The news arrived the following morning.
"Rest?" Ryoma asked.
"Yes," Lilian, the maid, replied as she relayed the current state of the city. "The Guard Force has made significant progress in making arrests and neutralizing enemy strongholds. We haven't seen any new fires or attacks since last night. At the moment, certain civilians are proving more troublesome than the actual enemy."
"Ah, I’ve heard a bit about that. People are forming mobs, aren't they?"
"They claim to be a Vigilante Corps that has taken up arms for the city and their families," Lilian said. "But in reality, they’re just using their numbers to beat anyone they 'deem an enemy' to a pulp. There are even looters among them, pillaging food and valuables from shops and homes under the cover of the chaos."
"Injuries related to that are on the rise at the hospital, too," Ryoma noted. "Adventurers who were helping with the evacuations and firefighting have been attacked simply because they were suspected of being in league with the culprits. I expected riots, but what do you think is triggering them?"
"We haven't had the resources to interrogate all the detainees yet. However, it is highly likely that Suggestion Magic was used on some of them, particularly those who were leading the charge. There is almost certainly someone behind the scenes inciting the mobs and providing them with supplies."
"Man-made trouble, as usual..." Ryoma sighed, looking thoroughly exasperated. "They certainly left us a troublesome parting gift. But we can consider the primary enemy force mostly wiped out, then?"
"It is safe to assume so. We must remain vigilant since remnants are likely still in hiding, but the leadership has reached a decision. Rather than responding to immediate threats, they would like you, Master Ryoma, to assist with the post-crisis recovery. That will involve tasks like clearing away burnt-down structures and setting up temporary housing for the refugees. To that end, they want you to take a proper rest now while you have the chance."
Ryoma realized why he had been called out to this empty warehouse. Lilian, however, seemed to take his silence for hesitation. She looked at him with firm, resolute eyes.
"I believe relying too much on one person is a mistake, but there are many places that would be saved if we could borrow your strength and that of your slimes. To ensure you can perform at your best when that time comes, please rest now. Master Ryoma, you have barely rested or slept since the night before last. You’ve been firefighting and treating patients non-stop. Not to mention the continuous use of mana recovery potions... Just because it isn't causing a problem right now doesn't mean it's good for your health. Whether for combat or healing, it is a core principle for mages to recover their mana through sleep."
"I understand," Ryoma said. "If that’s the case, I’ll take a break."
"Eh?" Lilian blinked, looking as though the rug had been pulled out from under her.
"What is it? You look surprised."
"No, I suppose I really was. I expected you to put up more of a fight."
"Just how much of a workaholic do you all think I am?"
"Setting aside your abilities and character, Master Ryoma, your credibility is quite low when it comes to the single point of 'taking a vacation.'"
"The recovery efforts are going to take a long time, so I intend to rest when I can," Ryoma insisted.
"Then let me prepare a room before you change your mind—"
"Actually, I think I’ll head back to the house at the abandoned mine. I can rest more comfortably at home anyway, and I’d rather not use up a room and manpower just for myself right now."
"Recovering is part of your work, so it wouldn't be a waste. Besides, there are likely remnants still at large. Given the incident with Master Yudum, I know you are strong, but being alone outside the city is dangerous."
Ryoma smiled, attempting to soothe her concerns. "It’ll be fine. Traffic at the city gates is under strict control, and I’ll jump directly home using Space Magic. Even if remnants did show up, I’ve deployed slimes at the mine for defense, and they’d be caught in my surveillance network before they even got close. By the time an enemy stepped foot on the property, I could just teleport back to the city."
"It is true that capturing a Space Mage who has decided to flee is nearly impossible. And I suppose your slime defenses and warning network are reliable enough. However..."
"Plus, I have a fair amount of crops and medicinal herbs at the house that I grew experimentally. I’d like to bring those back. I heard the city and the guild have stockpiles, but it doesn't hurt to have extra, right?"
"That is... true. We haven't seen a shortage yet, but there are concerns about future supplies. Many food shops and warehouses were damaged in the fires, and procurement isn't easy this time of year."
"For the record, most of what I have are tubers and a few vegetables. As for the amount... I haven't measured it, but I think it’s enough to fill one or two warehouses in the Warehouse District."
Lilian’s jaw nearly dropped. "There is that much?"
"I’ve been working on it daily as part of my magic training and agricultural studies. Now that I have the goblins helping out, and some of the Scavenger Slimes have evolved to be even more efficient... well, it adds up. If the situation weren't so dire, I’d love to go into the details, but for now, let's just say I have a lot of food. I can even increase production if the conditions are right."
"That would be a massive help. But with that much volume, won't you need help transporting it?"
"I have the slimes and the goblins, so I’ll be fine."
"...You aren't planning to do more work the moment we look away, are you?"
"No, no, no! I’ll really rest. If anything, I’ll just stay in bed and use Sensory Link to tell the goblins what to move. Their numbers have grown to thirty-two recently, so it’ll be over in a flash."
"I suspect using Sensory Link might actually be more mentally taxing than just doing it yourself... but very well. I understand."
"I’m glad you see it my way. I'll go tell Dr. Mafrar. If they have enough hands, I’ll take my leave."
Having finally talked Lilian down, Ryoma left the warehouse and headed for Mafrar’s examination room.
"—And that’s how it is," Ryoma concluded his explanation.
"I understand," Mafrar said. "The pressure is gradually easing here, and we have more staff available. Supporting those who have finished treatment is also vital work. Leave this to us, Ryoma-kun. Go where you are needed most."
"Thank you very much. I’ll take you up on that, then."
With that, Ryoma was officially relieved of his medical duties at the hospital.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Ryoma said to Lilian, who had been waiting outside. "I have Dr. Mafrar’s permission, so I’m heading out. Considering the time it'll take to move goods into my Dimension Home, I should be back tomorrow morning. Does that work?"
"That is fine. Please ensure you get enough sleep. As someone dispatched by the Duke—and as a person who cares—I would be very distressed if you were to collapse, Master Ryoma."
"When you put it that way, I really do feel guilty. I promise to do my best to rest."
Just as he finished speaking to Lilian, a commotion broke out behind them.
"Whoa!"
"Stay down! Please don't struggle!"
Ryoma turned around to see a man being wheeled out on a stretcher. He had clearly just come from surgery; there were more bandages on him than skin. He looked like a living mummy. Despite his condition, the man was desperately trying to throw himself off the stretcher and reach the exit.
Ryoma started toward him to help, but a voice rang out from the nearby examination room.
"Sleep Mist!"
Isabelle emerged as a burst of Poison Attribute Magic filled the air. A fine, sleep-inducing fog enveloped the man’s face, and he went limp like a puppet with its strings cut. Isabelle caught him mid-fall and handed him back to the stunned medical staff in one fluid motion.
"Honestly..." she huffed.
"That was impressive, Isabelle," Ryoma said.
"Oh, Ryoma-kun. You were still here?"
"What was that all about?"
Isabelle lowered her voice, glancing around to make sure they weren't being overheard. "It seems that man witnessed a child being kidnapped."
"Kidnapped?" Ryoma’s voice grew sharp.
"That is a grave matter," Lilian added, her expression hardening.
Isabelle looked helpless. "I don't know the full details, but he was delirious and calling out a name during surgery—they must be acquaintances. He should barely be able to walk, but as soon as the healing magic cleared his head, he tried to run. We’ve contacted the Guard Force, so they should be on it... I just hope the child is found safely."
Another patient was wheeled in just then.
"Well, I have to get back to it," Isabelle said.
"Sorry for stopping you. Good luck," Ryoma said.
As Isabelle disappeared back into the room, Ryoma’s eyes drifted toward the direction the bandaged man had been taken. Lilian did not miss the look.
"Well, I’m off to the mine now," Ryoma said.
"Master Ryoma... you intend to go looking for them, don't you?"
For just a fraction of a second, Ryoma’s polite, practiced smile froze. "...How did you catch me?"
"This is exactly why we don't trust you to rest. A kidnapping is a serious crime, but the Guard Force will handle it. Searching blindly won't help. Or do you actually have a lead on the kidnappers?"
"Maybe just a hunch."
"...Do you really? No, I know you aren't the type to lie about something like this."
"I’ve been gathering info on the city in my own way," Ryoma explained. "I know a few suspicious spots and places that stay out of the public eye. It’s just a hunch, and I don't have enough evidence to mobilize the Guard Force. I just thought I’d take a little 'detour' on my way home. I’ll check the spots, and if I find nothing, I’ll head straight back. I know criminal investigation isn't my job."
Ryoma gave a sheepish smile, but his eyes told her he wasn't going to budge. Lilian stared at him for a long silence, finally letting out a weary sigh.
"At the very least, take several people who can fight with you. And regardless of what you find, once you’ve checked those spots, you are finished for the day. Understood?"
"Thank you, Lilian."
"Responding immediately to a crisis is a virtue, and it's a reliable trait when you have the power to back it up. But please, take better care of yourself."
"I’m truly sorry... Oh, that reminds me. Once this is all over, why don't we have a small appreciation party? Just to relax."
Ryoma made the suggestion on a whim but immediately reconsidered. "Actually, would that just be more work for the maids?"
"New Year’s is in three days. Once things settle down, a small gathering should be fine. I’m sure Hughes or someone else would have suggested it anyway; the security guards deserve a break too."
"I see. Then I look forward to it. Tell everyone I'll see them tomorrow."
"Understood. We await your return."
Unlike his earlier forced smile, Ryoma gave a natural, quiet nod before departing with a quick, purposeful stride. Lilian watched his back for a moment before turning to return to her duties.