Chapter 39
“You were unconscious for ten days? Me?”
“Yes, Young Master. Strictly speaking, ten days and about half a day.”
“Ten days?”
“Sadly, since you already had a record, we thought you’d wake up in about two days. But when three days passed with no sign of you opening your eyes… and by the time a week had gone by, everyone was terribly worried. Are you really all right?”
Yujelia had already checked several times to confirm there was nothing wrong with his body, yet just in case, she continued to hold his hand and gently pour divine power into him.
Shen, meanwhile, was gripping Aquila’s other hand tightly.
“H-hic, Young Master! You really are okay, right? Really, really—nothing hurts? S-sniff… your head doesn’t hurt, does it? Your body? Anywhere else? Your heart?”
From the moment he rushed into the room with Yujelia, the attendant had been crying nonstop.
His eyes were already red, and he didn’t stop talking for even a moment as he asked about Aquila’s condition.
But Aquila himself was just as confused by the fuss.
At most, he’d thought it had been two or three days—ten days, what was that supposed to mean?
If it had been only two days longer, wouldn’t that have meant he’d been bedridden for nearly two weeks?
‘…No, even if this body is weak, can it really be this weak? It doesn’t feel like something that should’ve knocked me out for that long.’
With a dazed expression, Aquila checked the state of his body as warm energy flowed into him.
【Status: Normal】
But no matter how intently he stared at the status window, nothing changed.
The blessing of the Sun God was still flickering due to the clash of blessings, but aside from that, there was nothing wrong at all.
Was it because he’d forced out aura beyond his limits?
Or was it something else?
‘This body’s so fragile that there are too many possible explanations.’
With a serious expression, Aquila shook his head as if to clear his thoughts.
In any case, the important thing was that he hadn’t died.
He calmed Yujelia, who kept pouring divine power into him, and Shen, who was sobbing uncontrollably.
“All right… you both went through a lot. I’ve woken up now, so don’t worry anymore. And you too, Lady Yujelia.”
“No, more than anything… I’m just truly relieved that you opened your eyes, Young Master.”
“That’s right, Young Master! I’m so glad you woke up! I was so worried about what might happen to you, sniff, sob…”
No matter how he tried to soothe them, neither Shen nor Yujelia would let go of his hands, so Aquila eventually gave up and lightly waved both hands.
Instead, he asked about what had happened while he was unconscious.
Yujelia, having stopped the flow of divine power, nodded.
“The purification of the garden has already been completed, and the restoration is almost finished as well. Sister Chelsey—ah, Priest Chelsey—and Lady Cahena have also awakened.”
Apparently, Cahena had regained consciousness in less than two days despite the severity of her injuries.
Yujelia smiled softly as she explained that even after waking up, Cahena quickly recovered her energy and tried to move around, and that stopping her had been quite the task.
She also said that Priest Chelsey had safely risen from her sickbed.
She’d lost a lot of blood, but fortunately, treatment hadn’t been delayed too long.
“If Sir Heinen and the Holy Knights hadn’t arrived in time, I don’t know what would have happened… It’s all thanks to you, Young Master. Thank you.”
With tears welling in her eyes, Yujelia bowed her head.
It was clear how deeply she cared for Chelsey.
Aquila explained that all he’d done was contact them after extracting a confession, but Yujelia refused to retract her thanks.
“The Temple Knights returned to the Grand Temple of Portplum on the fifth day, except for two of them. They said they couldn’t stay away any longer.”
Having finally calmed down, Shen wiped his face with his sleeve.
Aquila nodded.
The Temple Knights were busy people by nature.
Though they were here now due to a deal with Ianpel, they were not individuals one could normally summon at will.
So it was only natural for them to return.
“What about the Scales of Judgment?”
“Ah, they didn’t take it with them. They said they’d return it once you woke up… And some Temple Knights are still here as well.”
Aquila glanced at his left wrist.
The communication bracelet is embedded with a blue mana stone.
It was surely Ianpel’s order not to take the Scales of Judgment with them.
He likely intended to hear the explanation directly from Aquila once he returned with it.
‘…Basically, he’s telling me to come to Portplum as soon as I wake up.’
Aquila shook his head as if fed up.
In any case, Shen continued his explanation after wiping away his tears.
Celsia’s close associates were still imprisoned in the underground dungeon, and there had been one incident of commotion when a soft-hearted individual tried to free them.
Since Lexenbert was absent, their punishment had been put on hold for now, but they would most likely be executed.
He also revealed that a memorial service for Celsia Reschenhardt had yet to be held—and likely never would be.
“Of course. She tried to kill you, Young Master, and colluded with the Dark Guild.”
Shen’s face was calm as he said this.
No—calm was an understatement; it was cold.
Having served at Aquila’s side for so long, Shen knew better than anyone how much Celsia had tormented him.
“I hope you don’t feel any sympathy for her, Young Master. She’s not someone worth mourning.”
“I don’t.”
“Then that’s a relief. Now that you’ve awakened, a formal letter will also be sent to House Ludovica.”
Shen said curtly as he finally released Aquila’s hand.
Aquila clenched and slowly opened his newly freed hands.
He felt no resentment toward her anymore.
Someone who had swallowed the Black Swamp’s mud and become a monster—
Celsia was neither more nor less than that to him now.
If anyone held lingering feelings here, it would be Shen.
And if Shen wished it so, Aquila would follow his lead.
‘The Wish of Ludovica… was it? There’s more than just the Dark Guild that needs digging into.’
Aquila recalled the description he’d seen in Celsia’s list of keywords.
A corrupted cult.
How far back would he have to trace things to learn why a corrupted god had come into existence?
Though Aquila had passed through many loops, the more he uncovered, the more elusive the truth felt.
After letting out a silent sigh, his black eyes turned toward the window.
***
What surprised him was the fact that Gilesha was still confined in the underground dungeon.
The Temple Knights had returned to Portplum on the fifth day, yet they hadn’t taken Gilesha with them.
Since Aquila had yet to regain consciousness, they likely couldn’t take away someone whose capture had been largely credited to House Reschenhardt without permission.
So Aquila had wondered how Gilesha could still be kept there under divine restraints…
“Oh, our little young master! You’ve finally opened your eyes!”
Cahena waved enthusiastically with a bright smile.
She was at the training grounds, swinging her sword, when she greeted Aquila.
She’d forced herself out of bed in less than a week, and now, after ten days, she was cheerfully running around. Yujelia had already given up trying to stop her.
“You’re already swinging a sword?”
“Well, what else can I do? If you just lie around doing nothing, the wounds start oozing!”
Cahena laughed.
Her smile was the same as ever, but beneath the light clothing she wore while sweating, faint injuries were still visible across her body.
Wounds left by corrupted divine power healed painfully slowly.
Despite Yujelia glaring from behind as if demanding more scolding, Aquila merely twitched an eyebrow.
He’d experienced that sensation many times himself in previous loops.
“Aquila Reschenhardt. I’m glad to see you’ve awakened.”
What truly surprised him was that Heinen was still in Igrail.
He was sparring with Cahena at the training grounds.
Though he had removed his shining silver armor, he still wore his helmet, leaving only the lower half of his face visible as he bowed.
Genuine sincerity could be felt in his blunt voice.
“It’s good to see you again. I was surprised to hear you were still here. I thought someone else would remain.”
“It was a request from Ianpel. And among those who came with me, I’m the only one capable of restraining someone with divine power.”
Blocking the use of black magic—
Indeed, that was something only someone of Heinen’s caliber could manage.
Aquila nodded in understanding.
“Even so, there must be a set time limit. Did Ianpel say anything else?”
“No, nothing in particular. I was only instructed to escort Aquila Reschenhardt with the utmost care.”
Aquila’s cheek twitched slightly.
Keeping someone like Heinen stationed indefinitely without compensation was something to think carefully about.
‘Keeping someone this valuable around… I’ve clearly succeeded in earning trust, but it’s uncomfortable.’
The information Aquila would be bringing back was also the kind Ianpel would welcome one by one.
Still, there was clearly goodwill involved.
And Aquila wanted to politely refuse that goodwill.
‘I should wrap things up quickly and return to Portplum.’
Rubbing his forehead, Aquila briefly wore a weary expression.
“Anyway… the reason I came is because I’d like to meet that guy in the underground dungeon.”
“The Dark Guild member?”
“Yes. Have you asked him anything?”
“I tried asking his name when he first regained consciousness, but he refused to speak, so he’s been left alone.”
“…Left alone?”
“Yes. You are the one who has the right to question him first, Aquila Reschenhardt. Both Ianpel and the acting head of the house approved it.”
As expected of someone who could rival anyone in stubbornness.
Looking at a face he’d rarely seen even in previous loops, Aquila clicked his tongue inwardly.
So Gilesha had been left to rot.
That chatterbox of a man…
Thinking that far, Aquila’s lips curled slightly.
‘Locked up in a pitch-dark dungeon with no one paying him any attention—he must be boiling inside.’
After brushing back his red hair, Aquila quickly composed his expression.
“Then let’s go together. I should see what kind of bastard he is.”
“Understood.”
“Our little young master’s enthusiasm is great and all, but you just woke up—are you sure it’s okay to go wandering around and working already? And without seeing your brother?”
“I’m not taking advice from someone swinging a sword with fresh wounds.”
“Aww~.”
At Aquila’s sharp retort, Cahena pouted playfully.
Only Yujelia nodded vigorously.
“Yes, say more. More! You have no idea how hard it was for me when your wounds reopened!”
“Oh, our dear priestess, how grateful I am! Hey, little young master, I’ll come too.”
Grinning, Cahena wiped off her sweat with a dry towel, then picked up an outer garment and her sword.
‘This many people aren’t necessary…’
Aquila shrugged as he looked at Shen and Yujelia trailing after him, along with Heinen and Cahena.
In any case, with four companions in tow like a tail, Aquila headed for the underground dungeon.
***
Clank!
As the door opened, a small beam of light spilled in.
The man who had been crouched as if dead flinched and turned around.
A week!
It was the first light he’d seen in a week in this pitch-black place where he couldn’t tell day from night!
Without realizing it, the man crawled toward the light.
At last, someone was here to kill him, or else…
“…Why do you look like that? You look like you’re about to die.”
“I made sure he wouldn’t die, at least.”
At the sound of human voices after so long, the man lifted his head in joy—only for his eyes to slowly widen.
Sunlight stabbed into his vision.
And standing where the light fell—
“If you can move, then you can hear me. I came to talk.”
Aquila Reschenhardt!
The moment the blazing red hair entered his sight, Gilesha’s eyes instantly filled with bloodshot fury.