Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
He was here-Sebastian had arrived!
Ten people knelt, their voices choked with emotion. “Please, Sebastian, save his life!”
Mira carried a medicine kit and entered. Sebastian took one glance at Lawrence’s condition, and knew that stabilizing him was the immediate priority.
He took out the piece of a thousand-year-old Evergreen Root, and handed it to Rafael. “Crush this.”
Rafael squeezed the hard root slice until it softened, and Sebastian swiftly placed it into Lawrence’s mouth.
The thousand-year-old Evergreen Root was known for its remarkable ability to sustain life, but it could only keep Lawrence alive for the moment.
Mira passed the needle pouch. Sebastian removed Lawrence’s clothes, and proceeded to map out a few vital pressure points.
Seeing this, the military physician interjected, “Sebastian, he’s extremely weak. Are you sure he’ll be able to handle the acupuncture treatment? Isn’t it dangerous?”
“It is dangerous, yes, but without taking this risk, we have no chance to save him at all,” Sebastian replied without looking back.
After applying the needles, he gently adjusted them. “The heat in his body has accumulated too much, and he’s very weak. Cooling him down and expelling the heat is crucial, and the Evergreen Root will stabilize him…” Before he finished his sentence, he already extended a hand toward Mira. “Snowdrop Pill, for heart protection.”
Mira handed a Snowdrop Pill to Sebastian. He frowned, looking at Rafael. “Crush it! Quickly!”
Rafael immediately crushed the pill. Mira used a small spoon to administer the powder into Lawrence’s mouth.
Vanda, Julian, and Travis had been tying the horses outside. Once they were done, they also ran in. Julian quickly squeezed through, but was pushed back by Sebastian.
“Just call out to him. Let him know you’re here, and then wait outside.”
Julian’s heart ached fiercely when he saw his brother in such a condition. He cried, “Lawrence, it’s me, your eldest brother! I’m here. I’m right here!”
Julian’s cries of anguish had a somewhat encouraging effect on Lawrence. He opened his eyes, and a glimmer of light appeared in them. But he was simply too exhausted, having persevered for so long that his willpower was entirely spent.
Now, Lawrence could only rely on Sebastian-on his exceptional medical skills, and the fine medicines the older man had prepared.
Sebastian had a notoriously short temper, especially when the patient’s condition was critical. He ordered everyone except Mira and Vanda to step back a few paces, and not interfere with the treatment.
The four of them-Sebastian, his two apprentices, and the military physician-worked together to clean Lawrence’s wounds. They scraped off the pus, cleaned the area, and applied medicine.
Lawrence’s fingers were swollen to an alarming degree. With every squeeze, pus and blood oozed out, causing excruciating pain. Lawrence trembled with every touch, tears streaming down his face as he could no longer hold them back.
Those standing away were unable to bear the sight, and they turned away. The pain was too intense to watch.
Julian rested his elbows on the door, burying his face and weeping silently. He dared not look, unable to bear the sight. Every pang of pain Lawrence bore felt like a stab to his own heart.
Julian thought to himself that it was fortunate his sister-in-law had not come-seeing such a scene would likely have caused her to faint in distress.
Hearing the uncontrollable sobs, Sebastian barked out, “If you need to cry, go outside and do it! He’s using every ounce of his strength to endure! What right do you have to be weak here?”
Everyone fell silent, and choked back their sobs. Only Rafael understood that Sebastian’s anger signified the seriousness of the situation.
It took a full three hours to scrape out all the pus, clean the wounds, and apply medicine. After washing the wounds, they rinsed them again with medicinal liquid, followed by a coating of white powder.
Sebastian prescribed two remedies.
One was for further cleaning the wounds, and the other was a medicinal drink. Since they had been briefed about the situation in advance, Mira and Vanda had brought the necessary herbat medicines. The post office staff immediately started preparing the medicine as soon as the prescriptions were issued.
Throughout the process, Mira and Vanda stayed by the fire and watched attentively. They placed the wound-cleaning solution in the side room to cool naturally, while the medicinal drink was carefully administered spoonful by spoonful to Lawrence.
That night, everyone except Everett stayed awake.
They were exhausted, but Sebastian had emphasized the importance of the night. If Lawrence could make it through until morning, there would be at least a ten percent chance of survival. A ten percent chance it was so minuscule and so heart-wrenching.
Sebastian slept on the floor, his exhaustion evident from the grueling journey.
Mira and Vanda took turns keeping watch, each taking a two-hour shift.
Throughout the night, they administered medicine five times. Initially, Lawrence could only endure a couple of spoonfuls. But by the fifth dose, they could feed Lawrence nearly half a cup.
The night was a painful ordeal, each moment dragging on unbearably. Everyone awake repeatedly looked outside, hoping for the sun to rise.
In the early hours before dawn, Sebastian woke up. He checked Lawrence’s pulse and blew some powder into the man’s nose, claiming it was to reduce his fever.
Sebastian’s dark circles were pronounced, his exhaustion evident. Julian mentioned that they had been traveling non-stop, catching only two hours or so of sleep during brief stops for changing horses. The younger ones fared better, but Sebastian was in his late fifties to sixties, and he struggled to cope.
After examining Lawrence’s pulse and temperature, Sebastian informed everyone, “He has made it through the night, but don’t be too optimistic. His fever has lowered, which indicates the treatment is working, but its overall effectiveness still needs to be confirmed. We won’t be able to leave immediately. If anyone wants to return to the capital, you may do so now. If not, help out with some chores at the relay station to avoid crowding around here. You’re making even me nervous.”
Hearing this, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
They had passed one hurdle!
When morning came, Everett prepared to leave for Meadow Ridge. It was time to collect rent-a task that could not be delayed.
Rafael helped him with his horse, and Everett clapped him on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’ve done a little calculation. He’ll be fine.”
Rafael’s eyes lit up. “Really? You can predict that? When did you learn how to do it?”
Everett took the reins, mounted his horse with a neutral expression, and replied coolly, “I picked it up in a dream after a short nap last night. But I’m sure of it.”
Rafael smiled wryly, and called out to his departing figure, “Thank you, sir!”
After the rain, the main road was free of dust. All that could be heard was the sound of hooves gradually fading away, and Everett’s silhouette soon vanished from sight. Rafael stood at the entrance of the relay station for a while before sitting down.
He thought about Sophie, and wondered how many more days she would take to arrive.
Everyone had moments of vulnerability, While Rafael had hoped Sophie would not see him like this. he desperately wished she were by his side now. Even just seeing her and holding her hand would have been enough to bring him some comfort.
He leaned against the door and fell asleep.
Inside, the others were scattered around, exhausted from the ordeal. The collective relief was palpable, and the fatigue was finally setting in.
Julian was finally allowed to sit by his brother’s bed. He looked at the wounds and swelling on Lawrence’s face and gently touched the latter’s thin arm, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face.