Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 173 (Part 1)

There was no way the Magic Empire, which had lasted for thousands of years, would have left a poison unchecked. Naturally, they had already created an antidote long ago.

Karis and Jena were battle dolls created in the later period of the Magic Empire, just before its fall. They didn’t know how much damage Tranolia had inflicted on the Magic Empire.

However, while reading the Magic Empire’s books, Rodin had learned that the poison called Tranolia had once caused quite a headache for the Empire.

What was interesting was that Tranolia also appeared in Frouval’s illusion lessons, and even its antidote was mentioned.

Frubal’s body itself was unique, so most poisons didn’t work on him. Even poisons that would definitely kill a person would merely make A Frouval suffer a light cold.

But Tranolia was described as being quite lethal to the Frouval. While the exact symptoms weren’t listed, it was emphasized enough that the word “caution” was used multiple times.

In any case, Rodin knew both methods of detoxification—the Magic Empire’s way and the method he learned from Frouval’s illusion.

“What kind of choice are you talking about?”

“There are two methods of treatment. Unfortunately, there are also two kinds of aftereffects. You won’t be able to use your legs for now. Your vision must also be blurry. You can probably barely make out outlines, am I right?”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct. It’s been over three years since I’ve been unable to stand. My vision also started deteriorating around the same time.”

“You sometimes see illusions and feel like dead people are speaking to you, right?”

At Rodin’s explanation, Queen Regina flinched.

Illusions and the sense that dead people were speaking to her.

Both were symptoms that had only recently appeared.

Because of that, she’d started speaking nonsense. Talking to people who weren’t there, begging for her life in front of invisible phantoms. It was exactly the behavior of a madwoman.

“Th-That’s right.”

“I said there are two treatment methods. One of them will cure everything else, but your lifespan will be shortened. You can assume you’ll die about five to ten years earlier than normal.”

Five to ten years was quite a long time for an older person. It might be time they absolutely couldn’t give up.

But Queen Regina was still in her twenties. A reduction of five to ten years in lifespan wouldn’t feel like a big loss at that age.

“And the second method?”

“The other method leaves the poison in your eyes. You’ll have to live the rest of your life only being able to see vague outlines, like now.”

“Ah!”

“The choice is yours, Your Majesty. I’ll give you a moment.”

Rodin stepped back and exited the room. As he came out, Larry and Bianca quickly followed after him.

—

Bianca repeated the name of the poison she’d heard inside a few times, then let out a deep sigh. No matter how many times she said it, the name just wouldn’t roll off her tongue.

“Big Brother Rodin, is that poison really that scary?”

“Hmm. I guess it depends on the situation.”

“But can’t a detox potion cure it?”

“With the detox potions we have now, it’s difficult. Detox potions are… how should I say it. They’re like a general remedy that works broadly on common poisons. So, there are plenty of poisons they don’t work on.”

There wasn’t just one kind of detox potion. The current detox potion was different in composition from the one from a hundred years ago. And it was different again from two hundred years ago, and likewise from the one five hundred years ago.

As time changes, detox potions continue to evolve. That’s because new poisons constantly emerge, and poisons that were common in the past are no longer prevalent.

A detox potion, in the end, is a general-purpose magical treatment meant to cure most of the poisons that currently exist.

That’s why the detox potions most commonly sold in any given era are those capable of curing the poisons prevalent in that era.

But problems arise when an ancient poison like Azahasar Palite is recreated. The current detox potions lack the efficacy to treat ancient poisons.

“So, Big Brother Rodin, you know how to cure it?”

“I can create a detox potion capable of neutralizing Azahasar Palite.”

“Why is the name so hard to pronounce?”

“They named it that way on purpose. There’s this strange superstition that if a name is hard, it makes it harder for others to replicate.”

Make the poison’s name difficult, the disease’s name difficult—but the antidote’s name easy. That was the basic philosophy toward poisons and medicines.

“But, Big Brother Rodin, is the princess really a prince?”

“Yeah. He’s a guy.”

“How did you know?”

“I could tell just by looking. Honestly, I don’t get how people can’t tell the difference. I mean, isn’t it obvious?”

A moment later, Duke Lientas came out. His face was heavy with emotion.

“Archmage Rodin, Her Majesty the Queen has made her decision.”

“Understood.”

Rodin went back inside. Though the atmosphere was uncomfortable, Larry and Bianca followed him in as well—there was no helping it.

“Have you decided?”

“I’ll accept the shortened lifespan. I don’t think I can go on if I can’t see my son.”

Rodin nodded lightly.

He had expected Queen Regina to make this choice.

Being young, the reduction in lifespan probably didn’t feel so serious yet. Besides, given the royal family’s political turmoil, she might not have lived long anyway.

But the eyes were different. No amount of verbal explanation could ever fully replace sight.

“Hmm, I see. It’ll take roughly twenty days to create the antidote. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time. So I plan to make it while traveling to the Kingdom of Luvain.”

“You’re traveling?”

“I heard the prince is scheduled to depart in two days. Make your preparations by then. I’ll accompany you and create the antidote during the journey.”

The detox potion from the Magic Empire that could cure Azahasar Palite was classified as 5th-circle magic. For Rodin, who was a 7th-circle mage, it was no great burden.

However, due to the requirement of periodically injecting mana over time, it couldn’t be completed all at once.

At the very least, ten days. Ideally, he’d need about twenty days to do it at a comfortable pace.

“Ah! So you’re saying you’ll start the job immediately. But my health is weak…”

“Then are you currently struggling to stay conscious?”

“No. Thanks to the spell the Archmage cast earlier, my body feels refreshed.”

“I’ll maintain that state for you, so be ready to depart in two days. Just so you know, you can’t ride in my carriage, so you’ll have to prepare your own means of travel.”

To Rodin, the carriage wasn’t just a vehicle. It was a shared training space for Larry and Bianca—and his personal research lab.

Because of all the secrets within, he couldn’t allow just anyone inside.

“I will do so.”

“Also, the treatment and escort requests are separate matters, so you’ll need to prepare a separate payment for the treatment. I’ll receive the treatment fee after we arrive at the destination.”

A pity was still a pity, and a price was still a price. She wasn’t some poor commoner, and Rodin had no intention of providing free service to treat the queen of a nation.

“Yes. As long as we get the treatment, I will give you anything.”

“We’ll think about that after we arrive. Now then, I’ll be going. I have quite a few herbs to buy.”

Rodin immediately stood up.

It seemed Queen Regina still had a lot she wanted to say, but Rodin feigned ignorance and stepped outside.

Instead, Larry and Bianca remained. They hadn’t yet officially “accepted” the request.

—

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