Can Someone (Anyone!) Please Turn Off the Auto-Skill Setting?! - Chapter 62
Aaron couldn’t bring himself to ask Nancy to stay up and keep watch. If she didn’t get enough sleep, she’d be groggy and unable to function properly the next day. Trying to stay safe could put them in more danger.
So, Aaron remained vigilant, only allowing himself light sleep so he could wake up at the slightest noise. He figured that, unlike her, he was strong enough to handle it.
He had underestimated the danger of accumulating fatigue. No one forced him to do it—he did it out of concern—but now he was sick, and it embarrassed him.
He realized that it was too much to handle the mission with just two people and that they should have recruited more party members. Even though he acknowledged it had been a reckless challenge, he still didn’t like the idea of bringing in new companions.
Aaron understood why Nancy was reluctant to form a new party: she thought they were enough. He liked the trust she placed in him, and the idea of having her complete trust to himself was sweet.
No matter how good a new party mate might be, the thought of sharing her trust with someone else didn’t sit well with him.
It was needless jealousy. It wouldn’t help their mission.
Even as he thought this, Aaron couldn’t control his feelings.
“What are you saying? I’m fine.”
He feared that if she realized he couldn’t function, she might think they needed someone to replace him. What if she turned to someone else in a dangerous moment instead of him?
Out of fear, Aaron lied about his condition. The guilt of hiding something that directly affected the safety of their party weighed heavily on him.
To prove that he was fine, he quickly removed his armor. His head felt like it was boiling, but the sweat inside his armor was cooling, making his body feel cold. Even as he undressed, he hoped she wouldn’t notice how soaked his back was with sweat.
“You think you can lie to a hero and get away with it?”
His act didn’t fool Nancy. She scoffed and pointed at the bedroll with her finger, indicating for him to lie down immediately.
“I told you, I’m not sick.”
Aaron frowned. He had only wanted to find a campsite before his condition worsened, but her recognizing his state and telling him to rest hurt his pride.
Aaron, who had always been treated like an unstoppable monster or a powerful warrior, now found it hard to accept being seen as weak. Instead of feeling cared for, he felt like she was dismissing him.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
Nancy grabbed his arm and forcibly laid him down. The moment his fevered body hit the ground, Aaron was reminded of the time his mother had caught him slacking off in training and dragged him to bed in the middle of the night.
“If you get even sicker, it’s going to be a real problem for me. How am I supposed to handle everything by myself without you?”
Seeing Aaron sulking from his hurt pride, Nancy spoke. Aaron’s mood improved again. He felt a little silly for being so simple, but he couldn’t help it, and let out a small, awkward cough.
“Now you’re even faking a cough. Hurry up and close your eyes and sleep.”
“That was a real cough…”
“Should I bring you some water? I wasn’t planning on doing chores like this, but for a sick person, I’ll make an exception.”
Nancy grabbed the water pouch Aaron had left beside his armor and handed it to him as he drank. She also offered him some biscuits and jerky, telling him to eat. Her normally cold and sharp attitude had softened considerably.
“Do you need anything else?”
Her tone made it sound like she was willing to do anything for him. Aaron rolled his eyes and reached out his hand.
“Show me your face.”
“Not happening.”
He had tried to slip it in casually, but she rejected it instantly. Apparently, she wasn’t willing to do anything for him. Disappointed, Aaron clicked his tongue.
Did she really think he’d be lustful even in this state? She trusted him fully in battle, yet she couldn’t trust him in this?
Well, he had done some… questionable things in the past. Okay, maybe more than a little.
“Shall I hold your hand, Sir Knight?”
Seeing his pouty face, Nancy teased him.
She figured that calling him ‘Sir Knight’ and offering to hold his hand would make him cringe and feel embarrassed, even in his sick state, as he tried to maintain his tough-guy image.
But Aaron, as if he had been waiting for her to say that, quickly extended his hand.
