"...Mmm."
A faint warmth filled Lynn's ice-cold hands. As two or three fingers began to move slightly, Sean, startled by the movement, leaned in closer.
"Lynn, Lynn! Are you waking up?"
Her tightly closed eyelids slowly parted. The dim surroundings, at first unclear, gradually came into focus, revealing an ochre-colored ceiling above her.
With some effort, she turned her head to the side and saw a middle-aged man whose face looked like it might burst into tears at any moment.
As soon as she saw him, her large eyes filled with tears.
"Ah... Father... sob."
The girl muffled her cries, and Sean's heart sank once more. He realized that the 'father' she had called for wasn't meant for him.
Even so, he was overjoyed that his daughter had awakened. For the first time in days, his tense features relaxed into a warm smile.
"Sweetie, are you waking up?"
Her focus returned, and her hazy eyes cleared. She looked at Sean quietly, confusion etched on her face.
"Sweetie?"
As she stayed silent despite his gentle prodding, Sean watched her anxiously. Her dry lips began to part slowly.
"...Excuse me, but who are you?"
He had imagined this moment countless times and promised himself he would stay calm, but the pain in his heart was real. Sean whispered, trying to hold back his sorrow.
"I'm Sean. Your... father."
"Father?"
The word 'Father' hung in the air as her eyes filled with tears again. In an instant, she pushed herself up and threw herself into Sean's arms without hesitation.
"Father!!"
"...Yes, my daughter."
Sean gently stroked Lynn's back as she sobbed, her shoulders shaking. His heart ached.
As his warm touch comforted her, Lynn's trembling body gradually calmed, and her breathing steadied. Sean then carefully pulled back and asked softly, "Are you alright?"
Her vacant stare, which had been lost in the air, slowly shifted to him. A question, brimming with confusion, escaped her lips.
"...Who am I?"
***
Blaine faced her as she sat on the hard, white-tinged bed. Behind him stood Sean, Hwai, Sahan, and a few subordinates.
The woman with jet-black hair met the gazes of those around her with guarded eyes. A profound silence enveloped the room; no one dared to speak first.
It was Blaine who broke the stillness, his mouth curving rhythmically as he spoke.
"Do you recognize who I am?"
In response, she cast aside her distrustful glance, trying to recollect, her listless expression momentarily wrinkling. But as if struggling to remember, she shook her head.
"...No."
"So, you don't remember..."
Blaine's lips curled into a wide grin, stretching to his ears, his weathered eyes sparkling like a predator spotting its prey.
"Where is this place?" she asked, bewilderment evident in her voice.
Blaine responded gently, "This is where you'll be staying from now on, my dear."
"Where was I originally from?"
She glanced quickly at Sean, standing beside her. He could only wear an expression of boundless sorrow.
"That place was none other than here, Bliderin."
Even as the truth twisted around her, she remained silent, not protesting. Sahan, watching from behind, exchanged a glance with Hwan and chuckled softly, seemingly entertained by her quiet acceptance.
After a moment of silence with her head bowed, she furrowed her brow and asked Blaine another question.
"What is my name?"
"It's Lynn."
"...Lynn."
After Blaine's brief response, the young woman repeated her name to herself, struggling to grasp any memory of her current circumstances. She felt stifled, as if her thoughts were completely obstructed.
"A regrettable incident has led to a momentary setback."
"What kind of accident was it?"
"You were sent on a mission with this group, but unfortunately sustained an injury."
Blaine gave a short, deft nod behind him, a skilled smile playing on his lips. Lynn's gaze, which had been lingering on him, shifted to follow his gesture.
Her eyes darted between Hwan and Sahan before settling on Sahan's right shoulder, which was supported by a thin splint and wrapped in reddish bandages. She stared at his shoulder, her lips parting in a daze.
"A mission?"
"Yes. You were a warrior. And an exceptionally capable one at that."
His words flowed smoothly, and not a single person raised an objection.
Lynn bowed her head and spread out her hands. True to his words, her pale, soft hands were riddled with calluses.
Blaine observed her closely, wetting his lips. Everything was unfolding as he had planned. He spoke, maintaining a warm smile.
"As your mind isn't quite clear yet, take some time to rest. When you've recovered, you will hone your skills through training once more."
"...Yes."
"Everything will soon return to how it was."
"..."
"So don't worry too much."
Blaine lifted his white, gnarled hand and patted her head once. Without moving her body, she looked down at her own hands once more.
Could I even grip a sword? The thought crossed her mind hazily. As of now, she couldn't be sure of anything.
***
As Blaine walked into the office, he let out a sardonic chuckle. He turned to Hwan and Sahan, who had followed him, and issued a curt order.
"You're to oversee Lynn's training, Hwai. Make certain she recovers her skills promptly."
"..."
"I suppose Sahan would feel a bit awkward, wouldn't he?"
Blaine cast a fleeting glance at Sahan's right shoulder before moving to the left side of the room to uncap a glass bottle. The rich, green fragrance of Vernleaf Tree leaves filled the air.
As Blaine dropped three or four Vernleaf Tree leaves into an opulent, jewel-adorned teacup and poured hot water over them, Hwan steeled himself to speak.
"Might I suggest assigning Garnet to oversee her training, Blaine?"
"What, uncomfortable facing that girl?"
Hwan remained silent in response. Seeing this as tacit agreement, Blaine continued as he stirred the water infused with Vernleaf Tree leaves using a long straw.
"That girl requires skillful management."
"..."
"Rather than completely rehabilitating Lynn's sword skills, we must carefully calibrate them, restoring only what's useful to our cause. Should she devolve into a liability..."
Blaine savored a mouthful of the freshly brewed tea. His eyes flashed with a piercing glint.
"It would be quite a predicament."
"..."
"Hence, taking everything into account, Hwai, you were the best choice. Moreover, you've witnessed her sword skills firsthand."
"..."
"Therefore, follow my orders."
The tone made it clear that no further defiance would be tolerated. Hwan lowered his head slightly; raising any more objections would be futile.
"Yes, sir."
"If her memories were to return, what are your thoughts on how to handle it?"
Unable to contain his curiosity any longer, Sahan, who had been quietly standing by, posed a question. Blaine paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face, then slowly made his way to his scabbard.
The scabbard's exterior was adorned with rare dark blue minerals, known to be scarce in the territory, arranged in a pattern reminiscent of plant vasculature. Blaine smiled as he tenderly stroked the three-dimensional dark blue gems.
"Let's see. If it loses its worth no matter how hard we try, there won't be any alternatives."
"..."
"Should she show any defiance, then, Hwai, it will fall to you to silence her permanently."
"...Yes, sir."
"Let's hope such an unfortunate event doesn't occur."
Blaine continued, his voice devoid of emotion. Yet, a brief spark of something different flickered in his otherwise murky eyes.
"In consideration of Sean, at least."