Chapter 18: I Prefer Everyday Life Over Being a Selected One (1)
"Damn it…"
I pressed down on the worst wound on Maschenny's abdomen, but the blood kept gushing out. And the stomach wasn't the only problem—everywhere else she was cut, the bleeding was just as bad.
For a Princess of Zahard to deteriorate to this extent was nearly impossible—under normal circumstances. But of all times, she pushed herself to the limit and then swallowed and the rebound was returning several times harsher than usual.
Damn, this idiot.
You use that when you're barely skilled with it? I get that you like fighting, but have some sense of self-preservation.
"Medical team! I said call the medical team!"
My eyes darted around and fixed on Maschenny's so-called "assigned Ranker." He clearly understood how severe her condition was, yet he didn't look urgent at all. In fact, he calmly watched with a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
What?
For a moment, I couldn't comprehend the situation. A Ranker neglecting the very Princess he's supposed to protect? I didn't have time to deal with him, so I kept applying pressure to Maschenny while scanning the area.
None of the Arie family members were in sight.
I looked to the spectators—other 10 Family members.
Not a single one of them had any intention of calling medical help.
They just observed with amusement. A few young heirs, still relatively untainted, panicked and tried to call for help… but their own Rankers stopped them.
After all, Maschenny was their competition. If she died or was crippled here, that was to their advantage.
Especially the Khun family—they looked almost pleased. Are these bastards really from the same family?
Fine. I was the strange one for hoping for help in this filthy mud pit of competition. Go ahead and preach about the Tower's almighty "law of the strong." I couldn't care less.
I picked Maschenny up in my arms. If no one would help, I'd just run her to the workshop's medical facility myself.
Crackle—!
Just then, a figure wreathed in blue lightning blocked my path—it was Maschenny's Ranker. He stood in front of me, electricity crackling around him as he threatened me.
"What do you think you're doing? How dare you touch a Princess of Zahard without permission? Put her down. She's not someone you can lay hands on."
Ha. I almost laughed. Dangerous levels of indifference for someone supposedly worried about his Princess.
This bastard…
Everything finally connected. Maschenny joined this competition partly for the thrill—but also for political advantage within the Khun family. And this guy was from the opposing faction.
"You're neglecting your duty, so I'm doing it for you. Move."
"Heh. And what do you know about my duty? You've gotten arrogant. Beat a Princess of Zahard and now you look down on Rankers?"
The electricity danced threateningly close to me.
"You're not even a Regular yet. Meaning, I could kill you right here. A Princess of Zahard doesn't die easily. I'll say it one last time—put her do—huh?!"
Slash—!
A white blade appeared out of nowhere and grazed him. It was my Ranker—Arie Leblanc. Her sword.
"You insane bastard. I step away for one moment and you're already doing this shit? Her official Ranker is standing right here."
The Khun Ranker froze, clearly rattled. He must've intended to execute the plan while she was gone, only for her to return much sooner than expected.
"Hey, Hoaqin. I already called the medical staff, but the hospital's basically next door anyway, so I'll run. Hold her tight so she doesn't drop, and grab my hand."
"Yes, sis."
Slash—!
She struck the Khun Ranker again.
"Ghk—! What are you—!"
"You pissed me off. That's what. See you later."
Gathering shinsu into her feet, she leapt high, crossing the distance to the hospital in mere seconds.
I rushed to place Maschenny inside the treatment machine.
....
Machines hummed with a sound I'd only expect from a hospital on Earth. Considering this era is ancient history compared to the Tower's main storyline, their technology already surpasses Earth's.
"Since she's an extraordinary individual, she's recovering rapidly. Honestly, even without treatment, she likely would've survived…"
I glared at the head physician. He quickly corrected himself.
"A-Ah! No, no. Thanks to you bringing her quickly, treatment was successful. Had you been any later, the blood loss could have been fatal. Hahaha…"
Maschenny still slept inside the capsule. According to the doctor, she would wake up by tomorrow.
"Um… Hoaqin-nim, do you really not need treatment yourself?"
He looked at me with concern. My hands were drenched in blood, my arms burned, my body cut and bruised. Honestly, aside from staying conscious, I wasn't any better than Maschenny. If anything, the internal injuries from her lightning probably left me worse off. I had been using shinsu this entire time to smooth the damage inside my body.
"…Yeah. I should get treated."
"A wise decision. Many of the 10 Family heirs refuse treatment out of pride, even when they desperately need it. As a doctor, it breaks my heart."
I stepped into the capsule next to Maschenny's.
"Rest. I'm stepping out for a bit."
"Yes, sis."
....
The artificial sunlights turned off, leaving the room dim and shadowed like night.
A middle-aged man with blue hair and blue eyes smiled in satisfaction as he pulled out his Pocket.
A Princess of Zahard looking so disgraceful… and her relationship with that Arie boy looks suspicious as well…
Reporting this to his family—no, his faction—would prove extremely useful. His own standing within the faction would rise tremendously.
If things go well, we might even strip her of the title of Princess.
Especially her relationship with that Arie boy. With the right spin, he could frame it as violating the Princess' strict rules.
The man chuckled quietly and darkly, and pressed the Pocket number belonging to the head of his faction.
Just as he activated the call—
Slash—!
A white blade severed his wrist.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
"I said we'd talk later. I tend to keep my promises."
It was the woman who sat beside him earlier in the stands—Arie Leblanc, Hoaqin's assigned Ranker.
In her hands were two white swords.
"G-gah! A-are you insane?! Attacking me, a Ranker of the Khun family, without warning?!"
"The insane one is you, Khun Marsh Eto. You threatened to kill a direct descendant of the Arie family—a 10 Family heir under my protection. You even attempted it. I think compensation is in order."
"Ridiculous…! Even if you're from the Arie family, you think you'll get away with this?!"
"Yup."
She answered simply, then charged forward wielding her twin white blades.
Her speed made the fierce battle between Hoaqin and Maschenny earlier look like child's play.
Khun Marsh Eto desperately tried to form a lightning spear.
But Leblanc had no intention of waiting.
Thunk—
One blade pierced his heart.
The other stabbed clean through his throat.
"Guh…ah…"
"You got way too full of yourself."
Leblanc pulled out her swords, flicked the blood off, and strolled away casually.
Khun Marsh Eto's ambition died out with the last beats of his heart.
....
In the silent medical room, everyone was asleep.
Hoaqin, too, breathed softly in deep slumber.
Amid the absolute quiet, a girl with blue hair and blue eyes slowly opened her eyes.
Her body was almost fully healed, and the machine radiated a warm, comforting pulse.
She glanced to the side and saw the white-haired boy sleeping peacefully beside her.
"..."
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