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Serin, Zion’s dedicated nurse from the Empire, arrived via road.

As expected, the long journey took three weeks.

It was a moment when I could truly feel just how convenient and outrageous the teleportation of the Magic Tower is.

I had already contacted Serin in advance to find a place to stay and to meet her there.

“Serin!”

When Zion greeted her with a wave of his hand upon reuniting after she had unpacked and organized her things, Serin simply nodded her head in response.

“Was it tough coming here?”

“I’m fine.”

Serin maintained a poker face, only speaking when necessary.

Is Serin the type to be all business?

Since she’s been assigned by Princess Now, she gives off an impression that she must be capable, but her businesslike demeanor and plain appearance make it hard to gauge who she really is.

It’s probably none of my business anyway.

“Nice to meet you, Serin. I’m the Director of the Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center, Rehabilitation Specialist Hop Harvey.”

“Oh! You’re the…”

“Do you know me?”

“Yes. As a caregiver, I’ve heard of your reputation.”

Even someone from the Empire knows my name.

After the lengthy total war, the influx of retired soldiers and injured adventurers has put the Kingdom’s Rehabilitation Medicine Center in the spotlight of every nation.

And I’m the founder and foremost authority on the concept of rehabilitation medicine in this world.

“I heard that Zion was急着to the Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center, but I didn’t realize you were directly taking care of him.”

“Of course, since it’s no one other than Hero Zion’s rehabilitation.”

“I see… Thank you very much.”

Anyway, time was tight, so I needed to quickly convey the matters at hand and head to the center.

Today was the day Zion would be admitted to the center. On top of that, I had to prepare for the event featuring Zion as the main guest, so there were many things to get ready.

“Well, Serin, we’ll be heading to the center now, so please remember the location and report there starting tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

From now on, it would be Serin’s job to take care of Zion, who would be living in the ward.

After helping to sort out Serin’s belongings and wrapping up the organizing, we headed to the center, where staff were arranging equipment in the largest rehabilitation gym and laying out mats, preparing for people to gather.

“Are you all set?”

“Yes, almost finished.”

Mirae, who was efficiently commanding the staff, reported on the situation.

“Thank you for working so hard for us.”

“Oh, it’s nothing compared to what you’ve done for us, Hero.”

Although Zion expressed his gratitude to the staff…

To say it’s for Zion? While the event is indeed prepared for him, it’s fundamentally an event for those who want to see Hero Zion Laurel.

Isn’t it a bit strange to say it’s for Zion?

“Everyone at the center has come together to throw a welcome party to celebrate my admission!”

Ah… So that’s how Zion sees this event.

“Mirae, is the ward ready?”

“Yes, we finished cleaning right after the last patient was discharged yesterday.”

“Great. Zion, Serin, let’s head to the ward.”

“Yes.”

“Got it.”

Zion’s ward was a single room on the first floor. Luckily, the previous patient had just been discharged.

As Mirae said, the ward was neat and tidy, with Serin starting to unpack her things around the room.

‘What’s this? What kind of speed is that…?’

Am I seeing a human-shaped organizing android right now?

It was as if Serin, from the moment she stepped into this room, had already figured out where every item should optimally be, swiftly pulling her belongings from her bag and placing them with precision.

By the time I realized she was tidying up, she was already done, putting flowers into a vase, and the ward looked as if it had been prepared in advance for Zion’s arrival.

“Zion, if you need anything while you’re here, just let me know.”

“Yes, thank you, Serin. It’s a relief to have you here.”

“That’s… a thing?”

“Considering everything I’ve been through with Doctor Hop… *sniff*.”

“Then I will go buy the necessary items.”

“Oh, are you going to?”

What’s this? The pattern of conversation right now…

It seems Zion was trying to stir up some misunderstanding again, just like with Mirae, but Serin promptly declared she’d get back to her tasks without acknowledging it at all.

Serin, Zion’s caregiver… The more I see her, the more fascinating she becomes.

“Serin, do you know where to go?”

“Yes. I memorized the geography of the Kingdom Capital on the way here.”

“I see. Well, off you go.”

“Please take good care of Zion.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

With a polite bow, Serin left the hospital.

She even memorized the geography, leaving no room for error. I suppose Now entrusted Zion to her for good reason.

“This will be my place now.”

Zion surveyed the ward with an expression of wonder.

Just a room with a bed and a closet, so thinking it’s remarkable seems a stretch…

“Our staff and Serin will take care of you from now on. We’ll start your treatment in earnest, and we’ll adjust the meal plan for you too.”

“Meal plan?”

“A customized balanced diet providing proper nutrition according to the patient’s condition.”

Saying it nicely, hospital food can be summed up like that. The only downside is the low sodium, making it not very tasty.

But in a medieval setting, people aren’t used to strong flavors, hence that downside gets eliminated, making hospital food the best diet for patients.

“A meal plan…”

But Zion seemed a bit downcast, lowering his head, not quite satisfied.

“Doctor Hop.”

“Yes?”

“I’m grateful it’s a meal for my health, but would it be alright if I ate what I wanted for breakfast?”

Requesting to eat something he desires? It’s quite unusual for Zion to present a wish like that.

“As long as it’s not something extremely unhealthy. What do you want?”

Zion struggled to look up and avoided my gaze, mumbling,

“Bread…”

He barely managed to utter a single word in a voice that seemed to sink.

“What did you say?”

And it was such a quiet whisper that I hardly heard it.

“Bread. Freshly baked morning bread from the Baker’s.”

I had to lean in close to catch what Zion desired. So, he simply wants bread.

“Sounds fine since it’s what you’re used to. Let’s go with that.”

“Thank you.”

“Looks like you really wanted it?”

“……”

Zion still couldn’t lift his head.

To my question if he liked it, Zion wore a faint smile, perhaps feeling embarrassed for having requested something, and spoke with a shy laugh.

“It was warm.”

“……”

It was such a surprising comment that I found myself at a loss for how to respond.

But looking at Zion’s ever-smiling face, suddenly…

‘Right, Zion always used to smile like that.’

I couldn’t help but think that.

Was his smile in front of people yesterday simply a result of nerves?

“If you like warm things, just have Serin come to my house every morning and fetch the first bread from the Baker’s. It’ll be less of a hassle than going there yourself.”

Zion nodded silently without responding.

And a slight silence fell over the ward as we ceased our conversation.

However, in place of our words, somewhere a chorus of birds chirped from afar, and then the aroma of flowers Serin had arranged filled the air, with rays of sunlight pouring in through the window, slowly illuminating the room.

***********

The event was conducted simply so that ailing Zion wouldn’t overexert himself.

As the host, I first introduced Hero Zion before conveying the precautions for the attendees.

While Zion is a hero, it serves as a reminder that he is just another patient among us in this gathering, aiming to avoid causing any undue contact or stress for the participants.

Next, there would be a segment where Zion would share messages of hope with the patients, followed by him moving around a few tables for casual chats.

“I could tell at a glance that most of those training with me at the center are individuals who fought alongside me on the battlefield. Perhaps we are still fighting in some way. Although our opponents are no longer demons, we are engaged in an even more difficult battle.”

Zion skillfully delivered the speech.

After all, oratory skills can be deemed essential for a hero.

In battle, heroes are always at the forefront, bolstering morale and instilling hope in all.

Being a hero isn’t just about being strong.

Even when faced with a reality filled with war and despair, a hero is someone who becomes a beacon of hope for others to trust in and fight alongside.

“Um… Doctor.”

“Yes?”

Serin, who had quietly called me from behind the stage, asked.

“Has Zion’s condition improved significantly?”

“No, it’s only been three weeks. As for his physical condition, he seems to be moving around with a bit less difficulty. There’s yet to be any substantial change in his physical capabilities.”

“…I see.”

Serin, still wearing her inscrutable expression, seemed deep in thought.

“Why? Do you think he looks much better?”

“That’s… he seems incredibly brighter.”

“Incredibly? Is it that remarkable?”

“Yes. You saw me, right? The night when he broke his dinner promise with the princess and returned home with Zion.”

Do they remember that day?

We indeed met, but it was dark out, and since I was upturned to Serin, Zion had told me not to be curious, so she probably didn’t get a good look at my face.

That she remembers my face as the one she saw is quite impressive.

“Yes, I did.”

“Now, if you recall how Zion behaved then, you’ll see there’s a large difference compared to now.”

“Hmm…”

Back then, Zion definitely treated Serin coldly, and as for me… well, he did say he would kill me, so no need to reminisce there.

“That’s undoubtedly true.”

Brighter now… Speaking of which, the Serin standing next to me has been Zion’s caregiver for three years since the conclusion of the story. She’s someone who knows everything that happened during those three years.

If I find myself curious about anything related to Zion’s past three years, like with that pressure wheelchair training, it seems asking Serin will allow me to inquire without touching Zion’s trauma.

“Waaaah!!”

“Thank you, Hero!!”

“Let’s all do our best together!!”

Zion’s speech successfully concluded, and thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the attendees.

Hero Zion Laurel. From now on, everyone using our rehabilitation center will remember that she is here.

 

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