Chapter 34: The Heartbloom

When they arrived at the courtyard of Nocturne Mansion, before the carriage had even come to a stop, the two girls leapt out and rushed inside in a hurry. Elias was startled by their sudden move, but he quickly refocused and followed them from behind. The two girls ran down the mansion’s corridor before turning toward a room that turned out to be Valeria’s bedroom.

From here, Elias could already guess what had really happened. Seeing the maids’ expressions on the first and second floors, plus Evelyn and Elysia suddenly dashing toward Valeria’s room, was enough to give him a bad feeling.

When Elias entered Valeria’s room, he stopped right by the door, sweat still soaking his face and his breath ragged. Inside, he saw Arhan staring at the face of his wife, Valeria, who lay on the bed. Beside the bed was a man Elias didn’t know, holding Valeria’s hand.

’Seriously?’

Elias’s gaze then shifted to Elysia, who was kneeling beside the bed, holding one of her mother’s pale hands. Her face looked so fragile, as if she were fighting hard to keep her tears from falling.

Unlike her sister, Evelyn only held Valeria’s other hand. She bit her lip slightly, trying to keep her expression flat, but the hand clasping her mother’s was trembling softly.

Elias was about to approach the two of them, but his steps stopped again. He felt it wasn’t his place to step into something like this. He was just an outsider, someone who worked as a Caretaker.

’But what’s wrong with trying to comfort them?’

Elias clenched his fists as he looked at the two girls.

’It’s precisely because I’m their Caretaker that I have to look after them and protect them, make sure their needs are met. And comforting them is part of my job too.’

After thinking that, Elias finally walked closer. But before he could say anything, the stranger who’d been holding Valeria’s hand suddenly stood up with a gloomy expression.

"How is she?"

The man looked at Arhan before answering in a heavy voice.

"Madam’s condition is not good. I’ve helped smooth out the circulation of her mana, but that will only last for a while."

Arhan looked at him gravely.

"How bad is it?"

"Her Mana Decay is already quite severe. I can help keep her mana circulation running normally, but I can’t stop the disease itself."

The man then glanced at Valeria, still lying on the bed.

"If things continue like this, Madam’s condition will only get worse. And if it isn’t treated soon, I fear this illness will eventually lead to death."

Hearing that news made Arhan look even more anxious and gloomy. Seeing Arhan standing there in silence with a face full of worry, the healer let out a soft sigh as well. He looked sympathetic toward the family’s situation, but a moment later his expression turned serious again.

"What about what I told you when I asked you to search for Heartbloom?"

"I’ve added personnel so many times that the soldiers left at the estate have grown fewer."

"You must obtain it within one week. If not..."

The healer fell silent and didn’t finish his sentence. He packed his belongings into his bag and walked out of the room.

"For that week, I’ll keep helping Madam with her circulation. Please, find the ’Heartbloom’ as soon as possible."

Elias, who had accidentally overheard the mention of Heartbloom, was a little startled.

He did know about the ’Mana Decay’ illness that Valeria suffered from, and he knew about ’Heartbloom’ too. But a few things confused him.

’Heartbloom is indeed a medicine that can smooth out mana circulation and repair the structure of mana in the body.

But that flower is a rare medicine. In the game, that item was even Epic grade.

Setting that aside, adding personnel? Where exactly is Arhan searching for the flower?’

Elias then asked Arhan, who was holding his forehead.

"Excuse me, my lord. About adding personnel, if I may ask, where have you been looking for the medicine?"

"Huh?... Do you actually know about that?"

It was only natural for the Marquis to ask skeptically, since this concerned his wife’s life. He wasn’t in a position to joke around. But Elias wasn’t joking either. Even though he was scared right now, because Arhan’s question felt like it wanted to kill him, if he could offer even a little help or a hint, it could bring him plenty of benefits.

"I might be able to help look for it. I also have some medical knowledge I learned in the village."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If you tell me where you’ve been searching for the flower, I can join the search and get it before a week is up."

’Let’s gamble.’

Arhan, seeing Elias’s expression, could only look at him with a bit of doubt. But seeing the serious look in Elias’s eyes, which showed not a trace of hesitation, he finally let out a small sigh.

"Since Heartbloom grows in damp, dark places, I’ve been searching for it in Blackwood Forest."

Elias’s eyes went wide, and cold sweat began to soak his face as he heard the name Blackwood Forest.

Not because he had any trauma or fear about that forest. But because, in the game, there was no such thing as Blackwood Forest in Eternal Arcana.

This naturally left Elias both shocked and confused, hearing all of a sudden about something that had never existed. The matter of Arcana had been somewhat surprising to him, but he’d assumed it was something that already existed back in the game.

But a strange place suddenly showing up was a whole different story.

Arhan raised an eyebrow at Elias, who had suddenly gone silent with sweat running down his face as if he were thinking something over very hard. He tapped Elias’s shoulder to bring him back to himself.

"What’s the matter?"

Elias flinched when Arhan’s hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

"N-nothing! It’s fine, I was just thinking that it makes sense to search for Heartbloom in Blackwood Forest, since the forest is also short on light even in the daytime."

Elias had answered based on nothing but a guess, but he never expected it to actually be right.

"I see. But... Even though I’ve sent out nearly all the soldiers I have, the results are still nothing."

"Then command me to go into Blackwood Forest to look for the flower."

Arhan stared at Elias with a startled look. He did hesitate for a moment, considering that if Elias went to Blackwood Forest, with his knowledge of medicine, it would clearly be good news.

Besides, as for protecting himself, with his ability and the soldiers following him, he’d surely be fine.

At least, until Evelyn and Elysia volunteered as well.

"Father. I want to go too."

Elysia rose from her kneeling position and wiped away the tears that had managed to slip out before her gaze turned sharp.

"M-me too! Please allow us to go, Father."

Hearing Evelyn and Elysia suddenly wanting to come along clearly startled both men.

Arhan had already worked out a few plans in case only Elias went into Blackwood Forest, but not if his two daughters came along.

Meanwhile, Elias had a few plans of his own for going alone, but with Evelyn and Elysia there, his odds of survival could indeed go up. After all, Blackwood Forest surely held plenty of powerful monsters.

But as their Caretaker, he obviously couldn’t rely on the strength of the two girls. On top of that, he still had his pride as a man!

"Lady... I understand how both of you feel, but this is really dangerous."

"Elias is right, dear. We’re not going somewhere to play around."

The worry the two men felt for the two girls was only natural.

"We know. We’re not trying to play around either. We want to find that medicine for Mother too!"

Evelyn’s body trembled slightly, the area under her eyes turning a little red from holding back her tears.

"She’s our mother, after all! We want her to recover fully, and fast! And more people means we’ll finish sooner. With Elias, we’re sure we’ll find it within a few days."

’Y-you’ve gotta be kidding me? With this much pressure, I could die at any moment.’

Elias was startled, wearing a wry smile as he listened to Elysia’s words. He felt that if he failed, his life would go flying off too.

Seeing the sharp eyes of his daughters, and their expressions turning more serious even as they held back tears, the father’s heart stirred a little.

*Sigh...

Arhan let out a small sigh while patting his forehead.

"Very well. I permit it. But..."

Arhan paused for a moment before continuing in a firmer tone.

"Listen to what Elias says. That forest is dangerous, and there are many monsters whose Grade and strength haven’t been identified. Remember, always put your safety first."

"Thank you, Father."

"You’ll depart later, so prepare yourselves."

Arhan walked out of the room, leaving the three of them in Valeria’s chamber.

* * *

A few hours later, the courtyard of Nocturne Mansion was packed with the troops who would join the expedition. Fifty people, made up of Nocturne soldiers and several Mercenaries, stood in formation as they readied their gear. Some carried swords and spears, while others carried bows, medical supplies, and various items needed for the journey. Several wagons had also been prepared to carry provisions and extra equipment.

At the front of the formation stood three horses prepared for Evelyn, Elysia, and Elias.

Elias stared at one of the horses standing before him with a slightly stiff expression. He’d seen people ride horses several times, and had even ridden one a few times back in the village, but that experience wasn’t enough to make him feel comfortable.

’I’d rather walk than ride a horse...’

Several soldiers were doing final equipment checks before departure. The Mercenaries had also gathered near the supply wagons, while a few others made sure their weapons and gear were in good condition.

One of the soldiers then walked up to Arhan, who stood in front of the mansion.

"My lord, all preparations are complete."

Arhan nodded while looking at the group ready to set off.

But before that, he walked over to Elias, and standing in front of him, handed him a sword.

"Take this."

Elias took the sword and examined it with a puzzled expression. Then he suddenly realized that the sword Randolf had given him had indeed been destroyed during the match against Elysia.

"It’s not as good as your previous one. But at least it’s enough to protect yourself."

Hearing Arhan’s words, Elias could only smile wryly with sweat on his cheek.

’Not as good as my last one? Come on. Is this guy being sarcastic or just humble?’

Honestly, the sword Arhan had given him was better than Elias’s previous one. The blade was much straighter and sharper, its durability was greater, and besides that...

’The decoration is incredible. As expected of a rich guy.’

"Thank you, my lord."

Elias bowed briefly before climbing onto his horse.

Arhan’s gaze then shifted to Evelyn and Elysia, who were already mounted on their horses.

"Then, off you go."

The soldiers immediately got ready. Elias pulled on his horse’s reins and tried to adjust his seat. He then looked toward Blackwood Forest, which lay far from Nocturne Mansion’s territory.

He still didn’t know what they would find there, but one thing was certain...

They had to find the Heartbloom before the time the healer gave them ran out.

For Valeria, and for Elias’s bright future plans!

* * *