Chapter 124: Ward

Besides Ephnel, the only people in the room were Yonomori Nami, Hanasou Kotone, and Yukina.

Ephnel’s right eye had suffered a severe trauma, so the main lights in the room were turned off, leaving only the warm glow of the bedside lamp.

Yonomori Nami pulled open the curtains, and the night view of Seikyo City filtered in from outside.

Even with the window closed, it felt a little chilly.

She went to the bedside and neatly arranged the bouquet of flowers that had been delivered.

“The Commander said…”

She turned her head, glanced at Ephnel on the bed and Yukina, who sat silently by the bedside.

Her expression flickered slightly, and she swallowed the words she was about to say.

“You need a period of quiet recuperation, so just rest well and don’t worry about anything else… A report came in from the western front. The organization has dispatched Agents from other garrisons, so there won’t be any problems for the time being. Ayse and the Commander are in a meeting. I’ll be staying here with Erincia for now. If you need anything, just call us.”

After the Agents retreated, the Angel Seiran showed no intention of pursuing them and also left the western front, disappearing into the night.

Since then, there has been no sign of any new enemies.

On the western front, with Masaki Hinaki, other Agents, and the Special Disaster Division holding the line, repair and casualty treatment efforts are proceeding in an orderly fashion.

So far, there have been no accidents.

The only regret is that the woman named “Karina” vanished when Masaki Hinaki sent people to support Ephnel, and her whereabouts are still unknown.

Yonomori Nami raised her hand, checked the reading on the IV drip, and then reached out to gently tuck the thin blanket around Ephnel.

Ephnel blinked wearily.

The effects of the anesthesia were slowly wearing off, and pain crept up her spine inch by inch.

Even the slightest movement was excruciating.

‘How long has it been since I was this badly hurt? The last time I was injured this severely was probably over half a year ago.’

Ephnel couldn’t quite remember, perhaps due to the medication.

“Thank you…”

Speaking softly, Ephnel realized her voice was a little hoarse.

“We’re the ones who should be thanking you…”

Yonomori Nami’s usual youthful and cheerful expression was gone.

She looked at Ephnel’s pale face, didn’t say much more, and left, pushing the door open.

“Well then… Shiomi-san, Miss Yonomori and I will be right outside. If you need anything, just let us know…”

Hanasou Kotone gave Yukina a complicated look, her gaze finally resting on the hospital bed.

“Yanase-san… please get well soon…”

“I will…”

Ephnel managed a faint smile, and Hanasou Kotone reluctantly backed out of the room.

Only Ephnel and Yukina were left in the room.

Yukina had kept her face buried in her arms, leaning against the edge of the bed.

It wasn’t until the door clicked shut that she slowly raised her head.

Yukina’s face was streaked with tears.

Now that the other two were gone, soft sobs once again filled the hospital room.

“Yukina…”

“Naoko, don’t leave me…”

Yukina sobbed, her voice soft and a little hoarse, like a withered leaf that a gust of wind could blow away.

It landed in Ephnel’s heart, piercing it with a pang of pain.

‘What would happen to Yukina if I had really died in that place?’

The mere thought of it sent a wave of fear through Ephnel.

Ephnel raised her left hand, gently touching her little finger to Yukina’s face, slowly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

“Don’t worry, I’m okay…”

Without answering Yukina directly, Ephnel tilted her head slightly and gazed at Yukina gently, her knuckles brushing against Yukina’s cheek.

“Do Uncle and Aunt know…”

Seiran had left right after the battle, so the threat of the Angel was temporarily gone.

Most of the other Apostle forces had been captured.

The Order Organization and the Special Disaster Division should be able to use them to uproot all remaining enemy forces lurking in Seikyo City.

It could be said that, for now, victory belonged to Seikyo City.

Of course, after the brief battle, there were still many important matters to be resolved, but Masaki Hinaki had already gathered people to work on them, so Ephnel didn’t need to worry.

This gave Ephnel a great deal of peace of mind.

Her only remaining concern was her parents.

Like Yukina, her parents would certainly not want to see her in this state.

Moreover, although her parents had a forged identity, if they were discovered by the Special Disaster Division and the Order Organization, it might still be exposed.

‘If it’s revealed that my parents are staying in Seikyo City in the middle of their research, will it affect the work they are currently doing?’ Ephnel was not without her worries.

That was why Ephnel had asked Yukina.

“They know… I told them everything just now… They’re probably on their way here now.”

Yukina lowered her lashes, avoiding Ephnel’s fingers, and buried her face in her arms.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t have the courage to hide Sister’s condition from them…”

Yukina’s voice was muffled.

She knew what Ephnel was worried about, and she continued:

“It was Miss Yonomori who brought it up first… They know Uncle and Aunt’s identities, but they said they will help us keep it a secret.”

“Yonomori Nami…?”

“Yes… that’s what she said…”

Ephnel’s fingertips brushed through Yukina’s hair.

Touching Yukina was enough to put Ephnel at ease.

Looking at Yukina with her face buried, Ephnel’s lips moved slightly, and she let out a soft breath.

‘Yonomori Nami… or rather, it should be Masaki Hinaki.’

Yonomori Nami was just Masaki Hinaki’s mouthpiece.

Although she was a skilled and excellent operative, a bit quirky, and a gentle and attentive woman, there was no way Yonomori Nami had the authority or the means to know her parents’ identities.

But Masaki Hinaki was different.

Masaki Hinaki was not just the supreme commander of the Order Organization in Seikyo City.

Before coming here, she was first and foremost an excellent military officer and warrior, with a certain standing in the so-called central province.

She had many tricks up her sleeve.

Although she often clashed with Fushihara Ayaka, there was no doubt that the entire city of Seikyo was actually under her jurisdiction.

Ephnel guessed that Masaki Hinaki probably knew about her parents’ arrival in Seikyo City the moment they came.

But just as she knew about Ephnel and Yukina, if this incident hadn’t happened, Masaki Hinaki probably wouldn’t have said anything to Ephnel until her parents had left the city.

It had to be said, Masaki Hinaki was someone who made Ephnel feel a little strange, even suspicious.

But more than suspicion, Ephnel was more inclined to trust her.

The timely arrival of Ayse, Erincia, and the soldiers this time was also under Masaki Hinaki’s orders.

If they hadn’t been there, although Ephnel could have broken through on her own, she would undoubtedly have paid a much heavier price than she did.

Masaki Hinaki had her position as the commander of the Order Organization, which Ephnel could understand.

But Ephnel also had her own position.

For Ephnel, as long as Masaki Hinaki had no intention of harming her parents or Yukina, she would not pursue the matter.

This was Ephnel’s only bottom line.

As long as this line was not crossed, they would remain friends and comrades-in-arms.