Duke Kleo let go of Lyra while she was in a weak state out of breath. Her knees were shaking, and her face had turned pale. It should be included in the category of criminality, which makes a girl unprepared to be attacked by kisses. But they both seem to be enjoying it, albeit with varying intensity.
He left a bite again, on the back of her neck, close to the nape of the neck. After making sure her facial skin was flushed, getting oxygen and blood circulation, he left again after nodding slowly.
His footsteps were like war drums drifting away, or like the trumpets of victory from the enemies.
Ella and Gena immediately came over to Lyra who collapsed on the floor, who was dazed as if she had just been robbed.
"My Lady!" Ella hissed, unsure of whether to cheer or worry.
Duke Kleo went to Wolytone on horseback for more than half a day. The sheer and steep terrain added to the difficulty of reaching the city.
Guests visiting Wereal reported that there had been a strange find at Wolytone, as well as several petitions asking the duke to take a serious investigation, as it seemed that someone was deliberately spreading the plague.
The sun was about to set when they reached Wolytone by taking a shortcut, through a dangerous valley. Marquess Helmut was also there, until a few hours earlier than Duke Kleo, squinting and squeaking as usual.
Everyone in Wolytone saluted Duke Kleo, the women kept a safe distance for their safety.
The mayor and the village head led him to a ditch belonging to one of the residents, where a suspicious mud puddle was located.
"We found this type of mud at several points almost throughout the city, My Lord," said the mayor. "And it seems that it is the trigger for the plague in this city."
Duke Kleo crouched down, surveying the greenish mud that contained lumps of the parasite inside. "Have you confirmed it, Mr. Mayor? Do all the farms that have this kind of mud get plagued?"
The mayor nodded. "And we found no obvious spread through the air. It seems that this epidemic is transmitted by water or through the feed."
"This mud does not become animal feed." The village head added. "However, livestock often carry out activities on muddy soil. One farmer once bathed his cattle after coming into contact with this mud, and the cattle had only mild symptoms without causing death."
Stefanus suddenly came closer and whispered, "A similar kind of mud was also found in Balona, My Lord."
"Then?"
"Because of the extreme dry season there, the mud dried up, and the cattle slowly returned to health."
Duke Kleo turned his head back to the mayor and village chief. "Are isolated cattle recovering?"
"In the beginning yes, My Lord. But recently they have fallen and died."
Duke Kleo's face suddenly became tense and cold. "Take me to the isolation cage!"
The entourage carried out his orders.
Not far from where they stood was an open-roof barn with some walls made of glass, where the cattle plague-infected were isolated.
Duke Kleo supervised the arrangement of the stables, supervising the ventilation, as well as other things. He was satisfied with the cleanliness, although some other things looked suspicious.
"I would like to speak to the medical workers," he ordered, while he was still in the cage checking some things.
Shortly after that several medical workers came to see him. They looked tired and confused by the situation they were in. Power has been mobilized to the maximum, they have even given the highest dose of medicine to the cattle. However, there were no significant improvements.
Duke Kleo asked them several questions, confirming something that no one but himself could understand. Shortly after that, he nodded, then left to go to the central city and visit someone.
In the central town, he met one of the best veterinarians, who was head of the cattle plague at Wolytone. His unannounced visit had become a big stir.
There was only Stefanus with him, who also didn't understand what was going on in his mind. Stefanus' body, which was stout like any other guard, could only be on standby to ensure his safety.
"My Lord," the vet in the central city greeted, greeting Duke Kleo somewhat confusedly. He was currently in his office, just got back from another town to check on some things. On his desk were stacked reports of the plague at Wolytone, which he had barely managed to deal with until it finally got worse. "I'm quite surprised you came without any advance information. So pardon me if there is no meaningful welcome."
"I didn't come for tea, so you don't have to worry." Duke Kleo sat on a chair made of mahogany. His burly back had a hard time finding the right position, while his eyes looked straight at Sir Roby, the veterinarian.
"Very well, My Lord. So what can I do for you?"
"I just came back from Sirin Village, just checking the progress of the outbreak there."
Sir Roby sighed heavily as if this matter had been a nightmare for him for a decade. "Sirin still hasn't shown good progress after the past few weeks, My Lord. Right now it's still the area with the worst spread intensity in Wolytone."
"Have you heard that strange mud was found there?"
Sir Roby nodded, letting his glasses slip a few inches. "We have brought several samples for research. We have found the exact cause of this epidemic, as well as providing a cure. It should have healed the cattle, but strangely it didn't."
"That's why I came here." The sunlight streaming in from the window was like burning Duke Kleo's amber eyes, giving them a tinge like embers. "I found something you might be able to research, as long as you do this very carefully."
Frowning, Sir Roby tilted his head in confusion.
"There was a secret military operation long ago developed by His Majesty, to find a powerful way of killing the enemy through the plague. The mode of transmission, as well as the attachment of the parasite, is exactly the same as what happened at Wolytone."
"What do you exactly mean, My Lord?" Sir Roby, as well as Stefanus, were both stunned and trembling.
"Someone did this on purpose, based on my judgment. The operation was only carried out by no more than a dozen people. Several people have died because of the Dard II war. Some people have moved to other continents to become representatives of the kingdom. There are only five people left, including me, who can be suspected."
"Then have you found out who the suspect is, My Lord?"
"Unfortunately not yet," Duke Kleo shook his head, though he was sure who was behind all of this. "But there is one thing you must do. And I'll give you the details after this."
Together with Stefanus he finally returned to Wereal. The sun had completely set, and that meant they had to find an inn to spend the night in.
Leaving Lyra alone in Wereal made him uneasy. Will she cause trouble, like running away for example? That night he could barely sleep, forcing himself to look up at the sky if only the sun had peeked over the eastern horizon, an excuse he could have used to quickly make his way back to Wereal.
Meanwhile, he suddenly remembered what Stefanus had said just after they left Sir Roby's office.
"Is Marquess Helmut doing it again, My Lord?" asked Stefanus. "I thought he was the only person who wanted to destroy you. And if there were anyone else, maybe those people were just meaningless pawns."
Stefanus' prediction was right. Duke Kleo suspects Marquess Helmut of being the mastermind behind the cattle epidemic that has been spreading recently so that Duke Kleo's image will be tarnished in the king's eyes and make him lose his noble title.
In the past, Duke Kleo wouldn't mind all the problems that Marquess Helmut sabotaged, because he knew he would still be able to solve any problems that arose. But now suddenly he became worried, anxious.
There was a girl living in Wereal, a girl who had captured his attention as well as his mind.
If Marquess Helmut found out about her, then did something to make her leave, then Duke Kleo might not be able to regain his senses. That meant all his life balance and work would be messed up while allowing Marquess Helmut the mortal enemy to win perfectly.
***