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Subterfuge of Toxins and Remedies – Part 07

For several days after that, Hikaru and Paula tirelessly worked through the nights.

When they demonstrated the treatment, most people believed in Hikaru and Paula and brought other patients the following day. During the treatment sessions, Hikaru also explained the risk of infection.

The Accursed Toxin had been dumped into the water supply, but despite thorough investigations of suspicious wells, no traces were found. It appeared to be a poison that turned harmless in a few days unless ingested by a human. Thankfully, this also meant that the residents could continue using the wells.

The troublesome part was the infection. The poison multiplied rapidly within the human body, spreading to others. It didn’t appear to transmit through the air but rather through physical contact. However, they hadn’t fully investigated that aspect yet. For now, they encouraged frequent handwashing and mouth rinsing.

At dawn, on their way back from one of their treatment sessions, Hikaru said, “Paula, you look drained. Let’s take a break today.”

Paula, with dark circles under her eyes, shook her head. “There are no severe cases anymore. Only those with mild symptoms are left. Please let me continue until it’s completely eradicated.”

Hikaru thought Paula was pushing herself too hard, but he understood that the Church’s teachings fundamentally revolved around “unconditional love.” While some in power and their circles were corrupt, the majority of the Church, particularly the friars and nuns in rural areas, were upright.

Eradicating the poison was going to be tough from this point onward. Many people might be infected without even realizing it, and she would have to painstakingly use healing magic to treat those cases. Perseverance was key.

“Plus, I’m glad I can help with your work. That makes me very happy.”

“…I see.”

Paula didn’t possess the ability to directly confront enemies like monsters. That might have been bothering her. While Lavia tackled difficult situations alongside Hikaru, she herself couldn’t do anything.

However, from Hikaru’s perspective, having a skilled Healer like Paula nearby was reassuring. Her mere presence made a significant contribution. But it was up to her whether that was enough.

“Ah, Lord Hikaru. Look.”

They happened to be near the Central Cathedral. Despite it being dawn, a crowd had gathered, an atmosphere of unease heavy in the air. Some people were shouting, demanding the return of their money, calling someone a miser.

A high-ranking figure emerged from the cathedral. Not the priest that Hikaru saw when he snuck in, but perhaps a deacon.

“Everyone, it appears there’s a misunderstanding. There are no other means to cure this disease apart from the special cure we provided.”

“Yeah, right! My neighbor’s son was covered in black spots one day and turned completely fine the next!”

“That is not possible. Even the cure wouldn’t have such a strong effect. Perhaps they painted their skin white?”

“No! The lady from the pub is already well and working. She was bedridden before that.”

“She must have been afflicted by a different disease.”

“Enough of your excuses! You guys think we’re idiots?! Give us back our 500,000 gilans right now!”

The crowd started chanting, “Give it back!”

Serves you right, Hikaru thought as he watched the bewildered deacon.

They had spread the poison themselves and were selling the cure. It was quite the scam.

“Let’s go,” Hikaru said.

“Okay…”

Paula looked somewhat conflicted. After all, she was still a member of the Church.

As they left, Hikaru caught a snippet of the crowd’s voices.

“The Wandering Saint is much more honorable than the money-grubbing Church!”

Paula seemed to have acquired a new nickname.

---

At twilight, a visitor entered Kujastria’s private chamber in the royal castle.

“Silver Face, I heard the news. It seems the treatment using magic was successful.”

Kujastria was calm, as if she had anticipated his arrival. Hikaru brushed the dust off his clothes and took a seat across from her.

“I must admit,” Kujastria went on, “I was surprised to learn that there was a Healer who could cure that disease.”

“Is that so?”

“The Church is the headquarters of healing magic. It’s only natural to think that the poison they spread so confidently couldn’t be cured with ordinary spells.”

That was true. There were probably only one or two people in the entire country with 6 points on Healing Magic, and the likelihood of them being with the Church—in other words, the enemy—was exceedingly high.

“But please be careful. We’re investigating the Church, and they’ve already started looking for your companion, the Wandering Saint.”

Hikaru had expected as much. With the disruption they were causing to Bios’ plans, it was only a matter of time before the Church retaliated.

And as for this treatment, it all hinged on the Healer known as the Wandering Saint. Once they captured this individual, it would all be over.

“We’ll be careful.”

Hikaru could barely contain his laughter. They probably never imagined that there were two Healers capable of treating the disease.

In fact, starting tonight, Sophie would also be working as part of the medical team. With Sara as her bodyguard, Hikaru gained some free time to visit Kujastria.

Sophie and Sara said they wanted to conceal their identities while conducting treatment, so Hikaru gave them silver masks featuring a vine motif, leading them to dub themselves as Vine Face. Sara added a poorly-drawn cat on hers, adopting the moniker Kitty Face. Hikaru thought she seemed really enthusiastic, but he kept that to himself.

“Silver Face, there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you.”

“Is it about the spell for crossing worlds? I’d like a little more time to think about that.”

“No, it’s unrelated.” Kujastria shook her head. “This poison was used not only in our kingdom.”

It was at this point that Hikaru learned about the dire situation in the Quinbrand Empire. There were already over a thousand fatalities over there, with the Emperor contracting the disease as well. Kujastria had already sent some of the cure to them.

“I apologize for using your goodwill for diplomatic purposes. We sent 3,000 vials of the cure we obtained from the church to the empire.” Kujastria lowered her head.

“Don’t worry about it.” Hikaru waved a hand. “In fact, I think you made a great decision. Sending the cure to a country that was your enemy until now was brilliant.”

The awful part about this poison was that it affected even ordinary citizens, regardless of politics.

Do they not care about people’s lives?

Hikaru clenched his fists in his lap. He had worked tirelessly with Paula to save so many lives, yet now, hearing about Quinbrand, he suddenly felt powerless.

At the same time, a fiery emotion began to bubble inside him. The archpriest had laughed while discussing the poison, knowing that many would lose their lives. By the time he realized this was rage, Hikaru had already opened his mouth to speak.

“What are you planning to do next?” he asked.

“I will try to press the Church to release more of the cure, but even if we send it all, it might not be enough. I’ve conveyed that this Accursed Toxin is not a disease, but a poison, and that it’s transmitted from the infected to the healthy. But there are already over ten thousand people who have fallen ill. More will fall victim to it. Saving them all… is impossible.”

Despite her brave façade, Kujastria’s voice quavered. Hikaru realized that she was feeling the same. Powerless.

“Could you relay this to the Empire? This poison is imbued with dark sorcery, and it can be treated with the spell called Spellbreak Antidote, which only high-level Healers can use. There’s very few of them, though.”

“Thank you, Silver Face. If this information manages to save the Empire, my gratitude extends not only on behalf of the Empire but also on behalf of our Kingdom.”

“I don’t need gratitude. I just… hate those bastards from Bios.” Hikaru let out a sigh. His breath was hot. “It’s a very advanced spell. It might be best to assume that no one in the Empire can use it.

“I understand. Even if there was, there’s a high chance that the person is associated with the Church. And with the disease spreading this far, a couple of them will hardly be able to deal with it.”

Silence fell over the room. There might still be something he could do—Hikaru thought, and he came up with one idea.

“May I suggest something?”

“What is it?”

“What do you think about me going to Bios?”

“You’re going to what? You don’t mean—”

Hikaru nodded. “The cure is definitely being manufactured in Bios. There should be a large stockpile there… I will take it all.”