NOVEL NEXT Chapter 81
“Can’t you move a bit faster?”
“The wheelchair isn’t meant for running.”
It wouldn’t be too bad to make it capable of that in an emergency, but if it ever came to that, the wheelchair would likely be useless anyway. Better to create a magic wheelchair with legs that could run.
…That sounds a bit bizarre. A wheelchair with legs moving around would look like something out of a horror game.
“It’s frustrating…”
“…I’ll speed up just a little bit more.”
“Okay!”
I tried to lengthen my stride a bit more. The sound of the wheelchair wheels turning became more pronounced, tormenting my eardrums. It was the sound of the metal bar connecting the two wheels scraping against the ring.
I’d rather minimize that noise. A loud sound could easily disturb others and hinder stealthy maneuvers in case of emergencies. Wait, isn’t the very idea of sneaking around in a wheelchair already a problem?
“Johann? Why aren’t you moving?”
“I was just thinking about how to improve the wheelchair for a second.”
“Can’t you think about that while moving?”
Have I been standing still for too long? I glanced at Millia’s head and shifted my feet again. We had just turned a third of the way around Yeomyeong-gwan, meaning we still had to travel twice the distance we had come. I moved busily, scanning the surroundings.
“Hmm~ huhm~ huh huhm~”
“Is it fun?”
“Yes! It feels like I’m a princess!”
“…It’s for patients, though.”
I guess it’s due to a world without wheelchairs, but Millia’s answer felt quite refreshing. Thinking about it, it does feel a bit like a rickshaw for one person. After all, the first wheelchair was somewhat similar to a rickshaw—
Clunk.
“Eek!”
“Millia! Are you okay?!”
I rushed over to Millia, who had tumbled from the wheelchair after getting stuck on a rock. Her neck had bent into a nightmarish angle.
Of course, she was unhurt.
“Johann! Lift me up!”
“Just wait a moment…”
Then it happened. I suddenly turned my head at a piercing scream, staring at the source of the sound.
“…Uh…”
“…Are we caught?”
The quickly-recovered Millia and I, who had covered her with my body, exchanged awkward glances.
“Uh, what do we do?”
“Let’s insist it’s an optical illusion—I think she just fainted.”
Should I be glad or not? I sighed as I glanced at the purple hair lying far away.
——————
“Millia!”
“Huh? Did you call me?”
“Swallow all the cookies before you talk! What are you going to do if you eat all the guest cookies?”
I flicked Millia’s head and looked at Elisa, who had just woken up in bed. Elisa shrank back at my gaze but didn’t have a seizure like before. This is already a tremendous improvement for me, who needs to get close to Elisa.
…But how am I supposed to get close to her?
To be honest, I don’t know how to befriend a girl.
“Uh, um… Why am I here…?”
“You collapsed suddenly, so we brought you here. Do you have any underlying illnesses?”
“W-well… not really… B-but, Millia…”
“Hmm? Me? Why?”
Elisa’s head instinctively turned to Millia. Her expression was pure confusion. I knelt down in front of Elise, who seemed on the verge of another episode, and met her gaze. Her moist eyes darted between me and Millia.
I spoke to reassure her in the gentlest voice I could muster.
“You can speak slowly.”
“I-I… s-saw… Millia… with her neck bent and collapsed…”
“It seems you might have mistaken something. Millia did faint today, but her neck wasn’t broken.”
“I’m perfectly fine!”
Millia spread her arms wide to emphasize her well-being. I’m not sure if her efforts succeeded, but Elisa’s expression returned to normal. It’s hard to gauge whether to be grateful for that or to feel concerned since she looked like she might cry if disturbed…
“I-I think I might have seen it wrong…”
I’m relieved to have been deceived. It would have been awkward if she kept doubting. I let out a sigh of relief internally without changing my expression. I quickly changed the subject to ensure Elisa wouldn’t suspect any further.
“So, Elisa, what’s the matter in Yeomyeong-gwan?”
“Uh, um…”
With a long-winded explanation, Elisa summarized why she had come. It appears she had visited to check on Karina’s condition.
…But why wasn’t Professor Lennon the one to come and instead it was Elisa?
When I asked Elisa, she hesitated before responding.
“P-professor caught a cold, so he said it’s fine for me to check… just that.”
A cold, huh.
Considering the research facility doesn’t seem very healthy, that makes sense. It’s filled with cursed items everywhere.
“Got it. I’ll stop by to see Karina once you’re feeling better.”
“I think I could go right now…”
If she’s okay with that, then fine. I handed a towel to Millia, who was still sitting there with crumbs from snacks on her face, and stood up from the floor.
“Let’s go!”
Millia and I headed out first, with Elisa following behind us, creating a strange formation as we walked toward Karina’s room. Normally, we’d walk side by side, but given Elisa’s personality, it was evident that doing so would seriously mess with her mental state.
“Johann, are you going to take Elisa there and then ride in the wheelchair again?”
“No. I just discovered a few things to fix, so I have to deal with that first.”
The wheelchair, or rather the prototype named Patrasche from now on, had quite a few issues after only coming around half a wheel.
Firstly, Patrasche shook a lot when it moves, and the sound it made while the wheels rolled was loud. There wasn’t any safety device, so if it got caught on a rock like earlier, the person sitting in it might get thrown forward… Is there anything else?
That last point is a bit uncertain though.
Since I was moving at a jogging speed in the wheelchair. But safety reinforcement is necessary… Maybe I should just make a seatbelt?
“…That might be a bit of a problem though.”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing, just talking to myself.”
Having mumbled that, I reached Karina’s resting room. By the door, Renny was propped against the wall yawning. Upon seeing us, Renny flashed an awkward smile.
“Hey. What brings you here? And… is that Elisa behind you?”
“She said she came to check on Karina’s health.”
“What about the professor?”
“He seems to have caught a cold.”
“Oh, I see. Come on in.”
Renny kindly grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. As I was about to enter the room, I paused by the door under Renny’s piercing gaze.
“Aren’t you coming in, Johann?”
“I’ll just keep watch here.”
I couldn’t possibly go in; Karina might have to undress or something while being examined. So I stayed outside, leaning against the wall like Renny had done.
…This is boring.
I turned my head here and there, exploring the corridor. As expected for the residence of a saint, Yeomyeong-gwan lacked extravagance. That doesn’t mean the furniture and items displayed were cheap, though. They were of such quality that even someone like me, who crafts all sorts of items, would be in awe.
There were things here that would be considered luxury items if placed outside. With my heightened perception, I could see the value embedded within their old charm even more clearly.
I wonder how much they spent? There were indeed some worn items, but with this level, wouldn’t it probably cost more than a superficial noble mansion? I felt a strong urge to take a few apart to check their structures and materials.
In my ten years of crafting furniture and buildings, I couldn’t approach the mastery of artisans dedicated to a single field for decades. Just absorbing the skills of such craftsmen would be quite a tempting venture.
…I should make out with some scrap furniture if they ever come up.
While I was savoring the sight of the furniture, I heard the sound of a door opening. Renny emerged, looking at me.
“Karina wants to talk with you, so come in.”
I followed Renny into the room.
As always, Karina’s room had a cozy atmosphere. Perhaps it was the scent of an unfamiliar flower, or that it belonged to Karina, a warm feeling radiated from the space. There were only two distinct features in the otherwise banal room, so it had to be one of those two reasons.
“Karina. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. The curse is quiet…”
Karina gently stroked Millia’s hair, resting on her knees, with a soft smile. Millia, receiving the affection, looked just like a puppy. Elisa seemed to watch Millia with an oddly envious expression.
…What on earth is this situation?
“I’m glad to hear that. So, Karina, I heard you called for me…”
“I heard you were making something fascinating. Could I possibly watch you create it?”
Her pink and golden eyes met mine. They were beautiful, like stars embedded in the sky. I found myself staring at those lovely eyes before finally nodding.
“Can I start right away?”