostly healed—only the incurable curse on his body remained, needing Airmid's magic to remove it.
"Once the serious wounds are treated, the flesh and blood will recover quickly, but..."
Charles glanced at his almost-exposed metacarpal bones. Perhaps because he was a "fragile college student" or numbed by the alcohol anesthesia, he felt no pain. Instead, his mind was unusually sharp and restless.
A bold idea sparked in his head.
My magic... has been found!
To perfect his plan, this injury was crucial. To maximize the advantage his current condition gave him, Charles decided...
"I want to escape from prison! No, that's not right—I want to escape from the doctor!"
His plan had only one shot at success. If it failed, his early progress would be hindered. Like a snowball rolling downhill, a good plan harnesses every advantage, continuously improving itself to make a name in this turbulent era.
On the other hand...
One had to admit the radiant humanity of Astraea's family was dazzling—so much so that even Charles, the seasoned fake, found it irritating.
Just standing near them, he almost subconsciously wanted to keep his distance.
Even if he had met that guy who always fancied himself a famous detective in his previous life, Charles might have approached him to complain and rub his head in frustration. But facing these young girls, who so seriously devoted their lives and ideals to "liberation" at such a young age, Charles simply couldn't.
Sigh...
He looked around. The treatment center wasn't a prison. Seven or eight windows lined the wall, and the evening breeze gently lifted the curtains, revealing bright moonlight.
Charles peeked out.
Great, no one!
Grasping the window sill with one hand, he jumped out and landed lightly, knees bent to absorb the fall.
The wound on his chest bled, staining the bandages red, but he was numb by now. Only one thought filled his mind: That crispy college student is so awesome!
He darted across the courtyard, weaving through the garden in just a few steps. Inevitably, he bumped into a passing nurse, who shrieked in surprise.
Charles apologized with a smile and vanished into the silent moonlight.
…
A moment later, outside the ward.
Airmid, busy handing over future treatment matters to Astraea's family, heard the commotion.
Immediately, a dog-eared girl with long brown hair and drooping ears pushed the door open, a mischievous grin on her face:
"Ah, Miss Teasanare, you actually let a patient escape right under your nose. Looks like Dian Cecht's nearly lost her touch..."
"What are you talking about, Erisuis? I don't recall inviting a rival clan member like you to join our faction."
Kaguya wasn't surprised by the arrival.
Orichis, Naaza Erisuis, leader of the Miach Family—a healer clan rivaling the Dian Cecht Family.
Their "hatred" was inherited from the heavens, a complicated love-hate relationship. Because both clans managed their business similarly, conflicts often flared.
In the gods' words, they were business rivals.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't know yet?" Miss Naaza raised an eyebrow. "People outside are whispering that the human statue in the laboratory escaped."
"Human statue...?" Airmid recalled the plaster anatomical model with painted muscles and imagined it moving. A strong sense of déjà vu washed over her.
Three minutes later, Airmid burst into the ward with a frosty expression, kicked the door open violently, and froze at the empty room and fluttering curtains.
Suppressing a murderous glare, she ground out through clenched teeth:
"Damn——! It!~"
Lyra leaned against the doorframe, peeking inside. Seeing the empty ward, only one thought crossed her mind:
"Hey, Alise, can we not pay for his treatment?"
Boom—
Alise punched Lyra on the head. "No! This is serious. We must let Charles rest well. So let's go find him."
"But he clearly doesn't want treatment. Besides, Orario is huge—where do we even start?"
Kaguya nodded in agreement. "There are still plenty of evils waiting for us to punish. Don't waste time on people like this."
Alise scratched her head. "But didn't Airmid-chan say Brother Charles isn't well? If he hurts someone else, wouldn't that sin be on us?"
Ryuu, quietly pecking rice, chimed in, "Alise's right. This is all Lyra's fault. We can't discredit Lady Astraea."
Kaguya held her head in her hands, hardly ladylike:
"Ah~ I'm tired. I'm going back to enjoy the bath Lady Astraea prepared."
"Me too~" Lyra whistled, holding her head.
Ryuu frowned. "Lyra~~ whose fault is this?"
"So, Lyon, you're just too serious. People die every day in Orario. If you have time, better save your energy to save more people." Kaguya waved a hand dismissively.
"Besides, if he hurts someone, wouldn't it be like those crazy secret faction folks, proving Lyra didn't cut the wrong person?"
"How can they be confused?" Ryuu protested loudly.
How sad it would be if people fell to evil because of false justice.
"Enough! This is a hospital! Argue outside if you want!" Airmid's cold voice interrupted their bickering.
She took a deep breath and continued, "Also, losing a patient is our responsibility. I will personally find him and ensure he's cured before leaving! Otherwise, it'd be a blasphemy to our brand!"
"Is this… business competition?" Lyra glanced at Naaza, who looked proud as ever.
"Yes!" Naaza crossed her arms, nodding. "The Miach clan won't let this slide! Rest assured, leave the patient to us. This clan only cares about money and has zero humanity!"
"Hmph~" Airmid ignored Naaza's taunts and turned to give instructions.
Suddenly, hundreds of young boys and girls in white therapist coats streamed out of the clinic, dispersing across the city.
"Hey, Lyra, do you think these darlings will be attacked by Dark Factions while running around the city?" Alise poked Lyra's shoulder.
Lyra's face fell. "Oops… I totally overlooked that!"
The secret factions had been unusually active lately. With over half the city's medical staff scattered alone, if targeted, Orario's entire medical system could collapse.
Lyra held her head in despair. "What's going on? How did this escalate? My hot spring, my bath!"
Kaguya complained, "Stop whining. You should have killed him in the dungeon."
Alise chided, "Kaguya, don't be so cold-hearted. Let's work together to find him."
"I remember he's from the Soma clan, right? Let's check there first."
"Hi…"
…
Orario, a hidden alley on Northwest Street.
Broken brick walls surrounded the area, with crooked trees peeking from dilapidated houses. Few lights illuminated the way, only a handful of magic stone lamps gently swaying in the dark.
Charles sneezed violently.
"Who's thinking about me?"
Rubbing his nose, he strolled under the moonlight, rounding several street corners before stopping in front of a shabby room with no house number.
He stretched out his hand and gently knocked.
"Who is it?"
A slightly aged voice responded, followed by the sound of a bench being moved.
"Guest."
After a moment, the door opened, revealing a simple, empty room.
But the presence of the short old man inside gave the place an aura of unexpected grandeur.
Because…
"You're new here. Welcome to... the Gnome Grocery Store. How can I help you, dear customer?"
-End Chapter-
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