Yusha's fingers twitched before his eyes slowly fluttered open.
For a brief moment, his vision was blurred, the world around him reduced to vague shapes, before everything gradually came into focus.
Ren was seated on a chair beside the bed, leaning back in exhaustion. The instant he noticed the movement, he shot to his feet and hurried to Yusha's side.
"Are you alright?!" he asked urgently. "You fainted all of a sudden… You scared me."
Yusha stared at him, lips parted, as if searching for the strength to speak. When he finally did, his voice was barely more than a whisper.
"S-Save me, Ren."
Ren's heart sank upon hearing his words. He nodded at once, gently patting his friend's back in reassurance.
"Yes. Of course," he said softly. "I will do everything I can to help you. But first… You need to tell me what happened after you left the palace. Only then can I help you."
