9th Grade Civil Servant In Another World Chapter 33 - Modern Man's Physical Improvement (8)

“Gasp!”

I bolted upright as an intense light suddenly pierced my eyes. At the same time, every pain receptor in my body screamed out.

“Aaaagh!”

“Are you awake? You mustn’t move carelessly.”

A calm voice came from above. When I lay back down against something hard, I could see a platinum-haired, kind-faced person wearing a white mask.

“I’ll give you an anesthetic injection now. Just relax and let your body go limp… It won’t hurt.”

I caught sight of the syringe in his hand. No wonder I felt chilly—I was lying stark naked on an operating table.

‘This is the operating room. Success.’

Relief washed over me.

Hospitals in Schufaben only operate emergency rooms and provide 24-hour medical care if they’re at least university hospitals.

But naturally, patients don’t discriminate between day and night when emergencies arise.

The wealthy have no problems. Most of them keep doctors at home or have personal physicians nearby. One phone call solves everything.

But the poor are left helpless at night, forced to wait until morning. Sometimes they miss their chance and die waiting.

I had exploited that reality.

When Erika was discovered, Brightner would be contacted immediately.

Since Erika would need treatment, wouldn’t they seek out Richard, her personal physician? That’s what I had figured.

After all, there wouldn’t be any other hospitals open nearby, so waking Richard might be the fastest option.

Of course, it was only an uncertain possibility. Police, or other citizens who heard my screams, could have taken Erika and me to a different hospital.

I was simply banking on the one fact that Richard enjoyed considerable trust from Brightner.

Still, just in case, I had earnestly urged Richard not to fall into a deep sleep.

Fortunately, it seems to have worked. Now no one will realize the wounds were self-inflicted.

The anesthetic needle plunged deep into my skin.

***

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a pure white hospital room.

“Huff, huff, gasp!”

I thrashed about frantically, unable to breathe properly.

“Patient, are you awake? Oh my!”

A nurse came in and hurriedly handed me a paper bag.

“Slowly, breathe in, and out, breathe in, and out…”

“Huff, ha, huff, ha…”

As I repeatedly breathed into the bag, my wildly pounding heart gradually calmed down.

“You did well. I’ll call the doctor.”

A moment later, the hospital room door opened.

“How are you feeling?”

It was Richard, wearing a bright smile.

“Thanks to you, very well.”

My voice sounded like someone dying, but Richard didn’t seem particularly worried.

“That’s a relief. Aside from the stab wounds on your back and arm, you just have shallow cuts, scrapes, and bruises. There will be scars on your back, arm, and collarbone area, but the wounds themselves should heal quickly.”

He looked me over briefly, then added with a troubled smile.

“Um, though it might take you a bit longer than the average patient, Lucas.”

“Whatever, forget about that. What about Erika? She was brought in with me, right? How did things unfold after that?”

“Apart from dehydration symptoms, there was nothing particularly wrong. I was really surprised. She did have a high fever last night, but it improved to just a mild cold, and she’s probably resting at home now. President Brightner took her home.”

“Oh, Erika’s tough.”

I couldn’t help but admire her. How could she be fine after being left in that cold cave for days?

“What’s the situation outside?”

“Take a look at this.”

Richard held out Die Zetrom Daily.

「Ardent supporter of Supreme Leader, Lucas Redan, searches day and night for Miss Brightner, rescues her after fierce battle with criminal!」

Below the large headline, my youthful face was displayed prominently. That’s my ID photo. The one I gave to Daniel.

「9th-grade clerk Mr. Lucas Redan, who works at the District 13 office, was deeply concerned about Miss Brightner’s disappearance and set out to search for her alone. Around 5 AM today, he discovered the kidnapped Miss Brightner in a cave by the Mire River in the District 13.

When Mr. Redan attempted to rescue her, he fought with the kidnapper and refused to back down despite sustaining serious injuries. The kidnapper fled when District 13 police officers, who were searching the area after hearing Mr. Redan’s screams, approached.

Miss Brightner and Mr. Redan are currently hospitalized and receiving treatment.」

Since it was an extra edition, there was only one sheet of newspaper.

“This is Daniel’s article, but it’s published under someone else’s name? He really is going to get fired from the newspaper.”

“And there’s also a follow-up report.”

The front page of the next day’s newspaper also featured a large photo. I chuckled when I saw the picture.

「We are the White Raven Order」

The letters Oscar had enthusiastically chalked on the cave wall struck the eye powerfully.

I had also asked him to add graffiti like ‘Kruger is a bastard with no parents’ and ‘Ossel is a pack of dogs’ to enhance the presence, and I had confirmed those writings when rescuing Erika, but they seemed to have been censored for being too shocking.

“Lüdelheim Police announced they discovered traces of many people living in the cave along with graffiti too obscene to mention.

Based on this, the incident is believed to be not the work of a lone kidnapper, but terrorist acts by a mysterious organization called ‘White Raven Order’ that has been kidnapping and murdering innocent citizens as acts of terror against Supreme Leader.

The police cited this newspaper’s special serial article ‘District 13 Missing Persons Status,’ suggesting the possibility that the reactionary organization is operating with the District 13 as their base.

They also stated they are currently pursuing the escaped kidnapper and will work to strengthen security in the District 13 and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Leader’s residence issued a statement… Wait, Supreme Leader?!”

I looked up at Richard in shock. He nodded with a peaceful smile.

“It was announced belatedly, but Supreme Ledear Kruger has taken great interest in this incident. You will probably receive a medal, Lucas.”

I gaped like an idiot.

The situation had gotten out of hand.

***

I rescued Erika on December 28th, World Calendar 1900.

This world’s calendar is similar to Earth’s, but conveniently, a year has exactly 12 months of 30 days each, so you could say it was three days before the new year.

So naturally I thought today would be the 29th, but it’s the 30th, the last day of the year.

I had slept for over a full day. The fatigue must have really accumulated in this frail body.

From the darkened window outside came the bustling sounds of festivities.

It was New Year’s Eve.

Although newspapers were competing to publish ominous reports about the White Raven Order, Lüdelheim citizens were enjoying the festival normally, albeit with great concern.

Perhaps they thought it was safer to gather together.

“Hmm, should I cause something more shocking?”

I frowned and muttered, then chuckled.

I don’t need to think about such things now. Let’s focus on recovering for now.

Just then, a nurse came in pushing a tray.

“Patient, it’s meal time.”

Ah, hospital food was disgustingly tasteless. Whether on Earth or in this world.

I picked at the bland meat porridge, unsalted sausage, and dried apple, only to get scolded by the nurse.

“If you want to get better quickly, don’t leave anything behind!”

“Yes, yes.”

After dinner, I opened the window to get some fresh air. The cold wind cleared my head instantly.

But as soon as I opened the window, there were ‘Pop! Pop!’ sounds from below along with bursts of light.

“Mr. Redan! Please look this way!”

“Just one comment please!”

“Is everything the police announced true?”

I endured the blinding camera flashes and waved with a smile, which drew cheers.

“Well, I feel like I’ve become a celebrity.”

Then someone knocked on the door.

“We’re here to visit!”

It was Daniel, Oscar, and Georg.

“Come in. But did you bring food?”

“Is that the first thing you say when you see us?”

“Do you have any idea how miserable my diet is?”

“I’m glad you and Erika are safe, brother.”

I gently patted Georg’s head as he spoke solemnly.

“It went according to plan. By the way Daniel, didn’t Mrs. Schmidt say anything?”

“Of course she’s worried. She cried her eyes out after seeing the newspaper. Saying why would you go through such trouble when it’s cold and you could just stay home. It was hard talking her out of coming with food.”

“Mrs. Schmidt is definitely an angel.”

Oscar chimed in from the side.

“Please tell her it was all for the Supreme Leader.”

“Wow, that gives me chills! It sounds like you really mean it.”

“Puhaha!”

Georg’s exaggerated reaction made me burst out laughing.

The visit couldn’t last long.

A nurse came in halfway through and chased them all out, saying they were disturbing the patient’s rest.

Since I knew she had also driven away the reporters flocking to the hospital, I decided not to complain.

***

How long had I been lying there idly counting patterns on the ceiling and pondering what to do next before falling asleep?

“Ugh, fuck! What now?!”

Someone poked hard at the wound on my bandaged arm, making me scream and bolt upright.

The room was bright. With all the city lights shining and countless lanterns being released.

Looking at the clock on the wall, it seemed I hadn’t slept even three hours.

A man with a cold expression sat in a chair by the window, smoking.

If it had been dark, I might have mistaken him for the grim reaper.

“Did you stab my arm? What the hell are you doing! I nearly died from the pain!”

After feeling such intense pain, my words came out harshly. But Major Johann Werner seemed unmoved.

“You’re receiving a medal, I hear.”

“Put out that cigarette before talking to a patient.”

He didn’t budge.

“It reached the Supreme Leader’s ears. That there’s a brave civil servant.”

“How truly glorious.”

I was as sarcastic as possible, and Johann’s lips twisted.

“Is this what you wanted, Lucas Redan? Did you want to rise to a position where even a mere Ossel would find it difficult to touch you?”

“Pfft! Do you have some kind of persecution complex? I had no idea it would reach the Supreme Leader. Well, the purpose was to widely spread the name of the White Raven Order.”

“It got too big.”

Johann was suddenly right in front of me. As if he had used some kind of teleportation, it happened in the blink of an eye.

“Gack! Why are you choking…”

“I think I should nip this in the bud.”

Whether he really intended to kill me, he strangled me with tremendous grip strength, making it feel like my eyeballs would pop out.

“You fickle, gack, bastard! One moment you act like you’ll spare me, I told you, urgh! I’ll take Kruger’s head… If not, I’ll… die!”

“Crazy bastard.”

Johann released his grip with those dry words.

“Gasp, gasp…”

I drooled and clutched my heart. He calls me crazy while he’s the one acting insane.

“Do you really think you can kill Kruger?”

Johann had somehow stepped back and was speaking.

“Haa, whew… I’m saying I’ll kill him somehow. Whether I can or can’t isn’t what’s important.”

I caught my breath and stared intently at the expressionless Johann.

‘Read him, read him. I need to figure out what he’s thinking right now.’

I drew upon all the skills I had honed through sales work.

‘He’s hesitating.’

He was contemplating whether to kill me or not. That much was certain.

“Now that I’ve caught Kruger’s eye, it’s as good as done. After I blow that bastard away, I can give you a position too, can’t I?”

I spoke earnestly, though there wasn’t a grain of sincerity in my words.

“You’re babbling nonsense.”

“Even if that’s not the case, I think it’s become easier to use me now. More so than when you were just using me as some cheap advertising model. Since I’ve made a name for myself, there are more ways to exploit me. If I ever displease you, you can just expose that this incident was fabricated.”

“Did you oil that crafty tongue of yours?”

He spoke dryly and stood up from the chair.

“I’ll spare your life for now.”

An enormous roar began to sound from outside.

“10! 9! 8!”

“Remember that it’s not yours.”

“7! 6! 5!”

“Have a happy birthday.”

“4! 3! 2! 1!”

Ah, today was Lucas’s birthday, wasn’t it?

“Waaaah!”

Brilliant fireworks burst outside the window.

Fireworks of all colors painted the sky with fantastic light.

‘What timing.’

Those would be fireworks made with magic, not gunpowder.

A chill ran down my spine.

To threaten me by timing it with my birthday, showing he knows all information about me.

When I turned my head after looking out the window, Johann had already disappeared.

“So he’s got my leash.”

I rubbed my neck where his handprints remained.

I staggered over to draw the curtains, lay down on the bed, and fell asleep. With my ears plugged tight against the noisy cheers.