"I shouldn't be the one to say this after granting permission..."
Despite feeling reluctant to voice his concerns after donating too much blood, Anderson couldn't help but speak up.
"Major Moore, I don't mean to pry, but are you really okay?"
"I can't die so easily, it seems... Well, I did receive painkillers from the doctor."
The combat pants he had worn when he was rushed in for emergency treatment had been carefully cleaned and packed in a plastic bag. Moore put them on, and the newly returned identification tag hung around his neck.
Thanks to the narcotic painkillers, he felt almost no pain and could walk steadily. With this condition, he believed he could easily reach the forward base. He even felt like he could join the battle right away.
He did experience some drowsiness and dizziness, perhaps due to the side effects, but it wasn't something major.
When he opened the curtain that had been closed for changing, his gaze met Anderson, who was lying on the bed.
"...Once you reach the forward base, make sure to rest and recover properly. That's an order. I don't want to hear any reports about your condition worsening suddenly at the forward base."
"Understood. Your Excellency, please take care as well. Thank you once again for the blood donation."
Their positions should have been reversed, but the severely wounded Moore offered a salute while standing, and Anderson, the Vice Commander, responded with a gracious nod.
As he began to walk towards the exit of the room to meet up with the doctor waiting outside, Moore felt a slight dizziness. Perhaps he should rest quietly after all.
"...By the way... What happened to that talkative guy, Chatterbox? How did he end up?"
"He's dead. Well, to be precise, his remains... or 'fragments' would be a more accurate term. We've collected them and currently store them in the Atlas Cage."
"That's good. I'm satisfied knowing I was able to kill him with my own hands."
Although he wanted to see the enemy's corpse like trophies of ancient wars, Anderson's explanation seemed to satisfy Moore enough.
"I see... Take care then. Oh, I almost forgot, Major Moore."
"What is it?"
With a slightly unsteady gait, Moore attempted to leave the room, but he was stopped by the Vice Commander. Anderson directed his gaze towards Moore's left arm, visible through the short-sleeved hospital gown, where a tattoo was peeking out.
"─ It suits you well."
"...Thank you. Excuse me then."
Anderson nodded as he saw him off, then let out a deep sigh.
"I thought I was still quite young, but..."
------
.
.
.
.
.
"─ Neon! Cooling water!"
"─ I've used it all up! There were five boxes...!"
"─ Damn it! Why isn't her body temperature dropping!"
Despite the late hour, the command office of the forward base was in chaos.
The original occupant of the room was absent, yet the reason for the chaos was a figure writhing in pain on the bed, struggling despite the absence of the room's rightful owner. She was Rapi, who exposed her Goddesium-made skin, so fine it hardly seemed real, without a single thread covering it. However, she wasn't writhing in pain on the bed by choice.
The recoil from her activated abilities during the mission had caused her body temperature to rise dramatically. Despite having used a significant amount of cooling water, there was no sign of her temperature returning to normal.
Other mass-produced Nikkes were present in the dormitory. Rapi didn't want to show them her current state, so she took advantage of the commander's absence to use his office. However, the situation had become increasingly serious.
"We can't leave it like this! Contact the repair center─"
The leader of the squad, struggling and breathing heavily, was a sight too painful to watch. Neon, who could only watch by the bedside, was about to take out her own mobile device to call the repair center, but Rapi, delirious with fever, stopped her with an outstretched hand.
"...I'm... fine...! I'm starting... to stabilize...! I'm here...!"
"I've heard that before! Don't be stubborn! We should go! You might die if we stay like this!"
Both the owner of this room and the squad leader were obstinate, strong-willed individuals. Anis urged Rapi to go to the repair center, but Rapi still refused to comply.
"─ It's okay... I'm... really better now..."
Given the way she was writhing in agony, her words weren't trustworthy. In this forward base, there were two individuals who couldn't be trusted when it came to this kind of situation.
Anis grabbed Rapi's wrist, a part of her that could be described as one half of those untrustworthy individuals, and measured her current body temperature. She soon let out a sigh of relief.
"...she's returned to normal temperature..."
With a sigh of relief from Neon as well, Rapi slowly sat up.
"...I'm sorry. Thank you both."
She had taken off all her clothes to cool her body down a bit, although she had been undressed. Despite the commander's absence, being completely naked in his office made her feel strangely uncomfortable. So, she decided to put on a sleeveless shirt.
"Is it related to your hair turning red?"
"Yeah."
Neon inquired. Rapi nodded briefly and quickly while buttoning her shirt and tightening her tie.
"If you had operated it for just two more seconds, your brain would have caught fire! Thanks to Rapi, we was saved... but it was that dangerous!?"
Anis was overly concerned. However, despite having caused trouble just moments ago, Rapi listened obediently. It was a complete reversal of their usual roles, but she wore stockings that covered her upper thighs without complaint.
"What... was that about? Can you explain?"
"It corrodes the body... It's like a last resort. It's a common story, isn't it?"
Rapi tried to offer an explanation she had prepared in advance, wearing high-heeled shoes. However, even she herself couldn't fully believe in it. Yet, Neon, not entirely lacking in knowledge, didn't fully trust it either.
"...Having a last resort where you can throw things at supersonic speeds doesn't seem common at all, though?"
"..."
Faced with this remark, Rapi fell silent. In a way, her silence was a tacit confirmation, but she couldn't speak any further. Sensing her resistance, Neon decided to drop her questioning.
"...I understand. I won't ask any further."
"...Thank you."
Even though Neon was also an Elysion creation, there were undisclosed pieces of information. Particularly, this piece of information Rapi carried could not be shared, even with Moore as the commander.
"...What about the commander?"
"He got a big hole in his stomach... He's in the hospital getting treatment now. The surgery seems to be over..."
"Oh, about that... Master is supposed to come back today!"
"...Eh?"
Having received a call from the hospital, Neon suddenly remembered and conveyed the information to Rapi and Anis. One of them, with chestnut-colored hair in a bob cut, looked surprised.
His condition was far beyond critical, bordering on death's door half a day ago.
Anis inadvertently activated her watch's functions, checking the time of Moore's injury and comparing it with the current time.
"...Huh? What kind of recovery speed is that... Is he really human?"
She had harbored suspicions before, but now they deepened. He had a hole in his abdomen, part of his organs spilled out, and there was massive bleeding.
The surgery must have been completed, but could he really recover to the point of being able to move?
---...Huh. I can't deny it.
She couldn't help but imagine that he could actually pull it off.
"Hehe. You see, Master... transcends human existence!"
"Why are you so proud of it, Neon?"
With her back arched and her chest puffed out, Neon proudly explained, which made Anis chuckle despite her relief. She had been thinking about Moore's condition, especially because of Rapi's situation.
"...What about Marian?"
"She's in the M.M.R. right now. There are examinations and investigations... once they're done, she'll be assigned to this squad."
"...I see..."
While Rapi asked, she let out a relieved sigh and got up from the bed. She put on her jacket and finally donned her beret. Just as she was adjusting it slightly, an ambulance slid into the base's parking lot without sirens blaring.
"...An ambulance?"
"...Did someone call for it?"
They peered at the parking lot from the commander's office window, but none of them remembered calling for it.
In Moore's absence, Rapi was the acting commander. For that reason, she left the commander's office to confirm what was happening, with Anise and Neon following behind. Eventually, as they reached the front entrance, they saw him walking, supported by a narrow-eyed female doctor.
"...Hmm... I'm scared to touch the topic..."
As he stepped into the lobby with the support of the doctor, Anis directed her gaze at him. Several mass-produced Nikkes who had presumably disembarked from the ambulance were unloading various machines and folded beds one after another.
If they were energetically unloading those items just now and bringing them inside the building, Anis couldn't shake off a bad feeling.
"Um... welcome back, Commander. By the way, what's that bed for? And that machine next to it?"
"I'm back... These are hospital-provided beds and vital sensors... among other things..."
"What?"
In response to her question, Moore's answer made her blink her hazel eyes repeatedly.
While Anis stepped forward toward Rapi to continue her inquiry, the mass-produced Nikkes continued to carry beds and machines into the building using the transport elevator.
"We'll use this commander's office as a sickroom."
"...Huh?"
"Major Moore wishes for it."
"Is this really okay?"
"Of course, it's not okay. The risk of infection will increase, and emergency response measures will be limited."
How troubling. As if to emphasize this, the female doctor, Mary, sighed as she supported Moore. Anis, not holding back, walked up to him, and upon seeing the tall young man who didn't look too good, she spoke up.
"Commander, go back."
"...No, I just got back... Where do you want me to go?"
"To the hospital! Come back after you've fully recovered!"
"I'd love to do that, but... there are things I can't do while I'm in the hospital."
"What on earth are you planning? Hurry back to the hospital!"
Dressed in light blue hospital clothes and visibly wincing as he held his left side with his left hand, Moore was undeniably a severe case. The reason for his return in such a condition was unclear, but it was evident that he was in urgent need of medical attention.
"Even without the Commander, this outpost will be fine! Please get proper treatment and—"
"—Marian will be here tomorrow... I want to greet her properly as her commander. I can't do that if I'm in the hospital."
"..."
"Anise... Can you indulge my selfishness?"
...That's cheating
Anis, Rapi, and Neon all felt the same way, not having the heart to refuse him when he looked at them with such a troubled expression.
Having sensed that the discussion had concluded, Mary took charge and began the process of transforming the commander's office into a sickroom.
Supported by Rapi, Moore moved quietly. Rapi quickly noticed that his steps were unsteady, as if every move was a burden. He seemed reluctant to take even a single step forward. According to him, the dizziness caused by the side effects of the painkillers was severe, but Rapi sensed that it wasn't the sole reason for his condition.
As part of the commander's office was transformed into a sickroom, Mary explained the purpose of the vital sensors and other machines, precautions during the recovery period, and how to use the IV. Moore, secretly pocketing an unopened pack of cigarettes in the pocket of his combat pants, lay down on the reclining bed after taking off his boots.
"...That concludes the explanation. Did you all understand everything?"
"Yes, no problem."
When Mary asked for confirmation, Rapi, Anis, and Neon nodded in response.
"If you follow the instructions, you'll recover quickly. According to the medical records written by the previous attending physician, you have a strong recovery ability."
"...Speaking of which, Doctor. What happened to the doctor who was treating him before?"
"...Dr. Davis? I'm afraid... Actually, shortly after Major Moore was discharged..."
"...Ah, I didn't know that. How unfortunate..."
"Ah no, he didn't pass away..."
The sudden change of attending physician became clear, and Moore had thought the doctor had suddenly died due to illness or some other reason. However, it seemed different. While he had been called a quack, at least if he wasn't dead, Moore felt a bit relieved.
"...Anyway, please don't hesitate to contact us if you need anything. We're on standby 24/7."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Major Moore, take care."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Mary bowed her head, and the mass-produced Nikkes working at the hospital also bowed before leaving the commander's office.
Seeing them off, Moore slowly retrieved the cigarettes he had stashed in his pocket. Removing the plastic wrapping, he pulled out one cigarette from the freshly opened pack and placed it between his dry lips.
"Hey, Commander? You didn't leave the hospital just because you couldn't smoke, right?"
"...I can't deny that. It would be a lie."
Anis shot him a disbelieving look, but Moore shrugged his shoulders. The painkillers seemed to be losing their effect, causing a slight furrow in his forehead.
"I'll keep watch over you both, so take a rest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, we'll be back in four hours. Master, please make sure to rest properly."
"Understood."
Acknowledging his agreement, Anis and Neon left the commander's office. Just after they bid farewell, the sound of the ambulance engine starting could be heard from beyond the window.
Sitting up with the help of the reclining bed function, he let out a sigh. He had been too focused on concealing his cigarettes and had forgotten the lighter.
Rapi then reached out her right arm. In her slender hand was a turbo lighter.
"Is it okay?"
"...In this state, trying to find a lighter would probably reopen the wounds..."
Indeed, he could easily imagine the consequences if he attempted to search for a lighter himself.
While permitting a patient to smoke was generally discouraged, it was a different matter now.
Creating a windbreak with her large left hand shading Moore's thin right hand, she pressed the button, and a blue flame flickered to life.
The tip of the cigarette glowed, and a light purple smoke gently rose into the air.
"...Thank you... I was at death's door."
Expressing his sincere gratitude, he tucked the turbo lighter back into his jacket pocket.
Rapi stood up and brought an ashtray, placing it on Moore's lap. The air purifier, provided by the hospital, immediately started its work, creating a humming sound in the commander's office. Meanwhile, Moore exhaled a puff of purple smoke, filling the room with the aroma.
"...Mission accomplished. Well done."
"Thank you... You've done well too."
Rapi nodded silently, expressing her gratitude.
"...I want you to keep this conversation between us."
"Yes, of course."
Once again, she nodded, her gaze fixed on the familiar ceiling while Moore, still with the cigarette between his lips, looked up at the ceiling too.
"I can't help but wonder... was this the right decision? When I think it through... ultimately, it was my selfishness. Wanting to save Marian..."
"...It might be true."
"Marian, and not just her... the danger extended to you, the mass-produced Nikkes staff at the outpost base... Although I don't regret saving her... I can't help but..."
It sounded like a lament.
Rapi met Moore's gaze with her crimson eyes. After a moment, she reached out her hand and lightly grasped his right arm, where the intravenous drip was attached.
"Just to be clear, you undeniably saved Marian. That fact will never change."
His mechanical right eye and left eye focused on her. He closed his eyes slightly and nodded a few times.
"Thank you... for saying that. Hearing those words from you... it saves me too."
Expressing his gratitude, Moore tapped the cigarette ash into the ashtray with practiced ease.
He hoped this reassurance would bring some peace to him. However, Rapi noticed his gaze shifting toward a corner of the commander's office.
"...Coolant?"
In response, Rapi's hand gripping his arm trembled with unease.
"...Who used it?"
"It was me."
"...That much?"
"Yes."
A report after the fact—ideally, she would have preferred to keep it hidden, but now that it was discovered, she couldn't hide it any longer.
"...I saw it. Is it related to the phenomenon where your hair turned red during the battle?"
"..."
What could she possibly say in response? She searched for the best answer but ultimately resolved to speak only what needed to be said.
"...It's about RED HOOD, isn't it?"
"...!"
As soon as Rapi uttered those words, a sharp pain shot through his brain. Perhaps the pain relievers were finally wearing off. Regardless, it was a bothersome headache.
"Commander...?"
"I'm fine... What is it?"
"I'm sorry... There are classified matters involved... and even I don't fully understand it."
With a dubious expression, he massaged his temples as the headache gradually subsided. He crushed the cigarette, which had almost burned down completely, into the ashtray on his lap.
"...I have a slight conviction and numerous questions. When everything becomes certain, I'll talk to you first."
"...Until then, you won't say anything, will you?"
"...I'm sorry."
Rapi turned her face away, avoiding the intense gaze from his deep brown eyes. Being subjected to this gaze—she had a premonition that she might end up divulging everything.
It might trigger his anger, but—she had no choice but to keep this ability hidden. That's why she couldn't answer Commander Moore's question either.
Perhaps sensing her resolute determination, he let out a small sigh.
"...Understood. Tell me when... that time comes."
"...Thank you."
With genuine gratitude, she offered her thanks and removed the ashtray from his lap.
"...Please rest now."
"...Can't I smoke a few more?"
"No, you can't."
"...I'm begging you."
"No, you can't."
Rapi operated the reclining function of the bed, lowering it securely, but Moore, whether out of dissatisfaction or some other reason, let out a grand sigh.
It seemed as though he wanted to express his frustration at returning from the hospital in this condition, but he was an injured man, and a severely injured one at that.
Rapi covered Moore's chest with a thin blanket made of synthetic fibers and gently placed her hand over his eyes, while her other hand rested on his firm chest.
"...Please sleep now. I'll be here with you."
"...Yeah..."
Whether he resigned himself to the situation or if sleepiness truly overcame him, he eventually started to breathe softly, indicating he was falling asleep.
Raphee continued to watch over him by his side.
"I shouldn't be the one to say this after granting permission..."
Despite feeling reluctant to voice his concerns after donating too much blood, Anderson couldn't help but speak up.
"Major Moore, I don't mean to pry, but are you really okay?"
"I can't die so easily, it seems... Well, I did receive painkillers from the doctor."
The combat pants he had worn when he was rushed in for emergency treatment had been carefully cleaned and packed in a plastic bag. Moore put them on, and the newly returned identification tag hung around his neck.
Thanks to the narcotic painkillers, he felt almost no pain and could walk steadily. With this condition, he believed he could easily reach the forward base. He even felt like he could join the battle right away.
He did experience some drowsiness and dizziness, perhaps due to the side effects, but it wasn't something major.
When he opened the curtain that had been closed for changing, his gaze met Anderson, who was lying on the bed.
"...Once you reach the forward base, make sure to rest and recover properly. That's an order. I don't want to hear any reports about your condition worsening suddenly at the forward base."
"Understood. Your Excellency, please take care as well. Thank you once again for the blood donation."
Their positions should have been reversed, but the severely wounded Moore offered a salute while standing, and Anderson, the Vice Commander, responded with a gracious nod.
As he began to walk towards the exit of the room to meet up with the doctor waiting outside, Moore felt a slight dizziness. Perhaps he should rest quietly after all.
"...By the way... What happened to that talkative guy, Chatterbox? How did he end up?"
"He's dead. Well, to be precise, his remains... or 'fragments' would be a more accurate term. We've collected them and currently store them in the Atlas Cage."
"That's good. I'm satisfied knowing I was able to kill him with my own hands."
Although he wanted to see the enemy's corpse like trophies of ancient wars, Anderson's explanation seemed to satisfy Moore enough.
"I see... Take care then. Oh, I almost forgot, Major Moore."
"What is it?"
With a slightly unsteady gait, Moore attempted to leave the room, but he was stopped by the Vice Commander. Anderson directed his gaze towards Moore's left arm, visible through the short-sleeved hospital gown, where a tattoo was peeking out.
"─ It suits you well."
"...Thank you. Excuse me then."
Anderson nodded as he saw him off, then let out a deep sigh.
"I thought I was still quite young, but..."
------
.
.
.
.
.
"─ Neon! Cooling water!"
"─ I've used it all up! There were five boxes...!"
"─ Damn it! Why isn't her body temperature dropping!"
Despite the late hour, the command office of the forward base was in chaos.
The original occupant of the room was absent, yet the reason for the chaos was a figure writhing in pain on the bed, struggling despite the absence of the room's rightful owner. She was Rapi, who exposed her Goddesium-made skin, so fine it hardly seemed real, without a single thread covering it. However, she wasn't writhing in pain on the bed by choice.
The recoil from her activated abilities during the mission had caused her body temperature to rise dramatically. Despite having used a significant amount of cooling water, there was no sign of her temperature returning to normal.
Other mass-produced Nikkes were present in the dormitory. Rapi didn't want to show them her current state, so she took advantage of the commander's absence to use his office. However, the situation had become increasingly serious.
"We can't leave it like this! Contact the repair center─"
The leader of the squad, struggling and breathing heavily, was a sight too painful to watch. Neon, who could only watch by the bedside, was about to take out her own mobile device to call the repair center, but Rapi, delirious with fever, stopped her with an outstretched hand.
"...I'm... fine...! I'm starting... to stabilize...! I'm here...!"
"I've heard that before! Don't be stubborn! We should go! You might die if we stay like this!"
Both the owner of this room and the squad leader were obstinate, strong-willed individuals. Anis urged Rapi to go to the repair center, but Rapi still refused to comply.
"─ It's okay... I'm... really better now..."
Given the way she was writhing in agony, her words weren't trustworthy. In this forward base, there were two individuals who couldn't be trusted when it came to this kind of situation.
Anis grabbed Rapi's wrist, a part of her that could be described as one half of those untrustworthy individuals, and measured her current body temperature. She soon let out a sigh of relief.
"...she's returned to normal temperature..."
With a sigh of relief from Neon as well, Rapi slowly sat up.
"...I'm sorry. Thank you both."
She had taken off all her clothes to cool her body down a bit, although she had been undressed. Despite the commander's absence, being completely naked in his office made her feel strangely uncomfortable. So, she decided to put on a sleeveless shirt.
"Is it related to your hair turning red?"
"Yeah."
Neon inquired. Rapi nodded briefly and quickly while buttoning her shirt and tightening her tie.
"If you had operated it for just two more seconds, your brain would have caught fire! Thanks to Rapi, we was saved... but it was that dangerous!?"
Anis was overly concerned. However, despite having caused trouble just moments ago, Rapi listened obediently. It was a complete reversal of their usual roles, but she wore stockings that covered her upper thighs without complaint.
"What... was that about? Can you explain?"
"It corrodes the body... It's like a last resort. It's a common story, isn't it?"
Rapi tried to offer an explanation she had prepared in advance, wearing high-heeled shoes. However, even she herself couldn't fully believe in it. Yet, Neon, not entirely lacking in knowledge, didn't fully trust it either.
"...Having a last resort where you can throw things at supersonic speeds doesn't seem common at all, though?"
"..."
Faced with this remark, Rapi fell silent. In a way, her silence was a tacit confirmation, but she couldn't speak any further. Sensing her resistance, Neon decided to drop her questioning.
"...I understand. I won't ask any further."
"...Thank you."
Even though Neon was also an Elysion creation, there were undisclosed pieces of information. Particularly, this piece of information Rapi carried could not be shared, even with Moore as the commander.
"...What about the commander?"
"He got a big hole in his stomach... He's in the hospital getting treatment now. The surgery seems to be over..."
"Oh, about that... Master is supposed to come back today!"
"...Eh?"
Having received a call from the hospital, Neon suddenly remembered and conveyed the information to Rapi and Anis. One of them, with chestnut-colored hair in a bob cut, looked surprised.
His condition was far beyond critical, bordering on death's door half a day ago.
Anis inadvertently activated her watch's functions, checking the time of Moore's injury and comparing it with the current time.
"...Huh? What kind of recovery speed is that... Is he really human?"
She had harbored suspicions before, but now they deepened. He had a hole in his abdomen, part of his organs spilled out, and there was massive bleeding.
The surgery must have been completed, but could he really recover to the point of being able to move?
---...Huh. I can't deny it.
She couldn't help but imagine that he could actually pull it off.
"Hehe. You see, Master... transcends human existence!"
"Why are you so proud of it, Neon?"
With her back arched and her chest puffed out, Neon proudly explained, which made Anis chuckle despite her relief. She had been thinking about Moore's condition, especially because of Rapi's situation.
"...What about Marian?"
"She's in the M.M.R. right now. There are examinations and investigations... once they're done, she'll be assigned to this squad."
"...I see..."
While Rapi asked, she let out a relieved sigh and got up from the bed. She put on her jacket and finally donned her beret. Just as she was adjusting it slightly, an ambulance slid into the base's parking lot without sirens blaring.
"...An ambulance?"
"...Did someone call for it?"
They peered at the parking lot from the commander's office window, but none of them remembered calling for it.
In Moore's absence, Rapi was the acting commander. For that reason, she left the commander's office to confirm what was happening, with Anise and Neon following behind. Eventually, as they reached the front entrance, they saw him walking, supported by a narrow-eyed female doctor.
"...Hmm... I'm scared to touch the topic..."
As he stepped into the lobby with the support of the doctor, Anis directed her gaze at him. Several mass-produced Nikkes who had presumably disembarked from the ambulance were unloading various machines and folded beds one after another.
If they were energetically unloading those items just now and bringing them inside the building, Anis couldn't shake off a bad feeling.
"Um... welcome back, Commander. By the way, what's that bed for? And that machine next to it?"
"I'm back... These are hospital-provided beds and vital sensors... among other things..."
"What?"
In response to her question, Moore's answer made her blink her hazel eyes repeatedly.
While Anis stepped forward toward Rapi to continue her inquiry, the mass-produced Nikkes continued to carry beds and machines into the building using the transport elevator.
"We'll use this commander's office as a sickroom."
"...Huh?"
"Major Moore wishes for it."
"Is this really okay?"
"Of course, it's not okay. The risk of infection will increase, and emergency response measures will be limited."
How troubling. As if to emphasize this, the female doctor, Mary, sighed as she supported Moore. Anis, not holding back, walked up to him, and upon seeing the tall young man who didn't look too good, she spoke up.
"Commander, go back."
"...No, I just got back... Where do you want me to go?"
"To the hospital! Come back after you've fully recovered!"
"I'd love to do that, but... there are things I can't do while I'm in the hospital."
"What on earth are you planning? Hurry back to the hospital!"
Dressed in light blue hospital clothes and visibly wincing as he held his left side with his left hand, Moore was undeniably a severe case. The reason for his return in such a condition was unclear, but it was evident that he was in urgent need of medical attention.
"Even without the Commander, this outpost will be fine! Please get proper treatment and—"
"—Marian will be here tomorrow... I want to greet her properly as her commander. I can't do that if I'm in the hospital."
"..."
"Anise... Can you indulge my selfishness?"
...That's cheating
Anis, Rapi, and Neon all felt the same way, not having the heart to refuse him when he looked at them with such a troubled expression.
Having sensed that the discussion had concluded, Mary took charge and began the process of transforming the commander's office into a sickroom.
Supported by Rapi, Moore moved quietly. Rapi quickly noticed that his steps were unsteady, as if every move was a burden. He seemed reluctant to take even a single step forward. According to him, the dizziness caused by the side effects of the painkillers was severe, but Rapi sensed that it wasn't the sole reason for his condition.
As part of the commander's office was transformed into a sickroom, Mary explained the purpose of the vital sensors and other machines, precautions during the recovery period, and how to use the IV. Moore, secretly pocketing an unopened pack of cigarettes in the pocket of his combat pants, lay down on the reclining bed after taking off his boots.
"...That concludes the explanation. Did you all understand everything?"
"Yes, no problem."
When Mary asked for confirmation, Rapi, Anis, and Neon nodded in response.
"If you follow the instructions, you'll recover quickly. According to the medical records written by the previous attending physician, you have a strong recovery ability."
"...Speaking of which, Doctor. What happened to the doctor who was treating him before?"
"...Dr. Davis? I'm afraid... Actually, shortly after Major Moore was discharged..."
"...Ah, I didn't know that. How unfortunate..."
"Ah no, he didn't pass away..."
The sudden change of attending physician became clear, and Moore had thought the doctor had suddenly died due to illness or some other reason. However, it seemed different. While he had been called a quack, at least if he wasn't dead, Moore felt a bit relieved.
"...Anyway, please don't hesitate to contact us if you need anything. We're on standby 24/7."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Major Moore, take care."
"Thank you, Doctor."
Mary bowed her head, and the mass-produced Nikkes working at the hospital also bowed before leaving the commander's office.
Seeing them off, Moore slowly retrieved the cigarettes he had stashed in his pocket. Removing the plastic wrapping, he pulled out one cigarette from the freshly opened pack and placed it between his dry lips.
"Hey, Commander? You didn't leave the hospital just because you couldn't smoke, right?"
"...I can't deny that. It would be a lie."
Anis shot him a disbelieving look, but Moore shrugged his shoulders. The painkillers seemed to be losing their effect, causing a slight furrow in his forehead.
"I'll keep watch over you both, so take a rest."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Alright, we'll be back in four hours. Master, please make sure to rest properly."
"Understood."
Acknowledging his agreement, Anis and Neon left the commander's office. Just after they bid farewell, the sound of the ambulance engine starting could be heard from beyond the window.
Sitting up with the help of the reclining bed function, he let out a sigh. He had been too focused on concealing his cigarettes and had forgotten the lighter.
Rapi then reached out her right arm. In her slender hand was a turbo lighter.
"Is it okay?"
"...In this state, trying to find a lighter would probably reopen the wounds..."
Indeed, he could easily imagine the consequences if he attempted to search for a lighter himself.
While permitting a patient to smoke was generally discouraged, it was a different matter now.
Creating a windbreak with her large left hand shading Moore's thin right hand, she pressed the button, and a blue flame flickered to life.
The tip of the cigarette glowed, and a light purple smoke gently rose into the air.
"...Thank you... I was at death's door."
Expressing his sincere gratitude, he tucked the turbo lighter back into his jacket pocket.
Rapi stood up and brought an ashtray, placing it on Moore's lap. The air purifier, provided by the hospital, immediately started its work, creating a humming sound in the commander's office. Meanwhile, Moore exhaled a puff of purple smoke, filling the room with the aroma.
"...Mission accomplished. Well done."
"Thank you... You've done well too."
Rapi nodded silently, expressing her gratitude.
"...I want you to keep this conversation between us."
"Yes, of course."
Once again, she nodded, her gaze fixed on the familiar ceiling while Moore, still with the cigarette between his lips, looked up at the ceiling too.
"I can't help but wonder... was this the right decision? When I think it through... ultimately, it was my selfishness. Wanting to save Marian..."
"...It might be true."
"Marian, and not just her... the danger extended to you, the mass-produced Nikkes staff at the outpost base... Although I don't regret saving her... I can't help but..."
It sounded like a lament.
Rapi met Moore's gaze with her crimson eyes. After a moment, she reached out her hand and lightly grasped his right arm, where the intravenous drip was attached.
"Just to be clear, you undeniably saved Marian. That fact will never change."
His mechanical right eye and left eye focused on her. He closed his eyes slightly and nodded a few times.
"Thank you... for saying that. Hearing those words from you... it saves me too."
Expressing his gratitude, Moore tapped the cigarette ash into the ashtray with practiced ease.
He hoped this reassurance would bring some peace to him. However, Rapi noticed his gaze shifting toward a corner of the commander's office.
"...Coolant?"
In response, Rapi's hand gripping his arm trembled with unease.
"...Who used it?"
"It was me."
"...That much?"
"Yes."
A report after the fact—ideally, she would have preferred to keep it hidden, but now that it was discovered, she couldn't hide it any longer.
"...I saw it. Is it related to the phenomenon where your hair turned red during the battle?"
"..."
What could she possibly say in response? She searched for the best answer but ultimately resolved to speak only what needed to be said.
"...It's about RED HOOD, isn't it?"
"...!"
As soon as Rapi uttered those words, a sharp pain shot through his brain. Perhaps the pain relievers were finally wearing off. Regardless, it was a bothersome headache.
"Commander...?"
"I'm fine... What is it?"
"I'm sorry... There are classified matters involved... and even I don't fully understand it."
With a dubious expression, he massaged his temples as the headache gradually subsided. He crushed the cigarette, which had almost burned down completely, into the ashtray on his lap.
"...I have a slight conviction and numerous questions. When everything becomes certain, I'll talk to you first."
"...Until then, you won't say anything, will you?"
"...I'm sorry."
Rapi turned her face away, avoiding the intense gaze from his deep brown eyes. Being subjected to this gaze—she had a premonition that she might end up divulging everything.
It might trigger his anger, but—she had no choice but to keep this ability hidden. That's why she couldn't answer Commander Moore's question either.
Perhaps sensing her resolute determination, he let out a small sigh.
"...Understood. Tell me when... that time comes."
"...Thank you."
With genuine gratitude, she offered her thanks and removed the ashtray from his lap.
"...Please rest now."
"...Can't I smoke a few more?"
"No, you can't."
"...I'm begging you."
"No, you can't."
Rapi operated the reclining function of the bed, lowering it securely, but Moore, whether out of dissatisfaction or some other reason, let out a grand sigh.
It seemed as though he wanted to express his frustration at returning from the hospital in this condition, but he was an injured man, and a severely injured one at that.
Rapi covered Moore's chest with a thin blanket made of synthetic fibers and gently placed her hand over his eyes, while her other hand rested on his firm chest.
"...Please sleep now. I'll be here with you."
"...Yeah..."
Whether he resigned himself to the situation or if sleepiness truly overcame him, he eventually started to breathe softly, indicating he was falling asleep.
Raphee continued to watch over him by his side.
