BFKOM 09

Chapter 09 …

Because it was a path we had already traveled once, the way down was much easier. We safely descended the mountain before sunset and headed straight to the Imperial Palace.

It was a status that wasn’t supposed to move around freely, but thanks to the secret passage Kalian had shown me, we were able to return safely to the Beast Management Office.

We each carried two containers filled with the Water of Life and rushed to the infirmary.

‘I think I’ve done several years’ worth of exercise today!’

After climbing such a harsh mountain with my already weak body, I felt like I was dying.

Still, if this Water of Life could save the divine beasts, I would go even if my legs broke. What choice did I have?

As soon as the infirmary came into view, I opened the door without hesitation and shouted confidently.

“WE CAN SAVE THE DIVINE BEASTS!”

—like that.

All the staff in the infirmary turned their attention toward us.

“……What did she just say?”
“How are you going to save them?”

Standing proudly while holding several water containers, we only received brief attention before people turned away again.

“Please give me more painkillers! My divine beast is suffering!”
“We came first. Can you check my divine beast first?”

Everyone was too busy with their sick divine beasts. The infirmary was in complete chaos. I had to deliver this Water of Life into this disaster.

I took a deep breath again and shouted loudly.

“There is medicine here that can save the divine beasts!”

A moment of silence.

Without missing the renewed attention on us, I shouted again.

“If you use this water, they can be saved!”

At first, people looked blank at my words, but soon a few began to laugh.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”
“How can that water be a cure? Lorelia, can’t you see everyone is busy?”
“Right. We know you take good care of Kalian-sama, but this is different. You’re a newbie, so maybe you don’t understand the situation—but this isn’t just about divine beasts. Our lives are on the line too.”

Huh.

I knew everyone was on edge because of the epidemic, but I didn’t expect this level of hostility.

I was momentarily taken aback.

Then I walked over to Meho, who was lying down with a face like he was about to die.

I gently poured the Water of Life into his slightly open beak.

“What are you doing?! What did you just feed my divine beast?!”

A nurse who had been fetching painkillers rushed over and shoved me.

“Ouch!”

More than the pain, I nearly spilled the precious Water of Life.

“Hey! So being praised got to your head?! Do you think the Beast Management Office is a joke?! We’re already dealing with chaos because of that woman who fed them strange special food—and now you too?!”

Honestly, what is wrong with these people?

I went through all that hardship climbing the mountain, and now I’m being treated like this? This is unfair.

“Are you maybe working with that woman?!”

Now I was even being accused as an accomplice.

‘Ah, I’m getting angry.’

For a moment I even thought about just drinking all the Water of Life myself.

But I held back as I saw the suffering divine beasts.

They were dying from human-caused illness—I couldn’t do something like that.

“Lorelia, you really—!”

“Pii—”

Just as the nurse was about to explode at me, a faint sound came from Meho’s beak.

“Meho, are you okay? Are you conscious?!”

The nurse who had been about to grab me by the collar immediately checked Meho’s condition instead. His tightly shut black eyes slowly opened.

[Uh… am I alive?]

I quietly nodded at Meho.

[You… brought the Water of Life.]

Yes, that’s right.

While I was frustrated that no one believed me, Meho thankfully regained consciousness and stood up.

Everyone stared blankly at him, their mouths open.

Yes.

This is the Water of Life.

The water I risked my life to obtain, climbing that terrible mountain and passing through traps!

“Doctor, please check Meho!”

Hearing that Meho had opened his eyes, a physician immediately rushed over from another patient.

“Wait. Let me see.”

Meho was sitting up as if he had never been sick. His once dull eyes were now full of life. Even a non-expert could tell he was perfectly healthy.

“Oh my goodness…”

The doctor covered his mouth in astonishment.

“He’s healed.”

At that single statement, the infirmary fell silent.

“Healed?”
“The disease?”
“How?”
“Really… that water?”

It didn’t take long before people rushed toward me, begging desperately for me to save their divine beasts too.

“Lorelia, please… can my divine beast have just a sip too?”
“Me too. Please save mine too. Please?”

People who had completely changed their attitude were now ready to kneel in front of me.

There was no reason not to give it—it was for the sick divine beasts anyway.

“But you should apologize first, shouldn’t you?”

I wanted an apology for all the accusations. I had suffered together with Kalian, after all.

People hesitated, glancing around nervously, unsure who should speak first.

“If you don’t want to, that’s fine.”

I casually closed the lid of the water container.

At that, one of the staff grabbed my arm.

“I’m sorry!”

Then they spoke sincerely.

“I was wrong. I was too focused on the divine beasts being sick. Everyone was panicking. Please understand just this once.”

I wasn’t unable to understand. If my family-like beings were sick, I wouldn’t stay calm either. Especially if my own life was at stake.

“I understand. You were all just shocked and worried.”

“……”

“But I’m also a Beast Management Office employee. Even if I’m a newbie, I care about the divine beasts just like you do.”

What made me angry was that my feelings were insulted and doubted.

“So please don’t treat me like that woman who was taken to the Imperial Palace.”

With that, I handed the containers of Water of Life to the physician.

“Even small amounts will cure them. Please distribute it to the divine beasts.”

“O-okay… I don’t know where something like this came from, but thank you so much, Lorelia.”

“It’s nothing. I just did my job as an employee. Please take care of them.”

Then I immediately left the infirmary.

‘I should’ve handled this more quietly.’

It was a decision that went against a quiet, long life, so regret came late—but what was done was done.

Meanwhile…

For the crime of daring to harm the Imperial divine beasts, the woman was sentenced to execution by guillotine.

Even then, she never revealed her backer. She was extremely stubborn. Rumor said she endured harsh torture.

In any case, the Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos after failing to find a cure for the epidemic, and the distressed Julia was informed that the divine beasts had recovered.

“Recovered? You mean they’re all healed?”

“Yes. All of them!”

“How did that happen? No one knows the cure!”

“Well…”

News about the strange water I brought spread quickly.

And now I was on my way to a private meeting with Julia.

‘This has become such a hassle.’

It was good that the divine beasts were fine, but I was left with one annoying task.

Finding a believable explanation for how I managed to obtain a cure—without revealing that I could communicate with divine beasts.

Knock knock.

I arrived at Julia’s office and knocked.

“Come in.”

At her voice, I opened the door with a tense heart.

“Lorelia Leon, you’ve arrived. Sit.”

Her cold voice made a chill run down my spine. I sat stiffly in front of Julia. I had prepared a convincing excuse, but I wasn’t sure it would work.

“I heard that the water you brought cured the divine beasts’ epidemic. Where did you get it?”

“I brought it from the river in the Divine Beast Forest.”

I answered confidently.

Julia looked taken aback.

“You went to the Divine Beast Forest and brought back river water? Lorelia, I have more questions for you than I expected. This won’t do.”

Julia removed her glasses and stood up.

Her sharp gaze made my body tense.