I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 242: Breaking Point

Everyone had a breaking point, but no one expected that Irene would find hers in such a way.

Felix took Irene from the battlefield, passing Sir Gunnar as he did. They exchanged a brief nod with one another as if to silently say ’I am shirking on my responsibilities to help out a friend.’ Based on what he witnessed when he heard Irene’s helpless cries, he knew that was the best place for Felix at that moment.

The oldest apprentice carried Irene into the barracks, where he lay her on her usual cot and began to take off her boots.

He removed her armor and her outer coat so that her bed wouldn’t be covered in the filth from the battlefield. It was also a very intentional decision to remove her belt and put her sword far away from her. The thought of her rushing into danger in the state of mind she was in felt extremely dangerous.

However, she started shivering uncontrollably until her teeth chattered together. He dragged the cot closer to the small hearth at the center of the room, not caring whether or not anyone had an issue with that.

He retrieved her knitted blanket off the floor and placed it over her as he forced her into a lying position. She immediately wrapped her arms around her legs protectively once she was on her side. Her chin ducked, and her face was hidden from Felix.

Her quiet crying wasn’t lost on him for even a moment.

His eyebrows lowered. She had faced much less tragedy in her life than he had so far which was why it was so awful to witness her have to learn of the cold reality in such a way. He knelt next to her and placed a hand on her back.

"We will get through this together," he whispered. "Remember? That is what you told me."

She responded with nothing but her body trembling as another quiet cry struck her. It was clear she was the one closest to Leif.

Despite her lack of verbal reaction, he continued.

"I felt like this before, but remember, it does pass," he tried to assure her. "We still need you here, Iro. You must fight for him. Show those disgusting bastards what they took from you."

There wasn’t an ounce of logic left inside Irene at that moment.

The world was only pain. She never knew that being grief-stricken could feel like a physical ailment, but she had the chills. Words tried to come out, but she thought she was going to throw up if she even opened her mouth. It felt like her entire body was squeezing as she rejected Leif no longer being in that world.

She was the one who told him that it was easier for her if she knew she could see people again, but that belief seemed so far off. Leif was taken from her too soon. The world hated her in that moment, and it felt like gods ceased to exist.

"I’ll remind you of this every single day if that’s what it takes," Felix assured her. "For now, rest. You’re going to be exhausted from crying. We’ll be ready for you the next time you feel like wielding your sword."

She couldn’t voice her appreciation.

Irene only kept trembling and trying to muffle the cries when the hell didn’t cease. She would close her eyes, then open them, but it would never bring Leif back. He was gone. Truly gone.

They allowed her to lie there for a day. It truly did seem like she was sick because, after supper, Felix went to check on Irene, and she was listless when she woke up. He then realized that she was burning up with a fever, and he lifted her easily, blanket and all.

With that, the apprentice took his dear friend to the infirmary and requested something to help her fever. Perhaps it would be helpful for her to go to sleep for a while as well.

Since she wasn’t actually injured and they shouldn’t waste mana, Stanley decided they could only offer herbs to aid in sleep, pain, and fevers. She was out once again.

While cleanup of one of the worst battles they had faced that far ensued, they were all dutifully working in the fields to burn bodies and collect weapons.

Just as when Sir Eitan passed away, Felix brought Irene Leif’s sword. He placed it beside her bed. Perhaps she could eventually smile as she looked at the weapon. The two of them had a lot of good years together, after all.

They would go on as survivors. He hoped that one day Irene would be proud of herself.

Based on how Irene was handling things, Felix and Sir Gunnar met with one another during one of the mealtimes.

"I am considering writing Iro’s father a letter," Gunnar explained to the oldest apprentice. "What do you think?"

"I know better than anyone that this place is relentless," Felix admitted with an unhumorous laugh. "If his state of mind is bad, it will be dangerous for him more than it is helpful for us."

Before more words could be shared, there was a horn at the top of the ancient wall segment. They knew it was time to get serious again as they placed their bowls down without so much as another thought.

Sprinting to action was second nature to them by that point. The horn called for a response. That was all they were starting to know.

For years, even after they were on the battlefield, hearing a horn would be a haunting reminder of everything they endured—at least everyone who was able to survive the war.

Fortunately, it seemed that this wave of goblins was slightly less severe than the last. They should be able to take care of it without much issue. Since the goblins had given them two days to recover, it would be no problem.

The horn was what caused Irene to finally stir. She felt she had rested enough.

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