Chapter 20

The incense that had lingered in the room dispersed as the sliding door was opened wide. The girl slowly inhaled the fresh air that flowed in. There was no one who liked the unique and stimulating smell of the incense used during major treatments mixed with the stench of blood and pus. Ayane exhaled and turned at the small call.

"Today, not many patients came, did they?"

Mia, who had finished cleaning the medical instruments at the washing station, put them back on the shelf. She, who was entrusted with incisions and the removal of foreign objects, had a particular attachment to her tools and was careful about how she stored them.

"It would be nice if every day was like this—no, I don't mean I want to slack off."

Rushing to correct herself, Ayane was met with a smile from the reliable assistant.

"I know. Ayane is too self-sacrificing, so it might be good for you to learn a little bit of idleness."

"I've been trying to look at the lake and walk around the town more recently."

Ayane pouted slightly, but these were things she would never have thought of doing a while ago. Back then, after the great rampage, the Dandueg Castle and the naval port city of Anksio were overflowing with severely injured people who had barely managed to escape. They set priorities based on the severity of injuries and physical condition, and treated them until their consciousness and magic power were exhausted. It must have been about two months. She spent her days confined to the cathedral without stepping outside once. It would be a lie to say that she didn't feel any pain at the time. Still, thinking about the great rampage and the imperial knights who had died was painful, and she threw herself into treatment with all her might.

Nearly two years have passed since the great rampage, and the situation is changing. Worm, who was thought to have crossed over to the underworld, has returned to the northern countries. Ayane has been looking at the lake, talking to people, and taking her time to sort out her feelings. It was a waste, but if the promise was fulfilled, it could be considered a minor inconvenience.

"That's good to hear."

The smile directed at her was carefree, and Ayane felt a pang of guilt. She was the one who was keeping Mia bound to Selta.

"Hey, shouldn't you at least go to Creist—"

"No one is forcing me. I made the decision to stay here of my own will."

Her tone was like that of a sister trying to reason with a stubborn younger sibling. People from Creist and Liberio also came to the cathedral for treatment from afar. Among them were messengers who had come to convey requests for her return through Mia. There were many opportunities for Mia to return to the Kingdom of Creist. She had people who had taken care of her, like Johanna and her childhood friends. Now, the number of patients who needed treatment had decreased, and the promise made at Dandueg Castle had been fulfilled. Additionally, there were voices within the Principality of Myard advocating for her return to Creist to deepen ties and repay a debt of gratitude.

After much deliberation, Ayane refused to be sent back to Creist. This decision included her desire to spend time with the people who had gathered in the city, but the true reason was a concern she had not revealed to anyone. Once, when she was targeted by an assassin, her bodyguard, Moritz, had told her that she was a "military threat in itself." In war, no one could remain uninvolved. These words still lingered darkly in her heart.

During the Four Nations Alliance War, if Ayane and her childhood friends had not been on the alliance side, Creist's participation and the alliance's formation might not have happened. It was a hypothetical scenario and perhaps an overly inflated self-assessment, but as a healing mage, she no longer intended to claim neutrality in war. With this resolve, Ayane decided to stay in Myard as a deterrent to prevent war.

"Mia... thank you."

Ayane had spent a lot of time with Mia both as a healing mage and as a person. Saying this much, she knew persuasion was impossible. All she could do was express her heartfelt gratitude.

"It's fine."

Putting even the country second, Mia was still by her side. Ayane felt both embarrassed and warm. As she pondered what other topic to bring up, the door to the treatment room was knocked on gently.

"Lady Ayane, Lady Mia, may I have a moment?"

The voice belonged to a soldier who was serving as a guard. Ayane nodded, exchanging glances with Mia. It must be an emergency patient.

"Is it okay? Is it an injured person?"

Mia asked on behalf of the two of them.

"It seems that Instructor Deborah and one soldier were injured during training—apparently, the soldier is someone you all know."

The hesitant tone. While injuries during training were common, it was unusual for Instructor Deborah to be injured. And if it involved someone they knew, there was only one person it could be.

"Mr. Worm?"

"Yes, Guardian Worm."

"What is he doing?"

Coming to Anksio to rest his eyes and then getting injured was a contradiction. Mia sighed.

"Let's see the extent of the injuries first."

From the calm demeanor of the soldier, Ayane deduced that it wasn't life-threatening. The door was opened, and the Guardian and Instructor entered. Normally, the two exuded a reassuring presence, but now they were as meek as borrowed cats. Before conducting a detailed examination, Ayane, as a healing mage, had already determined what had happened.

"Blunt force trauma and strangulation marks, right?"

Mia's gaze was as cold as ice.

"Basically, they were punching and grappling each other, without holding back during training?"

"…That's right."

"I'm sorry."

Unable to escape the questioning, the two confessed.

"What are you doing!!! This isn't a children's fight!?"

Raising her voice in anger, which she rarely did, made the accompanying soldiers outside peek in nervously. Among them was even Flueg, the commander of the additional infantry company.

"Fractured nasal bone, blunt trauma to the side, and a neck sprain. On this side, swollen fists, lacerations in the mouth, and incomplete dislocation of a tooth."

Mia diagnosed the areas of pain. How could two people, who were adept at using magical barriers, hurt each other so badly during training? Ayane felt like tearing her hair out.

"Even if it was a training session, for two people who lead others to end up in a bloody mess—"

While treating them, Mia's lecture began. Ayane completely agreed. In the middle of her lecture, the sound of footsteps running down the corridor echoed. The face that peeked in was that of Moritz, who served as a liaison under Colonel Justus.

"Lord Worm, I heard! You won the hand-to-hand combat against Lord Deborah!! I wish I could have seen it. You apparently choked him with your foot. The soldiers are toasting with the wine they won—oh, this is bad. I just remembered something urgent."

Excitedly recounting the events, Moritz, upon realizing the state of the room, turned and ran out of the cathedral, as if fleeing from the enemy.

"Is that a war trophy, by any chance?"

Mia asked Frueg, who was holding items under his arm, in a condemning tone.

"These are the shares for the Guardian and Instructor."

"That's why Myard and Haiselk are..."

While Mia spat out the words, the imperial knight Worm, with a trembling voice, said:

"There are good sweets in the war trophy. I want Ayane and Mia to try them."

Silence filled the room. It was a pitiful excuse, coming from a man who had survived countless battles.

"…Ayane, this is a bribe."

"Worm, please sit there. This is going to be a long talk."

"The Fire of the Underworld." The knight, true to his nickname, seemed to have a particular fondness for playing with fire. Ayane and Mia, together, scolded the fuel-adding Worm. There was no trace of the feared "Will-o'-the-Wisp" user, the empire's top combat force, who was feared by neighboring countries.

The commotion in the cathedral was, ironically, a proof of peace. Seven days after the hand-to-hand combat incident, a large landslide occurred at the Refun mine, which had been annexed by the Principality of Myard. Ayane's presence was decided to treat the severely injured who were unable to move.

"What do you wish for with those clouded eyes? The Haiselk War Chronicles"

The second part of the second chapter of the manga version on Nico Nico Seiga has been updated.

Please read it at the following URL:

https://seiga.nicovideo.jp/comic/58990