TLVGAJ 30

~Chapter 30~

I felt the warmth of soft bedding and smiled faintly in my sleep.

…Mmm. So cozy.

As always, the luxury of the first-class cabin lived up to its reputation—even the bedding was worth the price.

And the sound of the Lamier Express… even the rumble of the train was pleasant to hear…

…Wait.

Did I just say train sound?

My eyes snapped open.

Clank, clank—the unmistakable sound of a train rolling down the tracks echoed in my ears.

Through the large window beside me, scenery whizzed past at great speed.

“…Ugh.”

I pressed my aching head. Only then did the memories rush back.

The poachers who had surrounded us.

The moonlit battle in the forest.

And the overwhelming force that had burst out of me, toppling them all.

…What was that?

Almost unconsciously, I placed my hand over the left side of my chest—over my heart—when the door opened and Sophie came in.

“Milady! You’re awake. Are you feeling better?”

“…Sophie.”

She carried a damp cloth and a basin.

“How long was I asleep? Has the train already departed?”

“Yes. You’ve been out for quite a while. You had a slight fever, but it’s gone now.”

“I see…”

Now that she mentioned it, I remembered sweating a little in my sleep. I nodded.

“The doctor we rushed in said there didn’t seem to be anything seriously wrong with your body. But that’s probably because he doesn’t know your exact condition, milady.”

Sophie rummaged through a bag and pulled something out, holding it toward me.

“Here. The physician left this for emergencies. You should take it, just in case.”

“….”

“I’ve been thinking, and… I believe it was a case of mana rampage.”

What she handed me was… a violet pill.

[This medicine forcibly suppresses mana. You’ve been taking it ever since mana was first discovered in your body as a child. However, since it accumulates within you, it’s better not to take it unless necessary. Only use it if you experience a rampage while traveling.]

I remembered my personal physician’s warnings before this journey.

Since childhood, when mana was first discovered in Irene’s body, she had been under constant supervision. Thanks to that, she’d never actually experienced a rampage.

But the physician had warned: if she stopped taking the medicine, something like this could happen.

So… that power had been mana?

…I can’t be certain yet.

But it was the most convincing explanation.

Without the medicine, under extreme stress, the mana inside me had erupted uncontrollably.

“It’s a shame we don’t have the physician himself here for more precise treatment. But if it truly was a rampage, then just taking this pill should help.”

“…All right. Thank you, Sophie.”

Obediently, I took the pill she handed me.

Truthfully, Irene’s body hated this medicine. Since it tampered with mana, it always left a sickening, burning sensation afterward.

It was also one reason Irene had become more hysterical over time.

But I accepted it quietly, because—

“And I’m sorry, Sophie. I acted too rashly and nearly put everyone in danger.”

I felt guilty—for Sophie, and for Deon.

Honestly, part of it was also an attempt to improve Irene’s image.

But this time, I had been reckless. I needed to admit it.

I had nearly lost people precious to me.

“It’s all right. Honestly, I only said those things because I was worried for you. I do believe your intentions were good, milady.”

After a brief pause, Sophie added softly:

“But I hope you won’t push yourself too hard. With your health as it is… to us, your servants, you are truly irreplaceable.”

“…Mm. I understand. Thank you.”

I smiled warmly at her kind words, then pushed myself up.

Sophie gasped and hurried to steady me.

“Where are you going, milady?”

“I need to see Eric.”

I owed him thanks—another comrade in that battle.

I made my way to Albert’s cabin, where Eric was staying.

It was right next door, close to mine.

As I approached, I heard a strange sound from inside.

Huh…?

It was a man’s moaning—“Oh, oh…”—and another sighing heavily.

…What on earth?

I knocked softly. One of Albert’s men opened the door.

Inside, sprawled dramatically on the bed, was Eric—groaning like a dying man.

“I’m done for… I’m dying… Oh—milady?”

“….”

The supposed dying man sat up at the sight of me, tilting his head.

Albert, who had been sighing beside him, also looked over blankly.

“Milady, you’ve finally awakened. Are you well?”

“Yes. As you can see, I’m fine. I just came to check on Eric.”

“Ah, I see.”

“…If it’s all right, could I speak with Eric alone?”

I glanced at Albert cautiously.

He crossed his arms, looked between us, and—surprisingly—left without protest.

Right… I still need to clear up Albert’s misunderstanding.

Back in Sinks, he had stared at me while I urgently sought Eric to confirm what I’d seen.

I had wanted Eric’s help, not because I had any special feelings for him—but Albert had no way of knowing that.

Yet before I could explain, the door shut firmly behind him.

Turning to Eric, I reminded myself of why I’d come.

“…Are you feeling better? You sounded like you were in pain when I came in.”

Since I’d overheard his moaning, I asked carefully.

Eric blinked, then chuckled sheepishly.

“Ah—truthfully, I’m not hurt at all. I was just pretending so Albert wouldn’t kick me out.”

“…Really?”

So that was it. I laughed softly.

Eric’s odd streak clearly wasn’t going anywhere.

“But milady—are you truly all right? You collapsed, and I was worried.”

“…Ah.”

“I’d heard you suffered from mana-related illness, but the amount of mana you hold… it’s considerable.”

He went on seriously:

“As a holy knight, I’ve seen such cases before, but it was still shocking. Had those poachers not been standing in front of me, I might have been swept away as well.”

I listened in silence, then suddenly laughed.

“You’re right. I didn’t expect such a rampage either… but in the end, it did help us defeat the poachers.”

“True. Still… I must admit, I was surprised.”

“…Surprised?”

“Yes. I never imagined you were such a selfless person, milady.”