Chapter 85 The White Lily Cafe Collection
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Late at night, I decided to thoroughly read the documents from Lana. The symptoms described are similar to Aide’s illness ―― most people suffering in Lana’s territory are experiencing similar symptoms.
’The Forest’s Sickness, Its Legend.’
The booklet, compiled from various sources, records how this illness has been troubling Lana’s territory (the Great Forest) for a long time.
’In the 650th year of the Great Forest’s history (1,500 years ago), dwarves settled in the northern mountains of the Great Forest. The illness spread. Their stomachs weakened, and their limbs became immobile. Eventually, they died. The elves of the Great Forest protested to the dwarves and drove them out of the mountains. The illness disappeared.’
’In the 950th year of the Great Forest’s history, the illness spread again. People suffered from anemia and headaches, and their bodies weakened. The elves were greatly troubled. They destroyed the nearby Orc tribe. The illness vanished.’
Ugh… even though this is an old story, it’s still pretty brutal. But the information I can gather is limited and fragmented. I don’t think the Orc tribe has anything to do with the illness.
’In the 1,100th year of the Great Forest’s history, the illness spread again. The elves prayed to the spirits. A new king was crowned in the Great Forest, and the illness was cured.’
’In the 1,200th year of the Great Forest’s history, the demon of illness visited the Great Forest. The construction of the dam was halted. The demon of illness left.’
’In the 1,400th year of the Great Forest’s history, the illness spread again in the Great Forest. The elf tribe leaders revived an abandoned ritual and offered prayers. The illness disappeared.’
Most of the records are like this, and from a modern perspective, they’re all pretty unbelievable.
However, I was able to confirm what Lana said. The records have continued from ancient times, but they decrease as it approaches modern times. And in the last 100 years, there’s no record of it at all.
If all the illnesses in the legend are the same, then I can say it’s a disease rooted in the land.
”…If it’s an illness, then is it caused by bacteria or viruses?”
In this world, bacteria are known to exist. We have microscopes, after all. But research on viruses is still in its infancy… or so I think. I don’t know much about medicine, so I’m not sure.
”If it’s something like malaria, spread by mosquitoes, then there’s an explanation… but then, what about Aide’s illness? There’s no one else in the capital with similar symptoms.”
The doctor who saw Aide’s records also said they didn’t know of any illness like Aide’s. If it were just an infectious disease, it should have spread to the capital by now.
”Aide didn’t leave the capital, Claire also said…”
According to Claire, Aide had been in the capital all along, so it’s unlikely he got sick from somewhere else. That’s also why Claire suspects poisoning.
The illness in the great northern forest and Aide’s illness. The only connection is Moon Moss, but Moon Moss isn’t poisonous.
”…”
I rubbed my forehead and closed my eyes. The mystery remains unsolved. It’s a problem that has been bothering Lana’s ancestors for over a thousand years. If I could solve it easily, Lana’s ancestors would have done so long ago.
I decided to combine the map I bought with Lana’s data to see if I could find any common points.
”Let’s map out the old records of the illness and the recent ones…”
After struggling for a small hour, all I got was geographical information about Lana’s territory. The records of the illness were all over the place, and I couldn’t find any pattern.
There’s no more information beyond what’s been recorded in this region from long ago.
”Time to sleep soon…”
I realized it was already quite late. I let out a yawn, and Belzeda knocked on the door to report.
”Sorry to disturb you so late.”
”No, it’s okay. Is the appraiser ready?”
”Yes, we caught a reliable old man who’s tight-lipped. He’ll be available tomorrow.”
”Good, I’ll go with him.”
Before I holed up in my room, I had told Belzeda about Sword and asked him to prepare a trustworthy appraiser.
”Hmm… but that old man is a bit eccentric. What about that…”
”That’s unusual for you.”
”I had a bit of a history with that old man when I was younger. He’s a person who can handle valuable items properly, so I trust him.”
”I see, don’t worry. We’ll handle it with a broad mind.”
Claire is a weird person, but she’s not the type to clash with others. It’ll be okay.
* * *
The next day, Friday. After finishing my school stuff, I headed to White Lily Cafe. I met up with the white-haired dwarf I had heard about from Belzeda at the entrance of the bustling street. He’s an appraiser, I see.
He’s wearing big glasses, which makes him look somewhat comical… but his gaze is sharp. When he recognizes me, he cracks a smile.
”Ah, Alba-sama. You’ve grown up so well, haven’t you?”
”Do you know me?”
”I saw you when you were a kid. You look just like your mother.”
There, he cuts off his words and hesitates. He brought up my mother, but it seems he didn’t think it through to the end.
”Uh, excuse me… I hope your mother’s illness gets better soon…”
Well, in reality, my mother Karia is traveling to avenge my father, but I just play along.
”Don’t worry about it. I’m just grateful you took on this sudden request today.”
”If there’s anything I can do to help with my eyes, please let me know.”
And so, we walk towards White Lily Cafe. Along the way, I brief him on the necessary information.
”Hmm, Sword… Dupont, was it?”
”He claims to be a collector, but he’s a famous person, right?”
”…He’s a nouveau riche, buying up everything in sight and creating his own community. He’s got a pretty low-class way of doing things.”
”Really? Is that so?”
”He’s like a rich kid from a big corporation, a total show-off. Even the people around him are just wannabes.”
He’s pretty harsh, I can tell. Belzeda must have warned me about him.
”By the way, what about Aide from White Lily Cafe? Is he a famous person in the industry?”
”Is that the person Belzeda was talking about?… Ah, he’s not a well-known name even among pros. He’s just an amateur collector.”
From Sword’s tone, I thought Aide was a famous person, but it seems that’s not the case. Yeah, that makes sense. If a professional appraiser like him had knowledge and collectibles worth remembering, it’s unlikely White Lily Cafe would be struggling financially.
In other words, someone must have been an intermediary, or they got caught with a fake. Or maybe the item isn’t as valuable as I thought.
When we arrive at White Lily Cafe, Claire, dressed as a maid, greets us as usual.
”…I’ve been waiting for this.”
I had already sent her a letter, and I’ve explained the outline. I also need to hear an explanation about keeping her father’s collection a secret.
Well, but before that, I need to confirm the collection directly…. Everything will be after that.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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