By Zephyria There were several reasons why Leonardo suddenly lost consciousness. Various internal and external injuries, hypothermia, accumulated physical fatigue, and the depletion of Magic Power after going to the brink of a rampage, etc. There were endless reasons to cite.
However, the medical officer who diagnosed him cited the large amount of poison that had invaded Leonardo’s shoulder and the paralysis of the central nervous system as the main causes of his loss of consciousness.
Looking back, even in the moment when Leonardo was poisoned and on the verge of a rampage, he had clung to his consciousness until the end with the single-minded determination to eliminate the core and protect everyone. His actions of occasionally clutching his chest seemed to be due to the strain on his heart function caused by the paralysis of the nervous system.
Even in the midst of that, he endured a fierce battle, so even from the perspective of someone who watched, it was impossible to fathom how much mental strength was consumed.
No matter how strong one is, it is not easy to risk one’s life for others. Especially if those others are a group that has not been kind to you, and if the shadow of death is looming over you.
But had there ever been any hesitation in this hero before him before saving someone?
If he had had even a small hesitation, most of the people here would have lost their lives and disappeared into the darkness as stars of the battlefield.
Hugo thought about this and that, constantly pondering how this situation would have changed if ‘I had made a better decision’.
If he hadn’t pushed his Magic Power into Leonardo’s weakened body, if he had broken the barrier from the beginning and escaped from within, if he had taken off his clothes and checked his condition as soon as he showed abnormal symptoms, if he had spent time strengthening the system and boundaries before entering the 118th Seal.
Could Leonardo and the members groaning in pain before him have been better off than they are now? Hugo continued to look back on the past.
But even if those countless moments of hesitation came to mind, whether another choice was possible in that situation, whether that choice would be the best, whether there would be other problems, he had nothing certain.
Always make the best choice as a commander, a teaching he had heard repeatedly from his teacher. But even now that he had reached this position, the choice was still difficult and the responsibility became heavier and heavier. And the only light that relieved him of such burdens was currently in a very deep sleep, unconscious.
“Haa…”
Hugo’s sigh, mixed with complexity, fell heavily on the white bedding. The past events flashed through his mind like a panorama.
Human victory. It was clearly the ending they had achieved.
But he couldn’t see a victor in front of him now.
Knock, knock—
At that moment, a concise knock broke his reverie. It was the sound from the door that Flynn had gone out of a little while ago.
Hugo closed his eyes and opened them, pulling himself out of the deep emotion. Then, he loosened the strength in his arms and hands.
Soon, his eyes, looking up at the door, were subtly stiffened. The expression that flashed for a moment wasn’t very good, as he felt like his precious time had been disturbed.
“What is it?”
Hugo didn’t think Flynn, who had left not long ago, would have returned already, so he rubbed his eyes and asked into the air. Then, one of the members guarding the residence outside the door answered his question as if they had been waiting.
“Legion Commander, Sir Hares has come to see you.”
Hugo’s hand, which had been touching his eyebrows, stopped at the returned name.
‘Hares?’
His gaze, which had been aimlessly directed at the door, focused immediately.
Come to think of it, he hadn’t had a proper conversation with her earlier because he was too flustered, but he had many words of gratitude to convey to her. He didn’t know why, but since she had come to visit in person, there was no reason to turn her away, even though it was a bit late.
But he didn’t want to bring anyone else into this place, so after a moment of silence, Hugo told the member.
“I’ll be out soon.”
Brushing back his unkempt hair, he got up from his seat, leaning on the deck.
Hugo picked up his combat uniform top that Flynn had placed on the side table first. Then, avoiding the spot where Leonardo was lying, he came out and put on the spare shoes he had taken out. He inadvertently bent over, causing the injured area of his abdomen to throb momentarily, but he only frowned slightly and didn’t show it much.
After that, he was about to get up and go out as is, but he suddenly looked back at Leonardo, who was in a deep sleep. The story wouldn’t be that long, but he felt a little bad about leaving the unconscious man alone even for a moment.
Hugo, looking down at his clear face, stroked Leonardo’s cheek with the back of his hand as a habit. It had become a little rough from the hardships he had gone through, but the youthful softness was still not erased.
After pondering for a moment, he gathered Magic Power in his other hand and created a small bird. The canary with blue feathers chirped and flapped its wings as if it was excited to be out.
Hugo quietly commanded the creature circling around him.
“If Leonardo wakes up, or stirs, or is in pain, or if there is any change in his condition, let me know immediately. Don’t get too close.”
Then, the canary flew up and approached Leonardo, the object of its attention, as if it understood. Hugo hissed and waved his hand, warning the creature again.
“Don’t get close. Just stay away and watch.”
The Divine Beast he created with his Magic Power basically contained cold air. He needed to be careful in advance in case it could harm Leonardo.
The canary, startled by Hugo’s gesture, flew up and perched on the windowsill, which was a little higher up. Then, it flapped its wings and chirped! The Divine Beast also had emotions, so it seemed a little sulky, but anyway, Hugo nodded, telling it to stay there, as it seemed to be in a suitable position.
Soon, his gaze reached Leonardo again. The pale blonde beauty lying on the white bedding, even with bandages plastered all over her face, couldn’t hide her radiance. Rather, her sickly appearance stimulated a protective instinct, making it difficult to take his eyes and feet away.
Was it a children’s fairy tale? Sleeping Beauty. It was a moment when he could understand the heart of the shameless man disguised as a prince who came out there a little.
“…….”
Hugo sat slightly on the edge of the deck. He slowly bent his upper body and placed his hand next to Leonardo’s head. Then, he carefully kissed the white forehead that had been revealed because he kept brushing back his hair.
There was no special meaning. He just hoped that he would wake up from his sleep.
Hugo pressed his lips firmly and released them, calmly stroking the blonde hair that wrapped around his fingers. Then, because the canary was chirping as if it was unfair, he raised his head and gestured for it to be quiet, saying.
“I can get close.”
After taking one last look at Leonardo, he got up from his seat and put his arms into the sleeves of his combat uniform top.
Even as he roughly put on his clothes and opened the door to go outside, Hugo dismissed his sudden impulse as a sign of respect.
Creak—
As soon as she heard the sound of the door opening, Cordelia, who had been waiting for Hugo, hurriedly turned around.
“Your Excellency, I have something urgent to tell you—”
Then, seeing his appearance with the front of his clothes still unbuttoned, she was a little embarrassed and quickly closed her mouth. It was the disheveled appearance of the Duke, who was the most upright, so she instinctively turned her eyes away, feeling like she shouldn’t be looking.
“Ah, I was rude.”
Hugo, glancing down at his upper body at Cordelia’s reaction, simply apologized and buttoned up his combat uniform. He had momentarily forgotten that it was a relationship between nobles. Improperly dressed clothing was impolite.
“Sorry. I came out in a hurry. So, what’s going on?”
“Ah, yes. Your Excellency, that’s…”
Cordelia, looking at Hugo again, trailed off and looked around. Her gaze quickly swept over the members guarding the front of the residence. Seeing that, Hugo guessed that the topic she had brought was not something to be discussed in a place with many eyes and ears.
Although he was somewhat puzzled, seeing her come at this hour with an urgent look, it seemed that what she had to say was quite important.
It wouldn’t be strange if more heavy news was delivered, so Hugo prepared himself inwardly. Then, he pondered for a moment whether to dismiss the members, but he decided that it would be better for him to move the location.
He also thought that a larger number of people would be more suitable for guarding, and since Flynn said he would be back soon anyway, the vacancy wouldn’t be long. He had also left a Divine Beast behind just in case.
“Let’s go somewhere else and talk for a moment.”
Relief spread across Cordelia’s face, who had been anxious at the words of the quick-witted Duke. Before moving with her, Hugo called one of the members with the highest rank. Then, he instructed them to strengthen the security around the residence while he was away.
“Don’t let anyone in except Flynn Levernill and the medical officer. If the medical officer visits, have at least two people accompany them, and tell them to make a note of any new diagnosis and leave it for me.”
“Yes, I understand!”
As soon as he finished speaking, several members answered with voices full of military discipline. It was because they were more nervous after the big battle, but Hugo gestured for them to lower their voices, as it might disturb Leonardo’s rest.
After that, Hugo, following Cordelia’s guidance, quickly moved away from the temporary residence despite his poor physical condition.
When the two figures disappeared from the royal guard’s sight, one cloaked figure approached Leonardo’s residence as if they had been waiting. The royal guards were immediately ready to stop him, but upon seeing his face, they quickly relaxed their guard.
“Good work.”
Flynn, receiving the royal guard’s salute, simply nodded and passed between them. He went to the door with hurried steps, opened it rather roughly, and went straight inside. He seemed to be in a great hurry, but the royal guards simply thought he must be busy and didn’t say anything more.
‘But why is he walking so hunched over?’
A question flashed through one royal guard’s mind, but he, too, must have been injured. The worry he had momentarily felt was forgotten the moment the door closed.