About three hours before Jin and his team arrived at Lardus' facility.

The old man had launched the second phase of the operation to invade the facility .......

<

The concept of the operation was to ensure the safety and security of < and his party.

Basically, the invasion is carried out with minimal combat, using many leno techniques and without fatal destruction.

Having neutralized the defensive and alarm wards, the old man moves on to control the entrances and exits.

.

<<>,

The old man gives precise instructions such as, "Please open the door without breaking it open," and the Land Unit carries out the instructions precisely.

Within 15 minutes after the start of the second phase of the operation, 10 Land troops had entered the facility.

And the old man had one more plan.

<

Since the pattern of Lardus' magical power is known, he can persuade the golem in the facility by imitating it.

< and sent it to the site, and the effect was extraordinary.

Welcome, visitor!

It seems that the autonomous high-class golems in the facility are identified by as well as , so they were not perceived as being the same person as Lardus.

However, it is enough if he is recognized as a visitor.

quickly established friendly relations with the golems in the facility.

At the same time, the RAND team was also allowed to enter the facility, as they were friends of <>.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

<>

The old man wanted to show one more proof of friendship.

He had a friend who came to his rescue.

"I'll help you, Mr. Mere Old Man.

It was Elsa.

"If I ...... or can improve Lardus' condition even a little, that medical golem may accept me peacefully."

"N, I'll take care of it."

And so Erza's doppelganger was also sent by transporter to a facility in the northern part of the Pandor continent.

"0077-sama, I am a healer (doctor) of my acquaintance. If I may, I would like to examine the condition of Lord Lardus.

0077 is the serial number of the medical golem. All of the autonomous high-class golems in this facility are distinguished from each other by such numbers.

That would be great. Please examine him.

Since he's already admitted it, he seems to believe what he's saying. Of course, they would not accept a statement that was logically incorrect or obviously dangerous.

Then please take me to Master Lardus.

All right. Follow me.

<

The old man had already made a map of this facility, so Erza and < were aware of it, but they pretended not to know it and followed 007. They followed 007-7, pretending not to know.

"Here we are."

"Sorry to disturb you."

0077, <>, and <> went to the infirmary in that order.

There was Lardus lying in a medical capsule.

"Well, let me examine you.

Please.

"<><><><>......"

Erza's <=Erza D.>>, which applies medical examination magic to various parts of the body.

(......After all, multiple organ failure......meaning, senility)

Fundamental cure is impossible.

However, if she has not yet reached the end of her life span, it may be possible to put her in a temporary recovery ...... remission, I would say.

"I am quite weak. May I try various healing spells?"

I ask.

"......<<>"

The area where toxins are beginning to accumulate in the weakened internal organs.

"<>"

Weakened areas should be revitalized.

"<>......<>"

I had brought along a surgical mini-golem <> just in case, and with his help, I was able to remove the malignant tumor.

<>"

The finishing touch is the application of the highest degree of healing magic in the internal medicine field.

In addition, it is a "nourishing drink,

"This is a nourishing drink. When he wakes up, please give him a drink from you.

and offered him Persica juice from Horai Island.

Thank you!

It was obvious that Lardus' condition had improved, and according to the medical examination function of the medical capsule, he would wake up soon.

* * * * * * * * * *

(......) This will probably prolong his life by about a month.

Elsa herself in Horai Island had performed this kind of treatment on Jin several times in the past.

As a result, she was able to prolong Jin's life for about two years.

(...... Now is not the time to dwell on memories.)

Shaking her head two or three times to shake off the memories of the past, Erza decided to concentrate on the operation of the <>.

* * * *

"uu......mu......"

Lardus woke up about 30 minutes later, just as Elsa D had predicted.

"Are you awake, Master Lardus?"

"Yes. ...... you feel a little better."

"Good. Actually, a friend of yours came to see me, and his companion treated me.

"...... friend?"

Lardus looked doubtful. He had no idea what he was talking about.

"It's me, Master Lardus."

Then, <> appeared.

"Yes?　You look ...... familiar?　......Yes, you look somewhat like Dogmaloud."

<

He was a childhood friend of Lardus, and he became friends with Bemiarouche, the daughter of the clan leader of the <> clan, and once succeeded him as clan leader, but the <> incident reduced the number of clan members too much, so the clan was dissolved and he went into hiding.

The old man likened <> to the face of Dogmaraud.

"So you are related to Dogmaraud. ......"

is not talking about himself in any way. Lardus has simply misunderstood him.

"Master Lardus, it is he who has healed you."

introduced Erza D.

"My name is Erza.

Erza, too, dared not give her alias.

"...... I see. Thank you, Miss Elsa.

As expected, even Lardus did not associate Erza (actually a ) in front of him with the wife of Jin, whom he had been eyeing with great interest.