The sun slowly sank behind the horizon as the supply of healing potions was running low. Many of the residents had now become friendly and seemed to have forgotten their initial distrust towards me. However, there were also skeptics who did not welcome my presence here with joy. Many of the beastfolk had had bad experiences with humans. Among them, there were also elves, and I even encountered some dwarves who were mostly occupied in the mines.
It's a colorful mix gathered here. Although life in this area is harsh, it had become a home for them. Most of them were seeking refuge as they had lost their old homeland due to wars, monster attacks, or looting. Although they feared Tatsuya, they also held great respect for him. His stern face might seem intimidating, but his smile was enchanting.
I bid farewell to the residents, and the knights began reloading the empty crates onto the carriage. Just as we were about to depart, a knight approached us. He rode swiftly on a horse, gasping for breath, "Duke Drakonov, scouts have spotted a horde of goblins in the east." The faces of the knights and Tatsuya instantly turned serious. "Kiyoshi, you stay here and inform the residents", said Tatsuya to the former one-handed knight. Then he turned to Raven. "You safely escort him back to the estate", he said curtly and mounted a horse, followed by the other knights. They rode off hastily.
Isabella and Raven escorted me back to the carriage and we quickly began our departure. Raven stayed outside with the coachman to keep an eye on the surroundings, while Isabella sat across from me. She seemed tense. Goblins... I hadn't encountered any of these creatures in this world so far, and my only knowledge of them came from video games where they were often seen as beginner-level monsters. Curious, I turned to Isabella and asked, "Are goblins really that dangerous?" An expression of disbelief appeared on her face. She could hardly believe that there was someone in this world who wasn't familiar with goblins.
After a brief moment of surprise, she composed herself and explained, "A single goblin alone wouldn't pose much of a problem for an experienced knight or adventurer. They are not particularly strong, and a lone wolf would probably be more dangerous. However, they should never be underestimated. Goblins are monsters with a certain level of intelligence and they are capable of learning. That's why they have learned to use weapons and are familiar with simple traps and tactical maneuvers. Although their tactics are rather simple, they can still inflict significant damage... especially when they attack in large numbers. There are reports of entire villages being destroyed by their raids," she explained with a concerned look. "Furthermore, they tend to form alliances with other monsters to enhance their attacking power," she added, underscoring the danger posed by these creatures.
Just as we realized that our supply of healing potions was depleted, I wished I had crafted more to provide them to the knights on the battlefield. As we made our way back to the estate, we saw a reddish light flickering in the darkness, casting an alarming glow over the sky. The sun had almost completely set, and the somber shimmer of the night settled upon the land. Despite the urgent situation, we reached the estate without further incidents.
There was a burst of activity as the staff secured the estate and the knights prepared their weapons to confront the enemy. Raven and Isabella accompanied me inside the estate, where Ryota was already waiting for my arrival. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw me and his eyes bore witness to the tension in the air. Now, all we could do was wait as the soldiers did their best to avert the danger.
"In which area are the injured brought?" I asked Isabella and Raven to better understand the situation. Isabella promptly responded, "The injured are initially given emergency care on-spot and then transported to the clinic". My curiosity was piqued, and I inquired further, "Clinic?" Isabella patiently explained, "The clinic is a room next to the training hall that serves as a temporary shelter during attacks. There, Dr. Weber, along with the staff, tends to the injured and provides medical treatment". Her words emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the necessity of organized medical care amidst the battle.
Dr. Weber? Isabella noticed my inquisitive gaze and explained, "You have already met Dr. Weber. He was the doctor who examined you after Ryota's healing". Ah, the old man who reminded me of a goat. "I also want to help. Please take me to the clinic as well", I sincerely said. Isabella and Raven exchanged a glance, Raven nodded in agreement. "As you wish", sighed Isabella. Ryota joined in on our decision. However, I noticed Isabella's concerned expression and turned to Ryota. "But who will stay here to hold the fort? Someone needs to be here to protect the estate and the staff", I said to him. He hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Alright, I will stay here, but be careful". His words sounded serious and mature.
We made our way to the clinic, with the sounds of battle permeating through the walls of the estate in the background. Monsters screamed, men shouted and the clang of metal could be heard. As we entered the room, I saw the doctor and several staff members busy preparing makeshift beds. Water was being heated, and cloths and bandages were ready. The room was far from sterile, so I decided to cleanse it with my magic. As we awaited the arrival of the injured, we prepared ourselves to receive them. Several hours passed and outside, the commotion gradually subsided until only the galloping of horses could be heard, growing louder with each passing moment. Finally, the knights burst into the room. Some of them were covered in blood, while others were carried in.
Panic developed, and I found myself scanning the injured knights for Tatsuya. But there was no time for that now. I had to focus on my task. There were many severely wounded fighters. At first, I hesitated, unsure of where to start or whom to help first. But more injured individuals kept pouring in. The air became filled with the smell of blood. I could only imagine the fierce battle that must have taken place outside and I was shocked that all these injuries were supposedly caused by the goblins.
"Jinzo, where is Felix?" an anxious maid called out to one of the injured knights. "He's still fighting with the Duke and the others against a snow beast", he replied. The maid was taken aback by his response, tears welling up in her eyes. "Snow beast?" I whispered softly to myself. What kind of monster was that? Isabella heard my murmuring and explained, "A snow beast is a gigantic creature. Its body is covered in white fur, and it has enormous fangs. Moreover, they usually possess ice magic. They are very fast and strong... usually, they live like lone wolves high up in the mountains in caves". So it wasn't just goblins carrying out the attacks. Barely had Isabella finished her explanation when more injured individuals arrived. I could hardly keep up with healing them.
"Felix?!" The maid exclaimed in distress. She rushed to one of the knights being brought in. He was bleeding heavily and unconscious. I wanted to go to him, but more severely injured fighters kept coming in. Some were missing limbs, organs were exposed, and bones protruded. The sight made my stomach churn, and I had to swallow hard to prevent myself from vomiting. "I'm sorry, but there's nothing more we can do for him", I heard someone in the crowd say. I stood amidst the chaos, feeling despair creep in. It would take too long to heal each one individually. I had to do something. The only solution that came to mind at that moment was to heal them all at once, but how could I accomplish that? Until now, I had only healed one person at a time.
My heart raced in my chest as I realized I needed to act quickly to save the lives of the injured. I closed my eyes and delved deep into my inner self, focusing on the flowing energy of my mana. Instead of directing it towards a single person as I had done before, I attempted to channel it throughout the entire room, permeating every corner with my healing magic. I opened my eyes and the surroundings were bathed in a dazzling, warm light. The room was filled with a gentle glow that pierced through the darkness.
As my vision cleared, I caught sight of Tatsuya entering the room. A shiver ran through my body, and I felt even more magic coursing through my veins. The wounds of the injured began to close, as their bodies were infused with a revitalizing power. I could sense a collective sigh of relief in the air. But then I noticed something warm trickling down my cheek. Confused, I touched my face and stared at my blood-stained hand. These were not tears of joy.
Before I could react, Tatsuya approached me with a determined gaze. His hands gripped my arms firmly. "That's enough! Stop!" His voice resonated with seriousness and determination. A cough interrupted my words, and I tasted the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. The realization that I had exceeded my limits washed over my body. A moment of terror seized me as I realized that my excessive use of mana was harming my own body.
The light began to slowly fade, and I realized that the injured were not fully healed yet. I turned my gaze towards them, their pain and injuries still visible. But before I could do anything, Tatsuya swung his right hand, and I felt a powerful blow to the back of my head. The world around me blurred and I lost consciousness.
As I slowly regained consciousness, I found myself in my bed, surrounded by a calm atmosphere. Isabella sat beside me, wearing a concerned expression on her face. A sense of confusion washed over me as I tried to recall the events. "What happened?" I asked her in a soft voice. She hesitated for a moment before answering, "You passed out yesterday because you depleted too much mana. Your powers overwhelmed you". Her words echoed in my mind, and their meaning finally sank in. A feeling of disappointment coursed through my body.
Isabella held my hand tightly and continued, "You need to be more cautious. Depleting all your mana can be fatal". Her voice carried a tone of concern as she looked at me earnestly. The consequences of my actions became clear to me in that moment, and I felt the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. "I'll be more careful from now on, I promise", I replied.
Isabella rose from my side and said, "I will inform the Duke that you have awakened". She left the room. I looked towards Raven, who stood at the edge of the bed. Our eyes met and I could see the relief in his eyes. "How are the injured?" I asked with a worried voice. Raven hesitated for a moment before answering, "Thanks to you, they are all doing well. Your magic helped them survive". A wave of relief washed over my body, and I slumped back onto the pillow, exhausted. The certainty that I had at least done some good comforted me in this moment of exhaustion.
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