Chapter 249 Seeds Of Hope And Seeds Of Doubt
As Kayden was explaining his progress, he showed his research records for Eli to analyze.
His handwriting was completely neat and graceful, while the way he articulated his thought process was concise and easy to understand.
Through his research, Eli understood the way that the curse attacked Hasta. The curse magic not receiving enough replenishment killed the life of the cells in Hasta\'s body. With the curse only taking the life out of the cells, his body was no longer able to regenerate and heal until his vital organs started to fail and bring him closer to death.
"However, this data only shows how curses attack the host themselves but not the victim… The mystery still remains as we have already compiled almost all the known cases of curse killings during our investigations. Some of them were conditional, others effect immediately while the others had to be triggered by something."
Eli touched her chin and thought deeply, while they now understood how to curse magic attacked Hasta\'s body, it was only one case among hundreds.
"That\'s my problem… I cannot prove somehow that the way the curse damages people was one and the same. Because if it was really something that is variable, I may have to develop multiple potions." Kayden rubbed his head as he sighed deeply.
Eli could observe that he was deeply burdened by the idea of looking for a solution to the curse.
Trying to comfort him she patted his downcast shoulders as she replied, "Big Brother, do not be disheartened, finding a solution to one was already a big step for us. Probably, the answer would not only be through medicine but through other means, so this is already such great progress for you."
Kayden\'s heavy feeling became lighter as he heard Eli\'s words. He knows that what Eli said was true, there might be solutions outside the medical field, he just has to focus on finding the answer within his field and continue searching for the rest.
"Yes, thank you for your kind words, younger sister. If only I could find the reagent that would have a miraculous revitalizing effect, the potion would no longer be just a life sustenance potion but a real cure for curse victims that kills the cells." Kayden replied.
"An ingredient that has revitalizing effect… Is there really no herb nor material that could have that effect?" Eli absentmindedly mumbled.
"I\'ve consulted my uncle Eirllon in the Silver Dew Village, there\'s no herb that could surpass the revitalizing effect of the Silver Woodbine Flower. However, its effect fell short… the most it can do was to increase the life sustenance duration of the original formula by 10%. It was a tad too far from what we needed…" Kayden took Eli to the indoor nursery that was also part of his laboratory.
He showed Eli the Silver Woodbine Flowers that were carefully cultivated in a specific plot along with the other necessary herbs for Kayden\'s potion.
"It is not enough for the Silver Woodbine Flower to produce a superior revitalizing effect… It has to be at the level of miraculous… However, even if that plant exists, how much can we produce from it? The next problem would be the sustainability of the potion\'s ingredients. Are there enough for the entire Prasinos?" One problem after the other, Kayden was full of questions in his head.
It was not that he was an overthinker, but as a medical researcher, this goes with his habit. It was also prudent for him to think to this extent for he would be responsible for any physical, psychological, environmental, or social effects of the cure upon publicizing it to the world.
Eli thought hard and deeply, taking into account Kayden\'s every concern. "Miraculous… Sustainable... Aaaaah!!!!"
After some time, her bright obsidian eyes widened in shock. Kayden saw the bright sparkle in her eyes the moment she faced Kayden with an excited expression.
"Miraculous effect! My spiritual power!!! Isn\'t it miraculous enough?!!" She declared excitedly.
"Yes indeed! But how shall we integrate it with the potion?" Kayden was surprised but he was equally hopeful upon hearing Eli\'s idea.
"Well, I am not really sure about it but I propose two methods which we can evaluate further." Eli looked at the plants in the mini nursery and explained his ideas to Kayden.
"The first method that I thought of was to continue to concoct the modified version of the life-extension potion with the Silver Woodbine Flower added. After its production, we will prepare the batch of potions for me to infuse the spiritual power on the potion in hopes that it would be effective with the curse.
The disadvantage of this one was that you will always need me to complete the process, which may be an issue in the future.
The second one, however, needs spiritual power in the first stage of the process! It was already proven that an herb could have their effects enhanced when they live in an environment that has rich mana - the Silver Dew Forest.
We can try applying this principle under the use of spiritual powers too! By nature, spiritual powers are not meant to harm life, so it would be possible to successfully infuse the spiritual powers during the cultivation of the plants!
What\'s more, we can also try to check if this process would be also effective when people with spiritual powers other than me could also nourish the plants. In that case, it would be possible for me to not be needed during the entire process!"
Eli conveyed her ideas to Kayden, like a child happily talking to an adult about the things she learned in school.
Kayden was overwhelmed by her ideas and explanation but he could not contain the hope that Eli\'s idea brings to his research. If her ideas could be proven as effective, then this would be the breakthrough that the entire Prasinos needed - the first counterattack we could execute against the evil curse!
They only need one idea to be effective! Just one, and it will be enough!
"Younger Sister Eli, would you mind testing these hypotheses we have right now?" Kayden looked at Eli with a serious and determined look.
His panda eyes were a testament to the fatigue and stress that was taking a toll on his body, but there was an inexplicable aura of hope and excitement in his expression.
"Yes! We just have to ask the High Priest for permission. Perhaps the place I need to be right now was in this laboratory not on the training ground!" Eli reciprocated Kayden\'s enthusiasm in this matter.
In this fight against the curse, they were all blindly executing everything they had at hand in order to retaliate and defend the Empire and their loved ones.
There will be moments when they would eventually realize that they had to pause and take a detour for the path ahead was not the correct way to take. That was what Eli was thinking at the moment.
In the process of helping Kayden find his answer about the first anti curse potion, she might also find a way to use her spiritual powers extensively. Perhaps, one of her ideas would work, and if that was the case, she would be advancing one step nearer to fulfilling her role as the Subject of the oracle.
"Let\'s go!" The duo smiled at each other and quickly proceeded to the High Priest\'s office.
Along the way through, they encountered Nathan and Keren who had just gone into the library.
With a brief exchange of greetings, the four proceeded to report to the High Priest to report their progress for the day.
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Just at it was hopeful for the interrogation team, the gloom that was looming over the Capital started to dissipate as Kazimir\'s troops took charge in patrolling the vicinity.
Wearing their armors and wielding the weapon of their choice, the Amethyst Warlocks valiantly walked around the city to calm the residents down.
Mages deployed surveillance spells, summoners used their contractors and puppets to go around the vicinity and check for any signs of suspicious people.
Standing at the highest point of the Capital watchtower, Kazimir\'s red blood hair absorbed the faint light from the moon. He observed the entire city with the knights and his people doing their best to restore peace and order.
The killings bothered him for a few days already for the cases appeared to be too bizarre and spontaneous. More than the idea of gaining his father\'s recognition in case he solved the matter, the desire to apprehend the culprit weighs heavier in his heart.
There was also a strong sense of apprehension rising from his heart as he could not unsee the similarities of the victims of the killings from day one.
Other people may not really notice it, but he, being a relative of the Vesalas knew that all of the victims were somehow connected to the families of the houses that attempted to oppose the Vesalas during the sanction.
Coupled with the doubts that his Mother and Uncle were being secretive about their careless disobedience of an imperial ordinance, there was a nagging feeling in his heart that tells him that the Vesalas might be the perpetrator of this chaos!