I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

---

248th Chapter

“How is his condition?”

“I’ve treated all the minor wounds. His energy has stabilized a bit, but he used too much divine power, so it might take a little time for him to wake up.”

Hearing the status of Julian from the apprentice priest, I let out a sigh of relief and brushed aside his hair, still damp from the holy water.

After gathering the soldiers and quickly relocating to set up the barracks, I finally found some time to check on him as he rested in the tent.

I couldn’t find the shaman. It’s a pity, but I didn’t have high hopes from the start, and I was just glad it all ended without any casualties.

“I’m sorry. I will gladly accept punishment for this.”

“It’s alright. I kept an eye on things during the battle, but it seems he was hiding very well.”

“Should I commit seppuku? Or maybe I should just stay on watch for another week.”

“You’re not listening to me, are you? It’s fine.”

I shook my head, recalling Cassia, who was begging for punishment like a madwoman. She was too hard on herself.

“My lord, my arm…!”

“Oh, I just confirmed that one poison needle was lodged in. It didn’t pierce deeply, so there’s nothing to worry about.

The healers gave unnecessary treatment.”

After calming her down, I turned my attention to Serenon.

I was horrified at the bandages tightly wrapped around his arm, while he awkwardly smiled.

Serenon stepped up to help with the command, but his complexion looked poor, so it was clear he needed to rest, and I had forced him into the tent before coming to see Julian.

“When will he wake up?”

I looked down at Julian with concern.

Once he wakes up, should we move, or since we won’t take long to arrive, should we head out first thing in the morning regardless?

“It is expected to take time until his divine power recovers.”

Divine power is a rechargeable force that, like mana, requires recovery time after being used beyond a certain amount.

The apprentice priest examined the chart.

“My estimate is at least three days…”

“Atchoo! Phew!”

A loud sneeze echoed through the barracks.

The apprentice priest and I simultaneously looked down at the bed.

“Ugh… It’s cold… Commander… there’s no cotton blanket?”

Julian, who was said to wake up at least three days later, opened his eyes not even five hours after collapsing, wiping his runny nose and asking for a cotton blanket.

The apprentice priest and I exchanged urgent glances.

“…You said three days?”

“I estimated at least three days up to a maximum of two weeks… How…”

The apprentice priest looked shocked while inspecting Julian’s body here and there.

Still groggy from waking up, Julian was mumbling sounds like, “Huh? Uh-huh?” as if he were a paper doll being manipulated.

“…The speed of recovery of his divine power is beyond my imagination. The exhausted divine power is already halfway restored.”

The apprentice priest exclaimed in admiration. The deputy must have been recovering quickly too.

‘Maybe it’s just that he’s simple, so he recovers quickly…?’

Seeing Julian with hair sticking up in all directions like a hedgehog, a rational doubt arose.

It was something that could be interpreted as blasphemy, so I kept it to myself.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Regardless, I decided to be glad that this was a good thing.

Having bitten the apprentice priest, I pulled a chair next to Julian and sat down.

“Yeah… other than feeling cold, I’m fine.”

Julian, shivering, grabbed the blanket covering him and wrapped himself up, looking like a caterpillar in a duvet.

“Will it be a problem if we move immediately?”

“Only if I don’t have to ride that damned pony.”

He scrunched his face in distaste, as if he really hated the horse he rode.

‘He’s looking fine.’

Seeing his calm demeanor, I let out a faint smile. I had been worried that I might have asked for too much when he collapsed, but it seemed I was worrying for nothing.

Just as I confirmed his condition and was about to address the rest of the matters, a question came to mind.

“By the way, why did you tell me to convey my regards to Aria?”

Hack.

Julian coughed as if he had choked.

“Uh, well…”

His lavender-colored eyes rolled around. He looked like he was searching for an excuse. After glancing at me, he began to ramble.

The tips of his ears were turning red.

“The Princess Aria is a wonderful person, right? I just thought it would be nice to get along well…”

“Don’t tell me you…”

Cutting off his obviously shaky excuses, I frowned.

Julian, looking like a child caught stealing chocolate from the cupboard, swallowed hard.

“You… have you been caught by Aria?”

I looked at Julian with sincere concern.

Aria was an angelic child to me, but through long experience, I learned that my angel was not necessarily an angel to others.

‘She plans to sell the lace we bought at double the price. Hmm… Is it really necessary to go that far?’

‘Luxury lace is a luxury item for the nobility. What’s the harm in hitting the vaults of the rich?’

‘That’s true, but…’

‘I remember every fool who laughed at me when I was acquiring lace. I’ll sell it to them for three times the price.’

I recalled Aria, who had been grinning like a little devil. Aria usually didn’t strike first, but if she got hit once, she would turn the opponent to mush before backing down.

‘Julian taking jabs and getting caught by Aria is certainly plausible.’

A drama was playing out in my mind.

Julian, looking at me with disbelief, nodded creakingly.

“Yeah, it’s somewhat similar. It is a weakness.”

“Should I tell her not to bully you?”

“No… that wouldn’t be necessary. I think just telling her plainly will suffice… I think I somewhat understand why that guy is always losing it…”

Julian wore a confused expression. For some reason, I felt bad about it, but I nodded anyway.

“I will convey this to Aria. I’ll tell her you risked yourself to keep the reinforcements safe.”

“That sounds nice. Make sure to mention that I shone brightly behind Julian, like a spice. You get what I mean?”

“That’s… that’s a bit…”

“Tch.”

Had we been talking for a while? I heard a presence approaching the tent’s door.

“Commander! There’s something you need to check.”

It was Jonathan’s voice. I rose from my seat.

“I should head out first. Please rest well until I return.”

“Oh, right.”

Julian grabbed me as I was about to leave. Upon turning back with a questioning expression, he smiled brightly.

“You’re the most reliable in the battlefield, Commander. Thank you for protecting us.”

It was a light yet sincere expression of gratitude.

I chuckled.

“I will continue to protect you. So stay alive.”

As long as he stayed alive, I could protect anyone.

We set out as dawn broke. There were a few soldiers left with the aftereffects of the red powder and paralysis poison, but thanks to the holy water, none were unable to move.

Other than Serenon trying to smack Julian, who was posturing with his shoulders held high, the move was uneventful.

“I can see a village.”

Jonathan, who was riding beside me, pointed ahead. The black horse he rode whinnied.

A small village nestled amidst the snow-covered forest. It didn’t look extravagant but appeared cozy. I let out a long breath, watching my white breath drift into the sky.

Our destination, Pavlov.

“We’ve been waiting.”

As we entered the village, a man in armor welcomed us from the front of the soldiers. He appeared to be from the central army dispatched to the border regions of Atara after the invasion of the North.

I quickly dismounted and stood before him.

“I am Yunis Shirley. Nice to meet you.”

“I am Lord of Crisis.”

I shook his outstretched hand, suddenly puzzled.

‘He’s not a guard.’

The calloused parts felt different from those of warriors.

Maybe out of curiosity, the man flashed a friendly smile. He had impressive bright orange hair, close to yellow, and a benevolent face.

“You must have had a hard journey. You should rest, right? I’ll guide you to where we’re setting up the barracks.”

“Thank you for your kindness. But let the soldiers handle the barracks.”

Clack.

I drew the sheath I had hung on the saddle and strapped it to my waist.

“I want to confirm the river that marks the boundary with the North first. Please guide me there.”

There was no time for leisurely activities when I didn’t know when the Northern army might invade.

Yunis blinked at my answer, then nodded.

“Understood. Then Lord of Crisis, please follow me.”

I left the commanding of the soldiers to Jonathan and turned back.

“Serenon, Cassia, Deputy Julian. Come along.”

“Eh, me too?”

In contrast to Serenon and Cassia, who got off their horses without a word, Julian floated over using magic tools, seemingly unpleased with the choice of transport—he asked back, clearly not expecting that. I smiled slyly.

“Do you want the hand warmer to fall? Hurry up.”

Actually, after this Holy Rain incident, I realized that Julian could be an incredible asset against monsters, which was why I intended to take him along to the higher-ups. However, I figured if I said that, he’d likely pull the “I refuse to get involved” act based on his uninterested demeanor.

Julian groaned as if it were a hassle but obediently followed me.

“I heard there might be an ambush on the way. Were there any losses among the troops?”

“No. We only had a few injuries.”

“It seems your recovery is quite remarkable.”

“That’s too flattering. We were just lucky to have faced familiar monsters.”

As we walked on, I exchanged a few words with Yunis. He was a man with a rather mild appearance, and his character seemed just as affable. He smoothly led the conversation while mixing in appropriate compliments, making him quite the sophisticated conversationalist. I half-heartedly deflected the praise.

“I heard from the central meeting that there was also a suggestion that the North might cross the river on the ice. I hadn’t thought about that, and since I was protecting this place, I believed there would be no invasion, but it woke me up.”

Clack.

Yunis suddenly stopped.

I raised my head to look at the river ahead.

“If they can cross the Sidin River, it will provide the shortest route.”

The river was clear enough that I could see through it, with a thin crust of ice forming on its surface.