CHAPTER 128:……………………………
Spite (2)
In the space where only the two of them remained, a place where only Lowell came and went intermittently, there had been some progress even while Leri was absent. Based on the samples they had collected, Lowell had discovered the foundation for developing an antidote.
“Still, it needs a lot of refinement, and we can’t treat severe cases yet, but it should work as a temporary measure.”
He expressed dissatisfaction with not having been able to fully test it, but unfortunately, time was not on their side. The temporarily developed antidote was given to the missing people who had been captured. In this process, Lowell’s name and some details of the incident were revealed to the public.
- “Since it hasn’t been fully tested yet, and we don’t know what side effects might occur… record any symptoms in detail if any issues arise, at least for a week to a month.”
Fortunately, the only side effects observed so far were hair loss or mild stomachaches. For people saved from life-threatening situations, these were minor, so resistance was minimal.
“It’s better than I expected. All that’s left is endless experimentation and refinement…”
What was needed most was a large volume of samples. With that conclusion, Lowell organized everything he had discovered so far and handed it over to the Duke.
After going through that process, he could finally relax a bit.
“Maybe it’ll finally quiet down now…”
Of course, the surrounding commotion resumed with news and updates, making the wizard’s hope for quiet ironic.
It started with a letter from Rio. Thinking back to the time Rio had subtly led Kalis Land into being attacked, Lowell still clenched his teeth in frustration. Adding to that, taking Temia as a partner left a lingering resentment.
Yet, considering the task of tracing the distribution path of the evidence from Prometheus’ headquarters, there was no one more suitable.
‘Yeah. If not now, when else would I get to use them?’
Thinking this, Lowell gradually suppressed his rising anger, though his displeased expression didn’t entirely fade. He began to slowly read the letter that had arrived at the workshop.
“To the assistant of Green Sandwich Workshop,
This is Rio.
How have you been? I wonder if you’ve fully recovered physically. It’s been a long time since we last met, and I was worried.
If you ever feel uneasy being near that wizard, remember that the Rush & Gold Guild is always open to you. I can assure you that this place provides a much more stable work environment.
And since Lowell is quite sensitive, being by my side might be better for your mental health given the current circumstances. Though the last event didn’t end well, I will always prepare everything I manage to the highest standard when arranging things like the previous ball.
Of course, your status would entitle you to all that I mention, but what I mean is the work environment.
My guild is based in the capital, so it’s easy to visit Etvalga as well. Once again, I extend my offer—join my guild even now…
…
…”**
Crumple-
“…Hah, still haven’t gotten your act together?”
But the emotions he had tried to suppress exploded again at the sight of a single sheet filled with serenades addressed to his assistant. Lowell casually ignored that the letter wasn’t meant for him and pondered whether to burn it.
Meanwhile, Temia looked at the wizard holding the paper with a serious expression. Upon reading the first sentence, she raised an incredulous look.
“That… wasn’t this meant for me? If I’m not mistaken, it seems Rio sent it?”
“Hmm, that’s right?”
“Then why are you holding it as if it’s natural…?”
“I was just preventing you from encountering things harmful to your mental health ahead of time.”
Temia’s eyes narrowed into triangles. She quietly extended her hand, signaling for the letter. But Lowell, still holding it, replied with a reluctant expression.
“I don’t think it’s worth reading anyway.”
“That’s for me to decide! Give it to me—!!!”
“Do you intend to flirt with some other man right in front of me through a written letter?”
“What are you saying?! You know that’s not the case! Are you going to keep being spiteful?”
Temia shouted again, thrusting her palm forward firmly. Her gaze made it clear she wouldn’t budge until she got the letter. Lowell, locking eyes with her sharp gaze, had no choice but to pout and hand it over. The letter, finally returned to its proper recipient, fluttered from Temia’s hand—albeit a little crumpled.
Temia quickly scanned the sentences of the letter. The opening was a fairly normal greeting. Considering Rio’s always teasing attitude toward her, she could treat this as nothing unusual.
She wasn’t someone who couldn’t read the goodwill in his eyes, but that was probably just his way of choosing competent assistants or secretaries—though it likely included some intent to mess with Lowell.
Having always treated it lightly, there was nothing extraordinary here. She breezed through most of the greetings but froze at the last line, widening her eyes and reading it again.
**“…Finally, some good news.
We’ve confirmed that the evidence taken from Prometheus matches exactly with the components of the potion from the temple. While you had already verified the similarity, for such dangerous ingredients to circulate in large quantities, the distribution itself would have to be connected. So, if the distribution path matches completely, it’s safe to conclude they’re identical rather than merely similar.
In short, it appears the same guild orchestrated this, which, as far as I know, supplies goods to the palace. Recently, they distributed a large amount of mermaid shell powder.
And the chief in charge of the palace’s magical materials… as far as I know, is the senior court mage.
Burn this letter after reading it, Lowell. Don’t leave a trace of the ashes.”**
The long-winded greetings had clearly been a disguise for this single crucial paragraph. Temia quickly handed the letter back to Lowell, pointing at the last paragraph. Following her finger, Lowell muttered with a crooked smile.
“Anyway… it’s still sneaky to tuck in important information like this, but at least I can burn the letter—that’s satisfying.”
Whoosh-
A bright flame erupted from his hand and devoured the letter. The sudden heat filled the room briefly, and Temia shivered as if doused with cold water, rubbing her arms.
“The likelihood of high-ranking officials being Prometheus’ agents has increased. If the hypothesis we discussed about an impending rebellion is true, the palace is in danger.”
“…That’s likely.”
“No, it’s not just the palace. If war breaks out, the entire country will be at risk. We need to stop it immediately, by any means…”
Her voice trembled. The remnants of past fires haunted her memory. Even if those fires weren’t caused by Lowell’s hands, she couldn’t endure them if they happened again by someone else. All possibilities had to be blocked. Temia realized she hadn’t fully escaped the currents of the past.
Seeing Temia’s anxiety, Lowell quietly comforted her. He was still awkward at offering solace, but for that sad expression, it felt like he could do anything.
A few days later.
As they busily carried on with their daily lives, investigating the emerging details of the incident, a new challenge appeared before them.
“I didn’t expect you to come all this way… Don’t you think this is going too far?”
The visitor knocking on the workshop door was a stranger. Yet Lowell’s reaction was unusual.
Temia, puzzled, looked at the visitor with a bewildered expression as Lowell approached to drive them away. What seemed like a problem that could be easily resolved turned into an unexpected situation.
Lowell shouted at the visitor upon seeing them—not a usual reaction, suggesting they knew each other. As Temia pondered this while watching Lowell display hostility toward someone he had never encountered in the workshop, he spoke again.
“Get lost. I hope I never see you in front of me again.”
Lowell was generally cold toward those seeking his help, but issuing such a harsh dismissal outright was unprecedented. His transparent anger, thrown directly at the person, was unlike his usual style.
Temia, rolling her eyes, continued to observe the visitor. Lowell gently pulled her along to close the door. At that moment, the visitor spoke in a trembling voice.
“Second Young Master… I understand that you are displeased, but the situation is serious, so I had to come in person.”
