Ritzy walked to Dayla and saw her healing the priority defenders and Benjamin.
One priority defender was healed back to a stable state but the rest were breathing desperately but weakly.
As Ritzy was about to ask about the situation, Alter approached Ritzy.
Alter,
"Lord, your eyes and clothes. Is this related to the task delegated to you?".
Ritzy was about to give an excuse but another knight intervened.
Junger,
"It doesn't matter, we're thankful for being saved, my lord".
Dayla hearing Junger's voice, caused her to stop healing and turn to look at Junger.
Junger seeing Dayla left him surprised. Earlier he thought the two mercenaries here were meant to help but seeing that it was Ritzy and even more know seeing Dayla. He was confused but happy.
Junger gave a slight bow and said respectfully,
"It's nice to see you third daughter of the Doddery family. I thank you for healing my compatriots".
Dayla didn't respond.
Junger noticing no response, he was confused and worried. He wondered if he did something wrong in greeting her or in thanking her.
Just as Junger was about to say something to break the silence, he suddenly felt a strong but gentle grasp. His head now touching a warm wall.
Looking up while still being in his bowing position, he noticed he was currently being hugged by the girl he loved.
Junger,
"Ms. D-".
Dayla,
"Drop the act. The nobles already know what happened and I dare not hide my feelings anymore".
Junger's mind was filled with all the possible consequences of being with Dayla for a brief moment. But when he felt her grip tighten, he was brought back to reality.
Feeling her grasp, his mind this time filled with pleasant thoughts of being with her.
A solid minute passed before the silence was broken by Alter's awkward cough.
Dayla and Junger hearing Alter's cough brought them back to reality and they pulled themselves from each other's embrace.
Dayla,
"I-".
Not caring what she had to say, Ritzy spoke,
"Heal the rest of the priority defenders and I'll get Benjamin. We need to move fast but we can't leave with these people near death. Benedire might blame us for their death if we don't save them and that's the last thing we need now".
Dayla pulled her eyes away from Junger's gaze and nodded to Ritzy. Then she kneeled down and hovered her hand above the priority defenders. Encompassing one of the priority defenders with a weak green light.
Ritzy followed as well and hover his hands above Benjamin. But unlike Dayla, he didn't encompass Benjamin in green light but analyzed him.
Seeing the problem coming from his slightly burn organs because of the lightning, he focused the life magic into his body around his most vital organs. After hearing his heart and lungs first, he healed the other organs and then finished off with closing the wound on his arm.
In the time to fully heal Benjamin, Dayla was only able to heal one of the priority defenders back to stability.
Ritzy seeing one priority defender left unstable, he decided to lightly heal him but unlike Benjamin, he healed him to stability only. Just like the rest of the priority defenders.
Ritzy took this course of action because he wanted to leave no chance of Benjamin dying and only show proof that he at least tried to heal the other subordinates. This way if they died, Ritzy wouldn't be blamed for their death since he didn't help them.
Ritzy analyzing their bodies and seeing that they were all stable, Ritzy spoke abruptly to grab the attention of the couple entranced with each other's eyes.
Ritzy,
"They're fine now so we can leave now. We need to escape and fix this situation as soon as possible or there would be disastrous consequences. Let's leave now".
Dalya and Junger hearing Ritzy's serious voice forced them to refocus on their situation. They noded to show they acknowledge Ritzy's words.
Seeing their confirmation, Ritzy started walking out of the room with them following.
But as they were leaving, a voice suddenly was heard.
Ritzy, Junger, and Dayla tuned around; seeing Alter, some knights, and Benjamin looking at them.
Ritzy and the rest were confused about what was happening, in why Alter was helping Benjamin stand and walk closer to them while the other knights followed closely behind.
Alter,
"Lord, you are my responsibility. If you have to escape to solve a problem, it's my job to protect you".
Ritzy was about to deny Alter's request, not because he was worried for him, but because he thought Alter would slow them down and make them more noticeable. Another voice spoke seriously.
Benjamin,
"Ritzy, I don't know what happened but not only did you save me, but Lord Puissance asked me to be your teacher. Not only do I owe you my life, but I also don't plan on abandoning the duties Lord Puissance tasked me".
Suddenly the other knight pounded their chest and stood firmly. Signifying they wanted to follow as well.
Ritzy didn't like the idea of traveling in a huge group when they should be traveling quietly and secretly, so he decided to put an end to this. But as he was about to voice his words, Dayla cried of joy.
Dayla,
"Thank you. Even though this us our problem and you don't need to help us, you still offered your help. My friend Ritzy and I thank you".
Ritzy hearing her words oddly forced him to shut his mouth. Ritzy knew he had to reject them but his body didn't listen. It was like something in his subconscious forcing him to not move his lips.
Dayla reorganizing her thoughts, she said,
"We need to head out now, we need to escape as soon as possible. The plan right now is to resupply at the Reds camp".
The group hearing what they needed to do, they all followed Dayla out the room.
Seeing them leave and not being able to voice his opinion about the matter, he gave up and followed as well.
As he chased after them, Ritzy's mind spoke softly,
'It'll happen again'.