She led a double life, commanding the elite White Rose Knights of the Duke of Laverne, and coming to the clinic to see patients at night when she wasn't on duty.
Raymond shook his head at her enthusiasm and energy.
'I can't believe she's a mana-user level knight. Her power doesn't just come out of nowhere.'
Christine scratched her head.
"But why do you look so unhappy? The soldiers were all praising you, master."
"... it's nothing."
"Hmm?"
Christine narrowed her eyes.
Raymond's shoulders were slumped, so unlike him!
It was obvious something was going on.
"What's going on? Why don't you tell this sister everything? I'll go over and sort it all out!"
"... Why are you my sister? It's no big deal."
Raymond let out a low sigh and trudged over to see his patient.
"...?"
As Christine shook her head, Hanson approached.
"Understand, Your Highness. Three patients under his care have died today."
"Oh..."
"They were all patients whose wounds were so severe that it was unavoidable, but I can tell he's still upset."
Christine shut her mouth and looked at Raymond's back, who was watching the patients with an uncharacteristically subdued expression.
***
'I know it's unavoidable.'
Raymond sighed inwardly.
Even with his medical skills, he couldn't save every patient, especially on a battlefield like this, there were bound to be deaths.
'I hate being a healer, having to go through this every time.'
He never got used to losing patients.
He'd probably never get used to it.
'I thought I was making light of it.'
Raymond made a bitter face.
What favorable war.
He thought they'd win quickly, and he'd have a lot of merit, and he'd get the best estates for the most money.
But when he saw the soldiers dying, one by one, he couldn't take it lightly.
'Shit. I feel dirty.'
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Raymond made a deliberate effort to be lighthearted.
'I'd like some beef, but I can't get any. I'll just have to save it for later. After all I've been through, I'm sure I'll get a good one.'
Just then!
Suddenly, a soldier entered the barracks with an urgent look on his face.
"H-healer!"
"What is it?"
Raymond scratched his head.
It was a soldier he'd treated before.
It was a minor wound that would heal quickly, so why was he here again?
"I-I've come to ask you a favor."
"A favor?"
The soldier bent down to his full height and said something unexpected.