OPDSP 33

The morning of the seventh day of the purge had arrived. After seeing off the combat unit, Aeryl returned to his tent. Not long after, Innis came to find him.

“Excuse me.”

Innis sat on the edge of the bed. Since her condition was a secret, they had agreed to treat her in short, private sessions like this.

“How did you feel after heading back last night once we finished the treatment?”

“Hmm. I was alright. I did a patrol and passed by the infirmary… The smell of antiseptic made me a little nauseous, but not too badly.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As he asked Innis a few more questions, Aeryl closely examined her condition. Her determination to recover was strong, and he judged that it would be safe to go a bit further today.

“Please show me your hand.”

Innis held out her injured hand. When he unwrapped the bandage, healing wounds were revealed. Though she frowned, it wasn’t as painful for her as before.

Aeryl disinfected the wound and applied ointment. She flinched a little at the touch, but considering he hadn’t even used pheromones, it was a significant improvement.

“How is it?”

“I can manage.”

“Shall we stop here like we did yesterday, or go a little further today?”

“What do you mean by further?”

“I’ll show you a healing spell. I won’t use it on you—just cast it from a distance so you can see it.”

“Hmm…”

“There’s no need to force yourself.”

“…Still, I want to try.”

“Alright.”

Aeryl pulled his chair back and moved a little farther away.

“You can turn your head away. Just look at me when you think you’re ready.”

“Yes.”

“I’m starting.”

Aeryl activated the healing spell. As the white light burst from his hand, Innis immediately turned her head and tightly shut her eyes.

“I—I can’t look.”

“That’s alright. You don’t have to.”

He had expected this reaction. Slowly, he released his pheromones. Though Innis was purge beta and couldn’t perceive pheromones, her instincts responded to them, and gradually, her tension began to ease. The pendant from Jenx also played a part.

“Come to think of it, Innis, you can use magic too, right?”

Aeryl spoke as he kept an eye on her expression, intending to help distract her mind.

“Yes… That’s right…”

“I was surprised when I saw it last time. I’ve never seen anything like that. What kind of magic is it?”

“My magic… To put it simply, it creates a kind of shield.”

“It looked pretty large.”

“I can shape it however I imagine it. I form it into the best shape to protect my allies from enemies…”

“I see. That sounds like the perfect kind of magic for you. You didn’t train in it separately, did you?”

“No… It just suddenly came to me during a fight with some pirates.”

Her tone started to soften—that was a sign that Aeryl’s pheromones were working properly on her.

“Pirates?”

“Every autumn, the coasts get troubled by pirate attacks.”

“You mean the ones they cleared out in summer… the Valbean crew?”

“There are others too… But Valbean was the worst of them.”

“Really? Innis, would you try opening your eyes a bit?”

Following his instructions, Innis cautiously opened her eyes to a squint. Realizing that she couldn’t see the healing spell while looking away, she finally opened her eyes properly. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead.

“What made the Valbean pirates so troublesome?”

“Their leader used strange tricks. They say the crew was wiped out, but plenty of remnants still remain… haa.”

It was a story Aeryl had heard before—on his first day examining the Grand Duke, he’d overheard it while hiding under the desk. Something about the Captain’s son having gone missing?

Since the capital with the imperial palace was inland, pirates had never been of concern. But he had heard rumors that the eastern coasts were swarming with them.

“Alright, now try turning your head a little more. Just as much as you can. If it’s too hard, just move your eyes.”

As Aeryl strengthened the release of his pheromones, he gave the instruction. Innis swallowed hard and turned her head just the slightest bit.

“Between hunting pirates and wrapping up this and purge… The Grand Duke’s soldiers must have it rough.”

“It is tough, but everyone bears it willingly. His Highness always leads from the front.”

There was clear faith in Grand Duke Asirion in Innis’s voice. That must be why he felt the need to hide how tired he was. In battle, the Grand Duke appeared so strong, it was hard to believe he had ever collapsed. Aeryl felt a pang of pity.

‘If the Grand Duke knew I was thinking this, he’d probably be offended.’

Innis’s head slowly turned toward Aeryl. Though the pheromones were helping, they weren’t absolute—she was facing her fear with everything she had.

‘Just a little more! You can do it!’

“Look straight ahead, Innis.”

With one final push, Innis looked directly at him. She locked eyes with the glow of healing magic blooming from Aeryl’s hand.

“Ah…”

Innis let out a gasp. It had been so terribly frightening—yet the light she now saw was warm and beautiful. Her body trembled.

She’s reaching her limit.

Aeryl understood Innis’s condition perfectly, even though she herself wasn’t aware of it.

“That’s enough for today.”

He ended the healing spell. Innis let out a long breath. Her whole body sagged, as if strength had drained from her.

“You did well. You’re showing real progress.”

“I think so too. I do feel better.”

“Then it should be fine to raise the intensity. Once the purge is over, I won’t be able to help you anymore. What do you think?”

“Huh? Aren’t you coming with us to the Grand Duke’s estate?”

“I’m scheduled to return to the village after the purge ends.”

“Oh… I just assumed you’d be working at the Grand Duke’s estate.”

That was out of the question. What if someone there recognized him?

“I’m a little disappointed too, but let’s do our best with the time we have left.”

“…Alright.”

Innis answered weakly. She must be feeling pretty let down. Despite her first impression, she was a warmhearted person.

And then—

Boom!

A deafening noise shook the air. Both Innis and Aeryl rushed out of the tent at once. Others had heard it too and were in a state of confusion.

The sound of horn blasts signaled an emergency. Innis’s face hardened.

“That means the main camp is under attack.”

“What?”

“Everyone will be shifting to emergency response. Just follow the training.”

“I haven’t received any training…”

“You’re a military physician. Go straight to the infirmary tent. Follow Lady Kyla’s orders. Steel yourself.”

Though the situation was urgent, Innis made sure to explain clearly so Aeryl would understand before sprinting off to her post.

To the infirmary.

The seriousness of the situation was obvious enough. Aeryl also hurried toward the infirmary.

Near the infirmary tent, medics had gathered. Aside from Jenx, who was assigned to a combat unit, the only medical officers were Beryl, Aeryl, and Kyla. When Aeryl approached, Beryl greeted him with a tired expression. Kyla quickly addressed him.

“The situation is urgent, so I’ll drop the formalities. Aeryl, do you have any experience handling emergency situations?”

“No, I don’t.”

“How much can you use your healing magic? What’s your limit?”

“I’ve never pushed it to the limit, so I’m not sure.”

“Understood. Just follow my instructions.”

“Yes!”

“Kyla!”

A soldier came running.

“What’s the situation?”

“A horde of monsters is attacking the main camp. The soldiers are currently holding them off.”

“A horde?”

“So far, we’ve identified twenty ghost wolves, gnoll warriors, goblin warriors, and at least one goblin mage.”

The soldier’s report was shocking. Like animals, monsters typically rejected any not of their own kind. If different species met, it usually ended in a deadly fight. But here were three different species joining forces?

“Must be a case where there’s a commanding leader behind them. Got it.”

Kyla made her judgment. The type of monsters attacking would affect the kinds of injuries the soldiers would sustain. It was her job to determine how to respond.

“You all heard that! Prepare to deal with injuries from cold weapons, poison, and magic. Beryl, go with the medics to the front lines.”

Beryl would provide immediate care at the scene, while the medics would carry the injured back to the infirmary. Kyla and Aeryl would remain in the infirmary, treating the wounded as quickly as possible.

“Stick to the training!”

As Kyla’s command rang out, everyone moved in perfect coordination. Despite the sudden crisis, there was no wasted motion. Every member of the subjugation force had undergone military training—it was showing now.

“This way.”

Kyla led the way into the infirmary tent, giving Aeryl a quick rundown.

“We’ll treat the patients brought here. It’s going to be a long battle, so conserve your energy.”

Inside the infirmary tent, medics had already prepared medicine and bandages. Aeryl took note of where everything was.

“Injured soldier!”

In the blink of an eye, the first wounded man was brought in.