18. Captain Jarvis 2.

"Young master, have you awakened your dragon bloodline?" asked Jarvis, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Yes," Orion answered.

'Since the young master had awoken his bloodline, then he must have some of the nobles on his wanted list,' Jarvis thought to himself.

Jarvis had no evidence to justify his assumptions, but he was certain that a few of the nobles had a hand in the death of Orion's father and he would be more than happy to carry out any demands his prince had for him.

"And that's why I need your help," Orion added.

Seeing the serious expression in Orion's eyes as he asked for his help, Jarvis leaned a bit closer before inquiring in a soft tone.

"Who would you like to have me kill?"

Orion was taken aback by his question. "Huh? What? No, that's not what I want."

"Really?!" Jarvis was surprised to hear that. "You don't want me to kill anyone for you?"

"I do, but not now."

"Oh, I see," Jarvis nodded his head in understanding. "I'm sorry for misunderstanding you."

"It's fine, I appreciate your enthusiasm."

"Thank you, young master, so how may I be of service to you?"

Hearing his question, Orion placed the book he brought from the library on the table and slid it toward Jarvis.

However, Jarvis didn't know what he was expecting from him by showing him the book because he didn't know how to read.

However, before he could open his mouth to speak, Orion told Jarvis what he wanted him to see.

"Please, have a look at the book. There are a few images of some herbs that I would need your help with."

Jarvis grabbed the book and opened it.

Upon opening the pages, he noticed the images in each of the folded pages Orion mentioned.

"I am familiar with each of these herbs and they can be found in the Shadow-wood forest, but they are extremely difficult to find. Is there a particular reason why you would need these herbs?"

"Yes, I believe I can brew a potion that can help cure the sickness of my sister and my stepmother."

Hearing this, Jarvis's eyes widened in surprise. He instinctively shifted his gaze from Orion to Lilith, only to see Lilith looking just as surprised as him.

"Is something wrong?" Orion asked, noticing the surprised look on Jarvis's face.

"N-No, young master, but are you sure about this? Can you really brew a cure for the weird illness that's afflicting everyone in the kingdom?" Jarvis had a skeptical look on his face.

Even the best alchemist and potion-brewers in the kingdom had tried their best to brew a cure but they were unsuccessful. Yet, the prince thinks he can do this.

"Yes," Orion replied with a serious look on his face.

Jarvis couldn't question his prince after noticing the determined expression on Orion's face.

'Did he also awaken his mother's bloodline?' Jarvis thought to himself.

Orion's mother was known to be the smartest woman in the kingdom. Maybe Orion had awoken his mother's bloodline and inherited her trait without him knowing, which must have allowed him to gain insight into how to cure the queen and princess's illness.

This was merely Jarvis's assumption but since he didn't want to offend the prince by asking too many questions, he decided to agree to find the herbs.

"Okay, young master. I'll head out now to find these herbs."

"You're leaving now?"

"Yes, I am assuming you will need them as soon as possible, right ?" Jarvis asked, determined to find the herbs as fast as he could. He was assuming that Orion intended to put Lucretia back on the throne as soon as possible.

"You are right. Thank you so much, Jarvis."

"You're welcome, young master. I'll be off then," Jarvis grabbed the book and his long sword which had been leaning against the wall, but Orion was a bit worried, seeing as Jarvis would be venturing into the deadly forest on his own.

"Are you going alone?" Unlike the woods where Lilith had hunted those 2-star beasts, the Shadow-wood forest had more fearsome beasts and monsters.

"No, I won't. I know two subordinates who have at least one family member who is afflicted with the illness and so will be eager to help in this expedition."

Orion nodded in understanding. "Very well, off you go."

Jarvis bowed and excused himself from the room.

On his way out, his lips curled up excitedly. He knew things were about to change within the kingdom, but for now, he could only hope that Orion could really brew a cure to save his stepmother.

There were a lot of benefits the kingdom could gain if Lucretia became well again and was strong enough to return to the throne.

This was why he wanted to be fast and discreet in carrying out the task given to him by Orion.

He had been noticing some crafty movements between the nobles of the kingdom ever since Lucretia became ill. But if she were to return to the throne, she should be able to prevent the nobles from implementing any of the treasonous plans they might be devising from their respective cities across the kingdom.

"Who knows, I might even be able to avenge my late father as well," Jarvis muttered to himself before mounting a horse and riding it into the distance.

_____

Meanwhile, still in Jarvis's chambers, Orion released a sigh of relief as he leaned his back against the chair while crossing his arms and closing his eyes, but Lilith was still a bit concerned about what Orion said to Jarvis.

"Y-young master?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you really brew a potion for your sister's illness?"

Orion opened his eyes and turned towards her to answer her question. "Yes, I can."

Lilith had never seen Orion look so serious and determined before. She couldn't deny how handsome he looked right now as well, and she couldn't help but think that Orion might have discovered the cause of everyone's illness in the kingdom and the empire at large.

"Do you perhaps know the cause of your sister's illness?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Really?"

"Yes, but it's still just a speculation for now."

"Nevertheless, what do you think might be the cause of their sickness?"