What Do You Wish For With Murky Eyes: Record of Highserk War - Chapter 52

Walm, ordered to stand by, witnessed Ayane and Maia, both equipped with recovery magic, start treating injuries in a corner of the castle soon after their arrival.

The injuries of the people being brought in ranged widely from bruises to lacerations, bite wounds, poison, and more, putting a strain on medical resources, unlike combat with other people.

Those with some knowledge of medical arts were mobilized, and treatments were carried out in parallel. The stone-paved rooms quickly filled with the smell of filth, and the floor became stained with blood.

Although the area was flushed into the castle’s sewer system, it quickly clogged with flesh and hair, forcing Walm to use wind attribute magic to clear the blockages.

If he ran out of magical power, he could rest until it replenished, but there were too many injured. Especially among the refugees, many couldn’t receive sufficient treatment.

“If only I had more magical power…”

Ayane lowered her head to the ground in frustration. Walm spoke to the lamenting girl.

“You cast recovery magic on over a hundred people. Expecting more than that might be too much.”

For an ordinary recovery magic user, being able to heal ten people would be considered excellent, and considering the lives saved, it should be sufficient.

“We’re running out of medicine and herbs. Even boiled water…”

Even Maia, who always presented a strong front to Walm, sighed.

“If we draw from the well, it might not be enough.”

The well’s water was in high demand. With far more people in the castle than the capacity allowed, it was an inevitable situation.

“I’ll create boiling water using water and fire attribute magic.”

“You have three attributes?”

Ayane said with a surprised expression. The only magic used in combat was fire attribute and wind attribute magic, so it was reasonable for her to think so. Besides, Walm’s proficiency in water attribute magic was not particularly impressive.

“I’m barely competent with water attribute, so I can’t use it in combat. It brings back memories. My former squad mates used to treat me like a walking water bottle.”

“…”

“What’s wrong? Fatigue from magical power depletion?”

While individual experiences varied, fatigue from magical power depletion was often accompanied by nausea and dizziness. Seeing Ayane silent, Walm asked if it was due to a deterioration in her condition.

“No, I’m fine.”

Forcing oneself to collapse would be counterproductive. As Walm contemplated whether to insist on a break or not, Maia handed him a water bottle.

“Walm-san, please.”

Their eyes burned with a sense of duty. Unless dragged away, they wouldn’t leave the infirmary. Walm reluctantly decided to compromise.

“Don’t push yourself. Rest if you feel dizzy or nauseous. It takes time for magical power to replenish. Got it?”

Confirming the nods from the two, Walm focused on his task. While he wanted to believe there would be no assassination in this situation, he knew it was a possibility.

Moritz and the four escorts also assisted in the work, maintaining vigilance even as they helped.

“I never thought Walm-dono had water attribute magic.”

“When you return to your room, I’ll brew some fruit tea for you.”

“I’d be honored. By the way, where did you get the fruit?”

“When we left Sarajevo Fortress, probably among the things that wouldn’t be carried out.”

The supplies in the chaotic Sarajevo Fortress were too much to be carried out in time, and many items were abandoned.

Walm packed as much as he could into the magic bag, including supplies that might not be taken out, especially those intended for high-ranking officers.

To prevent anything from being overlooked, Walm had procured these items for effective use.

Walm never imagined that the method he learned from a dark-skinned comrade in his former squad, a friend who taught him how to gather supplies during a retreat, would prove useful.

“Well, well, Walm-dono seems quite earnest as well.”

With a small laugh, Moritz returned to his work without further comment.

Treatment continued even after the sun had set, and exhausted, Walm returned to the waiting room. He had consumed more magical power than expected due to activities like cauterization and sterilizing tools.

On the long table that Moritz arranged from within the castle, there were black bread boasting the strength of tempered steel, mashed horse and potato soup, and a roast with the head of an orc that they likely defeated.

“Oh… uh…”

Walm froze in front of the orc. He knew that there were edible magical creatures, but he never thought the day would come when they would be laid out before him.

On the battlefield, there were times when magical creatures were eaten during food shortages, but Walm had always been at the forefront, remaining one of the pioneers.

Although death was ever-present, and the lack of ample support from friendly forces was challenging, he could take all the remaining supplies and even exchange captured items.

Whether in the army or battalion, the Duwei Squad, and Walm personally, never faced a shortage of supplies.

Distributing fruit tea to everyone, Walm took a sip himself to gather his thoughts.

“Roast orc, huh? Takes me back.”

Without hesitation, Moritz tossed human-pig meat into his mouth.

Oh, gods. Walm shouted in his mind, the name that must be a damned thing if it existed.

That’s right. Moritz, with a resistance to poison, had happily shared stories with Walm about eating insect-type magical creatures, especially those with poison, for the acquisition and enhancement of skills. He was a true connoisseur of exotic foods.

The other four guards also showed no hesitation, smiling as they enjoyed the orc. Walm cursed the absurd reality.

At that moment, Walm turned his hopeful gaze toward Ayane. If she was from the same world, she might show a rejection to eating magical creatures—

“Ugh.”

His faint hope was betrayed. Ayane, in harmony with Maia, was happily crunching on the orc’s ear.

“It’s nostalgic. The first magical creature I dismantled and ate was with my childhood friend during forest training.”

“With Yuuto-dono, Makoto-dono, and Johanna-dono of the Rehazen Knights, right?”

Even if the girls reminiscing about distant memories of eating magical creatures might evoke feelings of loneliness or sadness, Walm had no room for consideration. Moreover, the names of those Walm had nearly killed or nearly been killed by were the only things that came to his mind, doubly tormenting him.

“S-So, that’s how it is.”

A plate was placed in front of Walm, carrying a part that didn’t suit the atmosphere of the chatting ladies. Of all things, it held the nose and tongue of a pig.

“C’mon, it’s a particularly delicious part.”

Walm barely restrained the surging flames of anger. He felt betrayed by his competent subordinates, and what’s worse, it was done out of kindness.

What is this? What’s happening? There’s no more time to stall. Walm steeled himself and lifted the pig’s nose with a fork.

He detested its octagonal structure. It was close to rubber but even softer. The aroma of spices induced appetite, and Walm bit into it all at once.

“…”

With just the right elasticity that wasn’t too firm, the saltiness enhanced the flavor of the meat. It was gelatinous meat. Walm didn’t want to admit it, but it was delicious.

“Tasty.”

Walm muttered, and when he looked up, everyone’s gaze was focused on him.

“What are you looking at? Eat up and get some sleep. Tomorrow is the real deal.”

In response to Walm’s anger, everyone averted their gaze, and the meal resumed. Even Maia was clearly suppressing a smile.

Walm drank the fruit tea and exhaled. Amidst the impending chaos of a major outbreak in the war, especially with enemies and allies mingling, he hadn’t expected them to share laughs. He wanted to relax just for now. Because starting tomorrow, hell will be waiting for them.