The strings of darkness continued to enter and leave the Empress' sick body. As I followed the flow of darkness with my eyes, I found where the main source was etched into: the heart. It was like a huge glob with red cracks that continued to pulse with no end.
If what we're dealing with is indeed a curse, then the darkness that's etched into her heart is interfering with her mana, and even damaging her rings around her heart.
Mana is the building block of the human body in this world. The more mana you exhaust, the weaker you will feel—and the chances of a critical accident occurring in your body will increase. In turn, if your rings are damaged, then there's a chance of becoming disabled.
"Hmm...?'
I looked at the sick Empress once more, and tried to find a glimpse of a certain something... but it's not there.
If this was indeed a curse, then there should be some traces of a magic insignia in her body. But I cannot find any traces..
Then does that mean that she was truly poisoned?
No, that's impossible... Even if there is no magical insignia, the dark mana surrounding her highly resembled the mana that the pink-haired girl had after she took the pill.
I closed my eyes shut, and suddenly remembered the conversation that Leo and Veda had with father about the pill that the girl took.
"Even after ingestion, the pill remained solidified within her after we dissected her—yet it's easily breakable, and able to turn into a dust like matter... but will regain its whole form if left untouched. We also concluded that it's lethal for people without the dark affinity to consume. Furthermore, the side-effects after consumption strangely indicate a curse, rather than a physical enhancement..."
The only conclusion I can come up with is that the pill was secreted into a liquid substance, and inhabited the Empress's body upon consumption, which might explain the absence of a magic circle.
Obviously, these two things require different approaches to cure. So the scheme is to progressively make the Empress' condition worsen as people try to look for ways to treat the so-called poison.
I looked towards Nilo, who was still in a state of disbelief about what I said.
My claim may be a reach, but I find it hard to believe that there is no connection between these two cases—especially because of this strange darkness around the Empress's heart.
I then quickly glanced around the room. Many maids, doctors and priests are still trying to ascertain the situation before them, while juggling multitudes of tasks in their hands. I stroked my chin, and contemplated for a moment longer before looking at where August and the mage were.
I quietly walked towards them. Once I could hear their voices, I stopped, and stood there in silence so as to not interrupt their conversation.
"... How is she, Lord Marcus?"
The mage sentimentally shook his head before looking down at the sick Empress. "... I cannot say for sure what is going to happen here on out. I have never encountered such a vile poison that not even I can figure out."
"I see..." August took a deep breath before looking up at the ceiling remorsefully, and then back at the Empress. "Is healing magic not an option?"
"I have tried with multitudes of priests. You know that healing magic is reserved for those with light affinity, and strong holy power. For the moment, I requested for priests of the sixth ring or higher. If worse comes to be…"
"We will have to ask the Saintess of the Holy Empire—the one with the Blessing of Light."
I flinched at his words.
"The Saintess…"
But before I could contemplate their conversation, August turned his head around and found me standing there and hurriedly began walking towards me.
"S-Sorry, Lys! I was just preoccupied with the mother's condition that I left you and Sir Nilo standing around."
I shook my head with a subtle smile. "It's alright. Everything seems to be stacking up against you, so I feel like it's rude to disturb you when you're so busy."
Upon hearing my words, August chuckled for a bit before bitterly smiling. "True... but I need to stay strong. I also can't leave you unattended—especially since you're here to help."
Maybe it was because of his bitter smile, but my heart began to ache for him. I slowly looked away from him before my gazing at the sick empress once again.
What can I do to help save the Empress?
Curses are not simple things that can be dispelled...
You must figure out its magical structure, analyze it, and then sever the bond between the magic and the bearer. The stronger the curse, the more dangerous and complicated it becomes to dispel it.
But if I'm indeed correct, then maybe I can figure out the structure if I closely analyze the Empress and let Head Mage Marcus do the dispelling.
But... I must inform them of my thought process first to do that.
"... There is no need to contact the Saintess." I stopped briefly, and then slowly placed my hand on my chest before speaking once again. "I have a possible way of saving her."
Both August and the mage flinched at my words. Seeing how baffled they look, I quickly gazed back at the Empress.
"It's not a lie... yet merely a fraction of what I said is the truth."
The rest will depend on whether I can really find the magical insignia that I could not see before, and find a way to dispel it without putting the Empress in danger.
After taking a deep breath to calm myself, I looked back at the mage. "... Do you have a dosage of the poison given to the Empress...?"
The mage slightly coughed before talking, trying hard to regain his thought process. "W-We were able to find one of the maids with a dosage in her after a wide inspection..."
He reached for his back pocket. "I took hold of it just in case the true perpetrator wanted to retrieve it." He then looked at me hesitantly. "... But what do you need it for?"
I looked at the small bottle of poison in his hand. The liquid substance was completely black, with a tint of purple spiraling thinly. It also bears the same dark mana that's consuming the Empress. Upon closer inspection, tiny pieces of black matter were floating within the bottle—just like sand in water…
I continued to stare at the bottle before speaking. "... As I expected, this vital liquid is filled with condensed particles." I then shifted my gaze back to them. "This isn't poison, but a type of curse."
The mage's mouth quivered for a bit before responding. "S-So we were dealing with the symptoms in the wrong direction this whole time...?"
"... I'm afraid so."
"W-Wait!"
August quickly stepped forward. As I gazed into his widened eyes, I could see a hint of doubt.
"H-How can you be sure?!"
I understand his doubts. The symptoms shown are indeed what you will typically see in poisoned patients. That is what is making this matter difficult to deal with.
How exactly can a curse function like this?
"... I have seen this before back in the manor." I closed my eyes before gazing back at August, whose expression once again showed confusion.
"... When I was two, mercenaries and assassins came to our estate to try and… eliminate my mother. One of the assassins used the same particles in this liquid to physically enhance themself via curses."
"Wait, this is too much information to handle..." He placed one of his hands near a counter, and rubbed his forehead with slight frustration. "You said this was a curse, yet the assassin was able to use that to enhance herself?"
Nilo walked towards us, and stood behind me. "It is as the Young Master said. Though it was reported to the Empress in the past, there was no indication of similar cases... until now."
He glanced at me for a moment before looking back at August, who was still trying to process the information. "The pill mentioned can be crushed into a dust-like state, and can only be used for people with dark affinity. Those who do not possess the affinity will inevitably experience effects such as what the Empress is experiencing right now."
The mage took a step forward. "If what you say is true... then we have to negate the curse that is dwelling on the Empress." He closed his eyes, and burrowed his brows with frustration. "... But even then, figuring out what type of curse this is will take even longer." He then gazed sadly at the Empress once again. "... And it may be too late by then."
"N-No!" August desperately clenched his hand together before gazing down at the ground, his eyes now filled with sorrow. "W-We need to at least try something..."
"... What about my eye? Do you think it will be able to find the magical structure of the curse?"
The mage tensed his body before stroking his beard, thinking to himself for a long moment before meeting my eyes.
"The Blessing of the Mana... Yes, it might be possible indeed. Finding and figuring out the structure of the curse can take days, or even weeks depending on the complexity. But we might shorten the process with your help..."
He then looked anxiously at Nilo. "... That is, if you are willing to help us out."
Nilo stared at the Mage's worried face before closing his eyes, and letting out a small sigh. "I have no say in this. It is up to the Young Master to decide how he wishes to proceed."
In response to what Nilo said, I slightly chuckled before nodding happily. "I came here with the intention of helping the Empress. So I do not mind, if it means that it can save her."
Once he heard my response, the mage's expression slowly softened, "Thank you, Lord Lysander." He then looked around the room. "I will then begin escorting everyone out of the room so we can begin the analysis."
The mage let out a loud cough, and then inspected every single person in the room before heading out. Soon, all the maids, doctors and priests followed from behind. After they all left the room, I glanced around to see where August was.
I spotted him on one of the couches, looking emptily at the ground. I slowly made my way towards him, trying so hard to not make any noise as to not disturb him before quietly sitting in the seat next to him.
Despite his frightening keen senses, he doesn't seem to notice that I'm sitting right next to him.
No... maybe he does, but his focus is somewhere else. Many things are piling up against him, so it's even surprising to see how calm he is.
A few minutes of silence passed, and August continued to look down on the floor before he softly whispered something.
"... I'm sorry."
The words he uttered made me slightly flinch before I quickly looked at him.
"Why are you apologizing?"
He fixed his posture, turned his head around, and looked into my eyes with a bitter face. "I'm sorry for doubting your words."
"Ah..." I scratched my cheek, and slightly gazed away. "You don't have to apologize. It might be even more weird if you were to believe everything that I say..." I then placed my hand on the couch, and leaned it closer and closer to his hand with a smile. "You don't have to trust everything I say. Knowing when to doubt… that is one of the things that makes us human."
He continued to stare at me before sadly smiling back. "... Even then, everything you tend to say is true. So for some reason, doubting you makes me feel like I did something wrong."
As our pinkies finally touched each other, I gently interlocked my fingers with his before leaning my head against his shoulder.
"I said all those things because I want to help you save your mother. I just don't want to see you sad."
His eyes slowly widened before a bright smile emerged from his face. He then intertwined his fingers more intimately with mine before bringing my hand near him, and placing it on the side of his face.
"Everything you do is so kind.... that sometimes, I feel like it's not real."
My whole body froze.
No... My kindness, it's real.
I am not faking it.
I am truly not faking it...
Every action that I am doing is genuine from my heart. Everything I do is to make sure that August remains happy—just like he always is...
I took a deep breath before slowly responding to his words with a smile. "... All my actions so far were truly genuine. I will always be by your side, August. Please, believe me."
Augustu smiled even more warmly, like he just realized something. "Don't worry, I trust you, Lys." He then touched his beating chest, and slightly blushed. "My feelings... they too are genuine..."
I tilted my head at his response. "Your feelings?"
He closed his eyes, and gently shook his head with my hands still on his cheek. "It's nothing. I am also content with being by your side as a friend." He then moved his other hand, and gently held my wrist. "Your hand is so warm..."
I let out a small laugh as he continued to rub his face with my hand. "It may be a sign that you need to rest."
He chuckled in response before opening his warm eyes to me. "Just talking to you is making me feel better..."
Standing near the two boys who continued to talk among each other, Nilo continued his stoic expression as he overheard their conversations.
"... So, one of them finally knows."
The doors once again opened before the mage hurriedly entered the room. "Thank you for waiting, Lord Lysander. Should we proceed with the analysis now?"
August gently removed my hand from his face before he anxiously looked at the mage.
"Just when he was finally smiling…"
I let out a small sigh in response before nodding at the mage's words.
"Yes, let us proceed."
With that, I slowly stood up from the couch, and walked towards the bedridden Empress. Once I stood before the bed, August followed from behind and stood next to me.
The mage then began to walk towards us before standing on the opposite side of us. "... We shall begin the analysis then."
I closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Analysis magic.
Just like its name entails, it is used to analyze the structure of magic and its formulation. Though it is simple magic, it becomes versatile as you further understand each magical structure. The more magical knowledge you hold, the more this particular magic can be helpful in situations just like this.
It can even help deconstruct, or take over another mage's magic—even when it's still being casted.
Still... analyzing an unknown type of magic, just like this curse, will take days or even weeks.
But if we can successfully find out the structure of this curse, then we'll be able to overcome the first hurdle: time.
I glanced at August. Anxiety began to consume his eyes as he looked down at the sick Empress. Seeing how his hand was slightly trembling, I gently grabbed it—hoping that it would at least ease his worries. He flinched from the touch and looked down at our hand, looking slightly confused.
"... Don't worry. We will definitely save her."
His confused expression slowly turned determined before he nodded. He then looked back at the Empress, and gently squeezed my hand.
The mage slightly smiled as he saw me comforting August before speaking one more time. "... Are you ready?"
I nodded.
I will surely change the plot of this novel.
I will make sure to keep August happy.
But just as we were about to begin the analysis, loud and heavy footsteps began rummaging throughout the hallway corridor—getting closer and closer to this very room. The doors then opened wide, and a young girl with wavy, waist-length chestnut hair and hazel eyes took a loud step inside.
She panted out of breath, and began inspecting the whole room. Her eyes then widened once she found August.
August looked at her with pure shock before he hurriedly walked towards her.
"She looks to be around Sera's age. And her physical features… it can only be one person then."
Summer Rutherford: Augustus Rutherford younger sister, and Seraphina's future best friend.