Chapter Thirty-Three
_ Interconnected Destinies
Everyone looked at Renon in astonishment; patients usually die or see their condition stabilize only to live a life of fifteen years at most, yet he was saying "improving." One of the nobles spoke up:
" Perhaps it is related to the patient's lineage?! "
" I do not believe so. Your Majesty, the young lady Emily Roalf was placed under my medical care as a tribute to the work of the diligent and loyal Baron. The strange thing is that she is the only patient improving, even without taking medication. "
Raphael looked at Ariana with a meaningful gaze and said:
" What is the news regarding the development of a cure for the disease?! "
" I requested the medical prescription from the temple, but they refused, saying that even if I were given the prescription, it has been purified by holy power. "
" I see. Thank you for your hard work. "
" Your Majesty, may I speak?! "
Her manner was calm and composed; despite the frustration of the dissenters, Raphael signaled for her to speak.
" Currently, making a medicine is important, but appropriate measures must be taken to limit the spread and gain time until the medicine is manufactured.. "
" And does Your Majesty have solutions to limit that? "
The tone was sarcastic, but Ariana looked at him with a chilling coldness, then smiled elegantly and said:
" It is not easy. Knights who are less susceptible to the disease can be deployed for evacuation and to clear the streets of bodies and such, a curfew... we will try to gain time until a more effective medicine is produced. "
" Your Majesty, I do not think your solutions are wrong, but the people will die of hunger. "
The man spoke politely, waiting for a response from Ariana, who sighed, thought for a moment, and then said:
' I have medical knowledge, but how will it benefit me?!.. Ah '
" Mr. Theorban, can you give me a detailed breakdown of the general situation; who are the most ill, whose condition is stable, and whose bodies are immune to the disease? "
Renon placed his hand under his chin, thought for a moment, then looked at everyone as he remembered:
" Your Majesties, do you have a map of Cassian, specifically the Imperial Capital? "
Raphael gestured to the assistant, Calvin, to bring it. When it arrived, he placed it on the large meeting table and spoke while marking spots:
" The disease is spreading most heavily in the western regions down to the southeast. As for these areas, the spread of the disease is low according to the recorded cases that have reached me. Here it spreads more, and here the highest number of deaths was recorded..."
Everyone focused on the map before them, which was filled with marks. In the midst of the topic, Count Morphin spoke in a truly accidental and spontaneous manner:
" I don't know, it looks like a distribution map of the Red Fire-Wreath plant. You know it's a wild plant, but it goes into many uses. "
' Red Fire-Wreath '
Raphael looked at Ariana, who focused on the map quietly. The Red Fire-Wreath was not a plant that existed in her real life; the name was familiar to them because this was a novel and a magical world, and the plant was one of the primary ingredients in her medicine. And the West, where the Rathan territory is located—the Emperor's first ally...
" Doctor Theorban, is it possible that wizards are immune to the disease?! "
Everyone looked at Ariana in shock, but Renon was calm and placed his hand under his chin thoughtfully, then looked at Ariana:
" In our empire, there are three factions of humans: wizards, those with holy power, or those born with neither. Those with holy power are the largest group, considering Cassian a land blessed by the Silver Dragon. The group most affected is those with holy power, but so far, not a single case of a wizard contracting the disease has been recorded over the past thirteen years. Perhaps they have immunity to the disease. "
" Perhaps there is a wizard who holds a grudge against Cassian. "
The one who said it was one of the nobles whom Raphael knew were involved with the temple, but he lacked evidence of corruption to indict him. Before he could speak, Elliot said:
" Baron Arlond, these words are dangerous. You must support them with clear evidence. "
" Vice Minister, you know I am only presenting a hypothesis, nothing more.."
Baron Arlond became flustered before Elliot's momentum and blunt words. Elliot looked at Count Morphin, who swallowed hard with anxiety and said:
" I know it's not the time, but... the Red Fire-Wreath areas existed before the plague evolved. I don't want us to view the plant, which everyone uses as a natural ingredient in many daily applications, as the basis of the disease. "
Raphael looked intently at the map. As Count Morphin said, what was the connection? Yet doubt still filled a large part of his mind. However, prolonging the meeting would not help and might reveal secrets that didn't need to be uncovered. He stood up and said:
" Count Calvin, send a message to Baron Mir Roalf to return and assume his duties, and begin the lockdown procedures. Baron Timothy, send a message to the Academy and inform them of the measures I will announce. Baron Stanley, begin writing the speech that will be declared. Ah... since the Minister of Finance is confined to his home due to illness, the young Marquis will take over his duties.."
The non-essential nobles left, and Ariana remained with the doctor, Brian, and the individuals mentioned. Raphael spoke to them:
" Everyone will take the necessary measures; the streets will be sanitized, the Magic Knight unit will be deployed, and we will request help from the Wizards' Tower. Write a petition stating that any wizard who comes forward for civil service will be rewarded. Wizards must participate in transporting the sick, burying the dead, and moving food to the citizens. Doctors who possess magical power must be gathered now; your work will be treating the patients and studying their condition without leaving out any detail, and they will be under your management, Doctor Theorban.."
Theorban nodded in affirmation..
" Send doctors to the Academy and inform them of the matter. Academic activities will be suspended for now in the Academy, and all social activities in the capital and affected areas will be stopped. Brian, send a group to protect Emily Roalf... I fear that our announcement of her recovery might put the child's life at risk... Marquis, your task is to prepare the budget to match the current problems. "
" Your command, Your Highness. "
Everyone bowed and asked permission to leave. Only Ariana, Raphael, and Elliot remained—Elliot, who was about to leave but felt that the Emperor had something stuck in his throat for him, stepped back and stood before Raphael as if to show he was aware. Raphael sighed and snapped his fingers.
SYLAAAS!!!
" Elliot Silas, announce that the future Empress's condition is on the verge of collapse, and that she will remain in her designated room in the Imperial Palace under observation. "
"..."
Elliot looked at his sister, who appeared to be in the best of health and did not seem surprised by his words, then looked at Raphael, who said:
" Won't it arouse suspicion? The noble lady who was never well all her years, suddenly being in good health when the people are stricken by the plague... It is a matter concerning her safety above all else. "
" Your Majesty, do you mean that my sister does not suffer from any illness now... I mean.."
" I have not fully recovered, but I have begun to regain my health thanks to His Majesty. "
" May I ask you since when?! "
Ariana fell silent for a moment, looked at Raphael, and said quietly:
" Since the end of last autumn. I wanted to tell you, but I was hesitant. "
" Even before Cardinal Jerome came, but how?! Your illness is almost impossible to cure. "
" I believe the temple is the one that created the plague, and I was the basis upon which the outcome of the disease was built. It is just a suspicion for now. Raphael found another way to treat me. "
He realized that her calling the Emperor by his name seemed like a habit, and clearly, they had prior knowledge of each other. He realized everyone was inside a game. Elliot closed his eyes and said:
" Who is the mastermind behind most of the events?! "
" I am.."
"..."
" I am truly sorry, brother. I was forced not to tell you. "
" Deceive your ally before your enemy... my sister, I never imagined it. "
Elliot laughed until he felt tears gathering under his eyes. He looked at Ariana's wavering eyes and her trembling fists, fell silent, then sighed and said as he took her hands, smiling warmly:
" I am just surprised. I don't blame you, Aya... my sister is smart and strong. I felt she would no longer have need of me. "
Ariana hugged her brother and her trembling subsided. Raphael, feeling excluded, said:
" I feel jealous; my fiancée is being taken from me. "
Ariana pulled away from her brother's embrace and laughed at his childish behavior. Raphael smiled affectionately at the sight of her smiling face. Elliot realized they had indeed manipulated everyone, but the only truth in all this was their relationship. He grabbed his sister's shoulders and said:
" I will do anything for you, Aya. I will help with everything I can. "
* * *
" You must rest. The doctor said you need sleep. "
" Leo! Do I look that fragile? "
The woman with eyes the color of light pink flowers and long pink hair looked with skeptical eyes. He sat on the bed beside her, took her hand, and with his dark blue eyes, looked warmly and said:
" You know how strong you are? But the little child wants his mother to rest. "
She placed her hand on his fiery orange hair and ruffled it, saying with a laugh:
" You are looking for any excuse for me to leave work. "
She was laughing with a warm face and teasing him, so he embraced her and said:
" What is my fault if my dear wife is diligent and works so much? "
" Leo! You know that the situation now will not tolerate any complacency. It is a period, and we will find time to rest. Our child must be born into a safe world. Isn't that your ambition too? "
She looked at him with a bright face as she placed his hand on her rounded, small belly. Her pregnancy had not exceeded the sixth month, so fear and anticipation dominated their hearts. Leo sighed:
" Our child will be born after this wretched world has changed. I will change it for my child. "
She rested her head on her husband's shoulder and said:
" How is the situation in the region?! "
" We have begun implementing the measures according to the Emperor's orders. We have begun the work.."
When he stopped in the middle of the speech, she looked at him with eyes pleading for him to continue, so he said:
" He requested something strange; gather all the Red Fire-Wreath plants and burn them with holy energy. "
" I don't understand. "
" We were forbidden from taking priests—even if they were our followers—to be around the patients. It was emphasized that only wizards will participate because our bodies are immune to the plague, but he insisted on gathering the plants as an absolute condition. "
" Does the plant have a connection to the disease?! "
" I don't doubt it, but why didn't he speak about this directly?! "
" Perhaps he has a plan in his head. "
" I have long known this man; he has many, many ideas... let us leave him and see where we head with this era, Lili. "
His beautiful wife smiled and said with a playful grin:
" What do we do if the Emperor trusts you so much?! "
" And I will not disappoint those who trust me. "
* * *
Exactly one day after the plague spread...
It was a small annex, but it was luxurious; walls painted in creamy white and high-end furniture. The middle-aged woman looked at the young woman drinking tea elegantly in front of her and spoke:
" Her Majesty honors me with her visit. It is a great honor for me. "
" Lady Karin, I am happy to meet you once again. "
There was no lie in her eyes or voice. Karin realized she was sincere, but through the days she had lived here and the news Ivan told her:
[" She might look gentle, but she hides a cunning fox behind the mask of an innocent wild rabbit. "]
Karin knew that the life of nobles required this. Despite her hatred for nobles and their multiple, fake faces, she did not hate the girl in front of her. She didn't know why, and she knew that when Ivan described her, he didn't mean ill but meant her cunning..
' Perhaps because I saw her twice in her childhood '
Karin took a sip from her cup, then set it down and said with a friendly smile..
" Her Majesty has come secretly to my secret residence. Does Her Majesty have something she wishes to discuss with me?! "
" No wonder Mr. Jerome is smart. Yes, I have much to talk about. "
" Thank you for the compliment. "
Ariana smiled, then looked at Marian her maid, and then at the maid who was present in the annex, signifying "please leave." The two maids bowed and left...
Ariana took a small box from her pocket, placed it on the table, opened it, and sighed at the sight of what was inside the box; there were two bottles, each containing a different medicine.
" The red medicine is the one given to me as a medicine for my survival, and the other is a medicine given to patients infected with the plague. Both contain the Red Fire-Wreath plant. "
Karin took the two small bottles and inspected them, then poured a bit of one into her mouth and tasted it. As soon as she tasted them, she knew their ingredients in detail. She placed the bottles on the table and said:
" Do you know how old the Red Fire-Wreath flower is?! "
Ariana shook her head in denial. Karin sighed:
" More than three decades ago, a war occurred; perhaps you have heard of it too. A war between the temple and the monsters that dwell in hell. The battle was always called a war between demons and angels. The demons were always on the losing side in the battles, and their blood was spilled and nourished the earth. The battle stretched from Rathan to the capital; the mountains, valleys, and rivers were affected. In one battle, the angels lost and their strength was severely depleted, so they were forced to retreat. The demons knew that the angels' power was suppressed by the red plant that was nourished by their blood, so they spread it all along the way and were not stingy in giving it their blood. Thus, the angels lost once, twice, and more, until people thought we would be at the mercy of the demons. But despite the angels being broken, their strength increased, and they did not yet know the demons' secret. So the Emperor, who lost his father in this battle, decided to unite forces instead of a futile war. Thus, the angels united with the wizards and created barriers and prisons for the demons. And so, several Boxes of the Abyss were made and sealed in various places: the Imperial Treasury, the Temple, the Wizards' Tower. The flower's age is more than thirty years; its effect was not strong because the angels purified the region after the catastrophe. "
" But the plague appeared about thirteen years ago, how so? "
" Because of me. "
"..."
" I used to make potions and I knew the uses of everything that reached my hands. The flower was there, but no one approached it—not out of fear, but because its shape was not inviting; a flower red as blood with small leaves, looking like a poisonous wild flower to some, so not many approached it. From the outside, it suppressed holy power, and from the inside, it destroyed it. When I reached the Brayo region and found it, I had heard about many things and about this flower that grew darker over time because many demonic monsters were still loose in the magical forests. In the outer regions, it wasn't as dark as in the inner, dark regions. I took from the flower and began to study it, and from it, I discovered that the effect of the unsaturated flower suppresses holy power even if it enters inside the body. It wasn't very dangerous. As for the bloody red one, it fights holy power, and the greater the holy power was, the weaker its effect became, if it was only consumed once or twice..."
Ariana looked in confusion at Karin, who took a sip of her tea to moisten her throat and continued...
" Your Majesty's medicine contained the bloody one, which made your body, with continued drinking for long years, reject holy power. It created immunity against holy power, and your body was damaged because it was in a constant war with its opposite... The medicine I prescribed for you long ago differs from the medicine you took throughout your previous years; I had put the light Red Fire-Wreath plant which suppresses your holy power so you could live smoothly. "
...... To be continued ......