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

Whispers of the crowd echoed against the wall of Ruhad Fortress. But it was no longer just about the inquisitors—it now included him. People looked at him as if he was some pitiful person in need of heavenly mercy. The curious gaze weighed on his shoulder, trapping him in the chair he had been ushered to.

"Relax." Captain Kaleo drawled as he squeezed Auri's shoulder. "There's no need for you to be this tense. Divine healing is a blessing to all the faithful souls, so you have nothing to worry about."

Auri couldn't bring himself to relax despite the man's attempt to reassure him. He never had any interest in faith healing, even back on Earth, but if they could treat his wounds, then he could endure this much attention.

When Captain Kaleo snapped his fingers in the air, a shorter man among the rank of inquisitors stepped forward. Unlike the plate-and-chain armor of the inquisitor knights, the man had a cleric's white robe with golden patterns. Instead of a sword, he brought with him a codex almost as big as a throw pillow.

"People of Ruhad Fortress, let me introduce to you..." Captain Kaleo extended an arm towards his subordinate as if he was performing in a theater. "This is Bastian, our ever-diligent healer."

Bastian removed the hood covering his head and revealed tufts of soft, sandy-blond hair. He had a youthful face and two pools of blue eyes that glistened like the clear water spring. If he was born on Earth, Auri was sure the man's face could rival even the top-listed idols.

The healer's saintly demeanor easily won the approval of the crowd, but the way he gave only a curt nod earned him a few sneers. Bastian didn't seem to care as he only turned to his captain with a hopeful smile, as if he was expecting a praise from him.

Captain Kaleo, seemingly unaware of his subordinate's stare, turned to Auri. "Now, shall we get started? Why don't you show us your injury so Bastian can assess its severity?"

"Right here?" Auri asked, nervous. "C-Can't you just heal me without seeing my injuries?"

"I can—"

Captain Kaleo raised a hand to silence Bastian.

"I assure you, Bastian can heal you even from a mile away." Captain Kaleo lowered his voice enough for only Auri to hear. "But surely, you understand why we're doing this, right?" 

Looking at the expectant gaze of the crowd, suddenly, it all clicked on him.

'So, that's what it was.' 

This wasn't an apology for causing unease with their arrival. It was an attempt to gain the trust of the people. He should have known that this man was only trying to use him as a cannon fodder to show their supposed goodwill.

Auri didn't really give a shit, but he wanted his injury healed, so he didn't mind being used as a tool to pacify the crowd.

"I mean, it's in my thigh," Auri said, avoiding the captain's persuasive gaze. "I'm not taking my pants off in front of these people."

Captain Kaleo chuckled. "Ah, such innocence! And here I thought you want to refuse because you were hiding something blasphemous, but no—you were actually just being shy about showing a little skin."

Auri stiffened but tried to keep a neutral expression. It was just a passing remark, and with the captain's lighthearted laughter, no one would think too much about what he said, but he caught it—the subtle warning underneath his playful tone. If he refused further, they might see him as someone suspicious.

"All right. I guess I can help you keep your dignity intact." Captain Kaleo removed his white cape and held it up between him and the crowd like a changing room curtain. "There. I hope this can give you a little comfort. Come along now. You don't want to keep our audience waiting, do you?"

Auri clenched his jaw, unable to find a way out of this comedy show. Even Abu and Maryam stood at the side of the stage with their hands tied, unable to interfere.

With a resigned sigh, Auri reached for his pants, but instead of pushing it off from the waist, he just lifted the hem from the ankle and over his thigh, just enough to expose the bandaged wound. The pants Darius put on him while he was asleep were loose enough to do just that.

"Are you done? I must say, the more you drag this on, the more curious people would be."

"I'm done. Just get this over with so I can go."

Captain Kaleo peeked above his cape and the amused smile on his face faltered a little. "You didn't undress."

"Were you expecting something?" Auri said, letting his own smirk show a little. "You're not actually hoping to see me naked, are you, Captain?"

Two can play a game. Does this man think he was that scared of getting naked? He had posted a few thirst traps on social media a few times when he visited a beach with his friends.

Captain Kaleo lowered his cape and stepped aside to let Bastian inspect his wound. He leaned closer, enough to whisper words in Auri's ears. "You're a clever one. But who would have thought you're daring enough to trick me into playing your protector when you actually didn't need one?"

Auri turned his head to meet the captain's eyes head on. "You pulled me into a freak show without considering my feelings. Now you're complaining?"

"I can let this slide, I suppose." Captain Kaleo backed away, his smirk returning. "But, I forgot to tell you, divine healing is not simple magic, but the mercy of the Goddess. It work wonders. But in rare cases, it does the opposite."

"O-Opposite?" Auri asked, his heart starting to race. "What do you mean?"

"I have finished assessing the wound," Bastian said, getting in a praying position with a hand over his codex. "I will now begin."

Captain Kaleo rested both hands on Auri's shoulder as if to stop him from running away. "Rare cases usually involve people who were never meant to receive it—like heretics and unbelievers. Instead of mercy, they receive punishment. You wouldn't be one of those, would you?"

Auri's hands tightened into fists. He was agnostic. Such rigid rules wouldn't apply to him, would it? 

Fuck.