You Are Dead
Chapter 37…………………………………
Nox was fidgeting, rolling his eyes nervously.
I frowned as I looked at his shoulder.
“You’re hurt.”
Only then did Nox seem to understand why I had come to him. He placed a hand on his shoulder and said,
“Oh, it’s nothing serious.”
“First, sit down.”
Cardin, looking down at me in response to the seriousness in my voice, spoke firmly, almost to give weight to his words:
“Sit.”
“Y-Yes!”
It was the first time I’d seen Nox’s face in such a flustered state, but now, my attention was blinded by his injury, and I couldn’t think deeply.
I slowly approached him as he perched on the edge of the bed and placed my hand on his shoulder. A soft white light shimmered around the wound.
Nox, unfamiliar with the sensation, widened his eyes in surprise.
“T-Thank you, Saintess.”
“Don’t hide it.”
He looked up at Cardin and asked,
“Did my lord say that?”
Before Cardin could narrow his brow and answer, I spoke for him:
“I’ve heard that the Vice Commander resembles his lord in that way—hiding injuries even when hurt.”
Both of them flinched at my words.
They probably guessed who had said such a thing, for they didn’t ask me any more.
“Don’t hide it. Neither the Vice Commander nor His Highness the Duke.”
They remained silent.
I straightened my back with a faint smile.
“…Otherwise, I feel too miserable.”
“Oh! I thought this was minor… I’m sorry.”
There was no reason for him to apologize.
Receiving treatment was their choice, their freedom.
Yet, I had never even watched over them before, and now I almost passed by without being able to help right in front of me.
That truth stirred an unexpected pang in me.
My past people.
“Rest.”
The words of kindness didn’t come out naturally.
I quickly turned and left the barracks. The night air hit my face, and I took a deep breath.
Looking around, I didn’t see Raymond; perhaps he had gone to the patrol area.
“Saintess, did you eat well?”
“Yes. Did you also eat well, Commander?”
I had seen him earlier eating with the knights, but I asked formally.
He muttered briefly and glanced at the barracks behind me.
“Ah… there was one more injured person.”
“I’m sorry. I must have overlooked them.”
“No, how could we know if someone tries to hide it?”
Feeling slightly annoyed, I spoke sharply without realizing it.
They might have heard my voice. Am I protesting because I felt hurt? To them, I was nothing.
Nox had only just seen me today. I found myself letting out an incredulous chuckle.
“Ah… Saintess.”
When I looked up at Alec, who called me, he began to explain what the paladins would do starting tomorrow.
“From tomorrow, the knights will be split into two groups to assist both the village and here.”
I gave a faint smile, seeing him follow through on my request.
“Thank you, Commander.”
“…No need. I will guide you to your quarters, Saintess.”
I followed Alec as he walked ahead.
It was in the opposite direction of where the paladins were gathered.
Noticing my gaze lingered there, Alec said, perhaps sensing my curiosity:
“The barracks for the Saintess were already prepared. We considered building new ones, but this spot, being the innermost, seemed the most comfortable, so we left it.”
Raymond’s earlier words came back to me—he had said it was prepared before I arrived.
I stood in front of the innermost barracks and said,
“Thank you for that as well.”
“Ah… would it be inconvenient not to have your attendant with you?”
“It’s fine.”
I could manage on my own. I was used to their help, but I wouldn’t be truly inconvenienced without it.
“Understood. If anything is uncomfortable, please let me know.”
“You should also rest, Commander.”
He bowed and walked away. I turned my gaze to my barracks.
Being a little apart from the other knights felt slightly comforting.
The barracks were smaller than those used by the knights, probably because it was meant for a single person rather than a group.
Behind me, a barracks of the same size was close by, separated by a narrow path.
Since Raymond had prepared this place, it was likely his barracks.
Recalling the conversation with Raymond earlier, I let out a bitter smile.
Will he say the same thing to me again if we meet?
Melissa’s fate had now become mine upon my ascension, so it couldn’t be helped. Moreover, I had also lived among them and shared their way of life.
Carrying this bitterness, I entered the tent. Inside, there was only a desk and a bed.
My eyes suddenly darted.
“Ah.”
I remembered the luggage I had left on the carriage.
I quickly scanned the barracks and spotted a single suitcase next to the bed.
Amy and I hadn’t even thought to carry our luggage, arriving empty-handed.
Alec must have taken it at that moment.
Stepping outside, I saw Alec a short distance away conversing with Cardin.
Unable to call out, I stood there awkwardly. Perhaps sensing my gaze, the two of them turned.
“Saintess?”
I could barely hear it, but it sounded like they were calling me.
As I hesitated, Alec walked briskly toward me.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Did you take care of my luggage, Commander?”
“Oh… I was so flustered I could only bring one. I’m sorry.”
I waved my hands quickly.
“No! Thank you so much… I had just remembered and was feeling lost.”
“I’m glad I could help. Now, please rest.”
“Yes. You too, Commander.”
He bowed again and turned his back.
Cardin stood where he had been, watching us.
I hesitated to greet him.
It would have felt awkward, so I entered the barracks instead.
Opening the suitcase, I saw it was full of items Amy had packed.
“I’m glad.”
I pulled out a thin chemise. Naturally, there was no place to wash inside the barracks.
I should have asked Alec. I had forgotten again. Would there be a place to wash?
Thinking that he might go without resting because of me, I let out a small sigh.
“Ah… Cardin.”
Come to think of it, his hair was wet. I remembered that he had changed the clothes stained with blood.
Then there must be a place to wash nearby.
I slightly opened the tent and looked outside. A few knights hadn’t yet entered the barracks.
“What should I do?”
Biting my lip and tapping my feet, I suddenly felt a gaze from in front of me.
I almost called out his name. The owner of the barracks in front of me was Cardin, who had pulled out a chair and was sitting, watching me.
As he rose and strode toward me with long steps, my shoulders flinched instinctively.
“Looking for a place to wash?”
Was it written all over my face? Cardin had immediately spoken the problem I was holding.
“Oh, yes. Do you happen to know where?”
He glanced sideways and said,
“There’s a small lake in the forest.”
My eyes followed his gaze. Trees could be seen at a considerable distance.
I guessed that was the place I needed to go.
“Thank you.”
Seeing that the other knights hadn’t entered the barracks, he said,
“I’ll guide you in a little while.”
“It’s fine. You don’t have to.”
“It’s dangerous to go alone. I’ll call you later, so be ready and come out.”
I couldn’t respond and could only watch his back as he left.
My heart raced wildly again. This shouldn’t be happening, yet I kept getting entangled with him.
Perhaps I had unconsciously let my guard down since there was no one from Fabiban. I let out a small sigh.
As the night grew darker, Cardin returned to my barracks.
