Chapter 225: The Sea Illuminated By Stars (1)

Chapter 225: The Sea Illuminated By Stars (1)

“How are you feeling today?”

Inside the running train, Shiron checked the condition of Latera and Lucia once again. Ever since confirming the curse from the lead bullets with Seira, he had been constantly worried about their health.

The two who had helped collect the lead bullets in the underground tunnel.

Although Shiron was reassured that he was fine due to the blessing of the holy sword, he wasn’t sure if Lucia would be okay with the curse.

“I’m okay today too!”

The first to respond to the question was Latera. She reassured Shiron by showing her fair palm.

Before departing for the eastern coastal area, they had heard rumors about a mysterious disease spreading, known as the petrification disease.

It spread from a part of the body with grayish scales, gradually making the body stiff, matching the symptoms of the curse Seira had discovered recently.

“Lucia, how about you?”

“...Um.”

Lucia averted her eyes from the burdensome gaze.

For the past few days, Shiron’s constant health check-ups and continuous attention made Lucia feel ‘cared for.’

In her past life, she might have felt annoyed, thinking she was being underestimated, but now it only made her feel a ticklish sensation in her chest, perhaps due to the self-discovery journey she had undertaken.

Despite Shiron’s usual gruff demeanor, his care felt somewhat nice, as if he were her parent. The significant difference from his usual behavior caused her heart to flutter involuntarily.

“Um, it feels a bit itchy on my side...”

“Itchy?”

“Y-yes...”

“Let me see.”

As Shiron leaned closer, Lucia, who was sitting opposite him, unzipped her coat. As the train didn’t have heating, the warm air trapped inside the coat clung to her skin, forming condensation.

Slap-

A cold hand touched her side. The sudden touch made Lucia’s face flush red, but she only trembled slightly without rejecting the hand that was carefully examining her.

“Is it here? Where exactly is it itchy?”

“More...up? I think it’s a bit itchy near my armpit...”

“Up? Raise your arm a bit.”

“...What are you two doing?”

Seira, who had just returned from taking a breath of cold air, interrupted their awkward situation.

“You said you touched the cursed object with your hand, right? Then shouldn’t you check your fingers or palm? Why are you doing something so embarrassing so casually?”

“B-but my side...”

“Side or not, if you’re checking symptoms, leave it to me from now on. You’re not real siblings, and it’s weird for a grown man and woman to touch each other so casually. Stop it immediately.”

“...That makes sense.”

At Seira’s scolding, Shiron withdrew his hand, which had been moving towards her armpit. Thinking about it, he realized that even though he was checking her health, he had been too careless. Lucia, well into adulthood, and Shiron, who had a fiancée, needed to be more careful.

To avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, especially for Siriel on the expedition, it was best to refrain from such actions.

Seira, who sat next to Shiron, smiled brightly at Lucia.

“Where does it itch? Let your sister check for you.”

“...Okay.”

‘Isn’t the age gap too big to call her sister...’

Lucia turned her head towards Seira, feeling a bit of regret, and looked out at the passing scenery.

Seeing the white sandy beach outside the window, it seemed they had entered the coastal railway.

Currently, they were on the northern coast of the continent. The train would run day and night for a week to reach the southern coastal area.

Although Shiron hadn’t mentioned the destination, Lucia knew where and why they were going.

The strange rumors they had heard at the train station, the gray spots appearing on people’s bodies, were the curse Lucia had experienced.

Starting as gray spots, they grew larger until...the gray shell covered the entire body.

It not only killed the victim but tortured them with the pain of their body hardening until death.

Lucia knew only one person who could cast such a vile curse.

“What?”

“Are we at the right place?”

“Yes. But aren’t you hot? Take off that stifling coat.”

Shiron said as he took off his own coat, setting an example. He wasn’t sweating; he just didn’t want to stand out as an outsider.

‘It should be around here.’

Their next destination was the deep sea, where light didn’t reach, and even breathing was hard. Shiron looked around for the person who would take them there.

It was hard to find someone on the vast beach with just a glance, but fortunately, Shiron was looking for a building, not a person.

A white building with a blue dome. Shiron’s lips curled into a faint smile upon spotting it.

“Let’s fill our stomachs first.”

All they had eaten on the way from Rien were Hugo’s snacks and the sandwiches provided in-flight.

Since they would be busy from now on, they needed to eat well.

Shiron led the group to the most luxurious-looking building. The scene of people dining on the terrace under the blue roof gave off a typical touristy vibe.

Latera noticed a slightly different scent, but Shiron didn’t stop walking.

“Sir, you need a reservation...”

“A place with a good view of the sea.”

Shiron slipped a gold coin into the waiter’s pocket.

“Ahem, right this way.”

“Let’s order. Bring the ten most expensive dishes here.”

“Shiron, I’ll have this.”

“...Also, a kids’ meal, please.”

As they waited, various dishes started arriving at the table.

A lobster the size of an arm was steaming hot, and oysters with lemon and olives had their tender flesh exposed.

Finally, the kids’ meal was served.

Sausages, hamburg steak, and fries. The cute plate designed for children who didn’t enjoy seafood made Latera’s eyes sparkle.

“Thank you for the meal!”

With a bright smile, Latera removed the flag from the fried rice, took a big spoonful, and put it in her mouth. She then cut a large piece of the hamburger and put it in her mouth. And,

“Ugh!”

“Are you okay?”

Latera gagged. The signal meant only one thing.

Though she tried to hide it, she couldn’t fully conceal the presence of magic.

Shiron patted her back, waiting for the waiter to arrive.

“Sir, is everything alright?!”

“Oh no, is there something wrong with the food?”

“We apologize. We will cover the medical expenses immediately...”

“Do I look like someone who cares about money?”

Shiron stood up abruptly and patted the waiter’s shoulder with a smiling face.

“Bring out the chef.”

“I-I will call him immediately. Please wait a moment.”

After a short while, a gaunt man approached the table.

Worried that he might have made a mistake, Shiron was relieved to see a familiar face.

“I’m sorry...”

Bang!

Before the man could finish his apology, Shiron overturned the table. Food and vomit flew into the air. The chef was unfortunate, but Shiron wasn’t just looking for an apology.