**********
A collective gasp followed.
Several knights went pale.
'Does he truly not know who she is…?'
Fear spread silently among those who recognized her. None dared speak.
The woman paid no attention to the young master's words.
She raised her hand.
Knights flinched instinctively.
Some thought she would strike.
Some thought she would kill them all.
Time stretched painfully.
Then—
They saw a bright golden magic appeared at their savior's hand and the golden light scattered around them as they closed their eyes because of the sudden brightness…
Warmth spread through the clearing.
It did not rush in like a wave, nor did it strike like fire. Instead, it seeped gently into flesh and bone, settling deep within every injured body as though the forest itself had exhaled a breath of comfort. One by one, servants and knights gasped softly, eyes widening as the pain that had once consumed them simply… faded.
