OPDSP 48

He wrapped her body in pheromones, hoping it would ease her pain even just a little. As it had many times before, her trembling gradually subsided.

‘Let’s go a little further.’

Aeryl carefully observed Innis’s condition and slowly brought the healing magic to her hand. Innis flinched and bit her lip.

‘A bit stronger.’

He took another half-step forward and released a denser wave of pheromones.

From diagnosis to calming tension, he had used them in so many ways that he was becoming skilled at controlling them.

The white light blooming in Aeryl’s palm slowly moved toward Innis’s hand. Aeryl tensed, sharpening his focus.

The hardest part of treating trauma was that moment—when fear swallowed everything. And that moment… was now.

“Mmgh…”

A soft groan escaped Innis’s lips.

The last time the healing spell touched her body, the pain had been unbearable—so intense it hadn’t gone away even after she passed out.

She didn’t want it. She didn’t want to feel that pain ever again.

A fierce urge to flee surged within her—and then,

“You’re okay. You can endure a little more.”

Aeryl’s voice reached her. It was gentle, but firm—and it brought her back to her senses.

He said she could do it.

Then that must be true.

Because this was the doctor who knew and understood her better than she did herself.

‘Hold on.’

Innis furrowed her brow and endured it.

The white light touched the back of her hand, then completely enveloped it.

As her wound healed, she felt that familiar tingling, stinging sensation.

“…It doesn’t hurt.”

“Of course. It wasn’t a serious wound. Even in more severe cases, we can reduce the pain with proper medication. Carrying some simple meds will help ease your mind too.”

Aeryl explained in a calm, soothing tone.

Though it was all information she already knew, Innis nodded as if hearing it for the first time.

She made a mental note to carry at least some painkillers—just in case.

“It feels… kind of amazing.”

Innis quietly stared at the healing magic.

Her wound had already healed, but Aeryl hadn’t stopped the spell.

Even though it must have been tiring to maintain, he showed no sign of discomfort and continued, patiently staying by her side.

“I was so scared, but now that we’re here… it feels like nothing.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

Aeryl retracted his pheromones.

Even without them, Innis looked calm.

It seemed like they could take it a step further.

“Want to try taking off the necklace? Do you think you can?”

“I’ll try.”

Innis carefully removed the necklace.

“How does it feel?”

“My chest flutters a little, but… I’m fine.”

So she still felt a little uneasy without Jenx’s necklace.

Her body had grown used to reacting that way—it was a habit now.

Time would heal that on its own.

“That’s good.”

Aeryl smiled and withdrew the healing spell.

“There’s still some lingering anxiety, but you’re doing well.”

“Then…?”

Innis looked at him with trembling eyes.

She already sensed what he was going to say—and waited for his words with bated breath.

“Your treatment is over. Congratulations. You’ll be able to receive healing magic normally now.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Aeryl gave a definite answer.

Innis had overcome her trauma.

Strictly speaking, it might have been too soon to say she was completely healed after a single attempt.

Ideally, he’d have liked to call in another doctor and observe her through a gradual healing process with minor wounds first.

But the circumstances didn’t allow it.

What Innis needed most right now was confidence.

So after much thought, he gave her the answer she needed.

‘I should ask Kyla to keep an eye on her condition from now on.’

She was the Grand Duke’s Knight Order’s doctor, so she would be able to help Innis.

And there was still Jenx’s necklace.

“Doctor!”

Innis, who had been standing still, suddenly threw her arms around Aeryl.

Oh!

Aeryl froze in place, hands lifted awkwardly in the air.

It was the first time he’d been hugged by a woman since his wet nurse—he had no idea what to do.

“Thank you, Doctor. Truly. Thank you so much.”

She spoke in a choked voice, overwhelmed with emotion.

It was her own body, and yet she couldn’t control it.

Even after realizing she was unwell, she hadn’t been able to do anything.

That sense of helplessness and self-loathing had strangled her and made things even worse.

She truly thought everything was over. It felt like her life had come to an end.

And then she met Aeryl.

He lit up what had been a pitch-black future, stayed by her side—encouraging her, scolding her, and moving forward with her.

Thanks to him, she had been able to overcome memories she thought she never would.

Even when recalling the pain of last summer, it no longer shook her.

Of course, she knew things wouldn’t get better all at once.

She’d still have to be careful and watch herself from now on.

But now, she no longer felt lost or anxious.

She had confidence that she could handle it with her own strength.

And that, too, was because of Aeryl.

“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Doctor, I would’ve given up on everything.”

“It’s thanks to your courage, Miss Innis.”

“No, I know. I really do. No other medic could have healed me like this. Only you could’ve done it.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Aeryl smiled and gently embraced her.

“You must’ve had a hard time. Thank you for staying with me through it. You did well to endure it.”

Innis bit her lip at his words, her heart swelling.

Ah, this wasn’t good—she was about to cry like a mess.

A woman had her pride, after all.

She stepped back from the hug and stared straight at Aeryl, eyes blazing with resolve.

“I will never forget this grace. As long as it doesn’t bring harm to His Grace or the territory, I—Innis—will do whatever you ask.”

“Haha, your heart alone is thanks enough.”

“I mean it.”

She wasn’t just sincere—she was dead serious.

“Treating you was a stroke of luck for me, too.”

Healing Innis meant a great deal to Aeryl as well.

After all, he had finally proven what he’d long been advocating: that omegas had value.

He’d already received permission to use her case in research.

The studies that would unfold from this example would one day transform the way omegas were treated.

There was still a long road ahead, but he was sure they had taken a crucial first step.

With that, Innis’s treatment had come to an end.

Aeryl’s role was finished.

All that’s left is to return to the village in peace.

They would arrive in two days.

They set out at dawn, bustling with activity.

The road back to the village was smooth. Since the area had already been cleared, there were no battles to delay them, and they passed through the forest trail without incident.

Gone was the grim air that had hung over them at the start.

Now, the soldiers were relaxed, more like people on an outing than a military unit.

Since there wasn’t much for them to do, they chatted in small groups and shared snacks as long as they didn’t stray from formation.

Medics were usually popular, but Aeryl especially so.

Many people were grateful to him—some even felt guilty for having misunderstood him at the beginning.

Everyone wanted to do something for him, so he was constantly surrounded.

‘Huh. This is actually fun.’

Aeryl had always thought he preferred quiet solitude over noisy company.

But now, surrounded by the soldiers, he was having an unexpectedly good time.

They shared stories from their mission, burst into laughter at inside jokes only they would understand—it was all so cheerful, so lively.

Come to think of it, Aeryl’s relationships had always been with people either beneath him or above him in status.

Even during his medical training, he’d kept his distance to hide his identity.

This was his first time making comrades who had shared the same experiences and mingling with them as equals.

He’d always dreamed of this kind of thing, but he’d never imagined it would be this enjoyable.

So this is why they say people need community.

‘This is what I wanted.’

Aeryl’s chest swelled with emotion.

To belong somewhere.

To connect with people.

To form bonds, be acknowledged, and live among others.

Now that he knew this, he felt he could truly settle into village life.

He hadn’t planned to stay in the Edge of the World Village permanently, but he would be there for at least a few years.

And when the purge unit and Aeryl arrived at the village, the joy reached its peak.

After two days of travel, just as the sunset began to dye the sky, the village entrance finally came into view.

The village was unusually noisy.

It was normally such a quiet place that Aeryl found it strange.

As they drew closer, the soldiers grew noticeably more excited.

Some even straightened their clothes and tidied up their appearance.

He understood why as soon as they entered the village.

The moment the front of the party marched onto the main road—

“WOOOOAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!”

A deafening cheer erupted from all directions.