Sensing the various gazes focusing on his fingertips, he touched the iron bars, and the monster made a small noise.

A moment later, Pethuamet slowly lowered its tail and approached in the direction where Yuder's hand was. The monster's reaction, sniffing at the iron bars as if smelling something, was the same as he had seen before.

Yuder moved his hand to the opposite side. Then, Pethuamet also turned its head and followed his fingertips. Seeing this, Hellem and Mick sighed simultaneously, like a sigh of admiration.

"It's amazing."

"It really responds."

"One who has the ability to read information told me that the monster felt Yuder as an entity like itself."

Kishiar, who had quietly approached behind Yuder, gently pulled him away, so they were a bit farther from the cage. His attitude was so subtle that no one thought it was intrusive.

"What do you two think?"

"Monsters move strictly according to instinct. This following reaction is undoubtedly the response of finding the same kind. Monsters that move in groups have a strong tendency to follow the direction of the one in front," Hellem opened her mouth first. She had certainly done extensive monster research for a long time and was much more knowledgeable than the mages of the Western Mage Union, not being astonished by the surprising phenomenon.

"According to my research, monsters react sensitively in various ways to the same species' bodily fluids. It's not strange that they recognize it as the same species if someone has absorbed toxic fluid," Hellem added that it was fortunate that Pethuamet had the habit of moving in groups. If it had been a monster that showed hostility when meeting the same kind, it might have tried to attack Yuder specifically. Hearing this, Kishiar opened his mouth with a chilly smile.

"Yeah, if that had happened, maybe you wouldn't have come this far."

Following Hellem, Mick also began to share his thoughts.

"I think the same as Grandma. Many believe in the myth that objects made from monster by-products block monster attacks. There are actual cases of people mysteriously avoiding attacks. In that sense, this may be unfamiliar but it seems possible."

Though not often recorded in history, Mick presented a few examples that he knew, which were definitely existing cases.

"I can't guarantee whether this phenomenon will persist after the body heals, but in my opinion... even if you kill this monster right now, it doesn't seem like it would be very detrimental to your Sir Aile’s physical condition or remaining injuries. What do you think, Grandma?"

"I think the same."

The conclusion was quickly reached. But even afterward, Mick's deep blue eyes remained fixed on Yuder for a while. It was a gaze that seemed similar to curiosity yet different.

'Something... looks like peering inside.'

Unintentionally meeting that gaze for a moment, Yuder suddenly felt a familiar energy. It was a fleeting sensation, weak enough to be mistaken as an illusion, like the aura that Awakeners emit when using power, yet Yuder felt it very faintly from Mick before it disappeared. Yuder trusted his senses.

'...Was Mick Shuden an Awakener?'

He had never heard in his previous life that the head of the Shuden family was an Awakener. He wanted to ask, but Mick was quicker to open his mouth toward Kishiar.

"So, Your Highness, now that you have heard our opinions, what will you do?"

Yuder silently looked up at Kishiar's pale cheek, lost in thought. The deeper shadow of his long eyelashes on his cheek seemed to be contemplating whether to kill Pethuamet right away or not. But moments later, the red eyes that were gazing at Pethuamet's cage unexpectedly turned to Yuder.

"Yes. Now that we've concluded there's no remedy, there will be no problem with disposing of it. But... Weren't you assisting because you wanted to find out something more from it?"

Suddenly, the arrow was aimed at him. Yuder was inwardly perplexed but slowly opened his mouth.

"...How did you know?"

"Because it's not in your character to say to dispose of it only after being certain, unless there's something else."

Such quick wits while remaining quiet up until now were truly characteristic of Kishiar. It was a snake-like facet, one he hadn't felt in a while. Enon's eyes, not far away, subtly changed, turning into a look that seemed to desperately want to pry into something, but Yuder avoided that gaze and opened his mouth.

"...Well, yes. I did think that I wanted to find out in more detail how the power of that monster is exerted, but I wanted to tell you that I also oppose disposing of it right away for other reasons."

"What reason is that?"

"Enon has been thinking about it while observing the monster," Yuder said, speaking for Enon.

"That monster has the ability to absorb magic power through toxic fluids, and he speculated that I might be able to utilize the same ability since I've absorbed it."

To go into more detail, the power of the red stone absorbed by Yuder would probably be related, but he decided not to talk about that here.

"If I can find a way to absorb the toxicity that doesn't completely disappear from my body, rather than forcibly removing it, I think it would be good as I can also find out what I want...."

"Does that mean... you intend to activate the remaining toxicity in your body?"

Hellem carefully asked. Then, Enon, who had been stepping back until now, took a step forward and replied.

"The remaining toxicity is small, but I judged it to be in a state where it cannot be forcibly removed even with divine power because it has become excessively adapted to the body. Detoxifying poison means adapting it to the body. Since that guy has recovered a lot of energy and is strong enough to withstand the remaining toxicity with his original power, isn't it worth a try?"

"To do that, you'll have to use the monster's blood; is that what you've thought about and said?"

Enon nodded at Hellem.

"Anyway, the reason that monster was dangerous wasn't the toxicity itself but the strange amplification circle created by the Western mages. If he had been covered with the blood of a monster who hadn't swallowed the amplification, I would have been able to get rid of it before it was absorbed into his body."

But reality hadn't turned out that way. So, Enon suggested discussing this method by taking on a slight risk. Yuder thought the method was quite reasonable, but they needed to hear the opinions of experts, including the mages, to implement it.

"Hmm. This is a solution I haven't thought of at all."

Mick stroked his lips slowly, showing a subtle smile.

"But since it's an unprecedented challenge to remove the toxicity that couldn't be completely eradicated even with magic and has fully attached to the body, perhaps we should try to that extent. Grandmother, what do you think?"

"It could be dangerous."

Hellem answered in a heartbeat.

"Yes, it may be dangerous, but it's not impossible. And the one who knows and can handle that level of danger best is the grandmother. If the assistant must live the rest of his life with one blind eye, I think His Highness will be greatly disappointed. Why not give it a try?"

Hellem did not respond easily. Yuder subtly intervened between them.

"If you don't feel like it, that's fine. I'm grateful enough for you coming here and taking a look."

It was a sincere remark, but Hellem looked at Yuder with an exceedingly pitiful expression. After examining Yuder's left eye, she sighed and eventually nodded her head.

"Alright, I understand. Will you help too?"

"If it's something I can do, I'll certainly help."

Mick answered coolly, squinting his eyes.

"That's why we came here in the first place. Besides, with that pharmacist there, we might finish sooner than expected. He doesn't seem to have an ordinary mind."

"..."

Lines deepened on Enon's brow, but he did not spit out words of refusal to participate.

"So, this is our opinion. Now it's up to His Highness to decide."

Hearing Mick's words, Kishiar's gaze turned towards Yuder. Without words being exchanged, it was clear what he was asking.

Instead of answering, Yuder faintly nodded. Emotions that had briefly flickered in Kishiar's red pupils were quickly gathered and disappeared. Composing his feelings, he returned to his usual decisive countenance, akin to that of Duke Peletta.

"Hellem, if you are to take responsibility for this part, how much time and manpower will be needed?"

"I need no more manpower. More people won't necessarily be better for this job, don't you know? As for preparations, it will be over with just one monster."

And, of course, Yuder, the subject, would also be needed.

"Anyway, I will attempt it, concerned about the bright future of this young man you've brought. If it seems too dangerous, I will withdraw."

"That's why I trust you, Head Mage."

"When did I retire that you still call me that? Wouldn't it be better to call me former Head Mage?"

"Even if you've forsaken your title, your achievements haven't disappeared, have they? If we're to embark on this journey, it's only fair that others know more about who you are."

"...No one can beat you in words, My Lord."

Hellem clicked her tongue, glancing at Yuder and Enon. Still, she seemed to agree with Kishiar's words, introducing herself properly once again.

"I was once called Hellem Caspirl, but since retiring, I've given up both title and surname, and now I'm simply Mage Hellem."

Yuder was secretly very surprised.

'...Not just a court mage, but the former Head Mage?'

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