“Huh? Umm……”
When Lucas approached him, Iberis looked at him as if he had committed a grave mistake. Then he immediately lowered his head as if ashamed.
“I’m sorry, because of me……”
“Don’t apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong, Major. It was Regina who acted on her own.”
Lucas calmly reassured the dejected Iberis. However, Iberis’s expression showed no signs of brightening.
“But……”
“It’s all my fault. I should have noticed something was off when Regina tried to separate you and me earlier……”
Lucas trailed off after comforting Iberis again. Rather than being angry at Regina for overexerting herself or at Iberis for not stopping her, he felt frustrated with himself for being oblivious until the situation had escalated to this point.
If he had been a little more attentive, he could have prevented Regina from causing trouble. It was the result of letting his guard down, excited about returning to the family home after a long time and connecting with Iberis. He couldn’t blame anyone else.
“When Regina calms down, we’ll return to the main building for an examination. You should get checked too at that time, Major.”
“Me too…?”
“Yes. Regina wouldn’t have used her ability on you without reason, right?”
“Ah.”
“Would you mind telling me what happened while that girl was being guided?”
“Well, that……”
Iberis explained in as much detail as possible the conversation he had with Regina, including why she had done this.
“…That’s what happened.”
“Hmm.”
Lucas hummed low after hearing Iberis’s story. Although he had kept quiet about it so far, fearing it might dampen Iberis’s spirits, he was already aware that there were parts of Iberis’s body that were impossible to heal no matter what method was used.
He had been pondering if there was any way, but who would have thought such a variable would arise before finding a solution? Lucas looked back and forth between Iberis and Regina with a complex expression.
…How much has been healed?
Lucas’s Adam’s apple bobbed at the sudden curiosity. According to Iberis, Regina had shown confidence that while she couldn’t completely eliminate the death energy infesting his body, she could remove some of it.
Compared to losing a leg to save Lucas, hair was a minor price to pay, but it was still a part that contained life force.
Even if there wasn’t a dramatic effect, there would be at least a slight change. Considering Iberis’s physical condition, even that would be a remarkable achievement. It would increase the possibility of driving away the illness currently plaguing him and reduce the chances of the same problem occurring again in the future.
Therefore, Lucas didn’t know whether to scold Regina or thank her. Above all, while worried about his sister using more power than usual, he felt disgusted with himself for expecting Iberis’s recovery in a corner of his heart.
“I should have tried harder to stop her… I’m sorry.”
Iberis lowered his head as he looked at Regina’s face, which still hadn’t regained its color. He still had trauma about someone sacrificing themselves for his sake.
“I told you not to apologize.”
Lucas, who had been lost in thought for a moment, consoled the guilt-ridden Iberis.
“Regina will be fine. She said it herself earlier, remember? That she didn’t act without a plan.”
Lucas gently rubbed Iberis’s back as he pulled him into a subtle embrace.
“You must have been very shocked. How do you feel?”
“I’m not sure. It just feels a bit warmer……”
Iberis leaned his cheek on Lucas’s shoulder as his words trailed off. It was a sensation similar yet different from when he received guidance from him.
“Hmm, the examination should show if anything has changed. It seems the guiding is mostly done, so we should head back to the main building first.”
As Jamie stood up with Regina in his arms, Lucas gave Thomas a look indicating he should clean up the area. Then he took Iberis’s hand and left the annex.
* * *
“Um, Major. Why don’t you sit down?”
“Huh? Ah……”
Iberis, who had been restlessly pacing around the reception room, paused when Thomas, unable to watch any longer, spoke up.
“I’m sorry. Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. I just thought you seemed overly stressed, so I suggested it. You’ve been through a lot with the examination earlier, Major. Please sit and rest comfortably until the young master returns.”
Thomas smiled faintly as he once again offered a seat. The two were currently waiting in the reception room for Lucas to return after finishing Regina’s medical examination.
After the commotion in the annex, Lucas, upon moving to the main building, immediately summoned the family doctor. After giving various orders to the doctor who rushed over upon receiving the call, he took Regina and Iberis to the infirmary.
On the first floor of the mansion, there was a facility equipped with various medical machines and the latest equipment for Regina and the Blake family members who had difficulty going outside. There, the two underwent a thorough examination that lasted several hours.
“The examination seems to be taking too long……”
Iberis muttered while checking the wall clock. Having finished his examination earlier than Regina, he was led to the reception room by Thomas. He had been waiting for over an hour.
“Since the young miss used her life force, it seems they’re thoroughly checking for any possible aftereffects.”
At Thomas’s explanation, Iberis’s expression darkened. Everyone said it was fine and that he shouldn’t feel sorry, but he still felt very uncomfortable.
“I hope nothing’s wrong……”
“Don’t worry. There shouldn’t be any major issues. She seemed fine when I saw her before coming here.”
As if trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere, Thomas spoke casually and shrugged. In fact, Regina had been smiling throughout the examination. Although her complexion was pale, it didn’t seem concerning to him.
“I’m sorry. Because of me……”
“Oh my, there’s no need to apologize to me.”
Thomas waved his hand dismissively. While it would be a lie to say he wasn’t surprised, he didn’t blame Iberis. He knew Regina’s personality – once she set her mind on something, she’d accomplish it no matter what.
“Both the young master and miss are very stubborn… Even if you had tried to stop her, Major, it probably wouldn’t have helped. I often experience it too.”
Thomas laughed with a resigned expression, looking at Iberis with understanding eyes.
“Even if a problem arises, it was the young miss’s own wish. Whatever the result, she won’t blame you, Major, so please don’t act like a criminal.”
“Still……”
Just as Iberis was about to speak, the reception room door swung open. It was Lucas who entered.
“…! Luke!”
Iberis jumped up from his seat as Lucas approached and rapidly fired questions.
“Is the examination over? Is Regina okay? There’s nothing wrong, right? Hm?”
“She’s slightly weakened but fine. She’s just tired from suddenly using a lot of power… A few days of rest should help her recover.”
“Really?”
“Yes, there’s nothing else wrong. Except for her hair being shorter.”
“Thank goodness……”
Finally relieved, Iberis let out a sigh of relief. Then, as if the tension had left him, he slumped down on the sofa.
“You can put your mind at ease now.”
Lucas sat on the armrest of the sofa and gently stroked Iberis’s head. He seemed to have lost weight compared to a few hours ago, showing how much he had worried. Inwardly clicking his tongue, Lucas held out a paper he was holding in his other hand.
“These are the results of your examination, Major.”
“Ah.”
Reflexively taking the paper, Iberis swallowed dryly. If there had been a problem with Regina, he wouldn’t have had time to check the test results, but now that his worries hadn’t materialized, he had regained some composure.
“While several indicators have improved, such as lower mana contamination and better circulation… what we should focus on is the body damage rate. As you can see, the damage rate has decreased by 4% compared to last time. It’s currently at 43%.”
“4%?”
The grey eyes widened as they confirmed the part Lucas pointed to. Some might say that only 4% improvement after using life force is insignificant, but for Iberis, it was a very encouraging number.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
