Chapter 22 Unexpected Homecoming
'There's news spreading throughout the country about a group of monsters appearing near the capital. My parents must be worried, so I must make sure to go back home and show them I'm safe.
Thanks to Kasper-san's words, I got a few days off and hurried back to Emme Village for a visit.
It takes more than a day to travel from the capital to Emme Village by changing carriages a few times. As I got closer to the village, the road maintenance became sloppy, and to be honest, it wasn't a comfortable carriage ride.
But the moment I saw my parents waiting for me at the village entrance, all the tiredness seemed to disappear, and I ran towards them.
"Dad, Mom!"
"Laura!"
As I ran to them, they hugged me tightly.
"We were worried when we heard that the capital was attacked by monsters...!"
The voice whispered in my ear, trembling, making me keenly aware of how much I had worried my parents. I had sent a letter in advance to inform them of my visit home, but it seemed my parents were still anxious until they actually saw my face.
"I'm sorry, but I'm okay because everyone in the Knight Order protected me."
I hugged back tightly to reassure them.
The words that came out of my mouth were not just to comfort my parents, but in the capital city, there is the renowned Savila Knight Order. It seems that during the recent monster attack, the city suffered the worst damage ever, but they managed to eradicate the monsters before they invaded the city.
Among the most severely injured in the attack was the commander of the Knight Order, Vake, whom I have yet to meet. I only know that he lost vision in his right eye. I do intend to visit him soon...
"Laura!"
I perked up at the sweet voice. And then,
"Petra, and everyone else!"
Petra, Julia, and Radmila, the three girls from Emme Village, were running towards us.
I exchanged glances with my parents and left their side. I planned to spend some quality time alone with my parents later tonight.
So, as they ran towards me, we joyfully reunited like typical girls, holding hands and expressing our happiness.
"Thank you for the letter, I always look forward to them."
"I've been working in a nearby town recently, inspired by Laura."
"Laura, you seem more mature now, huh?"
Julia looked even more mature, Petra had completely polished her tone and appearance, and Radmila still smiled cutely as always. Although we had been regularly exchanging letters with each other, it had been months since we actually met face to face.
As I gazed at the faces of these noticeably more mature girls, our conversation blossomed after a long time.
――And... at this moment, I realized Lukas was nowhere to be seen. It might sound conceited, but I had assumed he would naturally greet me when I returned
"Hey, where's Lukas?"
"He's with Granny."
Petra answered.
Why is Lukas at my mentor's place?
I wondered, but I had planned to visit Mentor's house anyway. It wasn't a big deal, so I decided to visit Mentor's house as scheduled later.
With that in mind, I just enjoyed chatting with my friends for a while.
* * *
Now, I feel nostalgic about the mountain hut where my mentor lives. Even though it's only been a few months, the days I spent training here feel so distant.
"It's Laura, I'm back."
"Oh, you're back."
When I opened the creaking door and greeted my mentor, she welcomed me with a smile. This smile has never changed since the first time we met. my mentor's smile also gave me a sense of comfort and peace.
Feeling something warm spreading in my chest, I looked around.
I heard that Lukas was also here, but I couldn't see him anywhere.
"...Is Lukas not here? I heard he was coming this way..."
"Oh, Lukas went to pick medicinal herbs."
I was surprised by my mentor's casual tone and expression.
Remembering the conversation when Lukas visited the capital, I couldn't help but think there was a strange friendship between my mentor and my childhood friend. It seemed like Lukas was asking my mentor about his skills as an alchemist.
The two of them were getting closer, and although I had a vague sense of it, I was somewhat surprised to hear it spoken as if it were natural that he was going to pick medicinal herbs. Without thinking, I straightened my back, thinking that it might be the perfect timing to ask my mentor about "that thing."
"That thing" referred to the illness Elvira was suffering from.
Since my mentor was a renowned alchemist who had once served in the royal palace, I had a faint hope that she might know of some treatment or clues.
"Mentor, there's something I'd like to ask you."
I intentionally lowered my voice. Sensing this keenly, my mentor quickly wiped the smile off her face.
To calm myself down, I took a deep breath. Then, in a hushed voice, I asked,
"There's a disease called self-destruction disease, right?"
When I brought up the topic, my mentor's eyes widened slightly. Perhaps she was surprised by the uncommon words that had come up.
"Where did you hear the name of that illness?"
"My senpai's little sister affected by it."
"Well... that's unfortunate."
My mentor muttered and cast her gaze down to the floor.
What I wanted to know was yet to come.
"Do you know how to cure it?"
I asked straightforwardly. However, I didn't get an immediate response to that question, and a heavy silence fell between us.
That silence felt eternal to me. I wanted an answer quickly. But I couldn't bring myself to urge my mentor, who seemed lost in thought, with hasty words.
My mentor raised her head. I involuntarily leaned forward, waiting for her mouth to open.
"Laura, do you believe in legends or folklore?"
"Huh?"
Instead of answering the question, I was instead asked another question, leaving me wide-eyed in surprise this time. Even though my mentor asked me a question, she continued speaking without waiting for my response.
"Things like the horn of a magic beast that can cure any illness when brewed into a potion, a beautiful shining herb of illusion, or the miraculous water that springs in unreachable lands... Such legends and folklore remain in various countries and regions."
"Um, um, what...?"
To the unbelievable story, I let out a bewildered voice. I couldn't understand what my mentor was trying to say.
Staring firmly at my confusion, my mentor spoke again.
"If we don't rely on such things, there is no way to cure the Self-destruction disease at this point."
――Shocked, in despair, my legs felt weak.
If I don't rely on the beings in legends and folklore, there is no way to cure the Self-destruction disease. It was clearly stated.
I really look up to my mentor. She's an amazing alchemist, and as her apprentice, I know that firsthand. That's why her words hit me hard with a deep sense of despair.
To create a brand new healing potion from scratch without relying on the past. This potion is meant to cure a very rare and difficult disease, almost like a legend at this point, with just a glimmer of hope.
Can Arnold and I really achieve this? Others might help with their wisdom if I ask. But even with dozens of people working together, is it truly possible to create a healing potion that can cure a disease that has never had a cure in less than three years? I can't afford to doubt myself now.
I steadied my shaky steps with my own strength.
There's no choice but to do it. I have to give it my all.
I clench my fists tightly and make up my mind.
After enjoying my vacation in Emme Village, I'll head back to the capital and dive into reading some books first. I need to gather information about the Self-destruction disease no matter what.
Arnold probably already did that a long time ago. So, I have to acquire knowledge equivalent to his and start developing healing potions as soon as possible.
――It looks like busy days are about to begin again.
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