The Extra Strategist’s Royal Road Chapter 205.
I blankly stared at the direction where Master Ilya had disappeared.
‘What on earth have I done….’
While it was impossible for me to think that Estelle would be the one attacking me, still…
“This isn’t the time to be like this.”
I tried to follow my master. Lucretia stopped me.
She seemed to have noticed that I was trying to go to the enemy’s main camp.
“Wade! Wait!”
“Don’t stop me.”
“Think calmly. Not only is infiltrating the enemy’s main camp dangerous, but it could also put you and Miss Rinoa in a difficult position later!”
If it becomes known that I went to the enemy’s main camp, I would certainly be viewed with suspicion. Consequently, Rinoa, my partner, would also be viewed suspiciously.
Especially now when Rinoa is already suspected of assassinating the prince, this would be like pouring oil on a burning house.
“For now, trust your master and wait. That’s the best option.”
“I’ll decide what’s best. I’m going. So, Luc, tell them this: Wade went to pursue and finish off the enemy he was fighting. That should suffice as an immediate excuse.”
“You’re impossible. Huu…! You must come back alive.”
I nodded to Luc and ran towards where my master had gone.
Meanwhile, I picked up a gray robe and hood that seemed to have been dropped by the opponent and covered myself with it.
‘The enemy’s main camp is Iswakan…. That’s where Master must have gone too.’
I knew the geography of Iswakan to some extent as I had visited there once before.
Moreover, everywhere was in a state of chaos now.
The dragon, having withdrawn its power, had flown up and disappeared into the distant sky.
‘What’s happening?’
If the group of dark mages had succeeded in regaining control of the dragon, they wouldn’t have sent it flying off to a distant place recklessly, but would have retreated slowly while maintaining the power of illusion.
That way, they could minimize their losses.
This situation where the dragon had abruptly left might be evidence that something unexpected had occurred.
‘The dragon might have come to its senses. Or perhaps a group other than the local dark mages intervened.’
Whatever it was, it was a favorable situation for me right now.
Thanks to this, the enemy camp was in confusion, allowing me to infiltrate the city without much difficulty.
Before searching for Estelle, I checked my own condition.
Having used up all my aura and magic to force that zombie-like guy to retreat, I only had a handful of magic left.
Hoping there wouldn’t be any incidents, I headed towards the city’s cathedral.
It seemed they were using Iswakan’s cathedral as a makeshift hospital.
As I approached, a man who looked like a sentry blocked my way.
“Remove your hood and state your affiliation.”
It was a difficulty right from the start. When I lifted my hood to show my face, the sentry narrowed his eyes. Probably because my face wasn’t familiar to him.
Feigning composure, I said, “I came to receive brief treatment.”
“I didn’t ask your business. State your affiliation.”
“It’s just a minor injury, I’ll only need a moment.”
“Don’t change the subject! State your affiliation!”
“…”
“What are you dawdling for!”
I could breakthrough using charm, but that carried a big risk. As it happened last time, the opponent might show a reaction rejecting the charm.
In that case, the situation was likely to become more troublesome.
‘I should retreat for now.’
It seemed I needed to gather more information.
However, at that moment, a shout was heard from inside the infirmary.
“It’s noisy, what’s going on out there!”
A thug appeared with heavy footsteps.
I inhaled sharply for a moment.
‘That outfit…!’
It was undoubtedly the zombie-like guy I had fought. I hurriedly pulled my hood down deeper.
“Sir Cuthbert! Well… I was checking affiliation for entry.”
“You idiot, injured people will be rushing in soon, are you going to check each one of them? It’s not time for spies to infiltrate yet! Just check their faces and let them in!”
“Yes, sir!”
It was unexpected help.
‘So his name is Cuthbert….’
I memorized his face as I passed by him towards the infirmary.
“Hey, wait. You.”
Cuthbert, who I had passed, called out to me while looking at my back. I tried to calm my pounding heart as I turned my head.
“What is it, Sir Cuthbert?”
“You dropped something there.”
Erina’s safety charm had fallen from the clothes I was wearing underneath.
“Thank you.”
“Hmph, don’t rely on charms and think about improving your own skills. Really, pathetic guys.”
Cuthbert left. I picked up the charm, breathing a small sigh of relief.
The interior of the infirmary was segregated, separating those with severe injuries from those with minor injuries.
I asked someone who was providing treatment, “Where is Ilya?”
“Huh? Oh, over there. But it’s best not to go near right now. Looks like Estelle got badly hurt. They’re focusing on treatment, so if you have any business, do it later.”
“Thank you.”
“But… I don’t think I’ve seen your face before. Where are you from?”
“I’m hurt that you’ve forgotten me. Well, we’ll have to have a meal together sometime.”
“Oh? Um, sure.”
I smoothly slipped away and headed towards the private room where Estelle was receiving treatment.
I pushed open the door as quietly as possible.
Inside were the unconscious Estelle, a healing specialist performing treatment, and Master Ilya.
Master frowned at the unexpected entry.
“What is it? I said no one should come in for a while…”
Master’s eyes widened upon seeing my face.
I made a ‘Shh!’ gesture as I approached.
Master whispers as if scolding a mischievous child, “Why are you here?!”
“You know me well. I can’t be stopped when it matters. More importantly, how is Estelle’s condition?”
“Not good.”
“Ugh…”
For a moment, I felt like I might collapse as all strength left my body.
“H-how bad is it?”
“We managed to treat the external wounds with magic somehow, but it seems the blood loss up to that point was too severe. It’s a wonder she didn’t die from shock. Now it depends on her own recovery ability. But this child’s physical strength can’t be called robust even as flattery. I’m not sure if she can endure.”
“It’s because I pulled out the spear. If only I hadn’t pulled it out…!”
“Calm down. Nothing changes by blaming yourself.”
“Isn’t there any way? Some method we can try…!”
At that, the healer who was performing the treatment looked up.
“There is a method. It’s a bit complicated, though.”
“What is it?!”
“But who are you? I don’t recognize your face.”
How is it that everyone who sees my face says this? It means that the people here have been living in a closed environment, and that I leave an impression.
As I couldn’t answer, Master Ilya stepped in.
“This is my companion. Please don’t worry too much about it.”
“I see. Anfei, is this the person you were looking for? If you found them in this situation, they’re most likely from the kingdom side.”
“…”
“Don’t be so wary. If they’re your colleague, Ilya, they probably won’t engage in cunning espionage. Well, if that’s not the case, I don’t particularly care. …Anyway, you asked what method there was, right? It’s simple. We just need to replenish the blood she’s lacking.”
It was such an obvious and clear solution.
For someone lacking blood, you give them a transfusion.
However, it wasn’t as easy as it sounded.
Even in the central continent, where there was much more advanced holy magic for treating external wounds, they couldn’t prevent deaths from excessive bleeding.
That’s how difficult blood transfusions were.
There were no medical tools to prevent contamination during transfusion, and they couldn’t even determine blood types to begin with.
Sometimes transfusions were successful by luck, but it was truly a rare occurrence.
However, in this world, there was a special method.
It was blood magic.
“Originally, we need Kieran’s permission to use blood magic, but given the emergency situation…”
He sighed and stood up.
“I’ll bring a blood mage. I’ll bring someone discreet, so don’t worry.”
As the healer left the private room, I finally collapsed into a chair, my strength giving out.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes… I’m just a little tired.”
It was because I had poured everything into the battle with Cuthbert.
Master pulled over a chair with a backrest, as if telling me to rest comfortably. Sitting in that chair, I fixed my gaze on Estelle and asked, “I have a lot I want to say, but for now, I’ll ask about Estelle. What exactly is this blood magic you’re about to perform? Is it reliable?”
“They say it’s reliable. I’ve only heard about it, but it seems Kieran, the leader here, has independently researched blood magic and created a new system.”
“A new system…?”
“It’s about giving one’s own blood to others to grant them dark attributes. Since the act itself was transfusing blood, it led to the completion of research on transfusion methods as well.”
“Such a thing is possible?!”
I’ve never heard of it. Forcibly granting an attribute that wasn’t innate.
“So that’s why the ratio of dark mages here was so high. Are there no restrictions?”
“I heard there are no restrictions for Kieran. However, when someone other than him gives blood using the same method, side effects occurred. So everyone thinks only Kieran can do this.”
“Well, that’s what happens if you transfuse recklessly.”
From what I can infer, this Kieran person is likely type O, able to donate to all blood types. Since they’re only giving a small amount of blood anyway, the chances of problems occurring are low.
I felt I understood the concept of blood magic to some extent.
‘Then transfusion should be fully possible.’
Soon, the healer brought someone who appeared to be a blood mage, a dark mage.
It was an old woman with sunken eyes.
The old woman approached, leaning on her staff.
“Oh, Estelle… Poor child.”
She seemed to have some connection with Estelle.
The old woman, having apparently been briefed by the healer on the way here, immediately began the transfusion process.
“We need someone qualified to share blood with this child. Bring as many people as you can.”
“Granny Nimus. It’s difficult to call others in this situation, so for now, check these two.”
The healer points to me and Master Ilya. The old woman called Nimus shakes her head.
“I’ve checked Iliya before. She wasn’t suitable. Alright, you young one… Come here.”
As I approached, the old woman grasped my hand with her trembling fingers and lightly cut the back of my hand with a small knife resembling a scalpel.
As she began to chant a spell, the blood from the back of my hand rose up.
The old woman closed her eyes, frowning as she began to analyze something.
“Oh my, such power of arcane… And this is an unbelievably dense light…! Truly remarkable!”
The old woman shuddered as if in ecstasy. It seems the blood analysis also includes attribute detection.
Finally opening her eyes, the old woman exhales with an exclamation.
“What a pity… If you had been born with a dark attribute rather than light, you could have become a great leader to guide us…”
“Excuse me, what’s the result? Can my blood be transfused to Estelle?”
The old woman nods.
It seems the circumstances are favorable. Either Estelle and I have the same blood type, or I’m type O. Either way, it was fortunate.
“Then please start right away. Before Estelle’s condition worsens.”
“Before that. Keep one thing in mind. Blood magic is still an incomplete field of research. We don’t know what kind of influence it might have between you two.”
“Influence? I heard attributes could be transferred.”
“That’s just a part of the blood magic that Kieran researched and completed. No one knows what effects might occur with a simple transfusion.”
“Then can’t we use that blood magic that grants attributes?”
“That’s blood magic for granting dark attributes. It’s impossible for you since you weren’t born with a dark attribute.”
“…”
Is she saying there’s a risk involved?
“Of course, the main one affected will be Estelle, who receives the transfusion, not you. But you’ll likely experience some effects too. I’m asking if you still want to do it.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Your resolve is firm. Alright. Ilya, please assist.”
With Master Ilya and the healer acting as the old woman’s hands and feet, the transfusion began.
The method of transfusion was quite spectacular.
After making an incision near the artery at my elbow, the blood gushing out was transferred, with my blood transforming into red magical energy and being injected into Estelle’s chest.
Watching my blood change into magical energy and flow towards Estelle, I soon felt a heavy fatigue washing over me.
As the transfusion progressed, Estelle’s complexion improved. I endured the fatigue of the transfusion while watching her face.
The transfusion volume must have been significant because by the time the procedure was finished and the wound was being closed, I felt a slight dizziness.
“This should be enough. Phew! To be so exhausted by such a trivial task, I must have aged quite a bit…”
The old woman sighed tiredly and stood up with difficulty.
“Shall I support you?”
“Of course. Anfei, I’ll escort Nimus out. Please watch over them for a moment.”
The healer supported the old woman and left the private room.
Master, seeming to have relaxed as well, slightly drooped her shoulders and said to me, “Ars, are you alright?”
“Yes… Just a bit dizzy.”
“I’d like to tell you to rest thoroughly, but… It seems we don’t have that luxury. You saw it too, didn’t you? That dragon, Mepatra, flying off somewhere.”
“I saw. I suppose that was an unexpected situation for this side as well?”
“At least I hadn’t heard anything about it. Whatever the case, we’ll start retreating to our original position. When that happens, there will likely be a headcount and internal inspection. It would be better for you to slip away before then.”
“I wanted to watch over Estelle until she woke up… But it seems that won’t be possible.”
Already, things were becoming busy outside. The battle situation had ended, and they were starting the aftermath procedures.
I needed to leave soon, or I might arouse suspicion.
“Master, I’ll convey my message briefly. I’ll come to the Forest of Lament soon, so until then, please avoid any situations where you might be restrained or harmed by someone.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Also, Gaspar and Gunther are near the Forest of Lament.”
“Those two are there? I hadn’t expected that.”
“Gunther has some circumstances that make communication difficult, so you should contact Gaspar. Of course, if the situation isn’t favorable, there’s no need to force it. Whatever happens, please stay safe until I come. I will definitely come.”
“I’ll be counting on you.”
“Other than that, if possible, I’d like you to invite a blood mage who can communicate well… No, let’s talk about this when the time comes.”
I struggled to stand up.
Master told me the way to escape, then hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Ars, I have one thing I want to ask too. Our continent… They call it the Magic Continent here. Have you found a way to return there?”
“Ah…”
For Master Ilya, that would naturally be the most urgent matter. After all, her newborn son and husband are there.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t found it yet. The situation of finding the missing people is already urgent…”
“I see. Don’t worry about what I just said. I was just curious.”
“I’m sorry again. For getting you involved in this situation…”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I do have some vague ideas about a way to return, but it’s not at a stage where I can talk about it…”
“So there is something.”
“Yes, but it’s not something I can control. It’s more like a slim possibility to consider. If I find any new leads besides that, I’ll let you know.”
“Don’t feel too burdened by it.”
“Well then, Master, I’ll come to see you again soon.”
I slipped out of the city discreetly, following the path master had shown me.
The war seemed to have entered a temporary lull, as the kingdom’s army was busy dealing with the wounded.
I took advantage of the commotion to quietly rejoin the main force.
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