Skeletons in the Emergency Room
The scene in the emergency room that the supporting character was observing was utter chaos. Mages and modern humans. Medical staff and patients. People of all ages and genders. And humans and non-humans alike.
"What the heck is that?"
"What do you think? It's a summon."
"A summon?"
"The Saintess knows more than I do, yet you seem to know nothing?"
"Can't you just explain it nicely without the snide remarks?"
"Among mages, there are those who summon artificial lifeforms like golems, form contracts with spirits, or tame monsters. Their numbers are few, but they exist."
"...That still looks like a dangerous monster no matter how you look at it."
"You shouldn't judge by appearances."
"...Fine. Lara!"
After finishing his conversation with Arty, Joyeon called out to Tiasia, who had been diligently working. She immediately stopped what she was doing and ran over to him.
"Did you call for me, Master?"
"Let's make name tags. The kind with big, clear names written on them."
"Name tags? For whom?"
"The kids."
"Ah? You're planning to call them over?"
"Yeah. If tamed monsters are allowed inside, the kids should be fine too. It'd be a waste not to use such high-quality labor that never gets tired."
"What are you two talking about?"
When Joyeon and Tiasia began speaking in a way only they understood, Arty looked confused. Tiasia quickly excused herself to fetch the materials for the name tags. As Joyeon was about to explain their conversation to Arty, Jack called out to him.
-Are you certain this is wise?
'What do you mean.'
-Even if we were once ordinary mages, we are undeniably undead now. It may not matter to others who only see us briefly, but Lady Arty, who must coexist with us, might be shocked.
'Hmm~ It should be fine. She doesn't seem like the type to be shaken by something like that.'
-...If that is what you believe, Master...
"I'll show you the magic you wanted to see."
"Huh? Really? So you're a summoner?"
"No. A necromancer."
"Huh? What did you say? What did you just say?"
"Come out, kids."
At Joyeon's call, four skeletons who had been hiding in graves since before arriving at the hospital rose from the ground.
Clack.
'It has been quite some time since we could serve at our master's side.'
Clack.
'I would love to chat with Lady Arty and Master's mother~'
Clatter.
'May, we came out to assist Master with his work.'
Clack.
'Still, there should be opportunities to talk while working.'
"Everyone, quiet. Jack, May, Khan, Ron—wait until you each have your name tags around your necks."
Joyeon, worried that a commotion might break out, ordered his followers to stay still and looked around. The atmosphere had already shifted due to the sudden appearance of the skeletons. Even though Joyeon's followers possessed intelligence, their true nature as undead meant an eerie aura naturally emanated from them. Some people had even grabbed their weapons, preparing for battle.
"Everyone, focus!! They're not monsters, so don't worry and continue with what you were doing!"
Sosia, who had already heard an explanation of his abilities from Joyeon, snapped everyone back to their senses. When Joyeon waved his hand as if to confirm Sosia's words, the atmosphere quickly returned to normal. Sosia shot Joyeon a glare, but that was all. She, too, resumed her work.
Once the situation stabilized without any major issues, as expected, Joyeon pointed at his followers and spoke to Arty.
"See? I showed you my magic too. These aren't ordinary skeletons that disappear after a set time—they're permanent, and each one retains their intelligence. Their names are Jack, May, Khan, and Ron, in that order."
At Joyeon's introduction, the followers gave slight nods from their upright postures and greeted Arty. Arty, receiving their greetings, opened her small mouth as wide as possible to express her astonishment.
"A necromancer?! You're really a necromancer?! You've reached the level of reviving the dead?! Oh my god! I never thought I'd witness this with my own eyes! It was only ever a legend!"
Joyeon had expected Arty to show little interest or even dislike, but her reaction was completely different from what he anticipated.
'Why is she so excited...?'
"How do you revive the dead?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained."
"Tell me! Tell me!"
"I said you wouldn't get it."
"Even a rough explanation is fine~"
"...[%\@... No, I shouldn't phrase it like that... Simply put, I reconnect lingering souls to their bodies, allowing their deceased forms to move on their own."
"Souls... I see! Thinking about it, I should have expected this ever since you used that 'Eye of the Soul' skill!"
Completely excited, Arty's eyes sparkled as she alternated her gaze between Joyeon and his followers. She then asked if she could touch them and grabbed Jack and May's hands.
"Wow~ Oh my god~ They're real~"
Joyeon couldn't understand Arty's bright expression as she happily touched his followers.
'Something feels off...?'
"Hey. What exactly do you think a necromancer is?"
"Huh? A necromancer is a necromancer."
"I think you have the wrong idea."
"No way! I know necromancers well! It's a class I've always wanted to meet! Necromancers are conductors of death, right? Maestros who grant life once more to those who have witnessed its end, and in return receive command over their bodies! People who don't understand often say his conducting is so beautiful that the dead come to him just to witness it!"
'Yeah, she's definitely got it twisted.'
Clack.
'That is correct.'
Clack.
'Master has indeed granted us new life~'
Clatter.
'The rumor isn't entirely wrong either. When Master shows sincerity, we instinctively wish to follow.'
Clack.
'Though Master commands us more with words than gestures.'
The followers, who had been listening to Arty's explanation, nodded in agreement.
"What do you mean, correct?"
Joyeon, who had been countering his followers' words, noticed a strange contradiction in Arty's statement.
"Wait, aren't you a mage? You're not from the modern world. In the mage world, necromancers are completely ostracized. That's why I haven't summoned the kids until now. So why do you have such a positive view of necromancers?"
"...Huh?"
At Joyeon's question, Arty realized her mistake and looked startled, her eyes darting around. Joyeon glared at her, convinced his suspicion was correct.
"I knew it. You're hiding something."
"N-no, that's..."
"Are you hiding it from Mom too?"
"I-I'm not hiding it with bad intentions. Everyone has secrets they can't talk about, right?"
"How am I supposed to believe that?"
"The Saintess knows everything! She knows why I can't speak and what I'm hiding. So..."
"If you can tell Mom, then why not me—"
Clack!
'Ahem! Master?'
Ron stopped Joyeon as he was about to press Arty further. When Joyeon turned around, his followers were staring at him intently, applying silent pressure.
"...What? What did I do wrong? She's clearly hiding something from me."
Clack.
'It is only natural for people to have one or two secrets they cannot share. The Saintess herself said she knows, did she not?'
"...You guys have been taking Arty's side way too much lately instead of mine."
Clack.
'It is merely advice to act with a bit more maturity. You will be living with Lady Arty from now on, after all. Mother personally requested it as well.'
"Tch..."
Though dissatisfied with Jack's response, Joyeon decided not to push further, thinking that Arty probably wasn't hiding her secret with malicious intent.
****
When Tiasia brought the name tags she had made for the followers, Joyeon handed them out and sent Khan and Ron to the hospital entrance while directing Jack and May upstairs. Arty, who wanted to observe the skeletons more, and May, who wished to talk with her, looked disappointed, but Joyeon had made the decision because having undead wandering around the emergency room wasn't ideal. To prevent any potential problems, he had already informed Sosia and the medical staff about his followers in advance, and he had also explained the situation to the gatekeeper who had been assigned to him, instructing them to utilize the extra manpower.
Afterward, Arty and Joyeon returned to their original task of searching for anyone who looked dangerous. Arty seemed eager to ask Joyeon various questions about necromancers, but she held back, thinking it would be shameless to inquire while keeping her own secret. Joyeon, somehow sensing her restraint, found himself growing concerned about her.
"...I'll answer whatever I can. It's boring just standing around in silence anyway."
"Huh? I don't really have any questions, though?"
"Don't lie. It's written all over your face. I won't ask about your secret, so just ask whatever you want."
"...Really?"
"I said I'd only answer what I can."
From then on, it became a time for Joyeon to answer each of Arty's questions one by one.
"Your followers? Was that what you called them? Do they still have memories from before they died?"
"Of course. They're their own bodies and souls."
"Why are they loyal to you, who revived them?"
"What kind of explanation are you hoping for?"
"Just the truth?"
"...I don't fully understand the theory either. I only know that after my existence is imprinted on their souls, they revive."
"So you can directly shape souls! That's amazing...!"
"Is that what it is?"
"It is!"
Joyeon was starting to slightly regret allowing Arty to ask questions as her inquiries showed no signs of stopping.
While they were spending time that would likely become routine from now on, a voice rang out.
"Over here! Emergency!"
The two gatekeepers who had been stationed at the hospital entrance, along with Khan, carried in three blood-soaked men on their backs and rushed into the emergency room. Sosia and the medical staff quickly approached the men, whose conditions appeared quite severe. Joyeon and Arty also moved to ask Khan what had happened.
"Khan, what's going on?"
Clatter.
'Master, they are critically injured. Three men who claimed to have been attacked by monsters collapsed in front of the hospital. I judged that we needed to assess their condition first and brought them inside.'
"Monsters? There aren't any nearby... Did they come from far away?"
Clatter.
'It seems that way.'
"Multiple severe lacerations! Heavy bleeding! We need to suture the wounds and perform a transfusion!"
"Stop the bleeding first and check their blood types!"
Though the situation was somewhat chaotic, it was just another day in the emergency room.