Chapter 144

: Theres Light at the End of the Tunnel

Panting, the young apprentice burst back into the room with the required holy water. He quickly handed it over to Baiyi as he gently pried her lips open and tipped a small amount into her mouth.
Being the ones the Church used for themselves, it was pure holy water, but yet it did not seem to bring forth any miracle. Atties body continued to resist against any intervention from other higher power.
Admittedly, none of the holy water the Church provided came directly from the hands of the Lord above. It was all normal water enchanted by Holy Power, channeled through His priests. The resulting water was then diluted before it was sent off to other believers while some of the pure ones were left behind in the Church.
The result was not completely out of Baiyis expectation. The water was just another form of theurgy, only that it was infused into a substance that could be directly absorbed by the body.
Father Weasel had came up completely empty. He wrung his hands in an awkward fashion, stammering,
M-Maybe she has something different in her body?

With a swift move, Baiyi carried Attie in his arm and started heading towards the door.
Im bringing her to the apothecary,
Baiyi announced, he did not even look back when the chaplain asked him to stay.
Out of the church, at the streets where the apothecaries were, Father Weasel trailed behind as fast as possible to see Baiyi off and stood by the gate when he had exited church ground.
I really wanted to help you, Master Hope, 
he thought ruefully. He really wanted to make more than just a passing acquaintance with such a powerful sorcerer.
Yet the feeling was not the least bit mutual. Baiyi had already known a few of those holy kinds back in the Void, and truthfully, he had not much good things to say about them. He even thought himself as an opposition to them. If it wasnt because of Atties condition, he would never have stepped into the church.
Should have just relied on medicines instead.

To be fair, it was just as equally valid to cure ailments using good-old potions and officinal drugs. The only weakness that method had compared to theurgy was its speed in recovery is slower and the price of medicines. Not only that, medicines usually needed to be taken a few times for it to work.
Comparatively, the church had never asked for specific payment for their healing service. It was voluntary, you could donate whatever amount that you want. Hence, if you were not averse to spending a large amount of time waiting, the church was the best way to get treated.
Of course, not everyone had the patience, especially when one was suffering from an illness.
That was why a dozen of wise merchants had set up their apothecaries on the street next to the church, generally opening their shops to sound business. One of the shops was even incredibly grand and imposing and that was where Baiyi was heading.
He stopped by the door. If he wanted Attie to get well soon, he would have to buy the more expensive medicines with more immediate effects.
Yet he didnt even have a dime in his pocket.
His eye caught the $ sign on the shop front and realized it was an apothecary that belonged to the Dole. He rushed in upon discovering that, but just as quickly, doubts started seizing him as he wondered how he could persuade the shopkeeper to bring a man with no money the best medicine they had.
Just as he was debating with himself on whether he should be using an alias or his real identity, a middle-aged man appeared before him.
He smiled and bowed before politely said,
Our warmest welcome to you, Master Hope.

His eyes swept a glance at the unconscious Attie on Baiyis arms, and with haste he turned to his assistant.
Fetch me the best fever medicines we have.

He turned back to the Soul Armature and beckoned towards the stairs.
Master Hope, let us have her rest on the second floor. There is a cooling pack and an infirmary bed there.

Baiyi climbed the stairs as told, while whispering,
You know me?


Of course,
The apothecary said, smiling.
How could we possibly forget the savior of the entire Dole family?

It was likely that he had seen Baiyi talking to his family members before and knew about Undines rescue. And thus, he could not possibly subject Baiyi to any lack of courtesy.
After laying Attie on a small wooden bed, the assistance returned with a bottle of dark red potion. The apothecary frowned at the medicine and bellowed,
What did I tell you? The absolute best 
, did you not hear that?!

The young man glumly left, then within a few moments he returned with a lilac potion. The apothecary studied it a bit before nodding in satisfaction and gave the potion to Baiyi.
After a while, Atties furrowed eyebrows finally relaxed. After a while, her unconsciousness seemed to shift from being caused by the fever to a recovering slumber.

As it should be! This is a specially-formulated fever medicine made from the root of tylophora secamonoides 
and the Delonix regia, 

the man beamed proudly.

Hold on a minute! They used these two herbs to concoct a fcking fever potion? This fellas pulling my leg, isnt he?
The Alchemist blurted out.
From the looks of it, this should be the famed Rejuvenation Potion, right? Also known as the panacea of all diseases and physical ailments! Not that it is as miraculous as it claimed, but to use it just to fight off a fever? Now that is just one of those things that privileged rich kids do.

The Alchemist remembered that there had been a few officinal formulae that sounded ‘great’ theoretically. The quotation marks were there because despite its effectiveness, the cost of makingone 
of them would be too disproportionately costly that it would feel like you sacrificed your life for a small tube of bragging rights.
The Rejuvenation potion was one of those ‘for show-offs only’ meds. The Alchemist surmised that its effect was not dissimilar to a standard theurgy, if not slightly better.

Yet, to concoct it would require the Tylophora secamonoides 
and the Delonix regia 
two incredibly rare herbs. The former thrived in the harsh desert in the West, where few could return with both 
the plant and their own life; while the latter’s habitat was close to the Dragon Summit, fertilized by the breath of life found in the ever-present draconic auras in the area. It bloomed like a royal who had faced dragons in old heroic trials, before returning to rule their people; Therefore, it was given the name
regia
to govern.
Yes, the flower was abundant in the Dragon Summit, but you have only one life. Hence, most people usually imported it from Gouve.
Yet, a potion concocted from two extremely rare herbs could only produce the effect of a goddamned theurgy!
That was why even the strikingly mad Alchemist would not cross the line to make this potion. Why sacrifice your money or life to make something a normal, weasel-faced chaplain could readily provide?
Who knew that something as unnecessary as the Rejuvenation Potion could save her life?
Maybe Maybe they had a new formula? Or they discovered a new realm where these herbs grow more readily? 
Baiyi cleared his throat at the Alchemists clarification. How much money did his new servant just consumed?!
The apothecary knew the real cost of the priceless potion, and had probably expected Baiyi to recognize its valor as well.
It was a very subtle way of returning the favor.
And that had endeared the man to Baiyi. Watching Attie recovered her colors, he finally heaved a sigh of relief and started to chat with the apothecary.
Not bad. Whats your name?

He could have just given Baiyi a normal potion to kick off the fever, but he gave the most expensive one on his shelf for free. That might seem like a horrible waste committed by an eager-to-please man. But seeing how Baiyi had immediately taken a liking to him It proved to be the right move.

 Jaeger 1 
. Jaeger Dole, sir. Lady Undine is my aunt.
The man maintained his affable tone while shocking revelations came out of his mouth.
He should be 40 or something by now! But Undine is just at the age for marriage! 
Baiyi’s mind reeled. Aristocrats have such confusing family relations… Although Jaeger here is probably from a branch family.

They continued with their banter for a while. Baiyi noticed that Jaeger was a shrewd man. He never asked questions that might be hard to answer nor did he asked who Attie was. After a few ingratiating words, he left with the excuse that he still had business to attend to, not before ordering his assitants and errand boys to gift Baiyi a few more colorful potions: stamina replenishing potions, hydration potions, and even a preventive potion against common cold.
Smart guy, 
Baiyi thought, almost giving in to the temptation to promote him somehow. Just as he was pondering that, he heard a soft moan coming from behind.
Attie was finally awake.

How do you feel?
Baiyi asked while touching her forehead lightly. Her body temperature had already returned to normal looks like wealth can buy health, after all.
She nodded faintly. Then, as if avoiding Baiyis touch, she shrunk back and covered her face with the blanket as a muffled voice came from underneath,
Master, are you disappointed with me? Its my first day of work and Im already sick. And I smashed your dishes and made you come all the way here


Of course not! What are you thinking?
He patted her head.
Do I look like a ruthless bastard?

Attie nodded then she shook her head. She was just as confused.

Geez, Attie! You think too much. I brought you here with me because I needed you safe. Youre important to the success of that aerial route, you know?
Baiyi opened a recovery potion and gently fed her.
That was a pretty bad excuse but Attie was too dazed to think about it too much. She drank the potion for a while before spitting out.
How bitter!


Not as bitter as the times when you were the King, I bet,
Baiyi laughed.
Her expression darkened. She once again covered herself with the blanket and refused to talk to Baiyi anymore.
Gosh, I think I said something wrong! 
Baiyi mocked himself. I guess Im not good at making girls happy, huh?


If youre not good at that then explain how the fuck did you end up with a horde of top-tier waifus!
Deep within the Void came a few furious replies.
Truthfully, Attie wasnt mad at Baiyi for poking fun at her pains from the past.
It was just that her time as the King was an anguish to her, a pain that she had never been able to tell anyone. Now that she heard Baiyi said the things she truly felt, a lump was forming at her throat, threatening to burst into tears