The Job of a (Vampire) Healer

-----Kaede's POV

We were now at the west gate with the barracks just to our right. "I guess this is where we part ways."

Sicily: "Well! We'll be off now Kaede~"

Yui: "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Kaede: "I made a deal with them that I'd stay. If anything happens though, I'll be there."

Yui: "...Okay."

Without warning, she runs up to me, wrapping her arms around me as we embrace each other dearly. I could tell just from the hug that she really didn't want to leave my side. It might be due to our conversation last night, but if it wasn't for my deal with Sicily and Lillian, I would surely be out there right next to her. Giving me one last squeeze, she lets go of me, only to quickly peck me on the lips.

Yui: "Good luck."

Kaede: "Mhmm! Good luck to you too."

Before she could turn, I steal a quick kiss back before finally letting her leave. It felt nice to not hide our feelings like we have been doing now that Olivia knows about us. Curious, I glance over to Olivia as she was smiling away with glee at the sight of us before Yui moves to join up next to her.

Kaede: "See you guys soon!"

With our final waves of farewell, they depart through the gate to join up with the rest of the people, with Mai following closely behind. I watch until they leave my sight before finally letting out sigh.

Kaede: "Alright. You ready Mell?"

Mell: "Mhmm!"

Holding onto her hand, we make out way to the barracks nearby.

Opening the door, the immediate smell of blood attacked by body as my sights lock onto a dozen beds that many of the injured lay. I don't think I can ever get used to this smell, it's too intoxicating. But it's a little easier to deal with from all my sessions with Yui, slowly making my way deeper into the building.

Soldier: "Sorry, civilians aren't allowed to-"

Kaede: "I'm here to help."

I immediately show him my guild card as he walks over to inspect it.

Soldier: "Kaede? Yes! Right this way. Oh- Is the kid with you?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Soldier: "Okay. This way please."

Seems as though I'm famous among the soldiers as well. I put my guild card back inside my bag before following him deeper inside until we reached one of the beds. The smell of it only growing stronger as I can feel my body start to heat up, my heart beating faster as I stare at the person laying there.

Soldier: "I've heard you can heal with light magic. Could you please try and heal them? Oh, also just to let you know. The monsters were pushed back enough that we've established a forward base further out west. So once you're done with these people, let me know and we'll make our way out there where the other medics are set up."

Kaede: "Yes! Understood."

Soldier: "I'll be waiting by the door, but let me know if you need anything. Sadly I'm not much of a medic so I don't know how much help I'll be."

I guess that means all the medics are out west at the forward base. So they just patched these guys up and went on their way? That's a bit careless isn't it? What if these guys get worse or need emergency care? No wonder Marcus has his issues with the royal family if this is how they're treating people.

Leaving me alone, the soldier takes his place by the door as I slowly uncover the person's body. I didn't even need to uncover it know exactly where the blood was coming from, as from my smell alone, I could sense that it was coming from the abdomen and their left arm. Not wanting to put up with the smell of blood any longer, I quickly place my hands on their abdomen, purposefully getting blood on my hands while I close up their wounds that were bandaged. Quickly taking a glance at the guard to see that he wasn't watching, I drink the blood off my hands before moving onto their arm.

It did help my thirst a little, but not to the extent that Yui's blood had on me. It still irritates me that it's her of all people, but at least drinking blood while I heal will get me by.

The healing goes smoothly as I finish up with the first person, making my way along the row of beds, discreetly drinking blood as I go. All of the injured were all asleep, probably due to sedatives, so it made the process of drinking their blood all the more easier. Mell already knew about me being a vampire, so I wasn't concerned about her watching me. I decided to leave the bandages on since I didn't want to carry blood stained cloth around me, as it would only make my thirst even worse.

Mell: "Can I help?"

Kaede: "Help? Hmmm... Ah! Then could you take off the bandages on the people I've healed?"

Mell: "Bandages?"

Kaede: "The piece of cloth that's covered in blood. Could you take them and put it into a pile for me?"

Mell: "Yes!"

The injuries varied from person to person. One person in particular I have no idea how they're still alive, as their body was littered with cuts and bruises with blood seeping through the bandages. I healed him properly and checked once more to see that he was still breathing, of course drinking the blood left over in the process. I look back to check on Mell who looked to be on the 2nd person, gently taking off the bandages like I said. A sense of pride rushed over me upon seeing Mell do a wonderful job, finding myself smiling in this depressing sight of a building.

After getting through 12 of the beds, I did see a couple people who had unfortunately died, but I still did my job and heal their body, just on the off-chance that they might come back. I didn't feel as bad as there was nothing I could've done to save them, they had already passed. I chose to re-cover the dead bodies before going over to report to the soldier, with Mell still working behind me.

Kaede: "Finished."

Soldier: "What? Already? It's only been like 30 minutes."

Kaede: "Yes, I'm done. There are 2 of them that have unfortunately died. I covered their bodies so you know which ones. The other 10 are all healed and are breathing normally."

Soldier: "Is that so? I'll let the captain know when we get to the forward base. So should we head there now? Or you still needing to do something?"

Kaede: "Mell just needs to finish up then we can go."

Soldier: "Mell? Oh- That girl that's with you?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Soldier: "Alright, we'll leave once she's done."

Kaede: "Okay."

Taking my leave, I walk back over to Mell to check on how she's doing. She skipped over the bodies that were covered and seemed to be on the last few people remaining.

Kaede: "Great job Mell. You're doing well."

Mell: "Thank you!"

Kaede: "We have a long walk ahead of us, but you can ride on my back as a reward for doing such a wonderful job."

Mell: "Hehe~"

I gently pat her head before letting her continue her job. I was not about to finish her job for her, especially not after seeing her happy like this.

Eventually, we finish up as we walk out of the barracks with the soldier. I bend down for Mell to climb her way up, but I was surprised to see that she continued climbing higher than I expected as she gets right on top of my shoulders. I hold her legs to my chest for stability before standing back up, piggyback style.

Mell: "S-so high!"

Hearing her excitement causes me to chuckle as I walk next to the soldier.

Soldier: "She your kid?"

Kaede: "Hmm? Yeah, she's mine."

I was a little concerned by his question as I'm only about 16 years old or something. But it could be that this world works differently and people around my age can have kids, I'm not sure. I am happy to declare Mell as my own though, despite her real mother possibly still being alive.

Soldier: "She must've took on her father's appearance, haha."

It's true. Mell and I are nothing alike, but her eyes still remind me of my own, so in a way I disagree with him there, but it's not like he knows of my past life.

Mell: "Father is dead."

Soldier: "O-oh?~"

Despite her happy expression, she just said something that no kid should be happy saying. I could see why the soldier would be confused by this sudden turn of events.

Kaede: "He died recently. I told her that staying positive is key to moving forward. It seems to be helping her cope with her father's loss."

Soldier: "Ah- I see."

I've really become a con-artist now, being able to lie like this like it was nothing. I forget how many times I've done it, but now its difficult to find any guilt in doing so, it's just so natural for me at this point.

Soldier: "I'm sorry for your loss."

Kaede: "It's okay. I'm just glad to still have Mell in my life."

Mell: "Mhmm!"

She ruffles my hair a little out of happiness as I smile whilst looking up at her.

Kaede: "Anyways~ How far is the camp?"

Soldier: "About 15 minutes away to the camps where the injured are taken. The battlefield is a bit further though."

Kaede: "I won't be fighting anything, I'll be helping out at the rear."

Soldier: "Seriously? You could-"

Kaede: "I know. But I made a promise, so I'll stay behind for now."

Soldier: "Fair enough. Whether it be at the front lines or the rear, we're glad to have you with us."

Kaede: "Thank you. I'll do what I can."

Thanks to all the leftover blood from the injured, I feel more than enough energy to be able to heal hundreds of people. And so, we continued forward with Mell on my back. I'm hoping it's safe enough at the camps for Mell, not like I'll let anything come close to us though.