The Garbage Collector Who Stumbled Upon Mythical Weapons! - Chapter 38
“Morning…”
Van sat on a wooden box placed in front of the tent, gazing at the brightening sky.
The sun rose, making the dim grasslands shine vibrantly as if coming back to life. The fierce battle sounds that had continued through the night were now gone.
He didn’t know who had won, but since there was no confusion, Van assumed that General Ike and his troops had been victorious.
He stood up and peeked inside the tent where the cursed patients were.
Inside, he saw Sophia, completely exhausted, collapsed over a desk.
“She was running around without resting even once…”
Van let out a breath of relief as he looked at her sleeping face. He could easily imagine how difficult it must have been.
After a while, Kaus stepped out of the tent.
“How is it, Kaus? Did the curse treatment go well?”
At Van’s question, Kaus smiled as he removed his gloves.
“Yes, it went well. Out of twelve, we managed to lift the curse from eight. Unfortunately, four did not make it, but without her, we wouldn’t have been able to save so many.”
“I see… That’s good to hear.”
Van let out a sigh of relief.
“She’s amazing.”
Turning around, he saw Garm looking impressed. Clay and Amber, who stood nearby, seemed to feel the same way.
Van looked at everyone and spoke.
“Things should be fine here now. Let’s go see General Ike.”
“Oh!” “Yeah!”
Garm and Clay nodded, and the four of them headed toward the battlefield from last night.
◇◇◇
The scene was devastating.
Burned tents. Torn-up ground. Many soldiers lay wounded, receiving treatment from doctors.
“What happened to General Ike?”
Van asked a nearby soldier as he searched for the general, who was nowhere to be seen.
“Ah, the general was injured, but he’s safe. He’s receiving treatment in that tent over there.”
“Thank you.”
When Van and the others approached the tent—
“Oh, you all!”
Ike greeted them with a smile while receiving treatment in a chair. His body was covered in painful wounds, and his upper body, stripped of armor, was wrapped in bandages.
“Are you okay, General? You won against the demons, right?”
Van asked, and Ike gave a small smile.
“Yes, we defeated two of them. But one managed to escape… and we lost one of our vice commanders.”
Ike spoke with a sorrowful expression. Looking past him, Van noticed a body covered with a cloth.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
Van spoke with a pained look, and Ike laughed heartily, glancing at the four of them.
“This is our job. Everyone understands the risks.”
“But if we had fought alongside you, maybe there wouldn’t have been any sacrifices…”
Garm’s words made Ike shake his head.
“You adventurers are only here as support for the escort mission. And among those we must protect, you are included as well. So don’t let it bother you.”
Ike smiled at them.
“I appreciate your help in evacuating the wounded soldiers. Thank you.”
Receiving his gratitude, Garm and the others felt a little shy as they left the tent. Garm was impressed by Ike’s words.
“He’s amazing… As expected of the legendary general of the Alliance.”
“Yeah, his resolve is on a different level from ours.”
Van agreed, and together, they returned to the tent where Sophia was.
Two weeks later—
“Sign here.”
“Alright!”
The one signing the document that Van handed over was a B-rank adventurer from the guild, a member of “King Cobra.”
Despite their tough-sounding party name, the four members looked quite young.
They had come to take over for ‘Great Eagle,’ assisting the medical facilities of the Alliance army. With their replacements in place, Van and his group began preparing to leave.
“Everyone, got everything?”
“Yeah.” “Nothing left behind!” “Me too!” “All set!”
Everyone lifted their bags and checked the contents. Since they hadn’t brought much to begin with, packing up was quick.
After spending two weeks in the tent, the five of them left and headed toward General Ike’s tent to say goodbye.
“Van from ‘Great Eagle’ here. May we come in?”
“Ah, come in.”
Inside the tent, they found Kaus, the head of medical operations, also present.
“So today is the end, huh…” Ike narrowed his eyes as he spoke.
“Yes, thank you for everything,” Van replied.
“We were just talking about you all.”
“About us?”
Van frowned. Did they do something wrong? As he wondered, Kaus smiled and spoke.
“It’s about Sophia! We were saying how incredibly skilled she is.”
“M-me!?”
Sophia, who had been standing behind Van, widened her eyes in surprise.
“You were more skilled than any of the monks here. I never expected an adventurer to have such high abilities!”
Hearing Kaus’s praise, Sophia turned bright red and fell silent.
“I don’t mean to offend you, Van, but it would be a waste for her to remain an adventurer. How about working at the medical institution of the Monk Association? I’d be happy to recommend you.”
The Monk Association’s medical corps was an international organization that traveled the world, treating those suffering from injuries and illness. Van knew that Sophia had once wanted to join them, so he couldn’t tell what she would say. Anxiety showed on his face.