Chapter 233

"How is Blaine's condition?"

Cordelia, who was walking ahead, turned to look at Hugo and asked. As it was the first words spoken about three minutes after they had started walking together, Hugo raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at her.

He found it a bit strange that she suddenly asked about Leonardo's well-being when she had been hurrying as if to discuss an urgent matter. However, as the two had known each other since their time in the military, and it was certainly something worth worrying about, Hugo answered briefly.

"All the poison in his shoulder has been removed, and fortunately, his nerves are intact. It will take some time for his senses to recover, though."

"Then can he wake up soon?"

"Well, I can't be certain about that. He's accumulated so much fatigue. Moreover, his blood has already coagulated to some extent, while his central and cardiac functions are all weakened. There was also a lot of unnecessary bleeding during the battle and surgery."

Hugo sighed softly and turned his eyes to his feet. As he swept his meaningless gaze over the gravel, he raised his head again and spoke in a bitter tone.

"I'm told we need to watch his progress while administering electrolytes and anticoagulants. In any case, we can't say he's in good condition."

Cordelia closed her mouth at Hugo's downcast gaze. His face looked quite pained as he directly spoke about Leonardo's condition.

After all, his own physical condition must be terrible, yet he had even participated directly in Leonardo's surgery. She could tell without asking how much His Excellency, who looked visibly exhausted, was concerned about his well-being. She had been watching his anxious behavior throughout their journey across the peninsula.

"..."

Hugo turned his gaze away from the silent Cordelia and took a few more steps to walk alongside her. Then, waving his hand as if to tell the members who were saluting him after seeing him while busily moving about not to mind him, he continued speaking.

"Still, thanks to your efforts, we've passed the dangerous crisis."

"...Pardon?"

Cordelia, who had been lost in thought for a moment, answered half a beat late.

"If Leonardo hadn't received prompt treatment in such a hygienic environment as now, his condition would probably have been much more serious. Being able to meet doctors in time for surgery, and being able to obtain large quantities of antidote herbs. Thanks to you, we can expect recovery like this now, whether for Leonardo or our members."

"..."

"As the person in charge, I wanted to express my gratitude to you and your territory's residents."

"Ah, no. We just..."

Cordelia was taken aback by Hugo's sincere words of gratitude and waved her hands. All this tragedy had occurred while trying to help them, yet to hear that it was thanks to her efforts made her feel embarrassed and pained.

However, Hugo just glanced at her as she was at a loss for words, and continued to list the ways in which they had received help from her and the territory's residents while looking ahead.

When the Council members arrived at the temporary accommodation, some cabins were already occupied by territory residents. Those who originally lived near the gate were no different from refugees who had moved to escape monster attacks.

But when the Council's injured flooded in and hospital beds became scarce, they willingly gave up their accommodations and cared for the members as devotedly as doctors. They delivered food and medicine, and brought clothes and blankets to replace blood-soaked battle uniforms.

Moreover, perhaps because most had experienced attacks, they were skilled in first aid, and the types of medicines they had on hand were quite diverse. Thanks to this, treating the injured became much easier, and they were able to neutralize some of the poison that had spread through Leonardo's body.

The poison that had stained Leonardo's shoulder matched the components and symptoms of Ilaptor's poison, which coagulates blood and paralyzes limbs. Of course, it was more likely that he had been poisoned during the battle with the mother body rather than the Ilaptor itself, but since the mother body carried the Ilaptor's genetic traits, it wouldn't be strange if the components of the two poisons were the same.

The dark poison was concentrated in Leonardo's left upper arm and shoulder, but they couldn't be certain that it hadn't spread to his brain and lower body through the capillaries. Therefore, for a definitive treatment, not only did the wound area need to be cut open, but an antidote herb that could cause a neutralizing reaction was necessary.

The problem was that this antidote herb, Degalianif, primarily grew in Ilaptor habitats. To obtain it, one would have to jump back into the barrier where volcanic eruptions were in full swing, and going back into that place they had just escaped was essentially suicidal.

However, as there was no other way to save Leonardo, Hugo was seriously considering re-entry at the time.

And then, a territory resident revealed that they had been cultivating Degalianif in preparation for attacks, and thanks to this, they were able to secure a large quantity of dried antidote herbs from the warehouse and successfully complete Leonardo's surgery and treatment.

In the end, if it hadn't been for Cordelia and the territory residents, Leonardo and the Council wouldn't have found even this brief respite they had now. They would have been fighting against the slowly approaching death, sunk in despair.

Hugo expressed his gratitude for this several times. Cordelia shook her head towards him with a noticeably complicated expression.

"We only did what we had to do. How could we not help our benefactors?"

As she said this, Cordelia suddenly recalled herself pouring out her grievances to Hugo when the Council's Central Branch first came to this land. At that time, she had been full of resentment towards the Council, feeling as if they had come to the peninsula to build up achievements after putting it off repeatedly.

But now her thoughts were completely different from then. If His Excellency, Leonardo, and the Council hadn't fought together. Could she and her territory's residents have maintained their lives here?

The chilling roar of the monster crossing the night sky. And the dazzling light that defeated it. Watching that final moment from afar, Cordelia had to deeply realize that with just her and Parren's strength alone, they could never break this cycle of suffering.

So helping those who had risked their lives on the battlefield was only natural, but to receive words of gratitude from His Excellency with his pale face made her not know what to do with herself. And at the same time, the emotions she had been silently enduring as a leader burst forth.

Relief and frustration, joy and sorrow. All of these were tangled together.

As Cordelia's breathing trembled slightly, Hugo glanced at her and habitually felt for his chest pocket. He thought there would be at least one handkerchief in there as usual, but then he remembered he had tied it around Leonardo's neck.

Unable to do otherwise, Hugo withdrew his hand and instead maintained silence for her sake. Then, wanting to return quickly, he shortened his stride that had widened and matched her pace.

The conversation disappeared for a moment between the two as they quietly suppressed their emotions.

By now, they had moved away from the clustered cabins, and trees and bushes began to thicken around them.

The sight of members busily moving about was no longer visible. Instead, a building erected in a secluded place appeared before the two. It wasn't a temporary accommodation built like a cabin, and judging by the moss and vines growing between the bricks, it seemed to be a watchtower that had been there originally.

Two knights were guarding the front, and as soon as they spotted them, they bowed their heads as if familiar. Behind them was a small door that one would have to lower their head to enter.

Cordelia quickly composed her wet eyes before facing her subordinates. Then she personally opened the heavy iron door between them and guided Hugo into the dark interior.

"The ceiling is low. Please be careful, Your Excellency."

Hugo raised one eyebrow and slowly took a step. Even so, he scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes until just before entering. He couldn't help but wonder what she wanted to say to lead him to such a secluded place.

Clank-

A moment later, as soon as they were completely inside, the heavy iron door closed with an eerie sound.

Hugo reflexively turned around while straightening his back despite the ache in his abdomen. He saw the exit firmly closed, as if not even an insect could escape. Feeling as if he had been imprisoned, Hugo expressed slight displeasure.

"Was it such a secretive matter that we had to come to a place like this? That thing you wanted to tell me."

Realizing it might take longer than expected, Hugo worried about Leonardo being alone. However, whether knowing this feeling or not, Cordelia busily moved to light the lamps hanging on the wall first.

"I apologize, Your Excellency. I will explain fully."

Her voice, which had become much more serious, illuminated the dark space along with the light. Following this, Hugo saw a space that was low but wider than expected. The place, filled with a musty smell of dust, had old bookshelves and a spacious table. And numerous papers spread out on it greeted him, full of questions.

"..."

Even before Cordelia could say anything, Hugo instinctively approached the table. He picked up one of the scattered newspapers and quickly scanned the top phrase, floating a light ball.

"Have they finally obtained the secret weapon?"

"The Council, the full story of the expedition to the Elder Millie Peninsula"

His blue eyes narrowed. The content was about how the fact that the Council had brought Leonardo Blaine to the peninsula had caused quite a stir in society. The publication date of the newspaper was relatively recent, suggesting it hadn't been known for long.

Of course, it wasn't unexpected, but the problem was that the timing was a bit bad. If the Council's procession returned to the imperial capital during the peak of firepower, it could once again draw an enormous crowd to the square.

It was also to prepare for such a situation that they had brought Leonardo secretly... The jeers and curses that he would hear again made Hugo's head throb.

'Why now of all times...'

Hugo read the article seriously, but suddenly thought that this couldn't be all she had to tell. There would be no need to convey so secretly news that was already splashed across the newspapers.

Soon after, as he turned his eyes, Cordelia, who had just finished lighting all the lamps, approached and abruptly asked Hugo.

"Your Excellency, what do you intend to do with Blaine from now on?"

Hugo's eyebrow twitched at the sudden question. Instead of answering, he asked directly, trying to grasp her intentions.

"What do you mean?"

"...I'm asking what your plans are for Blaine's treatment now."

At the slightly more specific but still ambiguous answer, Hugo stared at her intently with lowered eyes. Then, when he thought the silence had grown long, he slowly opened his mouth, brushing back his hair.

"I can't tell you the details as it's an internal matter, but he has fulfilled his role here. When we return to the imperial capital soon... he'll be free after that."

"Then, are you saying you plan to release Blaine?"

"Yes."

Hugo, who answered firmly, rubbed his eyes as if tired. Then, looking down at her with cooler eyes and voice, he said:

"Lady Hareth, I don't like beating around the bush. I'd appreciate it if you could get to the point now. What is it you want to say to me?"

At Hugo's reaction, Cordelia hesitated for a moment. She seemed about to speak out readily, but her expression was clearly one of anguish.

Hugo quietly looked down at her like this, then turned his body, indicating he would leave if she had nothing to say. He was worried about leaving Leonardo alone for too long. He had a bad feeling.

Just as he took a step towards the door, Cordelia, who had been hesitating, hurriedly opened her mouth.

"I'll believe you since you said you would release him. I'm sorry for dragging this out. I needed certainty too."

Hugo stopped and turned around again. Cordelia, looking up at him, opened her mouth with difficulty.

"About an hour ago, a secret messenger arrived for my father."

"..."

'Secretly? A messenger?'

As it wasn't a good combination of words by intuition, Hugo narrowed his brows and gestured with his chin as if to say continue. As his gaze suddenly turned cold, Cordelia bit her lip and then released it, continuing her words haltingly.

"I've already given orders to... cut off some of the portals leading to the territory's gate. But even if they take a detour, if it's the shortest distance, they'll probably arrive in front of the territory within a day."

Her eyes, filled with anxiety, shook uneasily. The corners of her lips, conveying the situation, trembled slightly. As questions like 'Who? And why go to such lengths?' flashed through Hugo's mind. 

Words he had never expected flowed softly from Cordelia's lips.

"The Imperial Knights are coming here now."