“Philia! Lady Mia! What a relief! I’m so glad you’re safe!”
After escaping from the Volcanic Miasma Zone, we had Mammon send us back to Mother’s mansion. As soon as we arrived, Sir Osvalt came running over to us. We’d only been apart for a short time, but it felt as if I hadn’t seen his face in ages.
“Sir Osvalt! I had a close shave, but Mia—”
“My sister never disappoints, does she? Look how many Moontear Flowers she gathered!”
“Wow! That’s marvelous. You found the miracle plant and came back with an armful!”
I tried to interrupt to explain how Mia saved me, but she pressed her index finger to her lips, as if to ask me to keep a secret. Was she trying not to cause any unnecessary worry for my fiancé?
Mother seemed astonished by the amount of Moontear Flowers we had brought back, too. “This…is unbelievable. I never expected you to find one flower, let alone so many.”
“It’s all thanks to the information you shared with us, Mother, not to mention our teamwork. Right, Philia?”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Thanks to a series of fortunate events, everything went well.”
I was too happy to be alive to give it much thought, but I suppose it truly was an outstanding achievement.
“A series of fortunate events, you say? I suspect you two made your own luck with hard work and cooperation. Oh, Philia, and Mia, too—you make me proud to be your mentor.”
Mother’s expression softened. Our safe return must have come as a relief to her. I was tremendously proud to receive praise from my mentor.
“Oh? You’re proud to be our mentor? Is that all, Mother?”
Mia, however, seemed displeased with Mother’s comment. How could she possibly take issue with it?
“Ahh… Fine… I’m proud to be your mother, too.”
“M-Mother!”
“You played me like a fiddle there, Mia. But Philia, you’ve done an excellent job. I’m sure my husband is up in heaven, boasting about his wonderful daughter, too.”
The words “wonderful daughter” felt like the greatest honor I could ever receive. I savored the joy of the moment as warmth flooded my chest.
With the Moontear Flower in hand, there was only one thing left to do. Luke’s condition was growing worse by the day, and we couldn’t afford to waste any time.
I turned to Erza.
“You need to see that apothecary fellow in Gyptia, right? Mammon!”
“Yeah, yeah. You never give a poor demon a chance to rest, Big Sis.”
Erza came over and swiftly began giving Mammon orders.
With this key ingredient, we should be able to finalize the cure for the devil’s seed. Luke would make a full recovery.
“When I get back,” I said, “I’ll express my gratitude properly.”
“All right. You don’t need to thank me, but let’s have another catch-up soon.”
“We’ll see each other at the wedding, right?” said Mia. “Philia, send my best wishes to Luke.”
“I will.”
After saying goodbye to Mother and Mia, I stepped through the teleportation gate that Mammon had created and was reunited with Lena and the others. As soon as we arrived at the doorstep of Luke’s cottage, a chorus of concerned voices greeted me.
“Lady Philia!” said Lena. “I’m so relieved you’re safe! I was worried sick!”
“Hold back the tears, Lena,” said Leonardo. “Philia never knows what to do when you get emotional.”
“But even you were worried this time. I’m so glad you’re safe, Lady Philia.”
“I was prepared to take my own life in the wake of my master’s death.”
As soon as I went through the teleportation gate and arrived in front of Luke’s cottage, I was greeted by voices—each one of them expressing concern for me.
“I’m sorry for making you all worry so much,” I said.
“Philia! You don’t need to apologize! It all turned out okay in the end, right? That uncle of yours… What’s his name again? Lulu? Anyway, you’re going to save his life!”
“It’s Luke. Lena, you really need to learn people’s names.”
“We all understood that you could not leave your uncle’s ailment untreated, Lady Philia.”
My attendants accepted my recklessness with relieved smiles. I was so lucky to have such kind people around me. From my very first days in Parnacorta, they’d always supported me.
“Thank you. Lena, Leonardo, Himari—I know I have my shortcomings, but I hope you continue to stay by my side.”
I bowed my head. For a moment, I was met with silence. Had I said something inappropriate? Perhaps it was an unsuitable comment, considering how much worry I’d caused.
“Lady Philia!” Lena tearfully leaped toward me, taking me by surprise.
“Lena?”
“We’ll always stick by you! Even if the whole world’s coming to an end!”
Tears poured down her face. How was I meant to react?
“Please avoid making Lady Philia uncomfortable with your nonsensical statements,” said Himari. “Staying by our master’s side is our inherent duty. I could not ask for a superior master.”
“I’m on the same page as Himari. I, Leonardo, intend to assist you in any way I can, Lady Philia.”
Himari peeled Lena off me and bowed, as did Leonardo. Once again, their kindness touched a chord deep in my heart.
“Don’t hold Philia up too long, you guys,” said Sir Osvalt. “Remember, Lady Erza and Sir Mammon are with us too.”
“Personally, I quite enjoy watching these silly little farces.”
“Hey, what’d you say? That’s so mean, Erza!”
“You’re such a sweet little thing, Lena,” said Mammon.
Everyone was chattering away at Luke’s doorstep. As Sir Osvalt said, we needed to put the conversation on hold until the mission was truly completed.
“My apologies,” I said, “but I should go in and see Luke.”
✦ ✦ ✦
With that, I knocked on the door.
✦ ✦ ✦
When Luke saw the Moontear Flowers, his eyes widened. “So this is the Moontear Flower, the mysterious medicinal plant. As I thought, my older brother identified the final ingredient. I’m astounded that you managed to find it in such a short time.”
I couldn’t blame him for being surprised by the sight of the elusive flower. “Yes. My sister and I managed to collect these.”
“Now that you mention it, you’re both saints, aren’t you? Well, well. I suppose saints are as impressive as people say they are. You certainly made easy work of collecting Moontear Flowers.” Luke bowed his head, as if he were praying. “I’m terribly grateful.”
In truth, it had been quite the ordeal—one that almost cost me my life. I decided not to admit that, though. It felt unfair to trouble Luke, who was already on his sickbed, with more worries.
“Please look up, Luke. I still have to concoct the remedy, so save your thanks for after your illness is cured.”
Luke raised his head and gave me a nod. “All right, then. I very much appreciate your help, Lady Philia.”
How lovely. He had undergone a complete transformation, his eyes sparkling with life and hope. In order to turn that hope into a reality, I needed to make my father’s long-held dream come true.
The devil’s seed took my father’s life, as well as that of Prince Reichardt’s fiancée, Elizabeth. It felt like fate had guided me here. Now that I’d made it this far, I wanted to see it out until the end.
I had some confidence in my knowledge as an apothecary. With my father’s and Luke’s research in mind, I was sure I could create the miracle cure.
And so that was what I was going to do.
I was determined to achieve what my father, Kamil, had long hoped to accomplish and save Luke from the sickness that plagued him.