Chapter 43: Ashera part 4

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Translator: Soafp

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The surgery had started quite some time ago. I was outside the patient’s room, cleansing the air to prevent infection, while waiting.

Next to me, Halva and Ashera were earnestly praying for Lush’s safety.

“I didn’t know that the Gran Knight Family was a prominent family of recovery mages.”

“I first met Lush when I got my wounds treated…”

“Such a beginning…”

“I sent Lush back to her home, believing she could be cured at the Gran house… I should have quit the knights and lived together with her.”

“Sorry. It was an unrelated story to you, Aldo-sama…”

Time passed slowly. Occasionally, when nurses came out for sheets or warm water, they said they couldn’t provide detailed information.

Reflecting, I hadn’t rested since leaving the Blue Ring mansion. It was now late at night. Though I had managed a short nap, two days of continuous sleeplessness were taking a toll. If I relaxed, I felt like I’d pass out.

Ashera and Halva had dark circles under their eyes, and I probably had them too. But in such circumstances, with her mother on the brink of death, sleeping seemed impossible.

Suddenly, the door opened unexpectedly. It was Chris. His gloves and apron were drenched in blood.

“Aldo-kun, please help me.”

“Understood.”

“How’s Mother?! Is she okay?!”

“Ashera! Don’t interfere. You have to endure…”

Ashera stared at me, almost clinging to me. I nodded vigorously to her and hurried into the room.

The scene inside was a sea of blood.

“What’s going on here…”

“The surgery should have gone well. Right now, we’ve stopped the bleeding. But there was too much bleeding.”

“Not enough blood…”

“That’s right… we don’t have enough blood… Is there any way?”

I rushed to Lush and placed my hand on her chest. First, I used sonar.

As expected, she was low on blood. Her heart was crying out due to the lack of it. But I had some experience with blood transfusion magic.

The imagery of transfusion… drop by drop…

After about five minutes, a bit of color returned to Lush’s face. It shouldn’t be too much, considering the amount of bleeding.

I continued the blood transfusion magic for another five minutes.

I removed my hand from her chest and checked her pulse… uncertain. I should probably gather basic adult data once. I needed data on pulse rates and normal body readings through sonar.

I turned to Chris and nodded slowly.

“I think she’ll be fine.”

“I see. Lush will be saved….”

There was a glimmer in Chris’s eyes.

Ashera and Halva were immediately brought into the room, but upon witnessing the sea of blood, Ashera fainted.

We’ve since revived Ashera, waiting for Lush to wake up.

Lush had passed the critical stage, and both Ashera and I were advised to rest. A guest room was arranged for us. Chris suggested we share the room, but Halva gave an intense glare, so I respectfully requested separate accommodations.

Exhausted, we moved to the prepared room, and I don’t remember much after lying down on the bed. I ended up sleeping until the next day when Halva woke me up, saying that Lush had regained consciousness.

Interestingly, when I woke up, Ashera was asleep beside me in my bed. Halva, it’s a misunderstanding, I didn’t do anything…

It seemed Ashera came to thank me in the room but found me asleep and covered me with a blanket. When she lay down for a moment, she ended up falling asleep too.

After dispelling Halva’s misunderstanding, I headed to Lush’s room.

Lush’s face, after a day, had vitality returning.

Though a full recovery was far off, the feeling that her life force might fade away, as it did when I first met her, had vanished.

She seemed to have the best health she’d had in recent times.

“It’s all thanks to you, Aldo-kun… Thank you.”

“No, please stop. I just shared some information I happened to know.”

“It’s more than that. That information has been passed down through generations, hasn’t it?”

“It’s really not that significant.”

“Even so, I genuinely appreciate it. Thank you, Aldo-kun.”

“No, I…”

Lush bowed deeply, then alternated between looking at me and Ashera with a mischievous expression.

“Now I might get to see my grandchild’s face. I’m counting on you too, Aldo-kun.”

“W-wha…”

As I panicked, I looked at Ashera, who blushed and looked down—adorable.

Just then, Halva, his temples showing veins, approached.

“Aldo-sama… We need to talk about that…”

“Hahaha…”

I could only manage a dry laugh. It seemed I was about to have a conversation with Halva.

With Lush’s matter settled, I reconsidered.

(I’ve ended up here with the flow, but I’m engaged to Ashera, right?)

Engagement… Marriage… In my previous life, it was something that ended without a connection.

(Marriage, even after turning 15, what about work… The territory will be taken over by El…)

It seemed worries about the future remained unchanged, even in this different world.

(Maybe Ashera thought I’d become a lord… I should clarify that El is the one who’ll be the lord…)

As I earnestly planned my future, Ashera came in with a happy expression.

“Aldo, is it okay if I sit here?”

“S-sure.”

“Thank you so much for everything regarding Mother.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“A-and also…”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“I was glad you chased after me…”

“Me, me, me.”

“Me?”

“Me too, I was glad you accepted me…”

We both turned crimson and looked down. The sweet air thickened when Chris interrupted.

“Oops, sorry for interrupting such a nice moment, but could I borrow you for a bit?”

I straightened up and turned to Chris.

“Yes.”

As I replied, Ashera, looking embarrassed, bowed and hurried away.

“Ah, youthfulness.”

Chris gazed at Ashera with a smile.

“Do you have something to discuss?”

“Yes, indeed. It’s about Ashera. A messenger from the Kashu family has come regarding her.”

“What about the Kashu family?”

“As previously mentioned, they demand Ashera be handed over to them.”

“What are the plans for the Gran family?”

“What should we do? Since getting involved in the Kashu and Blue Ring family commotion would be a nuisance, they suggest handing Ashera over.”

“I see…”

“Please hold back the killing intent. Being dominant doesn’t mean it’s final.”

“…”

“We owe you… Why don’t we escape?”

“Ha?”

“If we’ve inadvertently fled, there’s not much we can do.”

“If that’s the case, what about Lush?”

“Of course, she’ll be coming with us.”

“Is Lush able to endure it?”

“The wounds have been treated with recovery magic, and we can manage her stamina recovery even with a carriage…”

“Can Lush use recovery magic?”

“She’s the most skilled among her siblings.”

“If that’s the case…”

“…”

“Harlva, Lush, as long as it’s okay with the Gran family, I’m all for it!”

“Understood. I’ll make the necessary arrangements. See you later…”

With that said, he headed towards the main residence with firm steps.

Later that night, everyone gathered in Lush’s sickroom.

“Then, it’s unanimous. Everyone will escape.”

“I’m sorry, Chris-sama. It’s ended up being pushed onto the Gran family…”

“No problem. We’re not doing this for free either. The connections to the Blue Ring family, the substantial medical expenses from Halva-sama, connections for the future hero… and for saving my sister’s life.”

“Thank you…”

Halva deeply bowed to Chris.

“Chris, thank you very much.”

“Lush, stay well. You are not allowed to set foot in this land again…”

“I understand. Chris, please tell my other brothers and sisters that I love them…”

“Got it. Lush, I love you.”

“Me too… Nii-sama…”

The greetings between Lush and Chris concluded.

“Aldo-kun, I entrust my sister and niece to you.”

“Yes. I promise.”

Chris nodded emphatically.

“Ashera, it was good to meet you, even if it was for a short time. I have many other uncles, aunts, and cousins. Someday, meet them outside this territory.”

“Yes. Uncle, thank you very much.”

Chris nodded again.

“Then, an hour from now, someone will come as a guide. I have to stop the raccoons. Goodbye.”

Saying so, Chris straightened and left the sickroom.

One hour from now, it’s a short time for preparations but no time for luxuries.

I contemplated the long journey to the Blue Ring territory.