Chapter 46: Chapter 46 - Don’t Ask How
Chapter Fourty Six
"Leader... Why would you..."
"Daddy!"
Lily ran in my direction, jumping into my arms as a gush of relief filled my veins. Her small arms wrapped around my neck with a strength that shouldn’t have been possible for a girl her size. She was shaking. Her tremors that vibrated against my chest.
"I’ve got you," I whispered. I buried my hand in her hair, feeling the cold silk of the pink flower still clutched in my other palm. "Daddy’s got you, Lily."
SPQRRT!
Across the slushy square, Garrow Thorne stood frozen. His hand was still half-extended, empty of the blade that now lay discarded at his feet.
"Leader... Why would you... Why did you drop the weapon?" the younger bandit with the broken crossbow stammered, his eyes darting between Garrow and the blue-tinged mana still swirling around me.
"Because," Garrow rasped, his eyes never leaving mine, "I’m tired of eating snow and calling it a victory. I’m tired of seeing you all suffer despite pledging to give all of you a better life than you all had."
He looked at his shattered men and the Red Mercenaries, then at Zein, who coughed up blood while being supported by a bruised Sir Eatassh. The sight of the man he had once served under, lying in the dirt because of his own orders seemed to finally break the last of his knightly pride.
Thud.
"Haah... What have I done?" Garrow’s hands trembled as he fell to his knees, right before his sword.
"Master!" Kaelen finally recovered, stumbling forward with his sword drawn, his face pale. He looked at Garrow, then at me, his eyes searching for the order to execute. "Should I... should I kill them now?"
"Lower your sword, Kaelen," I commanded.
"But—"
"I said lower it."
"Yes, Master," he muttered, sheathing his blade with a reluctant click.
Suddenly, a blur of alcohol smell slammed into my body. "Ah! Duke! Princess! You’re alright! I was so worried!"
Lady Elena threw her arms around me, sobbing uncontrollably. I stiffened, my arms still occupied by a shivering Lily, as Elena buried her face in my shoulder, squeezing the little child in my arms. I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me. Through the thin fabric of my coat, I could feel the soft, frantic pressure of her breasts against my chest as she heaved with sobs.
The heat radiating from her body was stifling, and the sensation of her curves pressing into me felt like an invasion of my personal space.
[Ping!]
[We don’t like it.]
Like what?
[Ping!]
[She’s distracting Host. She’s not even a SSS Rank character. I don’t like her. Throw her off your arm. Now.]
Calm down, Sysi. She came on time that’s why we managed to reach before Lily or anyone else got more hurt.
[Ping!]
[So, you’re enjoying women clinging to you!?]
Haah... I can’t throw her off precisely because she’s a woman.
"Lady Elena... You’re suffocating Lily," I said, my voice strained as I gently but firmly used my elbows to create a few inches of much-needed clearance between us.
"I’m so sorry, Princess!" Elena gasped, pulling back instantly, her face flushed red from both tears and embarrassment.
"It’s okay, Lady Ele..." Lily started to whisper, her voice trailing off into a tiny, exhausted sigh.
"Lily?" I looked down. Her head had licked to the side, resting against my chest.
"..."
Lily fainted.
The adrenaline of being a hostage had finally run dry, leaving her small body to shut down from sheer exhaustion.
"Lady Elena, please take Lily to Lady Selia immediately. She needs warmth and a check-up," I commanded, handing the girl over with care. "Kaelen?"
"Yes, Your Grace?" Kaelen stood tall, though he looked like he’d been through a meat grinder himself.
"Take all the bandits, the Red Mercenaries, Sir Eatassh, and Zein to get first aid. Use the hall in the main manor if the infirmary is full."
I turned to the scared citizens who were slowly peeking out from the safety of their igloos, their eyes wide with lingering terror.
"Please, citizens of the Duchy," I called out, my voice projecting across the square with an authority that brooked no argument. "I know it’s too soon to ask you for a favor, but everyone capable of helping please take the patients and follow Lady Elena! We don’t have time for fear right now. We have lives to save."
The crowd hesitated for a heartbeat, as murmurs filled the air before they surged forward to help.
"Anyone who’s not gravely injured and can walk," I reinforced, my voice cutting through the rising murmurs of the crowd. "Please get up and move unless you want to die of infection. The cold won’t kill you tonight, but your own neglect will."
Garrow Thorne looked up at me, his eyes glassy. He grabbed his discarded sword, but instead of swinging it, he used it as a crutch to heave himself to his feet.
He began barking orders to his remaining bandits that weren’t hurt, commanding them to assist the very mercenaries they had been beating moments ago.
[Ping!]
[Garrow’s Loyalty: 20]
[20,000 Trade Points Awarded!]
Do you have any sort of antiseptic paste in trade shop? It’ll be hard for Lady Selia to make paste for these many people.
[Ding!]
[Searching...]
[2 Matches Found!]
[Grade C Antiseptic Paste : 10 Trade Points]
[Grade B Antiseptic Paste : 200 Trade Points]
Use the 20 thousand to buy as much of antiseptic you can and fill my inventory.
[Ding]
[Grade C Antiseptic Paste x 2000 Has Been Purchased!]
[Please withdraw from Inventory!]
Can you make it appear in my room?
[Ping!]
[Yes! But, it will cost 1000 Trade Points]
Do it.
[Ding!]
[The Grade C Antiseptic Has Been Withdrawn!]
[Transferring to desired place...]
[Transfer Complete!]
"Kaelen," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Master?" He moved to my side, his breath hitching as he noticed the way my hands were shaking.
Ugh... I shouldn’t have rushed to conduct teleportation spell with just one circle.
"Go to my room. There are crates of antiseptic paste there. Don’t ask where they came from, just get them to Lady Selia and the citizens that are helping. Tell them to use it liberally on anyone with an open wound."
"Got it, Master!"
"Go."
"Your Grace?"