Sera followed Zoha to the gates of an old, worn-down mansion. Ivy climbed the walls, creeping over cracked stones and broken windows. All while the garden was overgrown with weeds and wildflowers, partially covering the path leading to the main entrance.

Sera's eyes narrowed as she took in the sight. "Does anyone actually live here?"

Zoha nodded. "Countess Ivris and her staff still actively live here."

"Is there a reason why a noble's estate looks so ruined?"

"The Countess has never been the same since her husband passed away and her son was struck by a grueling illness at the same time. She forbade her staff from even just tending to the gardens out of grief."

"Interesting, presumably she will give a great reward to anyone who could cure her son."

"It's very likely, Mistress. I've spoken with the Countess when she was in better condition, she used to be very generous and financed several quests in the adventurer's guild by herself."

Zoha reached for a magical doorbell; an ornate brass bell adorned with intricate runes. As she rang it, the bell glowed briefly as it emitted soft chime that resonated through the air.

Moments later, a butler with a graying beard approached the gates. He bowed his head slightly in recognition as he neared them. "Lady Zoha, It has been quite some time. How may I assist you this evening?"

Zoha stepped forward, her demeanor polite yet authoritative. "Gunther, I’d like you to meet Sera. She is a healer of extraordinary capability."

Gunther turned his gaze to Sera and raised an eyebrow. "A healer, you say?"

"Yes, and I have seen her abilities firsthand. She has performed many feats of healing in the slums of Marwood, even going so far as to restore limbs."

"I don't mean to put too much doubt on your words, Lady Zoha. But the Countess has been disappointed by far too many charlatans already."

"That is completely understandable, and I deeply sympathize with Countess Ivris. However, I swear on my own life that Sera's abilities are true."

Sera met the butler's gaze with unwavering confidence. "There is no ailment too great nor affliction too deep that cannot be cured. I'm here only to help, not to seek any form of payment or reward."

Gunther’s eyes widened slightly, clearly taken aback by the conviction in her words. The skepticism in his gaze softened as it was instead replaced by a gradually growing hope.

"I certainly hope you're right," Gunther murmured.

Afterwards, he grabbed a key from his pocket and unlocked the gates. Gunther then guided them to the main entrance where they stopped in front of a pair of heavy wooden doors.

He knocked gently and waited until the doors were opened by another servant who stepped aside to allow them entry. "This way," Gunther said, leading Sera and Zoha through a hallway.

The two of them followed the butler through the corridors of the mansion until they reached a heavy wooden door. Gunther opened it slowly to reveal a spacious room filled with ornate furniture, and a large fireplace that dominated one wall, though its hearth was cold and empty.

Countess Ivris was seated in a plush chair near the fireplace, her frail form wrapped in a thick velvet robe. The warmth of the fire casted a soft glow on her pale and sickly face.

When Sera and Zoha entered the room, they saw the Countess quickly cough into a napkin, which she discreetly handed off to a maid standing nearby. She dismissed the maid and Gunther with a wave of her hand. "Leave us," she commanded.

Once they were alone, the Countess turned her full attention to the demoness. "Who is this person you've brought to me, Zoha?"

Zoha offered a reassuring smile. "This is Sera, an old friend of mine and a very capable healer."

Countess Ivris's gaze flicked to Sera with a weary expression. She studied Sera intently, as if trying to discern the truth behind the demoness's words. "A capable healer, you say? What proof do you have of her abilities?"

Sera took a step forward and inclined her head respectfully. "Countess Ivris, I understand your caution. Healing is a delicate and personal matter. I assure you, I am well-versed in my craft and have aided many in their time of need."

"Words are easy. Deeds are what matter." Countess Ivris said bluntly.

"Countess, please, you know me. I would not bring anyone to you unless I trusted them completely. Sera has the skills and the heart to help you," Zoha said.

A silence stretched between them all. The Countess's stern gaze remained fixed on Zoha, searching for any sign of deceit. Yet, gradually, the Countess's expression softened, if only by a fraction. "Very well. Sit down, both of you."

Zoha and Sera moved to the ornately carved chairs opposite the Countess. The rich fabric of the seats felt cool and smooth under their hands. Ivris's fingers trembled slightly as she clasped them in her lap, the delicate lace of her sleeves brushing against her wrists.

Sera decided to ease into the conversation first. "Thank you for giving us a chance, Countess Ivris. I understand this must be a difficult time for you."

The Countess's eyes moved between Sera and Zoha, settling finally on Sera. "Enough talk, you speak of healing. Prove your capability to me."

"I am prepared to do so right now, Countess."

"You're not going to ask for money or materials first? Most healers I've seen demand compensation or specific items before even considering an attempt."

Sera shook her head gently. "I do not require those things, Countess. My abilities do not hinge on material wealth or rare ingredients. I can heal you on the spot."

"And why should I believe you? Many have come claiming miraculous powers, only to disappoint."

"I understand your hesitation. All I ask is for you to allow me this opportunity to prove myself. If you feel no improvement, you owe me nothing."

The Countess regarded Sera for a long moment. Finally, she nodded slowly. "Very well. Proceed."

Sera rose and knelt beside Ivris's chair as her hands glowed with a soft, warm light. "Please close your eyes and try to relax."

The Countess hesitated for a moment before closing her eyes. Sera's hands hovered over the Countess's frail form, the glow intensifying as she focused her energy.

As the light touched Ivris, it spread quickly through her body. Her once frail hands became steady, while the pallor of her skin gave way to a healthy flush.

Soon, Sera withdrew her hands, the glow fading as she completed the healing. She looked up at Ivris, who had just opened her eyes and blinked a few times.

The Countess's expression was one of astonishment. She flexed her fingers, the trembling completely gone. And her once fatigued eyes now shone with renewed vitality and clarity.

"How do you feel?" Sera asked.

Countess Ivris took a moment to move a hand to her chest where the pain had been most intense. "I... I feel wonderful. The pain is all gone."

"I'm so glad to see you better, Countess Ivris." Zoha said.

The Countess turned to Zoha with a warm smile. "Thank you for bringing your friend to me." She then looked at Sera, eyes brimming with gratitude. "And thank you, for healing me. I haven't felt this way in years."

Sera nodded, a gentle smile on her lips. "I'm happy to help, Countess."

Countess Ivris's eyes shone with gratitude, but concern quickly crossed her face. She took a deep breath before speaking. "I must ask something more of you, Sera. My son, Simon, has been gravely ill for months. Can you help him as well?"

"I can certainly try. Please, take me to him."

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The Countess motioned for them to follow, and they moved through the grand hallways of the mansion. They soon arrived at a heavy oak door carved with elaborate patterns, the swirls and flourishes inlaid with gleaming brass accents.

Ivris's hand rested momentarily on the cool brass handle. She took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, before she turned the handle and pushed the door open.

The room beyond was relatively dark, heavy curtains drawn to keep out the harsh light of the afternoon sun. The air was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and faint traces of lavender, intended to soothe and heal.

Simon was resting on an ornately carved bed. The boy's skin was pallid, almost translucent, contrasting starkly with the dark sheets that enveloped him. He looked frail, his once vibrant form now reduced to a shadow of its former self. His eyes were dull and lifeless, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Countess Ivris moved to his side, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead with tenderness. "My son has been like this for months."

Sera approached the bed slowly and assessed Simon's condition. She noted the dark circles under his eyes, the way his chest rose and fell in shallow breaths, and the slight tremor in his frail hands.

His symptoms suggested a debilitating illness, possibly something that had slowly drained his life force over time. It was bad enough that part of Sera felt the slightest hint of pity for the human boy.

She reached out and placed her hands gently on Simon's forehead. As she closed her eyes and focused, her hands glowed with a familiar light. The glow spread slowly, enveloping Simon's head and then moving down to cover his entire body.

Color slowly returned to the boy's cheeks. Sera focused intently as her magic weaved through his veins. Soon, Simon's eyes fluttered open, their brightness restored.

He looked around, confused at first, then met his mother's gaze. "Mother?"

Countess Ivris rushed to his side with tears of joy streaming down her face. "Oh, Simon! You're awake! How do you feel, my dear?"

Simon sat up slowly, testing his strength. "I feel... well."

Countess Ivris turned to Sera and Zoha. "I cannot express how thankful I am. You have given me back my son." She took Zoha's hand, squeezing it gently. "Thank you for bringing Sera to us."

Zoha nodded, a soft smile on her lips. "I'm glad I could help, Countess."

Sera inclined her head. "It was my honor to assist, Countess Ivris."

But Ivris shook her head. "No, Sera. Your kindness and skill cannot go unrewarded. You must tell me if there is anything you desire."

Sera almost broke her facade with a smile. But she forced herself to maintain her composure. Can't let the mask fall off now.

With a modest demeanor, she replied, "There is one thing, Countess. I need help transporting several dozen people out of Marwood."

The Countess's eyebrows arched in curiosity. "Pardon? Why do you need to transport so many people?"

Sera took a deep breath, her mind racing as she formulated her response. "Countess, while I am a capable healer, there are limits to what I can achieve on my own. The people I wish to transport are gravely ill, and there are only so many I can tend to at a time. Therefore, I seek to bring them to a sacred location where my healing powers can be greatly enhanced."

Countess Ivris studied Sera intently, her eyes sharp and discerning. For a moment, Sera feared that her lie would be seen through. But to her surprise, the Countess nodded thoughtfully.

"Ah, I see," Ivris said, her tone contemplative. "A sacred location, you say? That is indeed a wise course of action. Healing such numbers would be a daunting task for any one person. I can arrange for wagons and carts to aid you in this endeavor. Will that suffice?"

Sera inwardly sighed with relief, maintaining her composed exterior. "That would be more than sufficient, Countess. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. With your assistance, these people will have a chance to recover in a place of sanctity and peace."

The Countess smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her expression. "Consider it done, then. I will have my men prepare the necessary transportation immediately. When will you need the wagons?"

"By dawn tomorrow would be ideal, Countess. The sooner we can begin the journey, the better for those in need."

"Very well. I will have my servants begin preparations immediately. You shall have everything you need at the aforementioned time."

Sera bowed deeply. "Your kindness knows no bounds, Countess Ivris. We are deeply grateful."

Zoha added, "Indeed, Countess. Your support means more to us than you can imagine. We will always remember your generosity."

The Countess waved a hand dismissively, although her eyes sparkled with approval. "Think nothing of it. And before both of you leave, feel free to relax in the guest room for as long as you need if you wish."

Sera perked up at the suggestion. "Countess, would you mind terribly if we requested some desserts? It's been quite a day."

Countess Ivris chuckled warmly, clearly amused by Sera's request. "Not a problem at all, my dear. You have only to ask Gunther and he will see to it that you receive whatever you desire."

***

Gunther escorted Sera and Zoha into a modestly furnished room with a table at its center. The space was cozy, with warm wooden walls and soft lighting casting a gentle glow. An unfinished chess board stood on a small round table, the pieces scattered as if abandoned mid-game.

But more importantly, there was another table stacked with various desserts. Delicate pastries with flaky, golden crusts were arranged in neat rows beside rich, dark chocolate truffles dusted with cocoa powder. Crystal bowls filled with sugared nuts and candied fruits added the finishing touch.

Gunther hesitated by the table, his hand hovering over the chessboard. "Shall I clear this up for you?"

Sera waved a hand gently. "It's fine, thank you."

The butler bowed slightly before retreating, closing the door quietly behind him. As soon as he left, Sera's eyes were drawn to the table filled with desserts.

She immediately approached it, her fingers lightly brushing over the delicate pastries before selecting a fruit tart. She picked it up carefully, admiring the glistening berries and the buttery crust for a moment before taking a small bite, savoring the burst of flavors. I really need to bring someone who can make desserts into the dungeon sometime in the future.

Yet, as she continued sampling the various desserts, Sera eventually saw that Zoha had seated herself at the table with the chessboard. The demoness was carefully rearranging the pieces to their original positions. And once the pieces were back in their starting places, Zoha began to move them again, her eyes focused intently on the board.

Curiosity piqued, Sera finished chewing the dessert she was eating and approached Zoha. "What are you doing?"

Zoha looked up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I used to play chess quite often, Mistress, and I enjoy practicing with myself whenever I have the chance. It helps me keep my mind sharp."

"Is that so? Would you be willing to teach me how to play?"

Zoha paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully before a smug grin spread across her face. "I’d be more than happy to teach you, Mistress."

Sera took a seat opposite Zoha. "Very well, explain the basics to me."

Zoha nodded, her fingers gently tapping the board. "Each piece has its own unique movements," she said, placing the pawns in their respective positions. "The pawns move forward but capture diagonally."

The demoness continued, setting the knights, bishops, rooks, and finally the king and queen in their starting squares and then demonstrating how they could move one by one. "Ultimately, the objective is to checkmate the opponent's king."

"I think I have a decent grasp of the rules now." Sera said.

Zoha set the pieces in their starting positions. "Are you ready to start playing, Mistress?"

Sera straightened in her chair, fingers lightly drumming on the table. "I am."

As the game began, it quickly became apparent that Sera's understanding of the rules was no match for Zoha's experience. The demoness's hands moved with effortless confidence, each piece gliding across the board with purpose.

In contrast, Sera's movements were hesitant and uncertain. She paused frequently and had to think for quite some time before each move.

It didn't take long for Zoha to use her rook and bishop to coordinate a seamless trap. Sera's eyes widened as she realized the trap was closing around her king. She tried to move to counter, but it was too late.

Zoha's lips curved into a satisfied smile as she leaned back in her chair. "Checkmate, I win."

Sera frowned. She studied the board, the realization of her defeat sinking in. "Let's play again."

"Of course, Mistress." Zoha said, resetting the board.

This time, Sera's focus was much sharper. She managed to hold her own against Zoha, even putting her in a few tricky positions that required careful navigation.

However, a single blunder shifted the balance as Sera left one of her knights completely unguarded. Zoha quickly capitalized on the mistake, her pieces moving swiftly to corner Sera's king once more. "Checkmate."

The demoness looked up, genuinely impressed by Sera's improvement. "You did much better that time, Mistress. You're improving quickly."

By this point, Sera's eyes were intense and almost trance-like. "We're not finished yet. One more game."

Zoha hesitated as she sensed a shift in Sera's demeanor. The determination in the elder dryad's eyes had taken on an almost obsessive quality. Still, the demoness reset the board despite her growing unease.

This time, Sera's hands darted over the board with increasing speed as the game progressed, each piece snapping into place with a decisive click. Zoha watched her carefully, noting the deepening trance-like state that consumed Sera more and more with every turn.

The demoness struggled to keep up with Sera's relentless pace. Her own moves were deliberate and cautious, but she could feel the game slipping away from her. Finally, with a swift and decisive move, Sera declared, "checkmate."

Zoha stared at the board, momentarily stunned by the rapid succession of moves that had led to her defeat. She looked up at Sera, who was still in the grip of her trance-like state. "Maybe we should stop playing for now, Mistress. You seem... different."

Sera's eyes flashed with an almost manic intensity. "Just one more game."

Zoha was much more wary this time, but she reluctantly reset the board once more, fingers trembling slightly as she placed the pieces in their starting positions. The final game began, and Sera's trance-like state peaked.

The elder dryad's focus was absolute. It was as if she were possessed by some ancient force, guided by a power beyond herself. In half the time as the previous game, Sera declared checkmate once more.

Zoha stared at the board blankly for a few seconds before looking up at Sera. "Mistress… are you alright?"

Sera blinked a few times, her eyes gradually losing their intense focus. She slowly appeared to return to herself as the trance faded. She clutched her head slightly, a pained look crossing her face. "I- I'm fine, we should go."