Demons appeared on our way back.
Normally, it's almost impossible for demons to appear along the highway.
This time however, we had to fight them thrice before arriving at the mansion.
But, because those with me were who they were, it wasn't bothersome.
Rather, they were so enthusiastic there was nothing left for me.
I wanted to hunt a bit.
Mother welcomed us when we reached the residence.
"Lillina! You came back safe. Thank you everyone."
Said mother with a smile, but I could see fatigue on her face.
"Mother, you look tired, are you okay? We'll hurry to subdue demons in the territory, so please rest for a few days. It appears elder brother will bring knights later as well."
"Yes, I'm alright. Thanks, Lillina. As a margravine I can't go on without doing my best. I have to gather information and give instructions, so I can't move freely. I'm sorry I have to rely on you guys. Since my mother and father will probably come back, I'll have an opportunity to move my body then."
Grandfather and grandmother will also come.
Then it's fine.
"Then mother, where we should we go?"
As I asked mother, the head chef hurried here.
"Ma, madam! Tho, Thoma came back, he's severely wounded, and everyone in the same unit is seriously injured! He would like to tell madam something, could you come?"
Huh! Thoma is seriously injured?!
"I understand! I'll go now. Lillina, come with me. I wonder if we still have some Lillina's medicine?"
"There's still some dedicated to elder brother. But is it okay to use it?"
"It's okay for Thoma. Others will have to make do with regular one. Sana! Please make preparations."
Sana said "Yes! I understand." and quickly disappeared.
She's like a ninja.
I followed mother into Thoma's room.
When I entered the room Thoma was lying on the bed.
Looking at it, it's a terrible wound.
Seems he was given first aid, but the bleeding hasn't stopped.
His complexion is awful from loss of blood.
Mother called out to Thoma.
"Thoma, Thoma, can you hear me?"
In response to mother's words, Thoma's eyes opened.
Then he let out a pained voice.
"Ah, ah, madam. Khh, I, I apologize… for my appearance."
"Thoma, please don't try to get up, just lay still. Lillina, please apply the medicine. We have to stop the bleeding first."
I approached his bed to do as mother asked.
"Thoma, I'll apply the medicine now. I'm sorry but it may sting a little."
I smeared the medicine dedicated to brother on his wounds.
"Khhhhhh!!"
Ah, it hurts after all.
Sorry, Thoma, but look, the bleeding has stopped.
"As expected of Lillina's medicine, it stopped the bleeding. Thoma, how do you feel?"
"Ah, ah? Huh? The pain from before seems like a lie. Lillina… sama, ah, thank you so much."
"It's a relief the medicine worked well on Thoma. But don't push yourself yet, you're different from elder brother."
"Right, my son Ricardo has tremendous resilience. Now then, I'm sorry to have you talk while you haven't stabilized yet, but would you report what you wanted to tell me?"
Thoma looked at mother and started talking.
"Yes, I understand. My unit was heading for Sai village to the west to provide relief. However, before reaching it we were attacked by demons in a forest. At first, we were subduing them as usual, but then something strange happened. Everybody in the unit became numb and couldn't move satisfactorily. The demon which appeared was a wolf type I've seen before. I haven't heard of them having an attack that caused numbness. We somehow managed to avoid getting wiped out and immediately returned."
"Numbness… Lillina, does anything come to mind?"
"No, the wolf type mainly attacks with fangs, and it hasn't been reported to cause numbness. I think we should consider it being a work of some other demon… Thoma, have you noticed anything else?"
Thoma said after pondering for a while.
"I didn't see it, but it seems one of my troops noticed something soft floating in the air. But he appears to have lost sight of it not long after."
A demon floating in the air…
What is it?
But I don't want to get numb.
"Thoma, thank you for telling me. Please get some rest. Recovering from your wounds is the top priority."
Having said so, mother left the room with me.