Chapter 58

I take another sip of the grain liquor that was freshly poured after I finished the previous one. This is not good. It’s a combination that I could easily get addicted to.

When I glance at His Highness, he is enjoying the bird skin-wrapped fried dish and the grain liquor just as I am. After finishing his drink, His Highness grins.

"This sauce is exquisite."

"Reina came up with it. Actually, it uses mannikka and goat’s milk."

"Mannikka? I see, so this green color is from mannikka."

His Highness dips the bird skin-wrapped fried dish into the sauce and takes a bite. I do the same. The goat’s milk is rich and slightly sour, but the level of sourness seems to be just right for His Highness. Moreover, the way Reina has added leafy vegetables and root vegetables to the meatballs is impressive. Her determination to make me eat vegetables has been beautifully sublimated.

"Wrapping it in bird skin is interesting."

"Actually, it’s usually wrapped in a thin layer of dough made from grain flour, but I thought it might go well with fried bird skin."

"I see, the culinary arts are indeed profound."

We eat and drink, drink and eat. After finishing the meal, His Highness, with a slightly swollen belly, pats his stomach and turns his empty cup upside down.

"The more I learn, the more I want to do. My head is full of the various spices of Galbreath. If I can blend them well, I’m sure I can create even more delicious dishes."

"Melfi is... very dedicated to research."

"Well, I do love eating."

"Hehe, I like it too?"

His Highness looks at me with a satisfied, gentle expression. The amber in his eyes reflects the light from the magic lamp, making him look like a dragon rumbling contentedly after a full meal. The unguarded look he shows me at times is very bad for my heart. My face heats up, and I’m sure it’s not just because of the alcohol.

(And it seems the bird skin-wrapped fried dish and the soup were to His Highness’s liking, which is good.)

I finish the remaining liquor and, following His Highness’s lead, turn my cup upside down. The bird skin-wrapped fried dish, with its color partially hidden by the batter, was eaten without resistance by His Highness. Making it bite-sized was also a good idea. It was quickly devoured, and Reina, though busy, looked very pleased. The crispy batter and skin, along with the juicy meatballs, increased the consumption of the grain liquor.

(The vegetables in the soup were also eaten, so simmering them until they’re soft is a good idea.)

When Reina and I tasted the soup together, the root vegetables were a bit hard. I asked the head chef to keep the pot on the fire, and the vegetables became so soft they melted in the mouth. In Marshall Raid, where it’s cold, most simmered dishes are very soft. I was a bit worried if they would be accepted in Galbreath, but the fact that they could be swallowed without chewing was apparently a good point.

Of course, not all the knights have accepted the monster food. Some look at it with disgust, and others avoid it outright. We can’t force them, so gradually getting them to accept it will be a future challenge.

After finishing dinner, we are seen off by the cheerful knights who come to toast us as we slowly walk back to our rooms. I grip His Highness’s hand tightly to avoid slipping and falling.

"... How is your shoulder, Your Highness?"

"It’s properly secured."

"Does it hurt at all?"

"Melfi, you worry too much."

Ignoring my concern, His Highness ruffles my hair with a carefree smile.

"The ointments of Galbreath have been improved many times. I think you’ll be able to move it by tomorrow."

"If it hurts, please tell me right away?"

"Understood, I’ll do my best not to cause my fiancée any more worry."

With a slightly playful look, His Highness places his hand on his chest and gives a sharp salute. I mimic him, placing my hand on my chest and returning the salute.

(... Wow, he’s so handsome.)

His Highness, with a sharp expression, looks at me, and he seems to be shining in a peculiar way. I’ve only had four cups of alcohol today, so I’m not drunk (though I might be drunk on how handsome His Highness is).

"You’re doing quite well."

"Hehe, really? The members of the Blanche squad are so handsome, and I thought I’d like to try it too."

We laugh at each other, but then a noisy clatter of metal comes from the corridor.

A patrolling knight approaches.

"Your Excellency, I have a report."

The knight glances at me. Perhaps he thinks he can’t report with me present, but His Highness pulls me closer with his right hand, saying, "What is it? You can speak here, briefly."

The knight stands at attention.

"Yes! Actually, there’s a report that the Celestial Wolf is acting a bit strange. Chaos has already gone to check it out."

"The Celestial Wolf?"

My heart skips a beat at the report. Could it be that the smelly thing I refined is the cause? I become anxious and grip His Highness’s right arm.

Then the knight adds something terrible.

"It seems to be showing signs of madness."

His Highness’s body tenses instantly. I look at the knight in disbelief.

"What?! Is it rampaging?"

"It’s not rampaging, but it seems to be in distress when it wakes up."

"Understood, I’ll go immediately. Melfi, you stay in your room—"

His Highness looks down at me, and I return his gaze with a determined look.

"I’m going with you."

"But—"

"If it’s in the early stages, there might be something we can do. The magic array is still in development, but—"

I look at His Highness with a pleading expression. I’ve been gradually extracting the miasma from the Bergnion’s corpse. If we act quickly, we might be able to save it.

"I’ll follow your instructions, please, I beg you."

◇

"Kyuun..."

The Celestial Wolf pup, restless beside its mother, lets out an anxious whine.

The Celestial Wolf, lying down, looks a bit off to me. I can’t quite explain what’s different, but my senses tell me something is wrong.

"It’s exhausted."

"I mean, it’s not just exhausted. It seems... not normal."

The Celestial Wolf has white fur and gem-like red eyes. The pup’s eyes are a clear red, but the mother’s eyes seem slightly clouded, which is concerning.

"It can’t be... really showing signs of madness."

His Highness approaches the Celestial Wolf.

Mad creatures, due to the miasma in their blood, often have blood that appears murky. This is most noticeable in their eyes. I recall the Backhorn that attacked me at the autumn festival, which had yellow, clouded eyes.

I move a little closer to the Celestial Wolf, which is lying weakly, and examine its most severely injured hind leg. The Celestial Wolf pup approaches, and I crouch down to reassure it, extending my hand. The pup pushes its head against my hand.

(Did the poison spread from the wound? But there are no signs of swelling or infection.)

The blood on the Celestial Wolf’s white fur has clotted and appears dark red. The blood near the wound seems slightly murky, so I try a spell to draw out the miasma, whispering the incantation in ancient magic language.

"Rue Litt Arniere O Dona Balmire Stilis..."

I don’t have a cloudy crystal, so I hold my hand over the wound, intending to draw out only a little. I repeat the gesture of pinching my fingers, as my mother used to do, to draw out the miasma and blood. Dark, reddish-brown blood seeps from the wound.

"Melfi, what are you doing?"

His Highness, who was talking to the knight, turns to me.

"Is it safe? I didn’t know you could do this without a cloudy crystal."

"It’s possible with a small amount. Look, Your Highness. The blood seeping from the wound is dark and murky. It might be on the verge of madness."

As the Celestial Wolf’s miasma and blood gather in my hand, His Highness’s eyes widen in surprise as he approaches.

Continuing the incantation, the miasma and blood form a spherical shape in my hand. The blood, which should glow brightly due to the miasma, is clearly murky.

"Melfi, it’s dangerous to touch it directly."

"I’ll be fine. More importantly, look at this."

I show the sphere of miasma and blood to His Highness, who compares it to the Celestial Wolf.

"Is this what you just extracted?"

"Yes, I was concerned. The blood from the wound is so dark."

"Grurrr..."

Perhaps my magic was uncomfortable. The Celestial Wolf, which had been lying still, suddenly rises and stares at me.

"Melfi!"

His Highness’s sharp voice rings out, and I find myself in his embrace. His Highness keeps his eyes on the Celestial Wolf, slowly backing away.

"Any more is dangerous."

"Your Highness, please wait. I’m sorry for startling you. I have no intention of harming you. I just want to remove the bad things from your body."

I try to communicate that I have no ill intent, though I’m not sure if it will understand. Trained wolves can understand human speech, but it’s unclear if wild Celestial Wolves can. Living deep in the Elsenei Great Forest, they may have never encountered humans. I suddenly think to switch to ancient magic language.

"I will heal you. I will destroy the bad magic and poison."

Ancient magic language is said to be the language of the spirits. I’ve never seen one, but it’s not impossible that spirits exist deep in the Elsenei Great Forest. I try to convey that I have no ill intent using the language of the spirits.

"Kya?"

The Celestial Wolf pup tilts its head.

"I will help you. I will draw out the poison."

"Ku, kwan!"

"I will heal you."

"Kya, kya!"

Is it understanding me? The Celestial Wolf pup starts to chirp in response to my ancient magic language.

"I see... ancient magic language."

His Highness, looking thoughtfully between me and the Celestial Wolf, his amber eyes glowing gold, starts to speak in ancient magic language with a clear, resonant voice.

"We mean you no harm. Accept our treatment calmly and return to the forest quickly."

His Highness is impressive. I can’t help but listen to his beautiful pronunciation.

"I am the current leader. I do not break the covenant of the first generation."

The Celestial Wolf, which had been growling and threatening us, suddenly calms down. It seems the message has been understood.

"I will heal you."

When I repeat the same words, the Celestial Wolf turns away and lies down quietly.