Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Not a Single Day of Peace. (3)
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Elena ran down the corridor.
Nobles must maintain their dignity at all times, no matter where they are. It was a lesson drilled into her ears endlessly, but right now, she couldn't bring herself to care.
Her exclusive attendant of over ten years, her secret friend, had been beaten to a pulp.
The image of him drenched in blood from head to toe was still vivid in her mind.
Hah-, hah-.
Panting heavily, she arrived in front of the infirmary in the Swordsmanship Department. The long trail of red bloodstains along the corridor told the story of what had happened.
Please be safe....
Just as Elena desperately reached for the infirmary door,
It swung open, and someone stepped out.
Black hair, red eyes, upper body stained with blood. It was Shabel Crimhilt, the first-year professor in charge of the Swordsmanship Department and the one who had brought Luke here.
"You're from the Frozenheart Ducal Family, aren't you...?"
"Professor, how is Luke? What happened to Luke Nineheart?"
"I can't tell you anything right now. They're still checking inside."
At least tell me if he's alive or dead.
That's what Elena thought, but she held her tongue. Interrogating her wouldn't change the outcome anyway.
That didn't ease her anxiety, though. Her grip tightened on the hem of her skirt.
At that moment, Shabel Crimhilt let out a short sigh and brushed back her disheveled bangs.
"He's not injured badly enough to be life-threatening, so don't worry too much."
"I see...."
Elena leaned against the wall with a sigh. Her legs felt like they might give out any second, but she couldn't bring herself to sit down.
'Thank goodness....'
Really, truly thank goodness.
"Thank you, Professor."
"I don't deserve your thanks. If anything, I've sinned by letting a student take on such a burden."
"Still, thank you for saving Luke."
"Come with me for now. Adella—no, the Magic Department professor—went ahead to where the students are."
Shabel turned and started walking.
Elena gazed longingly at the infirmary door where Luke was, then hurried after her.
Afterward, they returned to the students and heard an explanation of the incident.
According to Adella, the Magic Department professor, the Magic Tower that provided the beast had been negligent in managing the shackles. It wasn't particularly important, so Elena let it go in one ear and out the other.
"Everyone, head back to your dorms for the day and calm your nerves. I'm sorry we couldn't have a proper class."
At Adella's words, the students rose one by one and filed out of the classroom.
Elena was, of course, among them. Clutching her small bag, she quickened her steps.
Before long, she arrived back in front of the Swordsmanship Department infirmary.
She'd heard from the professor that he was fine, but she wanted to see for herself. Only then would her mind be at ease.
'He said he was okay, so why am I still so tense....'
Elena steadied herself with a short sigh and carefully opened the door.
"Oh... You're Elena, right...?"
"Yes, that's me."
Greeting Elena as she entered was, naturally, the healer. She'd met her once before, when the woman had treated the wound on her neck at the entrance ceremony.
"Are you hurt somewhere?"
"No, not me...."
Elena's gaze drifted to the bed nearby. Luke lay there with his eyes closed. His blood-soaked clothes and body had been cleaned up, so someone must have taken care of him.
Perhaps realizing what her look meant, the healer gave a gentle smile.
"He had quite a few wounds, but we've treated them all. Nothing life-threatening. He passed out from overload on his mana circuits, so no need to worry."
"Thank you."
"I know your heart must be heavy. Take your time."
Elena responded to her kindness with a light bow of her head. Then she slowly walked over and sat in the chair by the bed.
'Just you try waking up....'
Seeing Luke sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world, irked her for no reason. Especially since she'd been so worried.
But that irritation didn't last. A sigh escaped her lips, and her emotions settled.
She knew what resolve had driven him to risk his life.
Knights are human too—how could he not have been afraid? She was proud of him for choosing to pick up the sword anyway, but resentful too.
As her mind swirled in turmoil, the healer suddenly spoke up.
"By the way. He was muttering something a lot while he was out...."
"Luke was?"
"Yes, something about Elena for sure."
Maybe it wasn't just an excuse. A justification for making that choice.
Or perhaps he'd simply been begging to live. They say in the final moments, people cling to any straw.
That was when it happened.
"E, Elena Platoon Leader...."
Suddenly, Luke grimaced and mumbled something incomprehensible.
She got that he was calling her name, but what was this "platoon leader" business?
In case more words followed, Elena leaned in to listen.
"Trench construction... done... drainage work now...?"
Trench construction? Drainage work?
Elena still couldn't make sense of it, but...
For some reason, those words rubbed her the wrong way.
"Luke, you got some experience under your belt?"
"Sorry, sir...."
"Sorry doesn't end your service, does it?"
It was a truly horrific nightmare.
Elena, wearing a platoon leader's insignia, ordering him through trench construction and then drainage work—a full course of shoveling hell.
I only woke up after finishing every task. Even though it was just a dream, my whole body was soaked in sweat.
'How long was I out...?'
Looking out the window, the sky was the distinctive tea-brown hue of dusk.
The beast had escaped that morning, so a good chunk of time had passed.
And that was assuming I'd woken up the same day. It could have been more than twenty-four hours.
'Where the heck am I, anyway...?'
Turning my head the other way, I froze. There was the person from my dream.
Elena was dozing off in the chair, her head lolled sharply to the side. She'd have a stiff neck when she woke up.
"Milady, milady...."
I called to her in a very soft voice, so as not to startle her if she woke.
After calling a few times,
"Eek?!"
Elena jolted awake. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and slowly turned her gaze to me. Her hazy eyes focused, landing on me.
"Sleeping sitting up isn't good for you. Please head back to the dorm and rest properly."
"Luke...?"
"Yes, milady."
The corners of Elena's eyes drooped, her brows knitting together. She looked like she might burst into tears any second.
Why did her crying face look just like when she was a kid? Snot was about to start running.
But Elena held back. She closed her eyes tightly, tilted her head back, and endured.
When her gaze returned to me, she was smiling.
"Sleep well?"
"I'm sorry."
"You know you're sorry? Leaving the person you're supposed to attend to and just sleeping away."
"It won't happen again."
"I absolutely, absolutely won't forgive it. Not as your secret friend either."
"Yes, I'll keep it etched in my heart."
I bowed my head lightly. Even if it was to protect her, the fact that I'd acted on my own didn't change.
As her secret friend, it went without saying. I'd tried to die leaving her behind.
"Then I'll fetch the healer."
"No need. I'll go."
"You don't move a single step. That's an order."
When Elena specified it was an order, I had no choice. Especially fresh off apologizing for acting unilaterally.
Elena rose and walked to the door.
Just as I was about to point out the irony—she wasn't going out?—her voice came.
"Luke, I'm glad you came back alive."
I had no reply, just stared at her back. With ten mouths, I'd still have nothing to say.
As Elena reached for the door...
It opened, and someone appeared.
"Oh, my, Elena, why are you crying...?"
Looked like our lady had regressed to a sniveling kid.
How many days had passed since the beast escape incident?
I was going about my daily routine as if nothing had happened.
The healer had advised three days of full rest in the dorm, but I ignored it and jumped back into normal life the next day.
Resting would make it hard to keep up with classes, and my condition wasn't bad enough to warrant it anyway.
If anything, I felt a bit better than before. My body even seemed lighter.
For reference, the incident was chalked up to negligence by the Magic Tower that supplied the beast. The Magic Tower Lord permanently expelled everyone involved.
At the Academy, Adella and Shabel—the two in charge of the class—received reprimands. Fortunately, they weren't severe, so classes continued uninterrupted.
Thus, peace returned at last.
I should have been enjoying this perfect moment...
Right?
"Luke Nineheart, to the podium."
How the hell did it come to this?