Chapter 238

Chapter 238

Several hours earlier.

In the barracks at Crossroad, Reina Windwells room.

"The spell is almost complete."

Reina, who had just finished casting a spell on Junior, got up, wiping her hands.

"How do you feel?"

"How do I feel... Still feels like death..."

Junior adjusted her clothing with a sickly complexion.

"I overdid it last time, and my magic power is still boiling...ugh."

"Stop whining."

Reina waved her hand, playfully slapping Juniors bare back.

Junior cringed, letting out a bizarre scream.

"Why are you hitting me! Im a sick patient!"

"The pain is from your magic power, not your back, isnt it?"

While it was true, getting hit still felt unfair.

Junior rolled her eyes in annoyance, prompting Reina to chuckle.

"Remember this: the spell isnt a cure-all. Youll feel less discomfort and perhaps live longer, but its difficult to fully heal the scars left by magic in your heart."

Junior clenched her lips and laid a hand over her left chest. Reina continued,

"You will suffer from after-effects for the rest of your life and likely die young."

"Youre not just trying to scare me, are you?"

"Well, its better than before, isnt it?"

Indeed, it was as Reina had said.

Originally, her life would have ended in a few years.

Coughing up blood whenever she cast spells, suffering from intense stomach pain, and burning herbs like cigarettes to get through the night.

The pain still existed when she overexerted herself, and she would suddenly wake up at night from the pain. But it was clearly better than before. All thanks to Reinas spell.

So... why?

Why did this woman go so far to help her?

Junior had all sorts of speculations, but Reina never answered. Shed only say things like, "Good is good."

"Ill return to the Imperial Capital after the next defense battle."

As Junior finished dressing, Reina suddenly proposed.

"Would you like to come along?"

"Excuse me?"

"You could present your magical achievements directly at the Ivory Tower and engage in some research there... sounds fun, doesnt it?"

Juniors mind went blank at the unexpected proposal.

Studying magic at the Imperial Capital, the center of world magic...

For Junior, who had taught herself magic, it was a dizzyingly sweet offer.

"..."

However, Junior didnt hesitate for long before shaking her head.

"The monster front here at Crossroad was the first place that treated me as a mage. And my mother... she also gave her life here."

"Hmm."

"Maybe someday Ill leave, but not yet. I still owe a debt of gratitude to the Prince."

"Is that so? Too bad."

Reina didnt insist further. She just shrugged her shoulders, smiling coolly.

"Then you wont be receiving any more of these potions and spells from me in a few days. Better to spend as much time as possible with this old lady, right?"

"How much more time could I possibly spend with you...?"

"Lets go eat lunch and go to a caf for some chitchat. I have things to discuss regarding your magic."

"My health isnt great, you know..."

"Do you think lying in bed will heal your magic power injuries? Its better to eat, drink, and relax. So quit complaining and come with me."

Reina unilaterally declared her intentions and, humming a tune, draped her coat over her shoulders.

Junior raised both hands in surrender. This no-magic-user would do as she pleased regardless. And since they were on the receiving end of healing, they had little room to complain.

I guess Im being dragged along today as well.

Junior followed Reina, who cheerfully led the way, opening the door to the room.

Squeak

"Hm?"

And there, standing in front of the door, was an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

The man had thick, dark brown hair that hung loosely like seaweed. His eyes, shrouded in gloom, bore a morose light.

"Reina Windwell."

The manCamus, a newly hired mercenary in Crossroadopened his mouth.

The lightning magic was absorbed by his sword, dimming one of the glowing runes etched onto it.

Camuss icy eyes zeroed in on the caster.

Junior stood there, pale-faced, lifting her staff.

"Stop! Now!"

"So youre also a member of the magic troops? Then youll die too."

"No, Im from the Kingdom of Camilla too! Were compatriots! Please, calm down!"

A flicker of confusion crossed Camuss face.

"Youre from the Kingdom of Camilla?"

"Yes, and I am also a victim of the magical bombing."

Junior rolled up her sleeve to reveal a burnt arm. The scarring from the magic attack was evident.

"I understand your feelings, so please, just calm down and"

"Why would a survivor from Camilla defend her?" Camus asked, his face showing clear incomprehension. "This woman, Reina, and her underlings in the magical troops... they ravaged our homeland. Why are you mingling with them so freely?"

"I... well..."

Junior hesitated, words failing her.

"I... am..."

Memories of her childhood nightmare flitted through her mind. The day her small village was swept away by tornadoes and lightning. A day of death, burnt bodies, and screams. The stifling smell of burnt flesh...

"..."

Lost, Junior stood still, not knowing what to do. Camus continued to watch her intently.

Thats when it happened.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Clutching her impaled abdomen, Reina emitted winds from her hands with a fierce look in her eyes.

Swiftly, Camus absorbed the magic with his sword, but with every attack, the runes on his blade dimmed one by one.

Finally, when all the runes went dark, Camuss sword could no longer absorb magic.

Boom-!

Unable to resist the subsequent wind magic, Camus body floated in mid-air before smashing into the opposite wall.

Camus distorted his lips into a bitter smile.

"Damn it, got distracted... gave up both distance and time!"

Boom! Woosh! Clang!

The relentless stream of wind magic completely subdued him.

"Haah, haah, haah...!"

Mustering her last ounce of strength, Reina finally crushed Camus, but soon after, she collapsed, vomiting blood.

Finally snapping back to reality, Junior frantically took out a potion and applied it to Reinas wounds, shouting as loud as she could toward the outside.

"Help, help! Someones hurt here! Hurry!"

***

Present time.

"Ah..."

After hearing the news from Aider, I pressed my aching forehead with my fingertips.

The recently acquired SR-grade warrior character Camus had gone rogue, injuring Reina and her subordinate soldiers, and Junior had been teleported to the temple.

"Reina is in critical condition and has undergone surgery. Shes currently in a coma. Four of her subordinate soldiers also suffered severe injuries."

"And Junior?"

"Thankfully, she hasnt sustained any physical injuries, but she seems to be mentally distressed. Shes currently resting in her room."

"..."

Pressing my forehead harder, I slowly exhaled.

"What about Camus?"

"Hes detained in the prison. All his weapons have been confiscated and hes restrained."

I turned my head to Lucas.

"Legally speaking, what happens if one of our own intentionally uses a weapon to inflict injury?"

"Depending on the severity of the injuries, the punishment can go as far as execution," Lucas answered in a stern, unyielding voice.

"Moreover, the injured Reina is the commander of a magic battalion directly under the Imperial Family. If someone swung a sword with the intent to kill her... avoiding execution would be difficult."

"..."

Sigh.

After a short breath, I rose from my seat.

"Lets head to the prison first."

This was the first time something like thismembers of my own camp trying to kill each otherhad happened.

I felt the need to find out why.

"I need to have a talk with Camus to understand why he did this."