The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 55

“Young master, I think we should rest a bit.”

“No. We need to meet sister as quickly as possible. Keep riding without stopping.”

“You don’t look well…”

“Don’t worry. I can endure it.”

I patted Luwen’s arm that was firmly supporting my waist.

“Are you alright? I feel like I’m leaning on you too much. Aren’t you tired?”

“Of course I’m fine. This much is nothing. My endurance training wasn’t for nothing.”

“You’ve grown a lot. You used to be really small.”

“I’ll grow even more.”

It was something I’d often heard from Luwen. But it felt a bit different from usual. It seemed to mean more than just physical growth. Had he matured mentally without me noticing?

It’s natural for children to become adults as they grow, but why did I feel a bit sad…

“Young maaaaster!”

A familiar voice was heard. Had I dozed off? I opened my eyes to see a thick cloud of dust ahead. I could hear the sound of the ground rumbling. It was the sound of multiple horses stomping their hooves simultaneously.

“Ded, ric.”

It was Dedric’s voice. A robust brown horse emerged from the dust cloud, showing off its muscles. The armor of about a dozen Vinter knights gleamed in the sunset. Dedric was at the lead.

Must be the scouting party. It’s about time to prepare for camping.

Dedric, being sensitive to the flow of ki, seemed to have sensed Luwen’s presence and come running. It was thanks to him becoming a proper swordsman who could draw out sword aura.

“Master!”

Luwen shouted joyfully, like a person who had found an oasis in the desert.

“Whoa, whoa!”

Dedric calmed his horse to a stop. His face, which had been full of joy, suddenly contorted. Hmm, I guess my appearance doesn’t look good.

“Those bastards dared! Where are they! I’ll go and annihilate them right now!”

A murderous aura rose thickly from the excited Dedric. I heard Taran hiccup at the intense killing intent that made my skin tingle. Because of this, Dedric, who had momentarily set aside Taran due to priority, now noticed him and shouted threateningly.

“Kans!”

Fearing Taran’s head might roll off any moment if I didn’t intervene, I quickly opened my mouth.

“Dedric, didn’t you… hear from sister?”

It’s hard to speak, do I have to explain? The frightened Taran quietly moved closer to us. Dedric’s fierce gaze was fixed on Taran before turning to me.

“Is he worth forgiving?”

“He has no… phew… sin to forgive.”

“This won’t do. We need to rest first. The young lady is with us, so please be patient for a bit.”

“Mm.”

“Luwen, take good care of the young master. You there, Kans. If you try anything funny, I won’t let you off easily. Understood?”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Taran, who was tightly gripping my sleeve, trembled violently.

At this rate, the kid might pass out. Feeling I should clear up the misunderstanding, I struggled to speak.

“Don’t do that. Taran is a child I’ve taken as my disciple.”

“Disciple?”

“Yes. He’s going to learn medicine from me. And Taran is a victim. Because of an evil… lord.”

Ah, I can’t manage anymore. I slumped against Luwen, letting my body go limp. Now that I felt relieved after meeting Dedric, it seemed to hurt more.

“Oh no. Luwen, we need to get him to the campsite quickly. It’s not far. Kasir!”

“Yes, Captain!”

“I’ll escort the young master back. You finish scouting the area as planned. The young master needs to rest, so check thoroughly!”

I closed my eyes as I heard the vice-captain’s booming reply. Let’s rest for a bit. Just a little.

I opened my eyes again right after arriving at the campsite. Judging by the remaining sunset, not much time had passed.

Before Luwen could help me down from the horse, Irene rushed out of the tent. How many days has it been since we parted? I couldn’t be happier to see her. As Irene reached out, Luwen handed me over to my sister.

Our sister isn’t a knight for nothing. She easily took me in her arms, holding me tight. I wish she’d carry me on her back instead. Being held like a child by my sister is a bit…

“Sister, this position is a bit embarrassing…”

“Oh my goodness. Fei. Why have you become so haggard? You’re burning up and covered in wounds. I need to take a closer look.”

I guess she can’t even hear me. Oh well, never mind. It’s hard to even keep my upper body upright, so I just wrapped my arms around my sister’s neck and leaned on her. I can do this when I’m sick, right? It’s not like she carries me around when I’m healthy. …That’s the only consolation.

Pat, pat, I felt a hand rubbing my back. Honestly, it was comfortable. Reassuring and warm. I guess I missed this more than I thought.

“There were some issues. Sister, we need to save the Kans. They became decoys to help evacuate Luwen and me. Please save them.”

“…Decoys?”

Taran’s dazed voice was heard from behind.

“The boss asked me not to tell you. I’ll explain, so come with me. The young master needs to rest.”

“What, what are you saying? Did something happen to the boss? I want to go back!”

“Taran!”

Luwen caught Taran, who had suddenly turned pale and was trying to mount a horse. Yes, I can leave that side to Luwen. Become friends. It’s good to have friends you can rely on.

Sister took me to the tent. Of course, the interior was clean and tidy. Wow, even the cot is soft. Plus, it smelled cozy, which made me feel good.

“Let’s treat you first.”

“Before that, I have something to tell you.”

I showed sister the map and told her where the Kans were now. And the current situation in detail.

“I understand. I’ll tell Dedric to depart immediately, so don’t worry. More importantly, let’s look at your condition. I’ll bring Count Rodiahim.”

“The Count?”

Sister stroked my head and then hurried out of the tent.

Why didn’t she answer me? The Count? It couldn’t be Master, could it? There’s no way Master would come along…

“So my stupid disciple has come back half-dead.”

-It’s not ‘no way’ after all.

“…Master?”

Master, still robust despite his age, had his snow-white hair neatly twisted up. I was puzzled as to why he was here, as he never left the clinic.

Could he be going to trade herbs directly? A picture of him coincidentally meeting sister and accompanying her? But how did he get here so quickly? It doesn’t seem like even a minute has passed since sister went to fetch him.

“He was on his way here.”

As if reading my thoughts, sister said as she entered behind Master. Master immediately pulled a chair next to the bed and rolled up his sleeves.

“Let’s see.”

“I just have a slight fever, everything else is fi-“

“Quiet.”

My attempt to just ask for fever-reducing medicine was cut off before I could finish. I shut my mouth and obediently submitted to Master’s examination. He’s scary when angry. I had to behave well.

“The treatment is a mess. Is this how I taught you?”

I’m scared… Please don’t glare at me. And don’t click your tongue either. Perhaps because I had learned under such harsh conditions, I involuntarily shrank back.

“Actually, I didn’t treat myself, it was probably Taran…”

I wonder if I’ll get scolded again if I say I took him as a disciple.

“He’s a child I’m, um. Teaching…”

“A disciple?”

“Yes. He’s still learning about herbs…”

My words kept trailing off as I tried to gauge Master’s reaction. Fortunately, I didn’t hear any scolding about overreaching or what a minnow could do.

“Tsk. It’s a complete mess!”

“Eek, I’m sorry. I’ll teach him properly!”

Thwack!

Ow, I got flicked on the forehead! That really hurts. Tears welled up involuntarily.

“I’m not talking about that, I mean your body. Did you roll around in a gravel pit? Did you slip in a valley? Why are there so many wounds?”

“But there are no fatal injuries, right?”

“You’re already weak, and now you’re covered in wounds, of course you have a fever. And you didn’t even treat the fever properly. Haven’t I told you countless times? A doctor must be healthy to save patients. How many lives could you save, and yet you treat your body so recklessly!”

At Master’s scolding, I glanced at sister surreptitiously. However, Irene was nodding her head as if agreeing with Master’s words, her arms loosely crossed.

“What? Did you think the Duke would take your side?”

Your intuition is still as sharp as ever. I smiled slightly and said meekly.

“Of course not. You’re saying this out of concern for me, why would I think otherwise?”

“I told you not to act smart.”

“When did I do that?”

This is unfair. I just smiled to show a friendly face, that’s all.