Chapter 232

There were several reasons for Leonardo's sudden loss of consciousness. Various internal and external injuries, hypothermia, accumulated physical fatigue, mana depletion after nearly going berserk, and so on. The list of reasons was endless.

However, the medical officer who diagnosed him cited the large amount of poison that had invaded Leonardo's shoulder and the paralysis of his central nervous system as the main causes of his loss of consciousness.

Looking back, even at that moment when Leonardo was poisoned and on the verge of going berserk, he had held onto his consciousness to the end with the sole determination to defeat the mother body and protect everyone. His occasional clutching at his chest area seemed to be due to his heart function being strained by the nervous system paralysis.

Moreover, he had endured such intense battles in that state; even for those who had witnessed it, it was impossible to fathom how much mental strength had been consumed.

No matter how strong a person is, it's not easy to risk one's life for others. Especially when those others are a group that has not been favorable to oneself, and at a moment when the shadow of death looms before you.

But had there ever been a moment of hesitation in this hero before them when it came to saving someone?

If he had shown even the slightest hesitation, most of those here now would have lost their lives and disappeared into the darkness as stars on the battlefield.

Hugo, pondering these thoughts, constantly mulled over how the situation might have been different "if I had made better judgments."

If he hadn't pushed his mana into Leonardo's weakened body, if he had broken the barrier and escaped from inside from the beginning, if he had immediately removed his clothes and checked his condition when abnormal symptoms appeared earlier, if he had taken more time to strengthen the system and defenses before entering Peak 118 even earlier.

Could Leonardo before him and the members groaning in pain have been better off than they were now? Hugo kept revisiting the past.

But even as those numerous moments of hesitation flashed through his mind, he wasn't sure if a different choice would have been possible in that situation, if that choice would have been the best, if there wouldn't have been other problems. Nothing was certain to him.

To always make the best choice as a commander, it was a teaching he had heard repeatedly from his mentor. But even now, having reached this position, choices were still difficult, and responsibilities grew heavier. And the only light that had eased this burden was now in a very deep sleep, unconscious.

"Hah..."

Hugo's sigh, mixed with complexity, settled heavily on the white bedding. Past events flashed through his mind like a panorama.

Human victory. It was clearly the outcome they had achieved.

But now, he saw no victor before his eyes.

Knock knock-

At that moment, a concise knocking sound broke his reverie. It came from the door Flynn had left through earlier.

Hugo emerged from his deep emotions, closing and opening his eyes. Then he loosened the tension in his forearms and hands.

Eventually, as he raised his head to look at the door, his eyes were subtly stiff. His expression wasn't particularly good for a moment, feeling as if his rare moment of peace had been disturbed.

"What is it?"

Thinking it unlikely that Flynn had returned so soon after leaving, Hugo asked into the air while rubbing his eyes. In response, one of the members guarding the accommodation outside answered his question as if they had been waiting.

"Commander, Lady Hareth is here to see you."

Hugo's hand, which had been brushing his eyebrows, stopped at the name that came back.

'Hareth?'

His gaze, which had been meaninglessly directed at the door, focused.

Come to think of it, he hadn't been able to have a proper conversation earlier due to the chaos, but he had many words of gratitude to convey to her. Although he didn't know the reason, since she had come in person, there was no reason to turn her away even though it was a bit late.

However, as he didn't particularly want to let others into this place, Hugo told the member after a moment of silence:

"I'll be out shortly."

He rose from his seat on the deck, brushing back his unkempt hair.

Hugo first picked up his battle uniform top that Flynn had placed on the side table. Then he came out, avoiding Leonardo's resting place, and put on the shoes he had taken out as spares. As he bent his waist absent-mindedly, the wound on his abdomen ached momentarily, but he only slightly furrowed his brow without showing much outward sign.

He was about to go out just like that, but suddenly turned to look at Leonardo, who had fallen into a deep sleep. Although the conversation didn't seem likely to be long, he felt a bit uneasy about leaving him alone even for a moment while he was unconscious.

Looking down at the clear face, Hugo stroked Leonardo's cheek with the back of his hand out of habit. Although it had become a bit rough from the recent hardships, the youthful softness remained unchanged.

After a moment of consideration, he gathered mana in his other hand and created a small bird. A blue-feathered canary chirped "pii-" and flapped its wings excitedly as it came out.

Hugo quietly ordered the bird circling around him:

"If Leonardo wakes up, or tosses and turns, or shows signs of pain. If there's any change in his condition, let me know immediately. Don't get too close."

The canary seemed to understand and fluttered towards Leonardo, its subject of observation. Hugo waved his hand with a "shh" sound, warning the bird once more.

"Don't get close. Just watch from a distance."

The divine beast created with his mana inherently contained coldness. He needed to caution it in advance as it could potentially harm Leonardo.

Startled by Hugo's gesture, the canary flew up and perched on a windowsill a bit higher up. It flapped its wings and chirped "pipi!" It seemed a bit offended, as even divine beasts have emotions, but as it seemed to be in a suitable position, Hugo nodded, telling it to stay there.

Eventually, his gaze returned to Leonardo. A pale blonde beauty lying on white bedding, even with bandages plastered on his face, his radiance wasn't concealed. Rather, his sickly appearance stimulated a protective instinct, making it difficult to take one's eyes and feet away.

Was it a children's fairy tale? Sleeping Beauty in the forest. It was a moment when he could somewhat understand the feelings of the scoundrel wearing the prince's disguise in that story.

"..."

Hugo sat lightly on the edge of the deck. He slowly bent his upper body and placed his hand beside Leonardo's head. Then he carefully kissed the white forehead that had been exposed as he kept brushing back his hair.

There was no particular meaning. He just wished for him to wake up from his sleep.

After pressing his lips gently and pulling away, Hugo calmly stroked the golden hair that wrapped around his fingers. When the canary started chirping "pipi" as if complaining about unfairness, he raised his head and silenced it with a look, saying:

"I'm allowed to get close."

After taking one last look at Leonardo, he stood up and put his arms into his battle uniform top.

Even as he roughly put on his clothes and opened the door to go outside, Hugo dismissed his sudden impulse as a sign of respect.

* * *

Creak-

As soon as the sound of the door opening was heard, Cordelia, who had been waiting for Hugo, hurriedly turned around.

"Your Excellency, I have an urgent matter to—"

But seeing his appearance with the front of his uniform still unfastened, she quickly closed her mouth, looking a bit flustered. As it was the disheveled appearance of the Duke known for his neatness, her eyes involuntarily turned away, feeling as if she shouldn't be looking.

"Ah, my apologies."

Noticing Cordelia's reaction, Hugo glanced down at his upper body and apologized briefly while fastening the remaining buttons of his battle uniform. He had momentarily forgotten the relationship between nobles. Improperly arranged clothing was not courteous.

"I'm sorry. I came out in a hurry. So, what's the matter?"

"Ah, yes. Your Excellency, it's..."

Cordelia, looking at Hugo again, trailed off and glanced around. Her gaze quickly swept over the members guarding the front of the accommodation. Seeing this, Hugo guessed that the topic she had brought was not one to be discussed in a place with many eyes and ears.

Although he was somewhat puzzled, given that she had come with an urgent look at this hour, it seemed that this "matter to discuss" was quite important.

As it wouldn't be strange for even heavier news to be delivered in this situation, Hugo inwardly prepared himself. He briefly considered dismissing the members, but judged that it would be better for him to move locations instead.

He thought that having more personnel was more suitable for surveillance, and Flynn had said he would be back soon anyway, so the gap wouldn't be long. He had also left a divine beast just in case.

"Let's go somewhere else to talk for a moment."

Relief washed over Cordelia's anxious face at the perceptive Duke's words. Before following her to move, Hugo called one of the members with the highest rank. Then he instructed them to strengthen the security around the accommodation while he was away.

"Don't let anyone in except Flynn Levernil and the medical officers. If a medical officer visits, at least two should accompany them, and if there's any new diagnosis information, have them write it down and leave it for me."

"Yes, understood!"

As he finished speaking, several members answered in voices taut with discipline. They were probably more tense due to the situation right after a major battle, but Hugo gestured for them to lower their voices, concerned it might disturb Leonardo's rest.

Afterward, Hugo followed Cordelia's guidance and quickly moved away from the temporary accommodation despite his poor physical condition.

Just as the two disappeared from the members' sight, a cloaked figure approached the accommodation where Leonardo was staying, as if they had been waiting. The members immediately prepared to stop this person, but upon seeing their face, they quickly relaxed their guard.

"Good work."

Flynn, who received the member's salute, gave a simple bow as he passed between them. With hurried steps, he went to the door and roughly opened it, immediately entering. Although he seemed to be in a rush, the members just thought he must be busy and didn't say anything more.

'But why is he walking so hunched over?' 

A question flashed through one member's mind, but he probably wasn't without injuries either. The worry that had momentarily crossed their mind was forgotten as soon as the door closed.