Golden Knight – Part 4
Back on the surface, I changed into the clothes they’d prepared for me—
a lab coat, for some reason—
and was promptly shoved into a car and taken to a government medical facility.
“For your safety, we will perform a full examination,”
one of the humanoids said.
I didn’t have the energy to argue.
After everything that happened, getting checked out was probably a good idea.
As I walked down the hallway toward the next test, someone approached from the opposite direction.
I recognized him instantly.
“…Hei‑chan?”
It was Daisuke Todoroki.
Mossan.
“W‑wait, Mossan? Why are you here?”
“I should be asking you that! What are you doing in a government facility?”
“Well… things happened. A lot of things.
But you—”
“藤堂様・轟様。
Auri‑sama will explain everything shortly.
For now, please proceed.”
The humanoid in front of us cut in smoothly.
We passed each other and continued our respective examinations.
When mine were finished, I was told to wait in a small conference room.
After a few minutes, Mossan entered—
along with a woman in a lab coat, Auri, and several humanoids.
Mossan was staring at Auri like he was a walking gold bar.
Hard to blame him.
The woman in the lab coat addressed us.
“Thank you for waiting.
First, regarding Tōdō‑sama: your examination shows no abnormalities.
As for Todoroki‑sama, your health is also stable.
However…”
She glanced at Mossan.
“We would like to begin by discussing Todoroki‑sama’s case.”
Mossan sighed.
“I’ve told you already—just soak the Skill Orb in saltwater—”
“We have confirmed that, Todoroki‑sama.
Our institute has successfully reproduced Orb dissolution and recharging.
Furthermore, when the ‘Orb‑water’ was administered to other Wizards,
they exhibited the same rejuvenation symptoms as you.”
Mossan froze.
The woman continued:
“However, we wish to hear directly from Tōdō‑sama regarding how he discovered this method.”
Everyone looked at me.
I sighed.
There was no point hiding it now.
So I told them everything that happened at Marui.
When I finished, Auri let out a small chuckle.
Everyone turned toward him.
“My apologies. I wasn’t mocking anyone.
But yes…
it seems I must explain several things, including Tōdō‑san’s skill.”
Auri walked to the whiteboard and wrote:
“Do you have any regrets?”
I blinked.
“…What?”
“Ah, forgive me. It’s a habit.
What I mean is:
the information I am about to share may cause regret.
If you believe you would prefer not to know,
you may leave.”
I stared at him.
“…That makes even less sense.”
“I must obtain consent.”
“Can’t I regret it after hearing it?”
“That is impossible.
Once heard, it cannot be unheard.”
We went in circles for a moment.
Finally, I exhaled.
“…Fine. I’ll listen.
No regrets.”
Auri nodded once.
And the room grew quiet.
The kind of quiet that comes right before a truth that changes everything.
