Hurry, hurry! With Ruruka speeding me along, we traverse the darkened city. Because of the time, only the two of us are heading to Rurukas inn.
According to Ruruka, while they were maintaining their equipment after dinner, Fran and Sera suddenly collapsed with a high fever. She wanted someone to use healing magic on them, but since it was already late most hospitals were closed, so thats why she came to me.
Shes concerned about the fact that they both developed a fever at approximately the same time, but doesnt know what could have caused that. The three of them had the same meal for dinner, so it doesnt seem to be because they ate something bad. Rurukas still lively, after all.
Which reminds me, Ruruka was saying that earlier that day, they narrowly escaped disaster while they were on a quest inside the forest. Maybe all that fatigue caught up to them after they returned to the city, or something along those lines?
After a while, we reach the inn where Rurukas party is staying. Its quite an ordinary inn, neither good nor bad, and not particularly close to or far from the labyrinth. It looks a bit more expensive than the one Yuel and I were previously staying at, though.
We enter the inn, and Ruruka unlocks the door to their 2nd-story room.
Its a fairly spacious room with three beds.
Two of the beds have girls sleeping on them. If Im not mistaken, the blonde-haired flat one is Fran and the blue-haired busty one is Sera.
Their faces are flushed, no doubt from the fever, and their skin is covered in beads of sweat. Both of their blankets are pushed off and crumpled into the corner of their beds. Im guessing it was too hot for them.
Theyre wearing not pajamas, but normal clothes. I guess Ruruka prioritized fetching me over things like looking after them or changing their clothes. Their breathing is ragged, and their eyes are clenched shut. It certainly looks like theyre in pain.
However, how can I put it, this is
Hey Shiki, Id appreciate it if youd stop staring at Fran and Sera while they sleep.
Ruruka speaks up as Im inspecting the two of them. Yeah, their sleeping figures are rather alluring to the eyes.
Since theyre wearing ordinary clothes Im only a little intrigued, but if it had been thin pajamas then this scene wouldve been quite immodest. Dont tell me thats the reason why Ruruka didnt change their clothes into something more comfortable?
She might have suspected that Id do something to the two of them under the pretext of medical treatment. How rude.
Ruruka, dont get me wrong. Im just examining the condition of the patients, thats all.
Examining?
Yeah, the way to treat an illness differs depending on the problem. For example, if its caused by toxins building up within the body, that requires not just Heal but also Dis-Poison, right?
Its essential to consider Fran and Sera when dealing with their illness, so the meticulous observation Im doing right now is necessary.
I declare to Ruruka. For them to both fall ill at the same time, I still have no idea what could be the cause. If they ate something with poison in it, that would require Dis-Poison, but if it was a fever brought on by simple exhaustion then Heal would be enough.
Its not like I have any ulterior motive for looking at them. Its important to use magic properly, thats all.
Well whatever. I may as well use both Heal and Dis-Poison. I mean, I have no knowledge about the diseases of this world.
Oh, I see. Sorry, I misunderstood. Even though I made you come all the way here at a time like this.
But please dont look at Frans skirt or Seras chest so much, alright?
Ruruka makes a dubious expression, bet she still apologizes in response. It has some bite to it, though.
Hmm? Whats this
Because I was holding Frans skirt and getting ready to flip it, the skirt is raised slightly. Underneath, I discover something that interests me on her inner thighs, so I lift up the skirt. Her panties arent what Im interested in, by the way.
Ah! You actually did it! You flipped an unconscious girls skirt! Shiki, youre the absolute worst!
Ruruka shouts at me, but I didnt flip Frans skirt in order to look at those pink, lacy panties. I had a just cause. I had to do it. Im sure Ruruka will forgive me.
Then, I point at it and speak.
No, youre wrong. You take a look too, Ruruka. At this.
On Frans inner thighs, theres an unnatural, sickeningly purple rash.
Its pervading her thighs as if it spread from the center of her body.
What do you mean loo what is that!?
When Ruruka sees the purple rash on Frans thighs, shes so surprised that she forgets about covering Frans exposed panties.
Ive never seen symptoms like these before at the hospital. Perhaps this could be the cause of her illness? Ruruka, undress Sera too and take a look. Theres a possibility that she might have the same rash.
Okay, got it.
At my instruction, Ruruka places her hands on Seras clothes, then gives me an exasperated look. I wonder whats wrong?
Could you please leave the room for a minute?
Dont worry about me.
Get out! Im begging you, get out!
I wait outside the room for a while, then she calls me back in.
As you suspected, there was a purple rash.
Ruruka mentions, having confirmed what was beneath Seras clothes. It seems they share the same symptoms after all.
Is there anything you can think of? Back when you were in trouble in the forest, did they eat any mushrooms that were growing there or something?
They didnt eat any. We were lost in the middle of the forest but we made sure to bring food in our item boxes. I try to be prepared too, yknow.
And yet the cause is still unknown.
Well, Im not at all familiar with the diseases of this world. Although Eris hospital didnt get many customers, I did spend 3 months working there, so I should at least be familiar with all of the major ones. But that knowledge is probably only at the level of a layperson from this world.
Thinking about that wont change anything though.
For the time being, I treat the two of them with Heal and Dis-Poison.
Frans breathing softens as she continues to sleep. To make sure that her rash has disappeared, I reach for her skirt again and let Ruruka do it instead since shes glaring at me. I take my payment and leave the inn behind me.