Chapter 51

There were, surprisingly, no casualties in Mirpol.

Some knights sustained scratches, but that was it—no serious injuries.  

It was nothing short of a miracle, considering the commercial district of the city had been half-destroyed.  

Though, of course, it was the kind of miracle you’d expect from the Azure Knights passing through(?).

“…Everything’s really, really smashed. Completely…”  

There were merchants who had collapsed in shock, and others clearly wounded emotionally.  

But to them—

“If you could stamp this paper and submit the claim to the Azure Knights, that would be great.”

Rodella smiled as she handed them the form.

As a result—

“They say the Azure Knights destroy everything, but at least they keep their promises.”

“Yeah, just look at their recent support efforts for the people…”

“True, they’ve never really been known to lie. Unlike those damn Red Knights…”

The commoners’ faces began to regain some color.

Though things were tough for now, as quiet conversations about remodeling began to spread, many started to see the situation as an opportunity instead.

“Maybe this is a good time to start fresh…”

Watching the murmuring merchants, Rodella could already sense Latine’s budget was not going to come out unscathed.

“Still, it seems public perception of the Azure Knights has improved a lot.”

At that moment, senior knight Lanark said cheerfully.

“…Is this the kind of reputation we’re supposed to be happy about?”

You mean the kind where everyone sees them as a walking disaster?

But Aivert answered without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Yes? You’re fine with being seen as a roaming natural disaster?

Rodella raised a brow at that, but in the end, she couldn’t deny it.

Eventually, she sighed deeply, thinking, “Whatever happens, happens.”

Yeah, as long as things keep getting a little better… that’s enough.

***

Once the incident ended, the Azure Knights returned.

Rodella immediately went to report to Latine.

Of course, she brushed off Aivert’s breaking of the criminal’s limbs as a “battle accident”, but…

“So you’re telling me there was an accident during the fight, and Aivert only broke the guy’s arm?”

Latine asked, clearly not believing a word of it.

But Aivert shamelessly replied, “I accidentally broke the rest afterward.”

Latine laughed heartily.

“A scripted excuse, huh? Noted.”

He clearly didn’t believe them. Not even a little.  

But neither of them seemed to care.

“So, about the compensation budget for the damages…”

Rodella quickly changed the subject.

She scribbled the estimated compensation amount on a piece of paper and handed it over to Latine.

After calculations, the estimate turned out to be much higher than expected.

They had only anticipated needing to remodel the jewelry district, but the damage had spread to other commercial areas too.

Even so, Latine beamed at the numbers, which were at least lower than before.

“Get the contractors lined up.”

He looked like a man happily spending money.  It didn’t seem to be just because the costs were lower.

The fact that no civilians were harmed and their worries had lessened—that seemed to bring him the most joy.

***

That night.

Rodella was working on a report to submit to the Administration Bureau.

She emphasized the improvements made and wrote in detail about how the injured civilians were being helped.

As for the apprehended criminal’s condition: [Multiple limb fractures, currently unable to move (injured during battle).]

…That was all she wrote.

In the end, she’d become a full accomplice. Rodella rubbed her forehead.

Still, she couldn’t exactly write “broke all his limbs under the pretense of an accident for safety purposes!” in the report.

“Still, considering how much was destroyed, it’s a relief no one was seriously hurt.”

Finishing that last sentence, Rodella smiled.

Meanwhile, Aivert was watching her handle the paperwork, yawning.

If you’re tired, just go to sleep.

But he didn’t seem interested in sleeping before Rodella did.

Eventually, Rodella gently suggested, “I’ll finish up soon, so you can go ahead and sleep—”

“I’m fine.”

Why is it that with just those two words, memories she’d tried to bury started resurfacing?

—Rumble!

The collapsing building above her, and Aivert bursting through the debris to shield her.

Darkness had fallen instantly, his warmth wrapping around her, followed by a deafening roar and a cloud of dust…

Rodella finally added, “If you ever do that again, you’ll be in trouble.”

They didn’t know how he’d be punished, but Rodella was serious.

Yet Aivert, like a stubborn child, replied, “I listen to everything you say but…”

He looked her straight in the eyes.

“That’s the one thing I don’t want to listen to.”

Though neither of them had clearly stated what “that” was, they both knew.

Rodella narrowed her eyes.

“…Leaving aside your defiance, when did you ever listen to me so well?”

Aivert replied as if it were obvious.

“Around the time you made me human?”

“…You make it sound like you weren’t human before.”

Rodella answered with a bewildered look, but Aivert, looking at her, thought—

‘That day at the academy, you were probably the only one who saw me as human.’

***

Despite promising to finish quickly, Rodella completed her work around 2 a.m.

“Why are you sleeping standing up?”

Rodella looked up at him, dozing off while barely leaning against the wall.

She had told him multiple times to go to bed, but he wouldn’t budge.

“How could I sleep soundly while leaving you stuck in this hellhole?”

I didn’t get stuck—I walked into this myself.

I could’ve said no, but I chose to be here.

Rodella couldn’t understand his logic, but Aivert closed his eyes anyway.

“All done?”

Only then did he react.

He seemed more contemplative than usual.

Was he sleepy, or just deep in thought?

Watching this unfamiliar mood in him, Rodella gestured.

“Come on, let’s sleep.”

It was fine—he walked to the bed and lay down without protest.

But then—

Flop.

He collapsed onto the bed like a ragdoll.

His face was unnaturally pale.

“You…”

That wasn’t all. Under the dim light, she saw sweat glistening on his skin—cold sweat.

“Are you hurt?”

Rodella’s question made Aivert open his eyes. He waved a hand like it was nothing.

Or tried to.

When he attempted to lift his hand, his face twisted in pain—Rodella clearly saw it.

“Are you badly hurt?”

Of course. No matter how strong he was, it was unlikely he got through all that unscathed.

Rodella hurried to his side.

“Let me help you sit up.”

But the moment she supported his back—

“Ah.”

Aivert couldn’t suppress a groan of pain.

Startled, Rodella pulled her hand away.

She realized the dampness she’d felt on his shirt wasn’t sweat—it was blood.

There was more on her hand than she expected.

“You were standing all this time like this?”

‘You idiot!’ Rodella turned around quickly.

“I’ll go get someone.”

She had to call a doctor immediately.

But Aivert stopped her.

“Leave it. I’m fine.”

“Fine my ass!”

Rodella snapped. She didn’t know why she was so upset.

Thoughts rushed in all at once like a crashing tide.

If they had just stayed out of it a little longer—

If she had picked up the kid and ran immediately, would he have not been under that building?

When it collapsed and buried them, when she couldn’t even breathe out of fear—

“…!”

She had seen Aivert’s desperate expression.

She had been relieved.

Because she knew he would come for her.

But that relief came back now as overwhelming guilt.

Where had that confidence come from, that he’d be okay?

Rodella bit her lip.

She was dizzy with all the emotions flooding in.

Then Aivert said, “It’s true. If you have a lot of vitality, recovery is faster, and I’ll be fine after I sleep.”

Aivert spread both hands as if to reassure her.

“Then wouldn’t all the knight doctors be jobless?”

Rodella snapped, her voice tinged with tears.

Sure, the Knights were known for their strong constitutions.

Their recovery rates were fast.

But they also needed doctors more than anyone.

“I’m serious.”

Aivert’s eyes were half-lidded.

“You don’t believe me?”

“No, I don’t.”

Rodella said, trying to hold back her tears.

Aivert looked like he was about to say something but then closed his mouth.

Did he see her trembling expression?

She hoped not.

Head bowed, Rodella was silent—until Aivert suddenly asked, “Then will you treat me?”

I think I’d get better if you did.

Rodella looked up without meaning to—and saw Aivert smiling.