Everyone's eyes turned toward Cecilus. He stood in the open beside his golems, making sure everyone saw him clearly — a calm figure framed by hulking silhouettes of stone.
"It's Cecilus! He's the one who helped rebuild our homes! He's here to help!"
The boy perched on the giant flower's petals relaxed a little, his panic easing now that a familiar face had appeared.
Cecilus, however, had other thoughts.
Uhh... I'm literally the one who caused this mess. And now they think I'm some sort of hero? Fantastic. Did I become popular overnight or something?
He sighed inwardly. Fine. I'll just get them to back off and make sure they treat their bleeding friend. Maybe they'll have enough sense to look past the "slave girl" and run along.
He gestured to his golems, and the massive flower stem began to bend, lowering the trapped children carefully to the ground. Then Cecilus stepped toward Marina.
"Stay quiet for a bit," he murmured softly so only she could hear. "Let me handle this. Just stay close to me until they leave."
Marina nodded quickly and moved beside him, clutching her arm.
By the time the flower's petals touched the dirt, the boys were crowding around their injured companion. The one who'd been knocked unconscious had just woken and stumbled back to the group.
"Cecilus! That bitch did this to us! You need to punish her!" one of the boys shouted, pointing furiously at Marina.
Cecilus glanced back at her. She was trembling, her face bruised, one eye swollen shut.
When did I become a babysitter? I'm not your parent, kid. I just need to defuse this and leave. Curse my good nature and my amazing personality for dragging me into this.
He let out a small sigh before addressing the group.
"I see more injuries on her than all of you combined," he said flatly. "Here's what's going to happen: I'll take you to Celtis — the village doctor. He'll patch you up. I'll cover the cost. After that, you all go your separate ways. You were blocking my path home, and I don't appreciate that. Next time I see something like this..." His eyes narrowed, and his voice hardened. "I'll have my golems paint this road red with your organs."
One of the boys snarled back, "But it's her fault—"
The bleeding boy grabbed his friend by the arm, hissing, "Shut up, you idiot! You want to die?"
Cecilus raised an eyebrow. At least one of them has survival instincts.
"So," he said, his tone light again, "we're all going back to the village, yes?"
The boys nodded hesitantly, fear flickering in their eyes.
Marina, watching this exchange, couldn't quite follow his intentions.
He's angry... but he's also helping us? Is he pretending not to care? If he wanted to help, there were easier ways to do it... Still, this crystal gave me the power to fight back. Maybe next time I won't need anyone's help at all.
The uneasy group followed Cecilus down the dirt path toward the village.
***
Celtis lived on the outskirts, his home doubling as the only clinic on the western border of the ascended continent. People from nearby towns often traveled for his care, since fortifying magic — his specialty — was rare. It wasn't just his magic, though. He'd been trained as a physician by his father before discovering that his mana aligned perfectly with healing arts.
Today had been peaceful — just a few checkups on elderly locals — until the door swung open and seven battered children poured inside. And in front of them stood his least favorite patient: Cecilus Crow.
Celtis froze. No. Not him. Anyone but him.
When Cecilus was younger, he'd brought in injured animals for Celtis to "study" the healing process on. The horrors of those early visits still haunted him. Later, Cecilus began experimenting on himself — showing up with self-inflicted wounds and demanding immediate care. If Celtis failed to heal him perfectly, the royals punished him.
And now here he was again.
"What do you want, Cecilus?" Celtis muttered, already dreading the answer.
"These children need healing," Cecilus said with a broad grin. "I was hoping my good friend would patch them up. Quickly."
Good friend, my ass. Celtis's face twitched, but he said nothing. He placed his hands on the bleeding boy's shoulder, and a faint blue glow enveloped the wound. The blood faded, the torn skin mended, and soon the boy blinked in surprise — his vision restored. Celtis moved methodically through the group, healing each one.
When he finished, he straightened and said curtly, "There. You're all fine now. Try not to get into fights again. Even I can tell this wasn't natural."
The boys mumbled quick thanks and began to leave. Cecilus's voice stopped them.
"Alright, time to head home separately. If I hear of any trouble again..." His grin sharpened. "You know what happens."
That was all it took — they scattered like birds.
But before Marina could follow, Cecilus's hand shot out. "Not you. I've still got business with you."
Marina stiffened. "Business?"
"Return the crystal," he said simply, holding out his hand. "It's valuable."
She hesitated but handed it over, her expression tightening.
So he's the one who gave it to me... Does that mean I can't defend myself anymore? Maybe they'll listen to him and leave me alone... But why help me at all?
Cecilus pocketed the crystal, then tilted his head. "Hmm. Still no thank-you? Either my acting was too good, or you're just ungrateful. Anyway, you're not quite off the hook yet. I expect some repayment for my kind gesture." His smile widened into a mischievous crescent. "We're going to have some fun."
Marina stepped back, eyes wide. Kind gesture? If you're asking for payment, it's not kind! And that smile... That's not the smile of a good man.
"Next destination," Cecilus announced cheerfully, "is the royal garden. And just in time to meet our very own unsuspecting gardener!"
Gardener? Marina blinked. Maybe this won't be so bad.
Cecilus, on the other hand, could not contain his happiness. My family's gardener will never see what hit them! He's probably pulling weeds right now. With her plant powers, we'll make sure the weeds come back faster than he can pluck them! I'll be in the clear — he'll never suspect me. Oh, this is perfect...
He clasped his hands together, smiling to himself. I'll figure out the explanation part later.