After escaping the labyrinth, my first stop was the hospital.

　Without hesitation, I chose the largest hospital in the Valt to enter. Then, after losing a lot of blood, using magic on the verge of death, and forcibly repairing his body, Dia's wounded body is examined.

　The doctor informs her that she needs to be hospitalized.
　I agreed to it, but when I saw the enormous cost of treatment, I became impatient and impatient.
　I managed to pay the advance, but the amount of money I would eventually need was not enough to cover the cost of the treatment.

　I'm going to start selling my "possessions" in order to make money.

　--You're going to be able to get a great deal more out of it.

　It's a good thing that the magic stone dropped by Tida was an exceptional item.

　It is said that the purity of the magic stone was higher than the highest grade magic stone currently known and was unprecedented. When it came time to redeem the stone, even the country's top brass came out to negotiate for it - there was a lot of trouble, but the Tida's magical stone was successfully turned into a large sum of money. I immediately went back to the hospital and paid the bill.

　I was relieved to know that Dia wasn't going to be kicked out.
　After paying, the receptionist leads me straight to the hospital room.

　As the largest hospital in Japan, the hospital room was of the highest quality.
　Even though it was a wooden structure, it was well cleaned and I didn't feel any complaints about its cleanliness.
　It's a far cry from the hygiene of my world, but it's quite good compared to the standards of this world.

　In the hospital room, there were simple nursing tools and magical equipment that I had never seen before.
　In this world, magical healing techniques have been developed, so these devices must support that.

　The beige curtains swayed in the wind, and a bed was placed underneath it.
　On top of that bed, Dia was breathing in her sleep.
　The doctor's treatment had made her look much better.

　And beside the bed where Deer was sleeping, an old doctor was sitting in a wooden chair.
　The doctor noticed us and called out to us.

'-- Ah, you must be Dia's companion. I hope your payment was okay?
"I'm sorry for the concern. I've cashed in my belongings and they're fine.
'That's good to hear. Now I would like to explain to you in detail about Mr. Deer's condition, if you don't mind.
Please.

　The doctor brings out another wooden chair from the room and urges me to sit down.
　I sit in it and listen to him quietly.

'Let's start at the beginning. ...... First of all, it's the loss of your right arm, but it will be impossible to get it back. Even under optimal conditions and with the best magic, suturing the arm is a difficult thing to do. Too much time has passed since the amputation and the wound has been mangled by the forceful magical repair. It's the right arm that Christ was most concerned about, and I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask him to give it up: ......
...... Got it.

　I bite my lip.

　I don't know the level of medical care in this world, but I had hoped for a sliver of hope that it was a world with magic.
　But it seemed to be a fleeting dream. If it was so easy to heal, there wouldn't be adventurers walking into town with missing arms and legs.

'Next, a slash on his torso that extends from his shoulder mouth to his waist. This one leaves a large mark. It's caused by the recovery magic performed by Dia-san herself. With the magic he constructed while dying, he probably couldn't have hoped for a delicate repair.
'The ...... trail, sir?　That's fine.
Hm?　I hope you don't mind: ....... Next. The next one is 'Magic Refining Deficiency' due to blood loss. This can be treated with a special diet, and if it comes down to it, you can manage it with magical instruments. I'd say it will take a week to fully recover.

　A deficiency in magical purification due to blood loss?　
　Would it slow down MP recovery or something?

　I knew from the information in the library that there was a deep connection between blood and magic, but I heard that there were such symptoms. Since I'm inexperienced in my knowledge, there's nothing I can do about it, so I have no choice but to do as the doctor says.

''Please.''
'I understand. And last but not least, I'm concerned that the loss of your right arm will disrupt your physical and mental balance. Undoubtedly, it will interfere with the use of the sword and the building of magic power, so it will be quite a shock to Dia-san as an explorer.
I'm sure you do: ......
'I think you'd better think it over and decide what you're going to do.' --That's all I have to say. For now, I'm going to keep you in the hospital for a week. If you wish to undergo rehabilitation, you will need to go through a separate procedure, so please come to the reception desk.

　Confronted with the outcome I had expected, my heart grows painful.

''Oh. Also, is Mr. Christ alright?　Your wounds look pretty painful, even though they're sealed up with recovery magic.
...... I'm fine. I'm just feeling down for a different reason.

　No lie.
　My HP and MP are starting to recover naturally, and I'm feeling fine.

　But whether the reason for this is simply because my body is built to be strong or whether it's a systemic thing - I can't tell.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that you're not pushing yourself too hard. Goodbye.
Thank you.

　The doctor finished his explanation and walked out of the room.

　I sat down and watched him go.
　The room instantly became quiet and only the wind that came in through the window made a sound.

"--Curefuhr.

　I hear a voice behind me and a warm light fills the entire room.

'Ha. That old man is exaggerating. Sure, he's not as balanced as he should be, but it's all good.
You're awake. ......

　Dia was using magic as she raised her body on the bed.
　Pointing at the light, I muttered.

'It--'
I'm sorry, Christ. I've been hiding this magic from you all along: ......

　Dear bowed her head.

　I'm not going to be able to stay.
　I know that, and I've tolerated it. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it, but I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. He did not seem to raise his head easily.

''No, no ...... Dear, it's okay!　I was surprised, sure, but that's all. There was a reason you were hiding it, wasn't there?
'Reasons ......, reasons? It's a crappy reason .......

　With that, Dia raised her head slightly and played the magic light like a cue.

'That's what saved me. You have nothing to complain about with me. From now on, you'll only have to use it again when it's important.
No, I'll always use it. This is what I'm gonna use from now on. That's what I've decided.

　Dea crushed the light she was playing and muttered strongly.

　--using magic that she hadn't used before.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.
　What reason did he decide to use it?

　I have a few ideas.
　I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.
　I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

...... Christ, this is not the reason. I've been exploring the labyrinth, so I was prepared for this much. So don't look sad about this arm. I can't stand it if Christ is going to suffer because of me.
'But my dominant hand is ......!　Even the sword is already ......!

　On the contrary, Dia cares about me like it's nothing.
　But I can't divide her like she does. Such words from me are interrupted by Dia herself.

''-- I'm done with the sword (・・・・・・・・).
What?
'I have sacred magic, you know. It's going to take me some time to get back into the swing of things, but ...... well, as you can see, it's not a problem.

　Leaving me behind, Dia continues to speak.

I'm sure it's a good chance for you to focus on your magic. It's a good time to rethink the way we fight and think. That's right: ....... I'll think about those things while I'm resting.
Hey, hey. Huh?

　An answer that seems to have been turned over a hundred and eighty degrees.
　The exact opposite way of thinking from before.

　It's as if it's magical .......
　It's the same as when I used the skill "? It's the same as when I used the "?

　I'm not going to be the only one who has a problem with it.
　It's a good thing that this is the result of a calm and practical transition. But I don't think that Dia is the kind of person who can think like that.
　The fact that she has the luxury of time to spare is uncomfortable for me.

　At that time, when she was staring at the arm that was cut off, her eyes were filled with despair and emptiness. And yet, I can't see those emotions at all now.

　I don't think it's my lack of observation skills. I'm not a good judge of people, but even so, Dia should be one of the easiest people to understand.

　It's true - right now Dia really thinks that she doesn't need a sword anymore (・・・・・・・・).

'......?!'

　Would you say that you changed your thinking at the risk of your life?

　It may be a common story in books and stories.
　But when I see it in person, it feels a little weird, like I'm still buttoning up the wrong buttons.

'Christ, what's going on?'
...... No, if it's good for you, Dear, it's good for you. First of all, get some rest ....... You'll be fine paying here, I don't care how many days you have. --Oh, yes!　Dear, this is great!　I sold off that Tida guy's magic stone and it turned out to be a lot of money!

　This is where I'm going to report this achievement.
　Since one of the objectives in Dia's labyrinth is money, they should be pleased with this great achievement.

''Heh.... 'Oh, yeah. But for now, Christ will take care of everything. I'm on a sickbed, and I don't need it right away. On the other hand, if I need it, Christ can use my share of the money, if I need it.
...... yeah. But didn't Dear need the money?
Any day now. I don't want it now.

　There is no hard will in Dia's eyes.
　I can't feel that persistence that never wavered.

　I think about what kind of emotional transition happened to Dia.
　The only thing I can think of is that she lost her arm and gave up something important.

............
'We'll just have to rest now. ...... But wait and see, Christ. I'll be back soon. Until then, it pains me that I can't help Christ, but .......

　He says it's heartbreaking and gives me a Deer-like look.
　This is the Dea I know. This is the Dia who trusts me unnecessarily and is sorry that she can't help me.

I'm thinking of taking a break from exploring the labyrinth too ...... if you're not there. I'm sure it would be tough for me too if I was alone.
............. Not true.

　Here an unexpected denial from Deer interrupted him.
　There was a firm intention in her eyes.
　But I don't know what kind of intention it was, now.

'I believe that Christ can go through the labyrinth alone. I know He was scared the day He first tried to enter the labyrinth. But now Christ is all right. He's absolutely fine.

　I'll be fine on my own, Dia says.
　I'm baffled by her certainty.

'I can do it on my own ......?'
'Christ can slay monsters all by himself, and he can do most things on his own. For me, it was the opposite question. Why would he take me on as one of his friends ...... when he's so strong? It was a question for a long time. But I couldn't say it. Because I needed Christ .......

　Why use Deere?

　That's ......, because of the talent. ......
　That too.
　But I can clearly see now that it's not the only reason.
　The main reason was that I didn't want to go into the labyrinth alone.

'Dear, I'm a coward ....... I don't feel safe without a companion on the road .......
"Christ, I can vouch for you. Christ is strong. This is a good time, and I want you to look at that, and I want Christ to look at that. And then I want you to decide, do you really want me to. Otherwise, I'm ....... I'm .......

　I could see that Dear had Dear's hesitation and pain, and that she was now trying to confide in me about it.

　I felt the straightforwardness of her thoughts, and I decided to take them seriously.

...... Okay, I'll go ahead and do it on my own. I'm going to try to go it alone. I don't know how far I'll get, though.
'Yeah, that's a relief. I didn't want you to stomp your feet because of me. You know, Christ has a dream of Christ, too.

　When I promised, Dia laughed.
　It's a carefree smile, neither front nor back.

　I can tell that Dia is seriously thinking about me and is happy with my progress.
　And just like that, Dia continues.

'Yes. Use this. It's something I don't need anymore.

　Saying that, Dia threw her sword, which was standing up, towards me.
　Hurriedly I take it and check the name of the sword in the 'display'

　--The Treasure Sword of the Areis Family.

　A sword that must have some kind of emotional attachment to Dia.

''Thank you for the help, but are you sure?　It's really a sword--

　I knew I wasn't simply talking about handing him a sword.

'It's fine. I'll be glad if that sword protects Christ while I'm gone.

　There was no hesitation there.
　Rather, I even felt the same firmness of will as before.

'Thanks for the ......, I'll keep it for now. I'll keep it for now.

　Certainly, it would be more meaningful to lend it to me than to have it in the possession of a sleeping person. There was no reason to refuse.

　I look at the sword carefully.
　It's an item that has been used and has an old-fashioned look to it. It is carved with enough silver work that it does not interfere with the practicality of the sword. It is a simple but beautiful one-handed sword.


The Sword of the House of Alais.
　Attack power 5.
　Adds the attack power of 20% of the wearer's skill level.


"'I' will absolutely protect Christ and His dream. 'I' will never let it happen.
What--

　As my eyes were drawn to the sword, I heard Dia's small voice.
　It didn't seem to be speaking to me, but rather words I told myself.

　I was more concerned with the fact that the first person was different than the - content of that little statement of determination.

'Well then, I'm going to get some sleep ....... I need to get well soon, so .......

　But Dia lay back down as if nothing had happened.

　I wonder if I misheard her earlier .......　
　I would have liked to talk some more, but Dia says she's going to sleep to heal. Then we can't continue talking any further. If we are going to talk, it would be better to change the day.

'All right. All right," he said, "you stay here and rest. In the meantime, I'll try to see how far I can go on my own. I'll come back to you in a few days or so to report back.

　With that declaration to Dia, I left the hospital room.

　Then, as I walk through the hospital corridor, I begin the arithmetic of challenging the labyrinth alone.

　Instead of reluctant arithmetic with a litany of excuses, I start making real arithmetic that is commensurate with my abilities.
　We have to show each other that nothing can change with an injury of this magnitude.

　That, I thought, is what Dia in her sickbed wanted.


　◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　--The next morning.

　I was standing alone in front of the labyrinth.

　My physical condition is fine.
　I thought there might be some aftereffects from cutting down on my maximum HP, but that's not the case. I'm in very good health. By this morning, his HP and MP had recovered to the maximum. Anyway, he hadn't received any deep wounds.

　He was fully prepared.

　The goal is the speedy 'return' to the original world.
　Above all, I have a promise to make to Dia.
　You can't afford not to go under.

　This is the first time I've come alone since the first day.
　The events of that day are still fresh in my mind.
　But it only happened because I was level 1, and I'm confident that I wouldn't be in a life-threatening situation now.

　When I think about the future, I can no longer say, like a child, that I'm afraid of being alone.

　Up until now, I've raised the bar too much, game-wise.
　But that's not all that's needed.

　The number that cannot be expressed in numbers.
　In order to make my heart strong, I step forward.

　I stepped through the entrance of the labyrinth.