When the doctor finished examining Elara, his expression turned grave. He revealed that she had been infected by an extremely rare illness—one not born of nature, but of alchemy. She had been injected with a potion infamous in the southern lands of Sani Scabar.
The potion was said to be created by a legendary man who lived there. Some called him a healer, others whispered that he was a wizard. What made the situation even more desperate was the truth the doctor delivered next: there was no known recovery potion. The only cure could be made by the very man who created the poison.
Only Elara and the Queen understood the full horror of what was happening. And yet, the solution seemed impossible. How could they find this wizard? How could they convince him to help them? And even if they did—would the Queen already be infected as well?
Laury knew there was only one way to end this chaos.
He had to go to Sani Scabar.
But that choice came with a terrible cost. Salvania would be left without protection, exposed directly to the Shadows. No one knew what might happen in his absence. Still, all eyes turned to Laury. He had taken the Queen's place in leadership, earned the people's trust, and carried their hope.
After long deliberation, Laury ordered the minister to remain in Salvania. He himself would journey south—alone.
No one in Sani Scabar knew his face. That was his only advantage.
The plan was simple, yet dangerous. Laury would travel undercover, without knowing where to search or whom to trust. His only goal was clear: find the wizard, obtain the cure, and return in time to save Elara—hoping with all his heart that the Queen had not already fallen victim to the same illness.
James and the minister stayed behind, guarding Salvania and watching every movement in the shadows, ready to warn Laury if anything suspicious arose.
The people did not know where Laury was going, but they felt the weight of the truth the Queen had carried alone for so long. Only now did they truly understand how vital she was to their kingdom.
From the next chapter onward, Laury's journey in Sani Scabar would begin.
And so would the rise of a new Queen—not the gentle Margrete they once knew, but a woman hardened by betrayal, sickness, and war.
Now, she would fight.