Chapter 32

"Mr. Gilbert...!!"

After a large white flash suddenly spread before my eyes, I jumped out of the carriage in a panic. I saw Mr. Gilbert fall to the ground from a distance, and Mr. Dolf, along with others nearby, rushed over.

I confirmed that he was still breathing, and the men worked together to carry him to the entrance of the village, where the cleric immediately began healing him. All I could do was cover him with a blanket I had taken from the carriage and pray.

The scene where all the dark red objects in my field of vision disappeared after that flash was not an illusion. However, no one spoke about it, perhaps out of shock and confusion.

"This person... the amount and progression of the paralysis poison in his body are far more severe than the mercenary we just healed. For him to have been able to move in such a state..."

The cleric's murmur was heard by the mercenary, who had just regained consciousness after being healed and rushed over.

"Will he be alright...!? It's because of me... He's a benefactor, please...!"

"Yes, don't worry. Strangely, despite the amount of poison, the symptoms seem mild."

After saying this with a smile, the cleric resumed the healing magic with a serious expression. Other clerics gathered and joined in, performing the same healing. Gilbert's pale face gradually regained its color.

"The detoxification and purification are complete. He must be exhausted and is now sleeping."

"That's great! Oh, that's great! Thank you!"

The mercenary, who had been watching, burst into tears. I couldn't stop my tears either, feeling a great sense of relief.

The cleric smiled kindly at the sobbing mercenary.

"There's no need to thank us. Our power comes from the prayers of all of you."

The other clerics nodded in agreement.

"The power of the blessings comes from the daily accumulation of countless silent prayers. We are allowed to receive these blessings through our training and prayers, and we use them as healing and purification magic."

"It's an honor to be thanked, but we must not become arrogant. Please turn your gratitude into more prayers to the goddess."

The clerics smiled.

---

After a while, the private soldier who had gone to check the village returned.

"The undead beasts are gone, nowhere to be found."

This news brought a mix of relief and silence.

"Everyone, listen. I have a favor to ask."

Dolf spoke with an unusually stern expression.

"Just for a little while, please don't tell anyone about what happened here or what you saw. We need to protect him."

Everyone in the area quietly turned to face Dolf.

"I understand, old man. The higher-ups are completely incomprehensible. We, who live around here, don't know what to believe anymore. So, I'll believe what I saw with my own eyes and follow the words I heard with my own ears."

The mercenary spoke with a serious expression. The private soldiers, who had been thinking with their arms crossed, nodded and continued.

"That's right... However, we have a duty to report to the lord to some extent. We can buy time, but we can't make an absolute promise. ...But it seems the lord also has his own thoughts about the king."

"That's enough. If the same thing happens again, it will eventually come to light..."

Dolf narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Also, if anyone asks, just say that for a while, a suspicious old man used some strange device. I'm good at playing dumb, you know."

Dolf laughed, lightening the mood.

No one mentioned "what" had happened. They must have understood Dolf's intentions. Of course, no one knew exactly what had happened, but some words came to mind. Still, no one spoke them in this moment, perhaps due to a mysterious sense of solidarity from having fought together.

Even after the treatment, Gilbert remained asleep.

With everyone's help, we loaded Gilbert into the carriage and returned to the city.