Part 507: Virion A

You are a fool.

An unfair accusation, on its face. But it does harbor a grain of truth. When in the presence of a lady so fine, it ill behooves me to appear so slovenly.

I'm not talking about your wardrobe! I'm talking about what you did.

Perhaps if milady were to tell me what I did, I might better explain why I did it.

In our last battle, you threw yourself in the front of a blow that was meant for me.

Don't you remember our talk?

When you said you would give up your life if it were... necessary?

Exactly! Well, there was also a bit about eyeball plucking, but that's beside the point.

You are immune to my curse, which means you chose to take the blow in my place. What I fail to understand is why.

Once, in the not-too-distant past, I was responsible for the lives of many people. Yet when that dastard Walhart attacked, I was unable to fulfill my solemn duty. We were overrun, and those who had placed their trust in me were... cut down. In response, I swore to devote my life to the service of others. The dead are gone, but if I save others in their name, they will not have died in vain. It is... the proper thing to do.

That makes no sense.

Plainspoken and blunt, as always. I do like that in a woman!

You are... Hmm... How do I put this?

A gentleman of impeccable manners? A dashing rogue of countenance fair?

An idiot who bleeds on my behalf. I hate it when people bleed for me. I'd rather they bleed BECAUSE of me.

Are you SURE you didn't mean to say the dashing rogue one? Because I think-

Enough of your japes! Now be quiet while I tend to those wounds. Otherwise, I might be tempted to stitch your mouth shut while I'm at it.