[Part 5/6]
The puppet controlled by Onitsuki's Black Butterfly Lady...
"...As instructed. I apply that dicine every day. Is there sothing else you need?"
'You make it sound like it's a big deal. I just wanted to thank the kind young person who listens to my requests. I left so money and raw materials for dicine at your place, although it might be presumptuous of . Please check it later.'
"Thank you very much."
Despite her response, the dic frowned. She had put up boundaries, after all... No one would be pleased with soone barging into their ho without permission. This was a threat.
(Indeed. I've gotten myself into a troubleso connection.)
For Yakuko, that certain servant is not without friendship. She did not disdain the laborer apprentice whom she got to know through Sarujirou, at least not at that ti. And she should have been happy that she had a chance to communicate with the first princess and Advisors. The problem lay in the unexpected steadfastness of those around him.
The incident of the boy falling to servant status forced her hand. She couldn't bla her for not choosing friendship.
She tried to advise Sarujirou, who often gave advantages to the fallen boy, but she was rebuffed. Not only that, even the Black Butterfly Lady seed to be involved in this. And she's still dealing with that idiot in so capacity...
'Reluctantly, huh? I know I'm pushing you beyond your limits. I'm sorry.'
"...Separate from my main duties, there are additional instructions. However, they might significantly hinder my regular tasks. I hope you understand this point."
With a polite tone, but still expressing her opinion sincerely, Yakuko speaks. A hasty person might have shouted out in response, but even though she is addressing an "old hag," she chooses her words considering her audience. Her speech was a testant to her recognition that she was dealing with soone who could make rational judgnts. Probably, after a while, this issue would be resolved with so assistance and consideration. This lady was that kind of woman.
In reality, Yakuko wasn't inconvenienced by it as much as puzzled. The na Black Butterfly Lady wasn't just for show. This old woman, known to be occasionally cold and ruthless even to her own family, wouldn't go out of her way to care for a forr laborer without a reason. It couldn't possibly be out of goodwill. What kind of elaborate and cunning sche was she concocting?
'But just this once. If it's about money and materials, I can manage here sohow. You're the only one I can rely on, after all. Please do your best.'
The "best" Kochou ntions is indeed the correct blend. The preparation of spiritual dicine can be a dangerous task, depending on the materials used. And the quality and quantity of the dicine Kochou ordered from Yakuko were not sothing that even she, who was among the top dics of the Onitsuki family, could concoct overnight.
The various secret dicines ordered, supposedly to be given to the servant... Even the ointnts applied to heal the injuries from the recent punishnt were the sa.
'Especially that ointnt. Make sure that boy applies it every day until he sets off, okay?'
Although enticed by the sweet tone of the White Egret's request, Yakuko wasn't the type to be easily swayed. As an expert, she couldn't unconditionally fulfill that request either.
"...Are you serious? Every day with that dicine?"
'Is it not possible? Does it have unbearable side effects?'
"It's not that it's not possible..."
As she mulled over White Egret's request with its fake, vacant eyes, an indescribable expression crossed Yakuko's face. She speaks with a sowhat reluctant tone.
"That dicine does indeed contribute to strengthening the body. If Madam Advisor is willing to accept its manufacturing cost and the efficiency of its effects, it's fine. However, even if I eliminate those factors, that dicine has its shortcomings."
'Shortcomings?'
Reflecting on the dic's words in a questioning manner, White Egret's imitation mulls over them, and the atmosphere grows heavy. In the silence, the scene continues.
Stimulating spiritual enhancent in the subject, the ointnt not only promotes wound healing but also acts as a secondary effect. It was ordered as soon as the decision was made for the servant to accompany the Second Princess on her first mission. Successfully utilizing it during the kidnapping incident, it was valuable and its effects substantial. According to Kochou's research, the risks were minimal.
Never did she suspect this dic was lying, but sensing Kochou's composed deanor, the dic resud explaining while choosing her words with tension.
"Oh, well, you see, that dicine wasn't originally developed for bodily enhancent. It's more like a substance that accidentally had its effects discovered through its original intended use."
And during the Great Youkai War, the newly discovered application gained prominence and beca famous. Initially, it wasn't used as an ointnt but rather as an oral dication, as Yakuko explains.
'That's news to . I thought I had a fair understanding of pharmacology. So, what was its original purpose?'
"...It's an aphrodisiac."
"I'm sorry. Could you repeat that?"
Surprised by the dic's disclosure, White Egret asks again, doubting her own hearing.
"I-it's an aphrodisiac."
Perhaps because she's also a girl of marriageable age, the dic answers again, seeming reluctant. The atmosphere takes on a different tone from earlier, and a silence hangs in the air...
From dried sea youkai beast phalluses to bear youkai monster livers, snake youkai monster blood to scorpion youkai monster toxins, mainland ginseng to youkai bee royal honey, insect youkai monsters that grow in forbidden areas to winter-insect, and sumr-grass infused carnivorous spiritual herbs... these precious ingredients, including imported goods, are complexly blended to create a spiritual dicine that goes beyond the simple realm of wound redies. The dicine itself penetrates every single cell, activating them and enhancing the body. Its effectiveness correlates with the target's spiritual power, making it a commonly used substance during the chaos of the war by most exorcists.
However, it's a secondary discovery from existing dicines. It wasn't its original purpose.
Once upon a ti, there was an exorcists family head with remarkable abilities but no heir. To prevent the loss of valuable spiritual factors, both the head and the imperial court ordered the Yakushiji family to formulate a pill. This pill, which served as the source of the ointnt that would be applied to the servant, was called 'Umairaga' (馬威唖愚羅). Now, its original purpose has been mostly forgotten, and due to changes in Fusō-kuni's trading situation and pharmaceutical-related laws, the practical form of the substance that could be used daily has long disappeared from many exorcists' households.
"Well, originally, it was formulated for oral consumption and then processed for topical application. Therefore, its original effects are sowhat limited..."
But it's not completely ineffective. With consistent application, the original effects gradually reveal themselves. She doesn't want to discuss sothing too crude, but that servant has already attracted attention due to causing trouble. If he were to act impulsively and assault a passing maid, what would happen? Above all, she didn't want to beco a suspect during questioning.
'Aphrodisiac...'
"Yes, it's an aphrodisiac."
The dic responds to White Egret, who seems to be mulling over the word dreamily. If it were just about healing wounds, there are other dicines. She wished she wouldn't resort to using sothing like that. So task seems to be on the horizon, but that monstrosity, the Second Princess, will be accompanied by him. There's no need for him to rush into bodily enhancent through such an indirect thod... As a fellow woman, the dic holds a faint hope for Advisor.
'...Understood. It's fine. No problem.'
After a mont of silence, White Egret reaches that conclusion.
"Well, but..."
'No problem.'
"Alright."
The dic, who had intended to persist, found herself answering imdiately. She even curls her lips into a smirk, as if she thought his response would be sothing like the servant's.
'Rest assured. I'll take the supervisory responsibility. Even if you're suspected, I promise to defend you. Do you need a written guarantee?'
"Absolutely."
It was an imdiate response. A fallback is essential. Having her tail cut off like a lizard wouldn't be pleasant if things go awry. They're walking a dangerous path. She needs that much assurance. Right after, a scroll falls from the sky. When she unties it and opens it, there's a written statent inside. It's not just a simple letter. It's a contract, bound by a curse of compensation, to absolutely defend her actions.
"...I've certainly confird it. Then, as a mber of the Onitsuki family's household, I will follow your instructions."
Reassured by receiving the guarantee, Yakuko secured her imdiate safety. Simultaneously, she felt a slight sympathy for the familiar servant, a sentint of pity, albeit very slight.
(Since it's your own choice, I won't complain.)
Listening to the life stories mixed with casual chatter, the dic was astounded by the servant's ineptitude in living. Despite having no room for complacency and no ti to observe others, he was busy cutting his own body, surpassing his own capacity, and causing trouble without heeding warnings. Rather, rely cooperating like this was already sufficient. She had reluctantly stepped in to clean up Sarujirou's ss, as he persistently poked his nose in.
"...Honestly, life would be easier if he were a bit more self-centered."
Whispering in a tone that mixed complex emotions, the dic pressed Yakuko about her forr laborer's way of living, as if she couldn't comprehend it. The voice was tinged with feelings difficult to describe.
'Did you say sothing?'
"No, never mind. Would it be acceptable to continue for a little while longer? Talking for too long will attract attention. Besides, I have a concoction to prepare..."
Specifically, she had to prepare a paralysis poison. And not just any, but an incredibly potent one. Ordered by the head and elders, it was the most powerful substance known to the Dokusawa family. Concentrating dangerous materials repeatedly, it could render even calamity youkai immobile for several days.
What it will be used for exactly... whatever it is, it's a significant task. She must complete it flawlessly, without cutting any corners, for her own advancent. Normally, she should have devoted her entire being to that work. Instead, she spent valuable ti caring for the servant. She wants to go ho and work. She won't be able to sleep until late tonight. Her impatience led her to make what seed like a rude remark.
'That's right. Certainly, you have a lot on your plate... I'm sorry for taking up your ti. Do your best with your work, alright?'
"...Of course."
Feeling an inexplicable sensation from White Egret's words of encouragent, Yakuko chanically offers her thanks and departs. There's no changing the fact that she has things she must do, and ti is limited.
"..."
...For a while, she can't shake the feeling that sothing is caught in her back teeth.
...
...
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