A Genius Pharmacist Whom the Empress Is Obsessed With

Sacrificial Lamb (2)

“P-please, Si-Sinon.”

While looking at the tears welling up in Ropne’s eyes, Leta smirked.

“If you had just said so obediently, the child could have been saved. You really are a stupid woman.”

Someone listening might mock her for being hypocritical, but Leta had her own sense of righteousness.

Never touch a child.

The moment she touched a child, Leta felt as if she would turn into an evil demon, not a human.

Even if she sold her conscience, she had managed to uphold the minimum sense of righteousness necessary to live as a human for a long time, and this time, Leta intended to keep that sense intact.

“Because it was that woman who committed the sin.”

But the thought of being able to maintain righteousness forever was truly arrogant.

Leta had already crossed the line that she, as a human, should not cross countless times. How can one be certain that she won’t cross the last remaining line? Especially since her rage, buried for years, had piled up like a mountain.

Consumed by anger, Leta easily crossed the line that she had vowed never to cross.

“If we bring him here, this year will be different, won’t it? Isn’t that right?”

“Ah…”

For the first time, a groan escaped from Ropne’s mouth, which had endured without uttering any cries.

“Please, please, not Shion.”

Trembling, Ropne grabbed Leta’s staff with her shaking hand.

“It’s already too late, lady.”

However, Leta’s resolve was firm. She swung her staff, pushing away Ropne’s hand.

Thunk.

The sharp tip of Leta’s staff left a red mark on Ropne’s left hand. It seemed to have stabbed fairly deeply, as blood started to flow from the vertically torn wound.

“Please, please!”

As if completely unconcerned with the wound, Ropne grabbed the edge of Leta’s skirt with her injured hand and stood up.

“Just, just kill me. I’ve done everything wrong.”

“You want me to kill you?”

Some people struggle madly to stay alive, but she wants to be killed? Leta’s vision turned white with anger. She kicked, hitting Ropne’s chin square-on.

Ropne’s upper body wobbled before falling backward. Leta glared at Ropne, who was groaning in pain, and spoke.

“You there, bring that son of yours right now.”

Leta fixed her gaze on Ropne, pointing to anyone in a rough direction.

While the servant went to fetch the son, only Ropne’s faint weeping echoed in the garden.

After some time had passed, the servant returned alone, who had gone to fetch the woman’s son.

“What is it? Why are you alone? Where is your son?”

“That, that’s…”

The servant, who didn’t know what to do, prostrated himself on the floor and answered.

“Leta, Leta-nim. It seems like, like your son, Shion, ran away.”

“He ran away?”

Leta’s eyes, which had briefly softened, sharpened again.

“How the hell did he manage to escape?”

“I, I tied a rope around his wrist and locked him up in the warehouse, but when I went to check, the rope was, was untied.”

The servant’s whole body was trembling.

“Well, judging by the fact that the rope wasn’t too, too damaged, it seems like the knot wasn’t tied properly-“

“Damn it!”

Leta couldn’t contain her anger and threw her cane, letting out a scream.

“These useless people! I’m feeding all you useless fools with the money I earned, and none of you can do anything right!”

Whether it was because the cane hit him squarely, blood started to drip from the servant’s hair.

“Go chase after him and bring him back immediately! You can’t possibly fail to catch a ten-year-old brat, can you?”

Without even wiping the blood flowing from his head, the servant had to leave the courtyard.

After taking a few deep breaths, Leta turned her body and headed towards Lopne.

Perhaps it was because he heard the news that her son had run away, but Lopne was no longer crying.

“Aren’t you happy now that your son has run away? But nothing will change. I’m here, so you better take care.”

Leta sat down in front of Lopne and continued talking.

“I still remember. The old lady who suggested we make medicine together and introduced herself as a good pharmacist to the people in the village.”

At the time when an epidemic was spreading, those who couldn’t afford expensive medicine gathered money and made medicine together, then divided and ate it little by little. Leta’s father, who was the village chief, also made medicine with Lopne and ate it.

“At that time, I thought that medicine was really effective… I never, never thought it would turn out like this.”

“Yeah. That’s possible.”

Leta nodded her head several times. Even though it was only a few days after eating that medicine, her father’s symptoms improved. So this woman must have recommended that pharmacist to the people in the village.

“So why aren’t you saying anything now? Just by bringing the disease, you should be responsible for dragging other people to hell.”

“… “

“Do you know that? Our father is still trapped there, scratching his whole body. I had to do all sorts of things to earn money for the medicine. So if you’re the only one fine like this, would I feel good or bad?”

“… “

“No way I would feel good, I could never forgive you. Isn’t that right? In your eyes, I may look ruthless and cold, but if you were in my position, you would be just like me.”

Only one side of Leta’s lips rose as she laughed.

Leta stood up and addressed those who had been watching the situation.

“Quickly treat the wounds and tie her in front of the tree at the back of the castle. Always have a guard present and do not release her unless I give the order. Do not give her any food, just a small amount of water.”

As much as she wanted to continue beating Ropeine, there would be no further effect.

Despite being severely beaten and swollen all over her body, Ropeine did not say a word.

Furthermore, she could not continue beating Ropeine like this or else she would die.

“I cannot kill her.”

If this woman stayed alive, she could find a way to cure that disgusting disease.

*

Although it was late at night, news quickly spread that Ropeine’s illness, which had been driven out of the village a few years ago, had improved and that she was now tied to a tree.

People from the Mellow community began to appear near the tree where Ropeine was tied.

At first, people watched Ropeine from a distance, but as time passed, the distance between the villagers and Ropeine became closer.

The eyes of the people approaching Ropeine were all equally filled with hatred. Some of them even held something in their hands.

“…I recognize their faces.”

Unwilling to face the villagers who suffered because of her, Ropeine tightly closed her eyes.

***

“You still haven’t found that brat?”

Leta lowered the mask she had been wearing and spoke.

Just moments ago, she had been listening to her father’s footsteps.

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The footsteps were nothing special. It was just cleaning the room and serving a meal. Due to the epidemic, she couldn’t touch her father’s body directly.

Not only that, the room where the real Lord of Mellow resided was a sealed chamber without a ray of sunlight or a gust of wind.

“It’s already noon. How many people are searching for him and yet they can’t find that bastard?”

By midnight, or if delayed, by tomorrow, the inspector sent by the royal court was scheduled to arrive.

Leta wanted to resolve this turmoil before the inspector arrived.

“Well, find him at any cost. If they find him after the inspector arrives, don’t bring him to me, take him directly to the tower.”

“Understood, I will convey your orders.”

“And Ropeine, is she being watched well? Is she alive?”

“That is yet to be determined.”

Don’t make any mistakes. Leta passed by the servant bowing his head and headed towards the study. Most of the guild office records had been cleared, so now it was time to handle the records and documents within the castle.

“After finding out the cure from Ropeine, I can finally stop forging these annoying records.”

Her father would regain his health and become a lord again.

It had to happen that way.

In order for that to happen, Reita had to pass this inspection safely. Letta’s footsteps quickened as she headed towards her office.

***

Her throat was dry. Her stomach was empty, and she was out of breath. Whether it was from being pulled or from getting hurt, her right calf stung constantly.

But she couldn’t stop walking.

“Oh, I have to find the gentleman.”

Since being dragged away by the Melo people she met while walking, the only thought in Sion’s mind was that.

While being with Eden, Sion was able to learn quite a lot. Among them, there was also learning how to tie and untie knots.

“I’m lucky the rope was loosely tied.”

She was able to break through the rotten part of the warehouse with her feet and escape.

Hiding in the darkness and bushes, Sion continued to run. Because she had been hiding since she was young, she was able to move without leaving any trace.

As she escaped from Melo, Sion never looked back even once. If she looked back, she felt like she might go back to save her mother without realizing it.

“The gentleman said I should do what I can.”

What Sion can do right now is to find Eden. To Sion, Eden was the only adult she could ask for help, and the only adult who helped her.

“I’m sure the gentleman will save my mother.”

Sion ran while holding back her tears.