Chapter 149: An Unexpected Reunion

POV Eliza

It took me three whole days to get the information. As soon as I knew what the cause was and how to cure the paralysis, I set off for Aslan that same evening. I met him at the same place as before. He looked up when he saw me and waved me over. I sat down on a chair at his table.

“So, did you find out anything?” <Aslan>

“Yes, I did, although I hope my information proves to be correct.” <Eliza>

“What is it? Don't keep me in suspense, tell me.” <Aslan>

I lowered my voice so that no one but Aslan could hear me.

“The disease is called necrotic paralysis and is usually transmitted by ghouls.” <Eliza>

“Ghouls? Damn, that doesn't sound good. Where do they come from? Did we overlook a cemetery? I don't know of any desecrated cemeteries nearby.” <Aslan>

"I don't know. I've never dealt with ghouls before and only know the area around the camp from my short visit. But even if I knew more, I've only seen forest. A lot of forest." <Eliza>

“We need to inform the others immediately. And we need the healing potions. Were you able to find out what we need to make them?” <Aslan>

“Yes, I wrote the ingredients down on a piece of paper for you. Here.” <Eliza>

I handed Aslan a small piece of paper with the ingredients and instructions. He took a long look at it and then sighed.

“That will take some time. But at least it looks like the ingredients are easier to get than for the other healing potion. Eliza, can you go look for Tyros and Kron? He needs to hear the news. Yuna will come back here at some point. I'll talk to her then.” <Aslan>

“All right, leave it to me, Aslan. Will you be all right?” <Eliza>

“Don't worry about me, my pupil. I'm more concerned about the sick children.” <Aslan>

“The sick ones are children? Not adults?” <Eliza>

“Yes, they are all between 6 and 12 years old. That makes it all the more important that we find a cure.” <Aslan>

“I'll hurry. Unfortunately, the children will have to wait, not to mention their parents. I'll leave right away so I can set off early tomorrow morning.” <Eliza>

“Take care. We don't need any more bad news.” <Aslan>

I got up and said goodbye to Aslan. Then I prepared everything for my journey. It took me three days to get to Tyros and back either if I hurried. I could reduce that to less than two days if I borrowed a horse.

Early the next morning, I went to a horse rental shop and borrowed one. The weather was sunny, so I made good progress. At the end of the next day, I arrived in Tyros and went straight to the local horse rental shop. Since the same trading company as in Lightburgh was responsible for this, there were no problems returning the horse. I then took a room in a nearby inn and immediately went in search of Kron.

My first stop was the Adventurers' Guild. Just like Aslan in Lightburgh, Kron had probably posted a notice in the guild here as well. It was shortly before closing time when I arrived at the guild. I immediately entered the large hall and looked around. Sure enough, I spotted the burly warrior sitting at a table in a corner. He was just taking a sip from a mug. I stepped closer and he looked at me. He looked tired and tense. Since I approached him in the guise of Eliza, he did not recognize me. I sat down at the table. I had prepared a story beforehand in which I would not reveal myself, if possible. I could not afford to be exposed here, even though we were old friends. He did not know my cover identity.

“Yes?” <Kron>

“Aslan sent me.” <Eliza>

Kron raised his eyebrows and his tiredness seemed to vanish.

“Interesting. What does he want?” <Kron>

“He met with Eliza in Lightburgh. She has gained access to book knowledge through her contacts and found out more about the mysterious disease.” <Eliza>

“How do you know about the disease?” <Kron>

“I understand your skepticism towards me. I am very well acquainted with Eliza and she trusts me. That is why I was chosen as the messenger to meet you here.” <Eliza>

“Why didn't she come herself?” <Kron>

“She will explain everything to you when you see each other next. I'm sorry, I can't and am not allowed to tell you any more.” <Eliza>

“It doesn't matter. What about the disease?” <Kron>

I looked around the guild hall to make sure no one could overhear us. Then I lowered my voice even further.

“It's probably necrotic paralysis. Ghouls are the carriers.” <Eliza>

“Ghouls? How?” <Kron>

“I don't know, but Eliza was able to figure out how to make the cure.” <Eliza>

“Good. What do we need?” <Kron>

“Aslan was going to take care of it, but I have a copy of the list. Here you go.” <Eliza>

I reached into my bag and handed the piece of paper to Kron. He took a long look at it and nodded briefly.

“I'll buy what I can get here. Where are Aslan and Eliza now?” <Kron>

“Aslan is still in Lightburgh and wanted to wait for Yuna. Eliza is on her way.” <Eliza>

“Hmm, you even know about Yuna?” <Kron>

"Um, Eliza told me about the three adventurers she knows well. That's how I know their names and what you look like from their descriptions." <Eliza>

“Anything else?” <Kron>

“No, that's all the news I was supposed to convey.” <Eliza>

“Then I'll be going now. Thanks for the news.” <Kron>

Kron stood up and took the jug with him. He went straight to the counter to talk to the receptionist. I took a deep breath and briefly reviewed the conversation. I'll have to explain a few things to him when I see him next. I was still lost in thought and didn't notice someone approaching me. I only noticed them when I heard a female voice. A female voice I knew well.

“Eliza, is that you?” <Lynn>

POV Cornelius

The evening before our arrival in Lightburgh, we held what was supposed to be our last strategic meeting. We had two important things to discuss.

"You probably don't know what I want to talk about tonight. First, I'd like to hear your further assessment of the recruits. There is one incident in particular I would like to discuss." <Cornelius>

“Are you talking about the recruit who set off on his own to look for his comrades? That's not a problem. Better to be brave than a coward.” <Ansgar>

"Hmm, you're probably right. On the other hand, it can be a problem, or rather, it can become one. He seems to have disobeyed an order to do so. We planned for the recruits to be a kind of military special unit, with only the best serving us in the future. But if they act on their own authority and put us in danger, we can't use them." <Javier>

"That's exactly the point. We need support that works reliably without outshining us. But the recruits also have to be strong enough themselves. Difficult." <Cornelius>

“So we're kicking him out?” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, we can give him a warning. The next time he acts out, he's out.” <Javier>

We then discussed a few other participants who had made a positive impression, such as Ezekiel, and then prepared for the return journey.

Once we arrived in Lightburgh, we took care of investing the EXP we had earned in the Lightning Dungeon in skills. In addition, the next winter semester at the academy was about to begin. Since we always skipped the summer semester, we had twice as much material to learn. I just about managed to cope, while Eli and Javier had no problems at all. Ansgar, on the other hand, would have been overwhelmed even with half the material.

As always, we used the winter break to learn how to use our improved skills. In theory, you could increase a skill to its maximum level, but that didn't mean that your body and mind could already take full advantage of the improvement. We had already learned that at the beginning with the first Haste spell.

This kept us so busy that we were no longer able to make further visits to the nearby dungeons. In addition, I in particular had to fulfill my other obligations. After all, I was the fiancé of the third princess, Alina. However, I was amazed at how little Eli complained about it.