With the exception of Marienne, whose unexpected transformation of personality pushed herself out after being rescued by Nina and Dr. Louree, several days passed after Byron and his sidekicks' collapse. The cities of the Golden Wasakona were finally able to live in peace once the monarch and his daughter Ireene reclaimed their proper responsibilities.
The morning was already light after Ayuka sat in her bed, holding her own chest, satisfied that the wounds she had sustained, as well as her desert fever, had been skillfully treated by Dr. Louree. She was ready to go again in just a few hours and was able to move without any problems.
After witnessing Tim, Elliott, and Kou clutching a giant bag of treasure, Codey and Ellie's eyes widened, only to find that the bags were merely filled with food for their ship, which they'd been hunting for a long time.
"We didn't say "that" much when we asked for food!"
Ireene and Artemis were making their way slowly to the others, where Tim swung the bag over his shoulder and smiled warmly. Kou appeared exhausted after lugging the enormous bag with an excessive amount of food.
"I'm not sure how you're going to consume so much?! Is there even a cook on the ship? I may offer you one before you leave our country if you wish."
"The person who's been cooking on the ship is actually Ayuka. You know, that girl that I carried all throughout the desert and that you then trusted into Nina's hands with Tomomi."
After hearing Tim's explanation, Kou's eyes shrank into tiny dots. He was a little ashamed to leave the two girls alone and "force" one of them to take another to the doctor. As a result, he turned to the side with flaming cheeks, while Elliott sank to the floor exhausted. As Ireene ran after them, her father slowly followed her, the food smashed him into the floor.
"Hey! Ireene! You're here! Thank you for the wonderful treatment! Your cuisine is really great, and the mattresses were extremely comfortable!"
Artemis and Irenne both came to a halt and nodded, expressing gratitude to everyone in front of them. She appeared to be clothed in more royal attire, which plainly demonstrated her status as a princess. While Artemis stood behind her, she remained solemn but smiled without holding anything back.
"We made every effort to provide you with the best possible care. I hope we didn't let you down, because that was the least we could do. Even though you refused money, we compensated you with ingredients for the ship's cook, who appears to have grown better."
Everyone turned around when they realized what had happened and saw Ayuka standing in the door frame. With dots hovering above her head, she expressed her confusion before noticing how everyone called her name. Elliott's eyes became pink as he leapt from beneath the bag and slammed into Codey and Ellie, knocking them to the side before appearing in front of Ayuka, who was looking down at him.
"Ayuka, my darling little angel! I'm overjoyed that you've returned! I made certain that your wounds were properly treated and free of defects! Would you like to go out with me now? If I have to, I'll make you some delectable meal and concoct some fantastic cocktails. Of course, a lovely swan like you doesn't have to worry about the cooking and preparations! I'll take on all of your responsibilities, I swear to be at your service, and there's no way I'll back out now! I have yet to satisfy your requirements!"
Codey and Ellie leapt to their feet and yelled angrily at Elliott. They appeared anxious and enraged at the same time. "You're a complete moron!" They ran at him and grabbed Elliott's arms, attempting to pull him away from Ayuka, but despite their best efforts, they couldn't move him until Ayuka closed her eyes and grabbed her brow. She immediately raised her arm and smacked Elliott on the head. While the pink hearts continued to circle over his head, he collapsed to the ground and sustained a bump.
"Just because I was out for the count, that doesn't mean I've gotten dumb! You were the last person who helped me in any case!"
Kou's eyes became small dots as sweat trickled down his forehead in the same way they had earlier, only for Tim to smile with joy. "She's terrifying..." Tim burst out laughing and blurted out the most surprising words Kou had ever heard.
"Yup! Looks like she's back to being perfectly fine!"
As he chuckled, the rest of the crew gathered around Tim and the others, watching Ayuka, Codey, and Elliott bicker amongst themselves while simultaneously expressing gratitude for Ayuka's recovery. Nina and Dr. Louree came walking after Ayuka after a few seconds of bickering and began giggling in the process.
"It appears that my treatment had no effect on her condition! That's exactly what I look for in young people these days."
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They waited at Dr. Louree's house for a little longer before continuing their journey because Ellie was concerned by something and remained mute for the time being while the others conversed. Tim was already glued to the food, which was meticulously put within the large bags, while Ayuka and Ireene conversed.
"I guess I didn't get a chance to properly greet you, Princess Ireene. I'm sorry for bothering you, but there was nothing I could do to help you while I was sick. I hope you will pardon my helpless behavior."
Ayuka stooped downward with her arms pulled tightly against her hips, attempting to apologize to Ireene, who smiled back and held Ayuka's shoulders, gaining Ayuka's attention who lifted her head to exchange glances.
"I believe you are the last person to apologize to. Everything that had transpired wasn't your fault in the slightest. We are the ones who should thank you. You've restored peace to me, my father, and the entire kingdom. The ruthless tyrant would continue be causing problems for the Golden Wasakona if it weren't for your allies. Finally, I'm grateful that the person they were trying to protect has been found and is conscious again."
Ireene's remark stunned Ayuka, who appeared humiliated over her inability to help until she was pounced by Karisa, who put her arms around Ayuka's chest and squeezed her close to her. She sobbed loudly, which further perplexed Ayuka, who traded viewpoints.
"I'm so sorry, Ayuka!!! I'm so glad you're back here! I couldn't have done anything more than watch while you were injured! I know I'm helpless and useless, so you don't have to forgive me even if it's required! I'm glad you're doing well!"
Ayuka noticed Karisa's tears dripping into her garments and responded with a cheerful giggle that soon attracted Karisa's attention, despite her eyes shaking from the moist tears. "Do you believe I wouldn't forgive you? First and foremost, there's nothing I should have to forgive you for, and second, despite the fact that it happened, I knew defeating that girl wouldn't be good. From the time I collapsed, I knew I'd be in good hands and treated properly. In all honesty, you, not I, are the one who should forgive me."
"Huh? You mean it? But I still didn't do anything to try and help you!"
"Of course I mean it! And even if you didn't have the strength to do it, I trust you just the way I trust everyone else on the ship!"
"Oh, Ayuka! I'm so happy!"
Karisa began to giggle and grab Ayuka even tighter, causing her to almost pass out, but she quickly recovered as Karisa let go of her grip. Everyone giggled when they saw the two girls happily conversing with each other.
"Guys, there's been a minor thought I've had circling on my mind this entire time. Shouldn't Tomomi be with us?"
Tim bit into the steak while remembering what had happened a few days before, and the stares were thrown at Kou at the same time. Dr. Louree, who stood in the corner next to Ellie and stated the question, simply answered it.
"She's fine, don't worry. After I checked on her, she fell asleep in the patient's room. She explained why she was upset with me, and she stated there was nothing I could do about it. Spirits function differently than people, although she did say that her spirit has a two-week time restriction before it entirely vanishes from this world, but that may be circumvented if you find an unique type of thing that can absorb someone's spirit that she can attach to. We don't have one in Golden Wasakona, but I'm sure one exists in Harventona Park on Castlemania Island, which is south of where we are now."
"On that island, another royal family is known to conduct various responsibilities and construct these types of artifacts and weapons, which they sell if necessary. We don't know much about it, but I'm confident you'll be able to acquire one if you go there, and it's not too far away, so you'll get there before Tomomi's body totally vanishes. Although she'll most likely have to sleep for the majority of the time to keep her organs and hormones active."
Tim gulped down the last bite of steak before hastily raising his voice and asking the question. He swiftly stretched his arms and showed Dr. Louree his necklace, which he had wrapped around his neck.
"Would this necklace be good to connect Tomomi's spirit to if I used it? Except for this necklace, which was given to me by my mother before she died, we don't have anything else that is tied to my core. Do you think this necklace would work if it were modified. I'd prefer to it stick like this, but if it's for someone's life, then this is my only option?"
"I'm not certain to be specific, but I'm confident that the royal family of Castlemania would know the answer. If you want to save your friend's life, that is the finest place to go before continuing your journey toward your main aim."
"Of course we do, and the information you provided is quite useful. Dr. Louree, thank you so much!" Ayuka smiled as she made her claim. Tim's next command was instantly heard as he hid the necklace beneath his shirt.
"Then that's where we're going next!"
Everyone nodded and had finally settled on their next location, save Nina, who appeared to be a little melancholy and quickly attracted others' attention by explaining why.
"I'd like to stay here for a while, Tim, everyone. I'd like to stay here and learn more about medicine and patient care from Dr. Louree. I understand it may be impossible for you to return, but I was helpless when Ayuka was seriously injured. I want to learn more about medicine so that I can be of assistance to you the next time we meet. Please allow me to stay for a while."
Tim and the others listened and awaited Tim's response, which he delivered without hesitation. He did, however, look Nina in the eyes and see her determination, and he made a choice right away.
"Sure, no problem! If that's what you want, then do as you please, Nina!"
She immediately smiled. "I really thank you!"
"We'll be one member short, but no problem. I'm confident it won't be an issue." Karisa chuckled.
"Nina, I'm confident you'll make an excellent doctor! We'll definitely meet up again in the future!" Codey said.
"Mhm! And, without a doubt, if you require our help, please call us and we will gladly help you!" Ayuka stated.
Everybody else smiled as a team and accepted Nina's request.
The journey continues...