Rehabilitation Therapist for the Broken Warrior

Day 1 of my business trip to the Holy Law Nation.

This trip, too, was scheduled for three days, so I had to move quickly.

Today’s itinerary involved having dinner with the Pope at the Papal Palace and then moving to the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Center to check on the center’s status.

Right now, after dinner, Sion and I were heading to the entrance of the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Center.

“Director Hope.”

“Yes?”

“What did the Pope mean by a joyous reunion?”

“Hmm… I wonder if it’s someone related to Sion?”

“Me?”

“I don’t really have many connections.”

“A joyous reunion…”

Unlike me, who volunteered for medical service straight out of my hometown and dedicated my life to Rehabilitation Medicine, leaving no time to socialize or meet people, Sion had many acquaintances from numerous adventures.

“There are too many to guess.”

“Right? I guess we’ll find out when we meet them.”

The carriage arrived at the Center. I got off first, then helped Sion down into her wheelchair.

The Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Center.

While not as large or systematic as the Empire’s, it had a solemn atmosphere befitting the Holy Law Nation, and rehabilitation was proceeding in earnest.

“Please wait a moment, and I’ll bring the Director.”

As I arrived, Nurse Maids approached.

One stayed with me to guide me through the center, while the other went down to the exercise room to call the Director.

The Director appeared shortly after, guided by the nursemaid.

The Director of the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Center was a petite woman, even smaller than the nursemaid who guided her.

Wearing a white cleric’s robe and a high-ranking cleric’s hat, with long, flowing brown twintails, and light green eyes…

“Uh, h-hello…”

‘An elf?’

“I’m Hanamana, Director of the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Medicine Center…”

“Hanamana!!”

“Huh? Sion?!”

Surprisingly, the Director of the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Medicine Center was the elf Hanamana, the cleric of the Hero’s Party.

Was Hanamana the joyous reunion the Pope had mentioned?

Upon seeing Hanamana, Sion waved her right hand vigorously, her wheelchair rocking with the force of her greeting.

“Why is Sion here with you?”

“I’m assisting with Sion’s rehabilitation.”

“Oh, you’re…?”

“I’m Hope Harvey, Director of the Norden Kingdom Rehabilitation Medicine Center.”

“W-wow! I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you!”

Hanamana’s personality was, predictably, exactly as I had read in the book.

Hanamana, an elf who, unusually, walked the path of a cleric.

She had an aptitude for all magic, including holy and dark magic, which was rare for an elf, and despite her genuine skill, she lacked confidence, was always flustered, and prone to mistakes.

And, despite being pessimistic about everything and claiming she couldn’t do anything, she was a hard worker who, like Sion’s other companions, never gave up.

“Hanamana is the Director of the Center?”

“Th-that’s…right. I somehow managed it…”

“Hanamana, you’re amazing! Were you studying Rehabilitation Medicine?”

“Yeeees. Well… I heard about Sion’s injury, from Nao…”

“…”

So, Hanamana… had heard about Sion from Nao, studied Rehabilitation Medicine to treat her, and even risen to the position of Director of the Holy Law Nation Rehabilitation Center?

“So, I was going to bring Sion to the Empire once I became Director, but…”

As she continued, Hanamana’s expression became increasingly downcast.

“H-Hanamana?”

“I thought it was impossible for someone like me to become Director, but I worked hard and somehow managed to get the Center…”

Tears welled up in her small, round, light green eyes.

“But Sion was already undergoing rehabilitation in the kingdom…”

Her tears were on the verge of spilling.

It was fascinating to witness Hanamana’s emotional outburst, something I’d only read about in the book, so soon after meeting her, but I had a bad feeling that things were headed in an unfavorable direction for me.

And the words she uttered through her tears were…

“I’m so glad~~”

Unexpectedly, but thankfully, they weren’t words of resentment towards me.

“The rehabilitation senior in the kingdom is much more skilled than me, so I’m sure they can heal Sion!

It’s for the best, really. Someone like me wouldn’t have been able to treat Sion properly even if I had brought her here~~ Waaaaah~~”

Saying she was glad while crying her heart out.

Hanamana’s wails echoed through the Center, drawing everyone’s attention.

It was incredibly embarrassing, but no one dared to approach her.

Amidst this chaotic scene, Sion, sitting beside me, tapped my back, calling for me.

“Sion?”

“Director Hope, could you cast a Buff on me? I want to stand up for just a moment.”

A Buff… Based on the sensitivity measured last time, briefly casting a Buff strong enough to allow her to stand with support shouldn’t cause any major problems.

“Power.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Hold my hand and stand up. It will still be difficult for you to stand alone.”

“Okay.”

Holding my outstretched hand, Sion struggled to her feet, her arms and legs trembling.

“Could you take me to Hanamana?”

I nodded at Sion’s request and, holding her hand, led her to the weeping Hanamana.

Once in front of Hanamana, Sion threw herself forward, embracing Hanamana in a hug.

“S-Sion?!”

Since Hanamana was smaller than Sion, it looked as though Sion was engulfing her.

“Hanamana, you worked hard to treat me again. I’m so happy.”

“But I’m just Hanamana, so…”

“Even though you say that, you always healed me. I’m sure you would have done a great job this time too.”

“Sion…”

“So many times… You’ve saved me so many times, Hanamana. Everyone in the world thanks me for saving them, but it was always you who saved my life.”

Sion’s calm words seemed to have a soothing effect on Hanamana, who gradually calmed down.

Her crying subsided, and she only hiccuped occasionally.

“You saved me, you saved everyone… and now you’re the Director of a Rehabilitation Center.

Hanamana, you’re always saving people. I’m so glad you’re my companion. I’m always proud of you.”

“Sioooon…”

“So don’t cry. Okay? How many times have I told you to be brave? You’re a hero just like me, you know?”

“Uuuu…”

Barely holding back her tears, Hanamana raised her arms and hugged Sion back.

“Since it’s you, Sion, I’ll listen…”

“Hee hee, you’re still such a child, even though you’re over 200 years old.”

“D-don’t mention my age, Sion!!”

Just over 200 years old.

While young for an elf, Hanamana seemed incredibly embarrassed at the mention of her age.

She playfully patted Sion’s back, as if they were two young girls having fun.

“!?”

What in the world…!

“Haha, Hanamana.”

“Don’t hit me!! How can you hit a patient!! Do you have any idea how weak I am right now?”

“Wahhhhh!!”

Startled, Sion cried out involuntarily, causing Hanamana to jump in surprise.

She quickly began rubbing the spot on Sion’s back where she had patted her.

“I-I’m sorryyy!!”

“Don’t rub it either!!”

“Waaaahhhh!!!!”

“Director, I’m fine…”

“Sion, be quiet!”

The atmosphere suddenly turned tense, and Hanamana, still holding Sion tightly, squeezed her eyes shut and trembled.

How could…

“Hanamana, you’re the Director of this Center, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Then how can you do something like that! What would you do if I got hurt!!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I guess being a proper Director is too much for someone like me… I’ll resign and leave right now, so please forgive me…”

“W-what?”

My chest tightened, and my mind went blank.

I couldn’t think of what to say.

So this was what Hanamana’s personality was like in person?

Both Sion and Hanamana were so frustrating.

How could the novel have portrayed them the way it did?

It seemed the members of the Hero’s Party all possessed some trait that exasperated those around them, unless they were among themselves.

“I doubt the Pope would be very pleased if you resigned and left because of me.”

“It’s not because of you, Senior; it’s because Hanamana is inadequate…”

“Senior?”

“Well, since I am… your junior in Rehabilitation Medicine… wouldn’t that be correct?”

“Haaaah…”

Suddenly being called “senior” by an elf over 200 years old… My head hurt even more. But I had to regain my composure.

‘Calm down. If I get swept away by this atmosphere, it’s over.’

Right, Hanamana. You want to call me “senior,” don’t you?

“Hanamana.”

“Y-yes, Senior!”

“I’m here to inspect this Center and fix any problems. You know that, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“I agree that you’re not a proper Director. Do you think it’s acceptable to treat a patient like that?”

“I knew it… As expected of someone like me…”

Scolding Hanamana like this brought back memories of my past life.

“Um… Director Hope? Aren’t you being a little too harsh on Hanamana…?”

“Sion, be quiet. This is all for Hanamana’s benefit.”

“Huh?”

“It’s because you always coddle her that things like this happen. Understand?”

“W-well…”

In medical school, hierarchy was more important than grades.

Memories of my residency days, when I used to push the less competent interns to improve, came flooding back.

How… nostalgic, but not something I wanted to repeat.

“Hanamana.”

“Yes, Senior!”

“I think the problem with this Center is you, Hanamana.

So, for the three days I’m here, I’m going to thoroughly train you to be a proper rehabilitation doctor. Understood?”

“Waaaaah~”

Crying wouldn’t help her now.

Hanamana called me “senior,” so she had to learn what it meant to be my junior.