Kays Translations

Chapter 32: Tangerine Flavour

The battle between the wyvern and the knights was fierce. Wyverns couldn’t breathe fire, but their wings and claws were sharp enough to pierce metal, and they wielded their flexible tails like whips.

Several knights were wounded. I should have cast my spell with the intention of killing the creature from the start. Ashamed that I had prioritised concealing my abilities, I bit my lip.

Was it too late to intervene now? Even if I tried, would the knights obey me? More importantly, would Lionel even allow me to approach the wyvern?

The knight commander stood directly in front of me, using his broad body as a shield. There was no chance he would let me move ahead of him.

I didn’t know how much time passed. It felt far longer than it probably was, but at last the wyvern’s movements slowed. A large knight wielding a battle-axe stepped forward and severed its head.

A tremendous cheer rose. The wyvern convulsed, then its body dissolved into motes of light, leaving its magic stone and the parts that had already been severed.

“Lionel, tend to the wounded! Bring every healing potion we have!”

“Lord Julius, it may still be dangerous!”

I slipped past Lionel and hurried to the injured knights. Fortunately, no one had died, but several had suffered severe wounds. None appeared to have lost a limb. Ordinary healing potions couldn’t restore missing body parts; that would require a complete healing potion.

“Lionel, bring the intermediate healing potions. You have them with you, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir! Right away!”

Several knights were still checking the area around the carriage to make sure it was safe. They had already reported the wyvern’s defeat, and the commotion inside seemed to have subsided. I wondered how angry Rosalia would be when I returned.

“Here, a healing potion! It’s an intermediate healing potion made by Lord Julius. Drink it—you can trust it!”

One knight had lost so much blood that he was barely conscious, but they managed to get the potion into him. His deep wounds closed before our eyes, leaving the surrounding knights staring in amazement.

“Mmm… tangerine flavour!”

“I improved it to make it easier to drink.”

I gave him a thumbs-up, and he cheerfully returned the gesture. Then he remembered whom he was speaking to and immediately stiffened.

“Lord Julius, please forgive my rudeness!”

“It’s fine. I don’t mind. I’m the one who should apologise.”

“Why would you apologise, Lord Julius? You’ve done nothing wrong!”

I couldn’t explain that their injuries might have been avoided if I had struck to kill from the beginning. Telling them that would only make matters worse.

The intermediate healing potions were distributed one after another, and the injured knights steadily recovered.

“Listen carefully. The potions have healed your wounds, but they haven’t replaced the blood you lost. Support anyone who suffered heavy blood loss, and make sure they rest.”

Calls of “Understood!” came from every direction. Somehow, we had survived the crisis without losing anyone.

Now I had to return to the carriage and face my scolding. Would anyone care to trade places with me?

My legs felt heavy as I dragged myself back. Lionel accompanied me, though I doubted he would be able to protect me from what awaited inside.

“I’m back.”

“Julius, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Before Father could speak, Mother addressed me in a voice sharp enough to pierce armour. A person who rarely became angry was terrifying when finally provoked.

“I’m sorry for acting so recklessly.”

“Big brother!”

Rosalia, her face streaked with tears and mucus, launched herself at me. My clothes were immediately smeared, but there was no way I could dodge her. Looking closer, I saw that Mother’s clothes were already in much the same state.

How was I supposed to remain composed in front of someone who had cried that hard?

“Julius, give me your report,” Father said.

“Yes, Father. A wyvern appeared, and the knights defeated it. All wounded knights have been treated. We can move immediately.”

“Was anyone seriously injured?”

“We used intermediate healing potions, so everyone is stable.”

“I see.”

Father rested one hand beneath his chin and closed his eyes. The gesture reminded me of Lionel. Had the knight commander’s habit rubbed off on him?

Father was surely considering what to do about me. Even through the carriage window, he must have seen my spell sever the wyvern’s wing.

A seven-year-old boy who could use magic effective against a wyvern was difficult to explain. The fact that the escort mages’ spells had done comparatively little only made my achievement stand out more.

“Julius.”

“Yes?”

“You did well. However, from now on, don’t act so recklessly that you cause your family needless fear.”

“I understand.”

Apparently, Father wasn’t going to scold me too harshly. Mother and Rosalia were another matter. That lecture might last a while.

Brother Cain looked as though he wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find the words.

It was fortunate Brother Alex wasn’t there. If he began to see me as a rival, it could create conflict within House Heine.

Cain and I, unlike Alex, weren’t heirs to the house, so Cain was unlikely to view me in the same way.

With Rosalia clinging tightly to my lap, the carriage hurried home. On the way, we met a party of adventurers heading toward the Tradel River. We asked them to investigate where the wyvern had come from and whether any others remained nearby.

And so the wyvern incident at the Tradel River came to an end.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter