Chapter 12

“…Theo.”

When I opened my eyes again, what I saw was not the ceiling of my room but the ceiling of the infirmary.

My father, sitting by my bedside, quietly peeled an apple.

“It seems your consciousness has returned.”

I tried to get up, but my body wouldn’t listen.

“Don’t push yourself. The healing magic wasn’t very effective.”

“How long was I out?”

“About half a day.”

That’s shorter than I thought. I thought I’d be out for at least a day.

As I blinked my hazy eyes, my father held out a piece of apple.

When I accepted it and bit into it, a sweet and sour taste filled my mouth.

“How are the others?”

“Both are safe. Laurel from the Knight Division has submitted an incident report and is currently under disciplinary action.”

“Disciplinary action?”

“It’s a given. To think she’d take freshmen into a Gate without a professor. She was too arrogant.”

Father spoke as if it was obvious, but I didn’t think so.

Laurel was by no means an arrogant person. If she had been, she wouldn’t have sought help from my father in that situation.

She had just made a mistake in judgment.

“The Magic Division is also at fault for not properly managing the Gate. The professor in charge will also be facing disciplinary action.”

Father’s voice was as cold as ever. He never tolerated mistakes. It was something I had keenly felt even when I was just playing the game.

“What about Lucian?”

“He’s next door. He has no external injuries, so he will be discharged as soon as he wakes up.”

That’s a relief.

Still, seeing his arm like that, I was worried he might have some aftereffects.

“I heard from a knight named Lloyd. You held out until Laurel came. You did well.”

It was the first compliment I had heard in a while. A corner of my heart tickled, and I felt a bit awkward.

I never thought I’d be praised for nearly dying.

“It was just luck.”

“Don’t be so modest. Luck is also a skill.”

Father, who had finished peeling the apple, got up from his seat.

“I have submitted the incident report. Since you were dragged into it, there will be no probation for you. Rest well.”

“Father.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you for saving me.”

At my words, he paused for a moment, then left the room without a word.

It was a very Evan Lisitoel-like exit.

He was a man who was extremely awkward at expressing affection.

“Whew….”

I let out a long sigh and checked my body’s condition.

The broken bones had mostly set, and the torn muscles were regenerating. The Self-Heal skill was surprisingly effective.

There were no major problems, but my whole body ached as if I had been beaten up.

It was difficult to even get up. This was why I hated using my body.

I slowly got up and headed to the room next door where Lucian was.

Lucian, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, slowly turned his head towards me.

“Are you okay?”

“…….”

No answer returned.

His right arm, which had been grotesquely twisted, was now back to its original shape. But the purple bruises were still there.

“I’m sorry.”

“If you’re going to say that, get out.”

I didn’t come here to hear an apology.

I came because I was worried.

“It’s not your fault.”

“But if it weren’t for me─”

“Don’t make me say it twice. It’s annoying.”

I cut him off firmly.

Lucian quietly shut his mouth. His sullen appearance reminded me of a large dog.

“…Your arm, does it still hurt?”

“No, it doesn’t hurt.”

Not hurting is actually the bigger problem.

It meant that his nerves were damaged.

The Holy Sword was a double-edged sword. It granted great power, but it also demanded a corresponding price. For the current Lucian, who was still immature, it was a weapon too burdensome to handle.

“It will get better soon.”

I patted his shoulder and said.

It was not an empty consolation. It will indeed get better. A little slowly, that’s all.

“You rest well too.”

After saying my piece, I tried to leave, but my wrist was caught.

When I turned my head, Lucian was looking at me with pleading eyes.

“Don’t go.”

His voice trembled faintly.

It seemed the shock from that day was greater than I thought.

Well, it’s understandable. He was only fifteen. It was an age where he would be scared and afraid.

“Okay.”

I sat on a chair next to his bed.

I didn’t say anything more. Just being by his side seemed to be a great comfort to him.

Lucian, who had been fiddling with the blanket, soon fell asleep.

Seeing him sleep so soundly, it seemed he hadn’t been able to sleep properly.

It was then.

A new quest window appeared before my eyes.

Tiring!

+++

<Main Quest> [The Hero’s First Step]

The Crown Prince of the Empire, Cayenne, has decided to form a Baal Subjugation Team.

As one of the few who have faced Baal and survived, you have been specially selected as a member of the subjugation team.

Join the Baal Subjugation Team and assist the hero.

-Reward: ???

+++

“What the….”

My eyes widened.

The Baal Subjugation Operation.

This was a very important event in the original storyline.

It was the first official event where Lucian, the hero, makes his name known to the world.

“To think it would start already.”

It felt like it was happening too early, but it wasn’t a bad thing.

The Disciplinary Committee would be held soon, and a large-scale investigation into the Gates would begin. In that process, traces of Baal would be discovered here and there, and the Imperial Family, feeling a sense of crisis, would decide to form a subjugation team.

“My role is to be an assistant.”

It was a role I was confident I could play well.

My heart pounded. This was an opportunity.

An opportunity to leap forward.

I looked at the peacefully sleeping Lucian.

Now, it’s time for you to spread your wings.

And I will be the one to help you with that.

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