Chapter 38: A Glimmer of Hope in Despair

Under Peter’s arrangements, Ellis and Larry took up residence in his mansion.

There was still some time before the banquet, and during this period, they kept a low profile, rarely venturing outside.

With nothing to do, Ellis strolled through the mansion’s garden.

Beside her, Larry whispered to Ellis, discussing, “Do you think that person is trustworthy?”

Ellis frowned, replying, “It’s hard to say. Since he was willing to let Daisy escape, it suggests he might be trustworthy. However, I always sense a hesitation in his words. For instance, regarding our current mission, it feels like he isn’t particularly keen on cooperating.”

“Is he planning to defect to King Gapp?”

Larry pondered, “But if that were the case, he wouldn’t risk hosting us; he should have captured us instead. Could it be that someone has leverage over him?”

“Leverage?”

Just as the two were lost in thought,

“Oh, are you the guests who recently moved into the house?”

A very gentle voice suddenly drifted over. Ellis looked up to find a silver-haired, red-eyed young woman, supported by a servant, curiously observing them.

Silver hair and crimson eyes struck a chord with many, and this young woman’s beautiful countenance alone was enough to enchant countless people. Moreover, the delicate frailty on her face further stirred a sense of protectiveness and pity in others.

For instance, the gentleman Larry beside her murmured, “Truly beautiful.”

Ellis wholeheartedly agreed with his sentiment, yet she more keenly sensed that the young woman was not naturally this way. Her silver hair and ruby-like eyes were likely the result of some illness.

Her unsteady gait and the fact that she needed a servant’s support to walk only affirmed this suspicion.

As they were guests staying in someone else’s home, Ellis and Larry, despite wishing to avoid excessive contact with others, nevertheless stepped forward to greet the young woman.

“Hello, my name is Ellis, and this is Larry. May I ask your name?”

The young woman responded amiably, “Hello, my name is Hannie.”

“Hannie, Miss, what a lovely name. May I ask what relation you are to Count Peter?”

“He is my brother.”

“So, you are the Countess’s sister!”

Ellis feigned surprise and asked, “It seems rare to see you out, Miss?”

The maid beside Hannie offered an explanation, “The young lady has been frail and sickly since childhood. She has only recently shown improvement and is now able to leave her room.”

“I see.”

Ellis said with some apology, “I’m sorry to have asked about something so personal.”

“It’s quite alright. I heard you’ve come from outside. Could you tell me about the world beyond? My brother is usually very busy and doesn’t have time to chat with me.”

“Of course.”

Ellis readily agreed, but when it came to the actual conversation, Larry took the lead.

Ellis was only talkative when discussing serious matters. When it came to recounting travel stories to strangers, she often found herself quite clumsy.

Larry, however, was able to vividly describe his experiences, captivating Hannie with every word.

Hannie exclaimed with envy, “The world outside is truly wonderful! I truly hope that one day I can travel out there myself.”

Larry inquired curiously, “Hasn’t your illness improved, Hannie? That day will surely come.”

Upon hearing this, a hint of melancholy touched Hannie’s eyes as she said, “While there has been some improvement, I can feel that the illness has only been suppressed. It’s far from being cured.”

“Miss…”

The maid hesitated, her words trailing off.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it. And I’m already so grateful that my brother found such good medicine for me, allowing me the chance to leave my room.”

This understanding girl quickly composed herself, even offering comfort to others.

Ellis seemed to realize something and asked, “Was this medicine obtained recently?”

Hannie nodded, saying, “Yes, I heard it’s a special medicine from another country. This country doesn’t have anywhere that can produce it.”

Ellis said with a look of ‘envy,’ “Is that so? Your brother truly loves you, to go to another country to seek medicine for you.”

“Not really, my brother obtained this medicine from someone else; he didn’t travel abroad himself.”

Upon hearing this, Ellis and Larry’s gazes deepened instantly.

They perhaps understood why Peter was so indecisive.

If they weren’t mistaken, the person who supplied Peter with the medicine was likely King Gapp.

After chatting for a while longer, Hannie began to look somewhat fatigued. Noticing this, the maid said, “Miss, you’ve been outside long enough. Let’s go back inside to rest.”

Hannie expressed her regret, “Is that so? There’s nothing for it. I still wanted to talk more with Ellis and Larry.”

Larry said kindly, “It’s alright. We’ll be staying here for a while, so whenever you’re feeling better, Hannie, we can chat with you. We can even come to your room. But for now, please rest well.”

“Mm.”

Hannie smiled brightly, then, supported by her maid, returned to her room.

After Hannie left, Ellis was about to say something to Larry when a voice drifted over from a distance.

“Thank you both for talking with Hannie for so long.”

Peter had appeared in the distance at some unknown point, seemingly having observed them for a while.

“My sister has always yearned for the outside world, but my duties keep me busy, and I haven’t traveled much myself. The servants in the mansion are the same, so she can only learn through books. Yet, nothing compares to hearing it from someone who has experienced it firsthand.”

Larry shook his head and said, “After all, we are guests in your mansion; this small favor is the least we can do.”

Ellis suddenly asked, “May I ask if your sister suffers from Sanguine Leukopenia?”

Peter gave a bitter smile. “Indeed. It’s a very rare genetic disease. I never imagined it would one day befall my sister. She was only six when she had to be confined to her room indefinitely.”

“Sanguine Leukopenia. That is indeed a difficult disease to treat, but it shouldn’t be incurable.”

“There are only medicines that can temporarily alleviate the condition, but nothing that can cure it…”

Ellis stated earnestly, “There is.”

“How can that be? I’ve asked so many people…”

“There is, and it has already been developed. It just hasn’t reached here yet, as that medicine is very precious.”

Peter asked excitedly, “Where can I get it? Please tell me, Miss!”

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t be able to acquire it. That medicine is only sold in the Ace Empire, and it requires a year of continuous treatment. Residents within the Ace Empire can purchase it at different prices based on their resident ID and social status. Even a duke would need to spend a million Kamo to buy the medicine. Ordinary imperial citizens would need to spend fifty million Kamo.”

Hearing the exorbitant cost, Peter gritted his teeth and asked, “What about people outside the Ace Empire…?”

“Priceless yet unavailable.”

Ellis uttered these four words that plunged Peter into despair.

“As for the price, the most recent sale was 200 million Kamo. This medicine is strictly controlled by the Ace Empire, and every dose is registered.”

Of course, these prices were the official ones; the actual situation would surely fluctuate, but it still indicated the medicine’s immense value.

However, Peter was likely not a figure who could influence such prices.

Peter fell into despair. Perhaps it would have been easier for him if he hadn’t known the disease was curable.

“This medicine isn’t simply for treating human illness.”

Larry sighed, “After all, the development cost of this medicine is very high, and it can treat more than just Sanguine Leukopenia. Other intractable conditions also seem to be solvable with this medicine. Even within the Empire, supply cannot meet demand. Now, I hear even dukes have to queue for it.”

Peter seemed utterly disheartened.

Ellis suddenly said, “However, Lord Peter, if you can honestly tell us one thing, perhaps I have a way to get you some. It might look different from the Ace Empire’s version, but its effect will be similar, or even stronger.”

“I will tell you everything. Please speak, Miss.”

Ellis asked indifferently, “Was the medicine that slows your sister’s condition obtained from King Gapp? What did he demand of you?”

Peter froze, then silently nodded.

“He gave it to me. The price was that I had to hand over complete control of the royal capital’s defenses that I command.”

Ellis decisively took a bottle of medicine from her bag and said, “This is the special medicine. Give it to your sister three times a day. This bottle contains a month’s supply. I will give you the remaining medicine, provided you cooperate fully with us.”

Peter asked with some doubt, “Does this medicine really work?”

“It does, and you should give it to your sister as soon as possible. Her condition is already nearing its late stage. You have no other choice but to trust us.”

Peter gritted his teeth and nodded, saying, “Understood. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Don’t forget what you promised us.”

“Never!”