Chapter 212

Upon learning of Hebarons injury, Maxs eyes widened in shock. Just hearing about the monsters curse was terrible in itself.

Th-thenis there no way to heal the wound?

Divine magic might work.

Ruth responded by frowning as he scratched his disheveled hair.

Dont worry too much about it. The Remdragon Knights will have reached Ethylene by now, and the high priest there will take care of Sir Nirta.

W-what about everyone else? Are they alright? Riftan

Sir Calypse is so robust that Im considering having him leashed. The others are fine.

He cut her off and replied in a dry tone, but Max was eager to know the details.

W-When I found out that you and everyone else were trapped in Louiebell I was really worried. How was everyone doing there, being trapped for h-how many months

Id like to explain it in more detail, but there isnt much time.

Ruth turned her toward the barracks with a difficult expression.

The knights will soon leave with the assembled troops and there are still many things to discuss before they leave.

Ca- Sir Caron will he stay here too?

No, we will only be left with a royal wizard from Whedon and me.

Ruth massaged his temples to soothe his growing headache.

If Sir Karon finds out about this, he will definitely insist on taking the lady back to Levan, whatever it takes. Then, until they leave, try to stay out of sight.

Max nodded determinedly.

I-I get it. Until Whedons troops leave I wont be leaving my s-station.

Suddenly Ruth turned to look at her piercingly.

Can you really live in such poor conditions?

Its not a problem at all. A-all the other priestesses can do it so can I too.

Ruth looked complicated as he swept his eyes through her messy, ragged clothes.

But, mlady is

He wanted to comment further but fell silent. He studied her appearance again from head to toe with a slight complexity on his face before speaking again.

I guess so, no one would notice that you are the daughter of a duke when you look like that.

Max contemplated Ruths words for a moment, trying to figure out if he was insulting or complimenting her, but the wizard turned to leave before she could say anything.

Then, Ill come see you again after the knights leave. Until then, dont go outside your tent if possible.

He warned her sternly as he walked away through the trees, leaving Max sulking on her way back to her tent.

***

The Knights of Whedon left with a handful of soldiers and wagons laden with food and supplies. As soon as they left, Ruth immediately set out to treat the wounded and a handsome wizard named Veylron also lent his help. They first targeted those with serious injuries and applied healing magic, then they gave mandrago potion to those who were in better condition. The priests also used their divine magic to heal the soldiers wounds.

Seeing this, Max felt incredibly inept. She had broken her back working, boiling herbs, making plasters, applying poultices, and squeezing out the yellow pus every day in an attempt to heal the fallen men. However, in just half a day after Ruth joined, a third of the patients had fully recovered. RutThe wizard couldnt help but laugh at her expense, seeing the dejection plastered all over her face.

I am one of the ten best wizards in the West. It is an insult to compare myself to a hatchling who has only recently started learning magic.

He said in a cheeky tone.

Stop making yourself miserable with these pointless comparisons. The lady did her best. If it werent for you and the other priestesses, half of them would have already died. They are all stable and alive thanks to you.

Despite his attempt to comfort her, Max didnt feel better. She wished that even if she couldnt be as skilled as Ruth, she could at least have a larger mana pool that didnt drain so easily. Meanwhile, she had to help with the burial of six soldiers whose conditions seemed to be improving, only to be found dead the next morning. There was nothing she could have done: by the time she got to them, they had already stopped breathing at some point in the night. However, she couldnt help but feel racked with guilt, if only she used her magic the day before, then maybe everyone would have lived.

Seething with frustration at her own incompetence, Max buried an eighteen-year-old soldier in a secluded corner of the ruined fortress with a solemn heavy heart. As she shoveled the dirt over the boys body, she remembered Medricks words, that a healers life will be filled with frustrations and sufferings.

Is there a way to increase m-mana in a short time?

Over a large pot of boiling water, Max and Ruth mashed mandrago roots, herbs, and honey. The man, who had just caught a handful of purple lizards, looked at her when she popped the question and she added in a slightly softer tone, trying not to reveal her desperation.

If my m-mana pool increases I will be