Chapter 4: The Lord’s Duty

The battlefield had finally settled. The pirates had been all arrested, their ships having been docked near the reefs, leaving behind slain pirates on the shore. Smoke still lingered in the air, mingling with the salty scent of the sea. The once-lively docks of Stormguard were now littered with broken crates, splintered wood, and the scars of magic and steel. Despite the fierce battle, there had been no casualties among the knights. There were also no civilian casualties as the knights managed to fend off the pirates on time. But it does not mean that there was no damage done.The ports infrastructures were greatly destroyed.

Lord Klein Alaric Storm stood near the water's edge, gazing at the restless waves. His storm-grey eyes reflected the moon's pale light as he let the salty breeze wash over him. Footsteps approached from behind, and he turned to see Cedric and Claude walking toward him. Cedric's silvered hair was slightly disheveled, while Claude's golden locks gleamed even under the dim torchlight. Both men inclined their heads slightly in deference.

"My Lord," Claude said, his tone respectful.

"The battle is won, but our people are wounded. We should see to them."

Klein nodded. "Lead the way."

They made their way through the battlefield, where the knights and townsfolk were tending to the wounded. The scent of blood mixed with the briny sea air, and the quiet groans of injured men filled the night. Despite the severity of the battle, no one had died—but four knights lay gravely injured, their bodies wrapped in bloodstained bandages. Some had deep gashes from enemy blades, while others suffered from burns left by the fire mage's attacks. Klein scanned the area, frowning. Where were the healers? Then, it dawned on him.

There were none.

Unlike the great cities of the mainland, the Storm Isles had no dedicated healers, no clerics trained in mending wounds with magic. Most injuries were treated with herbs, crude bandages, and time. But time was not a luxury they had. His soldiers were losing blood.

A sense of responsibility weighed on him. These were not ordinary soldiers—they were his knights. A mere dozen of them, each personally chosen by his late father, the former king. Any one of them could have risen to become a baron, should they earn enough merit. Their talent was rare, and their loyalty invaluable. All of them were under thirty, in the prime of their youth, and Klein knew that each loss would be irreplaceable

He was the only mage here with any knowledge of healing magic.

Klein knelt beside one of the knights, a young man barely past his twenties, his breathing ragged from a deep gash on his side. His armor had been cut open, and crimson soaked through his tunic. The knight's face was pale, his body trembling from blood loss.

Klein exhaled slowly and extended his hand over the wound. A soft blue light shimmered at his fingertips as he channeled his mana, weaving water magic into a healing spell. Cool droplets of water condensed in the air, forming a thin layer over the wound. The water seeped into the knight's torn flesh, cleansing it of impurities and mending the tissue at an accelerated rate. With careful precision, Klein guided the water to replenish lost fluids and stimulate blood production, ensuring the knight wouldn't succumb to his injuries.

The knight gasped, his pain easing as the wound began to close before his eyes. He blinked up at Klein, his expression shifting from agony to awe.

"M-My Lord…" he rasped weakly.

"Rest," Klein said in a calm but commanding tone. "You fought well. You protected Stormguard and it's people. You Ave already done your duty."

The knight managed a weak nod before exhaustion overtook him. Klein moved to the next knight, whose arms and chest were covered in severe burns. The fire mage's attack had left deep, blistering wounds, and the pain alone had rendered the knight barely conscious.

Klein took a steady breath and summoned a new wave of water, this time cooling it until a soothing mist cascaded over the scorched skin. The moisture seeped into the burns, drawing away the heat and numbing the pain. Slowly, the raw, charred flesh regenerated, smooth skin forming where once there had been only ruin.

The knight groaned, his body finally able to relax. Klein continued his work, moving from one soldier to the next, using his magic to seal wounds, rehydrate bodies, and ease the agony of burns. Though it didn't consume much mana, healing magic required intricate control—it wasn't a matter of simply forcing flesh to knit together. He had to balance energy, prevent infections, and ensure the body's natural healing processes weren't disrupted. The mental toll was immense. Each spell demanded focus, patience, and precision. Klein wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead, but he did not stop.

Cedric and Claude watched in silence, their expressions unreadable. Eventually, Claude stepped forward, speaking low enough that only Klein could hear.

" Thank you my lord."

Hearing this Klein gently smiled at Claude.

"You used up a lot of focus, my Lord. It's not wise to push yourself to the limit after a battle."

Klein gave a small smile. Despite being mentally exhausted, he put on a brave front. "I'm far from my limit."

Cedric smirked, commenting." You are still as feisty as ever, my lord."

Hearing this Klein blushed a little.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke the moment. A group of knights, now patched up and bandaged, approached Klein and knelt before him.

"My Lord, we owe you for this," one of them said, his voice steady but sincere.

Klein studied them, a faint warmth in his expression. He shook his head slightly.

"Well, I'd rather not make a habit of patching you all up after every battle. So try not to get yourselves killed. I will order Claude to increase your training"

The knights whimpered. Their training was already heavy and to double it would be hell. But no one refused the order as they themselves are aware that it is for their own good.

One of them, still weary but grateful,

nodded. "We'll do our best, my Lord."

Klein's lips curved into a small smile. "Good. Get some rest. There will be more battles ahead."