Finally, after completing their intensive training, both physically and mentally exhausting, the heroes who would represent the Kingdom of Sigma had been chosen—through that horrifically macabre test they had endured.
No more theory lessons with Professor Marcou, no more artificial leveling through captured monsters. It was now time for them to face real battles and true experiences.
Yet the scars left by Béatrice's death had marked more than a few of them. Shawn's group seemed not to care in the slightest. And why would they? They were the ones who had killed innocent children. The only one among them who appeared affected was Emma.
The King and the rest of his court seemed not in the least concerned about the event. That very evening, they had even gathered peacefully for a dinner.
"Ah, ah, well done, Moïse your test was so incredible that one of them actually killed herself," Raphael declared with laughter.
"Such praise is more than I deserve, my prince," Moïse replied humbly.
"Ah, ah, but you gave us a magnificent show. Just watching their despair, the moment they were forced to kill those children against their will that was pure art. By the way, Father, I heard you won't be getting rid of the useless ones?"
"I had planned to kill those of no real use, but Zem made a request of me," admitted the King.
"What a shame," Raphael said, disappointed.
"By the way, why hasn't your sister joined us?"
"She said she had matters to attend to."
"Hm."
"So, have you heard about the recent incident in the Circular Forest?" asked Moïse.
"I heard whispers, but nothing concrete. However, we will soon meet with the Guild Master of Sigma that will be the time to discuss it."
"I would still like you to tell us a bit more in the meantime, Moïse," Raphael insisted.
"Well, several adventurer groups had recently disappeared without a trace in that forest. Since it's popular with beginners seeking experience and levels, it's not unusual for adventurers to go missing it usually means they've died. But it was abnormal that so many vanished in that area."
"If you bring it up, then the cause must have been found. What was it?"
"At the center of the forest lies a lake, and within it had taken residence a sea serpent."
"That's an S-rank creature!"
"Fortunately, it was only a juvenile, around B-rank."
"Still, how could such a creature end up there?"
"The guild is investigating. I suppose they'll speak with the King about it. What is certain is that this event is anything but natural."
"Could it be connected to the many incidents multiplying lately?" Raphael wondered aloud.
"I believe so kidnappings of nobles, disappearances of adventurers, merchant attacks, and more. And we are not the only ones affected."
"We will also soon meet with the other great nations anyway. That's why I sent you and your sister to strengthen our diplomatic ties."
"I see. But who defeated the serpent?"
"Apparently, a new adventurer who has recently begun making a name for himself. That's all I know I haven't paid him much attention."
"Incredible. Did he defeat it alone?"
"He was accompanied by a slave, from what I've heard."
"Still, to slay such a creature with only two people that's quite the feat. He must be truly promising. I'd like to meet him and recruit him into my personal guard," Raphael mused.
"You can do that later. For now, the most important thing is that we will soon present our heroes to the citizens and to the world."
While the newly chosen heroes had endured their dreadful test and were about to be inaugurated, Logan, on the other hand, was deep in thought. The drug, the slave seals who he should choose to save, and where to hide them once it was done.
He had come to the conclusion that, as someone who had only recently arrived in this world, he had virtually no influence. Therefore, once the rescue was complete, he would have to rely on the Guild Master for this task.
That left the drug and the slave seals. For the drug, Logan had thought of inhibiting the substance, based on the principle of antivenoms, which was very simple.
First, the venom or in this case, the drug was extracted, diluted, and injected into an animal. The animal's immune system would then produce antibodies against the active molecule. Those antibodies would then be harvested and transferred to humans.
Or perhaps the principle of vaccines, which had been under development in his original world against drugs. For example, molecules like nicotine, cocaine, morphine, or amphetamines are not naturally fought by the body. The idea was to use a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies against these substances.
However, he had no equipment to perform such an operation. Moreover, this type of drug could not simply be cured with magic because magic could not wean an addict.
In his research at the library, however, he had found mention of a flower named Curis Latil. Its particularity was that it cleansed and purged the body and the mana circuit of impurities. It could even repair and improve them to some degree. Naturally, with such effects, the plant could not be found easily.
It grew only in A-rank dungeons, and exploring such a dungeon could take three days, two weeks, or even a month. Time was not on his side the girls could die at any moment from the drug's side effects. And Logan knew he was not yet strong enough to tackle an A-rank dungeon.
The last option was to buy potions made from the flower. But the price was exorbitant two gold coins per vial. That made the task even harder, as he did not have such funds. Finally, he would have to break the seal using his skill. The risk was killing someone or gravely injuring them if he made a mistake. More importantly, who would volunteer for such a dangerous experiment?
"Well?" asked Aria, who had been staring at him without pause.
He then explained everything he had gathered during his days of research and reflection. Spontaneously, with conviction, she answered, locking her eyes onto his.
"Me. I'll volunteer."
"Aria, I just said it was dangerous."
"No, listen. I've been watching you give everything for days on end without rest, constantly thinking and considering every possibility, while I've been doing nothing. If this is the way I can help you and at the same time save my family then I have no reason to hesitate. This is my resolve, my way of being useful," she declared with determination.
Before such a gaze, such unwavering determination, Logan had no choice but to accept. He would also have to inform the Guild Master of his decision.