Restoring the King's Life

The court chamber was abuzz with tension and secrecy after the shocking incident with the flying needles. Queen Marissa, with a resolute expression, addressed the courtiers, "I implore you all to keep this matter concealed from the people of the kingdom. Panic and fear may lead to chaos, and we must act with prudence."

Princess Vespa, displaying her compassionate nature, rushed to Lady Elsie's side, helping her to a nearby seat. Lady Elsie was visibly shaken from the attack, and Vespa comforted her, "Fear not, Lady Elsie. We shall get to the bottom of this and ensure your safety."

Vice Captain Foria, a trusted officer in the queen's guard, took charge of the situation. She issued strict orders to her fellow guards, "From now on, every individual entering the court must be thoroughly checked and verified. We cannot afford another breach of security."

In the midst of these commotions, I turned to Arin, his face a mix of worry and determination. "What do we do now?" I asked, hoping he had a plan.

Arin sighed, his mind racing with the revelation of his brother's cursed condition. "That, I don't know," he admitted. "But we cannot lose sight of our primary objective. We must make a cure for the poison that has afflicted King Harlan."

"You are right," I agreed, realizing the urgency of the situation. "As we know about the poison, let’s hurry."

Later, we moved to a different room, its walls adorned with ancient tapestries that seemed to tell stories of their own. Vice Captain Foria was also summoned, her footsteps echoing in the hallowed chamber. Known for her nerdy nature, she possessed a remarkable mastery over herbs, which she had inherited from generations of skilled apothecaries.

Arin began explaining everything to her, and she quickly caught up with the details, her eyes widening with every revelation. Meanwhile, I felt somewhat useless, only offering minor assistance as a mere observer in this sea of expertise.

Soon, we proceeded to King Harlan's room, where Queen Marissa and Princess Vespa anxiously awaited us. The room was dimly lit, with flickering candles casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Princess Vespa asked Arin, her voice tinged with both hope and trepidation, "Is it really prepared?"

His response, as always, was awe-inspiring, "Yes, Princess." Arin retrieved a bowl filled with the cure, its mixture gleaming with an otherworldly luminescence. He approached the bed where King Harlan lay, his once-strong frame now frail and vulnerable.

With careful hands, Arin tried to administer the cure into King Harlan's mouth, hoping he would sip it and find a cure. The room fell into a tense silence, broken only by the soft crackling of the fireplace. As Arin neared completion, he cautioned, "The cure has been administered, but it may take some time for him to awaken."

The queen and princess were visibly relieved upon hearing this, their shoulders relaxing from the weight of worry. Queen Marissa expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you. You always save us."

The room seemed to exhale a collective breath, the air thick with relief and gratitude. We all left the room, the heavy wooden door creaking slightly as it closed behind us, sealing the king within his chamber of hope and uncertainty.

Later, Arin and I joined Captain Iriella and a few courtiers, convening in a small, secretive courtroom hidden deep within the palace's labyrinthine corridors. The room was adorned with ancient symbols, and the flickering candlelight gave it an air of mystique. There, Arin revealed his purpose behind using the needles and shared the shocking revelation about his brother, Carsso. The room fell silent as everyone absorbed this unexpected revelation, like the calm before a storm, bracing for the impact of what was to come.

Princess Vespa, upon knowing these crucial pieces of information, asked with a hint of concern in her voice, "So what should we be doing now, Arin?"

"Nothing much, Princess Vespa. I have decided to go back to my village and find it out," Arin declared with determination, his eyes ablaze with resolve.

Just then, Captain Iriella, who had stayed silent until now, spoke up, "But they also might be coming."

"Indeed. We almost forgot about it," Queen Marissa responded, her expression tinged with worry as she acknowledged what Iriella had said.

The revelation of an impending danger and the mention of unknown people left me puzzled. I couldn't help but ask, "What is it you all are talking about?"

Arin sighed, his arrogance returning slightly as he replied, "You literally forgot about Piro's twofold plan?"

As soon as he mentioned Piro, Princess Vespa's concern shifted, and she inquired, "Speaking of Piro, where is she? I haven't seen her in a while." Her eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of their missing companion.

Now, all eyes turned to me, and even I wondered about Piro's whereabouts. Though uncertain, I offered an explanation, "Ah, I don't know that. I am sorry." Trying to remain optimistic, I suggested, "She might be exploring some nearby places. Let's wait for her."

"Anyway, who are these people coming?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand.

Captain Iriella took the lead in answering, "The Group of Heroes!”

As she mentioned the Group of Heroes, my mind began to wonder about the kind of people they might be. After the meeting ended with little progress, we discussed who would accompany Arin in his journey back to his village to investigate.

To my surprise, he took my name and asked for two skilled guild members to join us.

Now, back in the guest room with its fluffy bed, I find myself contemplating how things have turned out since that eventful day. I had almost forgotten about trying to find a way back to my own world, but now the question resurfaces – is it even possible? And if so, how can I leave this world in its current state? Amidst all these thoughts, I can't help but worry about Piro, who is still missing.

"How many times have I said to be calm, Master?" a voice reverberated in the form of an ethereal light, which then transformed back into Sylpha. It was the first time I had seen her in such a furious state.

Feeling guilty, I apologized, "Ah, sorry. I will try to keep that in mind."

As I pondered over the situation, a door shrieked open, and I wondered who it could be. Surprisingly, Sylpha didn't transform back into her previous state; she remained in her true form.

It was Arin who entered, and now I understood why Sylpha had retained her true appearance.

"Hope you're doing well," Arin greeted and then asked, "Tell me about every secret you hold."

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Sylpha, and we exchanged a knowing look. With that assurance, I began to recount everything to him – from how I ended up in this world to the encounters and experiences I've had since my arrival. Now, I wonder what he might be thinking about me.