“Be careful on your right; monsters appear frequently from that side.”

Geril chattered to Luke, who stood next to him scanning nervously, and the expressions of the holy knights turned grim at once. The entire order felt like they wanted to blow off Geril’s head, acting as if he owned their knight order. But because Bellota had an apologetic and troubled look on her face, they were holding back.

“The commander of the holy knights is in good spirits.”

Unaware of their feelings, Geril spoke as though he was watching an interesting show. Meanwhile, Bellota was anxiously watching Seiden from a distance.

Bellota had never accompanied the holy knight order on a subjugation before. So she never had the chance to see how Seiden dealt with monsters. Now seeing him with her own eyes…

“……”

It was truly awe-inspiring. Bellota realized that Seiden was a gift given to the empire. A person sent by their god, and a desperate hope.

A ray of sunset light that seeped into the dark forest shone above Seiden’s head as he walked ahead, covered in blood. Bellota couldn’t take her eyes off his brilliant silhouette.

“We will soon reach a safe area. The sun is setting soon so we will camp there tonight and depart early tomorrow. If we do so, we will arrive in Selento before sunset tomorrow!”

Kabillon, who had been assisting Seiden in dealing with monsters for a while, ran up to Bellota and recited their plan for what lies ahead. Bellota was about to respond when Geril intercepted her words.

“Lead us to a wide and flat area. The Saintess shouldn’t have experienced camping in such rough places before so the ground needs to be flat at least. Plus, it should be near flowing water for easy casting of strong barriers. Tsk, we can’t be at ease without casting barriers with monsters jumping out from all sides.”

Unlike the holy knights, who didn’t have a drop of blood on them, Geril clicked his tongue and gave orders as Kabillon’s lips twitched thinly. He managed to swallow what he wanted to say and smiled thinly, as usual.

“Yes, don’t worry. It will be done.”

Kabillon, who had politely responded, bowed slightly to Bellota and then ran ahead to assist Seiden. Bellota watched Kabillon’s back as he joined Seiden’s side with a look of regret. She felt bad, thinking that all of this trouble was being caused because of her.

“Camp, huh? If we had gone through the gate, we could have spent the night comfortably in the guesthouse of the base. I have plenty of experience with this, so it doesn’t bother me, but I’m worried it will be difficult for the Saintess to adapt.”

Geril sighed with a look of pity towards Bellota, but Bellota did not bother to respond and just showed a faint smile as if to say she was okay.

Instead of Bellota, Felton, who had been closely following behind her, let out a scoffing laugh. It was clear that Geril was unaware of the harsh regions Bellota had ventured into for resources during her seven years as a Saintess. Since Bellota did not expect Geril to understand that, she simply followed the guidance of the holy knights without a word.

Following the holy knights familiar with the terrain of Fairen Forest through a narrow and dark forest path, they soon came upon a land so vast it was unbelievable.

“We will camp here. Priests, please set up a barrier along these trees. And do you see those trees over there, forming a circle? It might not be visible from here, but there’s a lake behind them, so please extend the barrier up to there. Of course! Even after setting up the barrier, we plan to take turns keeping watch, so don’t worry.”

Kabillon pointed out the coniferous trees encircling the vast land and quickly added more upon noticing Geril’s about-to-object behavior. At Kabillon’s words, Geril, who seemed about to complain about how that could be reassuring, hmm-ed and closed his mouth.

Bellota and the priests set up a barrier along the line Kabillon had instructed. Soon, several tents were erected on the ground. But Bellota did not enter the fancy tent Geril had brought, especially for her. Instead, she entered the tent where the holy knights were checking tomorrow’s route and made a humble offer.

“Um…”

At her calm voice, not only the holy knights but also Seiden, who had been examining the map, looked up at Bellota.

“If anyone is injured, please come this way. I will provide simple treatment.”

After saying so, Bellota glanced at Seiden briefly. He was still covered in blood for not having washed yet. Surprisingly, he seemed to have no injuries. However, his eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if he found something displeasing.

Treatment. Of course, the main reason for a priest to accompany them during subjugation was for healing purposes. But now was different. Moreover, it was obvious that Bellota herself would be exhausted from the unusual and hard march. No matter how pure and noble her face looked.

Seiden was about to refuse Bellota’s kindness when Geril, looking for Bellota, who had disappeared, entered the tent and intervened between them.

“Saintess. There’s no need for you to expend your energy. I’ve brought potions; we can use those. Is anyone injured?”

As Geril looked around at the holy knights with an annoyed expression, the faces of the holy knights, who were somewhat excited by Bellota’s words, instantly stiffened.

“It seems there are none. Well, as you have seen, Saintess, it wasn’t such a harsh march. They are all excellent knights, after all. So don’t worry and please…”

“Thank you for your concern, Duke. But I would like to provide treatment.”

Bellota replied politely but firmly in a voice that left no room for further argument, causing Geril’s face to momentarily blank out. Seiden also looked at Bellota quietly with calm eyes.

He knew well where that noble stubbornness came from. Bellota felt sorry for the knights, who had embarked on a much more difficult path than usual because of her conviction. Geril was oblivious to this fact, hence his dumbfounded expression.

“Ah…, I see.”

“Yes. The precious potions you brought, Duke, will be needed in Selento.”

“There are quite a lot…”

At Geril’s lingering regret, Bellota showed a broad smile.

“They will be much needed.”

Then Geril’s mouth snapped shut. Luke laughed silently as if he found the situation satisfying, while Kabillon gave him a look. However, Geril quickly recovered with his remarkable resilience and smiled respectfully at Bellota.

“Yes, I understand your intention, Saintess. Really, I can’t argue anymore. Everyone, please show your injuries to the Saintess one by one!”

Geril acted as if he were Bellota’s guardian, and Luke’s smile vanished again. But soon their savior appeared.

“Duke. You might want to see this.”

One of Geril’s subordinates urgently called him over.

“What is it?”

“It seems we have received information about what you asked to be looked into.”

Geril’s subordinate whispered quietly while glancing at the holy knights, and he pondered for a moment. Geril seemed reluctant to leave Bellota’s side but eventually turned towards her.

“It seems an issue has arisen. I’ll go handle it and return. Please only show deep wounds. Small wounds can be taken care of on your own.”

Geril left some unpleasant words before leaving with his subordinate who had come to fetch him.

After Geril left, the space filled with his unpleasant presence suddenly cleared up.

“May I really ask for treatment?”

Kabillon asked Bellota with an apologetic look, and she nodded.

“Of course.”

Then Kabillon turned to Seiden. Seiden had already diverted his gaze from Bellota and was looking at the map with an indifferent eye, as if he had been doing so from the start. Kabillon knew this was Seiden’s way of giving permission.

“Then I’ll ask you for it. Now, those who are injured, please line up here to receive treatment from the Saintess.”

Soon, a long line formed in front of her. Bellota sat on a makeshift chair placed beside her and began treating them sincerely.

“I’m not seriously injured, but I got scratched on the back of my hand earlier.”

Normally, such a minor injury would have been ignored, but since it was an opportunity to be treated by Bellota herself, Luke presented his right arm with an excited face. The wound had already scabbed over from being scratched by a monster’s claw. Bellota placed her small hand over the wound and spoke in a serious voice.

“Even if it’s a small wound, you never know what kind of poison might be lurking in a scratch from a monster’s claw. Many monsters’ claws are cursed. If this wound is left untreated, it could fester and manifest the curse.”

“Gasp, even with a wound this size, it could be cursed?”

Luke shuddered in shock, and Bellota smiled reassuringly at him.

“Of course, most curses are not serious. Many are so minor that they’re imperceptible. However, in this case, you could lose about half of your hair. In severe cases, all of it.”

At Bellota’s words, not only Luke but also the faces of the knights listening to her conversation were filled with horror. Their gazes simultaneously turned to Maxis, who had suddenly become bald a few months ago.

“So that’s…….”

Kabillon covered his mouth in amazement as if he had just realized the cause, pointing at him, which made Maxis clutch his smooth head and scream as he ran out of the tent.

“Aaah!”