CHAPTER 179: PRELIMINARY CURE

Two days later...

By now, the destruction of the city had been restored to nearly 90%.

The victims were also promptly tended to. The majority of their physical health was good, but their mental health was below average.

After all, the search and rescue would occasionally confirm those missing had been killed without a body left.

However, not everything was complete darkness and grim.

Just like how there would be despair from people losing their loved ones.

There was also happiness and relief when a victim was found and rescued successfully to their side.

"Thank you for saving my son," A mother cried her heart out and embraced her child.

She had gone out for groceries, only to be dragged into the outbreak, and had no idea whether her child would live or not for such a long time. Those dreadful days had taken an immense toll on her mentality.

"Your son is very strong. We were able to find him hiding deep in a cabinet." A Crimson Guard commented.

"Thank you!"

The mother was about to kneel and bow her head in gratitude, only to be halted by the guard.

"We are the Crown Prince’s guards. It’s our responsibility to protect the citizens’ lives and property."

Shortly after saying that, the guard left without giving the woman a chance to bow or kneel.

The goal had been achieved.

What they wanted was not some immediate gratitude, but a heartfelt, warm welcome to the Crown Prince.

While this was happening, the Royal Velastra Hotel was also undergoing a massive change.

Every employee in the hotel was on a time crunch to prepare for the Crown Prince’s banquet.

Presidential Suite

"Crown Prince, every major power in Velastra has been given an invitation," Curtis reported.

Leonard received the report. His shoulders were being massaged by Shirley as he pondered over the list of people who deserved to be eliminated.

"Did you make sure to hand one to Marquis Darius?" He asked.

"Yes!"

"And what was their reaction?"

"Marquis Darius appeared to be grateful, but the guard could discern traces of disdain and unwillingness," Curtis responded, and even gave a detailed description of the scene when it occurred. He also made sure to comment on Darius’s distressed and somewhat exhausted state.

Leonard was amused when his guards were able to discern the Marquis’s inner emotion.

The repeated setbacks, followed by near-alienating treatment since Leonard accepted the nobles who betrayed him, were starting to show such immediate effects.

"These parasite nobles also need to be eliminated, but before then, make sure they clash well with the Marquis." Leonard carefully reminded Curtis.

"If anything, have them be assigned to the same table. Although the Marquis has been hit hard in Velastra, his influence in other cities isn’t going to be easy to eradicate."

The Fourth Prince truly played a good move on this chessboard. Even if exposed, there was still nothing available in use that could harm him.

Not to mention, Leonard would still be hands-tied if he wanted to pursue the matter.

Marquis Darius was ultimately still a Marquis. In terms of status and power, he was above Lord Wesley outside of Velastra.

To summarize, one was a domestic king, whereas the other was an international king.

Within Velastra, Wesley Livingston was near invincible. Even through multiple manipulations and tactics, Leonard failed to effectively topple Wesley’s army or actual power.

The cursing and low public opinion from the lower classes had done little to no damage to Wesley.

The result was no different than throwing an egg at a rock.

Not only was the egg lost, but it also did absolutely no damage to the rock aside from some staining of the egg white and yolk.

"Anyway, if that’s all, then you’re dismissed." Leonard waved his hand.

Curtis bowed and promptly excused himself. Upon leaving the room, he spotted Caroline waiting outside.

’This woman really isn’t simple.’ The previous times, Curtis didn’t understand her well enough. But after these past days, he came to realize why she was so widely revered.

The hotel basement had practically been overturned, with her dominating the laboratory solely.

Even Leonard didn’t dare to disturb her much and was required to wait for her permission to seek an audience.

As Curtis walked past Caroline, the latter paid no heed to them and entered the room.

Upon entering and seeing Leonard getting his shoulders massaged, she twitched her brows.

"I have a preliminary cure for the Wrathbane Extract." Caroline retrieved a vial filled with a blueish substance. "The cure only nullifies the need for blood, helping to retain their sanity momentarily. But once the effect wore off, they would return to their mad state."

Leonard received the vial and shook it around.

"So you’re saying that this cure removed the madness effect, right?"

"That is correct."

"Then, what if they were fed with the Restoration Potion during their sane state? Could the restoration potion eliminate the Wrathbane Extract dwelling in their body?"

A look of astonishment could be seen on Caroline’s face.

Right... Why hadn’t she thought about the Restoration Potion?

"If the Restoration Potion was consumed, then they could restore their state to a healthy state." She murmured.

"But what if the consumer can’t use mana?" She became distressed again.

"Um, what if you include some mana properties in the potion itself?" Leonard raised a suggestion.

"It’s got me thinking since that incident. What if the Restoration Potion itself contained traces of mana that would work with the substance to restore the consumer’s state?" He gave his insight.

This was something that had been hammering in his mind since Irene’s death.

The healing potion was ineffective against the poison-laced weapon that she sustained, and the Restoration Potion was useless at that time as well because Irene couldn’t use mana.

But what if the Restoration Potion at that time was perfected and didn’t require the user to have mana? Then wouldn’t Irene have been saved?

Although it was already too late to speak about it, Leonard could help advance the progress of the item to avoid a similar tragedy.