Late awakening (11)
No matter how many times Rahon tried, it was the same. His power did not work on me.
Rahon closed his eyes tightly.
"Why now of all times..."
As soon as the halo disappeared from his hand, Chevio opened his eyes wide. He grabbed Rahon's wrist urgently.
"No! Try harder! If you keep trying, you might be able to get it to work!"
"...It won't work."
"Why? Did you pour all your power into His Majesty?"
"Shut up and tell Nicola to bring my bag! Hurry up!"
"...Shit!"
As Chevio gave the order with a frosty face, the knights rushed out.
A moment later, Nicola came running into the waiting room, sweating profusely.
"I'm here! Who's hurt? Who... GASP!"
Nicola looked at me and held his breath. Rahon shouted at him as he froze.
"What are you doing standing there like an idiot! Find me a styptic right now!"
"Yes? Oh, yes!"
Soon white powder was sprinkled on my shoulders. Chevio frowned.
"What about disinfection? Do you not need to do it?"
"You've lost too much blood. Stopping the bleeding comes first."
I had lost a lot of blood. Only then did I realize my condition.
My right shoulder hurts terribly, I think Oslo stabbed me.
"Listen carefully. I'm going to disinfect and suture it now. It'll hurt but bear with it. You have no choice but to bear with it."
"I am I going to die?"
"Are you kidding me? No one dies from wounds like this!"
"But why are you so serious? I'm okay. I'm conscious."
"It wouldn't hurt if you passed out. Swallow this. It'll relieve the pain a little."
Rahon shoved a small pill into my mouth. He disinfected his hands and began to sew up my shoulder.
"Youngest..."
Chevio held my hand tightly. A faint smile came out at his tearful voice.
"Ugh, the wound doesn't look very good. Nicola, let's clean it up."
"Yes, Lord Rahon."
Nicola sprinkled something on my shoulder. Rahon clung to my shoulder again.
I was stabbed multiple times. The stitching took longer than I thought.
Every time the needle pierced my skin, it was so painful that it gave me goosebumps. I closed my eyes and imagined hell.
This is nothing compared to the pain of being burned alive all over my body.
Moreover, the Emperor was saved and his family was still alive. Thinking of that as the price, I was happy to endure this level of pain.
Nicola exclaimed softly.
"It looks like the anesthesia is working well, Rahon. She can barely feel any pain."
"You can say that after seeing all that cold sweat? She's just pretending not to be sick because of her brother!"
“Ah.”
"If you're going to talk nonsense, you should just keep your mouth shut. It'll break my concentration."
"I'm sorry..."
By the time the stitches were done, my dress was soaking wet with sweat. Rahon shook his head and gave me a few more pills.
"It's a medicine that relieves pain and inflammation. Take it."
"Thank you."
"You should just scream, what does it matter if your brother is sad? Oh my, what should I do with this innocent child?"
"It was bearable."
I felt sleepy as if the tension had eased. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand to drive away the sleepiness.
"Brother, where is Nadia?"
"Outside. No one can come in now."
"Didn't you tell her?"
"Yes."
"Good job."
"If you're sleepy, just sleep. Don't force yourself to open your eyes."
"But..."
At that moment, the Emperor entered the waiting room.
The Emperor motioned for the knights, who were straightening their postures, to be quiet.
Rahon glanced at him and started bandaging my shoulder.
I pretended not to know anything and secretly spied on the Emperor.
There was not a single scratch on him since he had been healed by the power. It was a relief to see him in good health.
Chevio whispered to me as I swallowed a sigh of relief.
"Millenia, His Majesty has arrived."
"Really? Brother, wake me up."
"Yes."
The Emperor stopped me as I tried to get up with the support of Chevio.
"Don't get up."
"I apologize for showing such an uneasy appearance, Your Majesty."
"I heard that Young lady saved me."
"No. I was just wasting some time, and it was the knights who saved Your Majesty."
The Emperor knelt before me on one knee. Everyone in the waiting room, including the chief chamberlain, held their breath.
I too was embarrassed, but I couldn't show it. The emperor gently grabbed my still hand.
"Thank you."
"...I just did what I had to do."
"I have placed the carriage on standby. Go home and focus on your treatment. I will send you some good medicine."
"These are truly heartbreaking words. What about the inauguration ceremony?"
"How can you attend the inauguration ceremony with that body? I will take care of the rest of the schedule, so you go back."
"Your Majesty, if the 'first walker' is absent from the marching ceremony, the soldiers will become unstable. Their morale may drop."
"That may be true, but... Are you really able to do it? I wonder if it's too much to ask."
"It will be fine if I make a short speech and come down. Please allow me to attend the inauguration ceremony, Your Majesty."
The Emperor closed his mouth with a conflicted expression.
I don't know about other times, but this was an inauguration ceremony for the Great Rift. If I were to miss an event like this, many people would feel uneasy.
The Emperor, who had been silent for a while, asked Rahon.
"What do you think, the savior'?"
"Who can stop this stubbornness? Let Millenia do what she wants. Instead, move up the order of her speeches."
"Well, that sounds good. I'll take action."
Under the Emperor's instructions, the knights moved busily.
The departure ceremony had already been delayed by an hour. If it was delayed any longer, the departure might have to be postponed until tomorrow. They had to hurry up and get things done before then.
Nadia, who was finally allowed to enter the waiting room, came in wildered and screamed...
"Miss?! What, what is this... Who did this? What kind of son of a bitch would do something like this!"
"I'll tell you about that later. First, let's get a cloak. One that's long enough to cover my entire body."
The messy hair could be combed, but the appearance was the problem.
I can't stand on stage in a dress that's all crumpled up and soaked in blood.
"Why the cloak? Are you going to the inauguration ceremony?"
"Yes."
"What are you talking about? Even if you go back and recuperate right now, it won't be enough! Absolutely not!"
"Instead. They brought the order forward. Nadia, can you help me?"
"Oh my! I really can't live because of you!"
"Sorry..."
Nadia wiped her tear-filled eyes with her sleeve.
"Just wait. I'll tell Count Illuis."
"Thank you."
Nadia ran out and returned a moment later with Count Illuis.
Count Illuis saw my condition and spat out a sigh.
"How did this happen..."
"It's better than it looks. What about the cloak? Can I get it?"
"I'll bring it over soon. By the way, are you sure that's okay?"
"The people gathered outside might get hurt more than me. They might even die. Even if it's not okay. I have to do it."
"..."
Count Illuis looked at me quietly and smiled faintly.
"This is the kind of person the first walker."
"Yes?"
"One who gives hope, not despair in the face of death. One who gives me the belief that my comrades will ultimately triumph even if I disappear."
Count Illuis knelt on one knee and kissed the back of my hand.
"I have brought the order forward. You may enter with His Majesty and make your speech."
"...I will do that."
After Count Illuis left, a servant brought a cloak.
It was a bit shaky on the floor because it was hastily obtained, but it was good enough.
The Emperor, who had gone out when Nadia helped me put on my cloak, came in. Behind him stood Chevio with a dark face.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Without saying a word, the Emperor took my left hand and placed it on his arm.
"I asked our blunt knight commander and he told me to do this."
"He is a kind brother to me."
"I envy you. Let's go now."
Even though he had secured my right arm so that it wouldn't shake, the pain surged as I started walking.
I took a bunch of painkillers because I thought it might be like this, but it didn't help much. A cold sweat ran down my spine.
"Well, let's take a deep breath."
The Emperor asked quietly.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Now the soldiers will see you and me."
"All right."
When the Emperor and I appeared together, 70,000 soldiers cheered.
"Wow!"
My ears were ringing from the loud noise.
Even though they must have been tired from the long wait, the soldiers felt an earth-shaking energy.
I guess I can't lose to this level of fraud. I'm glad I came.
As the Emperor and I stepped onto the podium, the soldiers' cheers all ceased.
As I stepped forward, 70,000 pairs of eyes turned toward me. Among them were those I loved.
Kalit was in the vanguard, and I could see the fluttering handkerchief tied to his saddle.
I also saw my father nearby.
As Kalit said, he wore a handkerchief on his chest that did not match his black armor at all.
How did you put that on such a sleek suit of armor?
Rahon was staring at me with a grim expression. His beautiful eyebrows were pointed.
I don't understand why he is displeased now when he took my side in front of the Emperor earlier.
But he didn't take off the handkerchief tied around his wrist, so he wasn't really angry.
Ian couldn't find the handkerchief. I smiled softly, hoping he had one.
"I know you are not gathered here for the Empire."
Sweat was running down my temples, but I didn't really care. I thought it wouldn't be visible from this distance.
"You decided to join the war for your parents, your siblings, your children, and your loved ones."
My voice echoed in the quiet square. I lowered my gaze and slowly looked around at the soldiers.
"As your guardian, I will now protect your parents, brothers and sisters, children, and loved ones."
My vision was starting to get dizzy. I clenched my fists and dug my nails into my palms.
"You bring victory. And hug, kiss, and whisper sweet nothings to your loved ones."
I ended my speech with confidence.
"This is your future."
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