The Time-Stop Breeding Uncle Wants To Retire – Chapter 96

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Losing an arm was a serious injury.

Putting aside the phantom pains, I suffered more side effects than I expected such as high fever, pus, and more.

Cluna was constantly by my side, treating me.

If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have been able to endure it.

That was how serious it was.

Though it had gotten better, Cluna still stayed close, just in case.

That was fine, but the problem was, whenever I wanted to move, I had to use a wheelchair.

It was better than suffering from the side effects, but still…

And then, something unexpected happened.

The moment I stepped out of the infirmary, the other members, who I thought were busy with their own duties, started gathering around me, one by one.

Before I knew it, all six of them were surrounding me.

Wait, what about patrol duty?

“Patrol duty? Aren’t we all on duty right now?”

“We’re on patrol duty?”

“Yes, we’re guarding the most important person of all.”

“….”

Even nonsense can render you speechless if spoken confidently enough.

I looked at Yuren, wondering if they were joking, but her gaze was more serious than I expected.

“Our commander is currently weakened. Therefore, we must protect him personally. We can’t afford to lose him.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust me?”

“Let’s just say it’s better to be safe than sorry. Cluna, I don’t doubt your abilities, but… this is too important to overlook, don’t you think?”

Perhaps unable to refute Yuren’s words, Cluna took a step back.

I had a feeling Yuren was about to say something else, but this was too much, even for me.

Before I knew it, I was surrounded.

Yuren and Bayard stood in front, Helia and Ruby flanked me, and Cluna and Clara stood guard behind me.

I suddenly felt like royalty.

Of course, being surrounded by beautiful women was delightful in its own way, but the pressure on my shoulders was immense.

“Everyone, that’s enough. Return to your posts.”

“I-I’m sorry, Commander, but I can’t follow that order.”

“We’ll… we’ll accept any punishment later!”

“Sorry, Commander. But this is something we have to do.”

“….”

They followed my other orders without question, but not this one.

Their logic was that if I died, the Royal Knights would crumble.

Therefore, they had to protect me at all costs.

It was disconcerting to be held in such high regard.

Of course, I had accomplished a lot, but it wasn’t like there was no one else who could take my place.

There were plenty of capable individuals.

Yuren was a natural leader, and even Cluna could manage the commander’s duties.

I actually believed they might even do a better job than me…

I was just glad they weren’t interested in the commander position.

At least I wouldn’t be kicked out without a fight.

We had all lost something precious.

Some of us lost family, some friends, and some comrades.

We understood that sense of loss all too well.

Trying to escape that feeling, we unconsciously sought refuge.

But for them, that refuge had already crumbled once.

Defeated in battle, the bonds they had forged were shattered in an instant.

What thoughts must have crossed their minds at that moment?

Some wished for death.

Others sought solace in self-destructive battles, inflicting physical pain to numb the emotional agony.

But then, a man appeared and helped them through it.

Using his credibility and trust, he united them.

And thanks to him, they were able to escape their pain and find peace.

Yes, to them, the commander was a part of paradise, a sanctuary.

They believed they would be together forever.

The commander was strong, so at least until that day came…

[After this year, I’m stepping down as commander.]

Hans himself hadn’t said he would leave the Royal Knights, only that he would step down as commander.

But that wasn’t how they heard it.

To them, Hans without the title of commander was unimaginable.

In other words, stepping down as commander meant…

Hans leaving the Royal Knights.

Naturally, everyone present was against it.

Their opposition eventually led to Hans withdrawing his decision, but the fact that he had even considered it was a problem in itself.

They immediately gathered to discuss the situation.

That’s when Helia suggested using mind control.

Of course, everyone initially opposed the idea.

It was unthinkable to manipulate someone’s mind, especially their commander.

But as time passed, they started to feel anxious.

What if the commander really left?

What if it was their fault?

What would they do then?

Anxiety gnawed at their hearts like parasites.

If only they were in a better state of mind, they might have been able to think positively and distract themselves.

But they were in no position to be optimistic.

Monsters and demons could appear at any moment.

They had already lost so much in the ongoing war.

[We must protect what’s precious to us, no matter the cost.]

[It’s too late to regret after we’ve lost it.]

[…Yes, it’s the commander’s fault for leaving us.]

Their twisted feelings of attachment grew into an obsession and when they saw the commander’s current state, it exploded.

They hadn’t doubted his victory.

But Helia had seen it.

She had seen the commander with her own eyes.

One of his arms was gone.

Seeing him like a dying ember, about to fade away, Helia’s body had moved on instinct.

Please stay with us forever, Teacher.

Ironically, no one tried to stop her.

They all felt the same and now, the commander was staying with them.

But was it really the right thing to do?

Was it right to manipulate their teacher like this?

Helia deliberately ignored that question.

As long as they could be together, that was all that mattered and so, Helia stood by her teacher’s side.

Or rather, she tried to.

If it hadn’t been for a certain someone.

Helia stared at her, bewildered.

Her seductive arms were wrapped around her teacher’s chest from behind.

“Are you alright, Commander?”

“Hmm? What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Please excuse me. I’m just tending to your wounds.”

“Oh, right. Then it’s fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

Her back pressed against his, whispering into his ear, but her eyes were clearly focused on Helia.

It was a provocation.

“Huh?”

Helia felt a surge of something primal at Cluna’s unexpected move.

It didn’t matter who was stronger.

She would never forgive anyone who tried to steal her place by Teacher’s side.

But there was one problem.

Cluna was a master of magic, known as the Guardian of the Forest.

Her healing magic was especially potent, capable of even reattaching severed limbs.

Helia knew that Teacher’s wounds were healing quickly thanks to Cluna’s care.

Helia had chosen to be with everyone.

She knew that, and so she endured the gut-wrenching pain, but she wouldn’t let it slide next time.

‘I won’t let anyone else have this place, Teacher.’

The mere presence of other women by her teacher’s side filled her with rage, but she had matured.

She wouldn’t let her emotions control her to the point of jeopardizing Teacher’s reputation.

However, that didn’t mean she would tolerate anyone encroaching on her territory.

There would be consequences for those who dared.

“Wait, Cluna? I can handle this.”

“Clara? What kind of language is that?”

“My, my, Clara. You should watch your tone in public.”

“…??”

What was this ridiculous charade?

Helia watched them, dumbfounded.

Weren’t they family, the only ones left for each other? Then why were they suddenly at odds?

But Helia didn’t know.

She didn’t know that the commander’s injury had awakened something in the others.

They had almost lost him in battle.

Their subtle obsession was growing stronger.

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