Chapter 112
Chapter 112: The Plague’s Cure
The battle that began before the castle walls continued fiercely, with no way to predict its outcome.
Sharp blades clashed endlessly, emanating killing intent, while screams of those who lost their comrades echoed everywhere.
A cold smile spread across Lupeon’s lips as he watched the Imperial Knights facing off against the Devonshire Knights.
Those who had once sworn loyalty to the previous Emperor now served the current Emperor as their new master, having changed allegiance overnight.
Lupeon eliminated those blocking his path one by one with his sword wrapped in blue aura. Soon he pulled his horse’s reins to a stop.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
‘A while indeed…’
He couldn’t help but recognize the man blocking his path who greeted him.
This person had once been the object of his anger and resentment during his powerless days.
The former Vice-Commander of the Imperial Knights under the previous Emperor now served as the Commander of the current Imperial Knights.
‘Surely you can’t feel proud of that position.’
This man had killed Lupeon’s sword instructor, the former Commander, and received his current position as a reward from the Emperor.
Lupeon’s ice-cold blue eyes flashed dangerously with killing intent.
‘You’ll be dead soon anyway.’
Lupeon, his expression hardening as he gripped his sword tightly, was determined to end this unpleasant encounter quickly.
There were too many people waiting for him in the North.
Remembering the countless lives lost to the Emperor’s orders, Lupeon raised his sword.
Sharp friction rang out as their blades clashed. They swung their swords mercilessly, as if neither had any intention of backing down.
The duel between the two, with neither giving an inch, only ended when one fell from his horse, spitting blood.
* * *
Due to Hyporak, the plague spreading through the North, the northern people had to scream in agony.
Naturally, the Grand Duchy of Devonshire was also experiencing turmoil, unable to escape the plague.
The black marks etched into the skin as if cursed not only spread throughout the body but also brought searing pain.
The physicians remaining in the North revealed through their research that Hyporak was not a contagious disease.
However, most northerners were already gripped by extreme fear.
Since no one could determine the cause of the outbreak, people were reluctant to leave their homes.
The harsh and desolate North was in an even more terrible and bleak situation than usual.
Recently, after a patient with curse-like markings spread across their body died, many trembled in fear, waiting for their turn.
In this situation, Elena repeatedly procured painkillers that could temporarily reduce the pain.
But even this had its limits.
As they still needed a complete cure for Hyporak, her face grew darker day by day.
The research for the Hyporak cure was almost complete, but they lacked just one ingredient.
‘A branch from the World Tree.’
Elena continued her experiments in the laboratory, growing more urgent with each passing day at the thought of obtaining it quickly.
Still, she couldn’t shake her worry for Lupeon, who had led the knights to the capital, and the northern people suffering from Hyporak.
If everything led to the worst possible outcome, she felt she wouldn’t be able to handle it.
As her eyelids throbbed and grew hot, she closed and opened her eyes.
‘If only everyone could hold on a little longer…’
Elena wiped her face with trembling hands and focused on her research, trying to hold onto her crumbling spirit.
Laphine, who was developing the cure alongside her, spoke with a worried voice.
“You look terribly pale, my lady.”
“I’m fine, Miss Laphine.”
Knowing that Laphine was also working hard because of her, Elena decided to give her a break.
After closing all the bottles containing painkillers, she handed them to Laphine with a faint smile.
“Miss Laphine, would you please deliver these medicines to the knights at the infirmary?”
“Someone else could do that task. I’d rather help you, my lady.”
Laphine carefully expressed her opinion, seemingly concerned about Elena who was already dedicating herself to research while cutting back on sleep.
However, Elena shook her head firmly, unwilling to back down.
“We increased the pain-relieving properties in this batch. The patients should know what they’re taking before using it.”
Unable to argue with her firm stance, Laphine picked up the medicines with Elena’s lady-in-waiting. Then she said:
“I’ll be back soon then.”
“Take your time, Miss Laphine.”
Left alone again in the laboratory, Elena let out a deep sigh as she looked at the cure under development.
‘If only we could get our hands on a World Tree branch, we could complete the Hyporak cure…’
To reach the world where the World Tree exists, one needed to draw a transportation magic circle and step into it.
However, there was no guarantee of finding that world in one attempt.
They said those who had succeeded until now could be counted on one hand.
‘The last person who succeeded…’
According to ancient texts, the last recorded success was a hundred years ago, by someone with transcendent powers.
It was an equally difficult attempt, and the risks of failure couldn’t be ignored.
Since one needed to solve complex equations to reach the exact location, a mistake could leave them trapped forever between the two worlds.
That’s why Elena was researching materials that could substitute for the World Tree branch.
She was looking for alternatives while trying not to waste time, but no suitable options came to mind.
Her heart only grew heavier at their current helpless situation against this sudden curse.
‘And I’m worried about Anasha too.’
A few days ago, Anasha had visited the infirmary wanting to help patients with her ability, but she ended up coughing blood, seemingly from overexertion.
Even with awakened healing powers, there were limits to how much power a child could draw upon.
Elena, not wanting to burden Anasha unnecessarily, decided to avoid using the child’s ability as much as possible.
She wanted to solve the Hyporak cure with her own hands, as she had been researching all this time.
Yet even as she was doing everything she could, she let out a deep sigh at the frustrating and overwhelming feeling.
Knock knock—
Hearing someone knock on the laboratory door, Elena approached with a puzzled expression.
“Sister-in-law, may we come in?”
[Child, I’m here too.]
The visitors were none other than Anasha and Vernon, so she quickly opened the door.
As they entered the laboratory, Elena tilted her head slightly.
“What brings you here?”
The child exchanged glances with the familiar spirit before answering in a clear voice.
“I want to help sister-in-law.”
“Help me?”
As Elena blinked with wide eyes, Anasha added with an unusually serious expression.
“Yes, I heard you’re making a cure for the curse.”
“…!”
‘Did Vernon tell her?’
The only way the child could know about this was through the familiar spirit.
Elena slightly furrowed her brow and glanced at Vernon.
The startled familiar spirit avoided her eyes and tried to hide his tail.
‘Sigh—’
Just as Elena swallowed a shallow sigh and was about to politely decline Anasha’s offer—
“If Vernon and I work together, I’m sure we can see the World Tree!”
“What? What do you mean…”
Her troubled eyes trembled uncontrollably at the unexpected words from the child’s mouth.
‘Don’t tell me this too?’
As Elena narrowed her eyes again to look at the familiar spirit, Vernon sheepishly drew in his front paws.
[Ahem, well about that…]
“…”
[What I said is true.]
However, Vernon added an explanation that seemed slightly indignant.
[Child, I want to help you. Surely we can be your guides.]
‘That means…!’
Elena’s pupils dilated at the realization that they could find the World Tree with Vernon and Anasha’s help.
While she was happy to have finally found a way, she was also worried about her young lady.
After all, she didn’t want to lead a child into what might be a dangerous place.
