Escape

-----Mai's POV

The battle eventually came to an end. At a glance, it looks like a quarter of the humans were killed, and a third of the remaining humans were injured.

Captain: "Good work everyone!"

I chose to stay invisible, remaining close to Lilith to see what will happen. Speaking of Lilith, she was the only one that was covered in black blood, as the other undead in the army didn't have any blood to begin with.

Captain: "L-Lilith?"

The captain looked shocked once he spotted Lilith, as if he wasn't expecting her to survive. Revolting...

Lilith: "Y-yes captain?"

Captain: "Go back and tend to our injured immediately."

Lilith: "Yes- sir..."

It looked like all the remaining energy Lilith had just evaporated after been given her new orders. I don't care much for humans, but Lilith to me is a special case. So seeing her distraught like this is unbearable to watch.

Looking up, it still seems to be quite dark, so taking her to Kaede may be too early right now. I'll at least wait till sunrise before taking her with me. And so, I followed her back to the tents. She tried her best at trying to rid herself from as much of that black blood as possible, but it seems to have stained her clothes quite badly.

Soldier: "Be sure to change out of that garbage before you treat them."

Lilith: "Understood."

She was being led by another soldier. He did lay a hand on her, but it was purely to get her attention. I only had given that warning to that captain so I'll let this soldier be... Just as long as he doesn't hurt her.

We soon arrive at the tents as they were still being filled with the injured soldier and adventurers. We enter one of them and almost immediately, people began to swarm Lilith.

Medic Guy: "Lilith! Glad to have you back. Wash up and help us out."

Lilith: "Mmm. Give me a minute."

At least the other medics appear to be friendly towards Lilith, but they probably don't know just how much she's being overworked here. Just hold on for a little bit longer Lilith, I'll take you away soon.

Soon after washing up and changing clothes, she was straight back to work, stitching up people's arms and chest, getting blood all over her hands. It's unreal how she can work in the state she's in. She only slept for a little over 3 hours only to be woken up to fight for her life. Thankfully she has people around her, helping her with the treatments, but she definitely seems to be the one most active right now.

Medic Guy2: "Lilith! Got a minute?"

Lilith: "Yes!"

Medic Girl1: "Lilith! Could you hive me a hand here?"

Lilith: "Yes!"

I start to feel like these medics are also related to the mistreatment of Lilith. They seem to shove more work on her despite their friendly attitude. It could be under orders from the captain, which in that case makes me all the more certain for Kaede to experiment on him. But after learning more about how Kaede's blood works from that horned devil, maybe there's no need for experiment. But then why isn't Yui dead if that's the case? Maybe it would be a good idea to experiment regardless.

Stepping out of the tent briefly, I see that the sun is still showing no signs of coming as the sky is still caked in darkness, with only the lights from the starts able to break through. "This is going to be a long night..."

After what felt like a couple hours, Lilith finally managed to find a stopping point to rest. I could see just how tired she was, barely having the strength to keep her eyes open.

Soldier: "Lilith. You're needed over in the next tent."

Lilith: "Y-yes..."

It's been like this the whole time. Once Lilith is finished with something, she's thrown right into something else. Can it be morning already? Exiting the tent behind Lilith while remaining invisible, I check the sky once more. Finally, I could see a decent amount of the stars had disappeared in place of the approaching sun. "It's about time."

Out of everyone's sight, I reveal myself before coming up to Lilith from behind as I place my hand on her shoulder once more.

Mai: "Sorry~ She'll be coming with me instead."

Lilith: "Wh-"

With a physical connection to Lilith, I speak into her mind so that the soldier can't overhear.

Mai: "I'm taking you to Selene."

Lilith: "!!!"

Soldier: "I'm sorry, she's not going anywhere. Captain's orders."

Mai: "I'll only take you if you really want to. Just say the word."

The soldier had now drawn his sword, pointing it straight at me, however I pay him no mind as I wait for Lilith's response.

Soldier: "Leave now. This woman is-"

Lilith: "Take me to her!"

I could feel the intensity in her reply as a smile grows on my face. I couldn't listen to any further words coming out of this monkey's mouth.

Mai: "As you wish."

Soldier: "Hey!"

-----Kaede's POV

I barely managed to sleep at all, only getting a couple hours in at least as I found myself relaxing to the sound of both Yui and Mell next to me.

My relaxation would come to a halt however, as a loud bang had come from inside our room. With the little amount of light in the room, I could make out what made such a noise as I saw Mai had teleported herself inside. But the sound most likely came from the person who had stumbled on the floor...

Kaede: "L-Lilith?"

Mai: "I brought her here if that's okay. She needs a place to rest without being disturbed."

Blood could be seen all over her hands, but I could tell from smell alone that it's nothing too fresh, so it's unlikely she's injured or anything.

Lilith: "Selene..."

She looked extremely fatigued as she could barely lift her head from the floor, causing me to slide out from the bed, bending down to her as I grab hold of one of her hands in an attempt to heal her. She immediately clasped my hand with her other as I pour my mana into her body.

Mell: "Mmmm... Mom?"

Turning my head while in the middle of healing Lilith, it appeared I had woken Mell up, but it still seems like Yui is still sleeping.

Yui: "Mm- Kaede?"

Nevermind.

Kaede: "Sorry for waking you. Good morning~"

After apologizing, I move my focus back to Lilith... But what I saw was her resting her head on my lap, seeming to have completely passed out in the process of me healing her. At least now she doesn't look to be in pain. I take this opportunity to lick the blood off my hands that Lilith had gotten on me. The taste of it was refreshing first thing in the morning, but nothing compared to-

Yui: "Hey~"

Kaede: "Ah! Sorry, hehe."

Yui had an upset look on her face after I turned my head once again. I find it funny how she wants to be the only person who I drink from, even if it's not fresh like this.

Yui: "It's okay. It's not like you're actually 'sucking' their blood or anything."

Kaede: "It's not her blood actually."

Yui: "O-oh?"

Mai: "Correct. She was treating the injured before I brought her here."

Yui: "I see."

A smile grew on her face upon hearing that, seeming to be relieved. I once again move my gaze back to Lilith who is sleeping peacefully on my lap. Mell had now also gotten out of bed as she sits beside me, looking to be concerned about Lilith.

Kaede: "But why was she so worn out?"

Mai: "She barely got any sleep. On top of that, she got sent out to the front lines, fending off against another attack."

Kaede: "Wait... What!?"

Mai: "Don't worry. I kept her safe like I said. Not a single cut was given to her."

Kaede: "But then, was that horned devil there again?"

Mai: "Mhmm! Lilith killed him."

Kaede: "What!?"

I could hardly believe someone like Lilith could contend against someone like that devil. Sure I can sense mana inside Lilith, but not to the extent that devil had.

Mai: "Of course after I had sucked him dry of all his mana."

That... Sounded a little wrong, but at least I get it now. So instead, Mai just 'gave' Lilith the kill.

Kaede: "But why was she on the front lines? Isn't she a medic?"

Mai: "Yeah... I don't understand it either. The humans here must really not like Lilith. Speaking of which, I could bring him here as well if you'd like to do that experiment."

Kaede: "Huh? Who?"

Mai: "That captain. I'm sure he's behind all this mistreatment of Lilith."

No. No matter how you look at it, doing something as crazy as that will be a bad idea. He answers to the king and queen himself, so if something were to happen to him, then my life and possibly everyone in my life could be affected. But I don't know if this is Selene's thoughts, but at the same time... I want to try it anyways. Especially upon seeing just how exhausted Lilith looked when she was brought here.

Kaede: "...I'll think about it."

Mell: "Experiment?"

Mell questions me as she leans up against my side. I can't find it in me to lie to my own daughter, so I guess beating around the bush would be a nice compromise.

Kaede: "Mhmm. If he's willing, he can help me figure out more about myself."

Mai: "About that. I did learn a bit regarding your blood."

Kaede: "What about it."

Mai: "From what I got out of that devil, he said your blood is like a plague, killing anything that gets it inside them."

Well, that doesn't really help. It only confirms what I've been thinking. I knew my blood was the result of Yui's near death experience, but that doesn't explain her eyes changing or her taste of blood having changed.

Mai: "I know it's nothing new, but at least we have some form of confirmation."

Yui: "So... I should have died is what you two are saying?"

Mai: "Correct."

Kaede: "But I wasn't going to let that happen. Not again."

Mai: "I think it's safe to assume that the blood Yui ingested is no longer attacking her."

Yui: "Mmm! I feel fine!"

Yui now having jumped out of bed, showing off just how much she's recovered.

Mai: "Kaede. I know I said that Yui shouldn't drink any more of your blood, but I think this is something to experiment on-"

Kaede: "No!"

I get what she's saying, but on the off-chance that Yui becomes bed ridden like that again, I don't know if I have it in me to exhaust myself only to potentially fail and have her die in my arms again.

Kaede: "No..."

Yui: "Kaede..."

I could feel Yui's arms wrap around me from behind, easing the tenseness in my body as I begin to calm down.

With Lilith sleeping on my lap like this, I may as well wait for her wake up. I don't want to disturb her with such a peaceful face.