Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Hilde arrived at a tent set up in a village a short distance from the castle watchtower. How scared and terrified they must have been. The weight of the situation pressed down on her as she imagined the soldiers, and even ordinary people, having to confront the magical beasts that had suddenly appeared. A sudden wave of anxiety washed over her. Could she truly do her part without being a burden?
Before Hilde could step out of the carriage, Benedict noticed her darkened expression. “Tell me now if you can’t do this.”
“I-I can do it.”
“Don’t regret it later.”
“I’m really okay.”
“Are you?”
Just as Hilde flinched under his dubious gaze, she felt a warm touch on her shoulders. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized what it was.
“Master, this is…”
Trimmed with gold embroidery on a crimson background, it was clearly the cloak that had adorned his shoulders. But now, it had a hood and was tailored to fit her perfectly.
“It got torn and shortened, so I replaced it.”
“B-But to give me something so precious…”
“I was going to discard it anyway.”
The fabric felt incredibly soft against her skin. Hilde lowered her head, fiddling with the cloak’s clasp. “Th-Thank you, Master. I’ll treasure it.”
Perhaps it was the warmth of the cloak, but her fear completely vanished, replaced by a surge of confidence.
As she stepped inside the tent, the sharp smell of blood mingled with the pungent odor of medicine. Faint moans of pain echoed from within. Hilde cautiously approached a bed. The patient, eyes closed, appeared to be asleep. Their leg is cut. Even through the bandages, she could see, or rather, sense, the wound beneath. Marveling at her enhanced abilities, Hilde channeled her divine power. She could feel the wound closing without even having to look.
Having quickly healed one person, Hilde moved to the next bed, and then the next. Arms, legs, shoulders, and backs – she mended them one by one. It’s fortunate. The injuries aren’t severe. Thanks to that, she didn’t have to exert much effort. Even after healing more than a dozen people, she still felt energized. But they must have been so exhausted that they’re all asleep… Hilde’s expression softened as she looked at the sleeping figures. Yet, a sense of accomplishment filled her with each person she healed, bringing a smile to her face.
Benedict watched her radiant face without blinking, so captivated that he hadn’t even realized she had reached the last patient in the tent.
“I’m finished, Master. But…”
Her clear, gentle voice startled him back to reality.
“The people… their injuries don’t seem that serious…”
Benedict frowned slightly. “Are you complaining because you couldn’t use more of your divine power?”
“Oh, no. It’s not that… It’s just a little strange. No one seems to have been poisoned…”
He chuckled as he watched her tilt her head in confusion. She can be surprisingly perceptive when she wants to be. Despite granting Hilde’s request, Benedict had no intention of sharing her with just anyone. How could he let her use her healing powers so freely, so close to strangers? His little rabbit was fragile; one bite could be fatal. She could mend severed flesh for others, yet she couldn’t heal a simple scratch on his hand. He wouldn’t risk her safety under any circumstances. That’s why he had deliberately selected women, children, and the elderly with minor injuries. And as an extra precaution, he had them sedated.
“Let’s go back now that you’re finished.”
Just as Benedict reached out to place a hand on Hilde’s shoulder, intending to whisk her away before she could pry further, a sudden, agonizing scream ripped through the air from a nearby tent. Hilde jumped, turning to him. Damn it, Benedict cursed silently.
“Don’t mind it.”
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