…
It's been a month since Caelum went into the dungeon.
"Cough cough! Ugh…" (Caelum)
Caelum's condition was worsening as the days went by.
"How do you feel dear?" (Iris)
Iris dipped the towel into cold water before squeezing the water out and placing it on top of the man's head.
"Cough! Heh… horrible. My whole body feels like it's on fire." (Caelum)
Caelum was lying on the bed, replying to Iris with a weak voice.
"Could my elixir be the cause of this? I know it may cause side effects, but not this serious…. It was my fault for making it…." (Iris)
Iris' face drops, feeling very really guilty. She believes Caelum's worsening condition was all because of the elixir she made.
"You don't have to blame yourself. I am at fault too, you know." (Caelum)
He lifted up Iris' chin. Despite being in a weak state, he still mustered up the strength to comfort her.
"I'm just gonna sleep for the time being. You still have some work to do right?" (Caelum)
"But taking care of you is my top priority! I can't just leave my husband unattended!" (Iris)
"It's fine dear… I can take care of myself." (Caelum)
"You always say that but it just ended up worse." (Iris)
Iris holds Caelum's hand tightly.
"Come on, just trust me this once."
Caelum places his other hand on top of Iris' hands.
"Hmph, I won't believe it." (Iris)
The two continue to argue with each other until night.
…
"... Mine… Adjust…." (?)
…
It was currently midnight.
"Huff… huff…" (Caelum)
Caelum was sweating profusely. Even after he took off his shirt, he still feels hot.
"Today felt much worse…. All this sweat is going to kill me… better go wash it up." (Caelum)
Caelum struggled to get himself up and went to the bathroom.
"Uh… huh?" (Caelum)
After washing his face, he noticed something strange.
"My nails… was it always… this sharp?" (Caelum)
His nails were strangely sharp and long. While he was checking his nails, he suddenly felt a pain coming from his mouth. Taking a closer look, he also noticed that his teeth seem to be getting sharper as well!
"HUH!?!? What's happening to me?" (Caelum)
"Did something happen dear? I heard your screaming." (Iris)
Upon hearing Caelum scream. Iris immediately dropped her work and came to see him.
"IRIS! SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH ME!" (Caelum)
"Huh?" (Iris)
Caelum was panicking.
…
"Hmm… it really does seem like your nails have grown sharper. Not to mention the newly formed fa-" (Iris)
"Is it bad? Is it going to cause me any problem? Am I going to die!?" (Caelum)
Caelum's constant concern was disrupting Iris, and it was starting to get on her nerves.
"Just calm down will you!?" (Iris)
Iris hit Caelum on the head.
…
"Ugh, anyways. There doesn't seem to be any more problems despite you growing nails or fangs. Heck, your health seems to be getting better with how active you are." (Iris)
"Well I do feel amazing, compared to before…. What if I am not human anymore.." (Caelum)
Caelum was in despair, thinking about Iris leaving him after he turned into a completely different being.
"What? You turning into a werewolf? I don't really mind." (Iris)
"Huh? But don't elf hate the beastman?" (Caelum)
"Where did you even hear that from? Us elf aren't like that, stop believing random stuff." (Iris)
Iris was irritated at Caelum word.
"Anyways, no matter what form you are, I would still love you unconditionally." (Iris)
Iris was annoyed by his words. But let him off as he was in a bad state. She even said something romantic to elevate the mood.
"Even if I am a worm?" (Caelum)
Iris' eyes twitch a bit. As always, Caelum immediately ruins the mood Iris builds up.
"Eh…." (Iris)
"Come on, you said you would love me no matter the form I am." (Caelum)
"That- That's different alright!?" (Iris)
Iris immediately looks behind to keep herself from laughing. The face Caelum made was too funny.
"Ahem, I guess we should take a trip to the infirmary tomorrow to check what's wrong with you." (Iris)
"I guess." (Caelum)
"Now go get some sleep. Don't want your condition to get worse now, do you?" (Iris)
"But I feel much better now-" (Caelum)
"Just go to sleep!" (Iris)
…
…
The next morning. The two of them headed to the infirmary.
"Mr. Edwin? Are you free right now?" (Iris)
"Oh? The two of you are here again. Just give me a moment." (Edwin)
The doctor quickly tidied up the document on his desk.
"So, are there any problems? Last time you two came because of Mr. Caelum condition." (Edwin)
"Well you see…" (Iris)
Iris explained the situation to the doctor.
"Hmm…. That is indeed weird. I would have to do some check up to see if anything is wrong." (Edwin)
"Please, go right ahead." (Iris)
The doctor goes through a full body check on Caelum.
…
"So… did you find out the reason why my husband is like this, Mr. Edwin?" (Iris)
"Sigh… would you like to hear the bad news, or the good news first?" (Edwin)
"Good news first." (Iris)
"Well, you see. Mr. Caelum's body is as you two suspected, getting healthier and healthier as time passed, even suppressing his usual health. It's a miracle if I had to say so myself." (Edwin)
"What about… the bad news?" (Caelum)
"The bad news is…. I have no idea on what seems to be causing your transformation. It is just out of my expertise." (Edwin)
Edwin adjusted his glasses as he sighed.
"I see… is there really no other way?" (Iris)
"Hmm…." (Edwin)
Edwin went silent for a moment, pondering on a way.
"Sigh… can't believe I have to say this…" (Edwin)
Edwin silently whispered, sighing at the thought.
"How about paying a visit to the church then? Seeing Mr. Caelum condition… I think it best to try your luck there." (Edwin)
"The church…" (Caelum)
"Plus, the saint is still in town, you could try asking for her help." (Edwin)
"I thought you disliked the church." (Iris)
"Hmph, just because I dislike them doesn't mean I don't acknowledge their skill in healing. It's just that over-reliance on them would do more harm than good." (Edwin)
"I guess you have a point. Well then, we shall take our leave then doc." (Iris)
"Take care, you two." (Edwin)
Both Iris and Caelum left the infirmary.
…
"Welcome! Is there anything we can help you with?" (?)
The moment they arrived at the church. A boy in a white church robe jumped out and greeted them. Comparing the church and the infirmary, there were a lot more people at the church.
"We are looking for the saint. Is she available right now?" (Iris)
"Looking for the saint? Sorry, you would have to wait. Her schedule is packed today." (?)
"That's… unfortunate, when would she be available." (Iris)
"I'm afraid that you would have to wait a long time. The saint is a very busy person. She has a lot of patients to be treated." (?)
"Sigh… Thank you for telling me." (Iris)
Iris looks at Caelum with sorrowful eyes.
"I guess we can only try our luck on another day." (Iris)
Just as Iris and Caelum were about to leave.
"Hmm? What seems to be the problem?" (?)
The saint suddenly came out. Her appearance shocked the boy.
"Mi-mi-mi-miss Mary?! What brought you here?" (?)
"I sensed some weird energy coming from here so I came." (Mary)
Mary then glanced at Caelum.
"Um…. Hi? (Caelum)
"Hmm… the energy seems to be coming from this sir. Do you have any problems lately?" (Mary)
"Well… you see…" (Iris)
Iris explained the situation to Mary, the second time she did it today.
"I see… that really is bad. Hmm… come inside, I would like to take a closer look at your condition." (Mary)
"Huh? What about your other patients?" (?)
*They can wait. We have a much more serious situation we have to look into." (Mary)
Mary signals Iris and Caelum to follow her into the church. Leaving the boy behind.
"Sigh… you should have thought about my situation too…" (?)
…
Inside the church. Caelum sits face to face with Mary, the saint of the church. A sister was beside Mary to assist her.
"Please, don't be nervous. I'm just going to run a standard check up on you." (Mary)
Mary reassured Caelum. They did a check up on Caelum, just like how the doctor at the infirmary did. And unsurprisingly, they couldn't find anything.
"This is indeed strange…. Normally, my holy magic might be able to detect the cause of your condition…. Unless…" (Mary)
Mary pondered for a moment before asking.
"Have you been anywhere before you started getting sick?" (Mary)
"Well… you see." (Caelum)
Caelum then talks to Mary about the dungeon he had explored, and how he got sick after getting out of the dungeon.
"Hmm… spore typically only causes allergy, unless it's a special mutation. I don't think it is the cause…. A dungeon with a golden theme… why does it sound so familiar…" (Mary)
"Um, I don't know if it might be related to that but I think it is possible." (Caelum)
"Oh? What is it?" (Mary)
"It's about a sealed room I came across. There were several barriers that sealed away the room. I didn't do anything that might damage it though." (Caelum)
"A sealed room you say…. Hmm… then there is a possibility that it may have to do with spirit." (Mary)
"Spirit?" (Caelum, Iris)
The two of them said in unison.
"We have dealt with this case before. There was a young boy who got possessed by an evil spirit. Luckily, his parents brought him to the church. We were able to exorcise it before it got any worse." (Mary)
"So you are saying my husband might be related to that?" (Iris)
"It's a high possibility. I would need to check his soul to confirm it. Normally, when an evil spirit wants to take over a body, their soul would be tainted as two different souls cannot coexist in the same body at once." (Mary)
"Then, can you do it?" (Iris)
"I could try. Although I'm still inexperienced in this field, I-" (Mary)
"Please do it. We don't really have a choice now." (Iris)
Iris cut off Mary before she could finish her word.
"Well then, Mr. Caelum. Please give me your hand." (Mary)
At Mary's word, Caelum held out his hands.
"Please bear with me. I'll have to focus my energy into it." (Mary)
Mary holds Caelum's hands, then closes her eyes. She focuses all her energy into Caelum.
"..." (Mary)
Moments later, Mary opened her eyes again.
"Have you found anything saint?" (Iris)
"Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything wrong with Caelum soul. His soul was pure, untainted, there was nothing wrong with it." (Mary)
Mary said in a dejected voice.
"I see… I guess we would have to find another way then…." (Iris)
Iris was disappointed in the result, but there was nothing she could do.
"I'm sorry we wasted your time saint. Please accept our apologies." (Iris)
Iris and Caelum bow at the saint.
"No no, we should be the one that should be apologising. We weren't able to help out…" (Mary)
"We will be going now. Wish you a good day." (Iris)
Both Iris and Caelum left.
"..." (Mary)
Mary was in deep thoughts.
"Is something wrong sister?" (?)
"Oh, it's nothing. It's just that… something seems to be wrong. But I just couldn't quite put my word into it." (Mary)
'That feeling…. What was that…. A golden hue suddenly flash passes me when I was entering into Mr. Caelum mind. I even flinch a bit.' (Mary)
"...." (Mary)
"Sigh… I guess I'm still inexperienced after all." (Mary)
Mary was feeling down.
"Don't say that sister Mary! You're already amazing enough!" (?)
The sister beside her cheered her up.
"Heh, thank you. Let's go continue our routine." (Mary)
"Yes!" (?)
The two of them left the room.
…
"Sigh… what should we do…" (Iris)
Iris was discouraged.
"Hey, don't worry. I'm sure we can resolve this together." (Caelum)
Caelum reassured Iris.
"But what can we do? We have already tried many ways to find your problem, but it all led to nothing…." (Iris)
Iris sat on the grass hill, looking into the sunset with Caelum by her side.
"...You know… we could try that method." (Caelum)
The moment Caelum suggested that idea, Iris immediately got worked up.
"Are you crazy? You're my husband, I'm not going to do that." (Iris)
"Then what else can we do? Might as well try our luck in it. Maybe that is the solution!" (Caelum)
"You…" (Iris)
Caelum's eyes were filled with conviction.
'Sigh… how can I ever say no to those eyes.' (Iris)
"Fine, I guess we could try it. Let's head there now." (Iris)
Iris got up from the ground, and the two of them went away.
…
"I'm gonna ask once again. Are you really sure you want to do this?" (Iris)
"Of course! I'm really sure… maybe." (Caelum)
"Where was the confidence you had a moment ago, huh?" (Iris)
Iris chuckles at Caelum.
…
"Oh? Long time no see you two. What brings you two here? Aren't you two on sick leave?" (?)
A man wearing a lab coat greeted them outside.
"Long time no see. Well, here is the problem…" (Iris)
Iris explained the situation to the person.
"I see… so you decide to run an experiment on Caelum?" (?)
"Technically, it's HIS idea. But yeah… we don't really have any choice now." (Iris)
Iris glance at Caelum.
"Don't worry! We will do our best to help. Tell you what, you can use the room over there free of charge." (?)
The person pointed at the room.
"Really? That room? Isn't that a major experiment? Is it really okay for us to occupy it?" (Iris)
Iris was dumbfounded at her colleagues' words. The room her colleague pointed at was one of the important labs in the entire research institution.
"It's fine, the two of you have contributed to the institution for a long time now. We wouldn't have made it this far because of you two." (?)
The man expressed his gratitude.
"I'll tell the others about your two problems. We will help with finding the cure for Caelum. Please tell me if you need anything." (?)
"Hey wait-" (Iris)
The man quickly left. Seemingly going to report the situation to the others.
"I guess… I'll live there from now on." (Caelum)
Caelum laughed.
"Stop being so optimistic will you?" (Iris)
Iris hit Caelum head.
"Sigh… let's go." (Iris)
…
…
…
"Hmm? You are saying that. That peasant who is called Caelum. Seems to have contracted a mysterious disease that is gradually transforming his body?" (?)
A man was speaking through a crystal ball in a dark room.
"And he went to the research institution you say…" (?)
The man pondered for a moment.
"Secretly observe him, report to me if you find anything useful." (?)
The man ended the call.
"..." (?)
"Interesting… this might be an opportunity." (?)
The man looks at the portrait behind him.
"Heh, glory to the empire…" (?)
…
…