* * *
But my attendants clearly didn’t want me leaving the room—they were overly worried about my health.
“No, it’s better for the healer to check my condition firsthand before giving me anything.”
“…If you insist, we understand. But please be careful.”
“Got it. But I’m not going alone.”
With reluctant faces, they finally agreed.
It’s not like I’m going out just to avoid Elliot.
If I really didn’t want to see him, I could just say I wasn’t feeling well and turn him away.
The only reason I’m heading out is because I actually do need to see the healer.
I picked up the pouch sitting on the table.
“Well, since we’re talking about it, might as well go now.”
If I lingered, I might run into Elliot—or worse, one of the attendants might change their mind and insist I stay.
As soon as I stepped outside, Vis quickly followed behind.
On the way through the hallway and out the building, I could feel eyes sticking to the back of my head.
Reactions ranged from shock—like they’d seen a ghost—to people shaking their heads only to look back again.
I ignored all of it and kept walking with confidence.
“Now that I think about it… the healer never came to see me, did he?”
“He did visit, by order of the Count. But he left right away after dropping off the medicine, without attempting to see you.”
“Ah…”
She had every reason to be that way.
After all, she knew better than anyone that I wasn’t in that room.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, having come all this way regardless.
She probably would’ve preferred to focus on her potion-making rather than waste her time on a fruitless visit.
Soon, we arrived at the eastern tower.
As always, a strange smell wafted strongly from the entrance.
“Wait here.”
“You’re going up alone?”
“There’s something important I need to take care of.”
Vis, relieved that he didn’t have to step into that dreadful stench, still frowned.
“Don’t try to shake me off again this time.”
Clearly, he was still holding on to what happened last time.
But it wasn’t like I intentionally ditched him and snuck out.
Besides, while there probably are secret passageways in the tower, they’re not exactly something they’d hand over to me just like that.
I turned to him and smiled.
“I told you I’d try to let you know if something comes up.”
“You’re making a promise.”
“I am.”
Though again, I didn’t say “definitely.”
Still, he seemed reassured and relaxed his expression.
And so, I was able to ascend the tower alone.
As usual, most eyes turned toward me.
Surprise filled their gazes—but this was the tower where the healer lived.
They seemed to realize why I might be here in person, and gradually lost interest.
When I reached the healer’s chamber, the air was as suffocating as ever—it was the source of that overwhelming smell, after all.
There, she stirred her cauldron at a leisurely pace.
“You’re here. I’m relieved to see you safe. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to make it out of that place in one piece—but then again, there wasn’t any data that said it was impossible. I suppose you really do have to cling to even the slimmest hope. Once you’re feeling better, please tell me about the herbs and trees that grow in the forest.”
“……”
Her rambling was just as relentless as ever.
But instead of being annoying, it actually made me smile.
I looked at her and placed a pouch on the table.
“This really helped. Thank you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. But I didn’t expect you to return it so soon. As you know, it’s the kind of item that doesn’t take up space or weight—quite convenient. Most people insist on keeping it for a few extra days.”
It seemed she’d had quite the ordeal over that pouch.
Even though many people use items like that, there’s still a constant shortage.
No wonder she was tempted.
If it had been up for sale, I’d have snatched it up too.
But I hadn’t forgotten to repay the favor of her giving it to me so freely.
I reached into the pouch and pulled something out—an apple-sized red fruit.
One of the ones I’d gotten from the forest.
Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the unfamiliar fruit, then began to gleam with an odd light.
“What is that?”
“Something I picked up in the forest. Well, not picked, exactly—it rolled right to my feet. So don’t worry, it’s safe to eat.”
She took the fruit from me cautiously, slowly turning it in her hands to inspect it.
Her eyes sparkled like a child’s at the prospect of getting her hands on something so interesting and worth researching.
She had that side to her too sometimes.
“Are you sure you want to give me something this precious? A fruit from a tree in that forest… With divine beasts and spirits around, it must’ve absorbed their energy. It’ll make an excellent ingredient. Honestly, it’s too valuable to eat as is.”
Three of them had rolled to me.
Klen and I had eaten two.
I’d just decided to give the last one to the healer, since she’d been the biggest help in all of this.
I didn’t expect her to be this happy.
‘We just… ate them, though.’
I knew it was rare and precious.
But I only thought of it as an unusually rare fruit—never even considered using it for anything else.
I mean, better to eat it than let it spoil in your hands, right?
…But could it really have absorbed the energy of divine beasts and spirits?
Her eyes shifted from the fruit to me.
“…Don’t tell me. You already ate one?”
“…There was no poison.”
She shoved aside the items on her desk and pulled out a sheet of paper, swiftly gathering ink and a pen. Her slender hand grabbed a quill.
“So? How do you feel? Any changes in your condition? Do you feel anything strange? See anything? Dizzy? Overflowing with energy?”
She fired questions at me without even giving me a chance to answer.
A living sample of someone who’d actually consumed something valuable—she wasn’t going to miss this opportunity.
Her previously tired face was gone, replaced by the sharp gleam of a predator.
Caught off guard by the sudden change, I quickly assessed my condition.
“Um… I don’t feel much different, really…”
I almost felt guilty for not having a more exciting reaction.
But the healer didn’t look disappointed.
She simply nodded, as if that was to be expected, and began scribbling with her pen.
“I see. When did you eat it?”
“Last night.”
“How did it taste?”
“It was crisp at first, then sweet. The juice almost tasted like honey, and it had a refreshing scent.”
“Hmm…”
My answers weren’t anything special, but the letters kept flowing across her paper.
Then she paused, as if thinking, and began sketching the fruit.
She must’ve been a talented artist too, because it looked exactly like the real thing.
The sound of her pen scratching against paper continued.
I couldn’t tell if I wanted to read it or not—my feelings were a bit conflicted.
“If you experience any unusual symptoms, please let me know right away.”
“S-sure.”
Looking pleased, she nodded at her notes.
Then she picked up the pouch on the table and held it out to me.
“What’s this for?”
“In return for the precious gift you gave me.”
“But it was just a thank-you for your help.”
“It’s too valuable for mere thanks. Please accept it. Besides, it was always meant to be yours, Adrian. I only asked you to return it because I wanted to see you come back safe.”
“…In that case, I’ll accept it gratefully.”
It would’ve been rude not to, after all that.
I took the pouch again.
Not going to lie—I’d kind of wanted it back anyway.
“Don’t you need any medicine? After wandering in a place like that for a whole week, you must be exhausted. I have something that works wonders for fatigue—”
“N-no thanks! I should get going. Just remembered something urgent. I’ll come back another time!”
I turned quickly to leave.
Of course, I had no intention of returning.
A bit of fatigue like this would go away after a good night’s sleep.
“At least take one with you!”
But she was faster than expected.
She grabbed my hand before I could escape and pressed a vial of medicine into it.
If I let go now, it’d just fall and shatter.
‘Ugh.’
Each of these vials contained her personal care and attention.
I couldn’t just let one crash to the ground like that. In the end, I quietly accepted it and offered a polite nod.
She returned it with a bright smile—but my heart was already sinking into darkness.
“…In the end, I ended up taking it anyway.”
As I slowly descended the tower, I spotted the vial.
It was such an unappealing color, I almost wanted to suggest changing the recipe.
“Haah…”
“Are you heading back to your room now, sir?”
The moment I stepped out of the tower, Vis, who had been waiting right by the door, quickly approached me.
Before I could say anything, he took the lead.
Since I had nowhere else to stop by, I quietly followed behind him.
* * *
