Chapter 40

After finishing my meeting with Elvira, I ended up returning to the castle once again and made my way to Arnold's laboratory. Here, he would likely try to concoct a remedy if possible.

Still, I looked around the laboratory that had been assigned to Arnold.

Compared to the room given to me, this one was at least twice, no, three times as large. Even my laboratory, being that of a low-ranking alchemist, was small compared to others, but this room given to Arnold was exceptionally spacious. Moreover, it seemed to reflect its owner's personality, as it was neatly organized, and I got the impression that there were very few items in it.

Elvira, being led by Mercedes, was looking around her brother's workplace with great interest.

"The horns seem to have some restorative properties."

"Yes. I tried concocting about five different mixtures the other day—"

I handed over the notebook where I had recorded the concoction methods and their main effects as I had been instructed. Arnold opened it and his gaze fell upon the pages.

Arnold, with his hand at his mouth as if deep in thought, turned to me and spoke.

"The restorative properties aren't the main effect; rather, the enhancing properties seem to be the primary function."

He nodded in agreement with my words.

Since then, I had attempted to concoct the monster's horn several times. However, I had only performed very basic concoctions to test the horn's effects.

In conclusion, the monster's horn that Arnold had brought back did not boast remarkable restorative properties; instead, it seemed to have a supportive effect that enhanced the properties of other herbs. Of course, this was based on the effects I had managed to extract so far.

While there were few such herbs, some showed changes in their effects depending on the concoction method. The same could not be ruled out for this monster's horn.

"I tasted the ground powder, but the horn itself wasn't toxic."

Unexpected words came out of Arnold's mouth, and I couldn't help but stare at his profile.

"…You tasted it?"

He nodded as if it were obvious.

"Considering the possibility of any unforeseen circumstances. If it were toxic before being heated, we would have to be extremely cautious during the concoction process. I couldn't give anything dangerous to El or you."

Still, there was no need to taste it. He must have prepared an antidote beforehand, but what if it had a stronger toxicity than expected?

I stared at him in astonishment, but he didn't look at me.

Feeling a mix of respect and exasperation, I started the concoction, thinking time was precious. I left Elvira's care to Mercedes, and Arnold and I repeated the process of concocting and testing the restorative potions ourselves.

We transferred the potions that were confirmed to be safe—meaning they didn't cause any abnormalities in the body—into containers, and set aside those that had any elements of uncertainty, such as a strong bitter taste upon ingestion. Elvira, a girl around 10 years old, would be drinking these. Even if they didn't affect my 14-year-old body, they might not be safe for Elvira.

After completing one concoction, I recorded the method in my notebook. Looking at the herbs spread out on the table, I wondered what kind of concoction to try next. My eyes caught a herb that improved blood circulation and accelerated the spread of the effects.

I thought, "I haven't used this herb yet," and picked it up. I also selected a few other herbs with basic restorative properties and boiled them.

I mixed the ground powder of the monster's horn last and gently shook the container. After confirming that everything was well mixed, I took a sip—

In that instant,

"Ugh."

A strong bitter taste spread in my mouth. Not only that, but as soon as the liquid passed through my throat, it felt as if my throat was burning.

I tried to spit it out, but it was too late. I curled up and pressed my throat. Mercedes, noticing my abnormal state, quickly leaned in, her face filled with concern.

"Laura, are you okay!?"

"I, I'm fine. It's just that the bitter taste is intense... Ah, no, this is bad, please give me some water."

The heat that I thought would subside quickly spread throughout my body. It felt as if it was circulating through my body like blood.

Hot, hot, hot.

I felt a burning sensation in my mucous membranes.

"My throat feels like it's on fire."

I struggled to resist the urge to scratch my throat.

I grabbed the glass Mercedes offered and repeatedly gargled. But it didn't help, and the heat even spread to my fingertips.

I hastily drank a large amount of water, thinking to dilute the heat circulating in my body. However, it didn't have the desired effect, and I ended up choking on the water I couldn't swallow.

This was just adding insult to injury. I was already experiencing significant physical abnormalities. Sweat broke out on my forehead.

"Cough, cough, ugh."

A large hand touched my back, which was curled up. The voice that shook my eardrums sounded faster and more anxious than usual.

I looked up to see Arnold's black eyes, which were more tightly furrowed than usual, looking down at me.

"Ah, I don't know if it was a bad combination or too good, but when I added the herb to accelerate the spread of the effects, I started sweating all over."

I tried to laugh at my mistake, but my facial muscles wouldn't cooperate.

In this concoction, I had mixed multiple herbs with basic restorative properties, the ground monster's horn, and one more. It was a herb that warms the body, improves blood circulation, and accelerates the spread of the restorative effects throughout the body.

My fingertips were pulsating. It felt as if a heart had been implanted there. —Probably, the blood circulation had become too good. Or perhaps the herb had a bad reaction with the others, causing an adverse effect.

In any case, I needed to clearly note that this concoction method was dangerous.

"Just wait a moment."

Arnold went to the concoction table and started mixing something.

I couldn't stand anymore and slid down to sit on the floor, leaning against the wall. I felt a burning heat from the bottom of my stomach and instinctively hugged my body, curling up.

Suddenly, Elvira looked at me with trembling eyes. Her eyes were filled with worry. She looked like she might cry.

—At the moment our eyes met, I thought. The abnormality in my body seemed to share some similarities with the symptoms of the self-destructive disease. One of the symptoms of the self-destructive disease is that a part of the body suddenly catches fire. Moreover, all patients with the self-destructive disease have been consumed by a fire from within their bodies.

—My skin felt as if it was being burned from the inside. Was this heat going to destroy Elvira's young body?

I clenched my fists to suppress the heat in my fingertips and smiled at her to reassure her.

"I'm fine."

It's just that my body feels like it's burning. I swallowed the words that almost slipped out and reached out to Elvira. I intended to stroke her head, but reconsidered the distance and let my hand drop.

I exhaled softly. At that moment, I was lifted up by strong hands from behind.

My feet felt light, and my body tilted. The one who caught me was Arnold's broad chest.

"Drink this and lie down for a bit. I'll take care of the rest."

I was guided to a bed in the corner of the laboratory. The bed, which wasn't in my laboratory, must have been brought in by Arnold.

As soon as I sat on the bed, a glass container was handed to me. It was probably something Arnold had just concocted. From its smell and color, it seemed to be an antidote.

Without hesitation, I drank it. Immediately, the heat in my throat subsided.

I finally let out a big breath. I had been holding my breath without realizing it due to the heat circulating in my body.

I lay down on the bed. Immediately, a shadow fell over my face.

"Laura, some ice too."

An ice pack was placed on my forehead along with Mercedes' voice. The coolness felt good on my heated face, and I naturally drifted off to sleep.

---

I gradually regained consciousness.

"Laura, you're awake. Are you okay?"

"Yes... I'm feeling better now, I'm sorry."

I looked around. The sun had already set outside the window.

I must have slept for a longer time than I thought. Perhaps I was also tired.

I smiled at Mercedes, who was looking at me with concern, to reassure her. She let out a sigh of relief and left the bed, and Arnold came to look at me. Then,

"I'm sorry, I should have supervised more closely."

I was startled by his bowed head. I tried to sit up, but Mercedes stopped me.

Reluctantly, I slightly raised my head and shook it at Arnold's words.

"N-no! I'm the one who should apologize. I concocted without thinking... I'm sorry."

I had thrown herbs together without considering their interactions, which was entirely my fault. I had never experienced a major failure in concoction, and the few minor ones I had were on the level of being too bitter, never putting my life in danger. Perhaps this was a lesson from God to teach me a painful lesson. —Or perhaps it was to make me experience the suffering Elvira was going through, to instill a sense of urgency.

Still, the symptoms I had before falling asleep had subsided, thanks to the restorative potion Arnold had prepared.

As I pondered how to respond to Arnold, who was still bowing his head, a small face appeared from below. It was Elvira. Her eyes, which were filled with worry and a hint of moisture, made me forget Arnold's presence for a moment, and I spoke to her first.

"I'm sorry for scaring you."

"It's not like I was scared..."

Her gaze, which had met mine, quickly turned away. However, her expression showed that she had been worried about me, even if only a little.

Embarrassed, Elvira ran away from my side. I felt a bit lonely as I watched her go, but then my eyes met Arnold's, who had finally looked up. He seemed uncomfortable but spoke firmly.

"I've tried concocting the monster's horn with various herbs. It seems to have good and bad combinations. When combined with compatible herbs, the enhancing effect is several times stronger than other herbs. It might even heal serious injuries if used in full."

He paused and exhaled.

"In that sense, it's a universal medicine."

His tone was low, and his expression was stern.

From his demeanor, it was clear that this was not a good sign.

"…A dud?"

I asked straightforwardly. Arnold neither shook nor nodded his head.

"I plan to give Elvira a small amount if she shows symptoms. …If I were younger, it would have been better."

If I were younger.

The regret in his words was clear: he could have tested the potion on himself before giving it to Elvira. Indeed, it was difficult to administer an unknown restorative potion to a precious, sick sister. However, Arnold's condition was too different from Elvira's to test it on himself.

—Then.

"Let me do the experiment."

"…Don't use such a dangerous term."

Arnold's eyes widened in surprise, then he frowned. I hadn't expected such an obvious rejection.

But this was the best course of action, and I pressed on.

"I'm older than Elvira, but we're the same gender, and I'm the closest in age to Arnold among those around him."

"…I was too hasty."

"Huh?"

I couldn't understand the words he muttered.

When I tilted my head, Arnold bit his lower lip in a pained manner.

"This situation is a result of my haste. Elvira will stay at the master's house for a while. If you prefer, you can go home. We should have taken a break and explored the concoction method together."

Arnold squatted beside the bed and looked at me directly.

"You must be tired from all that's happened. I'm sorry for not considering it."

His eyes behind the glasses looked apologetic.

I was taken aback by his second apology. Whether he knew it or not, when he looked up, he had returned to his usual self.

"We'll start moving after your vacation—"

"But! If the horn rots—!"

I tried to argue, but Arnold raised his right hand to stop me. It was a clear sign that he wouldn't listen further.

"I understand the basic effects. I'll continue testing while you're on leave. You need to rest."

"…You look more tired, Arnold."

"I've had enough rest."

—Liar.

After returning from Platoven, Arnold had been busy with reports. Moreover, he had stayed in Platoven longer than planned, and his usual work had piled up, so he had been staying in the laboratory late. This was what Lina-senpai had told me, adding that even she had commented on his overwork.

The dark circles under his glasses, the sunken cheeks, and the bed brought into the laboratory where I was lying were clear evidence.

However, I wasn't close enough to Arnold to say this to his face. Still, I frowned, and Arnold sighed, probably knowing what I was thinking.

Looking up at his handsome face, Arnold spoke in a more relaxed tone, as if trying to convince me.

"…I've sent a letter to your childhood friend. He'll come quickly. Go home with him."

The smile of my childhood friend came to mind. I hadn't been able to go home or even write letters recently, and I might have caused him worry.

It seemed that Arnold was trying to force me to take a break, which was somewhat frustrating. I wanted to deepen my friendship with Elvira while she was in the capital, and I still believed that the special medicine should be concocted as soon as possible. After all, the Demon King would be resurrected in two years.

That's right. Asking Emilian to return from her emotional reunion with