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66-70

YGTWHV [66]

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Then, Anne-Marie gave a light chuckle and added.

"To be honest, I'm thinking about quitting the clinic."

"What?"

I was a little surprised.

Anne-Marie quitting the clinic? That didn't happen in the novel at all. There were times where I got a similar feeling, but this was the first time I really felt that the original story was trying to leave main track in Anne-Marie's hands. Of course, the story already went off track when I helped Lakis, but I thought the rest of the story would flow in a similar manner...

I guess I took it too lightly.

"I actually fainted from overexertion not long ago."

And Anne-Marie's next words startled me.

"That happened?"

"Ah, it wasn't that serious, don't worry. It was just one time in front of my house..."

Anne-Marie explained to me, looking a little sheepish as she did so. As if she made a big deal out of something that wasn't much. However, there was no way collapsing from overexertion was a minor issue.

"I think it's because you have a lot of work at the clinic and you kept pushing myself. Did you get checked up?"

"Yes, they said I was fine."

Anne-Marie gave a bright smile as if thanking me for worrying about her. Then she seemed to think about something, and her smile faded.

"But you know, I'm worried about Hestia, so I want to start taking care of my body, at least now...that's why I'm leaning towards quitting the clinic if possible."

I was beginning to understand what Anne-Marie was thinking. If something bad happened to her, Hestia would end up without a single relative and that sudden fainting spell made her blood run cold. Even before, she had casually told me about how she was spending less and less time with Hestia.

"I see...well, chose what makes you comfortable and I hope it works out best for you, Ms. Anne-Marie."

And when I said that, Anne-Marie once again smiled beautifully like a freshly blossomed flower.

"Thank you, Ms. Yuri. If it's okay with you, would you like to go home together?"

"Sure."

Like that, we made a promise for later and went our separate ways.

* * *

Caw!

A crow cried out by the window.

Lakis went to where the sound came from and opened the window. Then he found a black feather sitting on the window frame. On it was a message Odin sent to Lakis, using a crow. Just like when he sent messages to Yuri, the feather was engraved with tiny, faint letters that were difficult to see with the human eye.

However, Lakis was naturally beyond the classification of human so it was easy for him to see it.

'Looks like he's doing his job well.'

After confirming the contents, Lakis' lips curved in a crooked smile. Of course, he still didn't like the crow Odin, but apart from that, he had to admit the guy was quite useful.

Click.

Right then, he heard the sound of the door opening from behind him. Lakis squeezed the feather tight and it turned into black smoke, disappearing without a trace. Then he went to greet Yuri.