Amy lets her thoughts wander to how everyone else is doing as she goes to work then leaves the deer at a river where the impurities will be washed away by the currents. She's not gonna cook it as Ryota will roast it himself.
She could see that Boris is arriving at the school with recommendation to treat Sabina's legs. Alabaster is currently dealing with expanding his business, so his attention is occupied. No one has any chance to talk or deal with the succubus situation with all these issues that they all have to deal with. Amy looks to the direction of the ship. The view of the capital is quite beautiful and scenic at this time.
Alina is doing fine as well. She prioritizes on building up money by creating a source of income so she could create a new nation. She has finally succeeded in colonizing all the tribes together and is now acknowledged by everyone as their queen. There is no need for a grand ceremony to show everyone that she is the leader of the united tribes. Amy didn't even have to do anything and now she's already named it Karok after their patron god instead of her own name like the other nation founders.
After cleaning herself up, she grabbed a box in her robe and opened it to reveal her newest work, Peonies. They are small pink flower buds that open up like tiny Peonies to her touch. Their inconspicuous beauty is lovely to look at, but it is quite dangerous. Boris has been experimenting an alternative for the worms she used so that they would be less suspicious to carry around. It takes so much effort just to raise one worm and is extremely taxing to the body because of how much magic it drains from her. Amy has large amounts of magic, but it doesn't compare to Paul, Rufus, Aron or Leon. She's tired of it all.
The Peony works the same way as the worms but unlike the worm, she could make multiple without any issues. It is almost perfect. Once someone other than her touches it, it will absorb into the body and she can control them with their minds intact, but the downsides are also great.
For one, she cannot see the eyes, thoughts or knowledge of the recipient of the seeds like she could with Boris and Alabaster. She can still communicate with them, but it is one-sided, and they will not know her true thoughts nor could they answer back. She can only see what they see at their last moments. A smooth, untraceable information network is necessary to ensure that their plans work smoothly so this is a bit of a problem. The second downside is that it is reversible. The worms burrow its way into the person's body and merges with it, becoming one with them and transforming into magic. It is untraceable and undetectable. The peony on the other hand do not have that function and leave a mark on the skin that the peony touched. It can be removed surgically or with a powerful magical force on the body which would destroy the lotus. Hopefully, it would be mistaken as a birthmark, mole or scar.
Boris asked her to make more and because the last remaining worm isn't enough to control the succubus, it isn't guaranteed that it will work when multiple are merged with the organs. However, he theorized that due to performing major surgeries, she will be extremely vulnerable and weak, unable to resist, so the mind control should work. As a succubus, she won't even need the worm to communicate with her like she could with the others.
She is unsure if these methods are necessary but because Boris asked her to even with his moral compass, she has no choice but to give it a shot. Succubi are quite a menace to society if they go rogue. Amy had to sacrifice bits of her flesh that are still regenerating to make them.
"Sorry I'm late! I don't know how to use the bath you installed."
When Ryota came back, he looks like a drowned rat, but she lets it go for now. She could tell that the guy is starving and eager to eat.
"Are you a servant?" He asked her and she shook her head, "No, although I feel like I'm treated like one these days." With her status as an intern, she is used to the jobs that require her to get her hands dirty. Cooking, hunting and attending to people is something she isn't used to as a noble, but it is still a good learning experience even if it made others awkward because of her noble status.
"After eating, you need to cut your hair and beard."
The man nearly spit out his wine, "WHAT?!"
"You heard me. Your bad hygiene is infectious. I don't want it near me."
*
Leon is pissed. He went off yelling at Rufus for an hour using words that he confidently lists as something that could even make his cold-hearted mother cry.
Nate is blind, taken away and no one has seen him in days. No one knows what is going on except him apparently. From the rumors, there was an accident and resulted in blinding Nate in a way he might never recover. Everyone is freaking out about this because Nate is one of the most talented students in the school.
But Leon knows better. Also, this is the first time that someone encountered the perpetrator in person. Is this not a big deal? But why is everyone so calm? Why isn't anyone announcing this? Despite what had happened, almost everything went back to normal. No one is sure what is going on, but the uneasiness is gone quickly. Theseus has gotten unusually quiet, and Rufus is acting like nothing happened. Is Nate really that strong and the guy turns out to be an idiot or is this a plot?
He was looking forward to the damn tournament and now this?
Rufus handled the insults as calm as he could get but he has his limits, he quickly grips his fists and said, "Don't join the tournament." Rufus warned him.
"And who the hell do you think you are?" Leon snarled, "I am joining this goddamn fight."
"This won't be the last one. We can still participate next year." he said.
"Don't be so sure." Leon replied, "We're leaving as part of a student exchange program."
"Nathaniel told me a couple of things and I think you should hear it out." Rufus said in an uncharacteristically cold voice.
Leon looked confused and followed Rufus to the infirmary, heavily guarded. After entering, he sees Nate at a table, reading a book while Theseus is doing his homework at a desk.
Stunned, he stared at Nate who looks okay, "What the?"
Then everyone is quick to shush him.
"How?"
Nate pulled out the necklace and waved it at his face. "Whatever was in that gas should have blinded me, but the necklace responded to me and my eyes were back."
"Amaryllis's purification power was in those items she gave us. It healed his eyes."
"What was that gas anyway?"
"It is made from a powder imported from Damat. With a special blend of herbs, it can cause temporary blindness. And by temporary, it will cause him to be blind up to several years." Rufus answered.
"I- uh,"
"It is still a long time but I'm glad it worked. We figured that his eyes would be targeted somehow so the headmaster agreed to put him somewhere safe where no one else would know the truth." Theseus said.
"So, I'm stuck here but I will have to leave back home until this is over." Nathaniel finished, "the items are a one-time use, and I can't risk going back out into the open."
"Also, there is a doctor who offered to fix Sabina's legs though it would take time, she will get them back. For their safety, they are sent away to an even more faraway place until she recovers. The headmaster is in on this plan, and we didn't tell you because you are gonna ruin everything. I keep telling you not to join the tournament so don't-"
"Nope, I have to join in even more."
"When I fought against the assassin, I had a chance to feel his body. He is not a grown man but a kid just like us; a student." Nathaniel said.
"Just as I suspected too." Rufus said, "I think I know who the assassin is so I plan on confronting him. We believe that he will not attack us until the tournament."
"Why do you think the assassin will attack in broad daylight?" Theseus asked.
"The tournament doesn't allow killing but, accidents happen. This person knew that Leon would participate in the tournament and will no doubt attack him there in the open. If it isn't Leon, then it would be the rest of us who are left. By cutting us off, it cuts off his support. This person is probably too weak, so he doesn't want to take any chances. Furthermore, there is a chance that more than one person is involved in this so keep your eyes peeled."
Leon has a cold look, but it quickly turned optimistic, "I got an idea, and I will put myself out there."