Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 56: Dalhia Oztar

Talk about an eventful battle. Between putting that clueless bandit in his place and risking my life on it, I wonder how the others are faring.

Once I reach the entrance, my eyes widen at what I see. In front of me is the once merciless <Bane Zephil> lying on the ground with his body covered in bruises, scars, and stab wounds with some of his clothes ripped and cut in shreds. But even more shocking, I see Arthur with his armor in tatters and covered in digital scars and wounds as he lies on the woman's lap and breathing heavily.

"Arthur?! What the hell happened to you?!," I shout as I run to his side. "Did you almost lose your limbs trying to kill that guy?!"

He just weakly chuckles in response and says, "Hehe... It's just a small price to pay just to save a dignified lady."

"Yeah, but at what cost? I know I trusted you with that Bane guy, but I warned you not to get reckless in battle."

The commander sighs as he starts to speak.

[I have to agree with your young friend, knight. If it wasn't for my lady's aid, you wouldn't have survived his onslaught. But regardless, I am grateful for risking yourself to protect us.]

The woman nods with a smile as she finishes tending to his injuries. Well, if what they say is true, then I have no qualms with the aftermath.

[By the way, what happened to the bandits who chased you into the forest?] The commander asks me.

"Don't worry, I managed to take care of them with a few scratches," I say with a bit of honesty, at which I remember that I was hit by a bomb's blast earlier. "But don't worry, I think the forest's guardian is already taking care of him as we speak."

[I see. I guess my subordinate's report were true after all. I guess I have no choice but to leave Bane and his men here until the guardian's judgment is determined. What about your other friend?]

Oh, yeah. We had to split up to enact my plan earlier, so I have no idea what has happened on his end.

"About that..." I start to say until...

"What the hell happened to you, Arthur?!"

Judging by how mad Razul is without any signs of digital scars on his body, I'm guessing he managed to take care of his end.

"Hey... Is this a way to greet a he- OW!"

I sigh loudly as I say, "At least you're well enough to crack a few jokes."

"Whatever. The point is that we managed to beat the bad guys. End of story."

"Yeah, yeah. Since you seemed to be well and your lady friend is taking good care of you, I guess we don't need to give you a potion after we get back to town," Razul said as he gave a slight smirk to me, which I can guess what he is trying to do.

"He's right. I think you'll be fine without it. I'll just save this special rare potion that my talented pharmacist brother made soon."

As I (pretend to) leave with Razul, I hear Arthur growling behind me.

"H-Hey, not funny, guys! Seriously, I really need that potion! Come on, throw me a bone here!"

As expected, we...

[Oh, there's no need to worry, young knight. Allow me to tend your wounds.]

Huh?

[My lady, are you sure?] The commander spoke up. [But we need to save your strength for...]

[It's alright, Commander. Besides, I saw everything with my own two eyes and I want to return the favor for saving me and your men.]

Before I can say anything, she starts to mutter in a strange language that doesn't resemble Latin, Japanese, or any real language I know. To my shock, Arthur's body begins to glow green as most of his wounds began to disappear.