The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 38

―Oh my, what brings such a distinguished guest to a place like this?

―Welcome, honored one. Pleased to meet you.

―You don’t seem like someone who would commit a crime. What unfortunate story brings you here?

Just then, these voices filled the area and lightened my mood.

The human heart truly is fickle. In the past, I would have sighed, but now it was comforting to hear them.

‘This proves that I am a Clonne.’

Even in such a bleak moment, these voices were proof that I wasn’t alone. My tangled emotions settled down. Looking around, I saw moss draped along the walls. Gently stroking it, I heard what sounded like chuckling laughter, which made me feel even better.

“Hello, my name is Sei.”

―Hello, Sei! We are water moss.

“I didn’t know there could be plants in a place like this. Are you living alright?”

―It’s a bit dark, which is a downside, but it’s suitably damp, not bad at all. It’s certainly better than being too dry.

“That’s good to hear.”

Of course, this amiable time for me might not look the same to others.

“I’ve never heard this prisoner was mad?”

The guard, who had just finished the handover, spat on the floor and grumbled. The other guards snickered.

“Must’ve gone crazy on the way here. There are many like that among the nobility.”

“I saw him during the transfer, and he didn’t look like a noble. Although, he does seem pretty weak at a glance.”

“With just that much spirit, why would he commit a serious crime?”

“Tsk tsk, he seems quite young too. Must have learned nothing but bad things from somewhere. Anyway, he really messed up his life. There’s no way to come out of here in one piece.”

Every word I heard was as bitter as an unripe persimmon, but I ignored it. It gave me a moment to reconsider the situation.

‘Who exactly is that guy? What method did he use?’

Even thinking about it again, switching the solution seemed difficult. After all, Duke Rouster had only just seen the solution for the first time today. There wasn’t enough time to prepare a fake. And there’s no way my blood suddenly became acidic.

There was only one conclusion I could draw. The blood of Clonne, which was supposed to be a universal cure, had the opposite effect on him, acting instead as an acid.

He was not human.

A strong instinct cried out. Someone trying to block the Emperor’s treatment. A being that can perfectly disguise as a human. A body that reacts negatively to the antidote.

‘Demonic Beast .’

I sighed deeply. Everything became clear. The First Prince had allied with them.

‘I need to inform them somehow.’

When would the interrogation happen? Would the Crown Prince come personally? Would he believe what I had to say?

For now, there was nothing I could do. I ran a hand through my hair, hoping it wouldn’t be too late.

* * *

I felt the presence just as I was drifting off to sleep. Somewhere, soft voices murmured, slowly pulling me back to consciousness.

“You’re here?”

“Where is he?”

“This way, please.”

The sound of footsteps grew nearer. They were clearly coming to see me. Was it time for questioning? Had the Crown Prince come? How much time had passed? I hurriedly got up as someone approached the bars. In the dim light, the face that appeared made mine harden. It was him—Taron, the royal physician. …And, with high probability, the man who was a Demonic Beast in disguise.

“The dungeon is far more miserable than I expected.”

“How did you…”

Trailing off in my question, he smiled and gestured with his eyes. The guard nodded and pulled a bunch of keys from his belt.

“I’m doing something that’s strictly forbidden, so don’t linger too long. If I get caught, I’m a dead man.”

“Don’t worry. Here’s the payment as promised.”

“Heh heh. Thank you, sir.”

Accepting a pouch from Taron, the guard beamed as he unlocked the cell door. I’d heard rumors that some dungeon guards took bribes to allow visitors. I hadn’t realized they were true.

‘Another thing to report when I get out of here.’

Of course, getting out safely was the priority.

“Call me when you’re done.”

The guard locked the door from the outside and left. Taron took off his hood. I watched his smiling face silently. Except for his almost silver-gray hair, he had a common appearance that one might see anywhere. Hard to imagine he was a Demonic Beast.

“I came to see you because I have some questions.”

The room was filled with murmurs. The moss stirred anxiously.

“I have nothing to say.”

“Haha, there’s no need to be so wary. This could be a way to clear up misunderstandings.”

“Misunderstandings, you say.”

“Yes, it’s unfortunate that things turned out this way, but I believe you. Your claim that you didn’t tamper with the solution must be true.”

I let out a bitter laugh. To claim certainty of someone’s innocence whom you’d just met today—only an overly naive person would say that. Unless, of course, they’re the real culprit.

“Thank you for believing me.”

“Of course. I hear you’re still young and have a promising future. I don’t believe you intended to assassinate His Majesty. If there was any wrongdoing, it was merely trusting the wrong person.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I’m talking about that red solution. You were told it was a liquid to enhance the medicine’s effect, right?”

“That’s exactly what I was told.”

“I know what that red solution really is.”

“……”

I didn’t expect him to bring it up first. As I remained silent, he seemed to assume he held the upper hand; his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“It’s the blood of a race called Clonne. They’re not well-known in this world.”

“…Clonne? Blood?”

Thankfully, it seemed he hadn’t figured out my identity yet. Feigning confusion, I watched as he clicked his tongue softly.

“So, you were deceived without knowing anything. How unfortunate.”

“I would appreciate a clear explanation. Deceived? That can’t be blood. The solution had no smell of blood.”

“That’s because they aren’t an ordinary race. It wouldn’t have the usual scent of blood.”

“…But the medicine’s efficacy was undeniable.”

“Haha, and yet you saw my skin burn and still say that?”

He raised his bandaged hand deliberately. It looked like any regular human hand, devoid of sharp claws or anything unusual.

“It was fine when we tested it.”

“Of course it was. You all took the antidote first.”

“What do you mean…”

“Your comrades mentioned that the herb gatherer served medicinal tea throughout the journey. Did you even care what it was when you drank it?”

Ah, so that’s the angle he’s taking.

I let out another bitter laugh. Given his quick thinking, he surely wasn’t a simple monster.

“So, you’re saying that the medicinal tea was the antidote? And that’s why we were fine.”

“Exactly. I’m glad you catch on quickly.”

“Even if that’s all true, why would a race like the Clonne do such a thing?”

“How would I know their reasons? But wouldn’t it be similar to why the Demonic Beast attacked the palace?”

“So, you’re implying that these two races are allied?”

His enigmatic smile made my mind run cold. Maintaining my composure was becoming increasingly difficult.

“So, why tell me this? To inform me that I was foolishly deceived?”

“Haha, don’t be so angry. I’m just trying to clear your name.”

“What good is that now? Deceived or not, the fact remains that I endangered His Majesty.”

“But if you bring in the real culprit, it’s a different story.”

“…”

“You might not avoid punishment entirely, but wouldn’t it be better than being labeled a serious criminal?”

So that was his aim. As I stared at him, Taron’s lips curled into a knowing smirk.

“Where is this Clonne now?”

“…We parted ways at the Dugal Mountains. I have no idea where he lives.”

“Haha, you still don’t trust me, do you? But that’s impossible, isn’t it? Absolutely impossible, right?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Clonne blood evaporates in a few hours. The idea of transporting it safely from over a month’s distance is absurd.”

“……”

“Let’s break this down. He must have told you this as he handed over the solution: ‘This solution evaporates quickly, and I’m the only one who can refill it. I’ll be nearby, so come find me when needed.’ That’s why you insisted on managing it, isn’t it?”

Of course, that wasn’t true at all. But there was no harm in using the excuse he conveniently provided. Instead of answering, I continued to stare silently, causing Taron to misinterpret my reaction and grow even more confident.

“Please consider carefully, Officer. You are too young to wither away your life in this dungeon. Why hesitate when you have a chance to defend yourself?”

His voice grew more persuasive, almost coaxing. Just like how they say a devil doesn’t appear in the guise of evil when tempting someone. He was the perfect embodiment of that.

“Bring the Crown Prince to me. Then I’ll explain everything.”

“……”

“After all, it’s up to His Highness to clarify the truth. It seems out of place for a mere palace physician to be intervening.”

“I’m only trying to help you.”

“Well, if you truly wanted to assist me, wouldn’t it have made sense to inform the Crown Prince of these facts first? Had you done so, I might not have ended up here.”

“That’s…”

“You just want to know where the Clonne is, don’t you?”

Taron hesitated for a moment, then smiled.

“Do I appear that way to you?”

“If not, then perhaps you should inform His Highness now. After all, there’s no reason to hesitate if an opportunity to vindicate myself has arrived.”

“…Officer, you are indeed a clever man. Annoyingly so. It would have been easier if you were the type to get swayed by the atmosphere.”

“So you confess your goal is the Clonne?”

“Haha, yes, you’re right. I’m after the Clonne. I can’t disclose the detailed reasons, but you’re overlooking one thing right now.”

“What would that be?”

“That your life is currently in my hands.”