Chapter 474: Treatment

The sky above the plateau was as clear and deeply blue as if it had been washed, resembling the most pristine canvas of nature unfolding before one's eyes.

After two days of flight, Elron and Duke Valkis's squad, riding on griffins, finally crossed the border of the Gistanar Duchy.

"The scenery here is truly magnificent!"

Elron gazed ahead, where mountains stretched continuously, peaks rose in layers, and atop some lofty summits, gleaming white snow shimmered under the sunlight.

"The snowy mountains offer a splendid view. If you have enough time, we could venture up for a visit."

Over these two days, Valkis had gained considerable understanding of the mage before him and, through Elron, sensed the extraordinary qualities of Ronin.

Fellens and Andrea had profited in various places over the years, but this time in the Wushan territory, they might face setbacks.

"I must seize the opportunity to ascend and see it."

Elron wore a smile that felt like a soothing breeze, illuminating the surroundings. Even unintentionally, a light-affinity mage always exudes an aura that brings peace to those around him.

The griffin swept over the grasslands below, delving deeper as the environment gradually dried. Continuing inward, the air would thin, posing challenges for some.

Fortunately, Gistanar Castle was not far from the border. After twenty minutes of flight, Elron saw a majestic fortress standing atop a high mountain, its camel flag waving in the wind.

Truly a duke's castle. Upon landing on the griffin platform, Elron noticed the dry air vanished; the castle's ambiance was pleasant, even carrying the fragrance of unknown flowers, refreshing and delightful.

Valkis led Elron away from the griffin platform, inquiring as they walked, "Have you noticed anything amiss?"

Elron shook his head.

Before landing, he had sensed the castle with his spiritual energy, finding no irregularities. Perhaps the so-called curse did not exist at all.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Valkis's eyes, swiftly replaced by composure.

"No rush. Evening approaches. After dinner, we shall rest well tonight and discuss tomorrow!"

As they conversed, rapid footsteps echoed ahead.

"Duke, you have finally returned!"

A young man clad in light armor approached, his expression mix of delight and urgency.

"This is the castle guard, Yulan Weiss. Though only thirty, he is already a Gold Knight, with commendable training talent."

Valkis introduced, "For any matters within the castle, you may seek him."

Elron nodded courteously, and Yulan bowed deeply. After offering greetings, he urgently addressed Valkis, "Sir, Paladru has fallen ill! Your grandson, Ganuo, lies feverish on his bed!"

Valkis, intending to discuss castle affairs, was stunned by this news.

He then jolted awake, "Go, quickly, take me to see them!"

He strode forward, reaching dozens of meters away in an instant, then recalled Elron, turning back hastily, "Mr. Elron, I must rely on you this time!"

"Let us accompany you to see."

The castle was vast, but both were eighth-level transcendent beings. Even as a mage, Elron's speed with Shadow of Aurora was not slow.

Deep within the castle, tension now enveloped the atmosphere.

The nobles of Gistanar Duchy knew what the ducal family endured. If Paladru and Ganuo perished, Valkis would stand alone.

If the duke also died, the duchy might revert to the kingdom due to lack of direct heirs.

Such occurrences were rare in history.

Now, Paladru and Ganuo lay unconscious; the only figure of authority was the duke's daughter-in-law, Lady Stacy Rhodes.

She summoned renowned physicians from the city, yet after bloodletting and medication, no improvement emerged.

"I am powerless."

The strikingly attractive mage Nina Dart regretfully shook her head, "My magical potions boost spirit, but I cannot address their unconsciousness of unknown cause."

Stacy's face paled, fearing her husband and son might follow her elder brother's family's fate.

As despair gripped her, a tall figure burst in, "What has happened to them?"

"Father, you have finally returned!"

Stacy felt a lifeline emerge. Nina also greeted the duke briefly.

Upon entering, Valkis saw the unconscious father and son, his expression grave, then turned anxiously to Elron.

"Sir, I beseech your aid!"

This scene intrigued Nina and others, who wondered why the duke esteemed this man appearing twenty or thirty years old.

Elron nodded slightly, approaching the bedside.

As spiritual energy and light elements concentrated, faint radiance showered the two on the bed.

"Light affinity, mage?"

Nina's eyes flashed astonishment, questioning when such a newcomer appeared in the Odun Kingdom.

Under Valkis's tense and hopeful gaze, a subtle dark glow emanated from Paladru and Ganuo.

"It works!"

Valkis trembled throughout; he had consulted many mages, including light-affinity ones, yet none achieved such effect.

A mage truly differed.

Elron frowned slightly, "On them, I sense peculiar transcendent energy, akin to soul-force, yet laden with death's essence."

Valkis's face darkened, "Have aliens entered my castle?"

"Yulan!"

The guard strode into the room, "Sir!"

"From now, the castle permits entry only, no exit! Additionally, ready the knight corps!"

Yulan, puzzled yet unquestioning, promptly executed the order.

Elron withdrew the radiance, directly employing the eighth-level spell Evil Purification, used previously to treat Luan's illness.

Potent cleansing light bathed Paladru and Ganuo, their necromantic energy evaporating inch by inch, dissipating into air.

The two on the bed groaned, their eyes stirring, showing immediate effect.

Valkis and Stacy revealed joy, especially the latter, nearly weeping with happiness.

As light faded, the magic concluded.

"How is the situation?" Valkis anxiously inquired.

Elron smiled gently, "Rest assured, I have purified the aberrant energy from them. Yet, long torment and substantial blood loss render them gravely weakened."

He mused inwardly, bloodletting therapy abandoned in the Northern Territory, yet the ducal family clung to it.

"Have the kitchen prepare broth to nourish them, replenishing their strength."

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

Valkis felt profound relief, also grateful he approached Ronin in Golden Feather City with tentative hope.

Had he departed the royal capital directly, his son and grandson might have been lost again.

Then, Nina picked up a vial on the table, inquiring, "Mage, might my spirit-enhancing potion be administered to them?"

Ellron received it with some surprise: "A tonic?"

"No, this is a magical potion!" Nina said proudly, "I concocted it using lotus flowers from the snowy mountains and the fiery herb, a specialty of the desert."

Valgis quickly introduced her, "Nina Dart, like you, is also a powerful mage."

Ellron promptly shook hands with her; according to Roning's advice, any high-level supernatural practitioner was worth recruiting.

"I'm not entirely clear about the specific effects of the vitality-boosting potion, but I also have magical potions here that use fiery herb, which have stimulating effects. So, I suggest we not use it on these two already weakened individuals."

"You're also a pharmacist?" Nina was somewhat astonished.

Valgis smiled and said, "Mr. Ellron is not only a powerful mage but also a pharmacist capable of creating special magical potions that enhance knights' strength and awaken abilities."

Nina's eyes sparkled with interest; the Duchy of Gistanar was excellent in many ways, but there was no one to exchange ideas with, yet she didn't want to go to the Purple Crystal Earl's territory either.

"I didn't expect your expertise in magical potions to be so high!"

Nina tentatively asked, "I have many questions here, and I wonder if it would be convenient for me to seek your advice?"

"Of course!"

Ellron agreed without hesitation, "But we must wait until I finish handling the Duke's matters."

Although the Paladro father and son had been cured, if the root cause wasn’t found, they might likely relapse.

To facilitate the cooperation between the Northland and the Duchy of Gistanar, Ellron naturally aimed to resolve this matter perfectly.

"What do you plan to do?"

Valgis inquired, also deeply aware of the importance of finding the root cause.

Ellron frowned and pondered, then after a while said, "There's no good alternative; let's first gather everyone in the castle and conduct a thorough check." (End of chapter)