The eyelids that were hiding hidden gems slowly lifted, revealing a pair of beautiful golden eyes beneath.
As soon as he saw that dazzling light, Alexander shut his eyes and raised his hand to block it.
His brow furrowed when he touched something wet. Alexander removed it from his forehead and opened his eyes to see what it was.
Nonetheless, he abruptly sat up after a wet towel in his grasp came into view, and hastily clutched his head the moment a wave of dizziness swept over him; he felt lightheaded.
'That's right… the war–no, Damian…'
"You're awake?"
Alexander turned to the voice and an old man was seen lifting the tent's curtains.
"...yeah."
Fedel walked towards a table and poured some water into the goblet, he then gave it to Alexander.
"Thanks."
He received the glass and drank it. However, he stopped drinking when he saw a white-haired boy who was lying on the bed across from him.
Fedel traced his golden eyes and they landed on Damian.
'He is still unconscious…'
Not without reason, that little imp cast two magic that required an enormous amount of mana which resulted in exhausting his Mana Core.
After witnessing his capabilities, that damn brat would reach Transcend's Tier in the future doubtlessly. He put down the cup and stared at his reflection in the water.
"How long have I been unconscious?'
"A day."
Alexander heaved a long sigh.
'I wasted so much more time than I originally thought.'
He immediately put down the goblet on the table and lifted the blanket, but before could put his toe down, Fedel moved next to his bed; blocking his feet from touching the ground.
Alexander raised one of his eyebrows and he looked at him with what's-the-meaning-of-this eyes.
"If you're trying to get out of bed, forget it. Because I won't allow it."
"Ha!"
The boy scoffed and in the next second, his calm eyes went feral.
"How dare you, a mere butler dare to get in my way?"
"The sun will be setting soon, for now, I suggest you get more rest."
Alexander sneered at Fedel's words.
"What sweet words you say. I clearly remember that you were always wary of me, why change?"
Silence filled the atmosphere after reciting his mockery. However, the old man just stood unmoving as if rooted and his black eyes gazed coldly at him.
To be honest, the only thing that made them work together was that they had the same goal, which was to kick Damian out of this war. Although the plan was ruined, they managed to protect him.
Now that they had won, Alexander thought that they had no reason to get entangled in each other's business. The deal ended when the war was over.
After a long pause, Fedel finally spoke.
"Unlike your mother, you mean no harm to my master."
Alexander didn't answer and just stared at the man in front of him indifferently. Of course, he never intended to hurt the little imp, be it in the previous or the current timeline.
Just because he was born from the villainess' womb, it didn't mean he was evil either. But, what came out of Fedel's mouth next was beyond his imagination.
"I trust you."
Alexander turned his head away. He didn't know how to react at this point, it was out of every scenario he had previously reckoned. In the end, he clucked his tongue and laid his body back on the bed.
"Fine. But in exchange, provide me with some information."
"Fair enough."
Fedel pulled a chair and sat down.
"You can begin with your queries."
Alexander looked at the tent's ceiling above.
"I need information about the people here."
–Flip –Flip –Flip
He turned to the sound and Fedel could be seen skimming through some papers.
"What's that?"
"A copy of postwar data."
'What the hell. If he had the data why not just give it to me? It's not like I can't read.'
Alexander sat and extended his hand.
"Give that to me."
"Just lie down, I'll read them for you."
Unbothered to look at him, Fedel continued browsing the papers in his hand and Alexander rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Oh, my. Damian must be lucky to have you. Do you always read him a storybook too?"
"Prince Damian could read books by himself at the age of three."
Alexander furrowed his brows, it was just sarcasm, why did he bother answering? And what was that? Did he just brag about his younger brother?
'Urg, whatever.'
In the end, he gave up and laid his back on the bed once more.
"From 1,000 Knights and 200 doctors. We lost 402 people; 223 infantry, 88 archers, 57 cavalries, and 34 doctors. The approximate survivors are 798 people; 277 infantry, 62 archers, 143 cavalries, and 166 doctors, excluding the refugees."
Alexander's mind flew.
"Is it… true?"
"Yes. It is."
"Ah…"
An exclamation escaped from his mouth, he never felt this kind of relief before, and warmth ignited in his heart.
"Although there are around 87 heavily injured and 524 refugees with minor injuries. The doctors worked fast and hard, you don't need to worry; they are fine now."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Alexander leaned his back on the headboard.
"By the way, who was in charge while I was unconscious?"
"It's Sir Ulrich."
Ho, no wonder the report was so detailed. Turned out it was administered by a professional.
"Uhh."
Alexander moaned as he stretched his arms. He felt so refreshed today, perhaps it was due to his burden just lifted.
Also, if it was handled by Sir Ulrich then everything should be fine. He could continue to rest and get his ass to work tomorrow.
Being stuck in a child's body really limited his stamina. He had even fainted after using a little bit of Elemental Sword's true power.
'Ah, I can't wait to grow up so damn soon.'
"Also, for your information, Sir Ulrich has reported the situation to His Majesty."
Alexander turned to the old man beside him.
'Actually, it's too soon, but…'
"Did you find out who was responsible for the attack?"
"Yes, as you had expected, it is the Yovanny Kingdom."
Fedel took something out of his pocket and handed it to him. His golden eyes eyed it intently.
The emblem in his hand was engraved with twin roses, a sword in the center, and a crown on top of the flowers.
And of course, it's unquestionably the national flag of the Yovannians, albeit it went the way it did in the previous timeline.
But now he found out that the shitty society was involved, Alexander felt uncertain. Something wasn't right…
"Do all enemy corpses have this emblem?"
Fedel nodded.
"All of them? Even the corpses in the forest?"
"Yes."
See? It was weird. Didn't half of them belong to that shitty organization, but suddenly all of them were Yovannians soldiers? It didn't make any sense at all.
Alexander knew something was strange and bugging him at the same time, but he had no idea what it was. He immediately massaged his temples as waves of headache swirled through his head.
As he thought, he had no talent for thinking, and the only thing he was good at was butchering people's heads.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm all right. Just feel dizzy."
"Then you should rest more."
"It seems so."
Fedel rose from his chair.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to prepare your dinner."
"Sure. Thanks for the information."
"You're welcome."
With that, he left and silence descended within the tent once again. He turned to the side and Damian who was lying on the bed came into view.
Alexander got on his feet and walked toward his bed. Damian's delicate face was seen and his complexion was peaceful, way too peaceful.
It flicked his conscience and his heart started to skip a bit. Alexander took his hand and held it. His little brother's serene expression reminded him of the past…
He wore the same expression when died in his arms and when he laid him in the coffin. Somehow, it brought back his bitter yore.
"You're not… dead, are you?"
***
I blinked my eyelids a few times before fully opening them. However, all I found was complete darkness. Unknowingly, my heart started racing and my breathing became rough.
I quickly raised my left hand and the moment it entered my sight, I clucked my tongue in annoyance.
"Tsk."
I sat and my eyes scanned the surroundings. Suddenly, a giant bright square light announced its presence before me. In the end, I couldn't help but massage my temples.
'Not this damned place again!'
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦