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“Oh? Where did the cute doctor go?”

The old lady I’m facing is someone who has been rehabilitating at home according to her chart.

She regularly visits the clinic to check her condition and receive medication and rehabilitation programs from Hanamana.

“I let Director Hanamana rest because she looked tired. Today, I’ll be taking care of you.”

“Oh dear, that makes me worried.”

“I understand your concern, but I am a rehabilitation specialist here from the Noden Kingdom, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“I’m not doubting you… I’m just worried about that small doctor.”

When I mention that I let Hanamana rest, the patients all react the same way.

Poor Hanamana, who seems to carry the weight of the world’s worries on her shoulders.

“That doctor may seem insecure and have trouble speaking, but she always gives her all. I wonder where she gets all that energy from? I heard she went on adventures with the hero! Still, I always hoped she wouldn’t overdo it. Anyway, I’m relieved she went to rest! I really appreciate her help in this kingdom.”

The old lady bows her head in gratitude.

I honestly don’t know how many times I’ve received thanks like this today.

It was Hanamana who took on the work and went to rest, yet all the patients express their gratitude to her instead.

Anyway, I handled the incoming patients, and headed to the Rehabilitation Gym to oversee Zion and the other patients’ exercises.

“Welcome, Hop Harvey.”

“Hm? What’s going on?”

The patients and staff were gathered around Zion.

Are they encouraging the patients like he did back in the kingdom?

“I was sharing some of Hanamana’s adventure stories.”

“Oh.”

Here at the Rehabilitation Center of the Holy Law Kingdom, most of the patients are former adventurers.

And most of the staff are clerics, so it’s no surprise that they’d be curious about the hero party’s cleric stories.

Especially the tales of the cute elf director’s prime adventures, it’s understandable why they’d want to hear that…

“Everyone, let’s break up and get back to exercises. Staff, guide the patients please.”

“Yes, Director.”

“Understood.”

“Thanks for the hero stories!”

Since it would be troublesome if rehabilitation didn’t progress for Zion and the other patients, I issued directives to disperse the group.

People were heading back to their spots while exchanging greetings with Zion.

I felt a bit uneasy about disturbing the good atmosphere, but everyone was compliant.

In the kingdom, trying to disperse patients crowding around Zion was pointless, but the vibe here in the Holy Law Kingdom’s Rehabilitation Center seems quite different?

Thinking back, as the Pope said, those here had come trusting in the Holy Law Kingdom’s reputation for healing.

After the rumors about rehabilitation medicine spread, many patients flocked to the kingdom, but the ones here might have been coming for treatment even before that, so maybe they’re a little more serious about their recovery.

“These people really love Hanamana’s stories.”

It seems Zion has also been sensing the appreciation for Hanamana’s stories from the patients.

“The patients in the consulting side only spoke about Hanamana too.”

“Really?”

“I received so many thanks. They were grateful for letting Hanamana rest.”

“See? Everyone thinks that way! Hop Harvey is kind and a good person.”

“Well, I never said I wasn’t. I just don’t want to be a bad person.”

“You’re still so shy.”

Zion chuckled again.

Before coming here, I had been a bit down because of weekend work, but yesterday and today, Zion has been showing much brighter spirits. Is it because she met an old comrade?

“Anyway, let’s start. I’ll give you a buff.”

Today, Mirae isn’t here, and the staff is busy taking care of the patients in this center, so it’s our first chance in a month to do rehabilitation training just the two of us.

I’ll give Zion a maximum strength buff without overdoing it for her to stand up, extending my hands to the seated Zion in her wheelchair.

“With the buff, grab my hands and try to stand up.”

From today, we’ll start training to walk while holding onto the parallel bars.

Zion’s muscle strength barely reached the minimum requirements, so it could be said that it is literally the first step toward serious rehabilitation after being stuck only doing sitting or lying down exercises.

Zion reached out and clasped my hands.

“Hop Harvey.”

“Yes?”

“Have you ever been to a ball?”

“A ball?”

Zion exerted all her strength to grab my hand and stood up, looking up at my face with both legs firm.

‘So close…’

Caught off guard by the sudden question and focused on Zion’s face as we held hands, I missed my timing to respond.

“You probably haven’t. You dedicated your life to rehabilitation medicine.”

Without receiving an answer, Zion spoke the right answer.

“I see you know. Have you been to one, Zion?”

“Yes. Just once. After everything ended, during a celebration held in the Empire. I was the guest of honor at that party.”

Is this part of what happens after the ending?

It makes sense that there would be a celebration after defeating the demon king.

“But I didn’t get to dance that day. I spent all day sitting next to Now Troiat, watching people dance, laugh, and have fun. I waved at those who came to greet me.”

“Zion…”

“Outwardly, everyone welcomed me and I kept smiling, but by then my body was in such a state that it was hard to stand without resistance, and I was more overwhelmed by the sorrow of losing Iris than by the joy of my achievement of having defeated the demon king.”

It’s a rather dark story.

Zion always looks down when telling such stories, yet today she wore a sad expression but looked directly into my eyes.

“But do you know what’s more important than that?”

“Something important?”

“The real reason I couldn’t dance that day.”

“…”

Other than the fact that my body and mind were already broken? Where else could the reason be…

“I’m not sure.”

“There was no one to extend their hands to me, like you’re doing now.”

Like I’m doing now…?

‘Ah…!’

Did Zion just recall the ball thinking about the moment I reached out to help her stand?

Suddenly a random thing popped up, but I didn’t expect it to connect like that.

“Do you usually extend both hands?”

“That doubles the invitation.”

“I had no idea there was such a manner.”

“Right? Since you’ve only studied rehabilitation medicine your entire life, you probably don’t know about party manners… Whoa!”

“Zion!”

Just as Zion was standing steadily, she suddenly lost her balance and I quickly let go of her hand and reached out to catch her.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. But my legs…”

Zion leaned toward me to keep from falling as her legs weren’t gaining strength.

The buff was still active, it’s too early for the effect to wear off…

“Are you unable to exert strength?”

“Seems like it.”

“Zion, right now, you can barely stand using all your strength. If you lose your focus and start thinking of other things, it leads to this.”

“…….”

Since Zion couldn’t stand anymore, I had to return her to the wheelchair.

Zion then returned to the wheelchair, guided by my hands.

However, her expression as she sat there looked a bit down.

“Thinking of unnecessary things…”

Zion muttered softly as she lowered her head. Has her mood soured?

It seems I messed up.

It wasn’t my intention to say something harsh while trying to advise her to focus on her body during training.

But thinking about it again, I might have added salt to the wound in a moment that reminded her of a gloomy memory.

I can’t continue training without addressing Zion’s mental issues, so I have to do something about it…

“Zion.”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry for saying unnecessary thoughts.”

“No, it’s okay. What you said is right.”

First, I apologized. And just an apology wouldn’t be enough to lift her spirits…

In this situation, what could I bring up to boost her rehabilitation motivation? That would be this.

“Well, about the ball…”

“Yes?”

“Once Zion is fully healed, I’ll extend my hands to you then too.”

Zion’s gaze, which had been on the ground, returned to me with wide eyes.

Was she a little surprised? Zion looked puzzled.

“If you can dance again, then that’s more than enough reason to have a party.”

“That means…”

“Since I helped you heal, then I would be the guest of honor too, right? So, wouldn’t it be okay for us to dance together?”

“…….”

With her round eyes blinking silently a few times, Zion slowly lowered her gaze and nodded her head.

“Of course. When that time comes…”

Then, to help her stand again, I extended my hands out to her once more.

“Then let’s really begin now. This time, you have to concentrate.”

“…Yes. Understood.”

Slowly, Zion took my hands again.

But something still feels… off.

She seemed to be trying to focus on standing, but I couldn’t tell what was going on in her mind.

I could only hope Zion finishes today’s rehabilitation training without any issues.

 

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