Chapter 122
“Reina!”
“I already know the situation. Aren’t I the one who’s needed?”
“……”
When Calhail didn’t respond, Reina raised her voice.
“The spirit of the Lautzen Knights is to never ignore their people in danger, isn’t it?!”
Where she had picked that up from, nobody knew. Calhail let out a shallow sigh.
“First of all, you aren’t a Lautzen knight. You don’t need to uphold that spirit.”
“I am the Duchess of Lautzen. I have the duty to watch over our people.”
Calhail glanced around the room. Seeing that nobody present was unaware of Reina’s identity as a saint, he continued,
“…This is too big a task for you to handle alone.”
“If I don’t go, they’ll die!”
“Going could put your life at risk.”
“I… won’t approach the beasts. I’ll just heal them…”
“That’s not the point.”
“……!”
Calhail raised his voice, and Reina faltered. Seeing her startled, he rubbed his fingers on his forehead to ease the tension.
“The exact number of poisoned people is unknown. Tens… maybe even hundreds.”
“……!”
“If you tried to heal all of them with your blood… no, if anyone found out your healing power is in your blood…”
Calhail trailed off, avoiding her gaze.
“So… the problem is that I can’t control my power yet, isn’t it?”
Reina thought for a moment, her expression becoming more serious.
“…What if I could heal the poisoned without using my blood?”
“What?”
“If I could do that, there wouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Locke’s cheerful voice cut through the tension between them.
“Then there’s no problem at all!”
Locke, observing the situation, stepped forward with a bright smile.
“If you really can do that, isn’t that enough?”
“Locke… please, can you stop talking…!”
Bayen tried to stop Locke, but it was no use. He just kept speaking cheerfully.
“…Also, if you’re assigned to rear support instead of the front lines, you won’t even risk encountering the beasts. Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”
Calhail glared at Locke for interrupting. Reina, meanwhile, looked at Calhail pleadingly.
“…You promised. If I can use my power without shedding blood, you said I could join the expedition.”
Calhail recalled the promise he had made to Reina a few days ago. If she could freely control her sexual power, she could accompany him to the battlefield.
“You even pinky-promised me…”
Seeing Reina’s bright, determined eyes, Calhail finally raised both hands as if surrendering.
“…Alright, then.”
Reina’s face lit up at his words.
“On one condition—you must heal without causing injury, and after treatment, you must remain fully conscious and retain your memories.”
Reina bit her lip, nodded, and accepted the condition.
“Follow me.”
Calhail gestured toward the door and led the way. He guided Reina to the room where the villagers poisoned by the beasts were gathered. The knights trailing behind whispered among themselves.
“What about the training the Duchess has been doing lately? Has it been effective?”
Reina’s confidence impressed Madeline, who asked Daniel quietly.
“She only managed to fix Milo’s bald head once…”
“Fix Milo’s baldness…?”
Madeline’s eyes sparkled with hope. If she could accomplish such a difficult task, there might be hope for other things too. But Daniel shook his head slightly.
“Everything else… not so much.”
Madeline sighed, realizing that their current situation relied on just a glimmer of possibility. Soon, they reached a door.
“This is it.”
The room was thick with the scent of herbs that slowed the poison. Most of the patients, exhausted from braving the cold to reach the fortress, had lost all energy and were nearly unconscious.
Calhail signaled, and Bayen closed the door.
“Alright, let’s begin.”
Reina approached one patient, taking his arm, and looked directly at Calhail.
“Calhail, from now on, I want you to treat me as someone who can protect Lautzen, just like you.”
“……?”
“I can protect Lautzen too, and I want to do so.”
As she spoke, a golden aura shimmered from her hands, bright and radiant. Those who saw it widened their eyes in surprise.
“Reina?”
“Your Grace!!”
The light emanating from Reina’s hands enveloped each patient and soon filled the entire room.
‘So… that was the answer.’
Reina had pondered deeply over her power. She realized that to activate her sexual power, she needed genuine, earnest desire. Whenever she had tried to heal Tommy’s arm, stop the beasts, or regrow Milo’s hair, the intent had to be true.
Now, finally understanding this, she felt a quiet relief as her power flowed freely.
But suddenly, the surge of power caused her to lose balance. It felt as if the life force coursing through her blood was rushing out of her body.
Her mind nearly went dark, and she almost lost consciousness, but she clung on desperately. Calhail’s condition—that she remain conscious while using her power—was firmly in her mind.
The golden light gradually faded. The knights, realizing what had happened, checked the patients, whose expressions were now calm and relieved.
Bayen confirmed a few of the healed patients to Calhail.
“…The poison has been cured, Your Grace.”
Calhail, Madeline, and Daniel looked at Reina. She turned naturally and said:
“This should be enough, right?”
Calhail scanned her carefully. Her complexion was slightly pale, but she hadn’t collapsed or lost consciousness like before.
“When did you gain control over your power?”
Reina, feeling his intense gaze, turned her head awkwardly.
“Just… a few days of practice.”
“Practice… no wonder you’ve been absent so often lately. That’s why?”
Hearing this, Madeline and Daniel coughed nervously, realizing something. Calhail glared at them sharply.
Reina grabbed his sleeve.
“Everyone is doing their best to protect Lautzen. I want to help too.”
She didn’t want to sit idly in the castle while everyone else risked their lives. With her power now under control, she could take responsibility appropriate for her status and support Calhail.
“I won’t do anything dangerous. I swear I’ll stay safe and do my best.”
Reina’s determined expression finally convinced Calhail.
“…Prepare for departure.”
“Calhail…!”
Reina’s excitement made her want to leap for joy. Calhail laughed lightly and flicked her nose with a finger.
“The road ahead will be tough… and you’re already smiling.”
“But isn’t it good that I’m going with you?”
Reina grinned, and Calhail gently stroked her cheek.
“Having you here makes me feel more secure than ever.”
Reina giggled. Nearby, Locke made a face like he might lose his lunch. Madeline clicked her tongue and patted his back.
“You need to hurry if you want to leave, Your Grace,” Bayen said softly. Calhail removed his hand from Reina’s cheek.
“Bayen, inform the knights and soldiers to prepare for deployment.”
“I already sent word via the servants some time ago.”
Calhail nodded in satisfaction.
News that the Duchess was joining the expedition spread instantly through Daniel. It was also revealed that she could now control her sexual power.
The knights welcomed Reina’s presence happily. Those they passed along the way offered subtle congratulations. Everyone had once helped Reina in some way.
Amy sighed as she realized the Duchess was putting herself in danger again, but carefully packed Reina’s belongings, considering her sensitivity to the cold. With previous expedition experience, Amy’s packing skills had noticeably improved.
[Barantium Fortress]
Reina stood at the front of the knights and soldiers, excitement and anticipation on her face.
Next to her stood the horse she would ride. Despite the hustle of dozens of knights, horses, and weapons moving around, her horse remained calm. Reina stroked its nose, enjoying the warm, soft texture beneath her hand.
She named the horse “Snow” because of its pure white coat, contrasting with Calhail’s black steed. Reina had bonded with Snow through consistent riding practice. The horse’s gentle temperament made it ideal for a novice rider.
“Let’s do our best together.”
Reina whispered as she stroked Snow’s nose. At that moment, Daniel quietly approached, holding the reins.
