Chapter 124
My drawing hand momentarily froze. As a result, the ink smudged. After discarding the ruined drawing, I moved my hand again.
Previously, Linder had reported that the underground space was being used as a storage area, with people coming and going, making it unsuitable for setting up a stage. So I had ordered work to begin on digging a basement for the stage.
Had something happened there?
“Tell me.”
“The basement of the opera house on academy grounds is changing. It seems they’re planning to hold an auction there.”
Fortunately, I didn’t stop my hand this time.
“The underground construction was on the Count’s territory, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
I continued drawing lines while thinking. Perhaps this is better. If they’re actually conducting slave trading, it would add realism to the play.
“Can you plant someone there?”
“I’ve already done so. If you wish, they can also be used as cast members.”
Capable kid. I liked his efficient handling of matters. So much that I wanted to steal him from the 2nd Prince permanently. Having such a loyal subordinate would be convenient.
“Halt the construction on the Count’s territory and continue reporting on the situation at the academy.”
“Understood.”
I gave the completed drawing to Linder.
“You may go.”
“Yes, sir.”
After sending him away, I immediately headed to the compounding room. It was stocked with most herbs in preparation for my sister’s potential visit.
‘I should also make an Eliuna rash treatment and scar ointment.’
The downside of rashes is that they can leave scars if you’re unlucky. That would upset Luwen. I didn’t want scars either.
‘Scars gained while protecting Luwen would be honorable, but not because of that bastard.’
I’d be reminded of it every time I looked at it. I’d surely fall ill from anger.
‘Alright, it doesn’t matter. It won’t happen anyway. I need to concentrate now since the proportions must be exact.’
After briefly shaking my head to clear distracting thoughts, I began the preparation.
After making both the antidote and ointment, the sun had descended significantly. Linder still hadn’t returned. Since I had arranged to meet my roommates again, I was wondering if I should place my hopes on those guys when my gaze naturally drifted toward the upper shelf.
‘While I’m at it… should I take just a little?’
As luck would have it, I had discovered a poisonous herb that would be extremely useful in the current situation. When consumed in lethal doses, it causes fevers exceeding 40 degrees Celsius before claiming one’s life.
‘But since it’s poisonous, there’s no benefit in me taking it.’
…True, certainly no benefit… yet my gaze kept drifting there.
‘I can detoxify it right away, can’t I?’
The consumption period wouldn’t be long anyway. Once the 1st Prince’s minions or medical department professors confirm I’m sick and leave, I can immediately take the antidote.
‘It’s better for deception if the fever is real.’
Moreover, all the materials for making the antidote were available. Everything was so perfectly prepared that not taking it seemed foolish.
‘If I can’t find Eliuna, a serious fever would be necessary for defense.’
Having steeled my resolve, I immediately began preparing the Red Farin antidote. Though the thought that Luwen would disapprove kept circling in my mind, I absolutely refused to go to the 1st Prince in front of him.
* * *
Shadows lengthened as the sunset approached. Linder still hadn’t returned, and it was time for me to go to the arranged meeting place.
‘If Linder’s subordinates can’t find it, maybe it’s not in the nearby forest?’
Sighing deeply as I left the compounding room, I ran into Linder who had just returned to the mansion.
“Young master…”
Seeing his guilty face, I knew he hadn’t found it.
“It’s fine. It seems the herb isn’t in this area.”
Unfortunately, since information about its habitat wasn’t in the book, there was no method other than searching blindly. And I couldn’t very well ask a herbal medicine professor.
But I had a contingency plan, so it wasn’t completely hopeless.
‘Small Norman might know well, so those guys might be able to find it.’
People familiar with these things tend to spot them more easily.
“But wouldn’t it be troublesome if we can’t find it? My subordinates are still searching, and I’ll send it to the academy as soon as it’s discovered.”
“No need. I’ve prepared an alternative, so I’ll handle the academy myself. You focus on your assigned task.”
Perhaps due to his failure, Linder became dejected. He usually acts so confidently, but now he was showing a different face.
“Understood.”
“See you later.”
Leaving him behind, I left the mansion. Honestly, my mind was becoming complicated. I needed to monitor my body’s reaction to determine how much Red Farin to consume, but to eat poison in front of Luwen…
‘He won’t cry, will he?’
I imagined Luwen shedding large tears like when he was young, and I burst out laughing involuntarily.
‘That’s completely unrealistic.’
But it would be cute if he cried. Maybe if I had him chop plenty of onions, I could see—
‘Ah! That’s right! I was originally going to buy food ingredients!’
Because I hadn’t prepared any food, my bag only contained poison powder, antidote, and ointment. Realizing I had only packed things for myself made me feel hollow.
‘That 1st Prince bastard.’
Cursing the source of all these troubles, I arrived at the meeting place.
But until the shadows lengthened and eventually blended into the scenery, neither Luwen nor my friends returned. Despite anxiously pacing around, looking around with my head stretched out like a meerkat, they didn’t appear.
My heart sank.
‘Why aren’t they coming?’
They’re not the type to break promises. Especially Luwen—he wouldn’t make me wait like this.
Are they still wandering, unable to find Eliuna? No, but the sun sets much faster in the forest. Could they have lost their way in the darkness? What if an accident happened…
‘Should I… return to the mansion?’
No, finding the mercenary guild might be better. It’s not far from here. They would be faster than calling Linder, so this seemed like the better option.
Just as I was anxiously heading toward the mercenary guild, I heard someone calling me.
“Norman!”
The voice was unfamiliar, so at first I thought they were calling someone else. It’s a common name after all. So I ignored it and kept walking, but then I heard “Norman!” again, and suddenly my arm was grabbed.
I frowned when I saw an unfamiliar face.
“You! Didn’t you hear me calling you?”
Belatedly, I noticed his attire. Academy uniform with a black tie. A person from the Fencing Department.
“You’re Norman, right? The Student Council President said to return after dinner time, so why are you still wandering around here?”
“Ah…”
“Thanks to you, I had to go around looking for you.”
The Fencing Department student scolded me with an irritated voice and started dragging me away forcefully.
“Wait, wait a moment. My friends haven’t returned yet, so can we wait a little longer?”
“Friends? Your roommates?”
“Yes, yes. And Luwen.”
At the mention of Luwen’s name, he stopped and turned to look at me. I was hopeful he might wait, but…
“If you’re with Luwen, what’s there to worry about? They’ll return on their own. You’re the problem. His Highness might call for you at any moment, so why are you dawdling here?”
What should I do? Should I trust Luwen as this person suggests? Trust that he’ll be safe in any case? And that he’ll safely bring my friends back?
Rather, because I said they’re important to me, would he push himself too hard? I was worried. I hope they return safely without injuries, even if they’re late.
I kept glancing around, full of lingering attachment.
“Walk faster. Why are you dragging your feet?”
“I’m not feeling well…”
“Stop talking nonsense and just walk.”
Had someone escaped? Still firmly gripping my arm, he roughly pulled me along. He was moving so fast that I could barely keep up, hunched over and hurrying after him.
‘Now… I have no choice but to trust Luwen.’
What’s done is done. I’ve always shown him how important he is to me, so he will return safely for my sake as well. I had no choice but to believe that. For now, I needed to trust him and protect myself.
“We just need to get over there. Move quickly.”
In the direction the student pointed was a carriage with the academy’s seal.
“When we reach the academy, will I have to go straight to His Highness?”
“Not yet. He’s with the department representatives in the banquet hall. Since we don’t know when he’ll call for you, we’ll take the carriage to your dormitory.”
It seemed they had instructed the representatives to stall for time, as they too would be in trouble if I disappeared. That was somewhat fortunate. At least I would have time to hide the items in my bag.
The man who put me in the carriage sat across from me, expressing his displeasure openly with crossed arms. He looked as if he was monitoring me. Yet there was no way to escape from a moving carriage anyway.
In the uncomfortable silence, I clutched my bag tightly and looked out the window. Clouds were passing by, blocking the moonlight.
‘I hope it doesn’t rain…’
It’ll be fine. It will be okay. Trust Luwen.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
