Chapter 40: 40

*3rd person POV

But the next moment, the murky-golden wolf felt his breath getting suffocated as he felt sharp things penetrate the skin of his neck, then he began to struggle. He made a choking noise and struggled with his front paws, but could not remove the golden wolf that was biting his neck.

The golden wolf, who glared his eyes while making a ferocious cry, gave strength to his jaw. Luwellin scratched Karmeut's body with his front paws with whining sounds, but that seemed to intensify the golden wolf’s anger. It was because he shook his head violently a few times while he bit Luwellin, and then slammed him to the floor.

Luwellin still struggled. Karmeut would not miss that defenseless state of not being able to take a stance properly from the shock of falling on his back. Luwellin could not get up properly and just waved his legs.

Then, the murky-golden wolf's neck was grotesquely bent with a grotesque crackling sound. The wolf’s body convulsed once, then it drooped lifelessly. However, maybe wanting to finish it with certainty, the golden wolf put one leg on the murky-golden wolf's body and was about to tear off his neck.

"Caaaaww!"

But in the next moment, the crow landed on the wolf's snout with a crying sound which made the wolf stop his action. The wolf was still breathing heavily as he looked at the crow's anxious gaze as she blinked her purple eyes.

After calming his breath, the wolf lay down in place as if he was tired, then the crow moved onto the wolf's back.

"The result is as you see. I declare that my successor and the next emperor will be the First Prince, Wolfric Iveld de Karmeut!"

As the emperor's voice that was greatly amplified by magic reverberated in the area, the atmosphere that had been frozen began to loosen little by little. Finally, Bozcourt was over.

At the emperor's words, the puffed-up feathers of the crow (as she had been vigilant) began to flatten again. Then, with a small cry of joy, she landed near the wolf's head.

"...caw?"

The crow's head tilted. Perhaps she felt that the golden wolf was strangely quiet, she flew up in a hurry. Then, she hastily flew towards Namuel and began to tug his collar and pull him.

Panicked at the crow's urgent action, Namuel stiffened for a moment, then he looked at Karmeut and started running as fast as he could.

He didn't know if the wound opened up because of the violent movements, or if the bleeding hadn't stopped in the first place -because the blood flowing from the wound on Karmeut's neck was soaking his fur.

***

"His Highness will be fine. He's just exhausted from using a lot of energy during Bozcourt."

Galenos, who had been keeping around like an escort by the bedside, spoke to the crow who was sitting on the bedpost of the bed as if to comfort her. Answering him, the crow who drooped her wings let out a weak cry.

The action had been done quickly. Because Rainelle had quickly informed Namuel, Karmeut was able to be treated in time.

In addition, Karmeut was the sole legitimate heir as he had been victorious in Bozcourt, so not only was a healer summoned, but there was also a physician to check on his condition. They were informed that: "There was excessive bleeding, but treatment was quickly taken, so it will be okay if he rests well."

After the commotion had passed, Rainelle and Galenos were the only ones who stood by Karmeut's side now. There was also Namuel, but he was absent for a while because Myrdin had summoned him.

"... I'm the only one here right now, so if you like, you can change into a human form..."

Galenos said so after he saw that the crow was unable to take her worried gaze off of Karmeut.

A while ago, Galenos and Namuel had prevented her from being kicked out when the healer and the physician said that it was not good for animals to be near a patient. Besides, since Namuel was not present, there was no pressure for her to change into her human form.

Galenos said that because he thought that it would be better for her to be in her human form, but the crow shook her head slightly.

Rainelle flapped her tail feathers while making a small, painful cry, then she landed next to his pillow. The crow stared at the sleeping Karmeut and his bandaged neck for a moment, sat down, and puffed up her feathers.

Seeing this, Galenos sighed inwardly while remaining seated. He thought that all this would be over only when the First Prince woke up.

 

*Rainelle’s POV

I stayed by Karmeut's side suppressing my anxiousness.

...I thought that I really knew what I was doing then. I moved to protect the current emperor, that is, the previous emperor of the original storyline, in fear that story might turn in a different direction if he died...

But I never thought that Karmeut would rush towards Luwellin even while suffering wounds on his neck that were bleeding profusely.

You were so hurt, you should have just stayed still!

Aren’t your neck bitten?! That’s the area where all-important blood vessels and nerves pass are! It had been pierced with fangs, but you ignore them and keep moving---!!

Considering the original Karmeut from the original story, what Karmeut did was reckless. It was at a level that could be described as aggressive. Because Karmeut, who became emperor in the original story was calm, rational, and prudent, like the noblest person who would rule a country.

And, when he tried to rip off Luwellin's head, it was really... scary. If I had let him rip off Luwellin’s neck there, I’m afraid that the Karmeut I know would change, so I stopped him...

By the way, when will he wake up? Namuel had treated him with magic, and the healer and the physician had also done their parts, but isn’t it has been too long for him to be unconscious?

"---eugh..."

As I was tidying my wing feathers with an anxious mind, I heard a faint groan. I guess Galenos had also heard the sound as he approached the bed further. I hurriedly moved to the top of his quilt.

His eyes slowly opened as he groaned and frowned. The gleaming golden eyes were out of focus, but they were clearly open. I opened my beak slightly in delight, and the golden eyes turned towards me.

"...Rai, nelle..."

Was it because his neck was injured? While muttering in a voice that sounded deeper and rougher, Karmeut raised his hand slowly.

I put my head on the hand that reached out and gently rubbed it.

“How are you feeling, Your Highness?”

Kaemeut turned his gaze to Galenos. Then he let out a short groan and responded.

"Ah... not bad."

"Just in case, I'll call a physician. So wait a minute..."

Before Galenos could even finish his words, I had changed into a human form. Fearing that I would crush Karmeut who was under me, I moved to the side and let out all the words that were boiling from within me,

"You idiot!! You got hurt so much, you could afford to attack that damn bastard there?!"

Whether they looked at me with surprised eyes or not, the words that I had been holding tight inside came out of my mouth on their own.

No, that's not my style! But, from a while ago, it was so hard to hold back what I wanted to say!!

"It was the neck! You were bitten in the neck! There was so much blood, and if you move, of course the wound would open and there would be more blood! You could have died! No, you were dying!! I flew to Namuel to get help! If I hadn't, you might have died!! Why are you acting recklessly?!"

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My eyes were blurry.

Ugh, there's something I haven't said yet, but what am I going to do if tears come out already--!!

"You promised not to die! I mean, you broke your promise...! Ugh, uhu...!"

Tears streamed down. The whole time I was watching Bozcourt, I felt like my stomach was burning. Was it because the two wolves fighting each other until they bleed reminded me of the scenes of wild animals fighting each other when I was a zookeeper? I don't know about the others, but it was really painful to watch for me.

I also thought it was an unusual sight. And again, it was painful for a zookeeper to just watch when animals get hurt. That could be human nature. And also, one of the parties was Karmeut.

To be honest, Luwellin had done me wrong, so it didn't matter whether he died and it won’t change my mind no matter how much he pretended to be a wolf.

But Karmeut...Karmeut is...!!

With the sound of the quilt rubbing together, Karmeut raised his body. When I could see that beyond my blurred sight, I screamed and shouted,

"Don't move!! You could be not all better yet---!!"

I sobbed as I wiped away my tears with my hands. To be honest, I was embarrassed because tears came out without me wanting to. I took a deep breath while continuing to wipe away the tears with my hands.

I need to calm down and say one more thing...!!

I was about to say something to Karmeut, but I felt a touch on my head. The careful but gentle touch was familiar.

"...I'm sorry, Rainelle. I made you worry."

"...Sniff, sniff...! Even if you pat me, I won't forgive you...!!"

"Yeah, don't forgive me. Because it's my fault."

The hand that gently stroked my hair then gently patted my shoulder. I opened my eyes wide and blinked slowly because tears seemed to burst again at his actions.

Ugh, huu...!! If I cry as a human like this, the physician won’t be able to come---!!

I hurriedly changed into a crow.

As if it was natural, a hand reached out to my back and I was pressed against Karmeut's body.

"...Then, I will call the physician, Your Highness."

"I'll inconvenience you, Sir Windster."

After a while, I heard the door close. I shook my head while being in Karmeut's arms, thinking that tears would still come out even when I was a crow.

The familiar warmth seemed to tell me that Karmeut was alive, so I was relieved, and tears came out again.

He didn't say anything. He just gently stroked my back quietly. My body, which had been trembling without me knowing, little by little seemed to be soothed by the usual touch and familiar warmth.

How long have we stayed like that? Together with Galenos, there were the physician, the healer, and even wizards, Namuel and Myrdin, who entered the room.

As soon as I flew to the bedpost to avoid disturbing them, the physician and healer hurriedly began to check Karmeut's physical condition.

The healer and the physician, who checked his condition while asking if there he felt any discomfort or if there was anything different from usual, concluded, "Your Highness will be fine if you rest well."

"Is that so? Thank you. ...just go back and rest."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The healer and the physician left the room. Sigh, that's a relief... By the way, why did that old wizard named Myrdin come here? Was he a character in the original story? I don't know… my memory is hazy...

Of course, he must not be a target character. Was he an NPC? Or is he a character that I haven't seen at all?

I stealthily glanced at Myrdin. But did he feel my gaze? The old wizard turned his head and met my eyes.

Surprised, I puffed my feathers and squeaked. And his response was just like a neighborhood grandfather, laughing out loud as if he was having fun.

Is he like a kind and friendly grandfather?

"Heh heh... how are you feeling, Your Highness?"

"It's not bad except for being a little drowsy, Myrdin-nim."

At Karmeut's words, I widened my eyes. Myrdin '-nim'? Isn't there no other person besides the current emperor who he will use honorifics with?

Seeing me surprised and looking between the two of them alternately, the old wizard burst into laughter.

"You’re a cute crow. I've heard from Marquis Namuel of the Your Highness' pet bird. She's clever."

"Do you think so?"

“Yes, of course. When Luwellin tried to assassinate His Majesty the Emperor, didn’t she jump in and stopped him? It would be difficult for a normal crow to understand the situation, but if she’s clever, it would make sense. Isn’t that right?”

Karmeut was startled when Myrdin winked at me as he said that.

Of course I am.

But... that was a gesture like he knew everything.

Whoa! After all, he's the current emperor's teacher, right? Is he that great?!

While I flapped my wings in embarrassment, Karmeut let out a long sigh. Then, as if he couldn't help it, he smiled softly and said,

"...I can't hide it from Myrdin-nim after all."

"There’s no reason to hide it. It’s been decided that you’re the next emperor."

At the old wizard's smirk, Karmeut smiled uncomfortably.

Then I sat down on Karmeut arm, puzzled by his action of waving his hand to me out of nowhere.

"Rainelle, let them see."

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