Chapter 67
Chapter 67
“It hurts! Painkillers, give me painkillers! Aagh!”
Hilde’s body was already turned towards the entrance. Each cry of pain seemed to reverberate through her, making her tremble.
“Master…”
Her voice, pleading, tugged at him.
“Damn it.”
Finally, Benedict ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Close your eyes.”
***
Benedict covered Hilde’s eyes. He had already seen her use her abilities without unwrapping the bandages, so it didn’t matter if her vision was obscured. He could tell if the healing was working without having to examine the wounds. The repulsive smell of pus and blood was fading in real-time.
“M-Master, I’m scared because I can’t see.”
“What’s there to be scared of when I’m here?”
He knew full well that he was the one she should fear the most. He had even deliberately instilled fear in her to subdue her and exploit her powers. Yet, he feigned ignorance with brazen nonchalance.
“I’ll tell you where everything is, so don’t worry.”
“But I can do it while looking…”
“What did I say?”
Benedict’s cold tone left Hilde no choice but to stammer out a reply. “You said… that the patients’ conditions are so gruesome that I wouldn’t be able to bear it if I saw them… that I wouldn’t be able to heal them properly…”
Before entering this tent, he had covered her eyes, filling her with dread. He had described mangled flesh and exposed bones, oozing pus and blood – a horrific sight he claimed to be shielding her from. He had told her that, given her squeamishness at the mere sight of a severed arm, she would be overwhelmed by the ghastly spectacle. He had cleverly disguised his actions, even his decision to only allow her into the tent with the less severe injuries.
Only then did Benedict lead Hilde into the next tent. Moritz, following his instructions, had already administered a strong sedative and painkiller, so the tent was quiet.
“Is… is this it…?”
“Not there,”
Her small head swiveled, searching. Benedict pulled her close, almost embracing her from behind, and grasped her delicate wrists.
“Here.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Hilde blushed, lowering her head. He didn’t release her wrists, nor did he step away from her. Instead, he leaned in, his lips close to her ear.
“You should heal them, shouldn’t you?”
Her ear tips flushed crimson as she nodded.
Golden divine power flowed from Hilde’s fingertips, seeping into the patient’s wounds, which began to heal with astonishing speed. Moritz, witnessing the miraculous recovery, was silently awestruck. But Benedict, displeased by the wounds greedily absorbing the healing power, abruptly pulled Hilde’s hand back.
“That’s enough.”
“B-But it hasn’t fully healed yet…”
Startled by the sudden movement, Hilde stammered, but he remained firm.
“Do you intend to heal only one or two?”
“Oh…”
Her lips parted in realization before she nodded. “You’re right, Master. There are still many injured people…”
However, Benedict’s thoughts were different. I’ve saved them from the brink of death. The rest is up to them.
His cold judgment proved effective. By the time Hilde had made her way around the tent, the moans of pain from the unconscious patients had significantly subsided. They wouldn’t die within the next few days, at least.
Benedict reassessed his slave’s value. He had assigned the best healers in his territory to the injured, but none could compare to Hilde. And her abilities seem to be improving. Not only could she pinpoint injuries without seeing them, but she could also use her divine power for longer periods, even though he had interrupted her.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
Benedict turned Hilde around. Her face, still hidden behind the blindfold, was slightly pale. She must be tired.
As he reached out to wipe the beads of sweat from her temple, she spoke.
“So… can I take off the blindfold now?”
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