Chapter 73: Sena's mockery
Trees waved and leaves rustled. A breeze brushed past as Lireesa concentrated on some of her hair sticking to her mouth. She shook her head in an attempt to remove the hair but it remained stuck. Helpless and despite not wanting her hand to touch her face, Lireesa grazed her lips with the back of her hand.
How long had the time passed? 10 minutes…Silence across the forest except her ears heard some fighting sounds at a distance. Perhaps Sena and other groups were chasing the trolls. Since Lireesa solved the Legend, her worry about their safety was gone.
Wind exuded its beauty after all the tired fight. The whisper calmed Lireesa's nerves to close her eyes in peace. Lireesa sensed several glances in her direction, which were probably from her subordinates.
Her rangers still dumbfounded by her prior fighting style. In contrast to their usual Lady's elegance and gorgeousness, her previous combat overturned their opinion of Lireesa. Raged with brutality, and merciless hits. Their heart also warmed after finding out the reason for Lireesa's outburst.
In fact, when the legend troll with immunity buff sprung toward them, their bodies chilled and fear overwhelmed them despite the knowledge Lireesa would protect them. There was nothing Lireesa could do with arrows from a distance. None of them appeared to fend off the Legend. The consequences had shown many rangers unable to move at all.
Her ladyship forced her weakest style of combat to stop the troll's plan and received their full worship. Maybe they were not fanatical in terms of loyalty, but now more than the royal family's influence had on them back at the capital.
Staying in a serene atmosphere around her for some time, Lireesa discovered her body's condition. Although it wasn't severe, she felt dull all over her body. Some wear and tear in laymen's terms like her clothing.
As the heat inside her body receded, she felt stinging sensations behind her back along with wetness, apparently some sweat and blood. Whenever she tried to move, it stung her nerves. She breathed in large deep air to lessen the pain. She dared not let her back touch other objects. Just the friction between her armor and robes distressed her.
After she was no longer fighting, her adrenaline level descended and her sense heightened. During the fight, Lireesa could tolerate such pain but now the mere scratches and wounds were all over her mind.
Lireesa glimpsed at her legs, which still were healthy and glamorous white skin without any damage. She lifted her skirt armor on the side and eyed the side of her hips. All was well except for some redness and soreness.
From her sitting position on the ground, spreading her legs with arms above her knees, Lireesa had to bend to the side to check her hips and stretched the wounds in the process. She hissed and shook her head.
Her body craved some healing and the results of potion nearby appealed to Lireesa. Despite her desire, Lireesa controlled her emotion and understood potions mustn't be wasted on her. Apart from the agonizing appearance from the outside, there were no serious injuries.
Even the internal organs went through shockwaves but she could bear it as the level difference with her opponent was minimal. There were many like Alleria who were in need of such treatment.
Conceivably, her voice attracted the attention of others, one of the Windrunners couldn't help but stride forward and inquired about her situation. In their eyes, her ladyship suffered a lot and by the looks of it, the appearance was devastating.
"Lady Lireesa, we saw, you need treatment?" One ranger asked feeling unbearable after discovering Lireesa's condition. "We still have many potions for you, although we haven't treated all the wounded yet."
"No need. Use them for those who are in need." Lireesa replied nonchalantly. "You can come to me after you've treated everyone. Don't worry, even though my external image is worrisome, I knew myself more. It's not life-threatening."
"Yes, milady. But according to my calculation, the potions are in surplus and I believe even after using it on you, we could still treat others." The ranger replied with sincere eyes. "Besides, I don't want Milady to suffer pain and leave some scars. The sooner you're treated, the better."
The ranger's reply indeed raised her eyes. Even though she wasn't too focused on making herself beautiful, she really didn't want to be disfigured. Which women had one seen possessing scars? If possible, in most views, the scars should be in obscure positions.
"En…I know. I'll ask for it when it's really intolerable."
Seeing her lady's refusal to cooperate, the ranger was about to open her mouth to advise again and paused when she heard a frivolous voice. No need to turn back to know the speaker. The tone had already given hint. Who else besides their captain Sena, always behaving in this way?
"Woah, how come there're so many injured? Where's Lady Lireesa?" Sena after cleaning up the rest of the trolls returned, searching for Lireesa. Since she heard her voice from the left group, she already knew there would be a legend powerhouse troll. As soon as she arrived at the left group, what she saw were many elven bodies lying on the ground, almost frightening her to a heart attack. She patted her chest in relief after discovering there were only injured albeit mild and critical. She wasn't worried since her ranger expedition had packed every necessity including medical supplies. So long as one had a breath remaining, the magical potions could bring back to life, though they were very expensive.
Her previous anxiousness dissipated and her carefree nature took over again. She hopped on and asked Lireesa's whereabouts. After some ranger pointed out the direction, she came near Lireesa. Of course, Lireesa's silver clothing attire was too recognizable against the background and Sena found her. Before there were so many busy rangers in the crowd, Lireesa appeared hidden.
When Lireesa turned her face toward Sena, all she saw was the shocking silence of her friend. Her heart beat happily when at least perky Sena was nervous about her; in order to not worry about her condition, she was about to console when she stopped suddenly due to Sena's next behavior.
"Puff-hmph. Puff-hahaha. Oh-my-sunwell. I've never laughed so much since the day I was born. Who's responsible for giving you this appearance? I must give a compliment. Give me a moment." Sena continued her laughter holding her stomach for dear breath. She received glares from rangers around, who were at first furious but felt relieved later.
As Sena, despite appearing lighthearted most of the time, was always responsible, her nonchalant attitude showed at least she believed Lireesa wasn't hurt too badly. Otherwise, she might be the first to be outraged and spitting tears. So, everyone resumed their business and left some space for them.
"Hold on Lireesa! Wait a second." Sena spoke as she rumbled her belongings and took out something. "Let me take out my magic crystal to record this moment. Ah! Don't look away. Com'on."
Lireesa pretended not to be familiar with Sena and decided to ignore her annoyance. She felt helpless even if she was in another world, there were still friends who would be there to record her precise embarrassing moment.
Sena came in front of her again holding the device and Lireesa rolled her eyes at her. After satisfying her vanity, Sena asked with a serious tone. "What happened? You looked devastated."
"At least the troll was worse than mine. I cut off his hand and he ran like a coward." Lireesa retorted but she wasn't satisfied with the results herself.
Sena's eyebrows raised at her remarks and she exhaled. Nodding her head as if she had already pictured what had happened, she sat down in front while her eyes laid on Alleria who was asleep beside them. Sena was speechless. This girl, how many times had she suffered in this expedition? Hope she didn't develop a phobia.
Noticing Sena's sight and expression, Lireesa was aware of her thoughts. Her daughter's luck, Lireesa was astounded. One time met the most difficult profession and now this time was against the Legend. Shit luck. Shittier than both Lireesa and Sena combined.
At least, Alleria was safe and sound. Her contact with the Legend and her surviving through might also become stepping stones for her level upgrades. Just what was needed for a timely upgrade before disasters struck. This also applied to the rest of the injured rangers around. These were the benefits. Some even gained more from watching Lireesa fight although everything seemed barbaric moves.
"Forgive my laughter, Lireesa, but you can't blame me. You looked horrible. Anyone who's known you for ages will be the first time to see you like this." Sena explained her reactions. Yet her reasons sounded weak to blind her prior mockery.
"Understood, although I've no idea of myself, by the looks from others I already imagine my appearance," Lireesa said without a change of mood in her eyes. "And it seems that I've weakened a lot due to lack of practice. Sena, you should accompany me more in the coming days. I must really strengthen."
Threat! This was a naked one too! Her mouth dared to blurt out weakening. She even heard cracks from Lireesa's fist. Everyone was aware Lady Lireesa had improved tremendously. Weakness, my foot. Sena snorted in her heart.
"Look! Why don't you look at yourself?" Sena showed Lireesa her magic crystal, which brightened later and formed a magic water mirror. Lireesa saw herself and her eyelids twitched. It was indeed terrible.
Bloody, with scars on the forearms and thighs. The most recognizable part was the left side of her face. Sore and reddened. There was even a redder and darker handprint. Lireesa remembered the troll had slapped her face hard and the imprint still remained.
It was no wonder Sena snickered at Lireesa whose body looked beyond miserable, completely in contrast to her usual friend's heroic exquisite strong vibe. Lireesa caressed her left cheek slowly and she hissed out loud almost to the brink of swearing. That hurt.
Noticing Lireesa was swayed away and her attempt to divert the topic succeeded, Sena's lips curled up, and continued describing. She reached behind her and took out a green potion filled with Life energy inside a crystal bottle.
"Here, my potion. You should use it to recover quickly." Presenting it to Lireesa, Sena spoke. "Don't worry, the rest of the group didn't suffer much and we're in surplus. Don't hesitate."
Lireesa's eyes stared at Sena for a few moments and nodded her head imperceptibly. Her hand grasped the potion, removed the cover, and placed the lid on her lips. Lireesa savored it slowly and the taste wasn't unpleasant for a strong medicine. It had a mint smell and sour flavor. Her eyes lit up after drinking half. The effect was immediate as she felt a warm sensation swimming across her entire body.
Some itched so much that Lireesa had to control herself from scratching. The most discernible was the numbness on her left cheek decreased. She touched it gently and some pain remained but it was endurable. Stiff had become smooth apart from the obvious red palm imprint.
Lireesa gave the bottle containing the rest of the potion to Sena and swiveled her back. Sena naturally understood her movement and she licked her mouth unconsciously; drools almost littered. Fortunately, Lireesa's eyes weren't on Sena as her friend rubbed her hands with excitement.
Sena paused and peeked around as if in a guilty conscience. Alleria was the only one nearby and the rest were concentrated in other areas. Her throbbing hand unclasped Lireesa's robe and armor attire so that she could put medicine on the wounds directly. Little by little she undressed while her mood soared in the sky.
Sena confidently preceded her actions unaware, the corner of Alleria's mouth twitched and her hand turned into a fist, palpitating slightly.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
PraiseElune
PraiseElune A bit late. Should have been yesterday but the internet was cut off.
Here's one chapter and another still in the writing process.
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