Chapter 99
Alexis swore that if he could just finish this mission, he would never go on any more expeditions again.
With a grinding sound of his teeth, blood trickled from his lips.
“Master!”
As he stormed into the castle, the butler rushed out to greet him with teary eyes.
“Where is my wife?”
“She is in the bedroom.”
With heavy, forceful steps, Alexis moved forward. He hurried straight into the bedroom.
Inside were the High Priest, the chief physician, and Rhea. And on the bed, lying pale and lifeless, was the woman—
“Roan.”
Ignoring everyone else in the room, Alexis rushed straight to her bedside. The moment he saw her face, his heart sank.
Roan’s face had no color at all. He had seen such a face before—someone dying, or already dead.
“No!”
He turned sharply toward the High Priest.
“Did you not use healing power on my wife?”
The High Priest looked up at him with exhausted eyes. He looked as though he had aged ten years in that short time.
“Do you think I didn’t try?”
His voice was hoarse.
Now that he thought about it, even though the High Priest was already old, Alexis had never seen him look this powerless and drained before.
“The temple knights came as well. I struggled too. I wish someone could explain to me what on earth is going on.”
According to him, the temple knights had immediately stopped Roan’s bleeding, but she did not improve.
Of course, the spear that wounded her had poison, but it was not something that divine healing could not normally handle. The knights had assumed their divine power was simply too weak and reported it to the High Priest.
The High Priest had rushed to Valerion Castle.
First, he checked Leonis and confirmed the child was fine. Then he turned to Roan.
—I will help you immediately.
Roan, who had briefly regained consciousness while her bleeding was being treated, slowly opened her eyes and looked at the High Priest.
It was a painfully pitiful sight.
Her lips moved weakly.
—It… hurts too much…
Perhaps sensing that Leonis was not there, she let out a faint groan.
—Food…
“Hmm?” The High Priest leaned in closer, thinking it was something important.
—For all this time…
Her breathing became ragged.
The High Priest brought his ear closer to her lips.
—Pay… back… the meals… I ate…
After saying that, Roan lost consciousness again.
Only the High Priest had heard those words.
He let out a sigh of relief, thinking at least no one else heard it, and focused his divine power on her immediately.
Her wounds were severe, but nothing he had never healed before.
And yet—
“It only accepts a very small amount…”
Roan’s body only accepted a tiny portion of his divine power. The rest was repelled.
It was the first time he had experienced something like this.
He tried repeatedly, but all attempts failed.
Everything he did to stabilize her condition before Alexis returned had been in vain.
He could not leave until Alexis came back. Even if only a small amount of divine power could keep her alive, he had to remain here.
Just as Alexis had been forced to leave for the royal expedition under orders from the royal family and the temple.
And the hero of the kingdom, who was supposed to rise again, was now suffering because he had left his wife behind.
After hearing this, Alexis frowned in disbelief.
“That’s impossible…”
Was it not true that Roan had once activated divine power and survived on the verge of death after a carriage accident?
“We still do not know the answer. We were simply waiting for you.”
Alexis looked down at Roan’s wax-pale face.
Fortunately, the physician was skilled, and small amounts of divine power had been continuously supplied. She was not in immediate danger of death.
Alexis stepped forward and placed his divine power into her body.
His body trembled—he had already exhausted himself from the expedition—but he did not care.
He gathered even the last drop of his remaining power.
“Th-this…!”
The High Priest’s eyes widened in shock.
Roan’s body, which had previously rejected divine power, was now absorbing Alexis’s power like dry land soaking up rain.
Alexis held her hands tightly with both of his and continued to pour in divine energy.
He would give everything—even his blood—for her.
“This is unbelievable!”
The physician exclaimed.
“Her complexion is improving!”
At those words, Rhea collapsed to the ground in tears.
Alexis’s hands trembled as he held Roan’s.
If even a fragment of his soul could save her, he would give it.
Even after hearing the physician’s words, he continued forcing his power.
“Stop… stop now!”
If the High Priest had not intervened, he would have drained himself completely and collapsed like a corpse.
“Your body needs recovery too, so you can heal your wife again!”
Only then did Alexis finally stop.
He lifted his head.
Roan’s face, now slightly colored with life, looked far more peaceful. Her breathing was steady.
Unable to endure it, Alexis burst into tears.
“Oh, God…”
The God he had never once called upon in war or battle, he was now desperately pleading to.
“She already suffered enough giving birth to our son…”
“She already suffered because of me…”
“Please… do not give her more pain…”
His body trembled violently as silent tears fell.
Once they confirmed Roan’s condition had improved, the physician gave her medicine again.
The High Priest then moved Alexis to his office to calm him down.
“…What exactly happened?”
After calming himself, Alexis finally asked in a hoarse voice.
The High Priest shook his head with a grim expression.
“I truly do not know.”
He continued.
“It was not an attack aimed at the viscount’s wife.”
At those words, Alexis’s eyes sharpened.
“It was an attack aimed at Leonis.”
“….”
“That is why she was injured while shielding Leonis.”
The atmosphere in the office turned suffocatingly heavy.
Even now, Alexis radiated a sharp, dangerous aura.
“Calm yourself.”
The High Priest patted his shoulder.
“Still, there is someone who deserves credit for saving the viscountess.”
His expression softened slightly.
“And that is your son, Leonis.”
Alexis stood silently, expression unreadable.
The High Priest continued.
“The moment the viscountess was injured, Leonis’s divine power went berserk. That power not only blocked the attack but wiped out the enemies entirely. It is unfortunate that his power went out of control, but because of it, we were able to save her life quickly.”
“….”
Alexis wiped his face with one hand.
His expression was deeply troubled.
He did not know whether to feel relieved or sorrowful.
And he also felt guilty—he was not a good father. He had not even asked about Leonis the moment he heard about Roan.
“Tell me everything you have discovered so far.”
The High Priest nodded.
“His Majesty is also extremely enraged. An incident like this happening within his kingdom… it is understandable. The king will not let this go. The royal army is investigating. You will hear the results soon. Until then, stay by the viscountess’s side. The temple and the royal family will handle this matter.
