Casual Heroing, Chapter 255

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The next chapter comes out on April 5th!

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Chapter 255 – Whispers

[Princess] Laurealia's heart raced as chaos erupted around her. The revelation of Joey's poisoning and the accusations of treason against her own family members left her reeling. She looked to [Captain] Caelius, her most trusted guard, for guidance in this moment of crisis.

One of the Royal Guard members, his eyes darting between Caelius and the guards loyal to [Prince] Brutus, finally spoke. "[Captain], are you sure—"

But Caelius cut him off with a sharp look. He stood tall and resolute, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Take [Prince] Brutus and Marcella Aureamanus into custody," he ordered.

The guards hesitated for a moment, looking at Brutus's personal escort, but none dared challenge Caelius's command. His reputation as a skilled warrior and loyal protector of the [Princess] was well-known.

Laurealia watched as Caelius moved closer to her, his armor glinting in the light of the ballroom. "[Princess], please, summon your armor," he urged, his tone grave but reassuring.

The young [Princess] felt a whirlwind of emotions churning within her – shock at Joey's condition, betrayal at the thought of her own family's treachery, and a growing anger that threatened to consume her. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to center herself.

Laurealia summoned her black-plate armor, the metal encasing her body like a second skin.

"I'll lead the arrest," she declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside her. She looked at Penelope, and the others gathered around Joey's still form. "Please, do something for Joey."

It pained her to see the Human lying there, his skin ashen and his eyes closed. In the short time she had known him, Joey had become more than just a curiosity or a political pawn. He had shown her kindness, challenged her preconceptions, and earned her respect. The thought of losing him now, just as she was beginning to understand the depths of his character, was almost too much to bear.

But Laurealia knew she had to be strong. Her people needed her now more than ever. If there truly was a plot against her, a betrayal at the highest levels of her family, she would root it out and bring the perpetrators to justice.

With Caelius at her side, the [Princess] strode forward, her armor clanking with each determined step. She was approaching her Uncle, [Prince] Brutus, with her eyes narrowed and her chin held high.

"[Prince] Brutus," she said as she stood a few yards from him, her voice cold as steel, "by the authority vested in me as [Princess] of the Elves, I hereby place you under arrest for suspicion of treason against the crown. You will surrender and submit yourself to questioning."

...

Aemilianus knelt beside Joey's unmoving body, dreading what was about to come next. The Human lay still, his skin pale and clammy, and his breath coming in shallow gasps. It was a sight that shook the [Archmage] to his core.

Penelope, her hands still glowing with the remnants of her [Stasis Field] skill, looked up at Aemilianus with a grim expression. "I don't know that poison, but I can see that it's everywhere," she said, her voice tight with worry.

Aemilianus nodded, his mind racing as he tried to recall everything he knew about the insidious toxin. "Dolorum Memoriae is meant to have the victim relive the most painful moments of their life before killing them," he explained, his words heavy with the weight of their implication. "It's the most torturing poison I know."

The [Archmage] felt a tremor run through his body as he considered the agony Joey must have been experiencing. To be trapped in a never-ending cycle of one's worst memories, to have every trauma and heartbreak played out in vivid detail... it was a fate worse than death.

Aemilianus's breath trembled as he reached out to place a hand on Joey's forehead. He could feel the Human's life force flickering like a candle flame in a strong wind. It was a sensation that filled him with a sense of helplessness he had never known before.

I couldn't even save his Soul, Aemilianus thought, his mind reeling with the realization. This poison wouldn't allow me to; even with my expertise, I cannot do anything. I'm powerless.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for the [Archmage], a man who had dedicated his life to the study and mastery of magic.

"I can't do anything," Aemilianus admitted out loud, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked at Penelope, hoping against hope that she might have some insight, some glimmer of hope to offer. "This is beyond me."

The Fleshweaver's expression was just as grim as his own. She looked down at Joey, her teeth gritted in frustration. "I can only slow down the poison," she said, her words heavy. "But it won’t last forever."

Aemilianus felt a wave of despair wash over him. If even the Fleshweaver could do nothing, who could?

He thought back to their first meeting, to the way the Human had stood up to [Archmage] Titus and his lackey, Augustus. Joey had been brave and bold, unafraid to speak his mind even in the face of overwhelming odds. It was a quality Aemilianus had admired from the start.

And now, to see him laid low by such a cowardly attack... it was more than the [Archmage] could bear. He felt a surge of anger rise within him – a burning desire to find those responsible and make them pay for their crimes.

But first, they had to save Joey. Aemilianus looked at the gathered crowd, his eyes searching for anyone who might be able to help. He saw fear and confusion on their faces but also a glimmer of hope, a determination to see justice done.

"We need to find a way to break this poison's hold," Aemilianus said, his voice growing stronger with each word.

He looked to Penelope, to all the people gathered around. "We cannot let this stand," he declared, his eyes blazing with resolve. "We will find a way to save Joey.”

...

Lucinda watched in horror as Joey crumpled to the ground, his body convulsing before going still. At that moment, she felt as though her heart had stopped beating, her blood turning to ice in her veins.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Penelope rushed to Joey's side, activating her [Stasis Field] skill. Laurealia donned her armor, the metal encasing her body in a protective shell. But Lucinda remained frozen, unable to move or breathe.

It wasn't until Penelope's skill took hold and Joey's body stilled that Lucinda felt the air rush back into her lungs. She gasped, her chest heaving as she fought to regain control of her body.

Then, as if a dam had burst inside her, Lucinda surged forward. She ran to Joey's side, pushing past Aemilianus in her haste to reach him. Her arms trembled as she knelt beside him, her hands hovering over his still body.

"Joey, no, no..." she whispered, her voice breaking with each word. She had heard what the [Archmage] had said and had seen the grim expressions on the faces of those gathered around. There was no hope for Joey, no cure for the poison that coursed through his veins.

But Lucinda refused to accept it. She couldn't believe that this was how it would end, that Joey would be taken from her like this. Not after everything they had been through, not after the connection they had forged.

"You can't die like this," she said, her voice growing stronger even as tears streamed down her face. "You're Joey Luciani, please. Please, do something that you always do... please, Joey."

She reached out to take his hand, her fingers intertwining with his. His skin was cold to the touch, but she could still feel the faint pulse of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

Beside her, Penelope whispered "[Flesh Prognosis]" under her breath. Lucinda watched as the Fleshweaver's eyes closed in concentration, her brow furrowing as she delved deep into Joey's body.

But a moment later, Penelope sighed, shaking her head. The look on her face told Lucinda all she needed to know – there was nothing else they could do.

Desperation clawed at Lucinda's heart. She looked around at the gathered crowd, her eyes wide and pleading. "Please, you have to help him!" she cried, and her voice was raw with emotion. "Please!"

But the faces that stared back at her were filled with sorrow and despair. They had no answers, no solutions to offer.

Just as Lucinda felt the last vestiges of hope slip away, she caught a flash of pink hair out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Flaminia pushing her way through the crowd, a determined expression on her face.

In her hand, Flaminia held a piece of cake.

Lucinda's reeled at the sight.

What was Flaminia doing? How could she think of food at a time like this?

But as the pink-haired [Chef] drew closer, Lucinda saw something in her eyes that gave her pause. There was a glimmer of hope there, a fierce determination that cut through the despair that had settled over the room.

"I think I know what to do," Flaminia said, her voice steady even as her hands shook. She held out the piece of cake, her gaze fixed on Joey's body.

Lucinda's heart leaped in her chest. Could it be? Could Flaminia have found a way to save Joey?

She watched as the [Chef] knelt beside Joey, her hands moving with a sureness that belied the gravity of the situation. Flaminia brought the cake to Joey's lips, her fingers gentle as she coaxed his mouth open.

"Please, work," Lucinda heard her whisper, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart. "Please, let this work."

...

Flaminia held out the piece of cake, her hands trembling slightly as she spoke. "This was made with my [Starsugar]," she said, her voice a whisper. She looked at Penelope and Aemilianus, her eyes wide with desperate hope. "And it was enchanted with the [Restoration] spell Joey had taught me. Maybe..."

Aemilianus's eyes widened at her words. He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the cake in Flaminia's hands. "I can feel its energy!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of awe and disbelief. "It's incredible!"

Penelope frowned, her brow furrowing as she considered Flaminia's suggestion. But after a moment, she nodded, her expression determined. "I have a skill for this," she said, reaching out to take the cake from Flaminia's hands. "Miss, do you mind?"

Flaminia hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around the cake. But then she released it, allowing Penelope to take it from her grasp.

The Fleshweaver knelt beside Joey, her movements gentle as she coaxed his mouth open. "[Refeeding]," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of Lucinda's heart.

As the word left Penelope's lips, the cake in her hand began to glow. It shimmered and pulsed, the energy within it gathering and swirling. Then, in a burst of light, the cake dissolved into a vortex of particles, each one shining with a soft, ethereal glow.

Lucinda watched in amazement as the particles flowed into Joey's mouth, passing through his lips without any resistance. It was as though they were drawn to him, pulled by some unseen force.

Penelope placed her other hand on Joey's chest, her eyes closing in concentration. The room fell silent – every breath was held as they waited for a sign, an indication that the cake had worked.

Seconds ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. Lucinda's heart raced in her chest; her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wanted to scream, to cry out, to do something – anything to break the tension that hung so heavily in the air.

Finally, Penelope's eyes fluttered open. She drew in a sharp breath, her gaze fixed on Joey. "I can see the organ damage getting reduced," she said, her voice filled with a mix of relief and confusion. "But... the poison has not been affected in the slightest. It's... oh—Joey has... this is..."

She trailed off, her eyes widening in shock. Aemilianus leaned forward, his expression urgent. "What?" he demanded, his voice taut with tension.

"He has an incredible reserve of Aionios Muscle," Penelope said, her voice filled with a mix of awe and disbelief.

Aemilianus's jaw went slack, and his mouth fell open in shock. He stared at Joey's body, his mind racing as he tried to process the implications of Penelope's words.

But even as hope flickered in Lucinda's heart, Penelope's next words sent a chill down her spine. "This will make the poison take longer to act," she said, her voice heavy with regret. "But... it's still not enough to stop it. There's nothing we can do."

Lucinda felt as though the ground had dropped out from beneath her feet. She swayed, her vision blurring as tears filled her eyes. This couldn't be happening. They had come so close, had dared to hope...

But before she could give in to despair, a commotion erupted behind them. Lucinda turned, her eyes widening at the sight of a sea of figures clad in black cloaks. They surged forward from behind the [Prince] and Marcella.

One of the figures darted past the guards with a glint of steel flashing in their hand. In the blink of an eye, one of the figures was in front of the [Royal Guard] who had been ordered to apprehend the [Prince] by Caelius found a blade buried in his neck.

[Prince] Brutus's eyes narrowed, his expression cold and calculating. "I see," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "The Human must have corrupted the [Princess], even though he tried to poison her." He turned to face [Princess] Laurealia and [Captain] Caelius with words that were heavy with accusation. "This, [Princess] Laurealia, [Captain] Caelius, is high treason."