Not long after Chris left, Elvie hurried back with a Priest.
Priests were already scarce in Ashen City, and Elvie had spent almost all the savings she had accumulated recently just to summon this Sixth Tier Priest.
“Master! Why are you sitting up again?”
The girl’s beautiful brows furrowed sharply as she strode forward with an air of fierce reproach and pressed Leon back down, her face full of scolding.
Then she glanced at the Priest behind her.
“Please help me check on my master.”
The Priest nodded, reaching out and channeling his mana to envelop Leon’s body.
A warm sensation flowed into Leon, easing some of his pain.
The Healing Spell lasted a long time, until the Priest’s complexion grew pale and his mana was depleted, at which point he stopped.
“W-what’s wrong with my master?”
Elvie anxiously grabbed the Priest’s arm, her face full of worry.
The Priest’s expression grew heavy.
“It’s strange… why is his mana continuously leaking out?”
“What does that mean?”
Elvie’s heart tightened.
“If we compare a normal body to a cup, then the mana inside is water. But your master’s body is like a sponge, full of holes.
The mana is constantly leaking out, and combined with the previous overuse of mana, a lot of the water in this sponge has been forcibly squeezed out, causing further damage to his body.”
The Priest explained simply, then sighed deeply.
“Your master doesn’t have much time left…”
“W-what?”
Elvie’s mind went blank with a loud buzz, and the Priest’s words afterwards barely registered.
She seemed to be transported back to the moment she learned of her father’s death.
Why? Why do these things always happen around her…
She had just promised to cook for her master for a lifetime.
She had barely begun to feel a bit of happiness, and now he was about to leave her again.
Was she going to be alone again?
No, absolutely not!
Tears welled up in her eyes, her eyes reddened, her nose stung, and she felt as if the entire world had gone silent, the only sound in her ears a loud, buzzing roar.
“This can’t be… it can’t be…”
She squatted on the ground, muttering to herself hoarsely, clutching her head, unable to believe the news.
There were still so many things she hadn’t done with her master; this had to be a lie!
The Priest saw the scene, glanced at Leon, silently shook his head, and then left the courtyard.
Leon looked at the girl’s forlorn figure, a trace of pity flashing in his eyes.
He had indeed considered telling Elvie about his limited time left in advance so she could prepare herself.
Because the plans he had in store for the future would be even more cruel for the girl.
He just hadn’t expected Elvie to be so devastated.
This simulation was far too realistic…
Rubbing his brow, Leon smiled and said, “Why are you crying? I’m not dead yet.”
The girl raised her head, revealing red-rimmed eyes, tears sliding down her delicate face like rain through pear blossoms.
“B-but…”
Elvie choked out the words.
“A knight doesn’t shed tears so easily.”
Leon pointed to the sword in her hand.
“Remember, no matter what happens, steel your will. Don’t lose your way.”
Hearing this, the girl’s gaze grew distant, and subconsciously, she began to reflect on Leon’s words—that had already become her instinct.
“I’m a bit hungry. I want to eat the meals Elvie makes.”
Leon deliberately looked up at the ceiling.
“I… I’ll make something for master right away.”
Elvie wiped her tears and rushed to the kitchen.
After dinner was ready, Elvie seemed to have figured things out.
The look of confusion disappeared, replaced by a determined gleam in her eyes.
No matter what, she had to pull herself together.
She absolutely couldn’t show such a defeated expression in front of her master—he would be disappointed.
“Right now, master must be the one who’s suffering the most, yet he was comforting me just now…”
Feeling guilty, Elvie patted her cheek and said to herself, “It’s okay. I’ll find a way! If a Sixth Tier won’t do, then I’ll find Seventh or Eighth Tier—there’s got to be a solution.”
Inside the room, Leon listened to the girl’s muttering outside and couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Seeing her regain her spirit so quickly, he felt a bit relieved.
But in the days that followed, Leon noticed the girl growing increasingly clingy, as if she feared he would disappear at any moment.
“Master, it’s time to eat!”
“Master, I’ll feed you.”
“Master, let me help you dress.”
At first, it was normal, but it gradually became excessive.
Like one time, when Leon was preparing to bathe in the washroom, the girl barged in, claiming that since he was unwell, she should help scrub his back.
Naturally, he kicked her out immediately, but she still looked pitiful as if she’d been wronged.
“Master~ Just this once.”
Elvie tugged on Leon’s arm, pouting like a kitten as she rubbed against him.
Leon flicked her forehead with his finger and said grumpily, “How do you expect to get married acting like this?”
“I don’t want to marry anyone! I only want my master!”
The blonde girl tilted her head back, utterly convinced.
Then she muttered quietly, “Besides, no one can be better looking than master anyway.”
“I can stay with you for a lifetime, can’t I?”
Leon scratched her nose, making her wrinkle it in displeasure and hum softly, “Make that two lifetimes, three lifetimes—whatever, I don’t care!”
Whenever she was around Leon, the girl showed this stubborn side of her.
Leon felt moved by her words but naturally couldn’t allow Elvie to stay by his side forever—that would leave no room to carry out his plans.
After hesitating for a moment, Leon said, “No scrubbing your back. But you can do something else instead. After that, you have to stop clinging to me all the time. The city needs your help too.”
“Alright then…”
Elvie looked a little disappointed but understood her master’s wish for some space and obediently let go of his arm, giving up on scrubbing his back.
Leon sighed in relief.
***
It wasn’t until nightfall, when he saw the girl clutching a pillow and looking at him pitifully, that he finally fell silent.
“I’m scared sleeping alone. Can I sleep with master tonight?”
Leon pinched the bridge of his nose, helpless, but eventually agreed.
“Come on, remember to bring your bedding too!”
It was definitely better than being completely exposed to her gaze.
Leon comforted himself inwardly.
“Master is the best!”
The girl happily placed her pillow beside Leon’s.
“You sleep inside.”
Leon added as he climbed into bed, lying on the outer side.
He warned Elvie seriously, “No mischief!”
Elvie tilted her head toward her master and nodded obediently, promising not to cause trouble.