NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30 - Side Story: Ludovic, Part 1
Side Story: Ludovic, Part 1
That child arrived suddenly.
I sensed someone approaching the infirmary and responded as usual. I’d assumed it was someone from training, injured perhaps. However, I was a little surprised to see Schlie Letziano, who rarely came to the infirmary, the elf who was one of the most eccentric people in the guild, always wearing that plastered-on smile.
“Hello, Ludo. We’re coming in.”
“H-Hello.”
As he said that, Schlie gestured with his hand, and I turned my attention to the small figure standing there. I was even more surprised to find it was an adorable elven child with lovely pinkish-gold hair. The child, looking a bit nervous, greeted me. So incredibly cute. It warmed my heart.
What was even more shocking was Schlie’s reaction. …So that’s your true smile, huh. I couldn’t help but think I’d just witnessed something extraordinary.
Then, he asked me to examine the child, saying Saura would explain the details later. I was captivated by her cuteness, but when I took a closer look, with my doctor’s eye… she was painfully thin. If she gained some weight and returned to a healthy size, she’d be even more adorable. I felt a surge of anger towards her guardian for letting her get this thin. A child is a treasure.
But “Ludo-sensei,” huh. I wondered if she’d call me that a few more times.
Even Schlie’s brief explanation was enough for me to understand that I needed to examine her properly. It would be a tiring process for a child, but it couldn’t be helped. I would try to make it as quick and painless as possible.
The results showed no significant problems. There were a few scrapes and bruises, but her body was young, it would heal quickly.
She was adorable when she got embarrassed during the urine test. When she insisted that she was a lady, Schlie and I exchanged glances and burst out laughing. To think I’d be laughing with this guy. Life is full of surprises.
Examining Meg, I had a feeling her problems weren’t physical. Just what had she gone through to become this thin? It pained me to think of the scars it must have left on her young heart. Yet her eyes were clear and bright, without a trace of darkness. She’d probably forgotten those painful memories.
Amnesia, huh. A troublesome condition. I had to monitor her closely.
Putting aside my own thoughts, I gave the two of them some advice and let them go. Damn it, I forgot to tell her to stay at the infirmary tonight. Oh well, I’d tell her later. I was thinking that, but then, a while later, Saura came to tell me the same thing, so I suggested having dinner together… I’ll admit I was a little selfish, hoping to enjoy a meal with a lovely child instead of eating alone.
I finished up some work, took off my white coat, and left the infirmary. When I arrived at the hall, I saw Kei, known for being elusive, chatting with Meg. …Kei looked like they were having fun. This was interesting. Maybe Meg had a way of bringing out the true nature of those around her.
Meg noticed me, but she seemed unsure if it was really me. It couldn’t be helped. I was aware of my unremarkable appearance. It was common for people to think I was just a passerby without my white coat. While many people wouldn’t notice me, or wouldn’t even bother to speak to me, she called out my name, hesitantly, but still. Meg was good at remembering people’s faces and names. It made me happy.
Then, Schlie arrived, and Kei left, as carefree and elusive as always.
The three of us headed to the cafeteria and had dinner together. Meg blinked at the strange local dish, her reaction adorable, making me want to explain everything to her. She ate the Cheak Katsu, cut into smaller pieces for her, with her cheeks puffed out, and it was incredibly endearing, like a small animal.
Meg picked up the miso soup and was about to lift the bowl to her mouth. It would definitely be easier for a child to drink it that way than to use a spoon, but it was a bit… improper. However, I decided to let her do as she pleased and observe her. Schlie didn’t seem to mind either.
The moment she took a sip of the soup, I noticed her large, deep blue eyes waver. …I panicked a little, wondering what had happened. Her expression… she looked like she was about to cry, yet also happy… as if she was feeling nostalgic. Was this the kind of expression a child should be making? Was there something about this meal that stirred something in Meg’s past?
But that was impossible. Because this dish could only be eaten in this town, or maybe somewhere in this country. The recipe was a closely guarded secret. I’d never heard of any elven children around Meg’s age being in this country, so there was no way for her to be nostalgic about this dish. There was an incredibly slim chance that she was from the same hometown as the person who created this recipe… but that was highly unlikely. Besides, that person’s identity was kept secret, so there was no way to investigate that anyway.
It was more plausible to think she was feeling nostalgic about eating together, this situation. …Even so, I couldn’t imagine a child this young experiencing something like that.
Just what kind of life had this child lived?
I couldn’t help but wonder.
Lost in my serious thoughts, I was captivated by Meg eating her dinner with gusto. Looking over, I saw Schlie watching Meg with a happy smile.
…A bad feeling washed over me, and I subtly glanced around. As expected, everyone in the cafeteria was staring at Meg, slack-jawed. She was adorable, yes, but I wanted them to at least try to maintain some composure. Especially that idiot over there, wipe that drool off your face. I made a mental note to add him to the danger list.
“Thank you for the meal!”
Meg said cheerfully, joining her hands in prayer. When I praised her table manners, she puffed out her chest and grinned proudly. …Ah, children are so precious. Such a simple action was enough to cleanse my soul.
Groans echoed around the room. I understood why they’d be overwhelmed by her cuteness, but I couldn’t bear to look at their slack-jawed faces. Don’t you dare look up, it’s bad for Meg’s moral education. But I’m sure everyone in this guild would become allies to Meg.
It felt like a bunch of perverts were born in the Special-grade Guild Ortus today.
We must protect Meg from their evil clutches.
After dinner, Meg’s condition was a bit worrying. Perhaps because she was full, she seemed to be getting sleepy. But she insisted on helping to clear the dishes, and it was nerve-wracking to watch her stumble around. By the time we decided to head to the infirmary, she was half asleep, but she still managed to properly say goodbye to Schlie. It showed her good manners.
It felt cruel to make her walk, so I decided to carry her to the infirmary. She fell asleep on the way there, but I’d have to wake her up for her bath, so I decided to let her sleep for now.