Linhau's face immediately turned pale at those words. She quickly stood up, giving Tia a helpless look.
"Tia, do you want to get me killed? I only told you that because I trusted you!" Linhau said, panic written all over her face as she glanced at Draven.
But Tia continued her speech as though she didn't notice Linhau's distress.
"Look, Cao, in this community the Heing Cultivation Art is strictly forbidden. If caught, the consequences are either death or banishment—which is practically the same thing," Tia explained as she slowly approached Draven.
When she finally stood in front of him, she folded her arms and continued, "That day when she stepped in, she could feel the curse radiating from your body. It may sound strange, but this is something sorcerers can do with ease. That's why she was able to identify you so quickly. After all, Kravile was the most powerful kingdom here—so it's no surprise that its matters are treated with utmost seriousness."
Draven stood silently for a while. At last, he let out a deep breath and muttered under his breath as he sank into a seat.
"…I'm sorry for everything," he said quietly, his eyes fixed on the floor.
An awkward silence hung in the room. After a long moment, Linhau reluctantly pulled out a map and handed it to Draven.
"Here. This is the map from Kravile to Orion. Hopefully, you can trace your current location and find your way," she said slowly, but meaningfully.
Draven took the map, straining his eyes as he studied the markings. After some time, he raised his head slightly.
"So that means we're at Raikon right now?" Draven asked.
Linhau nodded with a small smile, clearly impressed.
Tia silently sat beside Draven, who was still scanning the map. In a soft but firm tone, she spoke:
"Cao… why do you always think everyone is out to get you? If you treat every person as a threat, you may overlook those who truly want to help you." Her voice carried care, though worry lingered in her heart.
This wasn't the Cao she once knew. It was as if the curse, the assassination attempt, and the chain of recent events were slowly reshaping him into someone else. And if he continued down this path… what would make him any different from his brother?
Because in the end, if power became his only goal, then everyone would indeed turn into an enemy.
"Alright then… I'll leave first thing in the morning," Draven's voice broke into her thoughts.
As he stood to leave, Linhau quickly cut in.
"I've gotten quite skilled in my new cultivation path. I could also check your condition to the best of my ability," she said, standing as well.
Draven, with nothing to lose, nodded lightly and returned to his room.
Once inside, he lay down on his bed, and within a minute Linhau and Tia entered.
Tia administered his medicine first, and afterward Linhau stepped forward to conduct her examination. It took nearly half an hour before she finally pulled back, her face clouded with unease.
"Who has been in charge of his medication?" she asked, her voice unsteady.
"The palace physician… is there something wrong?" Draven replied, locking eyes with Tia, who looked just as confused.
Linhau rushed to the table and picked up the medicine, carefully examining it. After a while, she let out a bitter sigh.
"If you keep taking this, you'll be dead in a week," she said grimly, placing the leaves back down.
"This… this is Quin Leaf. It's notorious for its mystical effect—it numbs its host of pain before slowly killing them. From what I've seen, it has already damaged your system severely. Honestly, it's a miracle you're even able to meditate," Linhau explained, gathering the medicine away.
Before she could leave, Draven raised his hand to stop her.
"Sorry… I just wanted to change the drugs and bring the right one. Do you have a problem with that?" Linhau asked gently, confident in her decision.
Draven paused. He didn't know what to say after how things had turned out just moments ago. Still, he couldn't help but remain cautious.
"How can you be sure? Did you cross-check? What if you're wrong? I just hope you're not playing any games… forgive me for saying this," Draven spoke, this time calmly.
He hadn't always been this way. But ever since joining the Ascendants, Draven had poured his heart into his duty—always putting the faction's needs above his own. Even without a bloodline, even as an F-rank who should have been ignored, his relentless effort carried him up the ranks. Soon, he was one of the regional heads.
Everything had gone well… until he discovered his mistake too late.
The very people he had called his own, those he trusted with his life, betrayed him. They plotted against him, declared him guilty, and banished him.
When he returned, those same people now held the power to decide his fate again. He thought perhaps they had changed… but in mere minutes, his fate was sealed.
The very people he once protected had stolen his position and cast him out.
That betrayal cost him everything he had spent years building.
And now, Draven swore he would not make the same mistake again. Never again.
Tia's voice suddenly cut through his storm of thoughts—and to his surprise, this time she was on his side.
"Linhau, since you're so certain, it wouldn't hurt for you to show us why you are," Tia said calmly, careful not to sound offensive.
Linhua looked first at Tia, then at Draven. There was a faint sting in her chest from not being trusted, but she brushed it aside. After all, it was understandable—especially since she still owed the princess her life.
"Alright then… I'll be back," Linhau said quietly before leaving the room.
Nearly half an hour later, she returned—this time holding a squirming rat in her hand.
She placed it carefully on the table and glanced at Draven. "How long have you been carrying this curse?" she asked, tightening her grip as the rat tried to escape.
"It's been twelve days now," Tia answered quickly, casting a brief glance at Draven.
"Hm… I see." Linhau's voice was calm but edged with calculation.
With steady hands, she pinned the rat down and dropped a small dose of Draven's medicine into its mouth.
"Now," she said firmly, eyes sharp as she stepped back, "let's watch and see what happens."