A weak, involuntary groan left him as he drew his first breath.
‘Man, I knew it would be bad… but this…’
Examining his condition, he had his beliefs upturned entirely. By all accounts, even with magic in play he should have been dead. Calling his body weak would be the understatement of the week.
Phlegm filled half of his lungs, stifling each breath he took, and making him feel burns across his chest every time he forced himself to inhale. His bones were as brittle as an antique ceramic pot, while his chi reserves were about as dry as an old desert well.
His muscles were in no better shape, and he struggled to lift his arm. His musculature was long gone, his shriveled arms exposing bone underneath in some places.
As for magic… well, it was still accessible. His control over reality was present, but he was walking on a thin rope as it is. His bones were practically filled with karma ready to blow up in his face and reduce him to dust. Should he use magic and draw kismet’s ire again, he would undoubtedly perish.
“Oh, Yuki… no wonder I couldn’t lift my arm.”
As it turns out, he could still lift his arm. It was simply weighed down by the little fox snuggled next to him. Struggling to put on a presentable smile on his gaunt corpse face, he gently brushed her hair aside, exposing tear stained cheeks and a face nearly as gaunt as his.
The girl woke up, her eyes instinctively moving to check in on Leo.
“You’re awake! Leo, you’re awake!”
A storm of emotions washed over her face, as the girl herself was unsure whether to feel relief, pity or happiness. Ultimately, she just started bawling incoherently on his chest.
“I’m alright now… it’s all going to be alright,” he comforted her with a weak embrace.
It took a few minutes to calm her down, and in the meanwhile he discovered a key detail that led to his survival. As it turned out, Muchen had used a high tier Tempus spell to decelerate his body in time. While his mind worked fine, his body was distinguishably slow. This gave him a bit more time to experiment, as both the virus and his metabolism were slowed equally.
“Alright. Tell me the news,” Leonardo finally deigned to ask as he wiped away her tears.
“Mm. Everyone is fine. The ones you cured recovered well… Bruno recovered by himself, while sis Anabella never got sick in the first place.”
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“Good. Help me up, I should check in on the guild as well.”
Groaning slightly, he tried to push himself off the bed, only to find himself weighed down by Yuki.
Despite his request, Yukiko shook her head in firm denial, “Just rest. I already went.”
“Oh? That’s good. Did any of them get sick?”
“I have Sana’s report for you.”
“Alright,” he slouched back in bed, finally coming to terms with his weakness, “Let me see.”
Tearing open the seal, he unrolled the parchment and took a look at the coded message. The encryption was nothing much, and he extrapolated the message a few seconds later. A trivial effort for a mage, though it might stump mortal authorities for decades.
“Lord Prometheus,
When I found out you’re dying, I once more found myself on my knees, praying to The Most Merciful for your health.
With regards to the hand in the shadows, it is well and unharmed. White Fox has fortunately warned us in time.
We identified the source of the disease; a batch of horned melons from Africa, brought by The Spearfish ship.
The ship has already departed from the docks; they seemed in a hurry and did not purchase any return cargo.
According to our Watchers, none among the crew showed signs of illness, nor did any of them perish in Malta.
At White Fox’s request, we thoroughly investigated Valetta and purchased or stole all of the contaminated fruits.
Furthermore, we went door to door and took a census of those affected, and the results are horrifying.
Given the price, most fruits ended up with the high class merchants and nobles, so information may be absent.
So far, as of Monday there were 349 Valetta citizens bedridden, among whom 43 were children. Deaths — 122.
We are continuously gathering information, and will be at your service with the latest news. Await our report.
Though I can not do much, do call upon me should you need help. Your apprentice is ready to give you everything.
S. A-B”
‘Give me everything, huh? What’s that supposed to mean?’
Scratching his chin in confusion, he shook his head with a wry smile then promptly shredded the message before spotting Yuki at the corner of his vision giving him an expectant look.
As soon as he faced her though, her smug ‘praise me’ look faded instantly and she turned serious. Leonardo burst into a chuckle as he patted her head.
“You did very good, Yuki. Your reaction probably saved many lives. I’m very proud of you.”
“I also got many herbs ready for you!” She boasted triumphantly, probably enjoying the praise a little too much.
“Oh, did you? I guess I owe you one. When I get well, I’ll take you on a trip.”
Despite being a teenager, her demeanor was still pure and childish when she hung around Leo. She squealed in delight at his promise and hugged him, prompting a fit of coughs to disrupt the joyful atmosphere just as quickly.
Once his coughs subsided, he steeled his resolve and finally sat up.
“Alright, I’ll have a look at your herbs and see what helps. In the meanwhile, have someone call Chimente. I have important things to discuss.”
Groaning softly as he found himself on his feet, he disregarded the pain in his joints and hobbled out of the room. The orphans gave startled yelps when they came across him, and for good reason. He resembled a mummy far more than he did a human.
Normally, he would have made a joke or played along, but this time he really couldn’t be bothered to even roll his eyes.
“Ah, Leo. Let me help you.”
Fortunately, Bruno came by and helped support him. With a few breathing pauses, he finally made it to the workshop.
Crates of neatly sorted herbs lined the side of the storage wall, and with a quick glance he already identified a few that may or may not be of help.
‘Alright, although time is on my side, I’d best get started.’