Return (7)

My heart sank heavily at Celica’s words.

Catalina’s left arm was impossible to revive.

Fortunately, I was able to move to some extent and there was a possibility of rehabilitation.

Since I was always right-handed, I said there wouldn’t be much inconvenience in my daily life.

In fact, for the prosecutor, it was no different from a death sentence.

“Sorry. I put all my divine power into it, but this is the limit…”

“No. Serica. You did your best.”

It is said that necrosis was progressing in the arm due to being injected with a lethal dose of poison that exceeded the lethal dose.

Thanks to Celica, I was able to heal my arm without cutting it off, but it is said that this is the limit.

“Cerica. Thanks to you, this is how it ended. So don’t blame yourself too much.”

“…I guess so.”

Celica gently placed her hand on the back of my hand with a dark expression.

Slender and delicate hands. Her divine power and light wavered unstablely.

As if it represents her feelings.

“Cerica. Cheer up.”

“Okay. You did your best.”

Tyria, who was watching from the side, also gave Celica a warm hug.

Of course, Kayla also comforted her with worried eyes.

And the person involved was also grateful to Celica.

Just then, Catalina glanced at us from the corner of her eye and approached us.

“What? Why is the atmosphere so dark?”

“Ah, Catalina… That’s… “

“My arm was blown off, why are you making such a fuss? “I don’t feel anything.”

Instead, Catalina giggles and raises her left arm.

As I joked and spoke as if nothing had happened, the atmosphere calmed down a bit.

“Your arm doesn’t hurt, right?”

“Okay. The feeling of my muscles being shriveled is unpleasant.”

Catalina raised her left arm and said it was okay, but her face was subtly distorted.

The appearance of enduring even though the pain still remains.

Knowing how she felt, I changed the topic appropriately.

“By the way, where has Malcolm gone?”

“He said he had something to say to Max and left.”

Malcolm was always by her side, so she was rarely alone.

Since I said I had something to say to Max, did something big happen?

I decided to ask when I came back later.

“As soon as Max returns, let’s go back to the central battlefield. They say they have prepared a carriage for you to get there.”

“Tsk. “What are you doing?”

While Catalina was grumbling, Malcolm came out of the barracks and came towards us.

Malcolm returned with a serious yet subtle expression and waved at us.

“What are you doing here? “What did you talk about with Max?”

“No. Sister. Rather, let’s head straight to the central battlefield.”

“What. “Why are you hiding it?”

“It’s not really a big deal. “I’m not hiding it, there’s just no need to say it.”

Malcolm doesn’t open his mouth even when Catalina persistently asks him.

Normally, Catalina would have been irritated and put pressure on him.

Surprisingly, Catalina obediently agreed and retreated.

“…Okay. “If you don’t want to talk, I can’t help it.”

She shrugged her shoulders, picked up her greatsword again, and stood up.

Did Catalina have a change of heart after injuring her arm?

Acting recklessly has become less common than before.

“Let’s all get ready to go back.”

My colleagues wake up from their seats at my words.

At that time, Arne was preparing to return to the central battlefield with us.

“Is everyone ready? It’s okay for us to leave right away.”

“Okay. There’s no problem for us either.”

After everyone got ready to leave, they left the camp and started going down the hill.

Finally, we were able to return to the kingdom’s camp.

With both achievements and losses.

While I was walking like that, Arne came next to me and said something.

“Uhm… Seohyun. “First of all, before returning to the central battlefield, I would like to ask you one thing.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Arne made a subtle expression with a shy smile.

He rolled his eyes as if he was thinking about what to say and then carefully opened his mouth.

“It is said that news expedition about the Demon World’s has already spread throughout the capital. It means that there is no one who does not know this fact.”

“Ah. “I heard that from Max.”

“And of course I heard that Yulia heard the news and was heading to the central battlefield.”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Arne’s words.

When I return to the kingdom, I wanted to rest first, but I have to apologize to Yulia first.

He lied to her and headed to the center of the demon world, and Catalina was permanently injured.

Even though she was angry about this incident, I had nothing to say.

The only thing I can say is that I defeated Makiella.

Given her personality, there was no way she could have ignored those words.

As we got closer to the central battlefield, the fog of the Demon World became lighter and the garrison became visible.

Similarly, flags were waving on the other side as if they were checking for us.

Knights on horseback rushed out to meet us.

And among them there were familiar faces.

“Commander!”

The first person to take the lead was none other than Eileen.

He was standing at the vanguard of the cavalry unit and calling to me.

“Eileen. “It’s been a while.”

“Commander! “Are you hurt anywhere?”

“… There are no injuries. “There are some injuries.”

Eileen looked around at us in surprise.

Then, my eyes stopped on Catalina walking with Malcolm’s support.

“Are you hurt…” ” ? ! A healer…”

“Don’t make a fuss. “It won’t be of any use anyway.”

Even though she already received help from Serika, one of the kingdom’s leading healers, her injuries could not be healed.

Eileen also knew of Celica’s healing ability, so she had no choice but to agree.

“Thank you all for your hard work. “Hurry back to the garrison.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

That’s how we were able to return to the garrison under the escort of the knights.

***

“You really had a hard time. “Thanks to you, the spirit of the Demon King’s army was broken.”

Gilbert bowed his head to us with a serious voice.

Although they finally succeeded in subduing all the Four Blades, the atmosphere was extremely heavy.

The reason is, of course, the outsiders inside the barracks.

“…”

Julia with her arms crossed with a serious expression.

She was just staring at me with her mouth closed.

I felt strange at the sight of even the knight commanders sitting around looking at me.

Even Gilbert was watching Julia’s thoughts and being careful about his words and actions.

Jack pretended to look the other way without making eye contact at all.

“Well, anyway, everyone worked hard and received the report, so let’s go to the barracks and rest. “I have to return to the capital in a few hours.”

“What? How many hours later? “At least take a day off… “

Before I could finish speaking, Julia suddenly opened her mouth.

“It’s the king’s order.”

“…”

Only then did I understand why the knight commanders kept quiet and said nothing.

An absolute command that no one can disagree with.

The king himself called me, so I had no choice but to go obediently.

“Then I think I’ve finished talking, so let’s all disperse.”

“Oh, I see. Let’s all disperse.”

With Julia’s words, the knight commanders quietly left the place.

Fortunately, Eileen smiled at us and came over to talk to us.

“Commander. Our Lion Knights have prepared a simple, but delicious meal. I would appreciate it if you could attend before you leave.”

“Ah. Yes.”

The moment I heard her words, I got up from my seat and was about to go outside.

Julia, who was next to me, grabbed my hand.

Then, with a grin, he opened his mouth to Eileen and the people around him.

“Talk to me for a moment.”

“Oh, maybe while eating…”

“No, just you and me.”

Eileen, who couldn’t overcome Julia’s momentum, smiled awkwardly and left.

My colleagues were restless and just watching.

I reassured them and asked them to wait outside.

“Can’t I stay by your side… ?” ?”

Kayla was especially worried and asked me to stay by her side.

Due to Julia’s pressure, I even refused her request.

“First, wait at the dining table. “I’ll be there soon.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

Those who quickly agree and leave the barracks.

However, there was one person who did not move from his seat.

“Erina. “Please go out and wait for a moment.”

“No. “I have to protect you.”

“I have something to say to Julia alone.”

“That woman kept staring at you. “Absolutely not.”

“Are you okay. Erina.”

“…”

Knowing that she couldn’t persuade me, Erina glared at Yulia.

Then Julia asked with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry. Erina. “Can you wait a moment?”

“I don’t like it…”

“Just five minutes. It only takes five minutes.”

“Okay. Erina. “I’m waiting outside for a moment.”

Erina looks like she really doesn’t want to leave, but eventually gets up.

After she left, Julia’s expression completely changed and she sat down next to me.

When I looked at her face up close, I could see that she was full of depth.

“Haa…”

What should I say to Julia? I just apologized with a sorry heart.

“Sorry. “Julia.”

“Why on earth is that like that?”

A sharp answer, as expected. It was reported how angry she was.

“Be honest. Catalina asked to go first, right?”

“…”

“You tried to stop me until the end, but you had no choice but to follow me, right? Right?”

“…No. “I planned it.”

Then, Julia’s hand suddenly flew to her face.

Mate!

Unlike the strong plosive sound, there was no pain even after being slapped.

But the moment I saw the tears flowing from Julia’s eyes.

My heart ached without me knowing.

“How much do I…” ” ” Do you know if I was worried…?”