The priest examining Rachel couldn't hide his shock.
The illness she suffered from was known to worsen over time, growing resistant to holy power and inevitably leading to death. But now, Rachel's condition has noticeably improved.
"What in the world is happening?"
Stunned by the sight, the priest quickly infused her with holy power.
"Oh, goddess!"
He kept exclaiming in awe.
Usually, when holy power was applied, the illness would fiercely resist, making treatment impossible. But not this time.
It was an unbelievable turn of events.
Having treated Rachel before, he was well aware of how powerfully the disease repelled holy power.
Now, however, her body absorbed the holy power without resistance, as though soaking it up like a sponge absorbs water.
After a long moment of channeling holy power into Rachel, the priest finally stood up, his expression dazed.
"It's hard to believe, but… it seems the disease is in remission. This is a miracle! The goddess has blessed us with a miracle! Oh, merciful goddess! To grant such grace in this pit of despair!"
The priest began loudly praising the goddess, claiming that she had forgiven Rachel's sins and bestowed a miracle to cure her.
Despite his initial insistence that he couldn't stay long, he now sat and stood repeatedly, chanting prayers with unrestrained fervor, showing no intention of leaving.
Seeing this, Ghislain gave a curt instruction to the knights.
"Escort him out."
The knights forcibly removed the priest, who protested, claiming he needed to witness more of the miracle.
Watching the priest's elated reaction, Gillian finally allowed himself to believe—his daughter's illness had indeed been treated.
His heart pounded, his legs trembled, and he felt too overwhelmed to stand.
Kneeling beside Rachel, he stroked her face, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Ah… ah… Rachel…"
With her symptoms in remission, and much of her pain alleviated, Rachel's face relaxed into a peaceful smile.
Seeing his daughter's calm expression for the first time in years, Gillian broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
How long had he yearned to see that smile again?
How fervently had he prayed to see this peaceful expression just once more?
It was nothing short of a miracle.
"This… I can't believe this…"
After a long while, Gillian collected himself, stood up, and looked at Ghislain with a gaze filled with gratitude and awe.
"Can my daughter truly be cured?"
"With continued treatment for about one or two more months, she should make a full recovery."
"H-how did you… cure an incurable disease? Even holy power couldn't…"
"Holy power just revitalizes and strengthens the body, helping it fight off illness. It's not a cure. That's why it's ineffective against many diseases, though people don't often realize that."
Ghislain replied nonchalantly.
Gillian was speechless. Who could argue with the one who had healed his daughter?
After a moment of dazed silence, Gillian seemed to come to a realization and asked earnestly,
"What do you want? You must have a reason for coming to me."
"What do you have to offer?"
"All I have left is this body. Command me to be your dog, and I'll obey. Order me to be your servant, and I'll do so."
Gillian spoke from the heart. For his daughter's sake, he was prepared to give anything Ghislain asked for.
Ghislain chuckled and shook his head.
"No need for that. I simply need the person you once were, the true you."
Gillian paused, falling silent for a moment, before asking with difficulty,
"And if I refuse… what will happen to my daughter?"
"Don't worry; I'll still treat her. I don't intend to ask for any payment, either."
Gillian looked at Ghislain with disbelief.
To extend such kindness without expecting anything in return—such people simply didn't exist. Life had taught him that much.
Noticing Gillian's doubt, Ghislain continued with a calm smile.
"Don't trust me? It's honestly no big deal for me. This isn't some grand gesture. Offering this much is nothing."
Though his words lacked some persuasion, they struck a chord.
Ghislain knew the cure for an obscure disease, had sought out a man he'd never met, and was helping him without asking for anything. It was difficult not to be suspicious.
"To be honest, I'd be disappointed if you refused, but I don't enjoy forcing people to do things they don't want to do. If you're unwilling, there's nothing more to say."
Gillian stared at Ghislain for a long time.
There was an odd maturity behind his boyish expression, and his gaze held a quiet conviction.
'Who is he really, and what does he aspire to achieve?'
Resolving himself, Gillian took a deep breath and picked up a dagger from a nearby table.
With one swift motion, he gathered his long hair, tied it, and sliced it off.
Straightening his previously slumped shoulders and back, his form appeared broader, more powerful. His once-lifeless gaze burned with an intense fire.
He looked like a completely different man from the one they had met.
The transformation startled the knights, who instinctively gripped their sword hilts.
Belinda narrowed her eyes and reached into her cloak. She thought he might turn on Ghislain, demanding more medicine.
As Gillian strode toward Ghislain, the knights moved to block him. He stopped just short of them, locking eyes with Ghislain.
Towering over Ghislain by at least a head, his mere presence radiated overwhelming strength.
With a deep, resonant voice, Gillian asked,
"Is there anyone else here with you? Or anyone we're expecting to arrive?"
"No, this is everyone. There's no one else to meet or await."
Listening to their exchange, Belinda discreetly drew a dagger from her cloak.
The questions sounded suspicious. His sudden shift in demeanor made it seem like he was threatening them.
But Gillian ignored her cautious stance, his gaze focused solely on Ghislain as he asked,
"Does the young lord have enemies?"
Ghislain chuckled knowingly.
"Enemies? Yes, plenty—and there'll be more in the future."
At that, Gillian picked up a spear from a corner of the room and attached a long rope to its end.
Without another word, he strode outside, hurled the spear through the door with incredible force, and then yanked on the rope.
A man in a gray robe was pulled through the splintered door, the spear lodged in his shoulder.
"Aargh!"
The man screamed in pain as Gillian dragged him inside. Ghislain chuckled in mild amusement.
"Well, looks like we had a tail."
The robed man looked up at Gillian in terror.
To be able to identify someone's presence and drag them in without a fatal blow—it was a display of precision that stunned Belinda and the knights.
What Gillian had shown wasn't just a mastery of mana but an intricate control over his own physical strength.
Ignoring the shock of the others, Gillian grabbed the man's head with one hand and dragged him to stand before Ghislain.
Ghislain looked down at him coldly and asked,
"Who sent you?"
"I… I…"
The man only shivered, unable to respond.
He couldn't fathom how he'd been discovered.
He'd been blending in, pretending to be an ordinary passerby, yet this man had found and dragged him in with perfect accuracy.
When he still didn't answer, Belinda searched his belongings. All she found were a dagger laced with poison and several concealed weapons—nothing that indicated his identity.
"What should we do with him?" Gillian asked, looking at Ghislain.
Ghislain gave it some thought before turning back to the man.
"Are you going to tell us who sent you?"
"…"
The man hesitated but ultimately remained silent.
Ghislain sighed in mock disappointment, shrugging his shoulders.
"Such a shame. It would've been easier for both of us if you'd just cooperated. I don't really want to get my hands dirty on such a fine day."
Taking lives—even of enemies—wasn't something he did without reason. This was a principle Ghislain had held to since his days as the Mercenary King.
Seeing that the man would remain silent, Ghislain looked back at Gillian.
"I have a good idea of who sent him, so there's nothing else I need to know. Uninvited guests should be seen off properly."
Gillian nodded, then dragged the man into an adjacent room.
A sickening sound echoed from beyond the door, followed by a chilling silence. Moments later, Gillian returned, his expression unreadable.
The knights felt a shiver run through them at his efficiency and decisiveness.
'Who is he really? How could someone change so drastically so quickly?'
'The young lord has recruited someone formidable indeed.'
Whereas Gillian had seemed frail and defeated when they first met, now he exuded a powerful and intimidating aura.
Ghislain looked at him and remarked,
"Judging by your actions, it seems you've made your decision."
Gillian took a deep breath, then knelt before him.
"I pledge my loyalty to you, young lord."
"You won't regret it?"
"I've already had my life's greatest wish granted. I'll spend the rest of my days serving you."
His words held firm resolve. Ghislain helped him to his feet, smiling in satisfaction.
"Good to have you with us. Rachel will be well looked after in our territory, and her remaining treatment is guaranteed."
"Thank you."
With a playful expression, Ghislain changed the subject.
"Impressive. How did you manage to spot him so easily? None of my knights even noticed."
At this, Belinda and the knights' faces flushed in embarrassment.
Though they had sensed people outside the house, they hadn't been able to tell if they were foes or simply passersby.
Yet Gillian had identified and captured the man without a second thought.
"I could do it too!" Belinda protested indignantly. "I was just busy observing the treatment!"
Ghislain shrugged.
"It's fine. I didn't notice him either."
"Don't say it as if it's normal not to notice!" she retorted.
As Belinda fumed, Gillian answered matter-of-factly.
"I've been confined here for so long that I've grown attuned to unusual movements around the house."
Belinda pursed her lips, her pride wounded.
"But you could have been wrong or mistaken. People aren't perfect, you know."
"What matters most is the young lord's safety. If it turned out I was mistaken, I'd simply clean up afterward."
Gillian's unwavering response left Belinda and the knights uneasy.
As vassals, they couldn't act so recklessly; even a minor mistake could tarnish their master's reputation. But Gillian seemed unfazed by the possibility of an error or misunderstanding.
'It's my job to protect him,' Belinda thought to herself, feeling oddly possessive over Ghislain.
But she understood Gillian's feelings.
He had been a broken man, powerless beside his ailing daughter, hovering on the brink of despair.
For him, Ghislain had worked a miracle, saving his daughter. No doubt he'd be willing to sacrifice his life if Ghislain asked.
'Still, I never expected such a drastic change.'
His presence was overwhelming. A man like him would certainly draw attention—for better or worse.
As if reading none of her worries, Ghislain patted Gillian on the shoulder.
"Well done. I look forward to working together."
Gillian bowed his head.
"I will not disappoint you."
And so, Ghislain's carefully chosen ally, Gillian, officially joined their ranks.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]