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Shh...

However, for them, who had lived sheltered lives free of combat, distinguishing a figure hidden in the dark was no easy task. Moreover...

"Uh, uh!"

The surroundings began to darken, as if the lights had gone out completely.

"It\'s an assassin! It\'s definitely an assassin!" Viscount Rutismar shouted out loud. It was only then did Viscount Rutismar realize what this instinctive sense of danger meant.

Cre-e-eak...

At the same time, a chilling metallic ringing sound echoed from the silent void of darkness.

"Ah, ahhh!!!"

In the pitch-black surroundings, where they could not see an inch ahead, the panicked noble, Marquis Poplis, began swinging his sword wildly.

"You... You brute! Cease this immediately! Do you even know who I am?"

"Ah, argh! Marquis Poplis, halt your sword swings... cough!" The other nobles urgently shouted, narrowly avoiding being struck by the indiscriminate swings. However, Marquis Poplis did not cease his actions.

Eventually, a piercing scream resonated, followed by the splattering of something warm. Only then, trembling, did Marquis Poplis take a couple of steps back.

Shhh...

Simultaneously, the veil of darkness that had obscured their vision, preventing them from seeing even an inch ahead, began to slowly dissipate, revealing the scene around them. Viscount Rutismar, Count Geliman, and Count Baltis, with a sword impaled through his shoulder, trembled in pain.

"Count... Count Baltis..."

"Ugh..."

It was only at that moment that Marquis Poplis realized his sword had not struck an intruder, but had instead injured Count Baltis. Startled and taken aback, he instinctively stepped back in surprise.

Bang!

However, something heavy kicked him in the back as he was retreating.

Thump!

Rolling on the ground with a wretched sound, Marquis Poplis quickly turned his head, trying to identify the cause of his current predicament. However, to his dismay, he saw nothing.

"Who is it?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration and desperation. "Stop hiding and show yourself!"

But, of course, there was no sign of the intruder. The dimly lit tent provided little space for someone to conceal themselves. Yet, the invisible presence left no trace, instilling an eerie sense of dread and intensifying their fear.

"Run! We must flee outside!" Viscount Rutismar finally realized that escaping the darkness meant making their way out of the tent. Without hesitation, he sprang to his feet and hurried towards the exit, not daring to look back.

Shhh...

But he never saw the light. Just as he was about to reach the tent\'s entrance, his legs lost all sensation, as if enveloped by pitch-black smoke.

"Ugh!"

He fell grotesquely, finally realizing the terrible truth that their lives were entirely in the hands of this assassin. Escape was impossible.

"Why are you doing this! Show yourself! Name your price! Yes! I\'ll pay double what the client offered! No, triple... I\'ll give you four times!"

It was an obvious negotiation, but effectively, it was a proposal that often worked on assassins. Of course, it depended on who they were dealing with.

"Four times..."

A voice that could not be identified as male or female seemed to ponder briefly, then spoke quietly.

"From what I can see, you don\'t have the ability to pay that price."

Flash!

At that very moment, a glint of silver shone, and the four nobles could feel their bodies slipping out of their control.

"Even assassins don\'t regard human lives so casually," the cold voice persisted, as if pronouncing a judgment.

Emerging from the darkness, a woman dressed in black became partially visible. Around her, pitch-black entities appeared to swirl like living beings, guarding her.

\'Dark… Elf…\'

"Without a doubt, you will pay the most dreadful price in the world."

* * *

"What… What is this?"

"It\'s a Vetro mushroom."

Confused, Baron Gorneo asked a question when Davey showed him a thoroughly dried mushroom.

"Oh… Yes, I know that… But what’s the issue with it?"

"Baron."

"Yes… Your Highness."

"This mushroom is poisonous."

Baron Gorneo displayed a momentarily stunned expression. "What?"

He exhibited the epitome of a perplexed reaction, his cognitive processes struggling to keep pace with the conversation\'s progression. "That cannot be possible. The Vetro mushroom has enjoyed immense popularity as a regional delicacy for an extensive duration. Its natural growth is attributed to the distinct ecological conditions found in the vicinity of the Yosk River. Moreover, it boasts an exquisite flavor."

"Ah…yes, I know it tastes good."

"Indeed, the locals have been consuming this mushroom for a long time… But you\'re saying it’s poisonous?"

"Well, the taste itself is satisfactory. The problem lies in its deadly toxicity when combined with another substance. A hidden bacterium within the parasite encounters the Vetro mushroom, and their combination gives birth to a horrifying disease. The people here have been unfortunate. They could have enjoyed consuming mushrooms without any issues until now."

Baron Gorneo released a deep sigh. "I find it hard to believe that the mushroom we\'ve been consuming as a staple is actually poisonous..."

"It\'s indeed unsettling. After all, the more dangerous a predator, the more stealthily it stalks its prey."

In a way, mushrooms were a type of fungus, and it was unwise to blindly place trust in them. Baron Gorneo and the other assembly members who sided with Davey also gazed at the mushroom with disbelief.

"If it\'s difficult to believe, I can demonstrate it to you," Davey remarked casually.

He tore the mushroom apart, and then Penicillin solemnly handed him a sample of the antigen.

"When these two components come into contact without being digested, they produce a compound that is fatally toxic. The Monochrome Malady doesn\'t spread through the air but infects through saliva or blood. There have been numerous cases of individuals getting infected simply by sharing a drink with a carrier."

Davey\'s words silenced everyone. He sprayed the solution containing the antigen from the test tube onto the mushroom and observed calmly. Soon, something astonishing began to occur.

Sizzle...

A very faint, smoke-like substance started to diffuse.

"Huh?!"

"Heavens..."

The quantity was too insignificant to pose any considerable danger, but if it had spread within the body, there would be nothing more to discuss.

"We should promptly inform the Disease Control Unit responsible for this region about this revelation," one of the assembly members, who suddenly stood up, voiced agreement with the majority.

"Nevertheless, ever since we identified the parasite in the freshwater fish, Janar, as the root cause, the number of new infections has been decreasing rapidly. What matters now is finding a cure."

"Hmm..." Everyone fell silent at that remark.

"But finding a cure will require a substantial amount of time..."

"Why do we need time? If we\'ve identified the cause, we should swiftly find a solution." Davey, standing before them, projected an air of someone who had already successfully cured this disease. "The Vetro mushroom was the culprit... Baron Gorneo, we are fortunate. If it had been something else, we would have struggled for weeks."

Upon Davey\'s request, Baron Gorneo leaped to his feet. "Just tell me what you need. I will personally arrange for everything required."

"Please instruct the knights to bring a large quantity of watermelons. Hmmm... I have all the other ingredients, but I didn\'t anticipate needing fruit."

"Watermelons? For detoxification?"

"Nothing surpasses fruit when it comes to detoxifying the body." Davey\'s words spurred them into action without a trace of doubt. After all, they knew better than anyone that questioning Davey would not heal the patients.

* * *

Several days elapsed, during which everyone anxiously observed the situation at the treatment center. The effectiveness of this medicine would determine their ability to overcome the dreadful disease. For those who were fumbling in the dark, this endeavor held immense significance.

However, the individual leading this undertaking, Davey, remained composed. Davey had treated this disease countless times before. He had dealt with numerous emergencies and even encountered unexpected assaults. Compared to those experiences, the ailment plaguing the Tionis Continent was merely child\'s play. Truly, this continent was blessed by the gods. It was no wonder that mana was abundant here.

"The red veins are vanishing from the patients\' eyes! It\'s having an effect!"

The blood-red lines in the patients\' eyes began to fade, and the hazy patches on their retinas cleared slightly. The outcome was remarkable because Davey, a saintly doctor who employed holy magic, could enhance the effects of the medicine. Although diseases exhibited resistance to holy magic, it still proved sufficient to augment the efficacy of the drug. With a gentle touch of light magic at his fingertips, Davey examined the patients\' pupils and confirmed that the medication was functioning as intended.

"We did it!! We can save everyone!!"

"Woohoo!"

In their elation, the doctors forgot to maintain silence within the treatment center and embraced one another. At that moment, Davey realized that a few nobles, who had shown little interest or even harbored hopes for the situation to worsen, were conspicuously absent. These nobles, led by Viscount Rutismar, were nowhere to be seen. However, it didn\'t matter. Whether they were present or not, their presence would not have been beneficial.

Baron Gorneo, also caught up in the joyous atmosphere, approached Davey. He tightly grasped Davey\'s hand, conveying his happiness. "You truly are incredible, Prince Davey! From saving a dying patient with a single touch and swift surgery, to swiftly identifying the cause and developing an effective remedy in such a short span of time! You are the true hero who has saved countless lives here!"

Davey modestly deflected the praise, but deep down, he couldn\'t help but sport a wide grin. Of course. Who else could have intervened in this treatment process? If it hadn\'t concluded in this manner, it would have been a disappointment.

Just then, Davey suddenly felt dizzy and swayed on his feet. "Uh?"

"Prince Davey!!"

Baron Gorneo was startled, and he shouted while providing support to Davey. Simultaneously, Perserque, who had been covertly observing the scene from a pocket, swiftly reverted to her original form and carried him, uttering something loudly.

As a peculiar sensation twisted his physical being, his consciousness was abruptly transported elsewhere. What he witnessed there was an urgent message from the gods.