166 Runic Inscriptions (1/2)

”Those two pills can both cure Rachel's illness. Of the two, only one is needed.” Leon explained.

”Really!? That's great news!” Ignis happily exclaimed, before his brows scrunched together in confusion. ”But why is there two, if only one is needed? What's the issue?”

His daughter's illness had been one of his biggest concern. A person who easily becomes incapacitated at the mere sight of blood was no different to a cripple. It would be very difficult such a person to survive in the harsh world they live in. While this might not have been a problem previously with the protection of the Duke and Duchess, it was clear that their strengths were now inadequate.

”These pills each represent a soft and hard method to curing Rachel. The Forgetting Nightmare Pill wipes away her bad memories and experience, while the Reminiscent Trial Pill send her into and endless cycle of reliving those experience until she overcomes them by her own will. I may be the doctor, but as to which pill to take, the choice is not mine to make…”

Leon continued to explain the usage of the pills and the potential risks involved in ingesting them. Although the risk is low, it wasn't something to be taken lightly. The Forgetting Nightmare Pill could result in Rachel becoming a different person, for better or for worse, the result was unclear, while the Reminiscent Trial Pill could put her to eternal sleep if she's never able to overcome her trauma.

”En, this is indeed a difficult choice to make. I'm afraid I am unable to decide for my daughter. Ultimately, the choice is hers to make. We'll continue our discussion after meeting up with your fiancée and mother-in-law.” Ignis stated.

”Alright.”

Leon followed the Duke up several floors. On the seventh floor, Amelia and Rachel did not notice them entering. They each held a chisel in hand and inscribed complex lines on a metal sheet with great focus.

Looking around, Leon noticed the entire floor were filled with piles of such engravings lying about. They looked like the runes that one would find on the levitation stones. It appeared to him that the seventh floor was dedicated to researching the levitation stone.

Picking up a piece of engraving, he could not find any fault with it. The runic lines were perfectly carved and connected, forming the complete image of a rune. Although Leon didn't understand runic inscriptions, he could still recognize the runes when he sees one.

However, the runic piece was just lying about on the floor among many others like scraps. Such skillfully inscribed runes were treated like garbage with no value. The discovery filled Leon with an inexplicable feeling of doubt. With such attainments, why haven't they created the levitation stones yet?

”Not good. It's another failure. There's nothing special about it.” Rachel tossed the inscribe metal sheet into the pile of other failed products.

”We can only replicate the look and not the effects. It's completely lifeless. What are we missing?” Amelia pondered with a frown.

Realization dawned on Leon as he knew exactly what they were missing. All the inscribed sheets had the form but lacked the essence. He shook his head with a chuckle. Indeed, if runic inscriptions were so simple, the Lancasters would have already become master artificers, capable of producing spirit artifacts instead of just high-grade ordinary weapons.

His light chuckle made the mother and daughter frown. Who had the galls to laugh at them? Turning around, they were immediately surprised.

”Eh? Leon? When did you get here?” Rachel exclaimed. She was not expecting Leon's visit and was caught unprepared.

During the time they had not seen each other, she had time to reflect on her own feelings and realized she and Leon did not share any strong feelings. Leon was her only good friend from the opposite sex. As such, she wasn't repulsed by him, but what she felt for Leon wasn't love. Thus, she became awkward and decided to avoid him.

Previously, she was against her arranged marriage because she did not want to marry some unknown prince. As a young lady, she was naturally curious about love. Although she wanted to fall in love and experience it, it was under the notion that it was unadulterated and natural.

”We just got here.” Leon said with a light smile. There was no need to mention the half-an-hour wait and make the other party feel bad.

”Haih… They say when daughters married outside, they only have eyes on their husband and forget all about their own father.” Ignis sighed when his daughter did not greet him.

”W-What nonsense are you saying, father!? I'm not married yet.” Rachel responded bashfully, before greeting guiltily. ”Father, you're also here.”