Summoned and Unwanted

“Yes, Lord Aceon. I want people who I can trust and people who will help when it involves a different kind of protection. ” Vincent looked at the old maid holding the frightened Tiffi. “But I never thought the situation would escalate this much. I feel ashamed to have pulled you into this situation.”

Vincent looked back at Aceon and continued, “Please stay and sleep in my home until your servants recover. This is the least I can offer for what happened because of me.”

Aceon looked at his daughter and later looked at his two butlers. He wished to give his daughter time to recover in a different place, as what happened can be traumatic.

“I will accept your offer. We will stay for a couple of days.” Aceon agreed.

“About the document. I want to give you some time to decide how you want to proceed. I will not fault you for declining after what happened.” Vincent offered.

“...” Aceon didn’t know how to respond other than feeling reassured. He was offered a choice instead of being forced to enter into someone else’s mess.

Before their departure, Vincent when to check on everyone. He also offered some assistance to make the damaged carriage move.

Russo had taken Zefine into the carriage. After leaving Zefine in the hands of Lupa, Sakura, and Jun Ye Rim, he went to look for witnesses.

.....

Russo had the highest non-noble authority in the area. He looked around and knocked on the doors.

Not many doors opened. After Russo questioned what they witnessed, his anxiety would subside every time.

The witnesses all ran to find somewhere safe to hide. Everyone knows assassins love to kill witnesses, so people have the instinct to hide or run away.

“You don’t need to worry. I, Captian Russo of the North Gate Barracks, and soldiers of this great kingdom have taken care of all the assassins. ”

These were the words Russo would say every time and let them spread the word about how the soldiers took care of the assassins instead of a small-scale-like war.

The twins went to help the soldiers with their faces contorted with disgust and fluid on their chin. They had recently puked after underestimating the view of corpses and the smell of death.

The five soldiers, Phil, James, Hops, and the two others, were injured with bruises and scratches. Additionally, three of them had an arrow on their arm or shoulder. They sat on the ground while tolerating the pain.

They knew the injury would open and start bleeding if the arrowhead was removed, so they requested the twins to ask Iris for medical assistance.

Thanks to Zero forcing Vincent to open a small wound on his arm every day, Iris had on her a version of a test ointment with certain ingredients that react to blood.

The ointment would become sticky and make blood harder to leak. Additionally, the sticky ointment would be covered by crushed pain-relieving herbs.

The five soldiers thanked Iris. In their eyes, Iris was the best herbalist in the city for stopping the bleeding in a matter of seconds. They, however, weren’t told that the ointment would break down in half an hour and the bleeding resume flowing.

Phil noticed Iris worry as if she wasn’t confident in her first aid.

“This case involves nobles. Because of this, instead of medic soldiers, the higher-ranked healer soldiers should arrive.” Phil tightened the bandage around his arm and continued, “Don’t worry, Lady Iris, this treatment is enough until the soldiers arrive.”

Iris understood that she didn’t need to find a way to cure them. She could now stop worrying about the temporary first aid and check on Lilith and see how she is doing.

“Lilith! What happened? Are you hurt?” Asked Iris when she saw Lilith holding her head.

Lilith smiled and caressed the horse’s head. “I learned a new spell called Minor Abnormal Cleanse just now, hehe. ” She giggled happily.

“It means I can cure minor ailments. There is no need to use medicine when I am around for ordinary minor sickness.” Lilith explained.

Lilith quickly noticed how Iris did not take the news very well. Iris didn’t smile, nor congratulate her. Instead, she looked discouraged, as if she had just become useless.

Lilith realized Iris was probably worried about the healer role being taken by her.

“I will not take your place, my cute sister. I can only heal those I touch. I can’t be everywhere like the medicine you prepare.” Lilith gently pinched Iris’s cheek and continued, “I always hoped I could help you one day. Now that I can, I hope my cute sister can have more time to care for the plants with my help.”

Iris nodded. “Thank you for worrying about me.” She looked relieved it was all a misunderstanding.

On this day, many grew from this event. Their tolerance for the view of corpses and gore grew expeditionary. They also realized how they needed to become stronger to survive a horrible event like this.

*Emerald Lionheart Mansion*

Two carriages entered the mansion with the injured. However, there weren’t enough seats, so Eliara, Fliara, Yula, Lenn, Renn, Maria, and Jun Ye Rim walked to the mansion with the injured horse, slowly following them.

On the other hand, Lupa stayed on the roof with her eyes focused and her ears on full alert.

Maid Xu, Grace, Marika, and the three little maids acted as if they were prepared for any situation. On the other hand, Olive, Lian, Alice, Tusk, Nix, and Plow kept the old Luisa company.

It didn’t take a long time for the guest patients to be taken to a room with beds. This room wasn’t anything special other than being clean and having three small beds. The maids normally use the rooms to take a quick nap.

Ester and Zefine were taken to a room upstairs. Lupa and Sakura stayed with them while Iris checked on both patients’ rooms.

“Vincent. I don’t have a lot of mana left, and Ester has three sisters taking care of her. Can I stay with you?” Lilith asked.

“I don’t mind, but how are you feeling right now? Kazumi saw you puking.”

“Today I saw gore... today I smelled the gut-wrenching stench of blood... I didn’t have the option to avert my gaze nor cover my nose.” Lilith looked at Vincent with redness around her tired eyes. “I awakened the cleansing spell at the cost of growing up...”

Vincent and Kazumi didn’t need to ask what Lilith meant by growing up. If Vincent’s secret was to be exposed, this scene could become their norm. Not to mention how Lilith was a healer. She had to get used to experiencing this kind of environment and wounds.

Later, Vincent and Lilith visited the room where the butlers stayed. In the room were the old maid and Iris. There were also Clara and Beth offering light refreshments.

After Vincent saw the two butlers recovering both from their injuries and numb poisoning, he and Lilith went upstairs to check on Ester and Zefine.

In the room were Lupa, Sakura, Leah, and Grace. It appeared only Maid Xu and Marika were taking care of the refreshments before Yula arrived by foot while Sofy was taking care of the horses per usual.

Vincent and Lilith visited the Aceon family next. There were in the garden, sitting in the wood gazebo to enjoy some peace and tranquility.

“Lord Aceon and Lady Tiffi, this is my wife Lilith Lionheart. She is the daughter of Lord Leonis and Teresa Lionheart.” Vincent introduced.

Lilith eloquently lifted her skirt and said, “Nice to make your acquaintance...” She paused for a moment before continuing, “... even if we had to meet under such terrible circumstances.”

*Cough* “How are you feeling now, Lady Tiffi?” Vincent tried to change the subject.

“I hope you are feeling better, Lady Tiffi. ” Lilith added.

“A little... better...” Tiffi answered with a wavering voice. She moved her gaze to Vincent and asked, “Is Lady Ester... still sleeping?”

“Yes, and there is no need to worry, Ester is going to be fine.”

Tiffi’s heart sank when she saw the explosion of vapor erupt and later Ester lying on the ground beside a crying one-armed maid. She felt as if a heavy weight was lifted now that Ester was fine and she was resting in a suitable place.

Aceon suddenly placed an empty magic contract on the table. He took out a magic pen and placed it beside the paper.

“I have talked a little bit with my daughter, and I have concluded the contract.”

“I, Viscount Aceon Ponalis, agree to become allies by trade, politics, and influence. However, I can not help when it involves a danger like what happened because I do not have the power to offer combat support against influential or unknown noble families.”

“... not after I almost lost everything, including my daughter. I can’t put her in danger and lose her a few weeks or months because of my daughter’s savior’s enemies.”

Aceon held his daughter’s hand and continued, “My daughter still needs help to control her mana. But I am too afraid to teach her because I am constantly terrified to see my daughter lose control again.”

Aceon looked at Vincent. “What do the Lord and Lady of the Lionheart branch family say about the proposal?” He asked.

[This is fantastic news!]

[Trade, politics, and influence are all we need since we are focusing on growing stronger to fight instead of the other three categories.]