The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 35

Hale looked puzzled as he stared at the small cloth bundle in my hand. Instead of answering, I unwrapped the cloth to reveal two dark blue pills. The sharp fragrance emanating from them made everyone’s eyes widen.

“Serige left these for us.”

“He gave you these? They look like tree fruits, but also like pills…”

“They are indeed pills. He has been interested in pharmacology for a long time, collecting rare medicines over the years.”

“Rare medicines, you say?”

“Yes, especially through interactions with other races, from whom he has obtained many of these.”

Everyone understood the implications of my words. The atmosphere quickly turned tense. All faces turned to me, looking dazed.

“Then these might be…?”

The sound of dry swallowing echoed. Their eyes begged for confirmation, almost desperately, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I think we can conclude the expedition now.”

* * *

“Expedition team reporting back after completing the mission.”

Hale’s salute was firm, and his face was full of determination. Everyone else also looked tense.

Due to the urgency of the matter, we had rushed to the Security Department Chief immediately upon entering the palace. Our unwashed, dirty appearance was concerning, but Hale deemed reporting the results as the priority, and everyone agreed.

The old man looking down at us wore a very stern expression. Duke Kales Rouster. His sharp gaze made Hale stand even more rigidly.

“I’ve heard the news. You succeeded in the expedition?”

“Yes, we have.”

“Show me the results.”

Hale promptly handed over the cloth bundle. It revealed an intact pill and a half-dissolved fragment. Duke Rouster’s eyes flickered with interest.

“They really are pills. Are you certain these are genuine?”

“We’ve already tested their efficacy. They are genuine.”

Hamar’s voice was confident. And why wouldn’t it be? He had personally tested it on himself, even going as far as to get bitten by a snake for the purpose.

“Are you serious? You really want me to do this?”

“This is the most reliable method! Come on, do it now!”

“What if it’s not an antidote?”

“No, I trust Serige! Someone who gives you food can’t be a bad person!”

“Alright, but I’m not responsible if this goes wrong!”

The image of him forcing a snake’s jaws open to bite his leg was still vivid in my mind. It was near madness, even in hindsight. Given that the report had already been submitted, Duke Rouster did not question it further.

“And there’s something else you need to receive.”

“Something else?”

Hale gestured to me. Nodding, I took out a glass vial from my pocket and handed it to Duke Rouster, who eyed it suspiciously.

“What is this?”

“As Officer Sei explained, it’s a liquid that enhances the efficacy of the medicine. It’s recommended to consume it along with the pill. We’ve also tested this.”

“Hmm, a liquid that enhances efficacy… Was this also from the herb gatherer?”

“Yes, it can be taken separately or mixed and consumed with the pill.”

Duke Rouster cast a sharp gaze at me. To avoid showing any signs of unease, I lowered my eyes.

“But, this medicine has a critical weakness.”

Serige’s advice from when he handed over the pills came to mind.

“This medicine must be consumed within four hours of completion. Our blood rapidly evaporates, so the efficacy only lasts that long.”

I can’t express how flustered I was when I first heard that. Four hours? It felt like an impossibly short time. “So receiving it like this is useless then.” I couldn’t hide my disappointment, and Serige chuckled lightly.

“It’s not entirely useless. You’re the key.”

I’m the key?

When I widened my eyes, he looked back at me.

“I’ve told you repeatedly, that you’re also a Clonne.”

His playful, smiling voice asked,

“That means your blood has the same efficacy, right?”

“Your luck seems too good to be true. Meeting an herb gatherer on the road who just happened to have the Lupinus fruit. Do you all think this is mere coincidence?”

“We found no signs of suspicion, though it’s hard to believe. More importantly, the medicine’s effectiveness leaves no room for doubt.”

“If that’s your assessment, then so be it.”

Duke Rouster nodded and placed the medicine in a wooden box. His gaze briefly shifted to Camille. When Camille grinned, that normally stern gaze softened. It quickly reverted, but for a moment, everyone glimpsed the warmth of a grandparent-grandchild relationship, making their expressions turn subtle.

Next, he looked at me. When I stiffened, his cold voice continued.

“I’ve heard you played a significant role in the success of this expedition, Officer Sei.”

“…No, not at all.”

“However, I haven’t fully trusted this medicine yet. In the event something goes wrong, you will bear all the responsibility.”

Unconsciously, I gripped my left wrist tightly.

“I understand.”

Only after I managed to respond did his piercing gaze move away.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has been waiting for some time. Proceed there immediately.”

Duke Rouster stood and led the way out. Only then did my companions exhale and lightly pat my shoulder in reassurance. Smiling to show I was okay, I glanced down at my wrist. Seeing the faint remaining mark calmed my heart quickly. Yet, it felt a bit bittersweet.

* * *

“I hope you realize it’s only because it’s you that I’m letting you go like this.”

Even after receiving my promise to return, Serige couldn’t seem to find peace of mind. He kept pacing around, sighing repeatedly.

“If it were anyone else, it wouldn’t have been possible. If it had been Lord Kalf, he wouldn’t care about anyone else’s circumstances. He would have dragged you to the village by force. That’s why I won’t inform the village about you. If they knew I let you go, they’d all want to kill me.”

“Thank you for your understanding. I will keep this between us.”

“No, I wasn’t fishing for gratitude… Can I see your hand for a moment?”

He lightly grasped my left wrist. Suddenly, a warm sensation spread from the contact point.

“Good. This should provide some peace of mind.”

“…What did you do?”

Looking down, there was a faint mark on the inside of my wrist. It looked like a smudge or a small drawing.

“I’ve temporarily assigned my guardian to you.”

“Guardian?”

“Think of it as a protective spirit or a bodyguard, something like that. For now, just know that much. You’ll understand more when the time comes.”

A spirit? It was surprising to learn there were still aspects I didn’t know, but I kept that to myself. Serige looked at my wrist with a gaze filled with lingering attachment.

“But it’s a one-time use. And because you’re not the real owner, its response time will be slow. Still, it will help in emergencies. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it.”

“Thank you. How do I use it?”

“It’s designed to activate when it senses danger. But as I said, it’s one-time use, so don’t do anything reckless. If you find yourself in danger, just think about escaping first. Understand?”

I nodded at his repeated warnings. Though I knew I needed protection, it didn’t quite sink in. It felt strange that someone would care so much for me. However, Serige didn’t seem bothered by my somewhat stoic reaction.

“Thank you for growing up well.”

His warm hand gently patted my head.

(T/N) : awww (T^T)

* * *

“Sei, what’s wrong? Does your wrist hurt?”

Camille’s voice drew my attention to my hand. Apparently, I had been rubbing my wrist without realizing it. It was a strange habit that had developed since that day, always touching and checking my left wrist whenever I had a moment. Seeing the mark reminded me it wasn’t just a dream.

“It’s nothing.”

I lowered my hand, and Camille hesitantly whispered,

“Don’t worry too much about what Grandfather said earlier. All the medicines have been thoroughly tested; nothing will go wrong. He always acts tough but deep down, he’s probably proud of you.”

“It’s fine. I’m not too concerned about it.”

“But it bothered me. Just wait, I’ll let him know how hurt I felt later.”

I almost laughed out loud at the absurdity. Shouldn’t I be the one feeling hurt, not you?

Astonished, I chuckled softly as I saw Camille’s resolute face. Would it have been better if I could envy or resent him? Hard to say. It was difficult to even imagine such a scenario.

“What are you two whispering about? Hold your thoughts; we’re about to arrive.”

At Hamar’s words, I looked up to see the towering structure ahead. The grand palace made of gold and coral—the Palace of Light, the most magnificent palace in the royal compound and the residence of the Crown Prince.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Duke Rouster?”

“……”

In front of the palace, however, awaited someone else. Ornately dressed visitors, among them a familiar brown-haired man greeting us, made everyone’s faces harden.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Prince.”

Altman Zenos Aslan. The eldest son of Queen Kinisia and eight years older than the Crown Prince, he was the first prince of the empire. He was also the most significant political rival of the Crown Prince.

‘It seems our information has leaked.’

He was even flaunting that fact. Duke Rouster’s expression turned more solemn than ever.