One day in the morning, Taro woke up early, cleaned the house, took a shower, and headed to the kitchen.
After placing breakfast on the table for Yukiko, he continued preparing lunch with various recipes and ingredients. After putting it in the oven, he started washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.
Later, Yukiko woke up and saw him cleaning the floor.
"Ohayō gozaimasu," she greeted, yawning. "Why are you awake that early?"
"Ohayō, Yukiko, my mother is coming today," he responded. "I'm cleaning and cooking so she feels comfortable."
"Oka-san is coming? Why didn't you wake me up so I could help you?" She asked.
"That's not necessary," he answered. "I didn't want to bother you."
"Daijoubu, nothing bothers me from helping you," she replied. "Sore ne, she is my mother now."
"Thanks, you're right," he said. "I'll gladly use your help next time. Right now, go eat breakfast before it gets colder."
"What about you?" She asked.
"I'm not hungry... I prepared it just for you," he answered.
"Arigato! Itadakimasu!" She thanked.
After Yukiko had breakfast, she began cleaning the table. Once she finished, there was a knock at the door. Yukiko went to open the door, finding MonaAbodo outside.
"Oka-san! Okaerinasai!" Yukiko greeted, hugging.
"Bonjour, sweetie," Mona greeted back with a low voice.
After a few seconds, Taro went to the living room, finding his mother and Yukiko sat on the couch.
"Mother! You're back!" He exclaimed, smiling. "I didn't hear you coming."
"It's okay, honey," she replied, standing to hug him. "You still don't stop cleaning and cooking, do you? I should probably stop coming so you don't push yourself."
"Don't say that... it's a routine for me," he responded, laughing quietly.
When he sat down on the chair, Mona asked:
"So, how was it between you two?"
"It was great, Oka-san," Yukiko responded, then began blushing. "Taro was always there for me... and he never said something could hurt me."
Then, Yukiko began telling her about their life together, and how they balanced it with school.
"Ah, that's beautiful! I'm proud of you two!" Mona replied, smiling. "So, where do you usually sleep?"
"I sleep in Taro's room, and Taro sleeps in your room," Yukiko answered.
"You don't sleep together I see," she muttered, hand on a chin.
"O-Of course not, mother!" Taro said, blushing. "We can't do that before marriage!"
Mona laughed teasingly, adding:
"Relax, honey! I know exactly my son, and his fiancée too. You built your relationship with respect and boundaries. I'm certain you'll be a great husband and wife."
Then, she stared at Yukiko, continuing:
"Yukiko, you'll always be like a daughter to me. I have liked you since the day I met you for the first time. The day Taro called and told me about his confession made me over the moon."
"Arigato, Oka-san," Yukiko thanked, smiling with a small blush. "I'm truly glad to hear that!"
During their small chit chat, Taro noticed how his mother began sweating intensely.
"Mother... are you alright?" He asked, worried. "Why are you sweating?"
"D-Don't worry, honey," she responded, breathing heavily, "I'm alright. Maybe it's just... hot today."
Taro wasn't convinced... as the weather was cold, yet she was sweating heavily and breathing so fast. Instantly, he put his hand on his mother's forehead, getting shocked by how warm her body is.
"Mother! Your body is burning up!" He exclaimed.
"That's nothing... it's just..." Mona replied while coughing, her voice turned lower.
"Yukiko, get me a lemon," he demanded.
Without hesitation, he carried his mother to her room, laying her on the bed. Then, he grabbed a white cloth and soaked it in cold water. He returned and placed it on her forehead.
Then, Yukiko entered with two half slices of a lemon.
"Thanks, Yukiko," he whispered, taking the lemons.
"How is oka-san now?" She asked.
"Her body is getting warmer... this is weird, it happened so suddenly," he responded while squeezing the half slice of lemon.
"Daijoubu, I'm certain she will be fine," she comforted. "I'll take care of her."
"I appreciate that," he replied, smiling with a worried expression.
Hours passed, and no sign of improvement. Mona kept breathing heavily while sweating.
"Nothing changed... her body is still warm," Taro muttered.
"Do I try using my {Healing Spell}?" Yukiko asked.
"That won't work against illnesses," Taro responded.
"We've no options but trying," she replied.
Yukiko raised her hands toward Mona, using her {Healing Spell}. She kept healing for a few minutes, but nothing seemed to work.
"Enough, Yukiko," Taro stopped her. "This will make it worse for you."
"Demo... what are we supposed to do?" She asked.
"I don't know... I can't even identify the issue," he responded, putting a hand on his neck. "Guess I have to ask and buy something suitable from the pharmacy."
Then instantly, Taro grabbed his wallet and rushed to the nearest pharmacy.
Minutes later, he returned with two medicines.
"I bought two suggested medicines," he said. "I hope this works."
He immediately poured a cup of water and helped her take the medicine.
More hours passed, and still no single sign of improvement.
This is confusing… why is nothing working? He thought, gnashing his teeth.
"Taro... what are we going to do?" Yukiko asked, shocked.
He sat for minutes with a hand on his chin, doing nothing but thinking with a low stare.
"Yukiko... I guess I have to visit Enzo," he decided. "He might find the problem... and the solution."
"Naruhodo, I'll stay here and take care of oka-san," she replied.
"I count on you," he waved, smiling.
Without hesitation, he dashed to the middle of the forest. Using the golden key, he opened the portal to the Kingdoms Realm. After that, he entered it.
Enzo, meanwhile, was reading a few books in his room in the Azure Kingdom's tower. Suddenly, the door knocked. He went to open it, finding Taro catching his breath.
"Welcome back, young knight," He greeted. "Why were you running?"
"Hello, master Enzo," he responded. "My apologies, but I need your help."
After a small pause, Enzo asked:
"Why did that happen to your mother?"
"I'm impressed you could know through reading my mind," Taro responded. "I don't know, that's why I'm here... I need your help with your {Soul-Vision} to figure out the problem."
"Understood... lead the way," Enzo replied.
The moment they returned to the Overworld, Taro suggested:
"Before we keep going, you better disguise yourself as a doctor."
"Is that necessary?" Enzo asked.
"Yeah, just for not raising eyes on us," Taro explained. "Along with that, my mother probably doesn't know you..."
"You are right," Enzo agreed. "So, what do doctors in the Overworld look like?
Taro began describing their clothes and their look. Then, Enzo disguised himself into one, completely different from his original look.
"Now that disguising is done successfully, where is the way?" He asked.
"Follow me... it's our house," Taro responded.
When they arrived, they went to the bedroom.
"I'm back, Yukiko," Taro said.
"Okaerinasai, Taro," she whispered. "Where's Enzo-san?"
"He's right here... disguising as a doctor," he answered, getting closer to her ear.
"Naruhodo, demo... oka-san is sleeping," she replied.
"Well, things will be much easier then," Taro said.
Instantly, Enzo's eyes glowed blue... a sign of using {Soul-Vision}. After a few seconds of inspecting, he declared:
"I witness small, green objects roaming her entire body... yet it does not seem like a fever."
"What is that?" Taro asked.
"Unfortunately, I do not know," Enzo responded. "However, I have the solution."
After a short pause, Taro asked:
"What is it? I'll do anything!"
"There is a potion that removes these unknown types of illnesses," Enzo responded. "However, the ingredients are so difficult to obtain. Fortunately, I have some of these ingredients in the tower, but the rest are the hardest to obtain. What do you say... do you have all it takes for a deadly adventure?"
Taro stared at his mother's face... then at Yukiko. Instantly, he answered:
"Of course... I'll do whatever it takes to cure my mother. Even with low chances of success, I'm not giving up!"
Then, he grabbed his sword, and added:
"Sorry, Yukiko, I count on you once again to take care of my mother when I'm away."
"Return safe, Taro," she replied, smiling.
After that, he went to the forest again with Enzo. Once they arrived, they opened the portal. After stepping out, Enzo said:
"For the ingredients, you will need an orchid extract, sapphire lotus nectar, and a violet mushroom."
"Their names sound... heavy," he replied.
"Of course, because they are far from the kingdom. Therefore, you have to battle against deadly monsters," Enzo explained.
"Well, I was right when I grabbed these, he said, showing the magical dates. "Thanks, master Enzo, and sorry for involving you into this."
"There is no need to apologize," Enzo replied. "After all, we owe you for defeating Armageddon. Good luck, Seventh Legendary Knight. I will be waiting for you in the tower."
Enzo returned, while Taro headed to the first area: silver grove.
I'm coming for you, mother, he thought.
Then, he began his journey to save her!
(To Be Continued...)