The scenery outside the window quickly passed by.
“Wowww!”
“Do you like it that much?”
“It’s amazing! This automobile!”
“You, you shouldn’t be making such a racket in the hospital, right?”
“Shouldn’t I?”
“Of course not! Be careful yourself before I tape your mouth shut with clear tape!”
“Hmph, try it! My older brother will soon hit you!”
“Uncle, please don’t hit him. Got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Really…I’m already troubled enough as it is…”
Noah mumbled like this.
I understand, but there was no sharp solution.
More precisely, I am driving this car now to find that method.
Our destination was a large hospital.
The biggest hospital in this city. That guy is hospitalized there.
‘I wonder if he’s awake…?’
Out of unease, we brought Kkomkmu along and drove to the hospital.
Suddenly, Noah asked me a question.
“By the way, Uncle, why did you suddenly rent a car?”
“It’s convenient. It seemed difficult for the Demon King to take public transportation too.”
“That’s true…”
Of course, there are other reasons as well.
That matter is something for later. First, we need to check on that kid.
With a look of determination, Noah continued to guide us to the hospital.
A place one never gets used to, this time especially so. The place we were going to was particularly like that.
As we entered, a gloomy atmosphere lightly pressed down on our shoulders.
It might seem fine for a little while, but staying here too long could make even a healthy person sick. The faint smell of disinfectant brushing against the nostrils was uncomfortable.
Somehow, Noah walked in as if entering his own home.
“Welcome, is that Miss Noah?” “Yes. Ah…um…is Father alright?”
“Yes, he’s safe and sound without any danger signs. Oh? Who’s behind you?”
“Hello.”
“Yes, hello. Um…?”
The nurse who greeted us had wide eyes.
Looking at me, then at the Demon King.
What kind of picture is she drawing in her mind? A girl who caused trouble while the father was sick? Or maybe some hidden child?
‘It’s none of my business.’
Because my mood was bad, my thoughts drifted towards negativity.
I urged Noah, holding the Demon King’s hand.
“Noah.”
“I know. Then, today might be the last time… Thank you for everything until now.”
Nodding deeply.
Seeing Noah bow her head made the nurse flustered, but what could she do about it?
Leaving her standing dumbfounded, we headed toward the ward.
“Hmm.”
At the front of the ward, Noah sighed.
In the name section where the patient’s name is written, the name ‘Na Hyun-beom’ was inserted.
He must be Noah’s father…
‘Someone like that doesn’t deserve to be called a father.’
No, it seems the Whitepaw is hospitalized here.
The deepest part of the intensive care unit. A place where only critically ill patients are.
Noah’s expression wasn’t bright.
Of course, visiting a patient in a coma would naturally be like this, but today seemed to be something different.
“Should I open it for you?”
“…No, I’ll do it. I feel like I should personally confirm it.”
Following Noah’s request, the Demon King and I stood in front of his ward after arriving at the hospital.
The Demon King said that once we see his face, we can confirm if it’s really that man from back then.
Perhaps because of that, Noah hesitated for a long time while holding the doorknob. For quite a while.
“…I’ll go in.”
“Hmm.”
“Huff…hah.”
Noah opened the light door as if pushing a heavy iron block. Soon, he peered inside with wide eyes.
It’s a good private room. They said they kept him here even before receiving support from the Association, so Noah must have worked incredibly hard.
In the center of the room, a man lay weakly. Beside him, machines beeped continuously.
A completely white-haired, emaciated man.
We didn’t need to ask who he was.
Once upon a time, a hero… or perhaps someone pretending to be a hero.
The Demon King nodded after seeing his face.
“It’s him.”
“It’s him…?”
“Although he’s thinner, it’s the same man I saw back then.”
Hearing the Demon King’s words, Noah tightly closed her eyes.
“And sighs deeply.”
And clenches her fists. Seeing her tightly clenched fist trembling, it seems she’s desperately trying to hold back tears.
“Noah.”
“…Yes?”
“Should I hit him for you?”
“Are you trying to become a real criminal?”
Looks like she forgot.
“I’m an S-class villain. Assaulting a patient isn’t even worth mentioning.”
“Don’t do it.”
“I’m seriously getting angry right now.”
“If you disappear too, I’ll truly be alone. Please…please don’t do it.”
Sigh.
I suppressed my anger.
“Alright.”
Following Noah’s words, it wouldn’t be good to vent here. If you say not to, there’s nothing I can do.
“Then, what now?”
“This is what we’ll do.”
Noah transforms into Iris and extends her hand. The room briefly sparkles with starlight before becoming quiet.
“What did you do?”
“It’s a technique I learned from Sister Jin. It makes people fall asleep.”
Poof!
Iris turns back into Noah.
“He’ll sleep for quite a while.”
“Is that so.”
“…Uncle.”
“Yes?”
“What will you do now? Isn’t this story very different from what you’ve seen?”
Noah’s sharp comment.
“That’s true. Originally, the Demon King shouldn’t even be here, and the story about that human hardly came up.”
It was troubling.
Now, what should I do?
“…Hmm…maybe there’s nothing else to do but prepare step by step.”
“Step by step?”
“In fact, the current situation isn’t bad. The Demon King is here, and you guys are incredibly strong. Let’s focus on collecting essence wherever we can get it.”
There’s nothing we can do immediately. After bringing the Demon King out, the path to the Demon King’s castle has been blocked, and there’s no movement from their side.
Whatever plans they may be hatching, we’ll just counterattack strongly if they attack us.
There aren’t many places left.
And there’s the first place we need to visit.
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“To be honest, are you still concerned about them?”
Noah looks puzzled.
“Them?”
“Yeah, the place where you grew up. The kids there.”
After remaining silent for a long time, Noah nods her head.
Just a casual question, but it seems she really does care.
Not entirely sure, but since it concerns something I’ve been worried about, it’s good timing.
“Then let’s visit once.”
“Do you know where?”
“Not exactly, but I have a place in mind. We’ll figure out the truth…well, we’ll see when we get there.”
“We’ll see when we get there…”
“Exactly. So, how about it? Do you want to come along? If you don’t want to, I’ll go with the Demon King.”
After pondering for a moment, Noah nods.
“I’ll go.”
“Good, then let’s start with shopping?”
“Yes, shopping first-…what?”
“Let’s start with shopping.”
+++++
“Uncle, is this really right?”
Noah said while nibbling on a dumpling sample.
I also nibbled on a dumpling and replied.
“A bit expensive, but it’s delicious.”
“True, rib dumplings are definitely more expensive than meat dumplings but tastier-…this isn’t the point! Who even talked about dumplings?”
“Should we have gone for kimchi dumplings? Too spicy, the kids might not eat them.”
“…This Uncle is really-”
Noah slapped my back.
Hmm, she seemed to put some starlight power into that slap just now?
“We do have important things to do, right?”
“That’s why I’m preparing, see?”
“I want to try that!”
“Order received.”
“Noah!?”
Carrying the Demon King piggyback style, I went to try the Vienna sausage samples.
The texture bursting in the mouth was impressive.
“Delicious, right?”
“Very.”
“Is it good?”
“It is delicious!”
From far away, Noah approached, clicking her tongue.
“What are you doing!? Stop eating and hurry up with the preparations-”
“Ma’am, stop being so serious and try it. Your husband is handsome, isn’t it?~ And your daughter is pretty too.”
“…Husband…”
People working in service industries really are skilled talkers. Their eloquence is impressive.
After chewing a few times in silence, Noah simply dropped the sausage into the shopping basket.
“Do you look happy?” “…It’s just my mood.”
“Let’s leave it at that.”
Afterward, we bought plenty of groceries and headed upstairs. There, I encountered what could be described as a paradise for children.
Surely, the Demon King would cause a big fuss, contrary to expectations, it was unusually quiet.
“…I don’t even want to look at those rabbit plushies.”
That was the reason.
Well, if I were surrounded by dolls all my life and had strange rabbit dolls causing chaos nearby, I wouldn’t want to look either.
Still, they would surely be helpful.
“Uncle, why dolls?”
“If you’re lonely, hug one while sleeping?”
“Why would I hug a doll? You can just hug me.”
Whoa.
“Stop making jokes like that…it gives me goosebumps.”
“Hehe, got it. Then, what should I do?”
“Pick a few dolls and put them in the cart. Oh, calculate according to my wallet’s condition. I trust you.”
“Yes, I’ll carefully pick ones that will bankrupt you.”
“…This kid?”
Together with Noah, I picked several dolls. Despite her curious expression, Noah thankfully followed along well.
Like that, we loaded the car with plenty of food and dolls.
After submitting an extension application, I looked at the children.
“Kids, are your seat belts fastened properly?”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely!”
“We’ll be traveling a bit far, so rest if you’re tired.”
It seems we’ll be on a somewhat long journey.
Of course, these things weren’t bought in preparation for the trip.
Rather, they were prepared not so much for us, but for those kids over there.
If my prediction is correct,
These things will be of great help.
“Take a break, kids, I’ll let you know when we arrive.”
I started the engine and began driving.
To the dungeon, the lair of the melted ones.
