The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 56
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
Gallard found it truly remarkable. How could she offer her hand and pat her shoulders without showing any sign of displeasure?
Not just among royalty, but no noble would treat commoners with such kindness.
Gallard was curious about the origin of her tenderness.
“There’s a significant difference in damage between villages that followed the instructions and those that did not. It’s unfortunate, but this may strengthen their unity.”
“Because those who didn’t listen are all dead?”
“…..Ahem. Well, yes, that’s one way to put it.”
As they moved towards the next village, Gallard thought it was a blessing in disguise that such a clear difference had emerged.
In times of war, not following orders could lead to disaster.
This incident likely reinforced the importance of obeying commands to survive, not just looking out for oneself.
“Still, it’s sad about those who died. It would have been better if they had lived.”
“You have a kind heart.”
“Do I?”
Amber murmured softly. Nora, a maid who had followed her, cheerfully initiated a conversation.
“Madam, would you like to finish the drawing you started earlier?”
“Should I?”
At Amber’s agreement, Nora quickly pulled out the drawing tools she had brought along. They included a flat board for drawing in the carriage, a small portable easel, paper, and charcoal.
Currently, Amber is touring the northern region to encourage recovery efforts.
She believed that showing her face and directly engaging was more effective in soothing the public spirit than just staying within the castle during such critical times.
Although the damage was less than in the past, many were still hurt, so Amber had mobilized a group of doctors from within the castle for mobile treatment, which had proven to be very effective so far.
I wonder if the people of the North don’t hate me now?
Holding the charcoal, Amber’s hand moved slowly.
Drawing accurately inside a moving carriage was unlikely, but it didn’t really matter since she was no artist.
“Wow! You’ve drawn such a cute cat!”
“…It’s an apple.”
“Eh?!”
Amber looked seriously at the drawing.
Did it really not look like an apple? Even if it was bad, a cat seemed far off.
“Oh, Madam. You’ve drawn a dog.”
“It’s an apple.”
“Oh, was it? Such a cute apple then.”
Sir Gallard Lundsten added his observation.
Amber sighed softly and stepped out of the carriage with her drawing.
“Sir. What does this look like to you?”
“Uh… A small bird?”
“It’s an apple.”
“Gasp!”
Afterward, she asked every knight they encountered, but none identified it as an apple. She was sure she had drawn an apple!
After asking about ten knights, Amber finally admitted defeat and gave up.
‘By the way….It’s surprising how many knights have survived.’
She had a good enough relationship with the knights to engage in such trivial conversations. Something she couldn’t have dreamed of before her return.
‘There are certainly knights who have died, but it’s not necessary to blame myself for those deaths.’
What was it like around this time in the past?
It was a dreadful spring.
During this brief spring, Nidhogg remained quiet, and there were no expeditions.
Igmeyer held memorial services for the fallen knights, and their families mourned daily. New knights had to be chosen, and since it was impossible to find suitable ones from the devastated north, they had to bring them from the knight schools in the capital.
These newcomers clashed fiercely with the existing knights, many of whom were former mercenaries, and the atmosphere worsened by the day.
‘Things won’t be like that this time.’
The future has changed.
Amber should have been relieved and happy, but strangely, she couldn’t smile.
Because she knew what was coming next.
‘If I become pregnant, Nidhogg will come again.’
So far, she hasn’t used contraception. There was no need to worry about pregnancy before stopping Nidhogg’s Cry.
But now that such a significant event had been altered, the future was uncertain. She could discover she’s pregnant as soon as tomorrow.
“Madam, um…”
At that time.
A middle-aged doctor approached her hesitantly. If her memory served correctly, he was the deputy leader of this mobile treatment group.
“What is it? Speak freely.”
“Well, it’s that… we’re running low on herbs. We haven’t run out yet, but at this rate, the amount we prepared will be woefully insufficient…”
“How short are we? Can you estimate?”
“Yes.”
Despite appearing nervous, the doctor was competent in his duties and promptly responded to her question.
“At the current rate, we’re using one sack of herbs for every three villages. If we continue at this pace, we only have enough herbs left for three more villages, meaning we’ll run out after visiting three more places.”
“We have about ten more villages to visit, so we’re short.”
“Yes. Moreover, using herbs doesn’t immediately cure patients. We’ve only been able to provide emergency treatment while conserving our supply of herbs… The critically ill patients will need to be revisited. Taking that into consideration…”
As he adjusted his glasses and spoke sharply, the doctor soon hesitated again, perhaps realizing whom he was speaking to.
