Chapter 31

“Your heart is absorbing an abnormal amount of mana… Did you have a heart condition or something?”

“I don’t think so. I was never diagnosed with any specific illness, at least not that I can remember.”

I hesitated, then added,

“…When I was a child… they said my heart was weaker than most, and it took a lot of energy just to keep it functioning.”

“And now?”

“I-I don’t know. I really don’t.”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer further. Even without looking in the mirror, I knew my face had gone pale. Keith continued calmly.

“Well, I know your condition better than anyone right now.”

“Were you actually a doctor?”

“Hmm, no license. But I’ve seen plenty of patients.”

“…That’s basically fraud…”

“Hey, it’s not fraud if you don’t get caught.”

“……”

“Anyway, your heart is weak, and yes, it consumes a bit more mana than usual, but it’s not in bad shape. The medical kit gave a clean report too. I was so suspicious I used every diagnostic tool I had, but turns out my initial evaluation was right. Everything else looks fine. Try bending the index finger of your left hand.”

It still didn’t move well—but it was better than before. Keith nodded approvingly.

“Your nerves are healing. Your mana is flowing again, so your recovery speed has improved. Honestly, even with how much healing magic I poured into you, I thought it was too fast. You’re lucky, Florence. There are maybe a handful of healers in this world who can repair nerve damage.”

I regretted mocking him earlier. He’d hate it, but if the hope he offered could really save me, I might’ve even kissed the tops of his feet.

“You might be able to have everything the Marchioness of Baldwin once had.”

Maybe this man really was a divine gift from the heavens.

As expected, we were outside the capital. But unexpectedly, it was a very distant forest, close to the border between the Kingdom of Yullia and the Kingdom of Alimad. To teleport three people—including a mage—that far…

‘He might be a Class-7 Master.’

Advancing from User, to Expert, to Master takes most people 10–20 years. The tiny bit of hope Keith had shown me had bloomed so wildly that I could almost see a halo over his head. I had joked earlier about offering prayers or whatever—but now, if only my legs worked properly, I might’ve actually started praying morning and night.

“Hey. You’re creeping me out.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s your eyes that are creepy.”

Keith sounded put out.

“If it bothers you, I’ll stop looking.”

“It bothers me even if you don’t look.”

“……”

“I mean, did you hear yourself just now?”

“I didn’t say a thing.”

“Your expression said it.”

Even silence was loud with this man. Any growing respect I had for him was promptly stomped to pieces. I sighed and shook my head. What could I do—he just didn’t know how to accept admiration.

“No need to thank me. If you turn out to be useful, I’ll collect interest on every bit of kindness I showed you.”

“You knew I was useless when you picked me up, didn’t you?”

“That was just a whim.”

“……”

“I figured if you turned out useful, great. If not, whatever. It was a purely calculated move, so don’t read too much into it.”

“I won’t.”

If it was about overthinking things—I was an expert. But I didn’t have a habit of inflating small kindnesses into something more. I intended to be exactly as thankful as he deserved. And if he really healed me… I’d do anything he asked in return.

“Keith Hayden Brien.”

“What?”

“Okay, so I know you’re a con-artist-doctor, at least a Class-7 mage, and shady as hell…”

Keith burst into laughter. I frowned and pressed a finger to my lips, worried the loud noise would wake Mari. He looked embarrassed for a second and quickly covered his mouth, nodding.

“What’s your goal?”

“Whoa. Straight to the point, huh?”

Keith chuckled. I ignored him and continued.

“I don’t care what your status is or what you do. Now that I think of it—you said Lila Green was chasing you, right? Even said you were imprisoned. No ordinary person would track someone into an underground prison. You must’ve wanted something. But I’m worthless—”

“Enough.”

Keith pressed a palm over my mouth. I looked up at him with wide eyes.

“You’re right, Florence. You’re useless right now.”

“……”

“Sure, a door may have opened for you. But at the moment, you can barely walk. You can’t even bend your left index finger. You still need help with basic daily tasks. And I bet there’s a wanted notice circulating across the entire kingdom and border by now. You can’t even walk properly, and you have to hide your identity and your face. You’re nothing but a liability.”

He didn’t need to tell me that—I already knew.

“Meanwhile, Mari may be missing an arm, but she’s quick-witted and fast on her feet. She was brave enough to throw herself in front of a monster to save you. There were plenty of older kids in that alley, but Mari was the one leading them. She’ll be able to adapt anywhere. She won’t drag anyone down. Unlike you.”

“……”

“And me, well—obviously I’m brilliant.”

“……”

“We’re accomplices, yes. But that doesn’t make us equals.”

“……”

“Not yet, anyway.”

When I glared at him, he smiled as if he was enjoying himself. Still grinning playfully, Keith finally pulled his hand away and stepped back.

“But I’m the one who picked you up. Only I get to call you useless.”

“……”

I sucked in a shaky breath. Mari. I needed to see Mari’s face. Just one look at her sleeping face, and maybe this humiliation would ease a little. Mari.

I reached out to her hair. It was stiff, greasy—she hadn’t washed in days. Before, I would’ve found it disgusting and refused to touch it. But now, it didn’t matter. I gently wiped the soot off her face…

“The sun will rise soon.”

Keith said.

“I know what your goal is. So I’ll decide the destination.”

“…Fine.”

“Get some sleep. Don’t whine later about being tired.”

“Fine.”

Even to my own ears, my voice sounded cold.

I was bitter. I lay down beside Mari and pulled a thin blanket over us. The cold from the ground crept into me, while the fire’s heat burned the surface of my skin. I carefully pulled Mari into my arms. She let out a small whimper and snuggled in.

Sweet Mari. Precious Mari.

After a brief pause, I closed my eyes and muttered softly.

“I’m only being protected now… but just wait.”

“……”

“I’ll stand as your equal, and when I do…”

“……”

“I won’t accept this weird pity anymore.”

I didn’t know how many times he’d said I was useless just so I wouldn’t have to say it myself. Whether I say it or just hear it—it still hurts, doesn’t it? But Keith acted like as long as I didn’t say it, I wouldn’t be wounded. Or maybe he was saying, no matter what others say, don’t admit it to yourself. Don’t accept it.

Either way… it was strange.

“…Geez.”

Keith clicked his tongue. I laughed.

I had lost everything. My ex-husband was chasing me with a sword. There was probably a nationwide warrant out for my arrest. And yet—I still laughed.

It was absurd. And it was funny.

How could I not laugh, when I had two people—two treasures—who were on my side?