Noel stepped down from the carriage.
Ahead, standing beneath the towering crimson arch, were Elyra and Lord Caeron, waiting.
Their expressions said everything—and none of it was good.
Noel already knew why.
The system's cold message still echoed in his mind.
[New Mission: Treat the disease and save Elyra's mother.]
[Time remaining: 12 hours.]
And with it, another line had followed:
Condition critical. Estimated life expectancy: 12 hours.
Elyra was the first to speak, her voice tense with worry.
"Noel, my mother is getting worse. For the past few hours… she's been unstable."
Noel gave them both a brief nod in greeting but didn't slow down.
Without waiting for further words, he moved straight toward the estate's inner halls.
"Have you prepared the materials?" he asked sharply.
Lord Caeron answered at once, matching Noel's pace.
"Yes. Both items are ready in the room. The Royal Bee Honey and Gloomthorn Pollen, exactly as you requested."
