Shota's Isekai NTR Adventure Chapter 2020: Balanced (2)

The confusion on our faces grew even deeper since we had absolutely no clue what he was referring to.

Yet Rose shifted the conversation by inquiring, "For now, is she safe?"

Max responded without any delay this time, declaring, "Yes, there's no issue whatsoever. Actually, her state has improved compared to earlier because her body no longer has to battle that corruption energy buried deep within."

Relief washed over us both as we heard those words.

Though we remained in the dark about the situation, Max's expertise in medicine was something we trusted fully, given how often he had demonstrated it.

Simply knowing she was in better shape counted as positive news already.

Still, we didn't allow that relief to linger too much, as a larger problem loomed ahead.

"What is causing it?"

This query brought an uneasy expression to Max's face.

It appeared he struggled to put it into words, having failed to pinpoint the origin of the equilibrium. All his devices had detected was some force counteracting the corruption energy.

From the expression he wore, it was easy to infer his thoughts.

Rather than repeating the question or pushing him further, I inquired, "Can we go in?"

Not only Max but also Rose seemed taken aback by my words.

Soon enough, though, both realized there must be a purpose behind it and began trailing after me.

I stepped into the chamber where Dorothy and the qilin awaited.

Upon spotting us, they both appeared eager to approach, but they halted once they noticed Max and Rose following me.

More precisely, they paused due to Max's presence.

The qilin wasn't very familiar with Max, yet it clearly felt some fear toward him for a particular reason.

The qilin's gaze toward Max resembled the wary stare children give to physicians.

Considering how Max had employed various tools for Dorothy's examination, it made sense that the qilin viewed him this way.

Was this simply an instinctive dread that young ones hold for healers?

I found the situation somewhat amusing, but that wasn't why I had entered the room.

Instead, I extended my hand toward the qilin, which displayed a startled reaction.

While waiting, I noticed a flicker of reluctance in the qilin's eyes. It seemed the qilin held some knowledge about this matter, just as I had suspected.

Nevertheless, I remained patient for the qilin to approach my palm as I assured it, "I know, but don’t worry. I just want to test something."

After my reassurance, the qilin obeyed and settled into my grasp.

The instant it did, a strange feeling emanated from Dorothy. It was as if a shadow had descended upon her right when the qilin slipped from her hold.

I glanced at Max, and he understood my intent immediately, stepping forward with his tools.

After completing the scans, his eyes dropped to the qilin cradled in my hands.

This outcome made it crystal clear what had been neutralizing the imbalance in Dorothy's body. That's why Max's gaze toward the qilin carried an odd glint.

He wasn't regarding the qilin as a mere being; rather, his stare treated it like an experimental specimen.

The qilin couldn't overlook this and burrowed deeper into my embrace upon noticing.

This moment would likely stick with the qilin throughout its extended lifespan.

I shoved Max's face away gently and stated, "Enough of that. Focus on analyzing what's steadying her state instead and forget about the other idea."

Disappointment crossed Max's features at my words, prompting me to add with a sigh, "I’ll give you some of its energy as well since you’ll need to study that as well. Just don’t do anything to leave a trauma on it."

Max brightened slightly, though a hint of regret lingered in his eyes.

Even so, I had no intention of yielding on this point.

This was already a substantial compromise from my side, so I wouldn't offer more.

Max recognized my resolve, so he returned to his devices to examine the data more closely.

With him occupied, I placed the qilin back into Dorothy's hands.

As soon as the qilin touched Dorothy's palms, her facial expression softened noticeably.

"Play here for a bit. We’re going to talk about a few things." I instructed them before guiding Rose aside.

Once alone together, Rose let out a breath and remarked, "You really come up with all kinds of surprising things don’t you?"

A bitter smile formed on my lips, but denying it wasn't an option.

I hadn't anticipated this development myself, yet I could deduce its source.

Simultaneously, it solidified a certain realization.

The attribute in the qilin's energy that I had long suspected clashed directly with the corruption energy.

Thus, its ability to hold back the corruption within Dorothy proved my theory correct.

With another sigh, I suggested, "Just let them stay together for now."

Rose nodded in agreement, fully aware that this served only as a short-term fix.