Exactly one month has passed since Vieille was admitted to the university hospital. Thanks to the efforts of May, Roni and others, the wound on her arm has almost completely healed. The pain was gone and she was able to move her arm without any problems, but upon closer inspection, there was still a single scar on her arm. As expected, even the best doctor in the world could not completely remove the scar.
Immediately after the bandage was removed, Vieille looked at the scar and remained motionless for a while, as if observing something.
"...... Will this scar disappear with time?"
Suddenly, Vieille opened her mouth. Mei stared at her and replied in a calm voice.
"Yes. I can't say for sure, but looking at the way the wounds are healing now, I think that in a few years, the scars will be almost completely gone.
"I see. ....... That's a relief to hear."
Vieille looks around with a relieved expression on his face.
"Thank you very much. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
She then bowed deeply from the bed. Then she looked up quickly, and this time she looked at me.
"...... what?"
"Yes. I think it's time for us to go."
"What? Now?"
"...... would like to leave right now, but we have a lot of preparations to make, so I hope we can leave tomorrow."
"That's very sudden. Well, all right. You want me to transfer you to Mr. Buddy?"
No. I will come alone.
What? Alone?"
"Yes. Thank you for everything you've done for me, Buddy. I had no choice but to help you because it was an emergency. This time, now that my wounds have healed, I would like to come alone.
"Such is the case ...... His Holiness the Pope ......"
At Vieille's words, Buddy, who was standing by, rolled his eyes in surprise. That's true. A good-looking woman traveling alone. It is easy to imagine that many people, in many places, will call out to her. She might be able to manage with the items she possesses, but she has come to Agartha with almost no clothes on, so Vieille is not so different from an ordinary woman now. Well, she may be able to avoid them because of her skillful eloquence.
Despite the concerns of those around her, she is calm and collected.
"I apologize for the short notice, but I would like to say goodbye to Licorette and the other queens as well."
"......"
I swallowed my words. I wondered if she meant what she said. Is she really planning to leave Agartha alone? No, don't say that. Take someone with you. Buddy will go with her... and use his ability to transfer... Do you have money? If not, take some. .......
Those are the words that almost come out of my mouth. I'm sure Rico and the others will say the same thing. Maybe that's what they want?
Behind her words, this little girl is urging me to go into battle. Heedata already has 3,000 men ready and ready to go. Even Sandanji will be ready as soon as I tell him I am going into battle. Even Agartha can be ready with 3,000 soldiers at once. I wonder if Vieille is playing that game with such foresight.
Back in my office, I crossed my arms and thought. Both His Majesty the King of Heedata and Nike of Sandanje were in favor of sending troops to the mission to recapture Vieille's Aphrodite. As for me, I am not reluctant to go to Aphrodite, since His Majesty has asked me to watch over Nike. However, I have a hunch that everything will turn out the way that the little girl drew it. It's somewhat aggravating, and above all, I don't think it's going to bring much good for us.
I pick up the bell on the desk and try to call Riko. But instead of ringing it, I put it on the desk again.
"...... I guess I should ask everyone's opinion on this."
I muttered to no one in particular, got up from my chair, and looked out the window.
That night, when I returned to my residence in the capital, after dinner and after the children had gone to bed, I told my wives about this.
"......I'm sure his reputation will rise if Mr. Vieille goes alone."
Rico opens the conversation. Everyone seems to agree with his opinion.
"If something should happen to Lord Vieille on his journey, it will not end well for Agartha.
Matkal opens his mouth. It is true that if that little girl is assassinated somewhere, the rebels of Klimiana will be happy, but those who adore her will hate her intensely. Besides, she would be vilified by the whole world. It is not a good idea.
"If you come alone, leave it to me. I will order the spirits to protect Mr. Vieille.
"I see, that's the way to do it."
Without thinking, I open my mouth. That would make Vieille much safer. If we have Sadakichi and the others watching, along with the spirits, we will have a complete grasp of their movements. But Siddee waited for that idea.
"No, I mean him. He may have a transfer ward hidden somewhere. If that's the case, the spirits won't be able to follow his movements, and the faerie dragons will need some time to find him. It would be difficult to find them if they are in only one place, but if they are in multiple places, it would be difficult to find them.
"That may be so, although I don't remember that I gave Vieille a warding stone with a shifting warding effect.
"I'm sure they have obtained it by various means."
Sidi nodded with a confident expression on his face. If this is true, she is a very cautious girl. If she is so capable of risk management, how could she have failed to detect the betrayal? Maybe she is more clever than we thought.
I notice that my wives are looking at me. They seem to be urging me to come to a final conclusion.
"What do you think May?"
"My opinion, etc. ......"
"No, that's fine. I'd like to hear your honest opinion."
"......"
May took her eyes off me for a moment and looked like she was thinking about something. Then she looked up again and stared at me with eyes that celebrated intelligence.
"As a doctor, I am against letting Ms. Vieille travel alone," she said.
May's dignified voice rang out. She sounded very convincing. I listen to her voice.
"Even though your wounds have healed, I cannot say that your strength has completely recovered. I do not recommend you to make a long journey alone.
"I see, that's one way to look at it. ......"
I fold my arms and look up to the heavens. My mind is made up.
"Yes, you're right. I don't know what she'll do if we let her loose in the field. I'll have to keep an eye on her. Vieille will be here tomorrow to greet you. I'm sorry, but please see him."