Sylvester didn’t know how important the Princess was to her brother or if she had received permission from her brother, the King, to seek them and explain things. But he decided to keep her close if things came to a point where he had to force the King.

As for the Princess, he held no repulsive thoughts since she did not lie the whole time. She did heal Sir Dolorem in the past and seemed sincere about helping him heal now. But on a side note, Sylvester felt she wanted to ensure Sir Dolorem lives to save her kingdom from peril.

So, he allowed her to see Sir Dolorem while the blockade cleared up. But, as their boat started to move ahead, the guards of the Princess also followed behind. But he didn’t mind, as they wouldn’t be allowed inside the Holy Land anyway.

“Knights pledged to my family did this?” Princess Isabella sat beside Sir Dolorem’s body in shock. Seeing how badly the man was injured had shaken her belief towards her brother too.

“They sure did since one of them is lying without a face and two without hearts.” Felix blurted.

Sylvester, however, didn’t care to make small talk with her. “Can you help him or not? If not, then go and sit on that corner.”

She nodded strongly and placed her hand on Sir Dolorem’s injured, covered chest. “I-I can… I think. At least help him stay alive until we reach the Holy Land. I can use magic to turn the blood of anyone to suit another. But it can only be done if I do it with my own active magic.”

Sylvester eyed her in a bit of jealousy and wondered if he could learn it. With this, he can kill his enemies and use their blood to heal himself or his allies.

“How much do you need? Does it have any specifications?” He questioned.

“It must belong to a human. That’s the only requirement.” She answered.

Sylvester kept a straight face, but deep down, he was cursing. ‘I don’t fit this in any case imaginable. Are elves considered human? Likely not, even if they look so similar. But if I don’t offer my blood, then who will?’

He looked around and noticed a sense of confusion. Everyone was waiting for Sylvester to jump at the opportunity, but he was still silent.

‘I need to divert their line of thought.’

“Gab, can you do it this time? If I gave my blood, I wouldn’t be able to fight in case something happened. Lady Aurora and I are the strongest walls keeping us safe right now.” He asked in a solemn, serious voice.

Lady Aurora thankfully agreed with his argument. “Indeed. Until we reach the Holy Land, we don’t know who we can trust.”

“I shall help too.” Bishop Lazark added.

“No! I will!” Gabriel barked. “Bishop Lazark already looks like he’s just one step away from death. Look at his pale skin. He’s white as cotton. No, we can’t have him falling too. I will give the blood required.” 𝗼𝘃𝗹.𝗼𝐫𝗴

“It’s just my skin colour due to the absence of exposure to direct sunlight.” Bishop Lazark clarified, but none trusted him. The man was too thin.

“Please rest beside Sir Dolorem then, Priest.” Princess Isabella meekly spoke.

So, they all saw as the Princess used magic of some sort and a thin little tube made of sheep skip to first extract blood from Gabriel by making a small incision on his arm. She then used the same tube, made a similar incision in Sir Dolorem’s hand, and used her magic to attach it.

Sylvester stood close, analysing and memorising every move she made. But slowly, it became hard to focus as the magic started to seem too complex, not to mention beautiful.

It was a mix of runes and incantations. She first moved one hand over the container of blood. In an instant, four parallel layers of green runes appeared. They were all circular with intricate patterns inside.

Then, the blood started to shine in white light. At the same time, she placed her other palm on the hand to which the tube was connected. Here, she used similar runes, but they were five-layered.

‘This is brilliant! She’s using five layers of runes, where it’s hard for even an Archwizard to do more than three. But is her mastery just related to healing, or is it all kinds of magic?’ Sylvester was in awe of this woman’s skills.

But soon, it became apparent that her internal strength was not much. Her forehead started to sweat profusely, and her eyes dilated. She also started to pant while chanting some incantations to activate magic and intensify the effects of the runes.

Slowly, she put all the blood taken from Gabriel into Sir Dolorem. It was unknown what kind of magic it was or if it was just a mutation in her, but it was clear that she was indeed a medical genius who just lacked some experience.

“Sir Dolorem will need better care now, as we can only heal the internal damage in the specialised surgery rooms with expert help.” Princess Isabella wiped her head and dragged herself away from Sir Dolorem to sit beside the wall.

Sylvester went ahead and gave her a glass of water. He reckoned that being kind to her could bring benefits he had not foreseen. “Thank you for your help. His breathing and pulse seem normal now.”

Bishop Lazark seconded that. “Indeed. He’s much more stable, albeit still in danger.”

Princess Isabella silently nodded and looked around at everyone for the first time in calmness. She only glanced at Lady Aurora, while Bishop Lazark seemed a bit freaky. Sylvester was handsome enough to make her blush while looking at Felix poking his nose made her shake her head. The only normal one seemed Gabriel, but even he took out a random book about religious philosophy and started reading it beside Sir Dolorem.

Sylvester smelled a mix of scents that could only mean amusement. “This is normal.”

She hummed sheepishly. “L-Lord Bard… I can understand your anger, but believe me, I didn’t know Sir Dolorem was attacked outside.”

Sylvester didn’t react much. “He was likely on the run. When he wakes up, we shall know everything. For now, you should pray that your elder brother is not behind this. But worry not; if he’s not guilty, I shall drop you at your home safely.”

She nervously rubbed her hands together as Sylvester sat beside her, resting his back on the wall. “I… I’m a little scared… This is the first time I’ve stepped outside Green City. My mother was very strict with me, and my brother is overprotective.”

‘A trapped princess then, which means a highly impressionable mind. Hmm… can I mould her my way?’

“The world is full of insane, vile monsters—most often than not, they look just like us. Looking at you, I can understand why they feared for your safety. Your beauty must be coveted or envied by many in the higher nobility.” He complimented her strategically.

She blushed and looked at his face. “You’re very handsome too, Lord Bard. I’m sure many women must go mad for you.”

‘Your mother included, sadly.’

Of course, he won’t say that out loud. But he acknowledged the compliment. What he was trying to do was create an impression in her brain. Impression of a strong, mature and reliable man with a good face and voice. Something she would later remember forever and may even long to see again.

“Oh, you have no idea how often I’ve been asked for marriage by rich noble women. I remember once a woman in a celebration held at Fort Sunflower asked me to make her a mother.”

“What!” Princess Isabella’s jaw fell. “How could a noblewoman be so… vile?”

He shrugged. “That’s just a moderate example, your highness. Anyway, unfortunately for all women, I’m already married.”

This time, her shoulders fell too. Not just her, but Lady Aurora, who was snooping on them and Felix, who was enviously staring at him too, showed a reaction.

“What? What are you saying, Lord bard?” Princess Isabella asked in utter confusion.

Sylvester chuckled and stood up. He first went to Sir Dolorem’s body, checked the pulse, and then moved to his large bag taken from the carriage earlier. Then, before anyone knew it, in his arms was the violin.

“Of course… Even Lady Aurora is married, as are Bishop Lazark, Felix and Gabriel. We’re all married to Solis.”

He sat back beside Princess Isabella and started to play the violin in a pleasing tune while humming mostly. The lyrics were rare and spontaneous.

He’s your servant; please grace his body.

With your light and the warmth that you embody.

Show us, O’ great lord, just once—a miracle.

Save one great man, for the world’s full of the cynical…?

He mainly sang for the betterment of Sir Dolorem, never breaking the halo that shined behind his head, even when humming as he spoke the words under his breath. All that, in response, made the room on the boat warm, as well as the many hearts.

Princess Isabella, who saw the legendary Bard in action for the first time, was the most affected as she was the closest to him. Her eyes simply shined at each verse he sang. Nevertheless, her face would remain the same—blissful.

Sylvester could see it already, as many walls of reservations were being broken. He knew he had a great cheat on his hands as people trusted him a bit too easily after seeing him sing and shine. But, he cared not, for this was a great game; if he didn’t play it—someone would play him.

It took them nearly half a day to reach the Blood Sea in the East, and from there, they took a left and slowly proceeded into the Pope’s Peninsula, where the specialised sick bay existed, reserved for the high-ranked clergy.

They didn’t waste a minute and took Sir Dolorem to the small but highly sophisticated sick bay. However, since it was reserved for folks of high importance, like Sylvester, Felix, Lady Aurora or Bishop Lazark, Sir Dolorem was denied entry, for he carried no special rank.

But Sylvester took the old Bishop sitting at the admission desk to the side. “He is a man of great importance, for he’s close to Lord Inquisitor, and… the prime suspect behind the attempt on his life is King Harold Gracia.”

The second half of the bomb was effective enough to make them hurry around and take Sir Dolorem in. After that, a senior healer team was seen entering the surgery room.

They were all left to wait outside the room.

Sylvester didn’t know for sure what they would do inside without modern technology. But he just hoped Sir Dolorem didn’t suffer any serious damage.

Thump!

Thump!

However, half an hour later, sudden sounds of a metallic object hitting the ground and someone walking towards them echoed.

Everyone was tired and looked to the side, only to find the sick bay staff on their knees.

Thud!

In an instant, Felix, Gabriel and Bishop Lazark took to the ground on one knee and kept their arms crossed on their chests to salute.

Slowly, Sylvester also took to his knee and tiredly addressed the tall man draped in red robes and a pointy helmet with a visor. “May the Holy Light enlighten us, Inquisitor High Lord.”

The giant man looked at Sylvester and then at the gate leading to the surgery room. His heavy voice soon boomed, albeit him speaking low. “So the diseased lands have started to rot—enough that honest good men are being caught. Speak, favoured child—what has you so bedevilled?”

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