Thanks, But No Thanks
"Thanks, but no thanks." For me, and perhaps for her too. 'Well, as expected.'
I'd briefly lost myself in the intoxicating fantasy of rehabilitating the world's strongest hero, but Sion Laurel refusing treatment was still within the bounds of what I'd anticipated.
"Sion…"
The princess merely bowed her head, not pressing for reasons. She knew Sion's condition better than I did, and she'd half-expected the rejection too. Right now, Sion lacked any will to rehabilitate.
Normally, a patient's 'will to rehabilitate' meant steeling oneself for endless pain to return to daily life. But Sion's case ran deeper—far more fundamental and severe.
"Nao."
"Yeah?"
"I appreciate the concern, but could you just stop worrying about me now?"
"What… what are you saying? What do you mean by that?"
The princess's face twisted in shock, but Sion just kept her head down, staring blankly at the ground, expressionless.
"I won't even come to see Iri anymore. I won't cause any more scenes…"
"What are you talking about!?"
The princess shot up from her wheelchair, lunging forward to grab Sion's shoulders. But it was only for a moment—
"Nngh…"
—her legs trembled violently before she collapsed backward into the chair.
"Sion! Are you seriously not going to answer me?"
"……."
Sion offered no reply. She simply wheeled her chair around and rolled away.
'How's she doing that? It's not magic, is it?'
She hadn't touched the wheels, yet the chair pivoted smoothly on its own, gliding forward.
"How in the world…"
"Sion Laurel!!!!!!!!!!"
My questions about the chair went unanswered amid the tense atmosphere. The furious princess bellowed Sion's full name loud enough to shake the graveyard, but the wheelchair vanished leisurely beyond the gates.
Dusk had fallen, painting the sky orange. The crowd gathered to mourn unhealable wounds dispersed before the darkness fully settled.
"Sion…"
But even as shadows lengthened, the princess remained frozen in stunned despair.
'Rehabilitating Hero Sion Laurel…'
Sudden silence enveloped us. I replayed the scene in my mind: Why was Sion's body so broken? What exactly was her condition? How did that wheelchair move on its own? Questions piled up, but none mattered now.
What I needed was a way to ignite Sion's will to rehabilitate. I had to find it, no matter what.
Because…
'I need to see that every single day.'
Of course—I couldn't pass up this chance. Treating the world's strongest, most beautiful hero? Maybe that's why I'd been pulled into this world. I'd convince her somehow, get her into rehab, and watch her struggle back to normalcy up close, day after day.
'Alright, then… how to proceed?'
Rehabilitation encompassed psychological care, especially for war veterans. If Sion's wounds were from battle, I'd analyze her psyche and spark that will.
'Even so, clues are scarce. We've barely talked.'
The conversation was short, and her hollow first impression gave no hint of her desires. But luckily, Sion wasn't a stranger to me. I knew her better than anyone—as an omniscient reader who'd witnessed every trial of the war.
Three years post-ending, but patching in today's events filled the gaps…
"Sion… does she think there's no hope for her anymore? In that state, where she can't move at all, even you can't treat her, right, Director Hope?"
Shaken deeply, the princess gripped her fists on her lap, her voice trembling.
Indeed, Sion's motor functions and strength were near zero—modern rehab or not, training was impossible. But this world had skills to overcome that, so her case wasn't hopeless.
"That's not it."
"Really? Even in that condition, rehab is possible? As expected of you, Director Hope."
"That's part of it, but… Sion's refusal isn't because she thinks it's impossible."
"Huh?"
The key to committing to rehab wasn't feasibility. Sure, for most, it mattered, but—
"Princess. Would Hero Sion Laurel give up just because something seems impossible?"
Not for her.
"Ah…!"
The princess knew it too. Sion was the type to achieve the impossible through sheer grit. So her refusal couldn't stem from deeming rehab unattainable.
'Perfect. I've got a plan.'
Thinking done. Time for action.
"I'll go after her and talk. She couldn't have gone far."
"Please… I beg you, Director Hope!"
"I'll do my best."
I left the princess behind and dashed in Sion's direction.
My deliberations hadn't taken long, and I'd tracked her path visually, but I had to catch up to speak.
**
"Sion…!"
Luckily, I caught her not far from the Imperial National Cemetery.
"……."
On the darkening, deserted road, she turned silently at my call.
"Sion?"
"Is the hero here?"
"The hero's present?"
Passersby perked up at her name in the street, but—
"……."
—upon seeing her, they muttered 'No way' and dispersed.
Come to think of it, the princess had said earlier, "Anyone hearing 'Sion' would be shocked."
So the hero's current state was still unknown?
"Did Nao send you? To drag me back?"
"Half right. I do want to take you, but she didn't send me."
"Take me…"
—Whoooosh…
'Wind?'
"If you think you can do something just because I'm like this, that's a mistake, Dr. Hope Harvey."
The gust sweeping the area wasn't born of intimidation or aura. It was the hero's doing—a demonstration, a warning to me.
'She can still use her hero's authority?'
Hero Sion Laurel. As in the novel, her power wasn't just wind—it was pressure. She manipulated it freely, generating winds from differentials.
Space seems empty, but it's filled with air. Without cosmic voids, speed meets resistance. Her pressure control let her nullify it, earning her the title of fastest swordswoman. No limits on blade or body.
If she could wield it, that explained the wheelchair—likely a special device propelled by pressure mechanisms.
"I'm a rehabilitation specialist. I'm here to recommend treatment, not harm you."
Sion stared blankly, her crimson eyes ice-cold.
"I already refused that."
"No, this isn't something you can refuse."
Hero Sion Laurel. Unbreakable will, now shattered. I didn't know why, but I'd revive her.
"What kind of nonsense…"
"I'm a regressor. I know everything that happens in this world. Past, present… and future included."
"What?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief. Naturally—she couldn't believe it.
What I'd said wasn't true, after all.
"Hero Sion Laurel. You need treatment. You have to return to your old self."
I…
"For two years—until the gates reopen."
…decided to deceive the hero.