Seeker 148

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Chapter 148. The Lord's Condition

Meanwhile...

An adventurer known as Aria or Althea, the Lord's daughter, an unwanted incident was occurring in her home castle.

"Ugh... guuuuuuh......!"

In the Lord's bedroom, the Lord on the bed displayed an even more agonizing expression.

Doctors and butlers stood by the bedside, but they could do nothing. 

The butler, wearing a pained expression, spoke to the doctor with a similarly grave look.

"It's been half a day since the Lord's condition took a sudden turn..."

"Yes, who would have thought the illness would progress this quickly? Althea-sama set out yesterday morning."

"I see. If things were proceeding smoothly, she should return by tomorrow night."

The Lord's stamina was expected to last a week.

They conveyed the information to Althea-sama and the adventurers, but the condition deteriorated rapidly early this morning.

The worsening of the illness came much sooner than expected.

Though the prediction of lasting a week might not have been entirely accurate yesterday, it had served as an optimistic benchmark.

"Another day and a half... Whether the Lord's health will hold until then, I can't say. Moreover, Althea-sama headed to the Dragon's Valley. We can't even be certain if she'll return safely..."

"I believe in her. I believe that Althea-sama will return with the herbs successfully. However, all we can do is believe and wait, which is frustrating."

"I feel the same way. That Althea-sama, gifted with the abilities of an Awakened One or the one chosen. If it's some divine prank, I must say, it's rather tasteless."

As the doctor uttered this sarcastic remark, a young man entered the room.

Elvis, the eldest son and heir of this noble family, and Althea's brother, stepped in.

"Hey there, how's father doing? How much longer until he kicks the bucket?"

"Elvis-sama...!"

The butler, taken aback by Elvis's insensitive language, composed himself and replied in a suppressed tone.

"I don't know, but the condition isn't favorable."

"I see, that's unfortunate. I pray that Father will find relief soon."

"............"

"Haha, don't make that face. Well, you're Father's confidant, so you must be worried. You probably think that once Father passes away, I'll be the first one to be ousted, right? Well, that's true, but still. I don't want to keep anyone by my side who doesn't pledge loyalty to me."

"Elvis-sama, your words are going too far. Please refrain."

"Huh? What's the big deal? After all, here we have Father at death's door, and soon enough, it'll be either a faithful servant swearing loyalty to me or some fool who'll oppose me and lose their head."

"............"

Realizing that anything he said would be futile, the butler shook his head silently.

Somewhere along the line, Elvis had become twisted. 

It might have been when he was scolded severely for a minor misdeed, compared unfavorably to his sister Althea-sama, or perhaps...

In any case, he had grown into this personality. 

The Lord had patiently tried to correct him, but in mocking defiance of those efforts, Elvis continued to twist.

The result was the Elvis of today.

"Well, I guess it's sad if Father keeps suffering. Rather than prolonging it unnecessarily, I think it would be better to let him find relief sooner. Though saying this to you is probably pointless... Anyway, do your best."

With these parting words, Elvis left the bedroom.

Left behind were the distressed expressions of the loyal retainers and the Lord writhing in pain.

However, at that moment, the Lord's ears caught the unmistakable sound of his own son's words.

A foolish child he might be, but to him, this was one of the last living reminders of the companion who was no longer here.

Despite the lingering suspicions due to the infidelity of that companion, the Lord had patiently raised his child as his own.

But now, at this very moment, that thread had snapped.

He couldn't let that foolish child run wild any longer.

At the same time, a strong determination surged within him.

He had to live, at least until his daughter Althea returned.

Amidst his suffering, the Lord's will to live grew stronger.