Chapter 285: The Scars of Defeat (1)
[Rosalin’s POV]
Rosalin’s squad remained inside a small open cave, sheltered from the brutal noon sun. It had been quiet among them for several hours since morning, with most of the group too worn out to do anything but rest.
Now, however, the cave had become loud because no one could agree on what they should do next.
"We cannot stay here all day!"
Rosalin said as she pressed one hand against the cave wall. She forced herself onto her feet, but her knees shook the moment she placed weight on them.
Before she could take another step, Freya threw herself forward and wrapped both arms around her leg.
"Lady Rosalin, I know you wish to climb the ranks and earn more points, but your injuries are getting worse. You need more rest, so please stop trying to walk. For the love of the Goddess, sit your noble backside down!"
Rosalin lowered her gaze and found Freya clinging to her like a stubborn child.
Rosalin herself looked worse than anyone else in the cave. Dirty white bandages covered nearly her entire body, wrapping around her forehead, shoulders, chest, arms, and both legs. Dark stains of blood had already soaked through several parts of the cloth.
"I can still fight..."
Rosalin tried to wrench her leg free, but a savage pain tore through her ribs. Her body stiffened, and a broken breath slipped between her clenched teeth.
Freya caught the small change in her face, and her eyes hardened at once.
"Lady Rosalin..."
Another voice called from deeper inside the cave. Freya and Rosalin both turned toward it.
Vanessa stood several steps in front of them, her arms crossed over her chest. Rosalin’s fingers tightened against the rough cave wall as their eyes met.
"Violet..."
Vanessa pressed her lips together before taking a slow breath.
"Even if you want to earn more points, going outside without a plan is not the way to do it. Since you are already awake, we should discuss what to do first. The last time, we were caught off guard because we had no plan, and that is how we ended up like this."
Honestly, she had not wanted to say it that way, since it sounded as though she was placing all the blame on Rosalin.
Still, she had to.
Freya finally released Rosalin’s leg and pushed herself back onto her feet. Her brows pulled together as she faced Vanessa.
"Violet, why would you say that, when it was not really her fault?"
"It is."
Rosalin’s voice cut through the cave before Freya could finish.
Footsteps scraped against the stone as Arrin and Talon slowly approached them. Neither of them looked angry, and neither seemed willing to place the blame on Rosalin.
After all, it had been Lady Calyra who had picked the fight and forced them into that battle. Their faces made it clear that they wanted to defend her, but Rosalin had already lowered her gaze.
"I knew Calyra was trying to provoke me, and I still chose to answer her. So, as the leader, it is my fault."
Rosalin fought through the pain.
"That is why we cannot rest. We have to secure more points, and we cannot afford to slow down because of what I did. I do not want all of you to suffer for my mistake."
Vanessa hesitated, the words refusing to leave her mouth. Yet, in the end, she forced herself to swallow her fear.
Then, she looked Rosalin in the eyes.
"That is why you lost against Calyra." (+800PP)
Her voice carried through the cave. Every sound around them stopped. Everyone turned toward Vanessa in shock and confusion.
Even Rosalin’s tired eyes widened.
’Huwaa~ why do I have to say this?’
Vanessa cried inside her head as her stomach twisted.
’Isn’t this putting me in the worst position possible, and what is Ruvian even thinking? Is this really going to work like he said?’
Despite the panic inside her head, Vanessa’s face remained firm. She kept her arms crossed and held Rosalin’s gaze.
Not even her voice shook.
Anger spread across Freya’s face as she stepped forward. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides. "What did you just say?"
However, Rosalin quickly reached out and caught Freya’s arm. Fresh blood spread through the bandage around her hand, but she did not release her.
Freya stopped at once and turned toward her in shock.
Rosalin looked gentle, but the tiredness beneath her eyes was clear. There was no anger in her face as she looked back at Vanessa.
"Violet, please explain what you mean. I... I want to understand why you said that. I heard you were the one who came to retrieve me after I lost consciousness."
Rosalin paused to catch her breath, then rested more of her weight against the cave wall.
"So, I assume you must have seen our fight?"
Vanessa’s eyes almost widened when she heard those words. Rosalin had asked the question almost exactly as Ruvian had written through the [Farscribe].
’It really happened just as he said it would...’
"Yes, I saw the fight," Vanessa replied, keeping her voice firm. "Lady Calyra also asked me to tell you something once you woke up, but she said it was meant for you alone." (+200 PP)
She then looked toward the others, making her meaning clear without saying another word.
They all showed a complicated expression, clearly unhappy about being sent away. None of them wanted to leave Rosalin alone after what had happened.
"Alright," Rosalin said after a brief silence, giving them a small nod. "Please wait here for us, we will not be gone for long."
’Haaa... thank goodness.’
Vanessa inwardly let out a sigh of relief.
Freya opened her mouth to argue, but Rosalin’s calm gaze made her slowly close it again.
Stepping forward, Vanessa carefully placed Rosalin’s arm over her shoulder, silently casting [Telekinesis] to lighten her weight and ease her steps.
Then, together, they walked toward the entrance side of the cave, where the others would not be able to hear them.
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[Chapter 285: The Scars of Defeat (1)]
Plot Points= 59,000