Chapter 230: Chapter 230- Patient

They finally arrived at Downtown City, the once-chaotic place now eerily quiet. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and metal, and the massive front gate partially shattered from the recent assault—stood as proof of the devastation that had unfolded.

The corpses of mutated beasts and infected creatures had already been cleared, leaving behind only the faint marks of battle scorched into the streets.

Clarissa turned to Julian and Zoe, her expression soft but firm. "You two should rest. You’ve been fighting nonstop since the sky whale attack."

Julian shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the city walls before settling back on her. "Later. I want to see the others first."

Clarissa smile, knowing that once Julian decided something, there was no stopping him. "Fine," she said, brushing her hair aside. "But after that, you’re heading straight to bed."

Julian only gave a tired smirk in response. Zoe yawned beside him, stretching her arms lazily. "Guess I’ll tag along too," she muttered, earning a faint chuckle from Clarissa.

Before heading off, they bid farewell to Joe, Glain, and Rafael, who were already coordinating with the reconstruction teams and medical units. Joe grinned broadly and waved. "Don’t die on the way to the infirmary, Julian!"

With that, they parted ways. Clarissa led Julian and Zoe through the quiet corridors of the base, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly.

As soon as they stepped into the medical ward, the scent of herbs and disinfectant filled the air. Several healers moved about, tending to the wounded. In one corner, Celestia, her arm wrapped in bandages, was sitting upright on her bed, quietly conversing with Veronica and Aya.

The moment their eyes caught sight of Julian at the entrance, the atmosphere shifted.

"Julian!"

Before he could even say a word, all three of them rushed toward him. He barely had time to brace himself before they collided—three bodies pressing into him in a sudden, suffocating embrace.

"—Can’t... breathe," Julian muttered, his voice muffled against Veronica’s shoulder.

Celestia was the first to pull back, her cool, silver eyes softening as they scanned his worn-out face. "You look terrible," she said in her calm, measured tone, though her hands lingered on his arm as if making sure he was truly there. "You shouldn’t be walking around like this."

Julian smiled faintly. "You look better than the last time I saw you. Guess the antidote worked."

Celestia’s lips curved slightly—barely a smile, but one that held warmth. "I had a good reason to recover quickly," she said, her voice low.

Veronica flipped her long hair, her usual confident smirk appearing, though her tone betrayed the worry behind it. "Honestly, what kind of leader gets himself half-dead and leaves us worrying like idiots?" She crossed her arms, trying to look annoyed. "If you were going to fight a monster like that, you could’ve at least made it look easy."

Julian arched a brow. "So you’re saying I should’ve fought a sky whale without breaking a sweat?"

Veronica huffed, averting her gaze. "That’s not what I meant, idiot... I just—" She paused, her cheeks tinting red. "—You’d better not scare us like that again, got it?"

Aya, who had been standing quietly behind them, finally stepped closer. Her small hands trembled slightly as she reached for the hem of Julian’s sleeve. "I-I was so scared," she whispered, her voice soft and shy.

Julian looked at her and smiled gently, resting his hand on her head. "Hey... I’m here, aren’t I?"

Aya nodded, her eyes glistening. "Y-yes... welcome back."

Celestia folded her arms, exhaling softly. "You shouldn’t be the one comforting others right now."

Veronica rolled her eyes but smirked faintly. "He never learns. Always acting like the calm hero even when he’s about to collapse."

Julian chuckled weakly. "Maybe it’s just habit."

Beatrix, who was leaning near the doorway, sighed dramatically. "If you girls squeeze him again, he really will collapse."

A small smile tugged at Julian’s lips. "You look like you fit right in here," he said lightly.

Beatrix exhaled through her nose, not even bothering to hide her boredom. "Don’t flatter yourself. I wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t told me to keep an eye on this place." Her sharp eyes swept over the group, then she added dryly, "Anyway, you all need to stop clinging to this guy and get some rest."

Her gaze shifted to Celestia, her tone firm but not unkind. "And you — you’re still recovering. Don’t push yourself too soon."

Celestia merely nodded, her expression calm as always, though a flicker of irritation passed in her eyes.

Clarissa stepped forward, smiling brightly. "Miss Beatrix is right. You girls should rest. Let me take care of Julian for now."

Before anyone could agree, Veronica instantly interjected, flipping her hair with a confident smirk. "Hold on. You? I’m already feeling fine, so I’ll be the one taking care of him. I owe him that much."

Julian blinked, recognizing that dangerous tone — the one that usually led to chaos. He sighed, "... not again."

Beatrix’s brow twitched. "Enough," she snapped, her voice cutting through their chatter like a blade. "You’re disturbing the other patients—"

But before she could finish, Julian suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and started dragging her toward one of the side rooms.

"Wait— what are you—?" Beatrix stammered, surprised.

Julian glanced back at the others and said tiredly, "I’ll be with her. You all get some rest too."

"Wait, Julian—!" Veronica shouted, stepping forward, but the door had already shut behind him and Beatrix.

A long, stunned silence followed.

Veronica’s face twisted in disbelief, her voice rising with irritation. "What the hell was that? He actually left with that woman?!" she snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "Unbelievable. After everything, he just— walks off like that?"

Clarissa chuckled softly, stepping closer and resting a gentle hand on Veronica’s shoulder. "Now, now, calm down," she said in her soothing voice. "I’m sure Julian has his own reasons. He’s probably just tired after all that fighting."

Celestia nodded, her calm tone carrying quiet logic. "Clarissa’s right. He’s exhausted, and Beatrix is the most capable one here to make sure he rests properly. It’s nothing more than that."

Clarissa smiled, her eyes glinting with playful mischief. "Hmm, or maybe... someone’s just too upset because she didn’t get to be the one sharing a bed with him?"

Veronica froze, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson. "Wh–what?! That’s not—!" she stammered, turning her face away. "It’s not like that, Clarissa! I just— ugh, whatever! I’m going to rest!"