[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 184: You Should Be Dead

The tent was dim. There was a flickering candlelight casting jagged shadows against the canvas walls.

The scent of dried blood and medicinal herbs rushed into Xion’s nose as soon as he entered.

Darius was lying on his mattress. His upper body was wrapped in fresh bandages.

His sweat-damp silver hair clung to his forehead, strands falling over the mattress like liquid moonlight.

Yet despite his injuries, his face retained its intimidating sharpness.

Even with his eyes closed there was a certain aura surrounding him that made Xion subconsciously halt in his steps.

Before stepping closer, he glanced around. The tent was empty, save for the two of them.

The number of guards protecting His Grace had noticeably increased. None of them stopped him from entering. Rather they were surprised that he even appeared there.

And now he was standing in the same vicinity as Darius.

There was no crystal lamp in the tent, nor any trace of mana lingering in the air.

Gulping down the strange uneasiness, he soundlessly walked forward until he was standing right beside his grace.

The bandages on his torso were stained red. Despite the darkness, he was able to see it all.

How the fresh blood seeped through the herbal poultice covering the wounds.

Xion knelt on the cold ground. His exhausted body was on the verge of collapse, but he still gritted his teeth and endured.

’System, give me the strength-boosting pill.’

The little system, despite being the profiteer, still tried to persuade his stupid host.

[You have been consuming them for the last five hours! If you take any more, it might have a negative impact on your health.]

In the end, the system softened its already childish voice to sound even more pitiful than the actual patient Xion.

[Dear host, how about resting first? Both my upgrade and status are in your hands. If you die, I will end up in the factory reset!]

Just from this, one can sense that no matter how advanced the technology was in the end, this was really just a system.

An artificial intelligence which worked for mutual benefit. The system had no regard for human life. It did not care if Darius was alive or dead, or if anyone needed help. As long as its host was doing fine the little system was happy.

The thought made Xion’s brow tighten. But it was not like he could blame the system. After all, everyone was trying their best to survive.

Archduke was such a person and he was too.

An exhausted sigh escaped his lips. ’What are the negative impacts?’ He could only focus on that aspect for now.

[You might slip into a coma for two to three days, or you might also cough up blood. There is also a chance for your mana to fall to the lower zone, and you will not be able to use it for at least a week.]

All of the negative points were easy to deal with. That was if he managed to do so without alarming others.

Thinking like this, Xion bought yet another bottle of strengthening boost.

By now, he had consumed three bottles and this was the fourth one. He was quite familiar with the taste. A mild sweetness and the warmth spreading to his limbs.

It felt both refreshing and magical.

Now with new stamina, Xion felt that even his eyesight had sharpened. He could even see the way blood was seeping into the bandage before slipping into the red blanket underneath.

Just as Xion’s finger touched Darius’ wrist, the archduke frowned in his sleep.

Or perhaps he was too exhausted to even open his eyes now. However, his instinct was still working perfectly.

That made Xion relieved a bit. Then as he probed further, he was stunned by the state his grace was in.

All the preparation he had been doing to make Darius’ body strong went down the drain.

This fight with the orcs took a huge toll on Archduke’s vitality. Not only was his body on the verge of collapse, but due to the pendant being with Xion, there was no extra support either.

Xion pursed his lips.

No wonder there were no lamps and only burning candles in the tent. The foreign mana was like a deadly poison for him.

They were unable to heal him in the most convenient and fastest way. Hence, now his grace was wrapped in bandages.

Without another thought, Xion took the pendant from his lab and carefully tried to put it on the sleeping archduke.

Just as Xion wanted to push the chain under the neck, those closed eyelids opened.

Pale green eyes stared directly at the panicked Xion whose nose was almost touching Darius’.

His heart stilled. He did not dare to move, nor could he open his mouth.

He could only stare at those eyes that appeared darker, and even duller than before.

Should I speak? Should I move away? Should I finish what I was doing first?

In just a second, many such questions ran past Xion’s mind, and yet he only remained still.

Even more so when his grace lifted his wounded arm.

Long fingers fell on Xion’s face. They slowly touched his cheek with an almost ghostly touch. Goosebumps erupted on the back of his neck.

Xion gulped audibly. He was trying hard to do something, but in the end, his mouth remained glued, and his hand clenched around the golden chain.

Finally, that ghostly touch turned firm. And soon, half of his face was cradled in Darius’ big palm.

The thumb brushed against his skin. It was just a gentle action. However, Xion only felt cold.

Perhaps he had been out for too long, or maybe it was those fingers that were colder, Xion could not help but shudder.

As if some trance had been broken, those venomous green eyes widened a fraction. There was a strange tremor in them, and Xion being so close saw it clearly.

Like a little animal aware of the danger of the predator and king of the food chain, Xion’s panic reached its peak.

He subconsciously tried to move away. Nonetheless, his thinking was unable to be put into action.

Just a mere inch of distance, and Darius spoke.

"You should be dead."

Dead.

How many dead Darius had seen in his life even he himself was unable to calculate.

Death was such a strange concept. The angel of death had been so good to him. Always accompanying him. Darius would give it gifts.

Anytime he had killed someone it had brought him satisfaction or had increased his life by a few more months if not years.

But now...

His gaze fell on those wide blue eyes filled with fear, and even panic.

He knew what was going to happen. Ray would return late, bloodied, exhausted, and alone.

If Ray was good at looking then there might be some remnants of what was once a living person.

A burnt scrap of fabric? Charred bones? If the fire had been merciful.

Yet the one who should have been dead was in front of him.

"Y-your Grace..." Xion muttered so softly that it was barely even a whisper.

Then he let out a small, breathless chuckle. Rather than a laugh it was just nervousness spilling from his lips.

"Nice t-to see you too, Your Grace."

Darius didn’t react. He simply continued to stare, as if trying to confirm that what he was seeing was real.

There was no slight smile on his grace’s face, Xion mused, no sigh of relief as Ray had shown.

Just the hand cupping his face slid downward. Until those long fingers were wrapping around his neck.

While Xion’s heart was beating like a loud drum, Darius’ fingers were feeling the exact rhythm.

Thump. Thump.

The obvious sign of life was thrumming so peacefully right under his hold.

His silly kitten was alive and had come back to him, all on his own.

It was enough for Darius. For now.