Chapter 112
With Arin’s help, I hurried toward the place where Suleiman was.
The long corridor, flanked on both sides by vigilant guards, carried the chilly air of early dawn.
Standing before a familiar door, I caught the scent of incense and the murmuring of prayers.
I tried to suppress my unease, anxiously waiting for the door to open.
After a moment, the door creaked open slowly.
It’s dark.
Although the outside sky was already brightening, the room was pitch-black.
Aziz must have ordered the darkness to remain, so no light could enter.
Once my eyes adjusted slightly to the dark, I began to make out several familiar faces.
Not only the High Priest, but also the clerics rumored to be exceptionally skilled, formed a circle around the bed.
Each of them had their eyes closed, focusing intently, seemingly unaware of our entrance.
The quiet, solemn atmosphere made me hesitant to approach.
I relied on the flickering candlelight to catch a glimpse of Suleiman from afar.
His life force… it’s so weak.
When I had last seen him, he had at least seemed capable of struggling through pain.
Now, in what was almost a near-death state, I could barely feel that he was alive at all.
Panic surged through me, and I instinctively tried to break free from Arin’s arms to rush to the bed.
At that moment, Aziz silently approached and spoke softly.
“You’re here, Ishtar.”
I looked up at him, my eyes wide with alarm.
His face was haggard from the night’s efforts, weariness etched into every line.
Seeing how pale he was—drained of all color—I could only imagine how much spiritual energy he had poured into treating Suleiman.
Swallowing nervously, I spoke quietly.
“I want to see Suleiman. Take me to him.”
“Yes, understood.”
Without another word, he lifted me and began walking steadily toward the bed.
I thought he’d give me at least a little scolding…
Seeing him comply so obediently made my heart pound even faster.
The creeping anxiety quickened my pulse.
At the bed, Aziz carefully set my trembling body onto the sheets.
“Suleiman…”
From up close, he looked pale and asleep, as if unconscious.
His parched lips and limp body spoke volumes about the suffering he had endured through the night.
I had never seen him like this before.
I had witnessed him in agony from curses or seizures before, but this was completely different.
Now, Suleiman was gradually losing his life.
I can feel it.
His remaining life force was dissipating rapidly.
Although Aziz and the other clerics were compensating with their energy, it wasn’t enough.
I have to lend even a bit of my strength.
Even if pouring what little energy I had into a bottomless vessel might not last long, it would be better than nothing.
Clenching my fists, I prepared to draw all my latent spiritual energy and pour it into Suleiman.
But before I could act, Aziz grabbed my paw and stopped me effortlessly.
“This is why I separated you from Suleiman beforehand. I knew this would happen.”
“Let go! If I don’t act now…!!”
“You must care for yourself first if you are to help others, Ishtar.”
With that brief admonishment, he called the High Priest and had everyone else leave the room.
Suddenly, the room was silent, with only Aziz and me remaining.
“…If everyone leaves, how am I supposed to replenish the lacking energy?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve prepared a method for that.”
Compared to my near-frantic state, Aziz looked incredibly calm.
The stark contrast only made my frustration boil.
Why won’t he let me do it my way…!!
If I waited, Suleiman could die at any moment.
I could lose him forever.
Even imagining it made my head spin.
If I poured all my power into saving him, even at the cost of my own life… that might be better than surviving alone.
“Do you wish to save Suleiman, Ishtar?”
He asked politely, kneeling and meeting my gaze.
“I would give my life to do so.”
Flinching as if my thoughts were read, I hesitated, then subtly nodded.
Aziz smiled faintly and spoke gently.
“Then, help me a little.”
Aziz called Arin, who was waiting outside, and transformed me back into human form.
He said it would be easier to fully manifest my weakened healing power in human form.
What exactly is he planning…
I couldn’t be sure whether he was sincere or not, but for now, I had no choice but to follow his instructions.
Thinking of Suleiman in the next room, I let out a heavy sigh.
Arin, helping me into my clothes, looked at me with concern.
“Please, Ishtar, be careful.”
Perhaps sensing the tension, she clasped her hands tightly, worried I might rush forward recklessly.
“Don’t worry, Arin. I’ll be fine.”
I gave her a weak smile, hoping to reassure her as best I could.
“I’ll be going now, then.”
“Thanks.”
Once Arin left the room, I steadied my breath and slowly walked toward Suleiman’s bed.
He appeared unchanged from before.
Though the pain seemed to have subsided, his face remained pale, giving an unsettling sense of fragility.
“…Please, wake up, Suleiman.”
I murmured softly, reaching out to gently touch his cheek.
His face, roughened by the night’s sickness, was still warm.
It felt as if he might open his eyes at any moment and call out to me, like always.
The thought that he might never awaken was unbearable.
“Are you ready, Ishtar?”
“Yes, Aziz.”
“Then come here.”
Following his guidance, I moved to the opposite side of the bed.
Soon, we were standing with Suleiman between us.
“Place one hand on mine, and the other on his left chest, near the heart.”
“Like this…?”
I placed my hand on Suleiman and extended the other toward Aziz.
“Yes, correct. Now, hold my hand.”
He clasped my hand firmly, entwining it with his.
It’s cold.
His hand, ice-cold to the touch, contrasted sharply with the warmth of Suleiman’s body.
It was an odd sensation that made me uneasy.
“Focus your mind, and think strongly of Suleiman. Recall your previous experiences healing others and perform it the same way.”
“Can this really heal Suleiman?”
I looked at him nervously.
If this didn’t work… what could I do next?
The mere thought of it sent chills through me.
“Do not worry, Ishtar.”
Aziz squeezed my hand slightly harder.
“I am here. Relax and do what you can now.”
“What I can do now…”
I muttered to myself, shoulders slumping.
I don’t have confidence.
My spiritual energy had grown absurdly weak compared to before.
Could I truly restore Suleiman with such a small amount?
Thinking about it, my remaining confidence crumbled to dust.
“Let’s start as I taught you. Steady your breathing and focus your mind.”
I nodded and closed my eyes gently.
With my vision blocked, my other senses felt heightened.
Soon, warmth began to flow into the hand touching Aziz.
“I will slowly transfer my power to you. When I signal, pour your spiritual energy into Suleiman. You will have only one chance.”
“…Understood.”
The tension in my body made me instinctively curl inward.
Before I could even complain, immense power flowed into me.
This is Aziz’s power…?
The cold energy entering my body felt strangely comforting.
It was like slowly immersing myself in warm water, calming my racing heart.
Finally, when Aziz’s energy filled me completely:
“Now!”
I opened my eyes and poured every bit of my spiritual energy into Suleiman.
Blinding light erupted from my body.
For a moment, the world seemed to glow purple in a dazzling brilliance unlike anything I had seen.
The dizzying sensation overwhelmed me, and I lost consciousness.
