Chapter 52

As the Duke was thrown to the ground by the Flame Eagle, a cold shiver ran down my spine. The Duke, who had struggled to get up, grimaced as if enduring pain. I clenched the cloudy crystal in both hands, suppressing my anxiety, and took a step forward.

This cloudy crystal contained the magic of matured Scrime Wood, which I had used as a fragrance. In fact, when I brought the immature Scrime Wood-scented cloudy crystal to Chaos, I had asked him to prepare a magic array to neutralize its effects.

I was surprised that Chaos, who was waiting on a Flame Eagle, had come down to help, but I never thought he would actually accept my proposal.

"So, you're going to make that foul-smelling liquid explode in front of the Wolf's nose?"

"Yes, I've heard that its sense of smell is very good. I think it might distract the Wolf without causing any harm. I've also prepared a defensive magic array."

I handed over three cloudy crystals containing a yellow-green liquid. The other two red cloudy crystals contained ancient magic words to protect oneself. Chaos took the yellow-green cloudy crystal. Despite their small size, the pungent odor was so strong that I didn't want to touch them with my bare hands. Chaos grimaced at the smell and looked up at the sky. Beyond the magic barrier, a fierce battle was raging between Berginion and the knights.

"Chaos, I hear that the Princess's magic array repelled Berginion. Perhaps we should use her power here."

Blanche, the captain, encouraged the contemplative Chaos.

"I've seen the power of the Princess's magic array firsthand. Truly, both of you are extraordinary. If I give this to the Lord, he might use it recklessly, thinking it's worth the risk."

Although Chaos's tone was somewhat resigned, his actions after making a decision were swift. He immediately arranged for the small dragon to deliver the cloudy crystals, and Captain Blanche and Lillian took on the task.

At that moment, I was asked by Chaos to prepare a neutralizing agent in case the Lord was covered in the smell. However, I had no medicine. So, I used the fragrance in my room to construct a makeshift magic array and create a deodorizer.

I held the deodorizer up to the Duke, who was lying on the ground, covered in grass, looking surprised. It was truly a desperate move, and he didn't seem to care about his own safety. After all, he had promised to find a reason to live together with me.

(But, I caused this...)

I felt angry at myself for not being of any help to the Duke and for putting his life in danger. If I could fight like Chaos or Mullan, perhaps the Duke wouldn't have been hurt. If I were smarter and stronger, if I had studied magic properly and constructed a perfect magic array...

The more I thought about it, the more regretful I became. My nose tingled, and tears welled up in my eyes, but I told myself it was due to the pungent smell of the Scrime Wood.

I attached an oil paper with a magic array to the Duke's forehead as he tried to return to the Wolf. I could tell he was confused, but I continued to chant the ancient magic words, focusing intently. The cloudy crystal glowed in response to my magic, and my hair began to shine a fiery red.

"Melfiela, don't cry. I'm sorry for breaking our promise."

In response to the Duke's apology, I sniffed. As the numbing smell subsided and a sweet fragrance began to waft, I sprinkled the contents of the cloudy crystal over the Duke's body. Through the gaps in the oil paper covering his face, I could see his awkward expression.

"It's not that. I'm frustrated with my own inadequacy. I thought I could protect you with such a makeshift defensive magic array. I'm sorry."

"Defensive magic array? Melfi, what are you talking about?"

The Duke stood up and removed the oil paper from his forehead. He looked at me with confusion, and the net on his waist contained one yellow-green and one red cloudy crystal.

"Did the defensive magic array not work? Did you get covered in that awful smell?"

The Duke took out the red cloudy crystal from the net on his waist, stared at the magic array, and then looked at me with a realization.

"Is that what this was for! To protect me from that smell? I thought it was for the entire fortress because the magic array was so powerful... I'm sorry, I dismissed your intentions."

"Didn't you use it?"

"No, I couldn't use such an advanced magic array just for myself."

It seems that the message bees, which could only leave short messages, failed to convey my intentions. The Duke had intended to use the defensive magic array for the fortress, not for himself.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't explain it properly."

"No, it's not your fault."

"But what about the injury on your left shoulder?"

The Duke's left shoulder was bleeding under his shoulder pad. Realizing this, I became worried that he might have other injuries. His left hand seemed to be moving fine, so there didn't seem to be any bone damage. I scanned his body for any other signs of discomfort. When the Duke instinctively pressed his left shoulder, I noticed his face contort in pain.

"Duke, get treated quickly."

"This is within the expected range of injuries. There's no need to worry."

"But, Duke, you always endure pain. Last time, you didn't even let me treat the cut on your knuckle."

"The cut on my knuckle is already healed. I'll get proper treatment after this, okay?"

"Even if you're strong, pain is still pain. If I worry so much that I can't sleep at night, it will be your fault!"

My strong words made the Duke blink and smile, looking somewhat pleased.

"Duke?"

"No, it's just... when you worry, it makes me feel like a normal person. To be honest, it hurts. But now, let me go to the Wolf. As the Duke of Galbreath, I have a duty to return it to the forest."

The Duke reached out to me but stopped midway.

"Does my smell still linger? It's sweet, but does it still... smell?"

I approached the Duke, who was sniffing his hands and arms, and leaned my face close to his hand. I sniffed carefully. Since I couldn't reach the Duke's head, I asked him to crouch down, and I sniffed his hair thoroughly.

"Does it still smell?"

"It smells like the usual Duke, with a sweet scent that makes it seem delicious."

"Delicious... what do you mean?"

"It's a scent that makes me want to eat it."

"Did you eat it?!"

The Duke emitted a rich, sweet fragrance of matured Scrime Wood.

"It's fine. It's the same sweet fruit scent as in my room."

"I see, that's what you meant."

Judging that the danger had passed, I called Natalie, who was watching the Wolf pup, to confirm the smell together. Natalie walked over hesitantly, apologized, and sniffed the Duke's coat.

"Does it still smell, Natalie?"

"I think it's fine... let's have the Wolf pup check."

Natalie sniffed the Duke in the same way I did and whistled to call the Wolf pup. The pup, understanding it was called, approached cautiously. It sat in front of the Duke, its round red eyes sparkling, and let out a small "koo?" The pup's reaction suggested that the smell was fine.

The Duke, crouching down, picked up the Wolf pup and looked in the direction of the adult Wolf, surrounded by Chaos and the others.

"Shall we go?"

In the Duke's arms, the Wolf pup looked up at us calmly.

"Is this the pup's mother?"

"Probably. I'll take it to confirm."

I looked in the direction the Duke was looking. Many knights surrounded the area, and the Flame Eagle squadron was on standby in the sky. A strong barrier was in place, causing the space to glow red over a wide area.

"Melfi, will you come with me?"

I was surprised to be invited and exclaimed, "Eh?"

I had been told to wait in the room, and I felt guilty for coming out. I couldn't do anything and would only be a burden.

"That barrier won't harm you. You can see how strong it is from here. But, it's not Chaos's magic, is it?"

"It's a capture magic array made with the other Loyalmoodler's red cloudy crystal. They said it can't be used in the air, so they'll use it after the capture."

The Duke, who had been looking at me intently, extended his hand.

"Let's go, Melfiela."

"But, I'll be a burden."

"If someone who can draw such a magic array is a burden, then all the knights here are like infants."

The Duke firmly took my hesitant hand.

"I'll protect you."

"Y-Yes."

"...So, please... hold me back if I do something reckless."

"Y-Yes!"

The Duke walked resolutely, and I turned to Natalie. She smiled at me and followed. The Duke's pace was fast, and he didn't look back, so I couldn't see his expression. However, I noticed a familiar redness on his ears, so I assumed he was embarrassed.