Refusing to succumb to her body's desire, Ilya resisted from falling unconscious. She was able to see right away the person who had saved her.
"Are you alright?"
It was a question that didn't warrant a response. Simply one look at Ilya would be enough of an answer.
Ilya lighty nodded her head as she tried to stand on her own. The man assisted her all the while keeping a watch of the surroundings. Once Ilya was stable on her feet, the man took a couple of steps back, scrutinizing Ilya's appearance.
"I brought Leahmir Dantallion with me. Let her treat your wounds."
"Marquis Benedict, why are you here?"
The Marquis stared at Ilya, his eyes displaying no emotions. He then sighed as he ruffled his hair. The man diverted his gaze away from the lady before replying.
"What do you think is the reason?"
With a hand on her head, Ilya said, "Please stop beating around the bush. I'm not in the best state to entertain your rhetoriques."
"The Jodugars of the Obelisk happen to be in a meeting in their tower. You're sentient of just how sensitive they are to Manna. There's currently an uproar between the Obelisk and the Imperial Palace because one of the Jodugars intruded the palace to deliver news to His Majesty."
"So they know that a Bacharoth has appeared?" Ilya queried, the furrow on her eyebrows deepening.
"Yes."
"You do know that you can't get out of the Hamlin estate now?"
"Yes."
"And you still entered without a hesitation?"
"Yes."
The two embraced an abstruse silence for a short while. There were all sorts of reproach that Ilya had for the Marquis, but she didn't bother articulating a single one of them. As stubborn as she was, Marquis Benedict could be her contest if the situation obliged him to.
Marquis Benedict quickly stripped himself off of his coat. He then approached Ilya and covered her with it. The Marquis guided her to a cleaner area and advised her to sit. The lady didn't resist, heeding his words immediately.
The ground was still warm, a great difference from the cold air circulating within the estate. Ilya found comfort in that.
Unbeknownst to her, a group of people had just entered the barrier. Half of them were Sorcerers from the Obelisk, half were combatants sent by the Imperial Palace. Most of the combatants were from the Imperial Knight Order, having the ranks of adjutant and above.
Leahmir Dantalion searched for Ilya the very second she was inside. It wasn't long before she spotted the Lady, making her way towards her thereafter.
"Your Grace, what are these wounds?!" Dantalion exclaimed as she examined Ilya's body, "I'll treat you this instant."
"I'm al--"
"No, I won't listen to your opposition this time. Please don't resist or I'll knock you down so I can treat you properly."
Ilya's mouth slowly went agape at Dantalion's threat. She was compelled to nod her head in agreement lest being knocked down for real.
Dantalion glanced at the individuals who helped her in carrying her equipment. They promptly laid the boxes down beside her and withdrew, allowing the two women to be free from distractions.
Still, the Sorcerers of the Obelisk had no plans of giving Ilya that consideration. They approached the Lady at short notice and gave her a half-hearted bow. As she listened the amalgamated tonality of the sorcerer's, Ilya couldn't help but feel her insides squirm.
"Lady Ilya von Bismarck Gertrude, it appears to me that you've gathered information. You've spent almost three hours within this estate after all. Please disclose it to us." The sorcerer at the forefront uttered.
Ilya let her eyes feast on the darkness for a countenance of the sorcerer. It was clear to her what their intention was, but she remained silent and ignored their request, or as she heard it, demand.
"What seems to be the problem? To put it frankly, we want to save time. But if you insist on keeping your reticence, we will be forced to conduct an investigation of our own. Do bear in mind that we might blame you for a part of our failure."
Even if she was in the worst of circumstances, that being her deathbed, Ilya would have no reason to cooperate with the Obelisk.
She turned her head and met the eyes of one of the Knight Commanders. She gave them a nod which urged them to draw closer to her. The Commander stood on the side in order to stay a meter apart from the Obelisk Sorcerers.
"You called for me, Lady Gertrude?" The Commander asked as he bowed at Ilya.
"Commander Percival, please call your fellow Commanders. I'll be briefing you about the appearance of the Bacharoth."
The Commander quickly acted on Ilya's words. In less than no time at all, the four Commanders were at her mercy.
Ilya eyed the leader of the Obelisk Sorcerers and uttered, "Please move out of the way. I want to have a talk with the Knight Commanders."
At first, the Sorcerers didn't move a single step. Ilya could feel the animosity oozing out of their hoods, but she only became disimpassioned. After a few seconds, the Sorcerers finally stepped aside. However, they made sure not to distance themselves farther from Ilya. In the end, they also needed well-gathered information.
"Commanders, it's a pleasure to know that you're willing to listen to a humble individual such as myself. Please pardon the appearance I'm showing." Ilya declared as she lowered her head to the Commanders.
"Do not fret, My Lady. We understand your circumstances. We're thankful that you decided to cooperate with us. We will make sure to return your good graces with victory."
The Commanders returned the respect they received from Ilya. Before speaking, the Lady first allowed Dantalion to fully cover her left arm with bandages.
Clearing her throat, Ilya began her briefing, "The most disconcerting aspect of this barrier is that Manna has become scarce. None of you will be able to wield Manna from this moment on."