Another World Story

Day Seventy-Six:

"Nothing, but Sir, when can I return to work?"

"..."

Count Rudolf didn't say anything as his face twisted into a disbelieving expression. He was staring at me as if I were some strange creature, which perplexed me as well.

What in the world is wrong with what I just said?

I reflected on the words that had just left my mouth. But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find anything that made him appear that way.

"...Is there a problem?"

I couldn't stay silent for long, so I asked, tilting my head to the right in a cutesy manner. Yeah... no.

"Is something the matter, he says... Boy, you know your body is still not in great shape, right?"

"..."

Yes, I am aware of that one, and I am aware of it better than anyone else.

"And that's the reason.  Before you can return to work, you must first make a full recovery."

"...How long will that take?"

"

"Just until you were able to walk without assistance."

"Alright"

"Hm. By the way, why do you want to start working when you've just awoken from a coma? "

Count Rudolf spoke as he peeled and cut another apple from the round basket, his eyes seeming to say 'Why! Huh?! Why?'

He's staring at me.... I'm not sure what to say here...

I still can't talk about the heroes as it may be a sensitive issue for the Kingdom's higher-ups, and if they knew I knew about them... Things could go horribly wrong for me. I, on the other hand, cannot keep lying... To be honest, I've been lying to him since the first time we met, and I don't even feel bad about it anymore. Nonetheless, I owe a great deal to this man. He had already saved me twice, and he had also given me the opportunity to enter the palace, so I couldn't really lie to him all the time. After all, I'm a man who repays any debt I owe.

Having said that... What am I supposed to say?

"Sir Count, you see, I'm quite worried..."

"Worried?"

"Yes, the fact that you and I are here indicates that the incident involving the princess is over, but we don't know when they might attack again... I'm very concerned about what they'll do to the Princess... and me."

"...."

I didn't tell a lie. It was a fact (albeit a minor one) that I was deeply concerned about what would happen to the princess and me.... To be completely honest, I only have myself to blame. But I'm also concerned about the princess, so it's a fact. If I had suppressed him when he wasn't possessed by something or when he was still fighting Miss Dawn in the princess's room, it wouldn't have turned out that way.

Wait, what happened to Miss Dawn?

When I had that thought, an image of a woman with blue hair dressed in a maid's uniform flashed through my mind. I'm not sure why, but she was smiling as if she were the happiest person in the world, and that smile hurt me.

'Pathetic... Do you regret this now?' I thought as I tried to suppress the pain I was almost certain was prompted by guilt.

"...I see," Count Rudolf said, "it's natural to be troubled, but you don't have to worry about them for now. The princess has someone protecting her, and there are Knights outside your room, so you can relax and recuperate for the time being."

"I am sincerely grateful..."

"Don't worry, it's the very least we could do for the person who protected Her Highness Eleonora."

"..."

"Anyway, I'll be leaving, but I'll be back tomorrow and the day after that. Rest well."

"I appreciate your stopping by."

Count Rudolf waved his hands as I thanked him once more. He stood up and exited the room without saying anything.

He doesn't appear to have noticed...

Checking for presences outside the room, I detected three people. The Count and two other Knights who accompanied him appear to be discussing something. Count Rudolf left after their conversation, leaving the two Knights behind. But then...

"!! Argh ….!"

I clutched my chest, trying to block out the pain that seemed to be ramping up.

"...Mana overload," I murmured, "and this is how painful it is..."

'Mana Overload' I've read it before in the Magic Academy's library. It was a painful side effect of overusing mana to the point where it would steal your own life force. It appears that I received this after continuously using my skills during the fight with Greg Urman. Although my passive skills do not consume mana when used, the skill I used, 'Soul Sacrifice,' which was interrupted when I used it, appears to have consumed a large amount of mana. The fact that I kept using 'Everyday Magic' throughout the fight was also a factor. I didn't realize it during the fight, but my skills had leveled up dramatically, and as they improved, so did their cost. I've also used -Fate-'s feature a for a long time, and with my not-so-abundant mana, even though my control over it when I'm in 'selfless mode' is incredible, it still caused a lot of mana.

"Hmmmrrrggg!!"

I screamed, biting my left arm to keep any sound from my mouth from escaping. This pain has been with me since the moment I awoke. It was only a prickling pain earlier, but now... My heart felt like it was being gripped by a wrench, which was gradually tightening its grip on it.

Aaah, my vision is starting to blur...

I can feel my consciousness fading.

I can't hear anything...

It's difficult to breathe...

It hurts... It hurts.... It hurts....

Somebody...

It hurts so d*mn bad...

-

(Count Rudolf's POV) 

The celebration for Princess Eleonora's recovery has just concluded, and all who attended were primarily nobles and people who had made significant contributions to the recent incident.

Despite the fact that Her Highness Eleonora is the main attraction of the party, she did not appear from start to finish, not even her shadow or even a strand of her hair was seen. Except for a few, those who attended were not disappointed. Instead, as soon as they realized she wasn't there, they became much happier and enjoyed the party to the fullest. They were only there because His Majesty Albert invited them, not to celebrate the recovery of the reason for the destruction of their houses in the Noble District.

Despite the fact that she is a member of the Royal Family, the nobles have always looked down on her. In their eyes, she was nothing more than a nuisance, a brat with whom they only tried to get along because of her bloodline.

And now that the party is over, I intend to visit Her Highness Princess Eleonora. However, because my destination is close to where that young man is currently sleeping, I intend to check on him. It's been two months, and he still hasn't woken up. The physicians had told us that if he didn't wake up within the next few days, he'd be declared dead. Despite my efforts to persuade them, they believed that because we had no definitive information on him, it would be better for him to be dead and consider giving me the achievement of saving and protecting the princess.

I have no intention of stealing someone else's accomplishments, and because we only rescued the princess, we have no rights to them. That is why I intend to inform Her Highness of the person who saved her. She was still in the dark about who had saved her, and it appears that her memory of what happened in the basement has faded, so we have not told her about the other person she was with. We also don't know what happened to them there, but based on what we've seen, we decided it was best for her not to know.

"Commander"

As I was walking down the corridor leading to the King's palace's guest rooms, a Knight who was accompanying me called out to me. I nod my head without turning my head.

"I see, so they are part of the shadows, huh"

"They've been watching this area since Miss Dawn Velan was brought here, and they've increased in number since that young man was sent here as well."

"For protection? Or..."

"Of course, it's to protect them, but it's also a precaution in case the young man awoke and attempted to do something."

"Oh, I see..."

I didn't say anything else and kept walking. I didn't like the idea of increasing surveillance on that young man, but even though Jacob trusted me and my words, he couldn't just let a nobody from an unknown origin stay inside the palace where Royals live. So, as much as I wanted them not to do it, I couldn't say anything.

I finally arrived in front of the room where that young man is, where Kaiser was sleeping, after a minute of walking. Before going in, I told the two Knights behind me to stand guard at the front door and not let anyone in. It was just a precaution in case someone tried to assassinate him, and by him, I meant Kaiser.

I turned the doorknob with a *Clink* sound.

"..."

When I saw what was behind the door, I was taken aback. But, as a nobleman, I was able to conceal my surprise and speak.

"You've finally woken up."

He was finally awake, sitting on the bed and gazing out the window, his black hair swaying as the cold air passed them by. As I felt the cold air brush against me, I realized that winter was approaching once more.

"Count..."

He turned his head and looked at me, his voice raspy. I'm not sure why, but I think there's something different about him... I walked over to the only chair in the room and sat.

"...How are you feeling?" I asked as I shook my head. It could all be a figment of my imagination.

"Fine... But I still can't move my legs very much."

"I see......do you want some apple?"

"..."

Hearing his words, I asked, looking at the red fruit in the basket atop the rectangular table. I remembered his condition from two months ago and felt relieved.

He's all right...

He's fine now...

These were the thoughts that ran through my head as I cut the apples into bite-sized pieces. When he started eating, I couldn't help but stare at him, worried that he'd vanish without a word, like an illusion...

When he took notice of my gaze, he asked why I was staring at him, and I blurted out what was on my mind. I didn't mind because it was exactly how I felt. I don't want to lose someone close to me again...

Our conversation continued while I was thinking about this.

He said he was fine and I didn't need to worry, but the feeling I had before reappeared; I'm not sure what it was, but it appears that he gained something. His tone, which was similar to but slightly different from before, felt genuine. It's as if his current tone was his original voice.

But as soon as I said that, he fell silent. Then he asked how long he had been sleeping, and I replied. He was surprised to learn that he had slept for two months straight; it was natural for him to sleep like that given his condition, but it appears that it was not the same for him.

I thought it was funny when his face changed at intervals, and I was surprised when he asked when he was going back to work. I mean, he just woke up and is already talking about work? Is he unaware of his current situation? But it appears that he does. So I reasoned with him, and he soon got it. I then asked him why he wanted to work right away despite having just woken up and with a body that appeared to be collapsing any minute now, and he replied that he was worried about himself and Her Highness Eleonora.

Then, as our conversation progressed, I noticed that his brow was slightly furrowed. It appears that he was feeling something, but because he didn't verbalize it, I didn't either. But, as time passed, the expression on his face started to deteriorate; even though he tried not to show it, I could tell he was in pain. Then I remembered something.

'Uncle, please notify me as soon as he awakens.  He appears to be suffering from 'Mana Overload,' but as it was not yet active, if he awoke and treatment was not administered immediately.... He might die.'

Words from Her Highness Vanessa, a Saint Candidate.

When her words entered my mind again, panic gripped me, but I tried to remain as calm as possible.

"Anyway, I'll be leaving, but I'll be back tomorrow and the day after that. Rest well."

I stood up after saying this. As he thanked me, I waved my hands. I didn't look back because I was afraid he'd notice the panic on my face.

When I shut the door, I told my Knights to stay here and that if they heard anything inside, one of them should go find me and the other should enter the room.

"Where is Her Highness Vanessa?" I inquired of a passing maid.

"She's currently with the Second Princess, Sir"

I dashed through the corridor to where Her Highness Eleonora should be. There were a lot of maids and butlers in my path. If I was in a normal state of mind, I would have greeted them, but since I'm in a hurry, I didn't even say hello.

Please be there... please...