Endless Debt Chapter 1120 - 123: Resilience (3)

Even Geoffrey himself had never imagined becoming entangled in the Seeker of Glory's clash, let alone emerging from it alive.

"I wish to retire," Geoffrey confessed to Bologue. "For someone contemplating stepping away, the more one comprehends, the greater the burden becomes."

"I doubt the Decision Room will grant you an easy release. They are disinclined to part with individuals possessing significant value."

Bologue remarked with composure. Geoffrey had been voicing these very concerns to him for some time now.

In truth, Bologue understood that Geoffrey wasn't genuinely fatigued or world-weary; rather, he felt a profound sense of closure and a subsequent lack of drive to continue. The adversaries he faced in the clandestine war had, for all intents and purposes, been annihilated.

Drawing from narratives Bologue had encountered, individuals like Geoffrey, upon achieving their ultimate retribution, often experience a peculiar sense of emptiness. Typically, authors would conclude their tales at this juncture, leaving the protagonist suspended in that moment of quietude, as subsequent events might prove rather uneventful.

It was a unfortunate reality that this was actual life, not a fictional narrative. With his enemies vanquished, Geoffrey's existence had to persist. He attempted to revert to his former mindset from the Logistics Department, seeking a state of carefree existence, but the current Geoffrey found himself incapable of recapturing that former self.

So much had transformed.

Bologue guided Geoffrey to the end of the passageway. After a moment's hesitation, Bologue nevertheless pushed the door open. A potent aroma of disinfectant assailed them. The room was dimly illuminated. Through the glass partition, Bologue had an unobstructed view of the interior of the sealed chamber.

A figure, swathed much like a mummy, rested upon the medical cot, intricate tubes integrated into him like the workings of a complex apparatus. Bandages enveloped nearly his entire visage, leaving only his mouth and nasal passages exposed.

A spectrum of medicinal liquids flowed relentlessly into his body, and adjacent to the bed, a sophisticated contraption emitted a steady roar. Bologue recalled medical professionals explaining the function of this peculiar medical device; they described it as an external circulation system designed to support the patient's life functions.

"Is Lebius still with us?"

Geoffrey inquired. He was unable to perceive the scene within the room, only registering the low drone of the machinery.

"He is alive... seemingly on the path to recovery," Bologue replied, uttering a falsehood.

During the Seeker of Glory's intense engagement, Lebius had sustained the most grievous injuries. In his pursuit to eliminate Red Dog, he had pushed his body to its absolute limit, contorting himself and forcing his very being to comply.

Upon his arrival at the Border Sanatorium, Lebius was little more than a ruined form, his limbs grotesquely misshapen, his internal organs severely displaced. Had it not been for the timely intervention of Etherealization and Nesanel's swift actions, Lebius would undoubtedly have succumbed.

Even then, it required an extensive period for the medical staff to realign Lebius's mangled limbs, extricate bone fragments that had pierced his vital organs, tend to his numerous wounds, and sustain his fragile life. Throughout his stay in the medical facility, Lebius underwent extensive surgical procedures on a daily basis. Only now had all the interventions concluded, and his vital signs had just barely stabilized.

Aside from those within the central war zone, Aimou had also sustained some damage. However, owing to her nature as an Alchemy Puppet, provided her Constant Motion Core remained intact, she possessed the capability for self-repair. In contrast to the recuperating individuals, Aimou was situated within the Sublimation Furnace Core, actively mending herself.

And then there was... Palmer, the fortunate Palmer. Of their contingent, he had suffered the least harm.

This individual, blessed with exceptional luck, had been spared the most brutal phase of the conflict. Palmer had minimal direct engagement with either the First Seat or Red Dog. The sole affliction he suffered was the gradual decay caused by the plague. Following a straightforward medical assessment, Palmer was cleared for discharge. Nevertheless, Palmer chose not to depart, remaining in proximity, thereby consuming valuable medical resources.

"What emotions do you suppose Lebius will experience upon regaining consciousness?" Geoffrey pondered aloud.

"In what specific aspect are you inquiring?"

"Nothing in particular... I am merely speculating on his potential thoughts," Geoffrey elaborated. "Will it be the exhilaration of vanquishing his foe, or the profound emptiness that follows such an achievement?"

"Or perhaps..."

Geoffrey recollected the unsettling fervor that had radiated from Lebius, sensing a depth of complexity he had never before encountered. "It's possible he might wish he had perished in the conflict."

A shared silence descended upon them, an absolute stillness enveloping their surroundings.

The Protection from Belphegor, a secret Lebius had harbored for an extended duration, had now been revealed. The circumstances had been dire at the time, affording Geoffrey no opportunity for contemplation. However, with the passage of time, the events resurfaced in his mind, evoking a long-absent sense of bewilderment.

Geoffrey understood Lebius's character. He was a man defined by his pride, a trait that compelled him to persevere relentlessly on the front lines. Even now, Geoffrey could comprehend the desperate measures Lebius had taken and the profound humiliation involved in seeking assistance from a demonic entity, particularly for someone of such inherent pride.

Now that Lebius's objective had been realized, how would he reconcile his actions? He might disdain to offer any justification, or he might endure intense emotional anguish in solitude.

"I have always held the belief that humanity possesses an extraordinary capacity for resilience,"

Bologue suddenly interjected, stepping closer, his face nearing the glass as if yearning to bridge the divide and reach Lebius's bedside.