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Herman sat silently at the bronze table, which was much smaller than usual, so that only two people could sit at it. Mr. Fool, silently and intently, healed Herman's injured hands.
Lacerations and puncture wounds converged under his fingertips, already treated with disinfectants and clean of blood. Just in case, the Fool bandaged both hands - the integrity of the skin is necessary for a complete cure, and gloves will only harm with elastic bandages.
Klein looked at Herman, who stubbornly refused to look into his God's eyes. However, he doesn't even try to look at it.
Klein is a little annoyed by all this.
Herman often returned crippled or bloodied. He hadn't managed to regenerate the wounds himself today, and at the other end of the table, Klein could clearly smell the rusty smell of blood.
Herman never prayed to God in dangerous, traumatic situations. He didn't want to distract Klein.
- Herman. It's not just that you get injured that annoys me. - Klein explained for the nth time. - It's that you completely disregard your condition in battle. You prioritize completing the tasks I assign to you, even if you're alone.
Sometimes, Klein even considered not assigning solo missions to Herman. Why does Herman do exactly what is required of him when paired with someone else, and when alone, he seems to break off the chain and begins to act absolutely without regard for his condition? Where is the proverbial caution of Visionaries?
But she's not.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Fool. But I can't... - Herman was trying to find the right words. - I can't afford to fail my assignments.
Klein exhaled loudly and slowly.
- It's not a failure. Do you really think that if you don't make a contribution, I'll leave you?
Herman nodded. Klein rubbed his temples with his fingers.
- How... difficult with you. You completely do not know how... - Klein snapped his fingers, bandages and medicine disappeared.. - Seek help.
- Lord, I will never...
- Never fail me and my interests, I know. But I don't need that. You always handle many tasks yourself. However, I ask. - Klein emphasized the last word, emphasizing that it was not a demand. - You to remember that if you do not take care of yourself, it will end badly. Just pray when you need help. There's no need to squeeze every last drop out of yourself.
Sometimes Klein even thought that Herman was more like God than Klein himself. It's a... sense of responsibility, of being at odds with the Outer Gods. Herman always remembers the expectations of God and others, and he considers every single second of what's happening. All plans are executed without any issues or mishaps.
It's too perfect. Except for Herman's own state of mind.
Herman remained silent, his head lowered. He looked at his newly skin-covered fingers and tried to figure out how to do what God wanted him to do.
- Is this... right? I mean, I... You're already doing a lot. If I'm asking you for help, it's just going to be an extra burden.
Klein wanted to bang his head against the bronze table.
- No. It won't be an extra burden.
"Herman, I hope you'll see one day that you're doing too much. More than you need to. You're taking on too much. It causes burnout, stress, overload, exhaustion- even the King of Angels can't stand it. Simply... How did I get you into this mess?" - Klein lamented in his mind.
- Go and rest.
Herman obediently went to his room in the Castle of Sefira. He sat down on the bed and hugged his forearms.
Is it possible to put your interests above the interests of God? And ordinary people are weak on their own. Herman really tried to take everything into account, at least to minimize the risks and casualties among humans and Otherworlders.
If they are not protected, they will die. And they will die in agony.
Herman slowly lay down on the bed, barely able to relax his numb muscles. He really wanted to sleep, but he couldn't.
His mind was filled with thoughts that any believer would consider blasphemous.
Klein cautiously entered Herman's room late at night. Herman was already asleep. He touched Herman's hands to ensure there were no medical issues.
This was the first warning sign. His brain was active during sleep. He would wake up feeling unrested.
Touching Herman's hair and stroking his hair, Klein gently put his Blessed One to sleep.
- Go to sleep, Herman. I'll definitely send you on vacation tomorrow... and I won't accept a refusal.
Klein lay down next to Herman, imagining Herman's reaction with a light laugh. In the dream, the Blessed One hugged Klein and clung to him.
"Maybe that's what he wants? So that I can be closer more often? Maybe."