Rhode took the children directly to the hospital in Manjushaka Town.
Erza went to get in touch with people from the Advisory Council's branch with Ghost Shadow in hand.
The doctor prepared some suitable food for the children, examined their bodies, and bandaged their external wounds.
Out of the 14 children, 8 showed symptoms of a slight fever. Two of them—specifically the brother and sister who tried to escape but got caught—had developed a high fever, while the remaining four were not in serious condition.
After a flurry of activity, it was already dark outside.
Nevertheless, the children's parents rushed over as soon as they received the news.
Even the parents from Pepi Town, who had also lost children, came over with oil lamps, trudging through the snow to claim their children upon hearing the news.
When the first batch of parents arrived, Rhode sneaked out and crouched in the corner of the hospital wall—he was somewhat afraid.
He had learned from the children on the way that a girl named Liss hadn't returned after being taken away by the men in black robes.
Recalling the altar with the blood-drawn array...
Rhode feared seeing Liss's parents.
He believed it wasn't his fault, but he didn't want to face those grief-stricken eyes.
Having seen enough of those sorrowful expressions after losing loved ones, Rhode was already weary.
"Why are you squatting here?"
Having completed her tasks, Erza changed into a purple down jacket, her hands tucked in her pockets, fitting the winter atmosphere.
Only, the long boots and bare legs made her look a bit odd.
"How's it going with the Advisory Council?"
"Ghost Shadow and the three we captured earlier have been detained. The Advisory Council will send people to catch those in the mountains overnight."
"What about us using excessive force this time?"
"It's alright. The Black Magic Sect's activities are too dangerous, and what they did to the children is intolerable by the Advisory Council.
So, even though we were forceful, they wouldn't hold us accountable. At most, they'd send someone to inquire about the situation afterwards."
"That's good to hear." Rhode raised his head, gazing at the pitch-black night sky, "At least the President won't get scolded."
Erza squatted down beside Rhode, leaning against the wall, hugging her knees.
"The weather's not too good tonight, can't see a single star." Erza exhaled a puff of white air, visible under the dim light.
Rhode replied readily, "Yeah."
"Thinking about Liss? Or... the person who died yesterday?"
Rhode said, "Both, I guess. I wonder if we could've saved them if we had arrived earlier.
It's just a pity there's no 'if.' Earlier, we weren't even aware of the situation here. I know this clearly, but I can't help feeling regret and getting lost in thoughts."
"This is what you call kindness, feeling sorrow for the loss of life and regret for others' misfortune," Erza said,
"Remember this feeling, then move forward firmly, ensuring such things don't happen in front of us again. It's one of the reasons we're striving to become stronger."
Compared to Rhode, who could be considered 'raised in a greenhouse,' Erza has seen and experienced much more suffering.
Hence, she appears more mature in this aspect than Rhode. Though she harbors the same sadness and regret, she still manages to care for and comfort Rhode's feelings.
Erza suddenly thought, the President's mention of 'taking good care of Rhode' might not have been about fighting, but outside of battles.
"Want to come over and lean on me?" Erza opened her arms, not minding if she had to hug Rhode for comfort.
"Thanks for the offer, but it's alright." Rhode wasn't the type to be thick-skinned. He stood up, patted his face, and said, "Let's go, there are people more heartbroken than us we should visit."
...
Rhode and Erza didn't meet Liss's parents; instead, they met the mayors of Manjushaka Town and Pepi Town.
"Thank you both for everything you did. I represent all the rescued children, their parents, and all the townspeople in expressing our gratitude to you both!"
"Please, it's nothing, we were just assigned the task of eradicating a crime syndicate and rescuing the children." Erza spoke in a very formal tone,
"Additionally, regarding the child named Liss, and the resident from Pepi Town who was brutally murdered... we're sorry we arrived late."
"We're also deeply saddened by that resident's misfortune, but that's something unavoidable, and there's no blame on you two. However, about Liss..." The mayor of Pepi Town pondered and said, "Liss went home long ago."
Rhode and Erza were stunned: "What did you say? Liss has gone home?"
"Yes, she was the only one who managed to escape on her own just yesterday," the mayor said, "We personally went to check on her, intending to ask where she'd been held, but the child was too terrified to explain anything."
Rhode pursued: "Are you sure you're not joking?"
"Certainly, I vouch for it in the name of the mayor."
Seeing the mayor's confident manner, and given the absence of Liss's family here, Rhode and Erza both breathed a sigh of relief.
It's fine, really, it's truly fine.
The two stayed a while longer at the hospital, watching as the children with minor ailments were taken away by their parents. The two with high fevers also recovered, and only then did they leave.
There was no need to mention the endless gratitude from the parents before they left, honored by the children's repeated 'Thank you, big brother,' 'Thank you, big sister.'
As for the deceased resident from Pepi Town, the mayor stated it was a dereliction from the town's security team, so they would provide some compensation to the family and help arrange a means of livelihood.
With this, the mission of Rhode and Erza's team came to an end.
Payment will be processed and sent to the Guild after the procedures are completed by the Advisory Council, and they might also inquire about some task details then.
The two politely declined invitations from the mayors and returned to the hotel in Morning Glory Town where Erza had booked.
Rhode picked up his suitcase: "Where's the key to my room?"
"Key? It's here." Erza pulled out a key and tossed it to Rhode.
"Isn't this the key you just used to open this room?"
Erza asked, puzzled: "Isn't this the one you wanted?"
"I was talking about my room key..." The two exchanged glances, Rhode getting a bad feeling, "So, you only booked a room for yourself?"
"It's our room."
"..."
"Anyway, there are two beds. During missions, when traveling, if teaming up, it's possible to be squeezed together, although I rarely have such experiences..."
Erza suddenly thought of a good idea, "Want to try it? Push the two beds together. Saying this, we should have shared a tent yesterday; if anything happens, it's good to watch out for one another."
"No, I'm not used to that, this is fine." Although it sounded reasonable, Rhode was momentarily unable to adapt, "It's late, wash up and get some sleep."
Erza looked regretful; perhaps for her, sleeping close to a companion was genuinely fun.
Just like during celebrations at the Guild, everyone would lay carelessly on the floor.
"Alright." She watched Rhode walk into the bathroom and asked again, "Need help scrubbing your back?"
Rhode nearly stumbled, clumsily locking the bathroom door: "No, thanks! I'm just going to rinse quickly!"
Erza truly didn't treat him like an outsider at all.
Under the shower head, Rhode questioned his own sanity—was he overthinking it? Was he the one acting oddly?