Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 42

The first impression was bound to be the worst. Walm had gone around killing Crest soldiers, disguised himself as a Felius soldier to receive treatment, blew up the treatment center, and half-cooked his childhood friends. Without showing any inner conflict, Walm declared to the girl.

“From today on, I’ll be serving as your overseer and guard, Walm.”

“…I’m Ayane Sugimoto.”

Her attitude towards Walm was as cold as ice. Nevertheless, she didn’t refuse. According to Commander Gerald, the “persuasion” was already complete, but it was hard to believe. Walm even suspected that a mind controlling bug or a magical device was implanted in her head.

“I’m Maya, the healing mage. We’ve met once before.”

The assistant, a woman from Felius, introduced herself, but it was clearly sarcastic. Walm knew all too well that it was useless to pretend otherwise now.

“Yes, thank you for the other day… Four people, including myself, will be watching you constantly. I won’t interfere with the treatment, but in emergencies, you must obey. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Walm felt more at ease when he was deployed on the front lines.

The treatment continued as long as the magic power lasted, and her skills were of the highest peak as a healing mage – she could heal wounds that were almost torn apart and arms that were beginning to rot. Walm, who had continued to kill people, understood all too well the terrifying aspect of the personnel being able to return to the frontline immediately.

Maya’s knowledge and skills as an assistant were significant. Just casting recovery magic would result in broken bones reconnecting incorrectly and foreign objects, bones, and muscles remaining in the body. Carelessly using recovery magic would leave severe aftereffects.

They were removing these in a short time with the application of water attribute magic and appropriate incisions. The reason behind the enemy soldiers’ siege was discernable.

There was no sabotage as Walm feared, and the two healing mages worked tirelessly without rest. Even knowing she was an enemy healing mage, the soldiers expressed their gratitude to her.

Walm seriously feared that some of the soldiers might be swayed by her. Over a hundred severely wounded soldiers, not knowing if they would see tomorrow, were healed enough to possibly return to the battle lines. Just with recovery magic, she should be counted among the Three Heroes.

The day’s treatment ended with the declaration of the exhaustion of their magic power. They were visibly fatigued.

“The work for today is over. There’s a meal. Follow me.”

In a room with bars, there was soup boiled with chicken, potatoes, and beans, salted and herb-marinated herring, vinegar cabbage, bread, and fruit wine.

Even though these were all preservable items, to Walm’s knowledge, this was a luxurious meal to be had on the front lines. And it was an exceptional treatment for a prisoner of war.

Magic power consumption requires physical strength, and sleep and food were important for recovery, which Walm knew from his knowledge and experience. The two silently proceeded with their meal. Only the fruit wine was left untouched.

“You’re not drinking because you’re underage?”

It was a straightforward question from Walm, but Maya frowned.

“I am 21 years old. Lady Ayane has also reached adulthood at 16. It’s annoying to be underestimated because we’re young.”

Ah, Walm thought, a bad habit from his previous life showing. In this world, one becomes an adult at 15. At 15, for better or worse, one is considered a full-fledged individual.

“So, you don’t like alcohol?”

Walm asked, and the two replied.

“I’ve never drunk it.”

That would be the case for a serious minor from his former world.

“I don’t like it.”

Maya simply seemed not to like it. Walm took out preserved food and a pot from his magic bag. At first, he was confused by the feeling of his wrist becoming vague, but once accustomed, it showed convenience not experienced in the normal world.

“Eat this instead.”

He flowed magic power into a flat pan with cheese on it, and the melted cheese spread in the pan.

“Don’t hold back. In exchange, I’ll take the fruit wine. It can be enjoyed if spread on bread.”

Ayane hesitantly spread the cheese on the bread and tasted it.

“Delicious.”

Her face, which had been tense, seemed slightly relaxed at that moment. Despite being dragged into war with a grand title like the Three Heroes, she was just a teenage girl.

“I’ll ask His Excellency if it’s possible to exchange the fruit wine for something else. I can’t promise, but I’ll try if there’s anything you need. Despite being a ‘prisoner,’ you’ve done enough work.”

Walm had no intention of slacking off or getting friendly, but he wanted to avoid a heavy and oppressive atmosphere for constant surveillance. After ensuring the two finished their meal, Walm left the monitoring to other soldiers and settled in an adjoining room.

“How about it during the break? I’ll drink too after I rest. Or do you dislike alcohol?”

Walm asked, and the soldier on watch replied seriously.

“Alcohol is life.”

With the end of the night watch, Walm’s day came to a close.