"It happened yesterday. Rock, who had gone to the northern mountains to hunt mountain deer, brought these children back with him."
Village Chief Giebeck explained the situation to Jin.
Two beds were pushed together before them, holding a sleeping boy and girl.
The girl had long silver hair and a complexion so pale it was almost translucent. The boy had short, dark brown hair and olive skin. Both appeared to be roughly fourteen or fifteen years old.
"Sally says it's just exhaustion and hunger, but they haven't woken up yet."
"...Sally?"
"Ah, no—I mean, Sally-sensei said so."
Jin noticed Giebeck's face flush slightly as he caught himself using her name without a title. He had a vague idea of what was going on, but frankly, seeing such a look on a middle-aged man was not something he particularly enjoyed. He decided to change the subject.
"You don't know who they are?"
"No, they didn't have anything resembling identification. All I can say is that I've never seen clothes like these before."
Giebeck spoke of their clothes, but because the children were covered by blankets, Jin couldn't see the designs.
Just then, Sally emerged from the back of the clinic, apparently having finished mixing medicine. She looked at Jin with a grave expression.
"Jin-kun, I want your opinion. These two... just what are they?"
From her tone, Jin realized that Sally had already deduced these two weren't ordinary humans.
"...I can't say for certain. But I suspect they've come from very far away."
He kept his answer vague.
"Hmm, far away, is it? Judging by where they collapsed and the clothes they were wearing, I can only assume they came from the north."
Sally glanced toward the wall. Two fur coats were hanging there.
"That's Snow Tiger fur," Reiko noted softly.
"Snow Tiger?"
Jin, Sally, and Giebeck all turned to look at Reiko at the same time.
"Yes. It is a magical beast that inhabits the forests far to the north. While I was searching for Father, I encountered them at the eleventh location I teleported to. I named them 'Snow Tigers' based on their appearance."
The pure white fur marked with black horizontal stripes certainly resembled a tiger. They looked very much like the white tigers of Earth.
"Master, according to Sally-sensei's assessment and my own observations, their mana also seems to be depleted."
Nurse Gamma, who was acting as Sally's assistant, joined them. She was carrying a spout cup.
"Yes, that is the case," Sally added. "But even after a full day, I don't understand why they haven't recovered. And before you ask—it's nothing like that 'magical consumption fever' I heard about before. Their mana is simply gone and refuses to replenish."
Sally explained that if it were magical consumption fever, it would be contagious, and they wouldn't be able to be so relaxed.
"That's why I've been concocting a medicine to restore the mana within their bodies."
That was apparently the content of the cup Nurse Gamma held.
"Oh, and just to be safe, I should mention it's not animal-derived. No magical beast blood or anything like that."
Having been persecuted in the past because of such practices, Sally worked tirelessly to create recovery medicines that did not rely on animal components.
"This is refined from the Persica juice I received from you."
It seemed Sally had reached this breakthrough on her own, though Nurse Gamma likely provided some assistance. They had removed the solids and fibers, then used centrifugal separation to increase the concentration of mana. Naturally, Gamma had been the one to provide the mechanical force for the spinning.
(Reiko, prepare to use Paralyze. Also, summon the Land units and have them stand by.)
(Understood.)
(Tell the Land units to prepare their Paralyze spells as well.)
(Yes, Father.)
(Barrier.)
Through Reiko, Jin issued orders so they could respond to any sudden developments. And as a final insurance policy:
(Trans Info Level 8 Mild.)
He used Trans Info to copy their knowledge. Even if they tried to hide their identities, he would be able to uncover the truth once he analyzed the data later.
Sally began feeding the liquid to the girl, while Gamma did the same for the boy. The mana-restoring medicine was administered bit by bit.
After about a minute passed...
The girl's eyelids fluttered, and her eyes snapped open. She saw Nurse Gamma leaning over her and her body instantly went rigid.
"...Eek!"
"It's all right. You're safe now."
The girl turned toward the source of the voice. There, she saw Sally, wearing a gentle smile.
"Hu... hum..."
The girl's face grew even paler.
"Now, don't push yourself. Have a little more of this."
Sally offered the spout cup, which was still more than half full. Though clearly terrified, the girl took the mouthpiece between her lips.
＊ ＊ ＊
"...Um... thank... you very much."
Having calmed down, the girl whispered her thanks to Sally.
"Think nothing of it. How are you feeling? Are you hungry?"
"Um, yes..."
At that, Sally headed toward the kitchen. She seemed completely at home in the residence.
"It appears this one has also regained consciousness."
Following Gamma's voice, Jin saw that the boy had opened his eyes. He slowly moved his head, scanning the room.
"My Lady! Are you safe...?"
Perhaps because he had tried to shout so suddenly, the boy began to cough and choke. Gamma helped him onto his side and rubbed his back.
"I'm fine, Lucas. The hum... the people here are very kind."
The girl looked at everyone in the room and bowed her head.
"Thank you for saving us. My name is Sion."
Looking at the girl again now that she was awake, Jin was struck by her waist-length silver hair, her snowy skin, and eyes as blue as a winter sky.
In contrast, the boy named Lucas had short-cropped dark brown hair, olive skin, and black eyes. They were so different they were like light and shadow.
"Well, you shouldn't talk too much yet. Eat this first."
Sally returned from the kitchen with bowls of stew. It had been cooled to a manageable temperature.
"Th-thank you."
"Thank you very much."
Lucas and Sion thanked her and began to eat ravenously. They must have been starving.
"There's plenty more, so there's no need to rush."
Sally watched them with a smile, unable to hide her professional satisfaction at seeing her patients recover their spirits.
Since they were told not to make the children talk too much yet, Jin and the others left the room.
"So, Doctor, would it be all right if I came back tomorrow to hear more of their story?"
"Hmm, yes. That should be fine."
"Understood. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
Jin decided to call it a day.
＊ ＊. ＊
"Laojun, I want you to maintain the high-alert status for Kaina Village. But keep it strictly confidential."
"I understand. There is a high probability that those two are members of the demon race. I will prepare countermeasures for Gravity Magic and Master-Slave Magic, as well as means to neutralize them. In the worst-case scenario, I will prioritize the safety of the villagers, even if it requires lethal force."
"I'm counting on you."
Laojun deployed twenty Army golems—Land 1 through 20—who had already been outfitted with Gravity Magic countermeasures. He armed them with Plasma Swords and Paralyzers before sending them into Kaina Village.
Additionally, he stationed five Falcons in the airspace above the village.
Jin stayed the night at his house next to the Martha residence. The Secret Mobile Unit (SP) maintained a strict perimeter, and Reiko did not leave Jin's side for even a moment.
The day ended without incident, the night passed, and the morning of August 5th arrived.