Chapter-08 · EP-126
Episode 126: Interrogation
The private room, surrounded by pale gray walls, seemed to cut off all sound from the outside world. In the center of the room was a metal table with no unnecessary decoration. Seated opposite was Tatsunori Susa, a Self-Defense Force officer and one of Japan's top high-level explorers. Behind his sharp gaze was a cool light that seemed to carefully observe our reactions.
"First, calm down. I'm only asking you to speak with me voluntarily. I have no intention of infringing on your rights. I merely want to ensure your safety while confirming a few facts."
Susa said quietly.
I straightened my posture, and Yuno beside me nervously clenched her hands.
"…Yes, I understand."
"It's okay, Yuno. I'll answer everything I can."
When I spoke softly, Yuno nodded and composed herself.
Susa didn't miss that either and seemed to make a mental note of it.
"This is about a little before you came out of the dungeon…"
Susa began.
"A party that had failed to defeat the fourth-floor boss came out, and they asked the medical team to treat their poison. But when the healers asked where they had been poisoned, there were no traces of poison left on them. I wondered if perhaps…"
Ah, that must be those people.
I remembered.
The three who had fled just before we challenged the fourth-floor boss.
Yuno had healed the injuries and poison of two of them.
Yuno also seemed to realize and answered timidly.
"Ah, that was probably me… ah, Shirou?"
Worried that she might have said something bad, Yuno looked at me.
"It's okay, Yuno. They probably already figured it out even if you didn't say anything. Besides, they probably confirmed it with their Explorer Recorders."
Even if we tried to hide it now, they probably already knew that Yuno had healed both explorers' injuries and cured their poison.
"The Explorer Recorder footage hasn't been fully reviewed yet, but it was you after all. And Yuno Hayasaka-san. You said you only became able to use Detoxification Magic today, right? So you healed their injuries and cured the poison with it?"
"Yes. That's right, but…"
Yuno hesitantly affirmed.
"Even so, there's one strange thing. They said you only used magic once. Is that true?"
"Huh? Yes, that's true."
When Yuno said that, Susa's expression grew stern.
"…You're saying that with a single spell, you healed the injuries of two people and cured their poison?"
"That seems to be the case…"
Yuno's Healing Magic was highly effective. Her range was far greater than mine, and its effect was immediate. When I was exploring solo before, I was bitten several times by Grey Wolves on the fifth floor and injured. I used my own Healing Magic to heal the injuries, but I could only heal one bite at a time. But Yuno could heal the entire body with one spell. Not only that. She healed two people at once, and even detoxified them as well. Her magic was already more advanced than my Healing Magic. It might as well be a different thing altogether.
Hearing Yuno's answer, Susa began to speak.
"Let me tell you, the spell you used was probably not a normal Heal, but an advanced spell called Area Heal that heals everyone within a certain area. And the fact that Detoxification Magic — Cure — activated simultaneously is a somewhat special… no, not just somewhat. It's a very special case. If possible, would you allow us to investigate your magic?"
"No!"
Before Yuno could answer, I refused Susa's offer.
I had heard that people with unique skills sometimes have their abilities investigated, and in some cases, the use of that power is forcibly determined.
For example, in Yuno's case, due to the high effectiveness of her Healing Magic, she might be made to join the Explorer Guild and work as a healer. If Yuno wanted that, I wouldn't stop her, but I couldn't let them decide Yuno's future path – she currently wanted to continue as an explorer – as they pleased.
Susa stared intently at Yuno, who was flustered by my words. He was probably waiting for Yuno's own answer.
"I'm sorry. I decline."
At Yuno's answer, Susa sighed, then continued.
"Do you understand how high your ability is? Don't you want to use that power to be of more help to others?"
"Wait a minute. That might lead to your happiness, but it's a separate matter from Yuno's own happiness, isn't it? Besides, Yuno voluntarily healed those explorers this time. She's someone who can use her power to help others without being told to!"
Adult words could be scary. They could sometimes guide your thoughts. To prevent Yuno from being deceived and used, I felt the need to refuse clearly, even with somewhat strong words. Thinking that, I interrupted Susa's words on Yuno's behalf.
I thought Susa might get angry, but he remained very calm. He looked at my face, nodded slightly, and continued.
"I see. I understand your feelings. Let me confirm one thing. Hayasaka-san, your Healing Magic is Skill Level 2, right?"
"Y-yes. That's right, but…"
"Do you remember the American explorer team that spoke to you? They were using a Skill Scope to peek at the abilities of Japanese explorers. And they discovered that your Healing Magic is Skill Level 2."
"Is there something wrong with it being Skill Level 2?"
Yuno asked curiously. I wanted to know that too. Why would Healing Magic at Skill Level 2 attract attention? Most healers in the Explorer Guild were probably at Skill Level 2 or above; it shouldn't have been that rare.
"Your Explorer Level is still only 3, right? Normally, it takes at least until your Explorer Level exceeds 10 for your Healing Magic Skill Level to increase."
Hearing that, I panicked. It was a blind spot. By having her heal slimes and resetting her magic usage count, I had made her level up her skill super efficiently. That had apparently aroused some strange suspicions.
"Let me give you the main point. Hayasaka-san, you are suspected by the high-level American explorer Josh Carmichael of having a connection to the 'Saint of the Theocracy.'"
"The Saint of the Theocracy?!"
I exclaimed in surprise.
Susa remained silent with a serious gaze.
Hesitating whether to say it, I still spoke.
"…What's that?"