“You’re saying your parents were infected by a very special creature?” Iana’s voice trembled slightly.
From Lottie’s words, she learned that there actually existed an antidote capable of curing the infection in this world.
Although Lottie had failed back then, that didn’t mean she couldn’t make it now.
If Lottie could create it now, wouldn’t that mean Lilian could return to normal?
Though this morning, Lilian’s hair color had already changed from silver-white to golden, that didn’t necessarily mean she had fully recovered.
If only there was a single vial of such a potion, then all would be well.
“My parents became strangers to me after being infected by that special creature. They held their swords and tried to kill me. If it weren’t for Saintess Elia passing by at that moment, I might have died under their blades.”
Lottie answered Iana’s questions, her eyes moistening as tears slipped down her cheeks.
“That day was actually my birthday. If I hadn’t wanted to go out and play, maybe my parents wouldn’t have…”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Seeing Lottie break down into tears because of her words, Iana felt a pang of guilt.
She had only wanted Lilian to recover, but had accidentally touched upon Lottie’s painful memories. Â
“It’s okay. I’ve already moved past it. Lottie is strong.”
Wiping her own tears before trying to convince herself.
But seeing the few tears still hanging at the corners of Lottie’s eyes, Iana couldn’t fully believe she had really overcome it.
A long time passed, and Iana still stood inside the shop, showing no intention of leaving.
Strangely, Iana was the only customer there; she hadn’t seen a single other person.
“Is there anything else you want?” Lottie asked curiously.
“About the potion inside that black bottle… have you continued developing it?” Iana asked awkwardly.
She had just dug up old wounds, and now she was asking for help.
Though unintentional, Iana still felt a bit embarrassed. Â
“Of course. Over the years, I’ve been conducting experiments with the support of Saintess Elia, all to save those who are infected.”
“And the result?” Iana asked eagerly.
She couldn’t blame herself for being anxious—after all, it concerned whether Lilian could fully recover. Â
“The result, of course, was failure. Otherwise, how could we be so helpless against that creature?”
“I don’t know when that creature will appear again. If only I could get close enough to feel its aura again, maybe then I could have a chance to develop the antidote.”
Lottie shook her head helplessly.
She knew that getting close to that special creature was pure fantasy.
If she dared to get near it, she’d be infected.
So all she could do was imagine. Â
“Is there no other way to help you succeed in your research?”
“Nope. I’m still in the exploratory stage, and I don’t know when, if ever, I’ll be able to develop the potion.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
With that, Lottie, wearing her huge magical hat, walked back to the counter.
“Wait, Lottie. Have you ever seen someone infected by that creature who didn’t become violent?” Iana asked.
“No. I don’t think such a person exists,” Lottie replied.
“What if I told you, I have someone like that? She was infected, but her personality only changed slightly and didn’t become violent. Is there any chance to turn her back to her original self?”
“Maybe it just hasn’t shown yet. I’ve dealt with many infected over the years, and it’s not unheard of for someone not to turn violent immediately after infection.”
“Is that so?” Iana was stunned by Lottie’s words.
“What if someone received Saintess Elia’s treatment immediately after infection?”
“The Saintess’s healing? I don’t know. I’ve never encountered that situation, though I admit Saintess Elia’s Healing Art is very powerful.”
“But I think it probably wouldn’t help much.”
Lottie paused before continuing, “That Dark Shadow is just too terrifying.”
Hearing Lottie’s words, Iana felt as if struck by lightning.
She kept reassuring herself that this was just Lottie’s speculation, not necessarily the truth.
“What if I told you, I have a friend who, even after being infected by that special creature, still managed to keep her sanity?”
“How many days since she was infected?”
“One day.”
“Then just wait a little longer. Maybe she has a stronger resistance to the creature’s infection. From what we know, only those with an activated, pure Saintess Bloodline can resist that creature’s infection.” Â
After exchanging a few more words with Lottie, Iana left the shop with a pale and haggard face.
‘If everything Lottie said was true, why hadn’t Saintess Elia told me? Could it be that Elia knew less about that special creature than Lottie did?’Â Â
Iana didn’t linger on the street.
Her heart was panicked.
Coupled with Lottie’s words and the fact that Lilian had been missing since early this morning, maybe Lilian really…Â Â
Iana didn’t dare think further.
Her primary task now was to find Lilian’s whereabouts. Â
She hurried back to the hotel.
Standing at the entrance, her heart pounded wildly. Â
Without a moment’s hesitation, she pushed open the door.
The room was quiet.
The scorching midday sunlight shone through the curtains’ cracks, casting golden beams across the floor. Â
The bed was messy, as if the last person to get up hadn’t tidied it.
There was no sign of Lilian anywhere. Â
“Lilian?” Iana called softly.
Her voice echoed clearly in the empty room, but no one answered. Â
She quickly walked to the bathroom and opened the door.
It was empty. Â
Iana forced herself to calm down—maybe Lilian had just gone out for a walk.
But unease surged within her like a tidal wave.
Lottie’s words echoed in her mind: “Not all infected turn violent immediately.” Â
Iana spun around and dashed out of the room.
She had to find Lilian. Â
The street was bustling with people.
Iana weaved through the crowd, her eyes urgently scanning every golden-haired figure. Â
Finding someone in an unfamiliar city wasn’t easy, but Iana wouldn’t give up.
And time was running out.
Every second she delayed meant more danger for Lilian.