Four figures stood in front of an imposing door, with two of them holding back one of the others. The Prince's malevolent laughter echoed throughout the hall as he stared down at the hapless alchemist. "So, they refer to you as the genius alchemist, how regrettable," he sneered, taking hold of Rasial's face. "This is why your sibling is superior to you," he added with a devious grin.
Rasial's heart sank as he realized he had made a grave mistake in trusting the Prince. The mere mention of his brother's name brought forth a wave of despair that was impossible to conceal. "How did you come to know?" he asked, his voice betraying the torment that was raging within him.
The Prince's response was laced with mockery, dripping with contempt. "Did you truly believe that we were unaware? Even the King himself is privy to this knowledge. Your only saving grace is your unparalleled expertise in alchemy, which is precisely why you are being dispatched to that godforsaken place. I hope that you do not return." With one final sneer, the Prince turned on his heel, issuing a command to his guards to detain Rasial until the young boy returned from the office.
Rasial was wracked with pain, both physical and emotional, but he knew that he could not overpower the guards. He could only wait, head bowed in deference, for Han's arrival.
As Han stepped into the King's private office, he was taken aback by the sight of Prince Claus holding Rasial. He had grown to rely heavily on Rasial during his time at the Palace and now felt a sense of determination to be more self-reliant. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the commanding of a deep voice. "Enter," the voice boomed. Despite his nerves, Han straightened his posture and confidently approached the table in the center of the room. As he looked up, he saw a man of great stature with a short snowy beard that exuded authority. Was this the King? Han couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he gazed upon him.
“It’s best if you lower your head and not look at me like a mere object on display.”, the King uttered in his commanding voice.
Han's eyes welled up with tears as the King's appearance took him aback. Despite his expectations, the monarch did not seem as advanced in age as Han had anticipated. However, the elderly ruler had misconstructed his actions. Choosing to remain silent, Han feared for his safety if he were to speak out.
The regal monarch scrutinized the youthful lad standing in front of him, appearing as if he could break at any moment. The announcement his Son made about the cure for Tetanus had caught him off guard, and although he found it difficult to accept, he had consented to meet with the boy. The King mulled over the veracity of the report.
Seated regally at his sturdy wooden desk, the King inquired of Han whether he had indeed provided treatment for Tetanus. Demonstrating his integrity, Han replied with a simple nod, revealing that his clinic in Siron City was regularly sought out by citizens in need of his medical expertise.
The King acknowledged this fact but then made an unreasonable demand: that Han surrenders the cure for Tetanus in exchange for a reward. Despite feeling hesitant and apprehensive about parting with such a valuable medicine, Han recognized the opportunity before him. With utmost respect, he politely declined the King's request, stating that it was simply not possible for him to relinquish the cure.
Upon witnessing the King's presence, a palpable energy exuded from him, permeating the entire room with an unyielding force. The weight of this energy was suffocating, leaving Han feeling constricted and unable to move or breathe with ease. Despite this, Han valiantly expressed his proposition to the King, detailing how he had concocted a medicine of unprecedented value, even beyond the comprehension of the Alchemists. With the utmost respect, Han humbly implored the King to either purchase the medicine from him or refer those afflicted with Tetanus to his clinic.
The aura disappeared instantly, leaving no trace behind. The King remained quiet for a few moments before speaking up. "I will be directing all Tetanus patients to your clinic, which is in the Death Forest. Is that correct?" he asked.
Cough Cough Cough
Han coughed holding his throat barely able to breathe but nodded with enthusiasm. The situation reminded him of meeting Lewis, though his bloodlust was nothing compared to the King's oppression. Anyhow, he silently apologized to Alexander Senpai internally for taking credit for the medicine. He hoped Alexander would understand the situation.
Without giving Han a choice, the King informed him that he would be sent to the Slums with Rasial. Han was thrilled about the mission and had no objections to the King's decision. He smiled eagerly at the prospect of completing the quest and earning its impressive rewards. "Thank you, Your Highness, for this opportunity. I will cherish it," Han said, bowing respectfully.
His Majesty nodded satisfied with his reaction and inquired, "Were you once a fallen noble?"
Han hesitated before answering, "Yes, Your Highness. My parents left me an inheritance that enabled me to establish a medical clinic." He had used this explanation before in Siron City, so he hoped it would satisfy the King's curiosity and justify his way of life.
The King nodded and declared, "You are dismissed. Another physician will be joining you, but the Alchemist will have the final say on the other candidates." He motioned for Han to leave.
Upon Han's departure from the chamber, the King was struck by the young Physician's impressive agility. He wondered if Han had undergone specialized training to hone his physical abilities. Regardless, the King recognized the value of having such a skilled and knowledgeable ally by his side and saw it as an opportunity to further his cause. Lost in thought, the King idly clicked his fingers on the table surface, contemplating his next steps.
Ever mindful of his interests, Vasya understood the importance of ensuring that every deal he struck was mutually beneficial. He recognized the potential risks associated with relying solely on the Royal Alchemist to create the cure, given that he was not a trained Physician himself. Nonetheless, Vasya remained committed to unlocking the true powers of the Azure Necklace, putting aside all other concerns in the pursuit of this goal.
Once Han had departed from the office, the guard finally relaxed his grip on Rasial, causing him to collapse weakly onto the ground. The guards, having completed their assigned duty, nonchalantly sauntered away from the scene. Han was taken aback by the sudden turn of events and hastened to examine Rasial's physical state.Rasial, however, immediately stood up and put on a facade of composure, uttering, "Let's go back." Han followed him silently, his thoughts muddled with confusion as he tried to comprehend what had triggered Rasial's agitation.
As they strolled along, Rasial balled up his fists and tears began to well up in his eyes. The conversation with the Prince had recalled all his heartbreaking memories. He couldn't shake off the memory of his brother disowning him, nor could he dispel the feeling of weakness that he experienced when contending with stronger foes due to his low Mana. Which is why, he didn't even possess an element! Why did everything seem to be going so wrong for him? Despite his reluctance to lead the expedition, he knew that he had to meticulously select well-rounded candidates to increase their likelihood of survival on the impending perilous journey.
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