obsession chapter 21

“…Damn it, I knew it.” A shiver ran down Shariette’s spine, leaving her cold. Dismembered and displayed on the castle walls… The image flashed vividly in her mind—her head and limbs dangling from the ramparts. A little sign would probably read: Arjen’s Rat, A Traitor’s End. 

“Absolutely, positively… I cannot get caught.” Before her precarious situation was discovered, she had to find a way to break this cursed predicament. And then, run. Shariette made up her mind. From today onwards, my specialization is karma cleansing.

***

The journey from Willow Hill, on the eastern edge of the kingdom, to the capital city of Caldeon took five days, even with Rubelot’s carriage, enhanced with ample magic stones. Five days. More than enough time for the Duke of Rubelot’s people to assess their new physician.

Day One.

“So, we’ve informed the owner of the building and paid compensation. Are you certain that’s sufficient? Is there anything else you require…?”

“No. Thank you, Luke.” Shariette replied serenely, fiddling with a small box.

Luke rubbed his brow. Barely half a day ago, she’d nearly burned to death along with her home. Everything she owned, save for the box in her hands, had been reduced to ashes. Her entire life there, gone. How can she be so nonchalant?

Sensing his gaze, Shariette elaborated, “I was leaving anyway. This just expedited things by a few hours.” There was no need to dwell on the past. Do what needs to be done. Then, the next task. And the next. Just like preparing medicine: open the medicine chest, take out the ingredients, refine them, and combine them according to the formula. Discard the trimmed roots, twigs, and filtered residue. Logic, reason, intellect, and objectivity were her strengths as a pharmacist, and her pride.

“Ah, yes.” Luke gave up trying to understand her unusual perspective. “If you’d provide a list of the lost materials and books, we’ll acquire replacements. If anything is unavailable…”

“It’s fine.” Shariette tapped her head with a confident air. “It’s all up here.”

That night, during camp preparations…

“That… it isn’t poisonous, but too much will cause stomach upset.”

“Oh! Doctor?” A servant preparing the meal jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of the white-haired woman. Cleaned up from the soot and changed into fresh clothes, the physician was a rare beauty, even among the nobility, almost intimidatingly so.

“It’s a common ingredient for camping because it’s readily available and nutritious…” the servant replied cautiously.

Shariette blinked a few times, then opted for demonstration over persuasion. Persuasion required trust, but proof only required facts. “Gertu root. Gertu grows primarily in the eastern highlands forests. The white root, when boiled, has fatigue-relieving and stress-reducing properties. Caution: Excessive consumption may cause abdominal pain and dizziness…”

“Whoa…”

Word of the walking botanical encyclopedia spread quickly. People began testing this new, fascinating individual, much like they would a magical artifact.

“Doctor, what about this?”

“Calcassa leaves. They grow mainly in shady, damp soil, and are light green, about thirteen inches long… Excellent anti-inflammatory properties…”

“And this one, please!”

“Pinoberry. Pinoberry trees thrive in cool climates, and the fruiting season is… They have a long shelf life, making them a staple winter food in northern Elrad…”

Noxian, observing Shariette surrounded by people, transformed into a talking encyclopedia, asked incredulously, “What’s with the parrot act?”

“Well, isn’t it good that she’s making friends so quickly? She’s certainly an interesting person, oof!” Joseph, who had been speaking cheerfully, was abruptly kicked.

“Did I say something wrong?!”

Well, not exactly wrong, but Noxian found his casual tone irritating.

Day Two.

They encountered a bear on the forest path.

“An Ironhide Bear! All non-Aura users, fall back and focus on defense!”