Book Restoration System: Savior Of The Forsaken Legends [BL]

The atmosphere outside the clinic was simmering with unease. Auri leaned his weight against the worn wooden crutch he found at the clinic and observed the commotion through the shaded doorway.

The moment the Inquisitors strode inside the fortress gate with their horses, silence descended upon the crowd. Merchants stopped calling out their wares, travelers stepped aside without a word, and the wary parents pulled their children away and stopped them from playing. The fortress chief stepped forward to give them a customary greeting, but even the old man looked uneasy.

Then, the leader of the group unmounted himself from his horse and stepped forward. Unlike the heavily armored knights, the leader's attire carried a more pronounced design, reflecting his rank. Instead of a heavy plate-and-chain armor, he had a reinforced tunic and shoulder guard armor made of sliver-steel alloy.

The leader stopped in front of the fortress chief, and with an effortless motion, he removed his gleaming sliver helm and let his midnight-colored hair cascade down his shoulders. The face behind the helm was one that made everyone pause to stare, including Auri.

"Now, now, what's with the grim expressions, dear friends?" a smooth voice spilled out from thin lips. "There is no need to wear such long faces. We all come in peace. I'm sure that's what everyone wants in this place, no?"

"Forgive the people, Captain Kaleo," Abu said. "They are just not used to... the empire's visit."

"Understandable." Captain Kaleo placed a hand over his chest, his charming smile strangely disarming. "But rest assured that we come here not to bring judgement with our swords. We are but weary travelers with parched throats and tired horses. Surely, a little hospitality is not too much to ask?"

Whispers floated through the gathered crowd. A few wary eyes had softened, while some still exchanged uncertain glances, their gazes flitting between Captain Kaleo and his men. The rigid townsfolk eased slightly, but the tension in the air did not dissipate, and no one gave them a warm welcome.

Amidst the unsettled murmur of the crowd, the captain's gaze found him, and Auri felt the sudden need to run away when the man smiled at him. He shifted his weight onto his good leg, his fingers tightening around the wooden crutch as he turned his body away, but the uneven ground made it hard for a smooth escape.

"Running away with an injury?"

Auri froze at the deep velvet-smooth voice that sent a chill down his spine. He didn't dare to look back, but the sound of boots crunching against the sand-dusted stone told him the man was already closing the distance. He continued to push forward, however, a single misstep caused him to lose his balance.

Then, a gloved hand caught him mid-fall. It pressed against his stomach and gently guided him back to his feet.

"Careful now. You wouldn't want to make your injury worse, would you?"

"Auri!" Maryam's panicked voice called as she rushed towards him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Auri tried to step away but the hand on his waist refused to leave him. "T-Thank you, sir. You can let go of me now."

"Oh, my bad." Captain Kaleo released his hold. "I'm just worried you may lose your footing again."

Auri tried not to scoff. The man's voice sounded far too amused for his worry to be genuine. Even the easy smile playing on his lips appeared too perfect for a man who could elicit fear with just his presence.

"Young man, are you all right?" The fortress chief approached. "You shouldn't leave the bed yet. It hasn't been a day since we found you almost devoured by a water swine. Stay put until our healer arrives."

"A water swine, you say?" Captain Kaleo inquired, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Now, that's quite a mystery. The desert isn't exactly a place where such creatures thrive. You must have the worst kind of luck if you happen to run into one in the middle of a wasteland."

"He doesn't hail from the desert." Abu quickly clarified. "My son and his men found him in a forest while they were out for a hunt. They just happened to see him being dragged underwater and saved him before the inevitable."

"I see. Hmm."

"You can ask my son, Mazyar. He excels in hunts. There is no one here who could best him in the mountains."

The man who bursted into the clinic earlier and announced the inquisitors' arrival stepped forward and gave his salutations. So he was his supposed savior?

Auri scowled at the idea of someone taking credit for what Darius had done for him. But he knew they were doing this to protect Darius and prevent any issues with the inquisitors.

"Ah, yes, I remember you," Auri said, bowing his head towards Mazyar. "Thank you, my savior."

Auri cringed internally at how it sounded, but he had to play along.

Captain Kaleo laughed at the display. "Ah, this is marvelous! I didn't expect I would witness such a heartwarming spectacle the moment we arrive here."

Auri wanted to smash his face on the ground for his bad acting. He should have taken a few acting classes when someone tried to scout him to become an idol. Not that he was interested in becoming one, but who would have thought that such talent would come in handy for survival?

"I haven't laughed that hard in a while." Captain Kaleo brought a finger to wipe fake tears from his eyes. "Anyway, there is no need for me to verify such a thing. I was merely curious. But there is one thing I would like to know."

Abu hesitated, but he asked, "What will it be?"

Captain Kaleo tilted his head, his dark blue eyes gleaming with something unreadable, then he smiled again. "I'm just wondering where that other daughter of yours had gone to? She's the healer of this place, yes?"

Abu and the two siblings stilled, fear evident in their eyes.

"There's an injured man in her clinic, yet she's nowhere to be seen. Where could she be at a time like this?"

"S-She just went to gather h-herbs," Abu stuttered. "As you know, our way of healing is primitive. Unlike the divine ways of the empire, we can only rely on what the nature could give us."

"Ah, the old ways." Captain Kaleo sighed dramatically. "A pity, truly. If only you had accepted the wisdom of the Soleian Order, your daughter wouldn't have to rely on such outdated remedies. But alas, you insist on clinging to the past like fools grasping on sand as they drown. Then again, I suppose you have to learn some things the hard way."

Everyone squirmed under the captain's scrutinizing gaze, but neither raised any sound of protest.

Captain Kaleo raised his hand in an easy, dismissive gesture. "Oh, well. I have no business with your healer, as I have my own." His gaze sharpened. "As long as she's not aiding those who stand against the empire, that is."

Abu trembled at the subtle warning and nodded his balding head. "O-Of course. My daughter would never do such a thing to break the truce."

"I know that she wouldn't. Ah... It seems I have my made the atmosphere tensed again. I apologize." Captain Kaleo's charming smile returned, and it was directly at Auri. "Allow me to compensate with the kindest gesture from the empire."

Auri flinched when Captain Kaleo offered his hand to him. "W-What?"

"Divine Healing," Kaleo said, not lowering his hand. "I will have my healer show you miracles."