East Road Quest

Chapter 51: The Devil’s Poison

Saph sat beside the bed with trembling steps, tearing towels into appropriate sizes and stacking them neatly next to Jade.

Soon, Ruby returned, cursing as she carried a basin filled with water.

“…And then I’ll slather your tongue with mint juice so thick you won’t be able to swallow, tie it with thread, and hang you on the wall. Got it? Huh? Do you understand?”

It seemed that Ruby had been continuously swearing while fetching the water.

Intimidated by Ruby and not wanting to hear any more curses, Saph responded.

“I get it. After saving the priest, I was planning to leave anyway. Dying at the hands of a demon like you isn’t so bad. If I were a demon, it would be fitting to die by a demon’s hand and fall into hell.”

“What? You’re making me feel guilty for cursing? You’re a demon? What are you talking about?”

Saph moistened a cloth and gently wiped the pus around Jade’s wounds.

“I’m a witch who brings misfortune, casting all sorts of evil influences on those around me. It’s all my fault that Father Jade ended up like this.”

“That’s an interesting story. What kind of curse can make someone who’s not even present fall so ill at the hands of a demon?”

“The curse…

The word she had forgotten finally came to mind.

Saph repeated the word to herself.

“The curse. Yes, the curse of misfortune. It’s because I appeared and led the way that we came to this monastery. The man who interrogated me, Father Daniel, his house burned down when he had caught me.”

“Ah, that’s the story the director and Yol were talking about. From what I’ve overheard, that man, Daniel, is the priest who was killed.”

“I led Father Jade into the hands of a murderer. What greater curse could there be?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, it is!”

As if signaling the start of magic, a bright light burst forth from Sapph’s hand. She placed her hand on Jade’s neck.

“I am a witch. A witch of curses and misfortune! I came because I missed the priest so much, but now I realize I must leave. Before I bring any more misfortune upon him…”

“Do you want to wilt like a dog’s tongue under the scorching sun? Shut up! Let’s just check this one thing.”

Ruby extended her neck and examined Jade, asking,

“Jade, do you think you’ll survive?”

“Don’t talk nonsense!”

“Calm down and tell me precisely, you flower bud! Are you dying or not?”

Sapph had to admit she was momentarily excited by Ruby’s words.

“Sorry. I’m not dying. I will wake up soon. It doesn’t seem like the poison has reached my heart.”

“Yoll said that no herb in this world could cure it.”

“I don’t know much about herbs. But

I can definitely cure this.”

“You’re amazing. Just like a real witch. No, by the standards of 500 years ago, you’d be the best among witches.”

Sapph couldn’t tell if that was a compliment or an insult.

Ruby stroked his chin and said,

“Then let’s say you’re a witch.”

“A witch? Witches are… demons

…”

“Who says? Has something changed in 500 years?”

“Witches are minions of the devil.”

“Hmm, really? Since when?”

Sapph shook her head.

“It feels like we’re talking about different things even though we’re using the same words.”

“I think so too! Anyway, even if you are a witch, it’s lucky for Jade that you appeared. If it weren’t for you, she would have died tonight, so meeting you is truly fortunate.”

“But…

“The wound on the neck happened while you were away. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“But I led her into this den of evil.”

“Den of evil? With those bald-headed dandelion fluffs?

This is a clean, windless, roofed safe haven where Jade can be treated.”

“What about Yoll then…?”

Just mentioning his name made Sapph fearful.

“Why Yoll?”

“He’s a scary person.”

“You’re really funny. Are you trembling in fear over such a guy while you dare to speak ill of me and order me around like an angel? Do I look like a flower or a rice cake to you?”

Ruby chuckled and continued with a wicked expression,

“Forget about misfortune and luck. It’s all relative. Speaking of which, I could go out right now and tear them to shreds, then scatter their limbs so far and wide that they couldn’t be reattached even after searching for three days and nights. From their perspective, you leading me here would indeed make you a witch of misfortune.” Ruby’s eyes glowed red, making the candlelight beside him seem dim. He leaned in close to Sapph’s face and spoke menacingly,

“So shut up and focus on treating Jade.”

Sapph swallowed hard and then replied,

“It’s done.”

“Huh? It’s done?”

“Yes, it’s finished.”

“Good job! He can’t die. We need to solve this.”

Ruby pointed to her neck, revealing a metal shackle that had been invisible until now. As she removed her hand, the shackle disappeared.

Saph looked at Ruby for a moment before asking, “Do you not think of me as a witch?”

“It doesn’t matter to me whether you’re a witch or not.”

“Why doesn’t it matter? Aren’t you an angel? Angels are supposed to hate witches and punish them.”

“Is there an angel who has said we must hate and punish witches? I don’t know of any. If there is, tell me their name.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then why do you think angels are supposed to hate and punish witches?”

“I… I don’t really know.”

“Seriously, you talk as if you know about flowers!”

“What’s with flowers all of a sudden?”

“It’s a curse word. I don’t want to explain it again, so ask Jade when she wakes up.”

“A curse word? That doesn’t make sense! Being like a flower isn’t a curse.”

“It’s not about the meaning making sense for it to be a curse.”

“My goodness! How can you say such harsh words so casually…”

Saph’s lips quivered.

“You… you’re not really an angel. Forgive me, oh Lord. Please forgive this child. She probably doesn’t know any better.”

Startled by the sudden profanity, Saph was about to pray but then suddenly remembered and asked, “Wait, didn’t those people say they were going to set fire to this place?”

“That’s right.”

Ruby spoke leisurely.

“Then, are the door and other exits all blocked?”

“They are blocked.”

“So, we’re trapped?”

“We’re trapped, but not really trapped.”

“What does that mean?”

Ruby clenched her fist.

“Didn’t you see me break the door earlier? A wooden door is just a boundary to me. I can break through and leave, but I didn’t want to cause a fuss.”

“Talking to you makes me feel like I’m going crazy.”

“Talking to you is making my mind bloom like a flower.”

“Stop it! Ever since I heard ‘that word,’ even the word ‘flower’ sounds strange. I like flowers, you know!”

“That word? What word? The curse?”

“Yes, that word! Don’t say it!”

Saph yelled loudly.

“Hey, wait!”

Ruby extended her hand towards Saph’s face.

Outside, there was a loud noise, and red light and black smoke rose through the window.

“The fire’s already started? Hmm, I need to take Jade out when she wakes up. Otherwise, I’ll have to kill all those guys outside.”

“I’m against killing.”

“That’s a debate Jade and I have already finished. Don’t get involved. Besides, can’t you produce some kind of light from your horns to block the fire? It’s probably the same kind of magic…”

Ruby reached out to touch the horns, but Saph quickly slapped her hand away. “What are you doing?”

“What? Did I touch your chest or something? This is why it’s annoying to carry around young girls!”

“It’s not that! It’s just these horns are…”

“What about the horns!”

Ruby asked provocatively.

Saph was at a loss for words and ended up asking a question she thought was stupid.

“These horns… aren’t they scary?”

Ruby opened her eyes wide, one larger than the other, and burst into laughter as if having a fit.

“Hahaha! What’s the matter? Scared of horns? Should I be worried that your tiny horns will pierce my stomach? If I’m scared of those little things, should I faint at the sight of a goat’s horns? Maybe I should just headbutt them. Let’s see if my head breaks or your horns do!”

Ruby stopped laughing and suddenly grabbed Saph’s horn aggressively, pulling her closer and growling,

“I’m overlooking your rudeness for three reasons. You’re Jade’s companion, you can heal Jade, and you pose no threat to me. So, if you want to keep being rude in front of me, you better increase those reasons. Got it?”

“I got it.”

“Can you use magic to block the fire or not?”

“I can.”

“Then use it to protect Jade.” Ruby let go of Saph’s horn and ruffled her wet hair.

“I’ll go clean up outside. If it gets dangerous, scream. I’ll come to save you right away.”

Ruby opened the door and left.

Shortly after, the sound of the wooden door breaking and the wind entering through it was loud.

‘It’s strange. I’m not scared of that kid anymore.’

Slowly, smoke began to seep into the room.

Saph hurriedly conjured a light to stifle the fire.

Jade opened his eyes. Before him sat Saph, her entire body radiating a white glow. The light emanating from her horns appeared as a halo around her head.

‘Had I not known better, I would have thought a saint had descended.’

Particles of light surrounded the bed where they sat, beyond which flames danced menacingly.

“You’re awake, Father,” Saph said, her expression impassive.

Jade grasped her hand, which was bracing the bed.

“Are you alright, Saph?”

“It’s you who has returned from the brink of death, Father.”

“Hmm, then perhaps it wasn’t my place to ask.” Jade still felt groggy, as if floating. The feverish imbalance he had experienced earlier was gone.

“Can you explain what’s happened?”

He touched his neck, where a wound lingered, stinging but not severely painful.

“I’ve treated the spread of the demon’s poison in your body,” Saph explained succinctly, almost as if Jade’s death would have been of no consequence. This allowed Jade to inquire calmly.

“It seems there’s a fire now. What happened?”

“Ruby says someone outside is setting the fire. They’re trying to kill us.” Saph’s voice was detached, but her hands trembled faintly with fear.

“Do you know who’s trying to kill us?”

“It’s Puyol. Actually, his name is Yol, and it seems he’s the one who killed Father Daniel. Ruby overheard him speaking with Director Manoli.”

“That’s a story we need to delve into. I’ve felt pursued ever since Rome; it must have been him.”

“Indeed.”

“So we’re trapped in a fire?”

“I’m holding back the flames. Ruby went out to hold them off from the outside.”

“If Ruby’s on it, we can rest easy. But you’re blocking the fire? I knew from Father Daniel that you could wield the light of healing, but this too?”

“I only knew of it in theory. This is my first practical attempt.”

“Impressive. And not a trace of smoke or flame has entered.”

“I mixed different types of light. One repels flames, the other smoke and mist. I tried combining the two.”

“Now that you mention it, the light’s color is different. I hadn’t thought of mixing two lights.”

“I just tried it now. When I used the light to block the fire and then against the smoke, it worked.”

“It worked, huh…”

Jade chuckled wryly.

“Father Daniel always said I needed to ‘learn,’ while you needed to ‘utilize.’ I’m beginning to understand what was once vague. You were born with the magic of light. I need books for that.”

“But our lights are different, Father. I believe we’re born with different aspects.”

“I’m inclined towards destruction, and you towards protection.”

Jade lay back, looking at his hands.

“I wonder if the light of annihilation could also be combined? What would happen if two different verses were merged?”

After a moment of thought, Jade asked Saph.

“Has Ruby caused any harm?”

“She tried. And she cursed. Terrible curses. Father, Ruby might not be an angel after all.”

“Perhaps not.”

Despite her protests, they had carried her into the chapel and even threatened to pull off her horns.

“Oh dear, that must have been frightening. I’ll scold them later,” Jade said soothingly.

“No need for that. I wasn’t scared,” Anna replied firmly.

“Not even when they threatened to pull off your horns?”

“Yes. Strange, isn’t it?”

Anna wrapped her hands around her small horns thoughtfully.

“Do you remember when Father Puyol touched my horns when I was young? I felt at peace then. His nonchalant attitude towards the horns that everyone feared brought me great comfort. Not so with Ruby, though. When he grabbed my horns, I was angry, but at the same time, it felt good.”

Anna spoke with a hint of confusion.

“It was like the childhood friends I grew up with were playing a prank on me. No matter how scary the threats were, it all seemed like a joke…”

Anna trailed off, unable to finish her thought.

Jade let out a short laugh.

“Even while you were unconscious, you two were all I worried about. I’m glad to see you’ll get along.”

Anna asked cautiously, “The three of us, are we going together now?”

“If we can safely escape from here, yes.”

“To find the Holy Grail?”

“That’s right. The three of us will search for the Holy Grail together.”

“But I might bring misfortune to Father Puyol…”

Their conversation was cut short by the sound of something shattering.

Looking up, they saw the ceiling cracking.

“What’s that noise?” Jade asked, sitting up.

“Oh no, the building is about to collapse.”

“Isn’t there a light that can stop it?”

“Light can only block formless things like fire or smoke. There’s nothing we can do if the ceiling collapses…”

With a loud crash, the ceiling was torn away. If it had been collapsing due to fire, it should have fallen downwards, but instead, it was lifted upwards.

Upon closer inspection, it was Ruby who had torn off a part of the roof like paper.

“Huh? Jade, you’re awake?”

Ruby asked, emerging unscathed from the flames.

“Can I speak now?” Jade asked, barely able to raise her voice.

“Speak now? Weren’t you on a vow of silence?”

“Let’s forget about that. What are you doing right now?”

“Nothing much.”

Ruby replied cheerfully.

“I just tore off the ceiling of your room before it collapsed in the flames. To prevent it from falling.”

“Oh, is that what it was?”

Jade had thought Ruby was up to mischief and was relieved. But at Ruby’s next words, Jade sprang from the bed.

“And then the fire spread to the monastery. You should see them running around trying to put it out. Hahaha.”