Tensei Oujo wa Kyou mo Hata o Tatakioru - Chapter 82

Chapter 82

With a thud, Klaus stopped moving .

   I had a bad feeling something had happened but I didn’t know what it was . I repeatedly called out to him to shake away my anxiety while rushing out with my heart irritatingly beating as fast as it could .

   Klaus collapsed on the spot as soon as I reached the upper deck . I caught his tense shoulder before his knees hit the floorboards when I noticed an arrow protruding out of his back . Naturally, my eyes went wide in shock .

“Kla…us?”

   I could not believe it . I could not believe what I saw . I tried to call out his name but what came out instead was barely audible .

   Placing my hand against his chest, I confirmed that it was completely disturbed . Shallow wheezing sounds leaked out from his mouth . I couldn’t see him very well as my tears fell, blurring my vision .

   Klaus sat still like a doll that had its strings cut . Both of his hands resting on the deck twitched slightly .

   At that moment his body leaned towards me . I was standing up straight and tried to prop him up, but in the end couldn’t endure the weight .

   I then placed my hands around his back and managed to hold us together somehow, when a warm feeling spread onto the palm of my hands .

   The distinct smell of rusted iron told me exactly what it was . Unlike blood from small scratches that was hard and cold, this red liquid was lukewarm, raw and was leaking out of his body . Flowing out of a living being .

“…Klaus?”

   I called him with a voice full of doubt and he did not reply . No, he didn’t respond at all .

   With a pained desperation, I shut my eyes tight . His complexion was becoming pale and started to crumble .

“Klaus!… Klaus!!”

He might not open his eyes ever again .  Terrible thoughts invaded my mind and I raised my voice to shut them all out .

“Mary!”

   Someone strongly shook my shoulder .

   I steadily recovered and pulled myself together . A gentle voice whispered to my ear .

“Wolf?”

“Yes . I’m here . ”

   A small sigh escaped him seeing that I responded . I then gazed at Klaus who was still on his knees .

   Wolf’s expression deepened as he observed Klaus . After looking around, he noticed something and ran up to it . It was a bucket with an arrow sticking out on one side .

   He pulled out the arrow, sniffed it and licked the arrowhead with the tip of his tongue . Even deeper brows carved themselves on his face .

   Wolf immediately spat out his saliva and returned back to us .

“Mary, find something for your brother to bite on . ”

“Eh…?”

Even if you used a serious face to tell me that . I couldn’t understand . My head was in a haywire .

“Will this do?”

   Miss Bianca answered for me, whose head was still confused . She opened his jaw wide and stuffed it full with cloth .

   As I was supporting Kluas’ shoulder, Miss Bianca consoled me as if a child, and asked that I leave the rest to her .

   Miss Bianca then supported Klaus’ body in my stead .

“I’m going to pull it out . ”

“… His bleeding will get worse . Isn’t it better to leave it in as a plug?”

   Wolf handed the arrow to Miss Bianca and answered in a low voice .

“It’s poisoned . ”

   Poison .

   The word repeated in my fuzzy head . I heard the word but my brain refused to accept its meaning .  Don’t listen . A part of my heart resisted .

   Wolf grabbed the arrow and pulled it out in one motion . Fresh blood sprayed onto the floor followed by Klaus’ muffled scream .

“Someone bring me my bag from my room! Also get clean water and cloth! Don’t forget to boil the water!”

   Wolf shouted to the surroundings . The sailors who could still move ran around carrying out his instructions .

“Hold him down!”

   Wolf told Bianca as he started to suck out the poison with his mouth, spitting it out on the deck and repeat .

   Prior to this, the pirates all had disappeared from the deck .

   A mountain of wordless corpses piled up high in front of the red-stained sky . I thought that dawn had come, but that wasn’t the case at all . In front of us, a ship was burning passionately in the lightless sky .

   A galley ship floating in the murky ocean was wrapped in sparkling flame . A beastly scream echoed and a person wrapped in flames jumped into the night sea, all seemed like slow motion . It was fit to say it looked like an incarnation of Hell .

   I could only stare at that scene on the verge of screaming . A bird took flight into the night sky illuminated by the flames promptly followed by a flock of black birds, as if the black smoke itself, and disappear into the jet black clouds .

“Ah… Aaaaah…”

   I heard a small groan .

   Amongst those who were running around, there were those who sat helplessly like me .

   It was Miss Flora that was grasping his body while shedding tears .

“It’s my fault… It was all my…”

   A small mumble escaped her lips as I stared at Klaus lying on the floor .

“I’m sor-… I’m sorry…”

   Miss Flora casted her eyes my way . However, I didn’t know if her apology was directed at me or him .

   She said it was her fault . I could not deny that . I was not so strong that I could forgive her, and I knew it was not fair .

   That’s right . I thought . But would condemning her get rid of this painful ache in my chest? If I blame her, would it be easier for me?

   My eyes were fixed on Klaus’ pale complexion .

“Mary!”

“…”

   My name was called .

   But I had no heart to reply . I left my call unanswered and slowly turned my face towards the voice . Wolf stared back with deep worry on his face . I wonder if you’ll be disappointed . I wonder if you’ll get angry . Whatever . Anything is fine… It doesn’t matter anymore .

   Wolf’s expression was now beyond grim, as if he saw me having lifeless eyes .

   Wolf stood up, approached us and kneeled down next to me .

   His serious eyes reflected back in mine .

“Even though I promised to protect him . I am sorry that I made a promise I couldn’t keep . ”

   Said Wolf as he lowered his head .

   I blinked a few times in bewilderment .

“But I will never let him die . I swear by the name of Wolf K . Lucca . ”

“… Never?”

“Yes . This time I will surely keep my promise!”

   When I gave a small reply, Wolf answered with a hearty laugh .

   Never letting him die . Don’t die . Klaus is not going to die .  When I told myself so, the senses in my body gradually returned .

   I looked down at Klaus once more .

   I extended my fingertips towards his hand .

“Klaus…”

   The hand that I had grasped will not clasp back .

   But the warmth was still there, as blood circulated through his veins .

“Hey mister! Is this the luggage you wanted?”

“Yeah! Thank you!”

   Wolf received his luggage from the sailor and started spreading it on the deck .

“Anyone has a light?”

“Oi! Bring a torch over here!”

   Wolf’s luggage contained many smaller things . A small knife and various different metals that I didn’t know what they were used for . Small bottles filled with liquid and vessels . This looked similar to a pestle and mortar set .

“The poison used by the pirates in this area was probably made from fish and plants . Judging by the smell and taste…”

  Wolf focused on his task with amazing concentration all while murmuring something to himself . He took out a parcel, emptied its contents and picked a few things without hesitation .

   There were dried leaves and roots of some plants inside the parcel . What was it? The combination, kneading and grinding . I understood that it was familiar to me .

“I’ve got the boiling water!”

   Paul declared and handed me the can .

   He had blood-stained bandages wrapped all over his body . He was desperately trying to not show the pain on his face .

   Why are you trying so hard?

   I was at a loss for words and realised that I only looked up . Paul leaned forward until his eyes were on the same level as mine and stroked my head thoroughly .

“Lil’ Miss . Don’t ya cry . Everybody’s helping yer brother get back on his feet . ”

“… Wh-?”

“Hn?”

“Why are you helping me?”

   Paul’s eyes were surprised at my question .

   While still puzzled, he told me it was ‘only natural’ .

“You’ve helped us out countless times . Now it’s our turn to return yer kindness . ”

“Eh…”

“On top of that, yer brother fought while helping me . Even in this unpleasant situation . I’ll have you know that all the people on this ship owe you brother sister pair a lot of gratitude . ”

   ‘Look, see?’ Following where he pointed, I saw Mia rushing up the stairs to help us .

“Umm! I’ve brought an unused cloth that you wanted!”

“Miss, you look pale . Are you sure you’re alright? Can someone please bring me a blanket over here!”

   Mr . Yang, who brought some more boiling water, surveyed my face and grazed my eyebrows .

   Looking carefully, everyone who could move was busy running around treating others . A number of people that cared for me and Klaus gathered here anxiously . An encouraging voice could be heard every now and then .

“…”

   My breathing muffled and the back of my eyes became slightly hot . As my nose clogged up, tears started rolling down . Even though I had been crying all this time, I was amazed more tears could come out .

   But, they were different .

   Because these were not tears of sorrow .

   I wiped away these emerging tears with my shaken hands .

   This was no time to cry . It was also not a time to be blaming others .

   Throwing away things that you should do and cry won’t make things better .

   Don’t stop! Start moving!

   Keep on going on . That’s my motto .

“I’ll help you, Wolf . ”

“Mary… You-”

“I’m alright now . ”

   Wolf was taken aback and looked at me .

   However, that only lasted for a few seconds . He quickly recovered and gave me instructions .

“Then I’d like you to cool down the water and start washing his wounds . ”

“Yes!”

   I did as I was asked to do . I poured the water onto the cloth and spread it out to cool it down and then I washed Klaus’ wounds with it . Since Klaus was still unconscious, he didn’t react .

   I worried about the ever flowing blood but I was sure it was the poison at work . Also, wouldn’t using hot water make the poison less effective instead of normal water?

   I followed his instructions to the letter and proceeded with the treatment .

   I slit his clothes apart with a knife, removed them and wiped off the blood . Red liquid dyed fresh new cloths again and again . I shook my head to escape from the fear and kept on working .

   After applying Wolf’s medicine I moved on to the hemostatic treatment .

   I pressed down on the bandages I applied after treatment . Ideally I wanted to go somewhere else for more bandages but before I could ask Miss Bianca, I had to swallow my words because of the figure behind her .

“… Miss Flora . ”

“Huh?”

   Like a lost child, her loose eyes turned towards me .

   Miss Flora who was sitting far away, trembling, met my eyes with eyes full of tears .

“Can you please hand me that bandage over there?”

“… Me?”

“Yes . Please help . ”

   I kept staring at her as I uttered those words .

“I want to save Klaus no matter what . Please . ”

“!!… I-I understand . ”

   With tears still flowing, Miss Flora reached for the bandages and walked to us .

   I’m sorry for what happened earlier .  I silently mulled over in my mind .

   I am weak and I tried to blame you for everything . In order to protect myself, I was willing to conveniently assert false accusations .

   I was also at fault .

   It was spineless of me to cry victim when it was me that dragged him along as an escort to a foreign country .

“Once the wound is closed, please make sure to keep his body warm . ”

“Got it . ”

   While applying medicine, Wolf observed us with great care and gave instructions at precise timing after our last task had completed .

   I soaked the cloth towels in hot water and spread it over Klaus . I rigorously continued my work, wiping sweat that formed on my forehead with the back of my hand .

   Red dark liquid stuck to my fingers . At first I thought it was blood, but the smell was different this time . However, I could not afford to think about it and pushed the question away at the back of my mind .