We left the Beach of the Falling Sun and hurried to the medical station - if we could find the Soul Jailstone where Roland's soul was trapped, he would surely regain consciousness.

　When I asked the receptionist for an interview with Roland-san, the receptionist gave me permission to see him more smoothly than I expected.

　The hospital knew from the doctor's examination that Roland-san was in a 'lethal coma' and that the cause was the loss of his soul, and Daniela had told the hospital that she had asked us to help her get his soul back.

　We went up the stairs and hurried to the treatment room where Roland-san was staying. The nurse who was showing us around still seemed unrealistic.

''When 'soul loss' happens, we often can't defeat the demon that caused it in time and we can't get our souls back. When that happens, they are more likely to change into subhumans than when they are usually defeated in the labyrinth...
'Oh, I see. So, in this room....

　There was a possibility that Mr. Rolando could turn into a subhuman - perhaps that was why he was housed in a treatment room that was closed off by a heavy door in the medical station.

'We've been expecting you, Mr. Atobe. Miss Daniela has told me about you.

　The man who is a doctor is a little older than me, I would say, and it's a little unsettling to be feared by such a person for the first time - and this is not the time to be thinking about it.

''But I didn't expect you to come back to your souls that day... I salute you on behalf of the Seventh Ward First Medical Center for your dedication.

　The doctor man and the nurse all bowed together - I can't underestimate the feeling, but it's not a situation where they're thanking me yet. If Roland-san doesn't revive him, it's meaningless.

''Doctor, Roland-san's condition is........''
The Lethal Coma remains unchanged. I have only seen three patients recover from 'soul loss' in ten years. I apologize for my lack of experience.
'No, it's very encouraging if you've experienced it three times. What can I do with this stone?

　The doctor's eyes widened as he took out the soul prison stone - and almost reached out his hand and pulled it back in the middle.

I will need to purify it with the sacred attributes, so I will make arrangements immediately.
Suzuna, do you think you can purify this stone with 'Chouzu'?

　Suzuna comes over and takes the soul prison stone in her hand - a black, murky pattern floats on the surface, making it look like Roland's soul is being held in restraints.

　She asks the nurse to fetch a bottle of water, and Suzuna activates the 'hand water' - and then the entire glass bottle glows very slightly.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Suzuna activates "Hand Water".
　Release the "defilement" of the "Doubt" of the "Spiritual Dungeon Stone" → Change to "Spiritual Haku Stone".

　When Suzuna takes the water in her hand and drips it onto the 'soul prison stone' I'm holding, the murkiness of the stone disappears - does that mean this is its true form, or does it change its form into a stone that emits a crystal clear light?

　I have the door to the treatment room opened and approach Roland-san, who is lying on the treatment table. His chest doesn't rise and fall at all, and he doesn't seem to be breathing - but he's still alive.

'....Mr. Rolando. Mr. Daniela and your unborn child are waiting for you.

　His companions watch on without saying a word. When he brings the glowing stone closer to Roland-san, as if in response, his body also begins to glow faintly - and.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Arihito uses the Kahakuishi → Target: Roland
　Roland's lethal coma has been restored.

　The spirit stone leaves my hand and increases in brilliance - the stone, which could have been touched as a substance, is transformed into the light itself, which cannot be touched, and is sucked into his body.



　When he challenged The Merciless Decapitation to death, Mr. Rolando was saying something to his friends.

　His time had stopped there - but it began to move again.

　Eventually, his eyes opened thinly and Mr. Rolando turned to me.

''.........Aricht.......Atobe......you, me.......?''
'We took down that demon at Daniela's request. That's all there is to it.
'You're talking to me like that again... was your rear end such a hard man?
'I didn't mean to help you, how twee! I've already said it, Mr. Rolando, it was your brother and his merry band of friends who saved you!

　Misaki comes out and says - I thought to Mr. Roland that Misaki's tension would be too out of place right now.

　He laughs, the corners of his mouth hanging up a bit. Then he closes his eyes and takes a long breath.

'Complete defeat, rookie. No, I don't think that's common sense for you guys.

　Mr. Rolando coughed and the doctors rushed over to him. He had only just regained consciousness, and even talking a little bit seemed to have taken a toll on him.

'Roland-san I'm so glad you're recovering. But even if you recover from the 'lethal coma', you still need rehabilitation. We will support (support) you, so let's work together until you recover.

　For him, it was the second time - once with an illness, and now he had stomped his way up to the Sixth Ward, where he was almost ready to move up to the Sixth Ward.

　Daniela also said that once, after being sick and left behind by his friends, Mr. Rolando had had nightmares. It's hard to imagine how painful it must have been to be wounded that badly and still stand up.

　But Rolando-san's eyes hadn't lost their strength yet. There wasn't an ounce of resignation in his expression.

''........This time has taught me a lesson. I can't drag the 'alliance' down, so I'll have to start over again from nothing. Still, apparently I'm a lot less willing to give up than I thought I was.
'Mr. Rolando, to have nothing...isn't that a luxury?

　As I say it, Daniela comes into the treatment room - she stops with her eyes wide open when she realizes that Ms. Rolando is awake.

...Daniela.
Roland.......................

　When Mr. Rolando calls his name, Daniela clings to him - all his friends are crying as they get it, and I want to look up at the sky.

'.............'
"...What the hell, Theresa. Are you worried about me?

　There's no nod of affirmation, but Theresa is still pinching the sleeve of my clothes. I wonder if she's worried because she's suddenly looking up or something.

'Good ... really ... if you die, I, I ...'
''Well I always thought he was dead too. Apparently, he wasn't the Grim Reaper in the suit, but the other way around.

　The Grim Reaper in a suit - there was a foreign movie about that. I wonder if some people see me and make those associations. Is it a joke on Mr. Roland, and not a place to read too much into it?

　Theresa still seemed concerned, so I moved closer and said in a low voice, so that only she could hear me.

'When you're growing up, it's a bit like crying in public, isn't it?
..........

　As I was thinking about whether I got the message across properly - the mouth visible through Theresia's mask moves as if in a huff, and she takes a step backwards.

(Hmm.........te, Teresa.......?)

　It's not the mask, but Theresa's face underneath it that's turning red. Maybe it's because I carelessly spoke into her ear - or maybe it's just that this reaction is too delicate.

''........Arihito, let's leave the couple alone for now.
''Oh, isn't Ellie-san's eyes bright red too! I'm breaking down in tears too, but I'm full of humanity because of my appearance.
'Misaki-chan, use my handkerchief. If you go out there like that, you'll get worried.
'....Suzuna is crying too. I don't cry easily, so I'm a little jealous.
'I'm really glad... good... oh, brother, I didn't do anything to get you to do it like that...
'Madoka was so helpful in bringing Ceres and the others to me. Can you at least let me do this?

　You shouldn't pat a girl's head unless it's a very good case, but in Madoka's case, she's the youngest and it's over her turban, so she should be tolerated.

''Oh, thank you, brother.......''
'Well if I was just a little smaller I'd be ... nope, nothing.'
..........
'Rear-kun, it would be unfair to differentiate between the kids in the party. As a leader, I think it's a good idea to find a balance.
'That's what you said, Kyouka sister too... oh, it's so noisy, let's leave for now.

　Everyone was leaving the treatment room - Mr. and Mrs. Voln were all embarrassed when they realized that they had been crying when they were seen to themselves.

'Thank you so much, Mr. Atobe, for your help. We will definitely thank you for your request through the guild.''
No, let them not worry too much about that...
'Hmm ... well maybe you don't know?　If you get a request from another party, the guild may reward you when you accomplish it. I don't know how much it's worth for helping me, but you might get something for it. Of course, we'd like to thank you as well.

　If it's that kind of system, I'm interested in what kind of reward will be given - will I receive it when I report my search to Louisa-san?

''Then I will thankfully accept it. Please be well, both of you. Roland-san, I know it may be difficult for you, but.......
'Yeah, I'll be fine. And so is my wife because I can't be a pathetic father to my new family.

　Mr. Rolando laughs with Daniela. It's the kind of smile that makes you think that this couple has nothing to worry about.

'Mr. Atobe, if you need help with a doctor, you can always contact our clinic.
I understand. I'd like to have a physical once in a while, with the whole party.

　I say hello and leave the clinic with my friends outside - and I see a familiar group of people in the lobby. A member of the Alliance for Freedom.

We've heard all about it. I really don't know how to thank you for helping our leader.

　Mr. Thomas is also very impressed and his eyes are watering. He must have known Mr. Rolando for a long time, and I could tell he was expressing his sincere thanks.

'If you were able to come right away, then you were always ready to gather here.
'Oh no one could be normal knowing that the leader ... well Roland was going to be like that. I thought some parties would leave the alliance, but for now, except for Gray being taken into custody by the Guild Saber, no one has quit and stayed. After hearing about the situation from the three members of Triceratops, we've decided that we won't be returning to the Alliance, but we'll work together.
'That's good to hear. I think it's encouraging for Mr. Rolando that the 'Alliance' is still here.

　Even the members who hadn't yet spoken to us bowed to us.

　There were twists and turns that led to a clash with the 'alliance', but the Grey that had been setting us up for conflict is now gone. I wish we had time to have a heart-to-heart talk, but we have a way to go, and they have things to do now.

I'll see you again somewhere. Please take care of the 'Alliance' and be safe.

　I said hello and walked out of the clinic - just before I did, I heard a voice from behind me.

'Thank you!　You were the best looking man in the suit!
'Thank you for helping our leader!　I love you!
Mr. Atobe!　I want to be an explorer like you!

　From the rugged men to the young female members of the group, they speak to me enthusiastically - I'm embarrassed, but I don't feel bad about having them say that.

''Well I feel like your rear end is getting bigger and bigger and bigger, don't you?
If I don't, I might end up with two names. I hope it's a better name than mine.
Hmm, two names.... though I think they already call him "Man in the Suit".

　Igarashi-san and Elitia both look happy. I think how blessed they are to be able to smile like this even after fighting such a strong enemy and going through the death line.

　I find Serafina-san a short walk away from the clinic. It seems that she has come to pick us up in order to lead us to Third Lieutenant Kuzelka's place - she's not wearing her usual armor, but a guild saber's uniform, perhaps a military uniform.

''Atobe-dono, Rolando-dono...''
Yes, thanks to you, he's regained consciousness. I think he's going to be okay.
That's good to hear. I don't know what would have happened if it weren't for Lady Atobe and the others... but we guild savers must continue to train ourselves even harder.

　A demon that even a guild saber can't deal with - a high ranking squad member could probably deal with it, but I can imagine that such personnel are stationed in a high ranking ward.

　However, we were able to defeat such a monster. How was that evaluated by the Guild Headquarters and Guild Saber? It's safe to say that the story of Third Lieutenant Kuzelka's story is closely related to that.

''Then........I will now take you to Third Dragon Lieutenant Kuzelka. Mister Atobe, would you be willing to accompany me as the party's representative?
All right. Guys, I'll be back as soon as I'm done, so we're free to go from here.
I think I'll go back to my quarters and get some rest. Lunch will be a little late, but we'll wait until the rear end comes back. Will you guys be okay with that?

　Igarashi-san leads the other members back to the lodgings - seeing them like this, it's like a group of teachers and students, albeit smiling.

''.........''

　And then Theresa walked over to us in a floppy manner. Igarashi-san and the others laughed as well, as that was unavoidable.

''I'm sorry, Theresia has been like my escort ever since we first met...''


　Seraphina-san laughed - and it's not that surprising, but I've seen her as a strict military officer, so I feel a gap.


What...?
'No. Atobe-dono, are you not tired of moving in rapid succession after your search for the labyrinth? If so, I will carry you on my back.
No, no, I'm not that tired, so don't worry about it.
'Well Adeline and others say that my back is stable and comfortable to ride on, etc.

　I've heard that in the military, there is training that involves traveling long distances with a large load on your back, but will they carry me in the same sense - even though they are 'rear guard', it's not really a substitute for a backpack, so I'll politely decline here.