On their way back to camp.
The young commanders and soldiers couldn't help, but glanced from time to time at the girl well rested in Lirius' arms. Since, the way the two of them interacted with each other, has caught all their attention. They couldn't help it, but wondered what sort of relationship the two would have. They seem to be more like lovers than travel partners.
"How are you feeling?" Lirius asked, the fact that she kept on coughing small amounts of blood, which worries him a lot. He knew she was recovering well, but still couldn't help it, and was anxious about her condition.
"I'm fine, I'm just a little bit tired." She responded as she cleaned the stain of blood from her lips.
"Then, rest for now, don't worry, I'll be here…" He warmly said, as he covered the girl with his cape hiding her from everyone's gaze. He also casted a spell to keep her warm and examine her condition throughout their journey. Seeing her mana was recovering at a steady pace, he sighs in relief as he watches her drift off to sleep.
Finally, he could be at ease. So, he thought…
A few drops of blood dripped from the side of the horse, making a droplet mark on the ground. That single drop has caught the soldiers' attention as they fear that the girl's condition could be worse than they expected.
"Do you think she'll be alright?"
"She has lost quite a lot of blood already?"
They whispered to each other, for they were frightened to ask.
Along the way, their faces turned paler from every droplet of blood they noticed falling from the side. How can they not worry when they traveled quite a distance, which means the girl has lost quite some blood.
….
Back in the camp.
Commander Rosenburg along with the rest of the soldiers, were all anticipating their return. The biggest reason as to why they were still alive was mainly thanks to their two mysterious benefactors.
Which is why, they couldn't help but be anxious about their current situation.
"They're back-"
The soldier on the watchtower, who was on a lookout, shouted.
Everyone started cheering to hear the good news; it was not long for them to welcome them with victorious cheer and delight for their safe return.
It delights them to see Lirius and the wolf back. At the same time, they were surprised to see Roderic and Noct back as well. But, what shocked them the most was the person hiding underneath the man's cape. The fact that the person that saved them was not a man, but a woman, and what's even more shocking, was the fact that she was a little girl.
They wouldn't be that shocked and surprised if she was a grown woman, but to think she was just a girl. Brought such pain of shame upon them, that a young girl was far stronger and braver than them.
"It's a girl."
"It's a little girl."
The soldiers started whispering to each other as they teased those who were rescued by her.
Mocking them for being saved by a little girl.
"Is that the way you should be thanking the person who saved you…" Roderic yelled, displeased by how the soldiers manners were with the situation. He, too, is ashamed, but what can he do, but accept the fact he was indeed saved by a little girl.
The soldier felt embarrassed as they all bowed and apologized in front of Lirius and Athena.
Athena smiled, seeing everyone he healed and saved was all fine. "It's fine."
Mesmerized by her smile, they were all taken aback and were caught off guard when the girl started coughing blood again, which alerted all of them.
"Tina?"
Lirius' panicked voice caused everyone to worry; seeing the amount of blood the girl was coughing brought him on edge, for they were no longer normal. He was certain that her mana had recovered, which meant all her internal wounds should have been healed. Yet…
As the soldier and healer tried to approach them to offer their assistance, but, Fuji's aura emitted, preventing them from coming any closer. He did not let anyone take any further steps, as he does not trust any of them at all. He growled furiously, like a true beast, stretching its claws at them from time to time, warning them not to make any sudden movements, if they dare, then they shall soon meet their ends. He was a fearsome beast which they all dare not challenge.
Commander Rosenburg gathered his courage as he walked closer to them. He knew that neither the man nor the wolf trusted any of them. But the girl's situation was not so great, and he must do something about it; "Dear one, please let me help you."
"Fuji, calm down," Lirius commanded and sighed; his mind being all muddled up and anxious about the current situation. He tightly held onto the girl, which showed how serious the girl's condition was.
Fuji saw how anxious Lirius was as he continued to panic as well; he forced himself to accept the situation and calmed down, as he disagreeably allowed the commander to pass through him.
Lirius too unwantedly handed Athena to him.
When the commander finally got hold of the girl, he was briefly taken aback as to how light the girl was. 'Does she not eat?' He curiously wondered as to why she was as light as a feather.
As soon as Lirius got down from the horse, the commander returned the girl right away back to Lirius, avoiding the wolf from killing him. During those short seconds he carried the girl, he felt like his life was being hung by the cliff, and that any moment now, the wolf would push him to his death.
Seeing the girl was already unconscious and pale, Commander Rosenburg escorted them to his tent to allow the girl to rest.
Fuji continued to stay alert, as he did not allow anyone to follow them, including the commander's son or the man who was carrying his master earlier.
"I swear the wolf really hates us," Ignis said, seeing they weren't allowed to follow at all. He clicked his tongue annoyedly as he really wanted to know, and peeked at the situation.
"I think it's not us, but, a certain person who is beside us." Roderic looked at the man beside him, and the wolf continued to give an icy glare. He wonders what could have happened between them that the wolf is showing such hostility towards him. 'Could it be because he was carrying her earlier? Thank heavens, I didn't carry her then.'