The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 118

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 118
Tiel used her Ability.
Within her small cupped hands, a warm light flickered and gleamed before swelling to something grand.
It wasn’t as large as the Fire that Ferdi or Ludian could summon, but it was bright enough nonetheless—and bright it was.
The clamoring beastfolk fell silent at once, their hundreds and thousands of eyes drawn toward Tiel’s radiance.
Light had appeared in Arcadia.
It was pitifully small compared to the morning sun, yet unmistakably light.
The noisy Plaza stilled in an instant. Only now, after unleashing her Ability, did Tiel realize she stood in something like the Plaza of this city, or perhaps this settlement.
“If I do only this, those in the back may not reach the light….”
Tiel murmured the words to herself. Dozens of tiny fish materialized in her open palms.
They were far smaller than the fish she usually summoned, but there were twice as many of them.
“Here.”
Tiel extended her hands. The fish, squirming together in her grasp, scattered in an instant, swimming toward the darkness.
Light flickered here and there. The small fish surged forward like a tide, illuminating the beastfolk.
The sounds of anguish grew quieter. The Spots that covered the bodies of those touched by Tiel’s light were visibly slowing their spread.
The problem was that her power remained far too meager to reach them all.
Divided into many rays, the light was too weak—and so did not produce the dramatic results seen when Herod’s Spots had vanished entirely.
For now, slowing the advance of the Spots was the best she could manage.
Tiel hurried among the beastfolk, moving from one to another. For those in the worst condition, she channeled her Ability more powerfully.
“Is there nothing we can do?”
Olivier rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.
The knights they’d brought were already handling the work that required many hands, but Olivier wanted to help if there was anything he could do.
Yet there was nothing for the children to assist with. Illum stopped him.
“Your kind heart is appreciated, but the knights are helping us, so we need no further hands.”
“That’s right, Olivier. We won’t be of use.”
Clemens also discouraged him. Olivier nodded and withdrew without protest.
“Hmm, all right then. We’ll just… wait here.”
Olivier clearly disliked leaving Tiel to work alone. Ferdi, Ludian, and Iandros felt the same.
Yet since there was nothing they could do, the children had only to watch as Tiel moved busily among the patients, pouring forth sparkling fragments of light.
***
“This… this won’t end like this—!”
Tiel sank to the ground, murmuring to herself. Iandros, who had been watching her the whole while, rushed to her side in a single stride.
“Drink some water first.”
Iandros tilted his Water Pouch to her lips. Tiel drank in small, quick gulps, the cold, refreshing liquid sliding down her throat.
“Iandros….”
“Are you all right? If you’re not well, tell me. I’ve already instructed the physician to attend to your condition first.”
“I’m fine! But….”
Tiel cast a glance toward the patients.
“There are too many of them, and my strength is still too weak. I don’t think I can heal them all as Herod did. Right now, all I can do is slow the pace….”
“Slowing the pace is already remarkable. You still have much to learn.”
“But….”
Her large, round eyes surveyed the patients. They were clear as glass, untouched by shadow. Iandros sometimes thought her eyes resembled a golden lake.
A vast, luminous lake. One small stone cast into it would barely disturb the surface….
“But like this, I don’t think we can finish. This is a secret, but… truthfully, I’m just a little bit tired!”
At her words, Iandros stopped mid-thought and looked at the girl. Then he placed his hand on her fluffy white hair.
“A secret, then—I shall keep it. So, just a little tired, are you, girl of light?”
“Yes… it’s a secret. Anyway, like this, I don’t think we can finish. Is there a way?”
“A way? There is one.”
At his words, Tiel’s eyes brightened. The ears that had drooped perked upright. She looked up at Iandros eagerly.
“There’s a way?”
“Yes, Tiel. Through a man named Herod, we confirmed that your light can cure their illness—or curse. And it’s working even now.”
“Yes…”
“Then you simply shine light upon them—as strong as what you used on Herod. Equally.”
“…Yes, but my power is still too weak to manage that….”
“Well, here’s a riddle then. What shines light upon everyone most fairly, Tiel?”
“…Most fairly, upon everyone? That would be….”
Tiel’s eyes widened as the answer dawned on her. She grasped Iandros’s hand tightly and exclaimed:
“The sun!”
“Exactly. And we’ve come here precisely to call forth the morning.”
Iandros spoke as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
“So let’s leave these people as they are for now and seek out that legendary place. You’ve already eased their suffering somewhat—an hour or two away won’t bring disaster.”
He turned his gaze to the fragments of Tiel’s light drifting gently here and there.
When one could use their Ability more skillfully, they could channel it even beyond their sight—but Tiel had not yet reached that stage.
It was unfortunate, but she had already exerted considerable effort, and their condition would not worsen immediately.
‘Even if it does… there’s no helping it.’
If others heard such thoughts, they would surely call him heartless. Yet Iandros genuinely believed it was unavoidable.
Tiel’s Ability had limits, and this small child had already pushed herself to use it to the fullest.
If she continued to use her Ability here, her strength might become exhausted, and she could collapse.
In such a state, the patients’ condition would not greatly improve.
Tiel was pouring out every ounce of her power, yet their condition was not healing—only its progression was halting. It could go on forever like this. Another approach was needed.
Of course, the matter of the Legend of Light was a gamble. From the start, they had come with the light attitude that Tiel might succeed or might not.
Yet pouring water into a cracked cup seemed to offer less hope than taking the gamble. At least, that was Iandros’s thought.
“So let’s go. We must do what we’ve come to do.”
Iandros took Tiel’s hand and pulled her to her feet. She grasped his hand and rose, brushing dust from herself.
“Ugh—!”
Her legs had lost all their strength, and as she stood with his help, she stumbled and nearly fell—
“I told you to be careful.”
Iandros scooped her up into his arms. Tiel nestled against him.
Iandros carried Tiel toward where Illum and the other children waited.
And he told them not to forget ‘the purpose we came here for.’ The children quickly understood what he meant.
“Illum.”
At Iandros’s call, Illum—who had been checking another patient’s condition and pouring warm water into his mouth—looked up.
He entrusted his task to the person beside him and approached Iandros, bowing his head slightly.
“What is your need?”
“What is the highest place in this land? I’m looking for the location mentioned in the Legend of Light.”
Illum looked between Iandros and Tiel in turn.
They had become beings who could no longer live under the sun. That was why Illum had earnestly begged Tiel not to call forth morning upon this land.
And yet, if this girl called forth the morning… if this small child brought forth such light… then perhaps….
Illum understood too.
There was no end to this. Herod had been fortunate enough to be healed, but Tiel’s power had limits, and the small girl had long since reached her own.
Another way had to be found. And Illum knew well what that way was. He nodded, then gestured to Karl.
Karl stepped before Illum. Illum placed his hand on Karl’s shoulder.
“All the children born on this land grow up hearing tales of the Legend of Light from their parents.”
Illum stroked Karl’s head gently.
“Of course, all know the locations mentioned in the Legend. Karl will guide our distinguished guests. Your Highness, follow Karl. This boy knows the way.”
At Illum’s words, everyone turned to look at Karl. From so brief a statement, the boy grasped the situation at once. He nodded.
“Yes! I can guide you!”
“Thank you, Karl.”
Illum tapped Karl’s cheek lightly. Karl clenched his fists firmly, as if to say ‘don’t worry.’
***
“…Is this the right way?”
Ferdi asked in a weary voice.
“We should’ve brought a different guide….”
Olivier murmured in agreement.
“No, this is definitely the right way!”
Karl answered with unwavering confidence.
The children sighed deeply.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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