NOVEL NEXT Chapter 114
“Stop talking, buy us some time!”
“Hiiing!”
Seiden’s Pegasus unleashed a brilliant light before the dragons. Taking advantage of their momentary faltering against this polar opposite force, the group managed to escape with the unconscious Diamid.
“It seems Diamid inflicted such severe damage that they can’t even consider pursuing us for now.”
The few remaining members of Black Night clan were too preoccupied tending to their own wounds to give chase.
Observing this, Seiden declared with certainty:
“The dragons won’t dare target you any longer.”
Seiden’s words prompted Jaina to gaze up at him with a bewildered expression.
Eight years had passed since her arrival at the Magic Tower. Throughout that time, she had constantly steeled herself, bracing for the dragon ‘honor killing.’
‘It’s alright,’ she had told herself. ‘I can enjoy the time I have left.’
While not entirely unafraid of death – having experienced it once before – she had resigned herself to her predetermined fate.
Yet now, she could live. She could continue being with her cherished ones.
As tears welled in Jaina’s eyes, Mikael lightly patted her back and remarked:
“What’s with that expression? This is a joyous occasion, yet you look like you’re on your deathbed.”
He spoke the truth. Until recently, she had deemed such a future impossible, but now she could dare to dream it. Still, Jaina couldn’t easily smile.
For the one who had granted her this immense gift now hovered between life and death, grievously wounded.
She felt as if it were entirely her fault.
‘If I hadn’t collapsed due to an allergy attack, the Tower Lord wouldn’t have sustained such injuries today.’
The same had occurred when the dragons had invaded the Magic Tower. Had he been at full strength, he wouldn’t have been harmed.
For Diamid, the grand magician and Tower Lord, surpassed all others in power.
‘Have I once again relied on the Tower Lord’s aid…?’
The thought that his life had been risked to preserve her own filled her with distress.
Jaina’s gaze remained fixated upon Diamid’s unconscious form, draped across the summoned beast’s back.
‘Please open your eyes, Tower Lord. There is still so much we have yet to discuss.’
Sensing Jaina’s anguished gaze, the nearby Hilvenzia offered consoling words.
“I’ve already applied reagents, so the wound on his thigh should heal shortly. The shoulder injury may take a bit longer, but don’t worry too much. He’ll regain consciousness soon.”
“…”
Jaina could only nod silently in response.
* * *
After returning the injured Diamid to the Magic Tower, the group decided to recuperate while formulating their next plans.
“Jaina, don’t you need to return to the academy?”
“No, it’s currently the holiday break, so I can stay here a while longer.”
Fortunately, the timing coincided with the academy’s vacation period, allowing Seiden and Jaina to extend their stay at the Magic Tower.
With this reprieve, Hilvenzia could research reagents while alternating with Jaina to monitor Diamid’s condition. Meanwhile, Mikael and Seiden would maintain vigilance in case of further dragon incursions.
Knock, knock.
“Enter.”
Stepping into the room, Jaina glimpsed Diamid’s bedridden form before addressing Hilvenzia softly.
“Lady Hilvenzia, I haven’t had a chance to properly express my gratitude until now. Thank you for treating the Tower Lord’s wounds.”
Without Hilvenzia’s reagents, they might not have been able to tend to Diamid’s injuries in time.
As Jaina bowed deeply, Hilvenzia waved her off dismissively and responded in her characteristic leisurely tone.
“It’s all thanks to you that I resumed my reagent research in the first place. Without you, I would never have considered utilizing them again. There’s no need for such gratitude.”
Though Hilvenzia spoke with her usual nonchalance, her words held profound significance.
In the novel
Hilvenzia had been elated at the prospect of aiding those afflicted by the prolonged war. However, reality proved cruel.
For her refusal to lend her power against the Demon King, she faced public denunciation and scorn.
Consequently, Hilvenzia closed her heart and kept her successful reagent research a secret.
This explained her surprise when Jaina had broached the topic of reagents.
“That’s not all. Princess Elia expressed immense gratitude, stating His Highness Rosian’s wounds have fully healed.”
Even Elia, who had once condemned Hilvenzia as selfish, was deeply moved upon learning of her healing reagent’s invention.
Yet Hilvenzia’s expression remained unchanged.
“Well, I haven’t really done anything special. As Princess Elia said, I’ve always only looked out for myself.”
“Huh?”
“I merely developed the healing reagent in preparation for when you might fall ill. It ended up being used elsewhere, unintentionally.”
“How could that be considered selfish?”
“To me, no other human holds meaning except you.”
Hilvenzia’s eyes curved in a gentle smile, yet Jaina sensed a clarity in her gaze that she had never witnessed before.
“I’m truly fortunate to have you by my side, Jaina. Others likely feel the same way. I’d stake my life on it.”
Jaina was taken aback. She had been tormenting herself with the notion that the recent events had unfolded due to her actions.
“So have a little more confidence, my princess.”
With a tender smile, Hilvenzia lightly tapped Jaina’s upturned nose.
* * *
Five days had passed since Diamid had lapsed into unconsciousness.
The time for Jaina and Seiden’s return to the academy was rapidly approaching.
Though his physical wounds had nearly healed, Diamid remained unconscious, concerning Hilvenzia and Mikael.
Ultimately, they requested Seiden to summon a physician, setting aside their previous reservations about inviting outsiders.
“I can’t say for sure why he won’t awaken…”
The physician Seiden had brought was the imperial palace’s exclusive practitioner, responsible for attending to Elia and Rosian.
While the group trusted his exceptional skills, surpassing most priests, the results were disheartening. Even he couldn’t discern the reason for Diamid’s persistent unconsciousness, finding no apparent physical abnormalities.
“Hey, if word spreads that the Tower Lord has collapsed… You know? I have a bit of a temper.”
With a menacing glare, Mikael issued thinly veiled threats until the physician departed. Afterward, Hilvenzia spoke with a solemn expression.
“From what I can tell, there seems to be no significant physical issue.”
“Damn it, then what’s the problem?”
“It appears the toxin from the sacred heirloom is of a peculiar nature. Not a simple venom that can be neutralized.”
Dark attribute magic often employed insidious and clandestine techniques.
Hence, even the Magic Tower’s formidable magicians and the academy’s headmaster, Seiden, had been unable to devise a solution thus far.
“There’s nothing more we can do. All we can hope for is the Tower Lord’s strong will to live…”
Even Hilvenzia’s voice lacked its usual confidence, a rarity for her.
The Diamid Bellafanian she had observed until now wasn’t a man overflowing with a desire to live.
This differed slightly from possessing sheer mental fortitude.
“A will… to live?”
Upon hearing Hilvenzia’s words, Jaina hung her head low.
-I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.
-If I had only been a little braver… If I hadn’t pushed you away, it wouldn’t have come to this.
His words to her had sounded like a final farewell.
‘Surely he hasn’t given up…?’
While uncertain of his mindset when assaulting Black Night clan’s abode, Jaina could vaguely surmise it had been due to her.
Quietly exiting Diamid’s room, Jaina wandered the corridors slowly.
“…I can’t sleep.”
During Diamid’s unconscious state, Jaina struggled to find restful slumber.
Though her eyelids grew heavy and her body weary, whenever she closed her eyes in an attempt to sleep, ominous thoughts continuously resurfaced.
‘Did twisting the original storyline lead to this outcome? Instead of merely evading, if I had actively tried to face the Tower Lord…’
Though she knew better, the more these unsettling thoughts arose, the more Jaina berated herself.
No matter how she reflected on Hilvenzia’s words, she couldn’t dispel the notion that her existence had brought misfortune to those around her.
Lost in contemplation as she aimlessly wandered the corridors in her nightgown, Jaina was abruptly embraced from behind.
“Ah!”
Startled by the sudden embrace, Jaina raised her head to meet a familiar face as she turned the corner.
“Brother?”
“You’ve been wandering these halls like a pale specter, day and night, so I thought I’d poke at you to see if you were a ghost.”
“My apologies. I was just… ugh.”
As Jaina began to apologize, Mikael tightened his embrace, cutting her off.
“If you’re going to say something foolish, don’t bother.”
Rendered speechless by Mikael’s firm tone, Jaina fell silent and glanced upwards, his hushed voice reaching her ears.
“The Tower Lord is the one who sustained injuries, yet why do you look more distraught than he does?”
In the darkened, chilled corridor, the two remained embraced in silence for a prolonged moment.
Though unspoken, Mikael’s warmth seemed to radiate through his skin, prompting Jaina to burrow deeper into his comforting embrace.
After some time had passed, Mikael stroked Jaina’s hair and remarked:
“No matter how tall you grow, you’re still a shorty.”
“…”
“The Tower Lord will undoubtedly awaken. So worry about yourself instead. Eat properly.”
Indeed, Jaina’s recent lack of appetite had left her meals half-finished more often than not.
“For you to neglect your meals is tantamount to denying my status as a genius magician. It’s an absurd notion.”
Mikael’s characteristic brand of reassurance elicited a soft laugh from Jaina.
Rolling his eyes at her amusement in a feigned display of annoyance, Mikael ruffled her hair and spoke.
“Let me escort you.”
“There’s no need.”
“Then I’ll just wait outside until you come out.”
Did he sense her nightly vigils by Diamid’s bedside?
Obediently, Jaina headed with Mikael to Diamid’s room.
“I’ll wait outside.”
Thankfully, Mikael afforded her privacy with Diamid.
Seated beside the bed, Jaina hesitated before cautiously addressing him.
“Tower Lord.”
In contrast to her previous unconscious state, she now kept vigil by his bedside.
Silently, Jaina gazed upon Diamid’s motionless visage, resembling one deceased but for the lack of any perceptible breath.
“I don’t understand why you won’t awaken. Are you tormenting yourself over my previous collapse? Do you resent seeing my face?”
“…”
“Tower Lord, I’ve also had things I’ve wanted to tell you for quite some time.”
However, Jaina faltered, struggling to give voice to her thoughts – a stark contrast to her usual blunt demeanor.
“Tower Lord.”
‘Somewhere along the way, you gradually seeped into my heart.’
‘The walls I had firmly erected to avoid hurt began crumbling bit by bit.’
‘When you asked me to become your daughter, even superficially, I had merely nodded in acquiescence out of surprise. But now, I…’
‘So can’t you wait a little longer, and allow me to bare my sincere feelings?’
The words proved immensely difficult to articulate, yet she felt compelled to do so now, lest the opportunity never arise again.
Clenching her fists tightly, Jaina slowly parted her lips.
“Father, when you wake up I’ll call you father. So please, open your eyes.”
After uttering those words, Jaina rose from her seat. Remaining any longer risked releasing the tears she fought to restrain.
As she turned her back and exited the room…
Rustle.
…Diamid’s fingers began to twitch ever so slightly.