Stupid Heroes ~We Draft Candidates~ (WN): Chapter 32

 

Chapter 32: Surgery

 The flames of the explosion spread over the podium. It was supposed to be an instantaneous event, but to Ren's eyes, it looked like slow motion. As soon as the tip of the flame touched Jin, who was standing at the very front, the slow motion was broken and his body appeared to be flying in the air like a piece of paper.

"Is this not good?"

 Despite releasing words of resignation, Ren is heading toward the arena platform without weakening his momentum. No one is standing on the podium after the flames of the explosion are extinguished. It seems that everyone has been blown away.

 The surroundings, which had been rigid, finally began to move. Some people rushed to the injured who had fallen, while others tried to escape from the scene.

 The venue was in chaos.

"......This is terrible."

 When Ren finally arrived at the top of the podium, he saw a wounded man whose entire body had turned bright red, so much so that he couldn't tell whether it was a burn or a wound.

"Who are you?"

"I'm from the adventurer's guild. I was undertaking guard duties."

 Ren replied smoothly to the man who approached him.

"You...? Well, that's fine. I want you to help me. I need help carrying the injured person to the infirmary."

 The man was puzzled when he was told that Ren, a student at the academy who looked quite young, was an adventurer, but he decided now was not the time to worry about it and asked Ren to help him.

"Of course. But is it in good condition to carry it?"

"...Even if you say that. Let's start with those who are less injured."

"Eh?"

 Ren was surprised that there were people with minor injuries in that blast.

"Those who didn't receive a direct hit from magic thanks to the person who was in front of them."

"Yeah"

 Certainly, the wounded on the opposite side from where the man who blew himself up was, if you look closely, they don't look so bad.

"Can you stand up?"

 Ren went over to one of them and called out.

"……Who?"

"I'm an adventurer sent by the Adventurers' Guild. I was asked to take care of the wounded."

"I see... my whole body hurts from being hit on the floor."

"Which side, the back side, the front side?"

“Back. I was blown right backward."

"Okay. Hold on a second."

 Ren crouched down next to the injured man and began to touch him all over.

"Ouch..."

"The ribs? It looks like it's broken."

"Seriously?"

"How can one get the broken one and... Ah, a shot of healing magic."

"Yeah."

 If it's not a very complicated fracture, it will heal quickly with healing magic. A broken bone is not a nasty injury in this world.

"It's a blessing in disguise. You just have to be patient a little longer."

"How long is that?"

"...The saint-sama is heading this way, right now."

 Ren's eyes reflected Shizuru running towards the arena.

"Tojo-san?"

"Yes"

"That's good"

 If Shizuru was on her way to him, it would be a different story, Ren explained to the man earlier.

"A user of healing magic? Certainly, there will be no problem."

 The man's response was not what he expected.

“A user of healing magic, there are a number of people in the church. There are some in the infirmary, but they are a bit exhausted from the treatment so far. Ask someone else to come."

“Then wouldn't it be nice to have someone who can use magic right away?"

"You have a few things to do first."

"Things to do?"

"I'd like you to prioritize the injured who were in the immediate vicinity of the explosion, they're in pretty bad shape."

"Jin?"

 Jin was closest to the man who blew himself up.

"Do you know each other?"

"Because I'm also a student at the academy."

 Ren's small insistence is not to say they're the same hero candidate.

"Ah, right. It's a pretty vicious magic tool. I think it's a fire-attribute type, but it uses a blast to blow metal pieces at the same time."

"A direct hit from that? How is he alive?"

 It's a pretty vicious bomb, which seems to hurt just by imagining it.

"Yeah, I think so too. But I can't give up as long as he's still breathing. I'll do what I can."

"What exactly?"

“It’s a treatment that doesn’t rely on magic. No, I'll rely on it along the procedure, but first, I need the piece of metal..."

 Then he stopped speaking. It was because he heard an unexpected voice. It was a beautiful woman's voice, but now it sounds like a curse to him.

"Stop it! Stop chanting!"

"Save my friend! Area heal!"

 Advanced healing magic. It is a magic that heals multiple injured people at the same time. Light rains down on the podium, healing the wounds of those who come into contact with it. To be more precise, the wounds are sealed.

"Idiot. The piece of metal is still..."

 Healing magic, which attaches and regenerates on a cellular level, of course, does not remove a piece of metal that has been stuck in the body. The wound was closed, leaving the piece of metal embedded in the body.

"...Should I get angry in such a case, or should I be amazed? I'm not ready to forgive her, at least not for not knowing anything about it. Stupid saint."

"Yuya! Jin!"

 That foolish saint climbed onto the arena and rushed straight towards Yuya.

"...Shizuru. You used magic."

"Yes. Yes, how are your injuries?"

"...I'm still a little sore, but I'm fine. Thank you."

"Thank God. Jin, where's Jin?"

 Shizuru then tried to run up to Jin, knowing that Yuya was apparently fine.

"Don't touch him!"

 Ren stopped her with a loud voice.

"Ren, what's wrong?"

"I told you not to touch him"

"Why? Jin's injuries have healed, right?"

"It's just that the wound has closed. Anyway, get away from him."

"Why would Ren say that?"

 Shizuru thought that he was the one who saved everyone, but Ren's attitude was dissatisfied with Shizuru.

"...Then do whatever you want. You murderer."

"What's that!?"

 Ren's abusive words made Shizuru angry as expected. But there are people here who are trembling with anger even more than that.

"Shut up! Take your stupid quarrels somewhere else!"

 The man who was treating the wounded.

“……I’m sorry. I'm a little upset."

"I understand how you feel. But what should I do?"

 A piece of metal remains in the body. Not knowing how to deal with it, the man is at a loss.

"Is he going to die at this rate?"

"...You won't necessarily die. But every time you move your body, you'll experience severe pain. That might be more painful than dying."

"Is that so... then I have no choice but to take it out."

"The piece of metal is inside the body."

"So cut it out and take it out."

 If it is in the body, there is no choice but to cut the body and take it out. Ren says something obvious.

"If you do that, he will die."

 But in this world, where surgery is not a common practice, it is not a matter of course.

"You're the one who said that it would be more painful than death if things continue like this."

"I am a doctor. I can't treat a patient in a way that kills them."

"That's treatment abandonment."

"He could die! How can a doctor kill a patient!?"

 As a doctor, he is saying the obvious. But in this case, Ren can't let it end there.

"If you can't do it, I will"

"You are not a doctor!"

"If you, the doctor, can't do it, I have no choice but to do it."

"It's murder."

"Even if you leave it alone, he will die."

 Just live. Ren doesn't think Jin will accept that. He thinks that even if he accepts it now, he will eventually wish he were dead.

"...Can you do it?"

 Ren was so confident that the doctor's demeanor softened a little.

“I can’t say absolutely. But any wound can be closed with healing magic. So you can take out the metal piece, as long as he doesn't die in the process."

"Any wound is a mistake. The healing magic has a time limit. After a certain amount of time, the wound will not heal."

"……What is the time limit?"

 A time limit for healing magic. This was not in Ren's knowledge.

"Precisely. About half a day."

"Not a problem this time, but it's shorter than I expected."

"No matter how many injuries you get, if you can heal, the outcome of the war will never be decided, right?"

"That's good irony."

"Well"

"Okay, let's get started. Do you have any disinfectant?"

 Once you've decided to do something, there's no time for idle chatter. Ren decided to deal with the metal pieces.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I'll do it. If I don't do anything here, he'll die eventually. The church is useless and cold."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No, it's true. Do you have any disinfectant?"

 The useless talk is really over. Now the surgery begins.

“When you say disinfectant, alcohol is fine, right?”

"If that's the way this world disinfects."

"That's right. Then I'll prepare it. Anything else?"

"Cutting tools?"

 He doesn't know what they call a scalpel in this world, so this is how he asks.

"I'll get it."

"Boil water to sterilize."

"You know it well."

"It's common sense in another world."

"Are you from another world?"

 By now, the doctor realized that Ren was from another world.

"Is that bad?"

"No... what else?"

"A clean cloth. If you don't have one, disinfect a cloth with boiling water. Dry it."

"It takes time."

"We can use magic. If we use fire magic and wind magic, it will dry quickly."

 The idea was to use magic to achieve hot air drying.

"...Use it like that?"

"This is common sense. It makes laundry easier."

"What a surprise."

 The doctor was somewhat taken aback by Ren's common sense.

"I need your advice"

"What?"

"How much blood does a person have to bleed before they die? Is it something you can see with your eyes?"

"I see. Do you understand that much?"

 People die when they bleed. Everyone knows this, but ordinary people in this world don't have the idea that the amount that leads to death is fixed to some extent.

"You can't make blood with healing magic, right?"

"Yeah... that's fine. I'll be the judge of that."

"Can you do it?"

"I'll stop it at a fairly safe place. I don't know how much blood he has already spilled."

"...It can't be helped. Worst case scenario, I'll do it over several days."

 All the metal pieces do not absolutely have to be removed right now.

"You're calmer than I thought."

"I don't think you can save people by being hotheaded. No more idle chatter. Please get ready."

"Understood."

"Kazuki!"

 After finishing the conversation with the doctor, Ren called out Kazuki's name without checking his surroundings. Because he knows she's in a crowd in the arena.

"Eh, yes!"

"I need your help. Help the doctor."

"Help?"

"I don't know. Just do what the doctor says."

"Okay!"

"Riko! Manami!"

 Both Riko and Manami are here. Kazuki asks the two of them for help.

"I know! I'll help!"

"Me too!"

"All right, you three, come with me. We'll bring the tools here."

 The doctor gives instructions to the three.

"Kou! You too! Bring me a big bag!"

 Furthermore, Ren called out to Kou.

"I thought you forgot me. Leave it to me!"

 The doctor and the four of them trotted down the arena.

"...Ren, me too."

 Shizuru, who was stunned to learn what she had done, also approached Ren.

"You know what you will do. If I give you an order, cast healing magic on him."

"Okay"

"How many times can you use it?"

“......Because I used an area heal.”

"How many times?"

"I can use it twice immediately"

"...Kisaragi-san. You can use it, right?"

 He doesn't think twice is enough. Ren called out to Yuya, who has light attribute magic skills.

"Yeah... but I'm pretty exhausted from the competition too."

"Magic in the competition?"

"By strengthening my body..."

"Was that really necessary?"

"...With the intention of training magic"

 Even Yuya, who normally opposes Ren, now shows an apologetic attitude.

"Who else can use it?"

"I don't know"

 There is no one among the hero candidates. Realizing this, Ren turned his gaze properly for the first time to the people gathered around him. He soon spotted a familiar face among them.

"...Lang-san. Are you just a spectator?"

"No, Her Royal Highness of our country can use it."

"Her Royal Highness? Can you help us?"

"I will go and ask her immediately."

"Please"

"Ha."

 Lang also went down the podium. She was heading for the guest of honor's table, so the princess was probably there.

"Well then, can you hear me?"

"...Ye-... cough*."

 Jin tries to answer, but the blood spurting from his mouth makes it difficult for him to speak. The wound should have been closed. But he knew that the metal pieces had already affected some part of his organ.

"Good answer. I'll apologize first. If I fail, you'll die. I'm sorry."

"…………"

 Jin's face moved slightly to the side.

"Now, let me check you out."

 Saying this, Ren put his hands on Jin's body and traced his body from top to bottom. He repeated the process over and over again, from head to toe, and vice versa, to both arms.

"There are more of them than I thought."

"Ren, what's going on?"

"It's distracting."

"……Sorry"

 The doctor had not yet returned. Ren remained in position with his arms crossed. The number of metal fragments in his body was more than he had expected. He no longer had the slightest confidence that he could be saved.

(...Luna, call Rin)

(Is it necessary to go that far?)

(When you put it that way...... I guess so. Is it necessary to put Rin in danger?)

(That is right)

 Unlike Luna, Rin has characteristics that are clearly different from humans. It's fine if it's just the hero candidates, but it's difficult to cover her when there are so many people.

(Then, let's stop. Luna, there's another matter.)

(I already caught one.)

(As expected. So?)

(It's already been handed over.)

(...I have achieved my goal. But I said I would do it. What should I do?)

 Ren is not desperately trying to cure Jin. He is trying to make an achievement that the Adventurers' Guild has actively worked to stop the attack and protect the hero candidates. That's what Ren thinks this request is about, but in truth, he is not working solely on such dry emotions.

 He is not motivated solely by such dry feelings. Luna can feel it.

(Promises must be kept)

(...That's right. It's a promise.)

 With just those words from Luna, Ren once again made up his mind. As if waiting for it, the doctor came back.

"I kept you waiting"

"No, just in time."

"That is?"

"The chatting. Are you ready?"

"This is the knife. It has been disinfected."

 The doctor holds out a tray in his hand. There were several very thin knives inside.

"And the rest?

"As you see."

 In the direction the doctor was pointing, Kazuki and Manami were holding a large amount of cloth. Next to them, Riko was holding as many liquor bottles as she could carry.

“Spread several cloths on the ground and stack them on top of each other. Keep the liquor bottle right next to the injured person. Keep the water boiling.”

 The doctor's instructions were given to Kazuki and the others. With these instructions, the four put the luggage they had brought to the designated place.

“Now then… first put out your hand.”

"Yes"

 The doctor poured alcohol on Ren's hands. It's for disinfection.

"...Just the smell makes me feel intoxicated"

"You want a drink to build up your nerve?"

"I'm a minor, and I don't need it to build up my nerve."

"I see. As far as I remember, there was one on the chest, at least two on the stomach, and the rest were..."

 The doctor told him where I remembered the wound. But this is useless.

"I know where they are."

"What?"

“…Kazuki, make Jin bite the cloth.”

"Eh? Ah, I understand."

"But he was vomiting blood, so be careful not to choke him."

"……I understand"

"Well, let's go."

 Holding the knife in one hand, Ren bent over deeply. The other hand is on Jin's stomach. Stroking it as if probing for something.

“Two joints, maybe this much?"

 After checking the tip of the knife once, he slowly inserted it into Jin's stomach. From there, he cuts about five centimeters straight down vertically. Quickly, the doctor poured liquor over it.

"Cloth! Wipe the blood!"

"No, it's fine"

 Not minding the blood flowing from the cut, Ren inserts his two fingers into the cut. Bloody metal was sandwiched between his fingers, which he slowly pulled up.

"First one. Next."

 He moves his body a little and explores the body again with the palm of his hand.

"Can you possibly find out where they are?"

"...I wouldn't do something like this if I couldn't find them. If I cut up his whole body, he'll die, right?"

"Say that quickly. I can do that too."

"...That's my line. Then, this place, please. The position is here, the depth is the same as before. Two finger joints. There are no bones around."

"...What kind of skill is that?"

 With this skill, they may be able to establish a new treatment method. As a doctor, he is intrigued.

"I don't have time to explain now."

"Yes. Alright, let's go."

 He disinfects his own hands, and the doctor takes a knife, too. Without hesitation, he puts the knife in the place Ren had indicated. He sterilizes it with alcohol, inserts his fingers, and removes the piece of metal.

"As expected, you're good at it."

"Of course. What's next?"

“What about Jin? Kazuki, how is Jin doing?”

"I think he passed out"

 His body was cut without anesthesia. Even if he didn't shout, he would have endured.

"That's better. Next, the inside of the left leg. It's only one joint deep... But the metal piece is too big. You'll have to cut at least ten centimeters off."

"Okay."

"I'll find another one."

"Wait. This place is going to bleed a lot, and I want to seal it up with healing magic right away."

"All right. Then we'll do both places at the same time."

"At the same time... that would be good."

 The doctor put the knife in the left leg and Ren put the knife in the inside of the left arm at the same time. As the doctor said, blood spurted out from the thigh at a considerable rate.

"Prepare to chant"

 Seeing this, Ren gave the instruction even as he continued his own work. Shizuru's chanting voice slowly drifted in.

"I got it."

"Here too"

"Healing!"

 The light of healing magic envelops Jin's body. The four incisions cut by the knife were gradually closed.

"...Is it healing slowly? Or is it just my imagination?"

"...Let's start next one"

"Ah, yes"

 From there, they took out metal pieces from three more places and close the wounds with healing magic.

"As expected, it's slow. It's getting slower than before."

"That's……"

"It can't be helped."

 The voice of the doctor, who was hesitant to answer, overlapped with the voice of a woman.

"It can't be helped?"

"The healing magic heals wounds by activating the life force of the person to whom it is cast. If the life force is low, the magic will be less effective."

"I see."

"How many more places are there? From what I can tell, the healing magic will only work once, right now."

"One."

"Then we're good."

"But that one place is gonna be a challenge."

"……Location?"

"In the lungs"

 This is the reason why Jin is vomiting blood from his mouth.

"You're saying it's inside, right?"

"As far as I've searched, I can only think so."

"I see. Apparently, it was a wasted trip."

“Wasted trip?”

"I went here because Lang insisted, but it is inside his lungs."

"Her Royal Highness, by any chance?"

 Ren was talking without knowing who he was talking to. He was too preoccupied with Jin's surgery.

"That's right. The first princess of the Izrim Magic Kingdom, Milianea Sakura Frencia."

"I see"

"I see?"

 Ren's attitude did not please Princess Milianea.

“Will the next healing magic change depending on the severity of the wound?"

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

"What is the answer to my question?"

 Leaving Princess Milianea's question aside, Ren seeks an answer to his own question.

"......Of course."

"I see. Doctor, can a person live with metal in his lungs?"

"I don't think it's possible. It'll damage your lungs from the inside. It's your lungs. You can't just stop it from moving."

"Even now? Then we have to take it out."

 He can't just give it time again. He knew that if he did that, he would almost certainly die.

"Impossible. The lungs are protected by your bones. How do you get rid of those bones?"

"Is there no way to do that in this world?"

"You sound like you can do it in the other world."

"I think it's common enough that they operate on people's heads."

"Operate on the head? How?"

 Cutting the bone. Simply put, that's all there is to it. But he has no idea how you can cut the bone in the head and still be alive.

"If I knew that, I wouldn't have any trouble. We just know there is a way."

"So, then."

"All I know is that I should cut it."

 Even if you cut the bone, the healing magic will take care of it. If you think of it this way, all you have to do is find a way to cut it.

"This knife won't cut through bone."

"...With a saw"

"Even if you could, would you be able to heal it?"

"It could, but I can't say for certain."

"Then don't. Even if you can take out the metal piece, he will die."

"Her Royal Highness"

 Ren called out to Princess Milianea.

"What"

"Do you have a holy sword that can cut through steel like paper?"

"...It's an interesting idea, but I wouldn't carry around something that could be a national treasure."

"Indeed."

“Unfortunately, is this the end?”

 There is no way to cut the bone. With this in mind, the doctor is about to give up on further operations.

"...No, I'll do it"

 But Ren still refused to give up.

"How?"

"Anyway, I'll cut open his lungs and take out the metal. After that, it's up to Jin."

"...You can do it?"

"I've never done it before, only in theory. But we don't have the time or the means to try. We have to do it.

"I see."

"Then let's begin"

 As before, Ren strokes Jin's body with the palm of his hand. From his right chest to his side, he moves his hand back and forth again and again. This time it is much more careful.

"...Kazuki"

"What?"

"I don't know what will happen when I cut the lungs. Watch him so he doesn't stop breathing."

"Yes"

"......This is it. We'll go from here."

 Ren said that as if he was trying to persuade himself. It is a sign of a lack of confidence. As if to show it, a lot of sweat is pouring down from Ren's forehead.

"Sweat, doctor."

 A hand holding a cloth reaches out from the side and wipes Ren's sweat. It could be said to be a joke, but it had the effect of relieving Ren's tension.

“Riko, do you want to be a nurse?”

“As for me, I'd like to become a doctor. I can't do anything else right now though."

"...Thank you. Let's go."

 There is no knife in Ren's hand. Still, blood seeped out from the gap between the hand that was placed on the side of the right chest. Ren's hand moved slowly and diagonally. The amount of blood flowing with it also increases. At the spot where Ren's hand had left Jin's body, there was a cracked cut.

"Disinfect. All the way to the back."

"Ah, yeah"

 The doctor, who had been stunned by what he saw, came to his senses at Ren's words and hurriedly poured the alcohol down.

"I'm going to cut the lungs. Hold him so he doesn't move."

"I understand. You, help me with this."

 Following the doctor's instructions, Kou and Manami press Jin's shoulders. Riko, perhaps thinking that Manami was not enough, also left Ren's side and held him down.

"I'm going to start."

 Ren slowly puts his hand through the cut.

"...I'll cut it."

 People around him do not know what is going on inside Jin's body. However, Jin showed a reaction that showed that he had indeed cut it.

"Goh, gobo... Goh. Guh, guwa."

 Bright red blood gushed out of his mouth. He seemed to be struggling even to moan.

"Hold him tight! Kazuki! Do something about the blood!"

"Yes!" "Understood!"

 Once, Ren thrust his hand deep into it and then pulled it out in one go.

"I got it! The wound!"

"...High healing!"

 The chanting voice was that of Princess Milianea. A dazzling ball of light enveloped Jin's entire body and then was sucked into his body. At the same time, the large cut that opened on the side of his right chest is closing up as they look at it.

"...Exquisite. In addition..."

"I gave you a bonus"

"Bonus?"

"My own special treat. It's a unique magic that shares one's own life force."

 It's a healing magic that supplements the injured person's lack of vitality.

"Your life force... I appreciate your kindness."

 Ren felt Princess Milianea's sincerity when she said that she had shared her life force.

"That wording is correct."

"...You're an interesting person"

"Me? It's the first time I've been told that."

"Is that so? Now, Kazuki... Kazuki?"

 When Ren called out to ask how Jin was doing, he saw a sight of Kazuki with her own deep in Jin's mouth.

"...That's bold"

"Eh?"

 Kazuki noticed Ren's voice and looked up. Her mouth is red with Jin's blood.

“…Ah, wrong! It's wrong! Ren says to do something about the blood!"

"You sucked it with your own mouth. Even so, it's bold."

"Because other than..."

"And what about Jin?"

"...He's breathing again. But how is he?"

"It can't be helped that he's weakened. And the rest..."

 That's all Ren can do. Anything beyond that is best left to the experts.

"Yeah, it's my turn as a doctor. But, what are you?"

"Everything just worked out. I don't think I could do it again under the same circumstances."

"Maybe, but..."

"Anyway, you take care of the rest."

 Looking quite tired, Ren slowly stood up from the spot.

"Where are you going?"

"For now, I want to bathe in water. The smell of blood is strong."

"Ah, I wish I could, too."

 Kazuki was also stained with blood not only around her mouth, but also her upper body.

"There's a bathroom in the back room of the infirmary. Use it."

"Thanks……"

 All eyes were on Ren. Both acquaintances and non-acquaintances were clearly showing their feelings of wanting to hear about the situation, but Ren ignored all of them and got off the arena, and left the place.