Chapter 872

"Why do you still cover your eye like that?"

"Didn't the pharmacist say forcing movement won't help healing?"

Instead of answering, Kishiar said this while supporting the lower part of Yuder's arm. Thanks to him bearing the weight of the heavy splint, Yuder's burden was lessened, but his heart grew heavier.

As Yuder stopped twitching his fingers, Kishiar smoothly returned his arm to its original position.

"..."

"It's not a serious reason. My vision hasn't fully returned yet. I thought it less bothersome and better for protection to maintain this rather than an eyepatch."

"Is that really all?"

"Would seeing for yourself put you at ease?"

"Yes."

Surprised by Yuder's decisive response, Kishiar's eyes widened. It seemed he had not expected such an answer.

However, he soon nodded with a softened smile.

"Alright. If you wish. It's night, so a brief moment should be fine."

Yuder watched unblinkingly as Kishiar unwrapped the bandage himself. The face revealed between the silently falling bandages had returned to its smooth, original skin, unlike the last time he had seen it.

Soon, the golden eyelashes lifted gently, revealing the hidden pupil.

Only then did Yuder notice that the pupil in the red iris were of different sizes from the other eye. Unable to look directly this way, a scar that had not yet fully healed was faintly visible between the unfocused eye.

As Yuder clenched his teeth at this sight, the exposed eye disappeared beneath the eyelids as if it were an illusion.

"There. Now it's done."

Kishiar rewrapped the bandage with a tidy manner.

"The vision should return over time, but I've kept it covered as light isn't good for recovery. Do you believe me now?"

Kishiar spoke casually, but Yuder couldn't think of it so lightly.

Soft tissues like eyes or internal organs typically heal slower than other parts after treatment. Even considering this, the fact that his vision hadn't fully returned indicated the severity of Kishiar's injuries at the time.

The injuries were so severe that it was possible the eyelid and even the eyeball itself had been torn apart, a detail Yuder hadn't been able to confirm due to the blood at the time.

As Kishiar said, time would heal, but it was uncertain whether the vision, durability, and healing capacity of the affected area would completely return to their previous states.

Everything comes at a cost. Healing with divine power doesn't mean completely reversing the body's time to pre-injury state.

The fact that Kishiar, who had never suffered a serious external injury before, had been hurt so badly while protecting him pained Yuder anew.

He had seen Kishiar in his past life fight and get injured, but it was not the same feeling as now. Back then, Kishiar had always presented a flawless front until his death, and never had he thrown himself into battle to protect Yuder like this.

Injuries that wouldn't have occurred had he not thrown himself to save Yuder, who was sent flying upon colliding with the sword aura. The result of a choice that didn't need to be made.

A hot, boiling sensation rose in his chest, like the moment he realized Kishiar had shielded him, igniting a fierce desire to rage and scream.

But unlike that time, Yuder couldn't express his feelings. He realized he wasn't the only one feeling this way.

The red pupils he faced had been fixated on Yuder's arms from the start.

Perhaps even before Yuder had woken up, those eyes, fixed on him, conveyed emotions to him, faintly but unmistakably. Despite being unaware, Yuder felt these feelings crossing over to him.

Even being just a fraction, the sensation was so intense and vivid that it prickled his skin, carrying the exact same tempest of emotions Yuder was experiencing. It was clear through this connection that, despite appearing calm and gentle, the depths of his emotions were far from it.

It was ironic. Both were reminiscing about actions they wish they hadn't taken, swallowing their fierce emotions while suffering from each other's wounds.

"..."

Finding it somewhat absurd, Yuder sighed deeply, to which Kishiar responded with a dry laugh.

"It seems we're both thinking the same thing."

"It appears so."

"Then let's not dwell on such thoughts. It's better to focus on the positive rather than suffering. Agree?"

"Some examples would make it easier, I suppose."

"Though the past few days have been tough, restless with worry, tonight we need not worry. The wounds will heal, and we can converse, looking into each other's eyes. A positive night, wouldn't you say?"

"Not bad."

"Exactly."

Anyone listening would find the context of their conversation incomprehensible. But it eased the atmosphere.

There had been several moments like this with Kishiar, but this time it felt strangely new. The intense shift in emotions while being with him, and his natural acceptance of it all, was both strange and wondrous.

But indeed, as Kishiar said, focusing on the good was far more pleasant than being consumed by rough emotions.

Yuder leaned back into the bed, looking at Kishiar's softened smile.

"Understood. Then I'll remember only that I ended up like this after blocking the most powerful aura attack I've ever faced with just a sword. That seems like something worth boasting about."

"Is it really something to boast about?"

"Of course."

It wasn't the first time Yuder had faced a swordmaster's sword aura. But never before had a single attack rendered both of Yuder Aile's arms useless. Not just that, the aftermath was so severe that even healing with divine power couldn't fully restore them, to the point that they might break again with a slight touch.

Even though it was not equipped with any defense power, it was truly an incredibly powerful force. At least in this life, it seemed unlikely he would face an aura stronger than that attack, no matter how much changed.

Yuder summed up all his thoughts in one sentence.

"But, I certainly don't want to face that aura a second time."

"Our opinions match. I feel the same."

Kishiar smiled.

"Well, even if we don't want to, unpredictable events like this might happen again."

"True. It's a clear lesson on how different and challenging real combat can be from what we anticipate."

Yuder felt a sense of surprise at Kishiar's words, which seemed uncharacteristic of him.

"Therefore, you've become even more admirable to me. I wanted to say this as soon as you woke up, but only now do I get the chance."

"Um... That is..."

What should he respond to such words? If someone else had said this, he would have advised them to spend their time training to ensure such an incident never happened again. But the person before him was already beyond reproach in that regard.

Honestly, in a situation like the one they had faced, it's doubtful anyone, not even Kishiar, could have responded any better. Even Yuder himself wasn't sure if he could have chosen a better approach.

But articulating that felt strangely awkward, as if it was already known.

'...No, really, it's odd. I feel a bit...'

In Yuder's perception, Kishiar had always been a flawless entity, never once lesser than Yuder. In his past life, even with ten more years of experience, comparing himself with the current Kishiar felt more like standing shoulder to shoulder rather than overwhelming him, leaving Yuder enveloped in an unfamiliar and peculiar sensation.

Thinking about it, the present Kishiar did have over ten years less real combat experience than Yuder. After all, Kishiar had hardly any actual battle experience.

So... the statement was accurate.

'Why do I feel so awkward about it?'

Was it because the memories of learning tactics, swordsmanship, and methods of combat engagement from Kishiar were too strong?

Eventually, Yuder, unusually at a loss for words, closed his mouth. He simply couldn't articulate the feelings he was experiencing. Sensing why Yuder was acting this way, Kishiar didn't press further, instead smiling quietly and changing the subject.

"So, are you not going to tell me about your dream? The one with the white gloves."

"...I will tell it now."

"Judging by how fervently you were looking for me, they must have said something significant, right?"