TPGV 18

Chapter 18

“First, isolate the people showing severe symptoms in one place. Those with even a mild fever, put them in a separate room.”

Recalling the method her mother used when she was young, Elliche immediately gave orders to Bengshu.

Back then, the knights guarding the mansion had caught the Kolun disease. In hindsight, they seemed more like guards keeping watch rather than protectors.

Her mother had discovered that two knights were infected with Kolun disease and gave them a remedy. She then isolated them in a separate room.

Even those with mild symptoms were gathered and given the medicine.

All seven knights guarding the mansion had the disease, but after taking her mother’s remedy, they were back on their feet within a day.

This time, however, it was likely that far more people had been infected. And the remedy was in short supply.

“I have a little medicine. For now, give it to those who are clearly showing symptoms of Kolun disease first.”

With that, Elliche rummaged through the medicine cabinet and took out a vial. The medicine she had prepared was only enough for five people.

When she handed it to Bengshu, he eyed the bottle with suspicion.

“It’s a cure for Kolun disease. There’s nothing strange in it, so take it and give it to them quickly.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Bengshu gave a reluctant bow and left the room.

Elliche and Cecile quickly began grinding herbs.

The knights, servants, and maids—all the employees in the mansion—numbered over 200. With the disease spreading rapidly among them, even if only half were infected, they’d still need medicine for 100 people.

Ideally, everyone should take it just in case, but there weren’t enough herbs. The current supply could only cover about 50 people at best.

To make matters worse, the refining equipment was broken, so they had to use the herbs raw. Naturally, the effect would be less potent.

If the situation worsened, there was one other option: secretly adding her own blood.

Even a small amount would be enough to heal, regardless of the herbs. But that was a secret to take to the grave.

Bengshu knocked again after some time.

Elliche responded, and he entered quickly to report.

“There are thirteen confirmed cases. And twenty-five with mild fevers.”

“I see. That’s more than I expected. They’re all isolated, I hope?”

“Yes. We placed them in two empty guest rooms.”

Elliche nodded and gave further instructions.

“Tell them we’re working on the medicine. Reassure them so they don’t panic.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“How are the ones who already took the medicine? Any worsening of symptoms?”

“Their fevers have gone down a bit. The rashes are subsiding too.”

Luckily, the medicine was already taking effect.

“They’ll be fine in about a day.”

“Pardon? That quickly?”

Bengshu looked surprised.

“Yes. I’m preparing enough for everyone in the ducal estate. Even those without symptoms should take it to prevent infection.”

“I didn’t know you were so skilled, my lady.”

Bengshu looked at her with a complex expression.

“It’s not me. The herbs are the powerful ones.”

At her words, Bengshu gave a faint smile and bowed politely before leaving.

Medicine for 200 people.

After a brief moment of thought, Elliche decided on the simplest and most effective method.

She sent Cecile on an errand to collect more herbs from the greenhouse—because she didn’t want Cecile to know the truth.

As soon as Cecile was out, Elliche picked up a small knife used for cutting herbs.

She shut her eyes tightly and sliced her palm open.

Squeezing out the blood, she mixed it generously with the ground herbs.

To hide the taste, she added other ingredients and rolled the herbal paste into small balls.

This way, even with this limited quantity, it would be enough to treat about 200 people.

She staggered from dizziness but pulled herself together and began bottling the medicine.

The wound on her hand quickly began to heal, and soon returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

—

—

—

“I really feel better, my lady! It’s like a miracle!”

Sally bounced around excitedly, as if she had never been sick.

The night before, she had suffered from a high fever, but by morning, she was up and moving as if nothing had happened.

The rash on her face was gone, and the dullness in her eyes had disappeared.

“Yes, I’m truly glad.”

When Elliche smiled and spoke, Sally bowed deeply, nearly touching her nose to the ground.

“Thank you, my lady. Thank you so much. You’ve saved my life.”

“No need for that. You recovered quickly because of your strong will.”

“No, without your medicine, I probably would’ve died. It’s all thanks to you.”

Sally said with a determined expression. Then, recalling the items she had broken, her face turned gloomy.

“I’ll repay the damage from my wages, bit by bit.”

Elliche gently shook her head.

“That’s not necessary. They can be reordered. More importantly, you should go home for a bit, Sally.”

“Huh? Why home?”

“Delphine said you got sick the day after visiting your family.”

“Oh…! Then maybe my siblings…”

Sally’s face turned pale with worry.

“Yes. You might have caught it from them. Go quickly and check. If they show symptoms of Kolun disease, give them this.”

Elliche handed her a vial with a few leftover pills.

Tears welled up in Sally’s eyes again. She had said she was fifteen, and despite being tough, she was unexpectedly emotional.

“Thank you, my lady. I’ll never forget this kindness.”

“Go now. Your siblings might be suffering.”

Elliche instructed Cecile to call the coachman, and sent Sally home in a carriage.

After the chaos passed, the ducal estate regained its vitality. Those infected recovered within a day, and the rest no longer feared the disease.

Some of the servants even came to thank her. Bengshu seemed to be a little more courteous, too.

Lexius still hadn’t returned, even though Madame Engre’s salon party was the next day.

—

—

—

Gallaitos appeared outwardly fine.

Physically, he had nearly recovered. His complexion was healthy, and his movements had returned to their usual strength.

His sharp black eyes still gleamed with wisdom, and his tightly shut lips gave off an air of determination.

The rare herbs Calix had brought from Elliche’s greenhouse had surely helped.

Without them, it would’ve been impossible for someone frozen for five years to regain such vitality in just a few days.

“Your magic power… still hasn’t returned?”

Lexius asked solemnly.

“No, Your Grace,” Gallaitos replied with a grave face.

“So, you also think the antidote might be the cause?”

“I’m not sure. I didn’t sense any dark magic, but there might’ve been an herb that suppressed magic. Or perhaps it was the poison from Chorpen.”

Gallaitos answered carefully.

“So what will you do now?”

“I must regain my magic. If Chorpen is the problem, the answer might lie in old texts. Chorpos is a magical beast that has existed since ancient times.”

“The Imperial Library won’t be easy to access.”

“I’d like to explore the Ernhardt family’s library. They have books older than those in the palace.”

Lexius slowly nodded. The Ernhardt family had existed long before the empire. Of course, they had many ancient books.

“True. Then let’s go together. The creator of the antidote is at my house—we should keep an eye on things in case there’s a problem.”

“I heard it’s the Fifth Princess.”

“Yes. The one the emperor kept hidden, cherished so much that he never let her out.”

Lexius’s voice was laced with sarcasm. Gallaitos smiled faintly.

“A belated congratulations on your marriage, Your Grace.”

“So Calix told you. But it’s not a marriage worth celebrating. Did you hear the story that the Fifth Princess once eloped with a slave?”

“Did she, now?”

“Yes. It’s a long story. I don’t even know what she’s thinking. She even tried casting a spell of enchantment on me.”

Gallaitos burst into laughter.

“How amusing. The emperor still doesn’t know, does he? That magic doesn’t work on you.”

“Exactly. That’s probably why he sent such an unskilled daughter.”

“I didn’t know the Fifth Princess could use dark magic. They say the First Prince is obsessed with it too. Must be a royal family tradition.”

Lexius shook his head thoughtfully.

“No, I don’t think she knows dark magic herself. She seems to serve as a conduit for the curse the emperor placed on her.”

“I see. In any case, it’s a scheme to bring down the Ernhardt family.”

“Likely so. Still, it’s fortunate you recovered. I’m glad Calix’s efforts bore fruit. With your abilities, your magic will return soon.”

“Yes. I must reclaim it—no matter what. Not until I find the former Crown Prince.”

Thirteen years ago, when Emperor Heston I usurped the throne, Gallaitos had been far away in the western continent with Calix.

Had he been in the palace at that time, he might have stopped the coup. That regret weighed heavily on his heart.

Lexius, watching him silently, finally spoke.

“I did find traces of the former Crown Prince recently. He was likely in the north. My late brother secretly protected him.”

“Then… did they perish together when your brother passed?”

“No. He vanished before then. I believe he fled beyond the barrier, pursued by the emperor’s dark mages.”

“Beyond the barrier… the land of magical beasts?”

Gallaitos’s eyes widened. That place, filled with high-level monsters, was essentially a land of death.

“Yes. The chances of survival are slim.”

Lexius’s voice grew heavy.

Perhaps it was time to let go of the hope for the former Crown Prince. They needed a new center of unity.

With the emperor’s tyranny growing ever worse, they couldn’t rely on a shadow from the past forever.