World's Best Protagonist [BL]

"Thank God, we arrived just in time," Etienne, with great relief, collapsed next to Claude, waiting for his turn to heal Terrius.

Claude silently agreed while watching Jade intently. He was guarding him, ready to stop him from cleansing Terrius if it appeared too much for him to handle.

Jade was determined. He wasn’t bothered by the cold sweat forming on his forehead or the heat that began rising from his stomach. Because of the memories that flowed inside his head, he wanted Terrius to wake up as soon as possible, so he could tell him that he was not a monster, like he thought he was.

The world stilled. Darkness had already crept into the sky.

The cold still clung, but Jade’s energy began to pulse—like a heartbeat, like a light shining into shadow. He reached inward—not with magic, but with his will. His reassuring presence, his hidden empathy, traverse the clouded mind of Terrius, harvesting all the negatives within.

Terrius convulsed—but Jade didn’t back down.

"I’m here," he whispered. "You’re not alone, Terrius. Come back."

The shadows recoiled, flaring before pulling tight, then shuddering as they began to dissolve. One by one, the black veins faded, the ice stopped growing, and the wind quieted.

Terrius collapsed forward into Claude’s arms, unconscious but tamed.

Jade swayed where he knelt, gasping for air, his fingertips numb from the backlash. He could feel the heaviness, like gravity pushing his shoulders down.

Claude let out a shaky breath and carefully lowered Terrius to the thawing ground. His eyes were fixated on Jade, who was observing Etienne and him, wondering if both of them needed counseling as well.

So, Claude reassured him. "We’re still sane."

Jade gave him a small grin before letting himself sway. Before his body touched the cold ground, Claude caught him, pulling him inside his cloak.

Lexie rejoined them, carrying Allen on her shoulder. "Is the vice-captain alive?"

"He’ll live," Etienne said, his voice low. "But that was too close. Anyway, where have you been?"

Lexie jerked her head in a direction. Claude and Etienne followed her gaze, and their expression darkened after seeing the five knights and the mage tied to a single, large protruding rock, with a rope.

"I don’t trust their faces, so better tie them before they think of something else. Also, I saw that mage doing something suspicious behind his back." She turned back to look at Claude, seeking approval for her unauthorized decision.

Claude gave an approving nod. He stood with Jade in his arms. He paused momentarily after sensing the unmistakable warmth of Jade’s body. His face changed, knowing full well what Jade would experience once he woke up.

"The tent..."

"It was destroyed. Sorry, Captain." Lexie scratched the back of her head.

Etienne looked up to Claude while healing Terrius. "What about the small hut we saw in the forest, Captain?"

"It’s too far."

Claude’s gaze drifted to the mage, but upon closer look at his disgruntled face, he knew asking to teleport them wasn’t a good idea. There was no guarantee that the mage would send them into the right place.

"The monster’s cave ahead," Lexie mentioned, her eyes brightening upon recalling it. "Terrius checked it, and it remained uninhabited." Her eyes darted to Jade, then she gave Claude a knowing look. "Let’s change shifts before sunrise, Captain. Etienne and I will remain here to guard those knights and these two."

Claude nodded and left.

The path was dark and rough, but he was able to tread on it with steady and precise steps because of the dim light emitted by his sword.

It used to be an ordinary sword forged by a master swordsmith, with the blade almost resembling a mirror, yet sharp and smooth was its surface, but so pristine and light.

A sword passed down in his family. This mirror-like sword was one of their many family heirlooms, and only a warrior could wield it. It had many names on record, given by its past owners.

However, when Claude touched this sword for the first time, it glowed brilliantly, as if finally choosing its rightful owner after centuries of being passed down. He named it Aurion after that.

But that was the last time he saw it shine. Until that time when he was inside the Abysmal Maelstrom. It glowed again for the second time, and yet Claude still didn’t have an idea why.

This is the third time it shone. Not as brightly as before, but it still emitted an undeniable light.

He carefully placed Jade on the cave’s flat surface for a moment. Then, after spreading his cloak on the floor, he lay his motionless body on it. True to Lexie’s words, the cave was silent, and there was no stench of another living monster.

He checked Jade’s pulse. It was normal, and his breathing was sound, only his temperature was higher.

He looked agitated and distressed the first time he counseled an otherworlder, which is Claude. It only meant that Jade’ Minder’s ability was stronger than before. Soon, he would be able to cleanse multiple high-ranking Seekers without fainting.

He was the only Minder whose ability continued to level up.

Claude wiped the beads of sweat on Jade’s forehead while mumbling, "You truly are a mystery."

His outstretched hand paused after Jade moved, rubbing his arms on his sleep. Claude touched them. Then, he stood and walked out of the cave. Not long after, he returned, carrying a bunch of dried sticks.

He built a fire even when Jade’s body was hotter than before, because he was shivering. He was having chills from the high temperature trapped inside his body.

"Jade, I’m going to undress you."

Jade’s eyelashes fluttered a bit, but his eyes remained closed. Claude began taking off his tunic and folding his trousers above his knees.

"Jade, I’m going to touch you."

Jade’s eyes shot open in an instant. It was blood red. He inhaled laboriously, as if breathing was tough.

"W-Wait a minute... I’m not ready." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"If you’re going to fake it, you might as well have seen it through."

"I wasn’t faking it!" Jade tried to push himself up, but Claude pinned him down again. The captain’s face loomed over him. His heart raced like a horse. "I woke up after you left."

"Why are you flustered and red? Did I interrupt something?" Claude asked, clearly teasing.

Jade pinned him with a gaze, pressed lips, and puffed cheeks. However, instead of denying, he shamelessly admitted, "Yes."

Claude was taken aback by that honesty. His mouth opened, then closed again, as if he was finding the right words to reply.

Jade looked away, muttering to himself, but loud enough for the captain to hear. "Unless you’re providing me a drink, then leave me alone."

He felt Claude’s intense gaze. Then, a lowered voice came, "Will any drink suffice?"

Jade finally turned his head to look at him. "Anything to help me is fine."

Claude’s eyes changed. His eyes flicked to Jade’s lips, then back to his eyes, gleaming with mischief and need.

Jade didn’t move away, even if there was plenty of room to roll over just to move out beneath Claude’s figure. He didn’t move at all. His pulse thundered in his ears, and his thoughts tumbled over each other.

The air between them shifted, heavy with something unsaid. They weren’t touching, but the narrow gap between them was alive with heat.

Jade blinked. He tried to rearrange his thoughts and compose himself, but then Claude wasn’t helping. He was an obstacle to Jade’s senses.

"Then, you’d better accept everything I give you," Claude mumbled, his lips descending too quickly.

Jade’s eyes widened. Who drinks someone else’s drool?!

He was ready to complain, but then he thought, isn’t this an opportunity? After thinking that way, he closed his eyes and happily obliged.