It's been 180 days since I made a clone of my wife's body. Until now the new body formed from the head to the abdomen. It seems that it takes a long time to form a complete body.
Instead, my wife's real body…. the one I took from the tomb…. starting to show signs of degeneration. The decaying parts are adding up little by little but surely.
I'm stressed. Every way I've tried to maintain my wife's body and accelerate the growth of her artificial body. However, all have not shown convincing results.
On the other hand, I'm trying to find an incantation for the transfer of the Vessel in all libraries. Even the special library that only the royal Archmages could access. All the books written by previous Archmages I also read all of them. But none of them contained the transfer incantation I needed.
Depression…. frustrated…. anxiety and despair filled me.
I decide to go see Orifiel. Maybe after chatting with him, I can get some enlightenment.
As usual the nuns told me to wait in the garden while they told Orifiel about my visit.
Unlike usual, today Orifiel seems long. Dusk was starting to come. A nun came up to me and apologized. She said that today Orifiel was busy and suggested that I try again tomorrow.
I nodded in resignation and decided to go home.
The next morning, I attempted to see Orifiel again. Like yesterday I waited quite a long time. But this time Orifiel finally showed up.
His face looks tired. But he still tried to smile behind the anxiety he tried to hide. I asked him what happened. Oriflame sighed. It seems that his daughter, Cassiel has worsened and is in critical condition.
He has been with her for a few days and is trying to treat her. I asked if there was anything I could help with.
He smiled and thanked me. He said his daughter's condition was getting better. The critical period has passed.
I didn't think this was the right time to ask that, but I couldn't hold it back anymore. I asked Orifiel about the transfer incantation of Seraphine Aile.
Orifiel looked surprised and asked the reason why I wanted to know. I had to lie that I wanted to know because I wanted to be better prepared when the time came.
Orifiel seemed to ponder. Then said that Seraphine Aile's transfer incantation is unique in each generation. When the time comes for transfer, usually The Chosen Vessel will notify the Archmage of the incantation directly so that it can be used to transfer to the next selected The Chosen Vessel. This is also to maintain secrecy.
He then patted me on the shoulder and assured me that I had nothing to worry about and had more confidence in myself.
I nodded and tried to smile even though I was annoyed to hear that. I have no other choice but to wait. I failed to find out the transfer incantation from Orifiel.
Iris took a deep breath as she closed the book she was reading. She was sitting under a tree near the lake reading.
"I still haven't found a way to get Seraphine Aile off from Joshua..."
Iris looked at the lake that seemed to be sparkling blue. It looks beautiful. Iris felt her body heat up. The clothes she was wearing were not only oversized but also made of heavy material.
"Hmmm…. I'm going to change into the nightdress I wore yesterday and just swim. Swimming in these clothes is hard."
Iris returned to the house and changed clothes. After saving the book of St. Varos in the drawer. She walked into the lake.
Arriving, Iris immediately entered the lake and dipped her face. Iris took a stroll in the shallow waters of the lake.
Iris swam to the middle where there were algae and lotus flowers. Where the water is deeper and bluer. She swam in the center of the lotus observing its beauty.
But something suddenly touched the soles of her feet slowly.
Iris paid no heed to it as she thought it was algae. Not long after someone touched her calf and quickly touched her thigh.
Iris started to get scared and decided to leave from there. She swam faster and faster when suddenly something touched her thighs and buttocks at once.
Before Iris could scream something pulled her into the lake. She saw something pulling her to the bottom of the lake. Something slippery and slimy grabbed her leg. The creature has red eyes and is shaped like a frogman. Its beard that was made of algae started grabbing Iris' hand to pull her deeper.
Iris struggled to free herself. However, in vain. She was out of breath and strength. Her consciousness began to wane. Iris could feel whatever creature was starting to approach her.
Suddenly there was a loud sound in the water. Joshua dove into the lake when he saw what was happening from a distance. Joshua stared at the creature with a murderous gaze. His eyes blackened at a glance and his body gave off a dark aura.
The creature seemed to know that something dangerous and scary was targeting it. Its instincts told it to leave. The creature untied its bond on Iris and ran away.
Joshua immediately approached and brought Iris to the surface. Joshua swam as fast as he could to bring her to land.
"Iris! Iris! Can you hear me?"
When he arrived at the edge of the lake, Joshua immediately patted Iris on the cheek. It didn't take long for Iris to spit out the water in her mouth and started to wake up.
"Joshua….? You're home already?"
Joshua breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you okay?"
Iris nodded. Her head still feels dizzy. Joshua helped her up.
"You can walk? You don't have to push yourself if you're still dizzy."
Joshua just realized that Iris looked like she was naked in her wet clothes in front of him. This time Joshua turned his head away.
Realizing what Joshua saw in her, Iris turned around with a blush on her face. Her hands tried to cover her breasts.
"Your towel. Where did you put it? Let me get it."
"I put it over there."
Joshua immediately took Iris' towel and immediately put it on her from behind.
With an awkward feeling, they both returned home.
"Iris, there are new clothes for you in bed. I hope it fits your size." Joshua said when Iris was about to enter the room.
Iris nodded. She was still embarrassed by what happened.
While drying her body, Iris opened the package on the bed.
A white dress with lace.
"Joshua…. did he purposely go to buy this?", Iris muttered to herself.
Meanwhile Joshua is trying to keep himself busy with cooking. Since noon he had been soaking the leftover pork in spices to absorb it. And now he's cooking it for dinner.
Smells of burning. Joshua hastily put out the fire and picked up his cooking. It seems that he is cooking while daydreaming.
Joshua with a disheveled face walked over to the basin and washed his face.
"Why did I keep imagining Iris. I have always thought and treated her like a little sister. But she's right…. I'm not her brother. And now this awkward feeling is bugging me. Could it be that I was wrong all this time...?"
Joshua sighed and walked over to clean up his burnt cooking.
"Well…. I have no choice but to serve this. I hope it's still good." Joshua muttered as he brought his burnt cooking to the dining table.
"Joshua, thanks for the dress…. It's the right size too."
Iris walked out while wearing her new clothes. Her face was flushed red and smiling happily.
Joshua just stares at her in silence.
"Is it no good?"
As if he had just realized Iris was waiting for his response, Joshua smiled.
"Oh. Only blind people think it's bad. That dress really suits you, Iris."
"Thank you, Joshua. It means a lot to me."
Iris then took a seat at the dining table. When she saw the food Joshua served, Iris looked confused.
"I'm sorry, Iris. If it doesn't taste good, don't eat it."
Iris tasted it.
"It's still delicious. Even though there is a bitter part.", Iris answered trying to cheer Joshua up.
Joshua said nothing and ate in silence. He could tell Iris was trying to comfort him.
After finishing their meal, they sat down by the fireplace like yesterday. Iris told Joshua what she read today.
Joshua listened to Iris' story carefully.
"Joshua, I'm curious. How did you find out where I was? Previously…. when at Red Peak…. you can find me easily?"
Joshua seemed to think for a moment.
"That is easy. Because of your body odor."
Iris immediately sniffed her hand in confusion.
"Do I have bad body odor?"
Joshua smiled at Iris' behavior.
"Relax. It was because Seraphine Aile made my senses sharp. So that I can smell your body odor that ordinary people cannot smell."
"Hmm ... like a dog?"
Joshua choked.
"Yes, you could say that."
"So, what does my body smell like?"
Joshua thought again.
"Everyone has a unique body odor. For you sweet fragrance. Like the scent of jasmine. I like it."
Iris blushed her ears instantly. For some reason she felt so happy when she heard Joshua complimenting her.
Joshua observed the look on Iris' face which looked happy. He seemed to think deeply before deciding to say it.
"Iris, there is something you should know."
"About what?"
Joshua paused for a moment and glanced at Iris.
"I met Isabel today."