Episode 196: Messiah
It was three days after Kaede underwent the examination that she was summoned to the Ministry of Defense.
She was led by a staff member into a reception room. A chic room furnished with black leather sofas and expensive-looking wooden furniture.
Kaede sat on the sofa, placing the shoulder bag she had brought beside her.
With her hands on her knees, she waited with a nervous expression, and the door to the reception room opened.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
It was Serizawa who entered, the same man she had spoken to before.
Kaede stood up, saying, “No, not at all…” and straightened her back. Serizawa gestured towards the sofa, urging her to sit.
Kaede sat down again, and Serizawa sat opposite her.
He was a man who looked like an elite businessman, impeccably dressed in a well-tailored suit. That was the impression Kaede had of Serizawa.
After clearing his throat once, Serizawa began to speak.
“In the examination conducted the other day, Ms. Ichinose recorded high values. We would very much like Ms. Ichinose to participate in the clinical trial.”
“Does that mean… I can help Yuma?”
“Yes, we believe there is a high possibility of that.”
Kaede clenched her fists and stared intently at Serizawa.
“I’ll participate! If there’s anything I can do, I definitely want to do it.”
Serizawa showed a moment of hesitation at Kaede’s immediate response.
“Ms. Ichinose, this clinical trial involves risks. Are you sure you’re okay deciding so quickly? You have time to consult with your parents, but…”
“No, I haven’t told my parents about this. I’m sure they would stop me… I’ll decide for myself!”
She hadn’t told her parents, or even Rui, that she had been called to the Ministry of Defense today.
Kaede had been planning to participate if she was chosen for this clinical trial, no matter the danger. At first, she didn’t understand why Yuma had been so badly injured.
Later, Rui told her that Yuma had faced a powerful Monster and made a significant contribution to defeating it.
Kaede was shocked to hear that he had been seriously injured in that battle.
She had never dreamed that he was in such a dangerous situation.
While Yuma was risking his life to fight, she had done nothing. When the Dragons were destroying the city, she had only trembled and cowered in fear.
Doing nothing more was not an option for Kaede.
“Please, let me do it. Please let me help Yuma!”
Hearing Kaede’s determination, Serizawa also made up his mind.
◇◇◇
The Human Body Imbuement Surgery with the Magic Gem for Kaede was performed that same day.
The government-owned White Magic Gem “Diamond” was embedded in the subject’s chest, and special metals mined from the Dungeon were attached to her body.
The basic principle was the same as the Magic Enchanted Armament, but embedding a Magic Gem directly into the human body was undoubtedly dangerous.
On the other hand, if this research was established, it would become possible to use powerful “magic” without possessing high Mana, so it was also called a dream technology.
And the day after the Human Body Imbuement Surgery was performed—
“Are you really okay with this?”
To Serizawa’s question, Kaede replied, “I’m fine.”
They were now in the hospital room where Yuma was. Kaede, Serizawa, and two researchers had come to observe the progress of the Human Body Imbuement Surgery.
Kaede sat in a chair placed beside the bed, looking at Yuma’s face.
Her childhood friend didn’t move a muscle. The skin peeking out from under the bandages was painfully burned.
Normally, it seemed, one should rest for a while after incorporating the Magic Gem into the body. But the truth was that Yuma didn’t have time.
Kaede immediately agreed to use magic and had come to this place.
Her body felt languid, and it was hard to say she was in good condition. Still, she told herself that this was the only way to save Yuma.
She held her right hand over Yuma’s body.
“Ms. Ichinose, please concentrate. With your compatibility rate with the Magic Gem, you should definitely be able to use Recovery Magic.”
Kaede nodded at Serizawa’s words and concentrated even more deeply.
She hadn’t told anyone that she was coming here today. Not her parents, not her friends, not even Rui.
If something happened, it would be something she had done on her own. She couldn’t let other people worry about her.
Because she just… wanted to help Yuma.
Kaede closed her eyes and sank into the depths of her consciousness, becoming selfless.
Soon, a faint light overflowed from her right hand. Seeing it, Serizawa and the researchers couldn’t help but gasp in admiration.
Because it meant that the Human Body Imbuement with the Magic Gem performed in Japan had succeeded.
The light shone even brighter, enveloping the room in a gentle warmth.
Kaede opened her eyes slightly and looked at Yuma with a satisfied expression.
◇◇◇
He felt very good. He wondered if he had been having a nice dream.
He didn’t remember what kind of dream it was, but he felt like he had met Kaede.
“Ugh… unnn…”
Yuma slowly opened his eyes. He had woken up in an unfamiliar room several times, but this time he felt relieved.
Because there were many familiar faces around the bed he was lying in.
“Oh! Yuma, you’re awake!”
The first to shout was the president. He had a beaming smile on his face and was peering into Yuma’s face.
“Don’t worry us so much!”
“Are you alright, Yuma-kun?”
Maika and Tanaka also looked at Yuma with relieved expressions.
“I was worried. If you died, my research subject would be gone.”
Aisha snorted and put her hands in the pockets of her lab coat. She was still saying hateful things, but it seemed she was worried about him.
“Yuma… I’m really glad.”
“Rui.”
Finding his childhood friend with a tearful face, Yuma smiled slightly.
“Why are you making such a face… I’m not going to die.”
He remembered defeating the huge Dragon. The fact that he had no memory after that meant that he had lost consciousness and collapsed.
He thought he had suffered considerable injuries, but he was relieved to be alive.
It seemed that the Metal Slime’s body was still sturdy.
“Yuma, your parents are here too. They’ve gone to talk to the doctor now.”
“I see… I understand.”
He was relieved that his parents were safe. The damage in Tokyo was enormous. Even though Yuma’s house was in the suburbs, he couldn’t shake his anxiety.
If his parents, the president, Aisha, and Rui were all safe, then all that was left was—
“Is Kaede alright?”
The moment Yuma spoke Kaede’s name, the faces of everyone in the room stiffened.
Yuma looked puzzled by the strange atmosphere.
“Her house is in the same suburbs as mine, so I think she’s okay… but I’m worried. Have you been able to contact Kaede?”
He asked Rui, but he looked down and remained silent. A bad feeling ran through his entire body.
“Don’t tell me… she was caught in the Dragon’s flames…”
“It’s not that, Yuma.”
Rui, who finally opened his mouth, looked at Yuma with a sorrowful face.
“Kaede wasn’t harmed by the Dragon. She even came to visit you in this hospital room.”
Yuma was relieved and let out a sigh of relief, saying, “I see, that’s good.” But he was about to doubt his ears at Rui’s words that followed, “But.”
“She died.”
“Huh?”
For a moment, Yuma didn’t understand what Rui was saying.
“Kaede… has passed away.”