It was during the evening when the thing that the people from Megaris were desperately waiting for finally happened. Sir Calhoun Sanders, the guardian knight of the King of Megaris and the renowned 'Slayer' of the battlefield, had regained his consciousness.
Drayce immediately went to see Slayer after one of his knights ran to inform him of the good news. Arlan, who was with Drayce, accompanied him as well.
Drayce and Arlan arrived in Slayer's chamber in a hurry. Upon arrival, they saw the mysterious Erich Winfield and the Head Royal Physician Heath Leuven both busy examining the knight.
Cian arrived there too as soon as he got the news. Slayer was an important representative of the Kingdom of Megaris. Not only was he the commander of the royal knights and thus one of the highest-ranking people under King Drayce, he also seemed to be a close friend and someone dear to his king. It was only proper that someone of Cian's status showed proper diplomatic courtesy to him. Moreover, Slayer had also put his life in danger for the sake of rescuing him, the Crown Prince of Abetha.
Cian stood beside Drayce and Arlan as they all waited for the two physicians to finish their examination of the patient.
Once the physicians finished their job and discussed something between themselves, they instructed their subordinates to take care of other things.
The two older men came towards the three royals; however, only the Head Royal Physician paid his respects to them in accordance with the palace etiquette.
"I heard he woke up," Drayce said without a single moment's delay.
Erich Winfield smiled slightly at him. "What else do you expect to happen after giving him such a magical thing?" His gaze mockingly conveyed to Drayce that he should not be surprised about the result.
"I hope it worked," said Drayce, not entirely sure of how effective the pill was.
"Sure, it did," Erich Winfield informed.
"Magical thing?" the Head Royal Physician, Heath Leuven, asked.
"Care and worry from a beloved is no less than a magical thing," Erich Winfield replied, but his sight was still fixed at Drayce. As usual, he didn't bother lowering his head in front of a kIng.
"True," Heath Leuven agreed. He turned towards Drayce, "Your Majesty King Drayce, Sir Sanders has regained consciousness and seems to be completely out of danger, but it will take time for him to get on his feet."
Knowing he was out of any kind of danger was what Drayce needed to know. Other things, he could wait for as it didn't matter if his knight was to stay on a bed and rest some more.
"Can I talk to him?" Drayce asked.
Heath Leuven nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty, but Sir Sanders might not be able to hold a conversation even if he recognizes you."
Drayce gave a light nod to show he understood and went towards Slayer's bed. The attendants cleared the way for Drayce and the two princes.
Slayer was lying in bed with his eyes closed. He looked weak, his skin pale and his eyes had dark shadows under them.
Drayce sat on the edge of the bed and called out, "Slayer!"
There was no way Slayer would ever fail to respond to his king's calling. Even if he was on the verge of death, he would make sure to respond to his king before taking his last breath.
Slayer opened his eyes with much effort and looked at Drayce. "Y-Your Majesty...?"
Drayce didn't say anything else, and only he knew how glad he was to see Slayer awake. He only stared at Slayer before reaching out to hold his feeble hand and patting it. It was Drayce's way of saying he would be fine.
Slayer understood his king's silence. He pulled out a light smile and managed to speak in a hoarse, weak voice, "I... am... absolutely fine... Your Majesty..."
Drayce merely nodded in response. Arlan and Cian remained silent, tactfully waiting for the king and his knight to get over their emotions.
"Good to see you back, dead man," Arlan commented after a while to lighten the mood. Due to Drayce not speaking, the sullen atmosphere inside the room had been uncomfortable for everyone.
Slayer looked at Arlan and greeted him in the same weak voice, "Your Highness also came..."
"Get better soon if you don't wish to see your Devil King crying," Arlan teased.
Drayce glared at Arlan.
Arlan cleared his throat lightly as he waved his hand offhandedly. "Well, I was just motivating him to get better soon. How can you blame my good intentions?"
He gestured towards Cian to change the topic. "Well, I believe the two of you have never been formally introduced to each other. This is the Crown Prince of Abetha, Prince Cian Ilven. The one we rescued." He then gestured towards Slayer. "This is Sir Calhoun Sanders, the commander of the royal knights of Megaris."
Slayer had never seen Cian because he was already captured by the enemies in the fortress even before he could reach Arlan and Cian.
Slayer wanted to sit up once more, but seeing the look Drayce sent his way, he could only greet with a slight nod. "Greetings, Your Highness… I'm glad… you're safe..."
Cian accepted the greeting. "As someone from the military, I have long heard of the accomplishments of the Slayer of the battlefield. I wish Sir Sanders to get better soon."
Drayce looked back at Slayer. "You should rest. I will be back again."
Slayer nodded lightly and closed his eyes. It was out of pure willpower he somehow managed to keep them open for those several minutes. Drayce found him already asleep the moment he closed his eyes.
Leaving Slayer in the care of the attendants, the three royals came to where the two physicians were standing. Drayce looked at Erich Winfield. "I would like to have a word with you."
Erich Winfield agreed and followed Drayce out of the chamber.
Drayce stopped as he stood facing Erich Winfield. "How much effect does one elixir have on Slayer?"
"His damaged core is healed due to it, which is the toughest part in his recovery. It is exactly the miracle he needed. The rest of his body will take time to heal on its own."
"How about we give him one more elixir? Drayce asked.
"Too much of anything is not good." The old man frowned at him as if he was disgruntled the king even had such a silly thought. "We are talking about magical energy which is cultivated by someone else. We are still not sure about how powerful it is. It would be better to let your knight heal on his own and cultivate himself with the energy his body will create. If it's not a matter of life and death, it's best we avoid using it."
"That is a no, then."
"Not exactly," the frown on the physician's face grew deeper. "Nothing is absolute, after all. We can give it to him later if we do not see progress in his healing."
Drayce agreed. "Let me know."
Nodding, Erich Winfield entered back the chamber just as Arlan and Cian stepped out to join Drayce.
"King Drayce," Cian called for him.
Drayce looked at him but did not say a word.
"Tonight's meal for Seren will be prepared in the Royal Kitchen as per the instructions of the Royal Head Physician. I would like to get help from King Dryace's pet."
"Dusk. His name is Dusk," Drayce informed.
"I would like to receive help from Dusk," Cian affirmed.