The Next day as soon as supper came, news of Seman waking up also arrived.
Hearing it, I sigh, "So vacation’s over."
I get up and quickly walk to his ever crowding tent. They were mostly Religias soldiers who wanted to check on their Lord.
They were right for being very curious.
If their Lord suddenly dies on the bed, things would become quite different for them. Margaret isn’t known to be as benevolent nor understanding as Seman.
They’ve fought and ate with her, they knew her real personality better than her father.
"Move aside." I shove the curious monkeys and finally get in to see Seman’s frozen look.
Seman looked awestruck as Veronica worked on him, checking for any lingering injuries or ailments. After she was done, Veronica smiled at him, "You’re going to be just fine, Lord Seman. A bit pain in the chest for a few months, but it will slowly subside to become tolerable."
Seman was still a bit shocked to say anything as she stood up, "It’s good to see you back again and alive at that."
"N- No, the pleasure is all mine, my Quee... I meant, my lady." Seman said as he tried to get up but it clearly pained him as Veronica put a hand on his shoulders and stopped him before telling him to lie down.
"You’ve been asleep for some time. Don’t get too worked up and when you can, eat something to fill yourself with energy." Veronica said as she turned around to leave.
Seman opted to speak as his hand reached up, but in the end he didn’t say anything and slowly put it down.
Veronica didn’t notice his blunder and as she passed by, she gave me a smile and I give a nod. Then I place my eyes once more to the somewhat lost Seman and sit beside him.
But the guy was still in his dreamland, possibly rethinking this entire moment and perhaps trying to make some change.
"She’s long gone." I say and wave back at the crowd outside, slowly dispersing them.
"Yes... I know." Seman slowly said as his eyes returned some color.
"You do remember that you have a very beautiful wife, right?" I ask him as he turned around sharply and almost screamed.
"What blasphemous thing are you trying to implicate me with Henry! I am an honorable Lord and loyal husband." Seman showed defiance at my words.
I on the other hand, didn’t give into his bullshit and stared blankly at him. The guy was experienced, he held on to my stare and almost... nah, he didn’t have a chance, he looked away the moment I gave him the empty stare. The most update n0vels are published on novel•fire.net
Seeing his own loss, Seman started coughing, "Cough Cough... water... cough, I want some water."
"There’s none in the tent." Vein said, who was in another bed, "The Lady helped you drink it all, remember."
Seman immediately lost all color from his face.
"Tch Tch... not what I expected of you, Lord Seman." I click my tongue, "But I understand when a woman is as beautiful and gracious as Lady Veronica, even a man so devoted," I playfully slap his trembling shoulders, "Would have thoughts."
"It’s okay, keep those words to yourself. It would only get you deeper."
"You’re one to say." Vein barged in again, "Hovering around Lady Veronica all the time."
Seman looked at me as I retort, "I was helping her with some patients. While you were resting here, Captain Vein, some of us were actually working outside."
Vein’s face reddened, "And is having dinner with her and laughing always also a job of yours."
"Of course it is. It is every man’s job to satisfy a woman like her." My words make them gasp and I ask, "And how do you know that part, which guy spoke ill of me?"
"It’s all over the camp." Captain Marko said as he came in, "It’s not really a secret, this special relationship you have with the Goddess."
’Goddess?’ I look skeptically at the guy and see everyone in the tent looking at me sharply.
"I can explain guys."
"Please do Henry." Seman’s voice came as he placed a hand on my shoulder and grabbed tightly, "I want to know what my son-in-law has been doing these days."
I sigh and somehow was able to skip the matter for now. Then we started talking about the things that happened and reports of the matter.
Seman sighed numerous times as he heard the injury and death numbers. Even though the Religias army had the least deaths and more injuries, Seman was still quite sad hearing about it.
"This war..." He said, "The plan... it was all an ambush."
I don’t say anything and let him continue.
"I... failed miserably as a commander." He looked down on the bed, "I led everyone to their deaths." With that, the guy went silent.
I heard pesky whispers around me and found everyone waving at me to encourage the guy.
I pat his shoulder, "It’s not that bad... you just didn’t know that it was an ambush."
"But it’s still my fault. I should have known it was an ambush."
’You would have known it if you actually tortured the guy.’ My mind thinks the rightful words while my mouth says its opposite, "Your human, Lord Seman. It may be expected of you to lead everyone to victory every time but that’s not how the world works. You know it better than I do."
Seman nods slowly, "I do... yet it still burns me to think it was my choice that made it this bad," I was about to say some more bullshit when he spoke, "But you are right, I should stop pitying myself. Right now, there are much more important matters to look at."
"Which reminds me," The guy turned and held both my hands tightly, "Thank you for your help. If it weren’t for you, who knows how far the damage would have gone."
"It’s alright you don-"
"I do! You did a very courageous thing, Henry and I, no, the whole Religias family and its men own you a large debt."
I let out one hand and pat his, "Again, it’s alright. There’s doesn’t need to be any debt." There definitely has to be, "The men already helped me when they stood by my side against the Dragonoir’s."
Hearing the Dragonoir name, Seman’s face scrunched up, "The Dragonoir’s huh... they are going to be a huge problem later. But we’ll figure it out... together."
I smiled at that, went just as planned.
Anh... could have gone even better but you only get your worth.
Another day went and the camp was finally ready to disperse.
The soldiers had healed up and Seman was okay too, so it was time for everyone to go back home.
We cleaned up everything quickly and started leaving as soon as the sun showed. Our journey stopping only a few hours later as the Valkyries wanted to break out and directly go home.
Seman wanted them to stay but Velma was adamant, she needed to report her results to her superior and by that I understood who she meant.
So we waved goodbye and separated. But came to stop once again as we walked on the roads, close to the large inhabited forests for some shady tribes.
"Stop!" I order as the whole group stops.
"Something wrong, Henry?" Seman asked, his eyes becoming heavy because of the place.
I see a leaf falling from a tree, few steps ahead and murmur, "Someone wants an audience."
Before Seman could ask who, the person herself stepped down before us.
It was the same jungle tribe girl with an itchy hand against a bow.
"The Chief wants to talk to you."