The Duke's Passion

829  Rest isn't a time wasted

"No. I decided to go out alone."

The warriors furrowed their brows upon hearing Claude's response. Confusion was apparent in their eyes. They had already agreed about this earlier; what was he talking about now? "Don't get me wrong. I will still need your help. Though I won't need you to go out of this place. Considering your current state, even if you push yourself beyond your limits, I don't think that will last long and eventually hold everyone back," Claude explained, glossing his eyes over the haggard faces in the mansion's lobby. "Whether or not you admit it, you guys are physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. Sending almost half dead soldiers to a mission is a guaranteed fail."

"But we can still go!" someone among the warriors retorted, and then backed up by another. "Don't mind us. We are willing to risk everything to rescue our people."

"That's right. Before becoming warriors in the Colosseum, we were once knights. We pledged to serve the people and protect our land!" "We won't drag everyone down. We would rather kill ourselves than become a burden again."

"Yes! Let us go with you!"

"Allow us to do our duty!"

Claude drew his lips into a thin line, listening to their protest. He could feel the sincerity and determination in their voices, but alas, it wasn't enough to change his mind. "As I have said, do not get me wrong!" Claude's voice thundered, echoing across the mansion to shut everyone up. "Allow you to do your duty? Kill yourself rather than hold everyone back? Are you not having goosebumps while saying those things?!"

"I am aware that you were noble knights before becoming a warrior in the Colosseum and became subject to mockery and entertainment. Therefore, I do not blame you for being enthusiastic at the thought of rescuing more people outside," he continued while his voice lowered, growing solemn with every passing second. "However, fighting and going out there wasn't the only way to do your duties as knights."

"If you, yourselves, do not have enough strength and are almost at your limits, how can you think of saving another when you can't even save yourself?" he added, pressing a few nerves, but no one spoke about it. "Listen here. Not because you are here doesn't mean you can't do anything anymore."

"What are you saying? How can we save our people if we're inside this mansion doing nothing?" a knight voiced out.

"Many things," Claude remarked without a second hesitation, warranting total silence from everyone. His eyes scanned their faces, seeing some of them were confused and others were displeased. He couldn't blame them, though. They were knights who were courageous enough to go against Zero and ended up fighting in the Colosseum. Claude cleared his throat, taking advantage of the silence.

"As I've said, you were exhausted and almost at your limits. On top of fighting your way out of the Colosseum to reach this estate, you had been battling in the Colosseum for years. Some of you even had duels earlier today. That is why I am asking you to rest," he remarked solemnly with a tinge of authority in his voice. "Sending exhausted soldiers isn't the best option. Instead of saving as many people as we can, I'm afraid we would lose more people. I do not want that."

Claude paused, breathing out through his mouth. "Do not make your deaths a burden to those who would survive this mayhem. We want to save as many lives as we can, and your lives bore the same value that you shouldn't throw away."

Hearing Claude's remarks calmed many warriors while it surprised others. Their mouths fell open, but their voice was stuck in their throat. Battling in the Colosseum all these years subconsciously made them forget the value of their lives. The only reason they were fighting was that they wanted to survive. It was all an instinct and also the fear of death. Perhaps a little bit of hope that one day they could get out of that damn place also added to their will to survive. "Rest… isn't a time wasted. Use this time to rest and regain as much strength and energy as you can," he continued as his countenance grew sharper. "Because I will need you to save as many people as you can."

"How can we save people while staying here?"

"I noticed that many of you are adept at treating injuries and wounds." Claude pointed out in a knowing tone. "Those injured, rest. But those who can rest for a while and then prepare all medical equipment and tools for treating injuries. Also, prepare food for everyone. Bring out as many medicines you can find in the estate and prepare as many foods as you can."

There was a moment of silence in the lobby before someone inquired quietly. "Are you going to rescue everyone all alone?"

"No." Claude shook his head before a subtle smile turned up on his face. "Even if I am capable, I don't think I can do it all alone." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Then how will you do it?"

Claude's smile stretched as his eyes shone with clarity. "Sir Knight, my auntie, and my uncle in the Colosseum weren't the only people who came to take down Quentin. There were more people out there — people who were just as capable as those three are coming."

"Matter of fact, someone I know well just breached the border and is wreaking havoc, which is sort of surprising." Claude's eyelids drooped, but it wasn't able to conceal the glint in his eyes. "It just so happened that that person cares about people just as much as my auntie Lilove does. He might appear to care less about others, but he had the most humane heart than most humans I met in my life."

The warriors could only stare at Claude in silence, wondering who could this person be. However, they didn't dwell on it and trusted his words. After all, if Claude said there were more people out there who were just as capable as Lilou and Rufus, then it was understandable that Claude didn't mind the warriors staying back. "Once the people start coming in here, I want you to make sure everything is prepared so they can just rest," Claude added, snapping everyone back to their senses. "Fighting on the battlefield isn't the only way to save the people. Rescuing them was one thing, but the place for refuge is another. Make sure to give them they will find security in here, just like all of us."

The warriors looked at each other before setting their eyes back on Claude. No one spoke a word, but the clarity and resolution in their eyes were enough for Claude to understand their willingness to cooperate.