Chapter 143: Sixteenth Episode: Chapter 7 (2/2)

The emperor thought for a long time before continuing his sentence, ”I will discuss the matter with a few of my cabinet ministers, and inform you about my decision in a couple of days later!”

”Yes, Your Majesty!” Oscar was glad he didn't appear too pushing. The emperor was right, the trip down south was definitely not a decision that could be made in one night. He needed to mull over again on certain description of details regarding the issue, and perhaps it was also time to call for some external help!

The blasting afternoon sun was warming up the stone castle that has been the lookout post at the north west of the capital since many years ago. From the tower hanging high on the top of the peak, one could locate the spires of the distant Westberg Fort. The view of vast northern Blackwood in the distance also entered the sight.

High wind blew violently on the top of the hill, the whistling of the wind in the vast pines forest could be heard loud and clear. Imperial Guards guarded every corner of the castle, apart from the emperor's temporary dormitory. Perhaps their majesty was really old, not many people could sleep soundly at the ancient castle where air leaked from all directions.

”Let him in!” O'Neil demanded the emperor's personal paladin, who followed the order after a moment of pondering.

Poison Doctor Percy puffed and panted, the running uphill left him breathless. On his back was a heavy box equipped with medical tools.

”Oh my God, are you trying to have me killed?”

”Hush!” Oscar placed his finger in front of his lips, and pointed at the wooden door next to him, ”Don't disturb him, His Majesty the Third is resting in there.”

The startled Percy quickly nodded his head in understanding, ”What's the matter? Are you not feeling well?” Poison Doctor asked as he began to open his medical box in silence.

”Not me!” Oscar shook his head and again pointed at the wooden door beside.

”His Majesty the Emperor?” Poison Doctor's eyes widened, ”You want me to… His Majesty…”

”Keep your mouth shut, Percy!” Oscar walked to the other end of the corridor and stole a glance at the paladin, ”Say one word again and I'll cut off your tongue!”

Percy kept his mouth tight obediently as told, all this while doubting if the young man was trying to order himself to poison the ruler of Titan.

”Bring your stuff and follow up!” Oscar demanded while he gently pushed open the wooden door. The emperor of the empire was sleeping soundly on an ordinary cot and snoring thunderously, seemed like the vigorous exercise in the morning had truly exhausted him.

The young prince and doctor tiptoed to the emperor's bedside. Percy quickly reached for his stethoscope at Oscar's signal.

The emperor's summer clothing was thinly clad, hence the fluctuating sound of his stomach entered the doctor's ear loud and clear. Percy was a certified experienced physician; his harming tricks derived entirely from his accurate grasp of pathology.

The doctor's hand that was holding the stethoscope shivered slightly, as past experiences told him the emperor's condition wasn't very encouraging! Trying to obtain more information, Percy softly pulled up the bottom of emperor's trousers to reveal his calf and pressed one finger on it with enough pressure to leave a mark.

All of a sudden Alfa III turned around! Oscar and Percy were so startled their whole body came out with a cold sweat! They weren't sure how would the emperor react if he found out what they were doing to him!

”Phew! Thank goodness!” Oscar patted his chest, but Percy appeared surprised and bewildered.

The mark on the emperor's thigh was still obvious to the eyes, in the center of the mark, a blue-black spot was beginning to emerge!

The doctor checked his surrounding in panic as he was still unsure about his observation, but finally, he managed to find a conclusive proof at the corner of the room.

The young prince, whose brows were knitted tightly together, finally left the room alongside the poison doctor, who was hugging a bucket and headed for a dark corner in the stone castle.

Percy, who didn't seem to care about hygiene, unveiled a magnifying glass from his arm, then took a handful of urine and carefully observed it.

”Your Highness! He…”

”Softer!” Oscar covered the doctor's mouth with his hand in a hurry. ”Oh God! I should really cut off your tongue after hearing what you have to say!”

Percy caught his breath and muttered in the prince's ear.

”Chaotic internality, severe lower limb edema, and purulent haematuria! In all honesty, I have never seen such a serious case of renal failure!”

Oscar was trembling with fear, and glared right into Percy's eyes, ”Renal failure? Isn't it an incurable disease?” Oscar's doubts suddenly cleared up. Alfa III must have already known of his health condition, which was why his manner of speaking in the day was unusually peculiar, especially when spoke about Alanis.

Percy shook his head in suspicion, ”Although it's true that renal failure is incurable, it is normally a long-term pathological process, it doesn't seem usual for this to happen so suddenly!”

”What do you mean? Is it possible that… someone influenced it with poison?”

”It is one possible reason, but I'm not completely certain about it!”

”You must find out the truth!” Oscar abruptly held tight and pulled at Poison Doctor's collar, ”Nothing must happen to His Majesty the Third at this time! He is my only dependent for the moment, and if he dies all of us have to rush back to Narcissus County! Everything we have in the capital will turn into ashes!”

”Oscar! Oscar! You… you're suffocating me!” Percy constantly slapped on the young prince's back to aware the man.

”Can His Majesty be cured?” Oscar finally calmed down.

”God!” Percy held his forehead in his palm, ”I only examined His Majesty casually, so I need to figure out the source of toxin or disease in order to come up with a cure, but as you know my doctor license has long been rescinded, moreover…”

”Enough!” Oscar cut the grumbling man short. ”Percy, listen up! This matter should never be exposed to a third person!”

”Of course! I swear!” Immediately, Percy raised three fingers toward the sky.

A cold gaze fixed on the eyes of the young man who was deep in thoughts. His fate was connected with the gravely-ill emperor though links invisible to the eyes, his future closely associated with the rise and fall of the imperial family.

Oscar swore silently in his heart that he must never let off the murderer! The murderer would definitely remove each hindrance that blocked his way! If the emperor was the first, then Oscar would either be the second, or third or fourth! It didn't matter where he ranked on the list, what was most essential was the first and the most crucial obstacle has to rise again!

Just as the sun was about to fall behind the horizon, the Emperor boarded his carriage in delight. The weary old man waved his hand light weakly at the young prince and admitted that he has had a wonderful day together.

”What's the matter? Swan Hill Castle is in the opposite direction!” confused, the emperor looked at young Oscar who boarded his carriage without first asking for permission.

His Highness Prince closed the door behind him loudly. As the bugle call sounded, the massive troop began to move slowly.

”Your Majesty!” Oscar finally found a chance to be alone with the emperor.

”What is it that you want to tell me?” the emperor, who could no longer concentrate his energy, sighed with impatience.

”Your Majesty, do you have a doctor whom you trust?”

Emperor's eyes widened with surprise, ”I do! Why do you ask?”

Oscar lowered his voice, his hand placed on the emperor's lower abdomen. ”Your Majesty, what I meant was a doctor who knows his poison well!”

***************

The city was overshadowed by dark shades as night fell. The poplar and willow bent down shyly, flowers and plants covered the buds. The summer night in the City of Dulin was oddly quiet and soothing, it seemed that even the insects have slowed down their rhythm.

Between the tall buildings stood the fleche of the castle, its smooth stone walls silently reflecting the brilliance of the stars. The heavily armed paladins spread themselves throughout every corner of the castle, another brigade of these men was also patrolling in the square near the fortress. Silver moonlight reflected on the steel texture of the armor made these soldiers looked like swarms of fish swimming in the sea.

Count Rudolf Hoss from of the Empire's Secret Service Department was terror-stricken when he witnessed the scene laid in front of his eyes! He vaguely remembered only seeing such garrison defense arrangement in Tacheles Fortress during the early stages of His Majesty the Third's coronation.

”What's the matter?” Rudolf stopped the emperor's confidential secretary as soon as he alighted the carriage.

Count Philip Goolean's face grew grave and his brows knitted closely together, ”This is not a safe place to speak, come with me!”

After passing through several corridors and the great hall ambushed with numerous soldiers, the Chief of Secret Service and confidential secretary finally arrived at the top floor of the sleeping palace.

Rudolf Hoss once again was shocked to see where they arrived at, he knew the top floor of Tacheles Fortress was the health consulting room of His Majesty the Third! Was the rumor regarding His Majesty's health real? Was the emperor actually dying?

A paladin revealed himself from behind the door, and Rudolf nodded in his direction.

”Basil! How is it going?” Count Philip Goolean rested his hand on the paladin's shoulder.

”I'm not sure, but the specialists from Imperial Academy of Medicine are still in a heated group consultation.”

The head of palace guards Colonel Basil Kenny moved aside to let the two lords enter. The Head of Secret Service was startled again as he noticed O'Neil Andrew Morisette's presence in the room, it seemed like the emperor really has high regards for this young man!

Oscar went forward to receive Rudolf, ”Good evening, Count Hoss!”

”Good evening, Your Highness!” Head of Secret Service grabbed young prince's arm and directed him to the sofa. He did a casual scanning across the room to discover apart from the health consulting room behind that closed door, there were no more than four persons in the room including the head of palace guards and confidential secretary.

”Why does everyone look disheartened? What's the matter with His Majesty?”

Oscar remained silent, but he reached out to uncover a gauze on the table, underneath was a metal dish containing a couple of silver needle, on their tips were stained dark black blood.

The stench that had been masked by alcohol and gauze once again filled the whole room. The smell attacked Rudolf Hoss's nostril so badly that he had an uncontrollable tendency to throw up.

”Poison! A rank poison that can completely weaken and destroy the kidney and liver!”

Glancing at the young prince who has a stern expression on his face, and the closed door behind, the sensitive Rudolf already understood what happened!

”Any clue on the source of poison?” Indeed, he deserved to title to be head of secret service. Finding the source of the poison was equivalent to discovering the clue to solve the crime, besides it seemed almost impossible to poison an emperor, seeing as the emperor has a special team responsible for examining poisons!

”Not through food, medicine, nor contact! The specialists from Imperial Academy of Medicine are still trying to sort it out.”

Rudolf's brows drew close together as he watched at the young prince with disbelief.

”Not through food, medicine, nor contact? Then what could it be? Is there any other form of poison in this world? Or any other kind of cause?”

Oscar shook his head in response, ”I'm not sure either! What I know is that someone managed to infuse this poisonous drug into His Majesty the Emperor's body! Doctors from University Town still acclaim it is lucky for the early discovery! If we found out a few days later then perhaps we shall already be burying His Majesty's coffin under the ground!”

Rudolf took a deep breath and turned toward the confidential secretary beside him. ”How was it discovered? I mean… how did someone find out the emperor is poisoned?”

Count Philip Goolean didn't reply but raised his head at the young prince seated next to the Head of Secret Service.

Immediately Oscar understood tacitly.

”Well, I went for a hike with His Majesty today, and His Majesty's condition at the moment raised my suspicion, so I had the doctor to check on him without permission,” Oscar spread his hands out at the table, ”and here's the result!”

Rudolf Hoss pondered on this for a second before he rose to his height, ”Gentlemen, I need to do something! It normally requires some time for the poison to take effect, and His Majesty gets his body checked once every while. His personal doctor is the most eminent one in the whole capital, this man would not miss any small hint! He must know something!”

”Everyone who helped examine His Majesty's health for the past two months is already under my control!”

Rudolf looked at the young prince in surprise, ”Are you sure?”

”Yes, not even one is left out! All of them are enjoying some afternoon tea in my headquarters, do you want to pay them a visit?”

Rudolf avoided Oscar's stare, he has to admit Military Intelligence Bureau was ahead of him for this case.

The room to the consulting room finally opened! Alfa III was seated on a wooden made wheelchair and was being directed to the reception area with the help of numerous doctors.

Everyone presented had a clear look of the emperor's pitiful sight. His white pants were stained with blood, on his body was layers of clothing, beads of perspiration could also be seen forming on his forehead.

The emperor opened his mouth, but no words came out from his trembling pale lips! Osli Alfa Morisette, who looked haggard was ripped off his dignity and sacred duty resembled no more than a dying old man. His limbs shook uncontrollably, his eyes sunken, and his messy hair was all over the place like withered leaves.

Oscar abruptly pulled at the collar of the oldest doctor among all!

”Are you all trying to save His Majesty or are you all trying to kill him? What have you done to him?”

”Your Highness! Your Highness!” the old doctor felt slightly dizzy after being greeted by Oscar with such violence, ”Please listen to my explanation! Please listen to my explanation!”

Another doctor stepped forward to help out his colleagues, ”Your Highness Prince, for the moment His Majesty is temporarily out of danger, and his current condition is the result of the drug. We had no choice but to release the poison from His Majesty's body, we're talking about the degree of pain even normal people have difficulty enduring, not to mention His Majesty who is already deeply poisoned!”

”What do you mean that His Majesty is temporarily out of danger?” Rudolf Hoss was also getting impatient.

”We still need to carefully observe His Majesty for yet another period of time, and constantly release the poison out of his body, which means… that this will be a lengthy process!”

His Highness Prince Oscar finally let go of that poor man, ”Any idea on the source of poison?”

All of the doctors shook their head in response, but without a word, they glanced at the same person, and Oscar immediately followed suit.

”What's wrong? Do you have a different view?”

”Your Highness, my lords, I'm Professor Enric Belinger, and I specialize in eastern medicine!”

”Eastern medicine?” everyone widened their eyes.

”Yes, my lords. The poison infected into His Majesty is extremely rare, or should I say… it's not a poison commonly found in Westland! According to records, in the faraway east, some doctors specialize in utilizing their own body as a platform to cultivate toxins, they…”

”What the hell are you talking about?” Oscar became irritated again, ”I ask you for the cause of His Majesty's poisoning, why are you mumbling this nonsense?”

”Haha, Your Highness, I've already replied your question. The sudden and violent pathological response to such poisoning can only be explained by the fact that these toxins act directly on the kidneys and reproductive organs through one of the most secretive and direct means!”

”Direct means?” Rudolf Hoss asked for confirmation.

”That's right!” Professor Enric Belinger nodded in affirmation, ”My colleagues can prove me right as this is the conclusion that we all agreed upon. As for the cause, I believe I've already mentioned that, in the faraway east, some doctors specialize in utilizing their own body as a platform to cultivate toxins. The most possible way to have poisoned the emperor through human contact is by…”

”Sexual interaction?” Head of Secret Service gave his answer aloud without given any concern.

”That's right, and this is also the only way that I can think of!” Professor Enric Belinger pointed to the blood stained on the silver needles, ”Similar to the infectious venereal disease, the toxins are transmitted through genital contact, which is a covert and safe way, for the reason that male genital organs are concentrated in a large number of glands so toxins can spread easily and rapidly!”

”Oscar… Oscar…”

”Your Majesty!” the young prince who only just returned his composure suddenly realized this weak voice was calling for him.

”Your Majesty! How're you feeling?”

Alfa III lowered his eyes in fatigue. He has regained his consciousness, but his whole body was still under the influence of the drug.

”I'm feeling fine! Like I've just been run over by a carriage!”

”Haha, Your Majesty, I can see that!”

”It appears that… you have saved my life!” with much difficulty Alfa III raised his head to meet with young prince's gaze.

”No, Your Majesty, you thanked the wrong person! It was the doctors from Imperial Academy of Medicine who saved your life.”

The emperor shook his head weakly and did his best to raise his arm. Oscar quickly went forward to hold that pair of cold arms.

Osli Alfa Morisette caressed his son-in-law's face lovingly, ”Go ahead with your plans, and head for the south!”

Oscar nodded his head calmly, but inside he felt his whole body raging with energy.

”Yes, Your Majesty, I will!”