Chapter 133: Chapter 133: The Rot
"I have to refuse, George. I am old. I won’t be alive for too long anymore. I have a few years max in me. You, on the other hand. You are healthy. You’re still strong.
You can still fulfill your dream of making the Petrinium Steel."
As Finn was exposing his intentions, he coughed intensely. Blood came out of his mouth.
"Are you alright?" George patted Finn’s back. He jerked backwards when he saw the blood in Finn’s hand. "You... You’re sick."
Finn shook his head. "Can’t help it. I’m old."
"Is it the Gray Death?" George said with worries in his eyes.
"Not the Gray Death. I’m not that unlucky. But I do have the Rot."
"The Rot..." George lowered his head. His eyes looked at Finn with deep concern.
"Yeah. Yeah. I know. I should have told you sooner. But there is no cure. So there was no point in telling you anyway.
As you can see. I will die soon. So it doesn’t matter."
"No! It matters. What if we can heal you?"
The thought of it made Finn widen his eyes. No one wants to die. Not even an old man like Finn. He grabbed at the hope of living right at the moment he heard it. He might not want to join the guild with the same reason as George.
But he would join for the sake of his own life.
The next day, the pair met Siderius in the Crossroads Inn. They sat in a secluded corner in the tavern below.
"The Rot? What is this disease?" Siderius said.
"So you don’t even know it. Maybe I am unsavable." Finn lowered his head and let out a sigh. He knew he shouldn’t have too much hope.
"Just hold on, Finn." George reassured his friend then turned to Siderius. "The Rot is a disease that makes you cough uncontrollably. Usually you will cough up blood. It eats your body from the inside out, until there is nothing left."
"Oh?" Siderius rubbed his chin. His eyes wandered into deep thought.
By the way George was describing, the disease sounded like tuberculosis. This disease was also present in Siderius’ old world. It has killed many people, one of the most fatal diseases. But the alchemists had already figured out a cure hundred of years ago.
It was a stubborn disease but it was curable.
Siderius took out a glass bottle and gave it to Finn.
"I think I may know what disease you are having. But to make sure, I need your blood."
"I understand." Finn took the bottle. He already let go of any hope of being saved. However, he would still go through the process for George’s sake. He couldn’t let his friend down.
"I need some herbs. Especially rare herbs. Is there anyone or any place that sells rare help?" Siderius said.
"Rare herbs?" George and Finn looked at each other. They thought carefully and stayed silent for a few minutes.
Suddenly, Finn spoke up. "There is a young herbalist residing in the west part of Scalize. She stays outside of Scalize’s stone wall, on the open wheat fields.
Her grandmother used to hoard up all kinds of special herbs inside the house. Some she even planted herself. Maybe you can give her a look?"
"Will do." Siderius nodded. "We’ll meet each other again tonight. The blood vial should be ready by then so that I can examine your disease."
Finn gently caressed the bottle. "Is there really a cure?"
"I don’t know, Finn. There might be. But I need to know what disease you are having. And don’t worry, there aren’t a lot of things that can trouble us."
Finn’s eyes were lit with hope again. He nodded silently.
The two blacksmiths stood up first and left. They probably went to the infirmary to ask for help extracting Finn’s blood safely.
As for Siderius, he would go to the herbalist to look for some herbs. Siderius needed a unique type of plant so that he could concoct a new Tonic. This tonic would be the way for him to intrude into Caterina’s mind, helping him to learn what had actually happened.
Siderius doubted that the Baron would tell him anything. He already had a big reaction knowing the Phantom was his son.
Siderius went to the stable and retrieved Red. Lycan was also there, hopping on Red’s back playfully.
Siderius didn’t expect to see a familiar face outside of the inn. Anna, the first victim was there.
"Master Siderius! I finally found you!" Anna’ face lit up with glee. She quickly approached Siderius.
The girl was older than Snow. She was around her twenties. Snow’s true age was only sixteen.
"Hello, Anna. Are you feeling well?" Siderius smiled gently.
"Yes, my lord. My legs were still a bit weak because of the coma. But I’m perfectly fine now. It was all thanks to you!" Anna said.
Siderius nodded. "I am glad to hear that. Now, I have to bid you goodbye. I have somewhere to be."
Siderius pulled Red’s leash. Lycan observed Anna carefully, trying to determine whether she was an enemy or not.
"Please wait, my lord! Can I... Can I go with you?"
Siderius stopped his steps and turned toward her. His left eyebrow raised slightly.
"Why do you want to follow me, Anna?"
"You saved me, high lord! I.. I want to repay you."
"Your master will repay me, Anna. There is no need for you to do so." Siderius said.
Jude did promise a reward to deal with the phantom and save the victims. He had done the second task. The first task was a bit more complicated now that Jude knew it was his son.
"Please, master Siderius. I already told the Baron that I want to go with you.
I want to be your servant, high lord. Please allow me to serve you."
"I don’t need a servant right now, Anna. You can go."
"If I can’t be a servant, I can be anything you want, my lord.I have already made up my mind that I would belong to you when I saw you in that place!"
Siderius stared at Anna again. The girl covered her mouth swiftly, realizing what her words actually meant. Her face blushed with red.
"I didn’t mean..."
"It’s alright. I understand, Anna." Siderius rubbed his chin slightly. The girl seemed to be in awe of Siderius. This admiration could turn into loyalty. She could be useful.
But Siderius didn’t lie. He really had no uses for her at the moment. He already had one apprentice and he was not intending to have a second apprentice any time soon.
"What can you do, Anna?"
"I can cook. I can clean. I also know a lot about planting trees and herbs. I was the main maid that tended the lady’s garden in the estate."
"Planting you say?"