Chapter 14: The Guard's Joyful Inspection Life (14)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 14: The Guard's Joyful Inspection Life (14)
The person Geum Taeyang brought back was Mehya. Seeing her in civilian clothes, she must have been wandering nearby since she wasn't on duty today.
Mehya’s expression was so fierce she could have been mistaken for a vengeful god. It was only natural, considering she’d been called to her workplace on her day off. I wondered if Geum Taeyang had been knocked unconscious while trying to persuade her, as he hadn't come back with her.
Upon entering the checkpoint, Mehya scanned Tanya’s appearance, swept her gaze across the room, and then relaxed her scowl as she looked at me.
“Well, well. If it isn't a Mandrake. I was going to give you an earful if you called me for something trivial, but I should actually be praising you. Good job, kid.”
Mehya’s eyes were fixed on the leg of the desk. I wondered what was there, only to realize there were traces of the recent tryst that hadn't been fully cleaned away.
Mehya gave Tanya a hearty slap on the back.
“You don’t look the type, but you’re quite the courageous one, aren't you? Truly a paragon of womanhood. It’s thanks to your decisiveness that our junior here survived.”
“Pardon?”
Tanya looked bewildered. I couldn't bear to watch and buried my face in my hands. Mehya was practically broadcasting that she came from a Gender-Reversed World. She clearly assumed that Tanya, not I, had initiated the sex.
In the world Mehya came from, men detested sex. If we assume about 50% of men in their twenties in South Korea are virgins, then in Mehya’s world, 90% of women are virgins.
The women of that world, who shouldered all the sexual desire the men had lost, chose to satisfy themselves with each other rather than trying to hook up with men. That was why no women ever appeared in Mehya’s H-scenes.
“A-Ah, no. The guard... he saved me.”
“Really? Ah, right.”
After being excited for a while, Mehya finally realized that her world and Tanya’s were different. With a sheepish smile, she asked me, “You okay?”
“Yes. You’re off duty, Senior; are you alright with this?”
“I’m only staying until the next guy arrives anyway. Regardless, you look exhausted, so get to the clinic immediately. I’ll take over here. I’d like to support you myself, but we don't know what kind of internal issues you might have. If you dawdle here and some aftereffect flares up, you’ll be in deep shit.”
“Thank you.”
“If you’re grateful, let’s grab a drink with the Captain sometime.”
“Yes. I’ll set something up.”
“Anyway, you really are something else. Catching a criminal on your first day, and killing a Mandrake on your third. If you keep racking up achievements like this, you might just get the fastest promotion in history.”
What should I say here to win Mehya’s favor? Normally, one should act humble, but Mehya’s ideal type is a strong man. Time to bluff a little.
“It’s all thanks to my natural brilliance.”
“Crazy bastard. Take this.”
I caught what Mehya threw at me; it was a Mid-Grade Potion.
“Drink that if it feels like you’re going to drop dead on the way. Now, get going.”
Taking the potion, I looked at Tanya. She had been standing a short distance away but immediately clung to my side.
“I’ll support you.”
“You don’t really have to.”
Actually, I wanted her to keep clinging to me. I liked the gap between her surprisingly firm forearms and her soft breasts.
“I’m doing it because I want to. Let’s go, quickly.”
As we left, I heard a whistle from behind us. I wondered if Mehya would whistle like that when she was pinned under me. I’d have to make her do it if we ever had sex.
The setting was the Hugo Kingdom, the stage of a new game created by Universe Studio by integrating their various worldviews. There were several types of clinics in the kingdom.
One was for the poor or penniless novice hunters, and the others provided treatment based on wealth and status.
In modern terms, it could be divided into something like a free volunteer clinic in Afghanistan, general treatment at a large hospital, and VVIP service.
The clinic we arrived at was the middle tier—a large, hospital-grade facility. Although Tanya was a noble lady, she was only the daughter of a Baron, so she lacked the clout to receive VVIP treatment.
Inwardly, I hoped I might run into an eroge heroine, but no such luck. The person in charge of me was a man.
It couldn't be helped. Healers were extremely rare among eroge protagonists or heroines. Since Priests occupied the same healing role, most eroges were made using Priestesses or Saintesses as the subject matter.
Still, given my recent luck, I’d been hopeful. It wasn't like female healers didn't exist at all, so it was a bit disappointing.
The unpleasant male healer grabbed my wrist and clicked his tongue.
“A man who should have been brought in on a stretcher walked all the way here. It seems the treatment of guards isn't as good as I’d heard.”
“It was a sudden emergency, so it couldn't be helped. Everyone else was busy at their posts.”
“It seems you’re short-staffed.”
Wait, why is this healer making small talk instead of doing his job? Even if he knows, can he solve it?
I examined his appearance, but I couldn't tell much. He had blonde hair and a somewhat noble look, but any healer working here would be at least middle-class, so a refined appearance was expected.
I just played along.
“I suppose so.”
“I see. Then, I shall give you the results of the examination.”
He’d only held my wrist; he hadn't done a detailed check yet. He must be a more skilled healer than he looked.
“You look fine on the outside, but your insides are a mess. Normally, someone in this state would find it hard to even walk. Your level must be quite high.”
“I don’t have a level because I’ve never entered a dungeon.”
I’d been curious why my status window wouldn't appear, and when I asked Tanya, she told me I had to enter a dungeon at least once. Tanya had been amazed that I’d killed a Mandrake without even having a status window.
The healer was no different. He stroked his chin and let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Ho. Then you have innate martial talent. You have the makings of a Knight.”
“Being a Knight is a pipe dream. I’m satisfied with my current job.”
Becoming a Knight offers benefits comparable to nobility, but the restrictions increase. Knights in eroges are especially dangerous; they either die on the battlefield, die protecting a princess, or, if they’re female knights, they end up with a Meat Toilet ending after being raped by monsters or enemy soldiers.
On the other hand, a guard has a secure "iron rice bowl" job and can survive to enjoy women even if the country loses a war. I’m definitely not becoming a Knight.
“Is that so? Regardless, you need to rest today, so please be admitted. Ideally, I’d like you to skip work tomorrow as well, but that might be difficult if you’re short-staffed, yes?”
“I’ll have to ask my Captain about that.”
“I’ve sent word, so they should be here soon. Let’s proceed with the admission.”
The healer left coolly. I asked the apprentice standing nearby, “How much is the admission fee?”
It couldn't be too expensive. I was broke since I hadn't received my salary yet. I had the bribes I’d taken from Geum Taeyang and the other hunters, but that was my emergency fund. An emergency fund to be used for seducing naive virgin hunters.
“Ah! It’s free for guards! How could we take money from someone who works day and night for our Royal Palace?”
“Thank you.”
The welfare is this amazing? As expected, being a guard is the best.
*
I changed into hospital clothes and was waiting to be admitted when Tanya appeared. I’d wanted us to be examined together, but the female healers were busy, so we had to be separated.
“They said you’re being admitted?”
“Yeah. What about you?”
“My family is sending someone. It looks like I won’t be able to stay with you.”
I’d expected as much. They wouldn't want their precious daughter staying in a place crawling with men. It wasn't like Tanya’s estate didn't have its own healers, either.
“Right. Recover well. I’ll see you when you’re all better.”
I sent her off coolly, but Tanya hesitated. For some reason, she seemed reluctant to leave.
“Mhm. Okay. I’ll come visit again once I’ve recovered.”
“Sure, sure.”
“I asked them to move you to a private room.”
“Oh, I wasn't expecting that. Thanks. It’ll be much more comfortable.”
“And...”
“My Lady! Where are you?”
Just as Tanya was about to say something, a voice calling for her echoed out. Flustered, Tanya spoke quickly.
“About what we did... you don’t have to worry about it. I’ll write to you when I get back.”
“I’ll be waiting. Safe travels.”
After Tanya left, I moved to the private room. I hadn't expected much since the clothing and architecture were medieval, but it was quite well-made. The bed was soft, and the room was fairly spacious. Above all, I liked that I didn't have to worry about other people's eyes.
As I was sprawled out, someone knocked.
“Come in.”
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Oh, Captain. Is your shift over already?”
“Don't you see me?”
“You came too, Senior.”
Serika looked at me with concern. If only Mehya, who had claimed a chair as if it were her own home, were even half as considerate as Serika.
“I was worried about you, so I left work early and left things to my subordinates. I heard everything from Mehya. You killed a Mandrake that was parasitizing a female hunter?”
“Yes. And I ended up in the clinic because of it.”
“Hmm... Your mouth is as lively as ever. I worried for nothing.”
“My body hurts, so I might as well keep my mouth moving.”
“You really are...”
Serika looked exasperated. Haha, I win. Mehya, who was eating something from a bundle she’d brought as a get-well gift, let out a chuckle.
“He doesn't back down an inch. The Captain has finally met her match.”
“You’re not one to talk.”
“Is that why I felt a sense of kinship with Sma? Hey, have this.”
Mehya handed me something that looked like a drink.
“What’s this?”
“A Vitality Tonic. They say there’s no better gift for a man.”
“Thank you very much. I’ll enjoy it.”
It was called a Vitality Tonic here, but it was actually a Virility Enhancer that restored stamina. I couldn't pass up a sex potion.
“By the way, I heard from the healer that you need to rest until tomorrow.”
“Then someone else will have to work in my place. I’ll rest well today and come in for my shift, so don't worry too much.”
“There’s no need for you to come in. I’ve given you leave at my discretion. Rest until the day after tomorrow.”
She gave me a vacation without me even asking? And she even extended it by a day. Suddenly, Serika looked even more beautiful.
“Thank you, Captain.”
“You should thank me too. I’m the one filling in for you.”
“You, Mehya? Weren't you in charge of a Mid-Rank Dungeon?”
“I have a partner anyway, so I can just leave it to him. It’s only for two days.”
“Thank you, Senior.”
I could give out as many cost-free compliments as they wanted. As I was chatting with the two of them, someone knocked on the door.
“Is it the healer?”
“Must be here for a check-up. Come in.”
My guess was wrong. The person who entered was Iruna.