Upon arriving at the clan, the critical situation of Anastasia had already been conveyed.

This was because the servants Sylvia had dispatched were quickly relaying information to the clan's key members.

Just as they entered the clan house, Lillie bowed politely and then spoke to Sylvia.

"Sylvia-sama, the executives have already gathered in the operations room."

"Alright, thank you, Lillie and Christophe-san. I will hold a strategy meeting with the executives. Lillie, please continue to organize the information about the parasitic monsters. Christophe-san, it would be helpful if you could head that way as well."

"Alright."

Christophe slowly nodded and watched Sylvia's back as she walked away.

Then, Christophe rejoined Lillie and headed towards the library.

In the data room, several members of the healing team were already grappling with mountains of documents. Spread across the tables were stacks of parchment, likely just provided by the guild, and records of past parasitic monster subjugations.

"Lillie, have you learned anything about the monsters?"

"No... I haven't found anything with the same symptoms. Parasitizing through weapons... It's not like the monster the guild tentatively named, the Nightmare Phantom."

"...I see."

Christophe also reviewed the information gathered within the data room.

Fragmentary information about "Nightmare Phantoms," as well as detailed descriptions of the characteristics of various parasitic monsters confirmed in the past and their treatments... or failures, were meticulously recorded.

Christophe wasn't originally well-versed in parasitic monsters, so he began to look them over.

Carefully deciphering each piece of information, he repeatedly questioned Lillie. How to interfere with parasitic monsters, and most importantly, whether there was anything a healer could do.

"...For typical parasitic monsters, healing magic can sometimes be effective. This is because the monsters themselves strongly dislike divine power. However, the Rosenritter have told us that the Nightmare Phantom and Anastasia-sama, who has been contaminated by it, possess an evil power that far surpasses that of the others… The healer who was accompanying them also seemed to be quite skilled, but if their full-power healing magic dissipated the instant it touched the black aura and had no effect at all, then it's believed that treatment is impossible for a mediocre healer."

Lillie's explanation once again drove home the severity of the situation to Christophe. He crossed his arms, looked up from the documents, and furrowed his brow in thought.

Healing magic doesn't work.

"I see."

That means the time left for Anastasia-sama is slipping away with each passing moment.

What kept flashing through his mind was Sylvia's pained expression.

Since coming to Labyrinth City, he has been helped countless times. As an S-rank adventurer and the leader of her clan, she always puts on a brave face, but the sadness of potentially losing a friend must be overwhelming her heart. He wants to help her. He wants to protect her smile.

He felt that feeling welling up strongly from deep within Christophe's chest. And it was the same for Anastasia-sama herself.

If there's anything he can do―.

Christophe raised his head as if he had made up his mind and looked directly into Lillie's eyes.

"How about my recovery magic?"

There's no arrogance in those words, nor is he overconfident in his abilities. It's just that the "touch" healing he's been practicing is different in its approach from the magic of other healers.

That's why it was a pure question. It was driven by a single-minded desire to explore any possibility, no matter how small, if there was something he could do.

"Christophe-sama?"

"I'm sorry to ask you this… I don't really understand my own abilities very well. I can't make a judgment without hearing an opinion from a third party… What do you think?"

"...That is―"

Lillie let out a small sigh and then looked straight ahead.

"―That's possible. Christophe-sama's magic is a bit different from the magic we know. The possibility might not be zero."

Those words might have contained Lillie's own desires as well. However, for Christophe, that faint possibility was everything. He nodded silently and then quietly asked.

"I see. Then, that makes things easier. You're saying that if I accompany you directly, we might find a clue to solving this."

"However... Christophe-sama. The Labyrinth is dangerous. Even if it's not the deeper levels, this time, unique monsters are involved. You never know what might happen..."

"I know the risks. But you young people are risking your lives fighting on the front lines, and I can't just sit here in safety with my arms crossed, can I? There's a chance I can help with treatment, after all."

That's what Christophe said, and then he smiled.

"Besides, I myself want to help her. Healers are the kind of people who will go anywhere to save a patient's life."

When Christophe said that, Lillie let out a small breath.

"Yes, that's right... Exactly as you say. We, too, prioritize Christophe-sama's safety and will arrange for a thorough escort."

"Thank you. Well then, I guess I'll go tell Sylvia about this old man's selfishness."

"...Yes, please."

Christophe nodded quietly and then left the document room.

Chapter 31