Chapter 83
The mont Aquila’s departure for the capital, Denimarad, was decided, the Reschenhardt Estate fell into a flurry once more.
Even with efficient Wyvern transport, Denimarad was a considerable distance away.
Above all, he would be visiting the imperial palace, which ant that attire befitting the occasion had to be prepared.
As the capital, Denimarad was where every new trend began.
In such a place, the slightest misstep could invite condescension.
Worse still, rumors might spread that the servants of House Reschenhardt lacked refinent.
With their pride at stake, those in charge of clothing hurried about with fierce determination in their eyes.
Naturally, gifts also had to be prepared, and the attendants accompanying him had to be selected.
At least twice as many people would be required compared to the journey to Portplum.
From the mont Lexenbert’s announcent was made, the Reschenhardt Estate echoed without cease with the voices and footsteps of busy servants.
“Why summon him when our young master is not even in good health?”
And in a room that seed detached from the bustle outside—yet was most directly connected to the current affair—
Aquila Reschenhardt’s personal attendant was fuming.
“I truly cannot stand the imperial family! They cannot manage without Lord Lexenbert, yet they fear having a Sword Master enter the capital!”
“You will be arrested for lèse-majesté, Shen.”
“Let them arrest !”
Grumbling, Shen filled the cup he had brought with lemon tea.
Its bright, citrus fragrance spread widely through the room.
“May I accompany you this ti as well? Sohow… I feel as though I truly belong to House Reschenhardt now.”
“Of course you do! Lady Yujelia is practically a mber of House Reschenhardt at this point. We have been together for so long!”
Shen stopped complaining and nodded vigorously, and Yujelia smiled.
Her gaze turned to Aquila.
“Still, I cannot help but worry. It seems your stamina has improved sowhat lately, but…”
Thanks to his daily exercise, Aquila was gradually becoming accustod to the strain.
Of course, it was only the beginning; nothing had visibly changed yet.
“I will not be able to maintain my usual routine during the journey to Denimarad. It must not end after only a few days of resolve.”
That was Aquila’s true concern.
If he stopped midway, all his effort would be for nothing. The question was whether he could maintain consistency.
And then there was Ludovika.
If he went to Denimarad, there was a high probability he would encounter Ludovika.
Unless Aquila never left Igrail, she would not simply ignore him while he was in the capital.
“The Guild of Darkness is not the only concern. In the end, the goal is to capture the Corrupted Fanatics.”
The Guild of Darkness was rely an appendage of the corrupted followers of the Night God. One of them was bound to make a move.
Or perhaps both would seize the opportunity to approach him.
It was ironic.
In Igrail, news arrived slowly and the atmosphere was stifling, yet it was safe.
Beyond it, one could obtain anything—but the danger rose proportionally.
The phrase “leaving ho invites hardship” suited the situation perfectly.
Aquila gazed at his reflection in the surface of the teacup before taking a sip of lemon tea.
“I hear that the atmosphere within the imperial family is not favorable. Will that affect ?”
“…It likely will. They will attempt to recruit you without missing this opportunity. Though House Reschenhardt maintains neutrality, they may believe that securing a blood mber of the house could change matters.”
While pouring more lemon tea into a fresh cup and handing it to Yujelia, Shen fell into thought.
“It will likely divide into two major factions: the Second Prince and the Third Prince. The First Prince, who was once the crown prince candidate, has lost the support of House Friadel.”
Shen explained quietly.
He was surprisingly well-inford in such matters.
Even in Igrail, rumors inevitably traveled.
As Shen said, the First Prince had lost the formidable backing of House Friadel and had effectively been pushed out of the succession struggle.
Rather than the contest for the throne, their focus lay upon the Curse of Deadly Poison and its perpetrator.
After all, Lady Friadel’s death by the Curse of Deadly Poison had been the result of that very power struggle.
In pursuing authority, House Friadel had lost their daughter.
In the end, they had lost both.
“I do not know which side you would choose, Young Master…”
“I have no interest in politics.”
“Yes, I know. But they will attempt to recruit you regardless, so you should be cautious. I have heard that Lady Astia faces constant pressure as well.”
Astia Reschenhardt.
As the heir, many watched closely to see what stance she would take.
Even if Lexenbert maintained neutrality, should Astia change her mind, House Reschenhardt might be dragged into a prolonged political conflict.
Of course, as far as Aquila knew, Astia had no interest whatsoever in the current struggle for the throne.
Her sword belonged solely to the Delvion imperial house.
It would never be directed at an individual. Like the head who had led House Reschenhardt thus far, she remained loyal only to the imperial institution itself.
“Politics…”
Yujelia shook her head.
Though she was a priest and seed far removed from such matters, by Bishop Martio’s command she had traveled widely and witnessed countless conflicts entangled with gain and loss.
Naturally, she was not ignorant of the imperial court.
The Curse of Deadly Poison.
Yujelia had investigated everywhere that na had reached.
“…What about the Fourth Prince? Do you know anything of him?”
“The Fourth Prince? Ah… well.”
At the unexpected question, Shen tilted his head.
“There are no particularly notable rumors. I have heard that he is upright and kind-hearted, but that may simply be an embellished tale. A person with such an evaluation often becos a target.”
The attendant replied with surprising composure and a slight shrug.
Aquila found himself sowhat in agreent.
But he knew well that those rumors were neither fabricated nor exaggerated.
“He worked well with Ark. At this ti… he must be struggling.”
Of course, there had never been a ti when the Fourth Prince’s hardships had truly ceased.
Aquila silently nodded and finished his tea.
***
“Welco to my laboratory!”
Erzet spread his arms wide in greeting.
His face shone with genuine delight.
Though he had invited Aquila before and received no response, Aquila had co to visit before departing on a distant journey.
Erzet’s laboratory was located at the end of the western corridor on the first floor. Judging by the bed set up in an adjoining room, he likely slept there most of the ti rather than in his bedroom.
“The end of the western corridor on the first floor… That is correct. This is where the poison formula was discovered.”
Aquila had only set foot in the Reschenhardt Estate in two cycles.
Even then, it had been after the estate was half-destroyed, so this was his first ti seeing it intact.
As was typical of researchers wholly absorbed in their work, Erzet’s laboratory was in utter disarray.
Crumpled papers, empty ink bottles, thick books, and various unidentifiable objects lay scattered everywhere, leaving barely enough space to step.
“…The air here is terrible. It cannot be good for Lord Aquila’s health.”
Shen frowned and nudged a pile of papers aside with his foot.
Indeed, the room carried the damp scent of old parchnt.
“Ahem. Yes, yes. You wish to borrow alchemical tools? Use them as you please! Whatever my brother intends, how could I refuse him?”
Erzet dismissed Shen’s complaint with a broad smile.
Though Aquila had accepted his invitation to visit, he had not co rely to socialize.
While Shen opened the windows wide to air out the room, Aquila followed the path Erzet cleared and stepped further inside.
He placed the box he had been carrying upon the cluttered desk.
Inside were herbs purchased from Bejiana and the Peillat Company.
Three days remained before his departure for the capital.
He intended to prepare the poison capable of killing the Demonic Dragon in advance.
He planned to slip away to the East sohow, but even if that failed, preparation would do no harm.
“Thank you, Brother. I will not interfere with your work. I will finish quickly.”
“My generous brother! Think nothing of it. Stay as long as you like!”
Erzet bead.
“Ah, did you co together?”
He leaned to the side and looked toward the doorway rather than at Aquila.
Though they seed to be attempting to hide, their small fras were visible.
Ershan and i were peering in.
Since the day Fairywind had taken flight, the twins had continued exploring the estate, gathering new experiences.
And whenever they spotted Aquila… they followed.
They trailed behind him, accompanying him wherever he went, occasionally striking up conversation.
In recent days, they had spoken of learning to plant flowers and trim stems from the gardener.
They had encountered Aquila in the corridor earlier and, as if by silent agreent, followed him here.
“They have been exploring places they could not visit before.”
Aquila shrugged lightly.
There was no particular reason to refuse them, nor did he wish to.
Of course, this was Erzet’s laboratory. Without his permission, they could not enter.
Behind his spectacles, Erzet’s black eyes studied the twins before he nodded.
“Well, there is nowhere within this estate that my younger siblings are forbidden to roam. You may co in.”
The twins hesitated, mouths slightly agape, as though uncertain such permission would be granted.
“But do not touch anything. Not because I mind, but because it could be dangerous for you.”
Erzet spoke gently before returning to a second desk, claiming he had further research to complete.
i took the first brave step.
When no reprimand followed, she tugged Ershan’s hand and entered.
“This place is terribly ssy for you two… May I clean it?”
“Absolutely not. Do not touch a thing. This is a personal matter.”
“Wow! Lord Ershan and Lady i are a hundred tis more dignified than Lord Erzet. He is the real problem, is he not?”
“Ah—what?”
It had begun again.
Had Yujelia been present, she would have worn an exasperated expression and insisted on being left out of it.
The twins looked bewildered at being drawn into such a conversation.
After all, what attendant behaved in such a manner?
The world they had known under Celsia had been frigid as ice.
“No. Shen alone is like this.”
In any case, now—
With Shen distracting the twins and Erzet absorbed in his work while occasionally interjecting—
This was the optimal mont.
Aquila paid no attention to the trivial chatter and began removing items from the box.
Basilisk’s Tears, Severed Salamander Tail, Huntwal Cocoon, Porcelain Mushroom Spores, and Tunai Flower.
One by one, the well-preserved materials erged.
The recipe was already engraved in his mind.
As long as he made no mistake, he could complete it without difficulty.
He had done so countless tis before.
As a precaution, he erected an invisible barrier with magic.
A brief golden formula flickered at his fingertips before vanishing.
This ensured that no danger would reach those on the other side.
In any case, the poison was lethal only once it entered the body.
“Then, let us begin this delightful session of poison crafting.”
Rolling up his sleeves neatly, Aquila pulled on his gloves.
It would take roughly twenty minutes—though he intended to finish even faster.
Grasping the mortar, Aquila began to grind the ingredients with ticulous care.
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