IACGD 55

 Chapter 55

Clemens brought her mouth close to Zephyrus’ ear. Startled, his eyes widened.

“Are you saying I can open Aistas right away?”
“Yes. I think we can do it even from here.”

He wouldn’t intend to kill everyone who had eaten the poisoned food, so the poison must be weak.

That much could probably be remedied with the water from Aistas.

Since waste would be expelled, it would remove unnecessary impurities from the body.

“This is worth trying. We also need to release it into the river. There’s no guarantee everyone will get the water.”
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Go to the river today. Distribution can be tomorrow.”

He would have to face it at least once anyway.

“And tell him that if he enters the estate, he should greet people first.”
“Understood—”
“Follow my orders.”

Overriding Clemens’ reply, Gwen’s voice could be heard outside the room. She had just escorted Rosia into the room and returned.

“Tomorrow is when the ceremony happens.”
“Oh, right. Yes, Your Excellency!”

Gwen, about to rush off, stopped at the door.

“Don’t just leave—come in.”
“Well, I must escort, right?”
“I won’t ask twice.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”

Gwen cheekily opened the door and stepped in—

“Good work, everyone. The real confrontation starts tomorrow, so rest well today.”
“Goodness! Your Excellency has really grown up—!”
“Gwen, if that’s how it’s going to be, leave.”
“You’ve already become so impressive.”
“I said leave.”
“This Gwen cannot hide tears of joy, so I shall withdraw. Have a good time, Your Excellency!”

She laughed and left again, probably standing at the door.

Zephyrus exhaled. Clemens giggled and reached out her hand to him.

“Master, aren’t you curious?”
“About what?”
“Aistas.”

And whether it would truly be safe to enter.

The air shimmered. Centered on Clemens, the entrance to Aistas opened like a blooming flower.

Why did Clemens’ smiling face look so beautiful as she stood in the center?

Zephyrus, as if entranced, held her hand.

Clemens pulled him forward with strength. The moment they stepped through the entrance into Aistas—

“…….”

Zephyrus collapsed immediately.

Kneeling, he scooped up the soil with trembling hands. The feeling of sand slipping through his palms—it was unfamiliar.

After clutching the sand and letting it fall, Zephyrus took a deep breath and stood.

“So, this place can be entered.”
“Seems like the door was the problem.”
“Stop with the useless chatter.”

Just thinking about leaving through the door brought his nurse to mind.

But Aistas was different.

Even before consciously leaving, the scenery changed. Perhaps it had been difficult for his nurse to leave the mansion corridor.

With each step, grass swayed and butterflies fluttered. Following their path, they found a hot spring with steam rising.

“That’s the vitality-restoring water.”
“So we enter the spring?”
“Try drinking it.”
“Drink it?”

Though he had never been to a hot spring, he knew it wasn’t meant for drinking.

Still, with suspicion, he scooped some water and put it to his lips.

His eyes widened.

“Tastes… good.”

He drank several more times. Clemens watched Zephyrus with an intrigued look.

Soon, sweat should be pouring like rain—she was curious to see his reaction.

“Uh… why isn’t it coming out?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sweat! I saw it pouring out like this!”

Clemens drew a large circle with her hand. No sweat came.

Rosia had expected that along with sweat, unhealthy elements would leave the body.

“Who produced sweat?”
“Rosia and Gwen.”
“And you?”
“None.”
“We’ll need many samples.”
“The more people drink the water, the more accurate the data, right?”
“Yes.”

Clemens, pleased to have answered correctly, smiled brightly.

“There’s still a lot to do now. Hmm. When you get bored, come explore.”
“Even after this is over, I won’t have time to be bored.”
“No, you know… a similar word.”
“…Leisurely?”
“Yes! That’s it!”

Zephyrus silently gazed at the scenery of Aistas. It was quite unique and special. He nodded.

“The picnic you mentioned—”
“To learn about our constitution—right?”

Their words crossed.

Zephyrus’ pale face instantly burned red.

Clemens stifled a laugh and continued.

“It’s also a good spot for a picnic. Let’s definitely go when we have free time. We’ll uncover our secrets too!”
“…I want to leave already.”

Zephyrus eventually covered his face.

Dawn broke.

Though not a hot spring, the warm spring was named Laha, an ancient word meaning “peace.”

Clemens coveted Zephyrus’ ancient language dictionary, but he refused, saying she should practice the empire’s language more.

‘I will master the imperial language perfectly.’

Clemens poured Laha into the river overnight. Since Aistas opened centered on her, it was convenient to do it secretly.

But the problem had already begun.

Tom and a few others complained of headaches and stomachaches and collapsed.

“…I thought they didn’t accept food brought by Nerhi. Did I misunderstand?”
“No, Your Excellency. They are all villagers who refused his favor.”

The previous day, Deputy Captain Lesible, who had been on an outdoor mission, knelt before the Grand Duke and reported.

“As soon as the first collapses occurred, rumors spread. I don’t know if this was premeditated.”
“What rumors?”

Lesible hesitated, bowing apologetically.

“That Your Excellency has been cursed, and those who follow you are also under divine disfavor… I apologize!”

Seeing Lesible unable to finish, Zephyrus tapped the desk.

“Clemens. Go out immediately and give them Laha.”
“Yes.”
“And start distributing it right away.”
“I will.”

Clemens left.

“And you, what are you doing?”
“Huh?”
“Escort them.”
“Yes!”

Lesible hurried after her.

Carrying bottles of Laha prepared in advance, they first went to Tom’s house. They needed to help those in pain quickly.

“Oh, oh my… Hwashin is here in such a humble place!”

But he was fine.

He looked tired, but didn’t seem hurt.

Clemens looked at Lesible in surprise.

“Are you okay?”
“Yes, thankfully… sweating a lot fixed it. It’s thanks to Hwashin’s concern.”

He spoke shyly, but his eyes brightened.

“Yes! All thanks to Hwashin! Even the sweat came from Hwashin’s sacred warmth, didn’t it?”
“No.”

Clemens firmly denied it, but Tom didn’t accept it.

Continuing to praise her, Clemens hurriedly handed him a bottle of Laha.

“Drink this too.”
“Thank you!”

He drank without doubt and began sweating again.

“Wow, this really tastes good!”

Tom’s exhausted face began to improve.

“Are you feeling well?”
“Yes, yes. Sweating a lot, but okay.”
“Describe the feeling.”
“Oh, well—”

Tom slowly checked his body and tilted his head.

“What is this…? My stomach felt dull, my head heavy, before. But now it’s fine.”

Clemens took a notebook from her pouch and recorded Tom’s reactions in messy handwriting. Zephyrus had requested it—he wanted a proper record of Laha’s effects, not vague notes.

Lesible peeked at Clemens’ writing and frowned.

“It’s impossible to read this.”

Clemens shrugged.

“It’s because there’s nothing to support the writing! And Master can understand it anyway.”

After Lesible stepped back in exasperation, only the scratching of the pen filled the room.

When Clemens put away the notebook, Tom wiped his sweat and asked,

“Wh-what is this? Medicine?”
“It’s just water that makes you healthy. Now we need to visit the others too.”
“Ah, then should we go to the house behind the leather shop first?”

He explained that it was a house with a child, and he had seen the mother in pain yesterday.

Clemens nodded.

“Thank you. Take care, sir!”
“Yes! Thank you! Please be careful!”

Leaving Tom behind, Clemens and Lesible moved to the next location.

The house had no windows, only a small door, as if it existed solely to withstand the harsh cold. Clemens knocked on the door, which was so low she had to bow slightly to enter.

There was a loud thud.

“What…?”

After knocking a few more times, the noise stopped.

Soon, the door opened.