Chapter 49 Letter From Platonovena
Day 9, fire started to outbreak.
The special medicine we synthesized the other day had no effect when taken.
The fire lasted for 2 minutes and 13 seconds, 9 seconds longer than the previous day.
After that, things calmed down relatively.
Day 909, scratch at the throat.
Despite Barnas and using healing magic, there was no improvement.
Desperate, we even tried using a special technique, but it was also ineffective.
The claw marks left on the neck are painful.
The self-destruction disease persists.
Day 910, A calm day.
No particular symptoms appeared. Annette expressed a desire to go to the market.
I plan to take her there tomorrow with Carl.
Day 911, symptoms suddenly worsened.
I couldn't fulfill the promise to take the child to the market.
Symptoms include high fever and coughing.
Why does this child have to suffer like this?
――I started reading, even though I was only a few pages in. I couldn't help but close the diary and take a deep breath.
It was a diary that seemed to belong to my mentor, left out silently. It probably chronicled the symptoms of a patient with a self-destruction disease like a diary.
Despite knowing it was wrong, I gave in to curiosity and opened the diary one night on my bed. It was already deteriorating and hard to read in places, but the words written there pierced my heart.
(Why is it only this child...?)
I took out a portrait that was tucked in the diary. I stared at a woman who closely resembled my mentor.
Could this diary have been written by my mentor? If so, was my mentor's granddaughter also consumed by the self-destruction disease? Like Elvira.
To judge that, there's not enough information. Maybe, during the time when she was trying to create a cure for the Self-destruction disease, there was a period when even she was involved in the trial and error process. So, it's possible that one of the materials gathered from somewhere was for that purpose.
But if that's the case, why didn't she tell me about it when I visited home before? Why didn't she show me such valuable records of the progression of symptoms? Due to the severity of the Self-destruction disease, there are hardly any records left by the patients. Therefore, this diary should have been a very valuable resource.
There's no way my mentor wouldn't know about it. So, why—
(For my mentor, the Self-destruction disease was associated with unpleasant, forgettable memories, etc...)
The more I think about it, the more I feel like this diary might belong to my Mentor. If that's the case, it's probably best to confess honestly that I took it and listen to what they have to say. However, two things bothered me: the fact that this diary was in a locked box, and that she didn't tell me about its existence.
Even though I should know the best course of action to take, I can't seem to make a decision. Aware of my own indecisiveness, I found myself holding my head in my hands, feeling like a total wimp.
"Laura, are you still awake?"
I heard a knock on the door, followed by my mother's inquisitive voice. I quickly hid the diary I was holding under my pillow, then slowly approached the door and opened it.
"W-what's wrong, Mother?"
"You received a letter addressed to you during the day. I completely forgot to give it to you."
With a wry smile, the letter that my mother handed me was a beautiful envelope made of high-quality paper. When I turned the envelope over to check the sender, I saw the name Emiliana Platonovena.
Why would she have this address? As I pondered this question and gazed at the envelope, I noticed another name next to Emiliana-san's - Lina Bevelstam. That's Lina-senpai's name. Below it, it was written in small letters, "Sending this because it (the letter) arrived at the royal capital."
From the contents of the letter, it seemed that Lina-senpai and the others had thoughtfully sent it because the letter had already reached the royal capital and it was still early in my vacation.
Relieved that there was no misunderstanding, I thanked my mother.
"Thank you. It seems like a letter from a friend I met during my training."
With the intention to reassure her, when I conveyed that, my mother squinted and said, "Is that so." Showing a somewhat happy expression, without delving further into the matter, she bid me goodnight and left the room.
Watching her back as she left, I returned to my bed.
I received a letter from Emiliana-san. Most likely, it's about the matter we previously promised to discuss, The Drinking Water of the Spirits.
By sending this letter, does it mean things have settled down, including concerning Alex-san? There's also the matter of Platonovena's recovery. I had been secretly pondering when it would be appropriate to reach out. It was honestly unexpected to receive contact from them.
I slowly opened the envelope and took out the letter.
――It was written in beautiful characters.
'Laura-san, it's been a while. This is Emiliana.
I deeply apologize for causing you a lot of trouble and worry this time. I'm truly sorry. And thank you very much for all your help. I can't thank Laura enough.
As for the condition of Alex and Platonovena, who Laura-san was worried about, although he lost both legs, his condition has now stabilized completely. He is working hard on rehabilitation to get back to rebuilding the city as soon as possible.'
It seems that Alex-san is recovering better than expected. Although it pains my heart to read that he lost both legs, I can easily imagine Emiliana-san supporting him diligently in his rehabilitation, which gives me relief.
They will surely be okay.
As my heart, which was beating fast before I knew it, calms down, I continue reading the letter from Emiliana-san.
'On a different note, I wanted to follow up on our previous promise about "The Drinking Water of the Spirits" by sending this letter.
I'm really sorry, but I won't be able to leave Platonovena for a while. If I were to guide you myself, it would probably take years of my time.'
Feeling genuinely sorry for not being able to help, I let out a sigh. However, Emiliana-san was right.
With Alex-san's assistance and the reconstruction of Platonovena, it will likely take years to complete. Asking her to guide me during those times would be too much of a burden on her.
Lost in thought about what to do next, I continued reading the text.
'So, the other day I sent a letter to my parents' house. I informed them that I had been helped by Laura-san and that Laura-san wanted to know about "The Drinking Water of the Spirits".
I will continue to exchange messages with my parents in the future, so that when Laura-san visits Flaria, everything can proceed smoothly.
I apologize for not being able to accompany you, but please visit my parents at a time that is convenient for Laura-san.'
――Thank you, Emiliana-san!
I couldn't help but look up at the sky and thank my friend from the northern lands. I'm really grateful that she went to such lengths even though she must be busy.
I immediately got off the bed to write a thank-you letter, approached the desk, turned on the lamp, and when I faced the stationery, I noticed something. I thought Emiliana-san's letter was over, but there was one more piece of paper.
I flipped open the stationery.
'Thank you so much for everything.
Please teach me more about synthesis, Mentor!
I look forward to the day we can meet again.'
Mentor. That word makes me a bit nervous. Feeling a slight warmth in my cheeks, to be honest, I didn't feel bad.
I may not have been a good Mentor for Emiliana-san. But even if it was just flattery, I can't help but be happy that she expressed her kindness in this way.
With a relaxed smile, I picked up my pen and then it hit me.
If it had a similar setting to "Last Brave," The Drinking Water of the Spirits would be located deep in the forest near Flaria. To get there, one must pass through a forest where monsters also appear. So, if there are monsters, I need someone capable of fighting to accompany me.
Now, who should I ask to accompany me?
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