3 bar menu

Subterfuge of Toxins and Remedies – Part 06

“The epidemic started right after we killed Bios’s archpriest,” the Count further explained. “Moreover, the Church claims to have a cure. Bios is undoubtedly behind this.”

Forgiving Bios after they insulted Emperor Kagurai was out of the question. But with the emperor contracting the disease, using the cure was their only option, even if it meant prostrating themselves before the Church to obtain it.

“Your Excellency, if I may ask, does the Church have any intention of providing the cure to Emperor Kagurai?”

“Actually, the Church claims to have the cure, but they say they are out of stock. They’re basically demanding payment upfront.”

The asking price was more than double the amount in the capital.

How much would it cost to treat everyone in Quinbrand, where the epidemic was spreading more extensively than in the capital?

Saving the Emperor would justify any expense, but because the Church claimed they had no stock left, there was an urgent need to secure the cure before it was too late.

The Church likely avoided keeping stock due to the fear of it being requisitioned by the Imperial Army.

“It’s most likely retaliation for killing the archpriest and the successful production of soul cards.”

The technology behind guild cards and soul cards, monopolized by Bios and the Church, had become available in Quinbrand, severely undermining the theocracy’s power. The Church as an organization might even collapse.

“Your Majesty, what happens in our Empire also affects your nation’s future. Those folks from Bios won’t take kindly to rejection. It’s possible that this kingdom, too, will…”

“…suffer from the epidemic?”

“Exactly.”

“An unnecessary warning. The epidemic is already spreading in the capital—a peculiar disease where black spots appear on the body.”

The Count’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that Bios has also spread the disease to the kingdom?! You’re a wise queen. Surely you won’t yield to such intimidation?!”

The Count leaned forward, clearly panicking. Who could blame him? His country had been threatened without his knowledge, and even the Emperor he revered had fallen ill.

However, this was diplomacy. What Kujastria needed to do was secure the best terms for her country.

“Your Excellency, there is something I must tell you,” Kujastria said. “I have promised support to the envoy from the Theocracy of Bios and informed them that we will discuss the extent of our financial assistance.”

“What?!”

“Return to the Empire.”

“S-Seriously?!”

The Count’s eyes widened. He must have taken her request for him to return as a rejection of the alliance offer.

Kujastria smiled faintly. “Calm yourself. I pledged support and discussion to Bios, but I haven’t specified when it will happen. Our primary objective at the moment is securing a cure for this disease. We have learned that the capital’s church has it. We will purchase it and share some with you. You then take it home. Emperor Kagurai’s life is in danger, is it not?”

The Count’s jaw dropped. “Yes…” Then he gave a deep bow. “Thank you very much. We will definitely repay this favor.”

“Very well. Once we secure the necessary amount for the city, we will send the rest to the Empire.”

“I don’t have the words to express my utmost gratitude for your unparalleled kindness.”

“It’s fine. Your country won’t easily forget the repeated invasions by my late father. I’m hoping this deal can mend any lingering grudges.”

“I will relay Your Majesty’s words to Emperor Kagurai without fail.”

Bowing repeatedly, the Count left.

Scorn for the Emperor and the technology associated with Blessings had soured relations between the Quinbrand Empire and the Theocracy of Bios beyond repair. This made it nearly impossible for the Empire to obtain the cure for the Accursed Toxin. Kujastria’s offer to send the antidote held profound significance.

Kujastria breathed a deep sigh as she reclined in her chair. “That was exhausting.”

Duke Nightblaze, who had been silently observing the exchange, finally spoke. “Color me surprised. Your Majesty, did you plan this from the start? If Silver Face succeeds in curing the afflicted, the amount of cure required in the capital will decrease significantly. Are you planning to send the rest to the Empire?”

“I did not expect Emperor Kagurai to fall ill.”

“Such sagacity. You even considered the friendship between the two countries. I’m thoroughly impressed.”

The alliance with the Quinbrand Empire might dissolve again if the disputes with Bios were resolved. And that would not be good. The kingdom would need at least ten years to rebuild. The people had suffered greatly due to the previous king’s debauchery and numerous military campaigns.

However, if the kingdom’s reputation and, consequently, Queen Kujastria’s image improved within the Empire, there was a better chance of maintaining a lasting friendly relationship.

“I simply wish to avoid engaging in warfare during my reign,” Kujastria said casually.

Duke Nightblaze saw promise in her. This wasn’t only about the Empire. Both the Theocracy of Bios and the Quinbrand Empire possessed the Blessings technology crucial for survival in this world. Depending entirely on either of them was unwise.

Therefore, despite her misgivings, Kujastria decided to please Bios, while simultaneously gaining favor with Quinbrand. She had planned this far ahead.

She might become an extraordinary queen, Duke Nightblaze thought.

Unfortunately for Kujastria, her objective was to abdicate as soon as possible. The more she worked, the longer her reign would be.

---

That night, Hikaru and Paula, wearing cloaks and silver masks, arrived in a less affluent area of the city. They were far from the main street, so streetlights were nonexistent. They walked beneath the moonlight.

Since the outbreak of the disease, the streets seemed noticeably emptier. Especially at night, an eerie quietness prevailed, occasionally interrupted by the distant bark of a dog.

Before them stood a single-story house, with a stone foundation and clay walls. When they knocked on the wooden door, a man with red, swollen eyes emerged.

“Wh-Who are you? Burglars?!” The man panicked at the sight of the masked and cloaked pair.

“We’re Healers,” Hikaru responded matter-of-factly. “We’ve come to treat the disease.”

“H-Healer? Treat?”

“We heard your daughter is afflicted with a disease that causes black spots to appear on her skin. We’re here to cure it.”

The man was the same individual they had seen near the Central Cathedral the other day, desperately seeking help from a friar.

Reluctantly, the man allowed Hikaru and Paula inside. Unable to afford the money the Church demanded, he had no other options.

A girl was lying on a bed in a small room, most of her skin already darkened. She was no longer conscious.

“This looks terrible, Lord Silver Face.”

“Yeah. We’re almost out of time.”

“Can you cure her? Can you save my daughter?” the man asked in a hoarse voice.

Hikaru nodded. “Go ahead, Flower Face.”

“Okay.”

Paula quickly placed her hand on the girl’s forehead and began chanting.

“By the ancient covenant passed down, wishes are granted, the contract fulfilled. O God who art in heaven, with thine purifying light, bestow upon this soul the breath of life once more…”

As Hikaru listened to the incantation, he cast his mind back to a few days ago.

The first time he saw Paula use healing magic in the clinic, Hikaru used Mana Detection to carefully examine the flow of magical power. At that time, he saw a specific pattern of sorcery activating when the black spots hindered the healing spell.

Afterward, he snuck into the Central Cathedral, listened to the conversation between the priest and the archpriest, and became convinced that this was not a disease but poisoning.

The poison was not an ordinary one; it was laced with advanced sorcery.

Therefore, it couldn’t be cured with ordinary neutralizing spells. Conversely, a cure with a formula to dispel the specific sorcery could instantly neutralize it.

After investigating further, Hikaru found that there was indeed a healing spell that dispelled and neutralized at the same time, but it was extremely unique. The kind of poison it neutralized was scarcely used, mostly found in traps in ancient ruins, which were the only documented instances of the spell’s application.

Furthermore, it was challenging to use. Sophie, with 5 points on Healing Magic on her Soul Board, couldn’t use it, but Paula, with 8 points on hers, could. After Paula used it, Hikaru asked her how it felt, then proceeded to tutor Sophie. On her next try, Sophie succeeded, only because Hikaru adjusted her Soul Board, increasing her Healing Magic to level 6.

If they were going to treat the disease with magic instead of a drug, Paula alone wouldn’t be enough. They needed Sophie to work hard as well.

Hikaru had explained everything about the current epidemic, the Accursed Toxin, to Sophie. For a while she was dumbfounded, wearing an incredulous look. She couldn’t believe the Church would do something so barbaric—she didn’t want to believe it, so she said she would look into it herself. Regardless of whether the Church was responsible for spreading the poison, she agreed to quietly assist Paula with the treatment.

“Spellbreak Antidote.”

Once Paula finished the incantation, shimmering particles swirled around her, gathering at her fingertips in a spiral pattern resembling DNA.

The light flowed from Paula’s fingertips into the girl, purging the blackness as it spread throughout her body.

It took about three minutes, likely because the disease had reached an advanced stage. For milder cases, it should only take seconds.

“Phew… She should be okay now,” Paula said in a slightly weary tone, though her voice retained its cheerfulness.

“Is she… really okay? What does that mean?” the man asked, mouth agape.

“She’s completely cured. But she’s considerably weakened, so please feed her something light. She should be back to her normal self in a few days.”

“What?! The church demanded 500,000 gilans…”

Nevertheless, the vibrant color returning to the girl’s skin and her steady breathing served as the most compelling proof.

The girl stirred. “Hngh… Hmm? I’m in bed?”

“You’re awake!” The man rushed to her bedside and burst into tears.

“Ugh… Dad, what’s wrong? Who are these people?”

“These people are—”

Hikaru raised a hand to interrupt him. “We’re just passing by. You must be tired. Get some rest.”

“Hmm…”

The girl drifted back into a peaceful slumber. The man looked at her with affection before turning to Hikaru and Paula.

“I don’t have money, but I’ll do anything. If you ask for my life in return for saving her, I’ll gladly give it. Thank you so much for saving my daughter.”

“I do have a request, and that’s how you can thank us,” Hikaru replied, his eyes gleaming behind the mask. “Gather as many other patients displaying the same symptoms as possible. Tomorrow, we’ll treat them all at once.”