Time Healer Ceres - Chapter 112

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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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“Why? Do you want to find it?”
“No. Not particularly.”
I was just mildly curious about who might be holding it.
But the fact that no one has ever come looking for the organization while holding the key probably means whoever has it doesn’t intend to use it.
Or perhaps Artia truly died with it still in her possession.
“You know the method to find it.”
Kainel jingled the Black Key once more.
“What? You’re going to pretend you don’t know that too?”
…Ah, this one holds a grudge.
Of course I know. The method to find the remaining key.
There’s a special magic that Artia wove into the key.
‘When two keys come together, you can find the third.’
When two of the three keys meet, they reveal the location of the remaining one.
‘Why would you waste such a talent putting in pointless magic like that? Aren’t you just throwing away your gift?’
‘You never know. One of the three might end up separated. Then the other two would have to come find them.’
‘Can’t we just stay apart?’
‘No. What if something happened to them alone?’
……
Though she didn’t specify who exactly it was for, it had surely been magic placed for my sake.
After that carriage accident so long ago, she never would tolerate leaving me alone.
She was always pressing strange magical devices into my hands to guard against every conceivable misfortune.
“Take it.”
“What?”
Seres, who had been lost in old memories, lifted her head at Kainel’s voice.
He was holding out the Black Key to her.
“Keep it with you.”
“Why?”
“I think Artia would want you to have it.”
……?
When Seres only gave him a puzzled look and didn’t take the key, Kainel placed it directly in her palm.
“She left behind a message for me.”
“A message? What kind?”
So Artia had left a separate message with Kainel.
This was the first I’d heard of it. Did it happen after I died?
“Why? Are you curious?”
Kainel’s lips curled up slightly.
“Why be curious? You don’t even know who Artia is.”
“…I’m not curious.”
Not curious in the slightest, you fool!
“So what now?”
He let out a small laugh and changed the subject.
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t have to act as Acting House Master anymore, right?”
“Right.”
Kainel was correct—there was no longer any reason to continue as Acting House Master, since Herion’s physical condition had improved greatly after her time in the Magic Training Space.
The crack in her arm had nearly healed completely, and there was nothing at all that would prevent her from handling her duties.
“I promised I’d just watch the knights’ training from time to time.”
Since I also needed to look after Antonien and the other children, I’d agreed to help with the Elrsia Countess Family’s knights’ training as well.
‘Six o’clock?’
‘Six o’clock sharp. Not a minute late. Training starts at that time.’
‘That’s……’
‘What? Don’t you like it?’
‘……! No, ma’am! No problem at all!’
Really, conversation is such a wonderful thing. The way he catches on immediately like that.
After that earnest conversation, Captain Tailo’s demeanor became far gentler.
‘He doesn’t let a single word go unheeded, I suppose.’
The way he moved so briskly now—finally he was starting to look like a proper knight.
“But why have you been following me this whole time?”
“You said you were going to the market.”
“But what for?”
“To carry your things.”
……
Seres, who had stepped out to purchase supplies for the shop, regarded Kainel trailing behind her with an expression of utter bewilderment.
‘Why on earth would he carry my bags?’
With a subtle shake of her head as if to say do as you wish, Seres resumed her walk to find what she needed.
“Oh?”
She stopped short.
Her steps halted abruptly before a shop window.
The small red shoes displayed on the shelf held her gaze captive.
“Those wouldn’t fit you, would they?”
“They wouldn’t.”
Surely she wasn’t thinking of wearing them herself.
“They’d suit Yulia beautifully.”
The worn brown shoes she’d glimpsed on the child not long ago kept troubling her mind.
“Then why not buy them?”
After studying the shoes for a long moment, Seres simply turned away, and Kainel tilted his head in puzzlement.
Wasn’t she here to get shoes?
“Not now.”
They looked far too expensive at first glance.
“If you don’t buy now, when will you?”
“Soon enough, perhaps?”
Seres glanced back at him, flashing a sly smile.
“Just you wait. I’ll settle all your debts before long.”
* * *
“Have you heard the news?”
As the man’s hand touched the bud, the flower burst open, revealing its pristine white petals.
Veilks, who tended such blooms, moved with a gentleness more careful than ever before.
“I hear they’ve developed a medicine to replace Holy Water.”
“Medicine?”
Alex, hearing this for the first time, showed keen interest.
“The efficacy of Holy Water has been declining steadily.”
It had long been rumored that the Temple’s supply of Holy Water no longer performed as it once had.
Moreover, the number of those capable of wielding Holy Power had shrunk considerably; the quantity distributed had dwindled while prices climbed without end.
“Yet a medicine to replace it, you say.”
Veilks shook his head lightly, his brow creasing faintly.
“As you know, we require many to die corrupted by Demonic Energy. That’s what sustains this place.”
Those wounded in the Black Forest, consumed by Demonic Energy until death.
That was the finest condition for the flowers to bloom.
“How did such a medicine suddenly come into being?”
……
Alex clicked his tongue softly at the man’s playful grin.
It was clear he already knew the answer and was merely testing him now.
“Jute.”
At Veilks’s quiet summons, a figure emerged silently.
Jute bowed lightly and naturally took his place beside Prince Alex, as though that were where he belonged.
“I’ve received remarkably little information regarding Seres Drow.”
For all its softness, Veilks’s tone carried unmistakable reproach.
“As I’ve mentioned before, there is someone following her, which makes surveillance rather difficult.”
“Are you saying you lack the capacity?”
Jute’s mouth curled into a crooked smile as he continued.
“My duties are not so few, after all. I must protect you, sir, and attend to Veilks’s errands as well. Even two bodies wouldn’t suffice for all that’s required.”
“I see, then.”
The man withdrew his hand from the white flower and stepped closer to Jute.
Meanwhile, Alex, seated by the window, paid no attention to their exchange, gazing absently out at the street below.
“Then you should devote yourself to a single task.”
“A single task, you say?”
“Seres Drow. Focus entirely on watching that lady. I shall assign another to look after Alex.”
……
The playful smile that had lingered on Jute’s face throughout the conversation twisted slightly.
In the end, a short sigh escaped his lips.
Jute raised both arms as if in surrender, then shook his head gently.
“I’ll make sure to work harder. Perhaps I’ll even visit your home soon.”
Only then did Veilks step back with a satisfied smile.
“Good. Alex would prefer to have you, someone he’s known for years, by his side rather than a stranger.”
As he cast his gaze in that direction, Alex, who had shown no reaction until now, rose from his seat.
“Jute, let’s go.”
A faint smile crossed Jute’s lips as he understood that this was Alex’s answer, then faded.
“Alex.”
Alex’s footsteps toward the exit stopped.
“You haven’t used it yet. The S-Rank Black Stone I gave you before.”
…….
“Surely you’re not hesitating, are you?”
Alex exhaled silently for a moment, then turned back to face him.
“I’m waiting for the right moment.”
“Of course you are.”
Veilks stepped closer to him, a slight smile playing at his lips.
“Don’t forget that S-Rank Black Stone is precious to me as well. You mustn’t fail under any circumstances.”
“…I know.”
He’d heard that before.
Alex turned his head sharply and left without further conversation, his intent clear.
* * *
“What is this?”
“One month’s revenue.”
A visitor had come to find Seres, who was lounging at home as she always did on weekends.
It was Herion, the Acting House Master of the Elrsia Countess Family.
“You’ve already made profit from the Cure Medicine?”
“Yes!”
Teaching the medicine’s formulation wasn’t particularly difficult. It seemed the name of the Elrsia Countess Family hadn’t lost its power—once she explained it, they understood and produced it well on their own.
But wouldn’t sales have been poor, considering Holy Water was already widely distributed?
She’d started this with a long-term view, yet she was already seeing profit?

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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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