"Hmm?" Natsuki Subaru turned to look. A young warrior lay on the ground, on the verge of death. The right half of his body had almost comple
"Hmm?"
Natsuki Subaru turned to look.
A young warrior lay on the ground, on the verge of death. The right half of his body had almost completely vanished, with only blood-soaked bandages barely wrapping the horrific wound. His pale face was covered in cold sweat as he spoke to Ferris.
"My wound... is... hopeless... Please go save... the others who can still survive... my comrades..."
"No! Don't say such things! I... I will definitely heal you, meow!"
Ferris knelt beside the young warrior, his grey cat ears drooping listlessly. Large teardrops rolled down his cheeks continuously, and his hands trembled as he released a blue healing magic, but the light was already very faint.
Natsuki Subaru and Crusch quickly walked over.
"Ferris." Crusch called out softly.
"Lady Crusch..." Ferris turned his head, his face, which always wore a smile, was now filled with exhaustion and despair. "He was injured while covering for his comrades. If he hadn't pushed the others away..."
"Ferris, you have been continuously casting high-level healing magic; the mana in your body is nearly depleted." Crusch knelt down, gently placing a hand on Ferris's wrist. "As the chief healer, I cannot let you continue to overexert yourself."
"But... this is... all I can do..." Ferris's shoulders trembled violently, his voice so choked with sobs he could barely form a complete sentence. "If even I give up..."
"Ferris, you've done more than enough."
Natsuki Subaru watched this scene silently, shaking his head with a sense of helplessness. Although Ferris, as the kingdom's youngest inheritor of the "Blue" title, possessed top-tier healing magic skills, the young warrior before them had injuries that were beyond the limits of healing magic. After all, half of the young warrior's body was gone; how could he possibly be saved? What Ferris was doing now was merely temporarily alleviating the injured man's pain, but he couldn't truly save this young life. Once his mana was depleted, this young warrior would die immediately. This was precisely why the injured man was asking Ferris to give up on him.
At this moment, Crusch knelt on one knee, her silver-white armor making a crisp sound as it touched the ground. She gazed at the dying young warrior before her, her voice steady and gentle.
"Brave warrior, please tell me your name?"
"My name is..." The young warrior's unfocused gaze struggled to sharpen. When he saw clearly that it was the Duchess Karsten, his chapped lips trembled slightly. "Roy... Roy Klein..."
"Roy Klein..." Crusch gently took Roy's remaining left hand. Feeling the cold touch from his palm, she composed her breathing without a change in expression, her voice remaining steady as she asked, "According to the battle report, you changed the formation at the last moment. Tell me, Roy Klein, how many comrades did you save?"
"Three... three of them..." Roy gasped with difficulty. This simple answer made fine beads of cold sweat appear on his forehead, trickling down his pale cheeks. "I... it was... worth it..."
"Admirable." A flash of pain crossed the depths of Crusch's emerald eyes, but her expression remained calm and composed. As the supreme commander of the subjugation army, she had to maintain absolute rationality. An injury like Roy's, unless a miracle occurred... but that was clearly impossible. Even Ferris's healing magic was ineffective.
Crusch was silent for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice had become even softer.
"Roy Klein, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?"
"My sister... is still at the Royal Capital's Magic Academy..." Roy's voice suddenly became a little clearer. "Please tell her... that her brother successfully subjugated the White..."
"I swear on the honor of the Karsten family." Crusch nodded solemnly, placing her right hand over her heart. "Your meritorious deeds will be forever remembered by the kingdom, and your sister will receive the best of care."
"..." Standing to the side, Natsuki Subaru looked at this scene and sighed helplessly. An injury as severe as Roy's was simply impossible to heal, unless one had a status recovery ability like him, or...
That's right!
The moment this thought flashed through his mind, Natsuki Subaru's pupils contracted sharply as he was struck by a sudden memory. Wait... the life potion... the system store!
When he had unlocked the system store earlier, he had specifically spent a large sum of gold to purchase several bottles of Legendary Healing Potions, which were stored in his spatial inventory.
"Wait a minute!" Natsuki Subaru suddenly spoke up.
"What is it, Sir?" Crusch raised her head sharply, her emerald eyes catching the unusual light flashing in Natsuki Subaru's. Years of battlefield experience made her instantly realize that this young man, who always created miracles, might have had another astonishing idea.
"Subaru-kyun?" Ferris also looked up, his cat ears perked up alertly.
"I might... have a way."
Facing their gazes, Natsuki Subaru let out a light breath, trying to keep his voice steady.
"What way?" Crusch immediately pressed.
"This..." Saying this, Natsuki Subaru took out a crystal vial glowing with golden light from his pocket. The liquid inside flowed with a strange golden halo, as if it were alive. "This is... a special kind of healing potion."
This was the Legendary Potion he had previously purchased from the system store for 1000 gold coins, its effect being to instantly restore all HP. The system description didn't explicitly forbid its use on others, but now, it was a case of trying anything in a desperate situation.
Crusch's eyes widened slightly. "A healing potion...?"
"Subaru-kyun..." Ferris looked up and carefully examined the potion vial, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure this will be effective?"
"Theoretically, it should be." Natsuki Subaru looked at Roy's mangled body, choosing his words carefully, and replied cautiously, "But with an injury as severe as Roy's, I don't know if it will have any effect."
"Lord Natsuki Subaru..." Roy, lying on the ground, shook his head weakly. "Don't... don't... waste..."
"It's worth a try." Crusch said to Natsuki Subaru decisively, her emerald eyes shining with a resolute light. Then, Crusch turned her gaze to Roy, her voice carrying an undeniable authority. "Warrior Roy, this is an order—you must accept the treatment."
Then she looked up and gave Natsuki Subaru a slight nod. "I'm counting on you, Sir."
"Alright." Natsuki Subaru nodded, understanding the deep trust contained in Crusch's simple gesture. Then, he knelt down, supported Roy's head, and slowly poured the potion into his mouth.
In the next second, a miraculous scene occurred.
The moment the golden liquid touched his lips, it transformed into a flowing golden radiance, automatically surging down his throat.
"What is this...?!" Ferris exclaimed, his amber pupils reflecting the incredible scene.
A medical miracle was unfolding.
Roy's mangled body began to reconstruct at a visible rate. First, pearly white bones extended like growing plants, then muscle fibers wove together like a net, blood vessels spread like intricate red threads, and finally, skin covered it all like a newborn flower petal.
"...!" The regeneration process was clearly accompanied by excruciating pain. Roy gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, and large beads of sweat rolled down, but he managed not to let out a single complete groan, only suppressed muffled sounds escaping from between his clenched teeth.
"Hold on!" Ferris held Roy's hand tightly, his voice trembling with excitement. "It'll be over soon, meow... Just endure a little longer..."
"This healing effect... is incredible." Crusch stood to the side, her emerald eyes reflecting this scene that defied common sense. Her usually composed face showed a rare look of shock, her slender fingers unconsciously resting on her chest. As a well-traveled duchess, Crusch had never witnessed such a powerful regenerative ability. This had completely surpassed the known scope of the existing magic system; it was almost like... a divine miracle!
About ten seconds later, the dazzling golden light gradually dissipated.
Roy, lying on the ground, was now a completely whole person. His chest rose and fell evenly, and his once-pale face had regained a healthy blush. If not for his torn uniform and the undried bloodstains around, no one would believe he had been a critically injured man on the brink of death just moments ago.
"I... I'm alive?" Roy raised his completely intact right hand in disbelief, then touched the right half of his body that had been missing. The real sensation from his fingertips instantly made his eyes redden.
Ferris pounced, checked Roy's physical condition, then whipped his head around to look at Natsuki Subaru, his cat eyes full of shock. "All vital signs have returned to normal! And... there's no sign of injury at all... How is that possible, meow!"
"I see. That's a relief." Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"Sir, that potion..." Crusch's voice came from his side. Natsuki Subaru turned to meet her deep, emerald-like eyes, which were filled with unconcealed shock and curiosity. "What exactly was it? How could it instantly restore a critically injured person?"
"Err... let's just call it a little secret of mine." Natsuki Subaru scratched his cheek and said to Crusch, "In any case, it's great that it came in handy."
"Lord Natsuki Subaru..." Roy struggled to stand up and salute, but was quickly stopped by Natsuki Subaru pressing on his shoulder. "I... I really don't know how to thank you for saving my life."
"Then don't say anything at all." Natsuki Subaru waved his hand and said with a casual smile, "You saved three comrades, and I just did the same thing. This is what comrades should do, isn't it?"
"Lord Natsuki Subaru..." Roy performed a standard knight's salute with great solemnity, looking directly at Natsuki Subaru. "From this day forward, my sword and my life belong to you. If there is ever a need, I would go through fire and water without hesitation."
"Hey, hey, don't be like that." Natsuki Subaru quickly waved his hand but was gently stopped by Crusch.
"You should accept this respect." Crusch looked at Natsuki Subaru and continued to explain, "This is not only gratitude for saving a life but also the most sacred oath among warriors."
Then, Crusch turned to Roy and nodded slightly. "Your loyalty is admirable, but for now, you need to rest... Ferris."
"Understood, meow~" Ferris immediately got the message and helped Roy up. "Come with me to the medical tent for another full check-up, meow."
After the two had walked away, Crusch turned to Natsuki Subaru, her emerald eyes shining with an unusual light in the early morning sun. "Sir, about that potion... it must have been very precious, right?"
"Err... that, you really don't need to worry about it." Natsuki Subaru smiled and scratched his head. "To be able to save a life, this potion has served its purpose." It's known that a legendary potion from the system store costs only 1000 gold coins, and Natsuki Subaru's account still has over a hundred thousand gold coins, enough to buy more than a hundred bottles.
"No, a potion that can heal an injury that even Ferris was helpless against is priceless. I must offer my solemn thanks. Not just for Roy, but for the entire subjugation party." Crusch, however, shook her head, her long green hair fluttering gently in the wind, and continued speaking to Natsuki Subaru, "If not for your potion, today we would have lost a respectable warrior, and I would have forever lived with the self-reproach of failing to protect my subordinate."
"Miss Crusch, that's too much of an exaggeration..." Natsuki Subaru said, somewhat helplessly.
"Not only that." Crusch suddenly took a step forward and performed a solemn noble's bow. "On the name of the Karsten family, I owe you an immeasurable debt of gratitude. Please allow me to express my thanks with practical actions."
"Practical actions?" Natsuki Subaru was slightly taken aback.
"First, you may use my private library at any time," Crusch said to Natsuki Subaru with utmost seriousness. "Second, I will purchase a mansion for you in the most prosperous district of the Royal Capital. And finally..." Crusch paused. "If you have any need, the Karsten family will certainly provide its full support."
"Wait, there's no need for all this..." Natsuki Subaru waved his hands.
"Please do not refuse." Crusch interrupted him, a faint smile on her face. "Otherwise, I will take it that you are questioning the sincerity of the Karsten family."
"Alright, alright, I accept your sentiment, but the mansion can be skipped." Faced with Crusch's generous gift, Natsuki Subaru sighed helplessly and waved his hand. "After all, the place I'm living in now is quite nice; Roswaal's mansion is spacious enough." Besides, I only saved one person; there's no need for such an exaggerated reward.
"Then, at least please accept this." Crusch took out an exquisite lion insignia from her pocket. The pure gold lion shimmered in the morning light. "With this, you can mobilize a portion of the Karsten family's resources, including the intelligence network and some private soldiers."
Sunlight streamed through the hollowed-out parts of the insignia, casting dappled shadows on Natsuki Subaru's palm. He looked up at Crusch and was surprised to find that this usually dignified duchess's eyes held a rare, pleading look.
"Then... alright, I'll accept this." Natsuki Subaru finally relented, carefully putting the insignia into his inner pocket. "But Miss Crusch has to promise me one thing."
"Please speak." Crusch leaned forward slightly, her long green hair fluttering gently in the wind.
"Stop using honorifics with me. It sounds strange," Natsuki Subaru grinned. "We're friends now, aren't we? Just call me Subaru."
"Eh..." Crusch was slightly taken aback, a barely perceptible blush appearing on her fair cheeks, but soon, she broke into a smile, a smile like the first thaw of spring ice. "As you wish..."
In the light of the rising sun, the two looked at each other and smiled. Crusch gracefully extended her hand, and Natsuki Subaru, understanding, took it. This time, it was not the courtesy between a liege and a subject, but a handshake between friends.
The soldiers in the distance who witnessed this scene couldn't help but whisper among themselves:
"Look! Lord Natsuki Subaru and the Duchess..."
"I heard Lord Natsuki Subaru just saved Roy with a magical potion!"
"That was an injury even Lord Felix couldn't heal!"
"As expected of Lord Natsuki Subaru, the one who killed the Mabeast White Whale..."
The news spread like wildfire, and the gazes the soldiers cast upon Natsuki Subaru grew even more fervent with admiration.
"It seems you've gained another batch of loyal followers." Crusch chuckled lightly, releasing their clasped hands.
"Don't make fun of me." Natsuki Subaru scratched his head, saying somewhat awkwardly, "Speaking of which, that insignia..."
"It's a genuine family head's token." Crusch blinked, showing a rare, playful smile. "You'd better not lose it, okay."
"Hey, hey, something so important..."
"..." Natsuki Subaru immediately fumbled to check his inner pocket, which made Crusch cover her mouth and chuckle lightly.
The morning sun had fully risen, plating this battlefield that had experienced life and death with a warm golden hue. In this brand new morning light, a friendship transcending status was quietly taking root.
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