Chapter 116

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I had insisted I would go, but my resolve at the end of the day was not strong enough to make it happen.

“Stay still and lie down. Even if you look fine, you need at least three days of rest before you can go back.”

“Please, do not let the young girl use harsh methods anymore.”

“I understand your stance, but please take care of your health.”

While listening to the nagging of the three people who were watching me so fiercely from the bed, I found myself detained there.

“Young Master, even if it’s me, I can’t handle three of you.”

“Fine, just be quiet. Your voice is giving me a headache.”

“Yes…”

The voice of Elshymer in between wasn’t nagging, but it didn’t give me strength either. So, I gestured to shut him up.

“I’ve realized that going out won’t change anything, so can you let me rest?”

Since I couldn’t go out anyway, I asked four people to hold me back so I could rest as much as possible.

They didn’t seem to want to interfere with that either.

“Even if you go out again, just watch from outside.”

“I’ll join too.”

Failord and Karadbolg left the hospital room with slightly softened voices compared to before.

“Would you two like anything to eat?”

“Then, I’m feeling sleepy, so I’ll go take a nap… Ouch! Why are you grabbing my ear, Miss Katarina?”

“Help me with this. It’s difficult to manage both of you by myself.”

“…Since it’s you, Miss Katarina asking, I’ll help you.”

Katarina and Elshymer, who suddenly became like attendants to the two, also left the hospital room.

Finally, the hospital room, which had been bustling with five of us, returned to a quiet space suitable for a patient.

Though a lively environment can infuse vitality into those present over time, in my current situation where I feel trapped due to my condition and can’t rush to save Asulin right away…

*Sigh*…

This silence, where I can breathe without anyone noticing, feels somewhat better.

When I released my frustration with a sigh, my heavy mood gradually eased, and I started to realize what needed to be done.

It wasn’t difficult.

“Let’s get some sleep…”

I needed to recover faster so I could go rescue Asulin.

As I organized these thoughts, I lay back on the bed, stiffening my back, and closed my eyes.

Even though I had boasted earlier, as soon as I laid down on the bed, a rather intense pain surged through my body.

“…The pain keeps getting worse. Is this going to heal?”

I couldn’t suppress a sigh.

Although my external wounds had mostly healed and moving around was better than expected, the aftermath of having been pierced by a Weaponless in the abdomen was still severe, even for a well-trained body regenerating itself.

In the end, Failord and Karadbolg were right.

Trying to push my body when it isn’t fully healed would only lead to disaster.

Even if I could subdue a few barbarians despite my injuries, facing Dominus waiting for me there would surely result in defeat.

Even if we met in perfect condition and I couldn’t even inflict proper wounds, how much less now, with my body not fully recovered?

*Sigh*…

The obvious conclusion rose in my mind, and the anger flared up inside me, forcing me to calm it with another sigh.

As the heat dissipated, my thoughts slowly became clearer.

But no matter how hard I tried to think, no solution came to mind for defeating the overwhelmingly strong Dominus and rescuing Asulin.

Well, if answers came just by thinking, nobody would have to struggle.

“…For now, I’ll think about it after I’m completely healed.”

Since there was no other way, I resolved to think about it later and fell into a deep rest to recover my injured body as much as possible.

Even though I hadn’t been asleep for long, my body, which had been pushed to recover from injuries, sank into a deep slumber as soon as my two eyes closed.

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???

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I couldn’t soothe my wife who was angry and rushed off.

Because of our usual routine, she insisted on joining me on the expedition to defend the territory, but our casual argument escalated into something more serious than usual.

If it were any other time, taking her along against the barbarian tribes wouldn’t have mattered, but because she is carrying our child, I couldn’t bear the thought of her seeing the harsh scenes of battle.

My harsh words were a mistake.

Usually, she always smiled and encouraged me to return safely whether she could come along or not, but this time, it felt different.

Her worried face peering out from the window as I prepared to leave made my heavy heart a bit lighter, but leaving without even properly saying goodbye to her weighed heavily on me.

She, who usually avoided closeness, taught me kindness and showed me the importance of protecting something.

Leaving her now, even for a short while, made me feel uneasy.

Could it be that she feels the same unease and wants to follow me despite the danger?

I don’t know. Every moment with her is new and challenging.

At first, everything seemed annoying and frightening, but gradually accepting them brought new joys to life.

This situation too will probably bring new insights once enough time passes.

Of course, this insight can only come true if I survive the upcoming clash with the barbarians and return safely.

What’s more important is deciding the name for the baby soon to be born.

Even though my wife suggested naming the baby after birth, I can’t help but think it must be a boy given how energetic he is in her belly.

I need to think carefully and choose a name everyone will be satisfied with.

Not a name like mine, which was overly grandiose and tied to my own dreams.

A simple yet hopeful name, one that embodies the wish for a happy life.

Anyway, as a father, I am going to chase away the barbarians to protect the peace of the territory.

Even though I haven’t taken action properly until now, once I start, I must do it right and not show any shame in front of my family.

Until then, don’t cause too much trouble, little one.

We’ll see each other soon.

—

…

It’s cold.

Even though this fortress is located at the middle of the harshly cold Zakarat Mountain Range in the Central Continent, the chill seeping through the walls of the latest fortress built with the power of advancing magic engineering is unusual.

Not to mention the abnormal cold air, something else woke me up from my sleep.

“Wake up…”

My consciousness, which had been deeply submerged in sleep, caught the voice that sounded even colder than the surrounding air.

…A voice I don’t recognize. Even considering I was half-asleep, it was definitely a voice I didn’t know.

Who could it be? Who would dare enter my sickroom and speak to me with such a cold tone?

What happened to Failord and Karadbolg, who were supposed to be guarding me from outside?

And…

“Wake up. Andymin Mesa Failord. Don’t keep me waiting.”

Facing the voice that was clearly probing my thoughts, why couldn’t I muster the energy to respond?

“Hmm… seems like you have quite thick nerves.”

The person whose voice I heard, regardless of whether they knew about my current state or not, spoke with a tone that was more indifferent than cold.

Though I couldn’t open my eyes, I couldn’t miss the presence of someone observing me closely from such a close distance.

The sharp gaze felt like it was piercing through my skin.

Following that, the next thing I perceived was…

“Black…”

The pitch-black color reminded me of a bottomless abyss. It was murky and dark, confusing my senses.

It was overwhelming, like a wave of pure malice. Even normal people would feel suffocated and possibly die just by being near it.

I recognized this aura. How could I forget? About two weeks ago, it had pierced my left shoulder, and just three days ago, it had pierced my abdomen.

“…Weaponless.”

The aura of the Black Sword was identical; how could I not recognize it?

Seeing Failord and Karadbolg in their human forms increased the vividness of my imagination, making the situation even more effective.

The moment I realized this, my body, which had been unresponsive, began to regain its freedom starting from the moment I named the entity.

Using this newfound freedom, I immediately took the most urgent action available in this situation.

I quickly got up and moved my body to a spot where the Weaponless’s uncomfortable gaze wouldn’t reach.

Awakening from sleep and still not fully recovered from my injuries, my movements were naturally sluggish and slow.

They were clumsy enough that they couldn’t be used seriously against someone who harbored ill intentions towards me.

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