Chapter 97
Since Asil had called Luviana his friend, I believed that once he heard about her illness, he wouldn’t just sit by and do nothing. That fragile hope was the only thing I could cling to.
I told them everything — about the Rugimi disease, its symptoms, and the dreadful truth that if it remained untreated, Luviana would die within a few weeks.
When I’d studied other races, I’d learned that elves lived many times longer than humans and had mastery over the plants and trees of the world. Remembering that, I thought maybe — just maybe — they might have a way to cure Rugimi disease.
It was the thinnest thread of hope, but still worth grasping.
Asil and Bergo listened attentively to every word I said. Their calm focus gave me the faintest sliver of optimism, and I pleaded desperately:
“…Please, I beg you. I’m searching for a way to cure Rugimi disease. Won’t you help me save Luviana?”
“……”
I would do anything to save her — no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice.
But they said nothing for a long time.
My heart pounded so violently that I worried it might stop altogether.
Please… say something.
After what felt like an eternity, they slowly shook their heads.
“……!!”
The world dropped out beneath me.
“W–Why…?”
“……”
Asil looked at me with a faint sadness in his eyes.
“We are indeed elves. And yes, we know many herbs and plants that humans do not. But… we don’t understand much about humans themselves. As for the Rugimi disease you spoke of…”
“……!”
It felt like the last thread of hope I’d been clutching finally snapped.
My mind went blank.
I had no idea what to do anymore. The best doctors and magicians from every corner of the realm had already examined Luviana, yet they had all said the same thing:
‘There’s no cure.’
Human wisdom had reached its limit. And now, even the elves—beings of nature and long life—could do nothing.
Then what was left for Luviana? She was dying a little more each day inside the palace, her life slipping away like sand through my fingers.
Bergo looked into my pale face.
“…But.”
“……?”
I stared blankly at him as he continued.
“That person… might know.”
“Yes,” Asil agreed softly. “If it’s them, then surely.”
“‘That person’…?”
Both Asil and Bergo’s expressions carried conviction — the kind of certainty that left no room for doubt. My heart gave a sudden jolt.
There was still hope.
I quickly asked, “W–Who is this person?”
Asil looked at me with an unreadable expression.
“Are you sure you want to know? Even if you might regret it?”
“O–Of course.”
If there was even one chance to save Luviana, I couldn’t afford to waste time despairing. I wanted to see her smile again — to hear her teasing voice, to watch her run around with that bright, lively energy she once had.
Then Asil raised his hand and pointed toward the distant horizon.
The moonlight made his fingertips gleam silver. I followed the direction he pointed.
Stars glittered brilliantly across the night sky, and the one he indicated marked the western direction.
“Far to the southwest from here,” he said quietly.
“……”
“There’s a place humans call the Ulysses Empire… and within it—”
“……”
“—lies a region known as Inphola.”
At that name, my body stiffened.
“If that person who lives there still remains, they might have the answer you’re searching for.”
“…But,” Bergo added, his tone heavy, “I’ve heard there’s a war raging among humans there right now. It won’t be an easy journey.”
“……”
I swallowed dryly.
Inphola…
Of course I knew that name.
A small, warm region bordering the southern edge of the Ulysses Empire.
The neighboring Holy Kingdom of Eden called it sacred ground, and for that reason, they had declared a holy war to reclaim it.
And Thea was there now — defending the borders, fighting the soldiers of Eden who charged across the front lines.
The Ulysses Empire was winning, so the situation wasn’t dire yet… but it was still a battlefield. Safety could not be expected there.
“I’ll go.”
My voice was firm as I lifted my head.
“……”
“If that’s the only way, then I’ll go.”
Asil stared at me for a moment, then spoke softly.
“We elves — and even that person — have always respected those with unwavering resolve. May blessings follow your path.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
“And…”
His eyes softened as he added, “I truly hope you’ll save Ruby.”
I nodded firmly.
“Then we’ll take our leave now,” Bergo said politely.
“I hope we can meet again someday,” I murmured.
They smiled faintly — as if they understood more than they let on.
And just like when they’d arrived, they vanished in an instant.
The clearing fell silent, save for the sound of my breathing and my horse stamping restlessly.
When I returned straight to the palace, I went directly to request an audience with Rey. Despite the late hour and the chaos surrounding Luviana’s illness, he received me without hesitation.
“…I’d like to take a short leave from work.”
It had only been a few days since I’d last seen him, but Rey’s face had grown haggard. The man once praised as the most handsome in the entire Kingdom of Siwin now looked weary and burdened. It was clear he had been suffering deeply.
“I’m going to find a way to save Luviana — no matter what it takes.”
He looked unsurprised; he must have known I’d been searching endlessly for a cure.
“Do you have any leads?”
“…No. But…”
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him exactly where I was headed. Instead, I said, “There are people I know who might be able to help. I plan to seek their aid.”
“I see…”
He fell silent for a moment, then left the room. By the time the tea on the table had gone cold, he returned — holding a heavy silk pouch.
When I looked at him questioningly, he handed it to me.
“I hope this will help.”
Inside, the pouch was filled with gold coins.
“…I can’t accept this.”
I was leaving my post behind — abandoning my duties. Taking money from him felt wrong.
“I know you can’t. But please… take it anyway. If I can’t do even this much, I’d be ashamed to call myself Luviana’s brother.”
“B–But…”
“Please,” he said simply.
I saw it in his eyes — he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
In the end, I nodded.
“I’ll use it to help pay for a magic gate.”
He smiled faintly and nodded back.
Using a magic gate required powerful mana stones. Even a single stone was worth more than a handful of jewels, and several were needed for one teleportation. It wasn’t something commoners — or even most nobles — could afford easily.
But right now, time was far more precious than money.
If money could save time, then it was a small price to pay.
As I carefully tucked the pouch into my bag, Rey said quietly,
“There’s been a sharp rise in deaths from Rugimi disease. If you can find a cure or uncover the cause, you won’t just save Luviana — you’ll save countless others as well.”
“……”
His words made my shoulders feel even heavier. Still, I didn’t let it show.
Every day, the newspapers printed the rising death toll. People were afraid to go outside; panic spread through the kingdom.
I didn’t know if I could truly make a difference — but doing nothing was not an option.
“When do you plan to leave?” he asked.
“Tomorrow. As soon as the sun rises.”
“I see…”
I’d already caused Rey too much trouble — leaving work without notice, forcing him to understand things I couldn’t explain.
But he never blamed me. He simply said, “Then I’ll be waiting. There’s something I wish to tell you… when you return.”
As I turned to leave the drawing room, he called after me.
“So please… come back safely.”
“…I will.”
I nodded solemnly.
When I returned to my chambers, the room was pitch dark. I’d already told the maids not to come in for a while. I lit the lamps and began to pack.
I placed the heavy pouch of gold safely into my travel bag and gathered the essentials — medicine, spare clothes, potions, a small dagger for self-defense, and a water flask. Preparing for travel took longer than I expected. Once everything was ready, exhaustion finally pulled me into sleep.
When I awoke, dawn’s light was creeping in through the window.
It was early morning.
Outside, servants and maids were already bustling about — sweeping gardens, cleaning corridors.
That everyday scene felt oddly precious. It always did, whenever I was about to leave.
I went to the stables and mounted the horse Rey had prepared for me.
In my pocket, I carried a mana stone — my lucky charm. Even a single ray of light made it sparkle beautifully.
Hope was like that too — even the smallest glimmer could shine brighter than anything else.
I gripped the reins tightly.
Luviana.
Before leaving, I looked back once more at the royal palace.
I didn’t know how much time she had left.
So I had to ride as fast as I could.
No matter what happened, I would save her.
With the cold dawn air against my face, I rode forward into the breaking light.
