Chapter 124
“Of course. Anyone who wants some is welcome to it.”
At my words, the healers began ladling the soup for themselves.
Even those who had initially seemed cautious appeared to give in to their appetite.
“Uh-um, could I have some too!”
“Me too, please!”
“Wait, what if it’s harmful? Didn’t someone die after eating this?”
“That’s just a baseless rumor! Besides, Her Highness ate it herself. Would she eat it if it were truly dangerous?”
“Well, that’s true, but…… fine, I’ll have some too!”
People quickly lined up to get the soup. Though I had made it in large quantities, it wasn’t enough to feed everyone who gathered.
The soup was soon gone. Those who couldn’t get any were given coquo and grains instead, which they reluctantly accepted.
Some royal healers asked if it was all right to let them go with just that, but I reassured them it was fine.
‘With so many witnesses, word will spread quickly.’
That the coquo was completely safe—certified by the princess herself.
‘People who hear the rumors will come to get it too. The quest will progress smoothly.’
As expected, it wasn’t long before a flood of people arrived, eager to receive the iron supplements and grains together.
The sheer number of people was overwhelming.
After distributing for a while, I checked the quest window.
[<Linked Quest> Revolution That Changes the World. (In Progress)
―Distribute the new alternative supplements (949/1,000)
―Time Limit: 2 days 14:51:47]
Quite a lot was taken, wasn’t it? I had thought we’d distributed plenty, but I hadn’t realized it was this much.
Seeing the achievement nearing completion brought a sense of relief.
Now, I just needed Evgenia to help with preventing ergot poisoning and resolving both ergotism and the men’s issue…….
‘Come to think of it, isn’t it about time?’
There was still a bit of time left to consider it afternoon, but it had been quite a while.
‘Nothing bad has happened, has it…….’
I couldn’t help feeling slightly uneasy. Though I knew Reno was skilled enough to be my guardian, I worried if he might be facing unforeseen difficulties I hadn’t accounted for.
‘But I don’t even know where that man lives.’
I regretted not asking Evgenia for reinforcements instead of relying on Reno, even if it would’ve taken longer.
Just as I was caught up in my regrets, a familiar silhouette appeared in the distance.
‘Reno……?’
Despite the distance and the crowd, I recognized him immediately.
Under a deeply pulled hood, Reno also seemed to notice me looking his way.
He silently waved his hand and pointed to the man in front of him.
It was the man from yesterday.
When I looked back at Reno, he grinned. Though no words reached me, his expression seemed to say, ‘I did well, didn’t I?’
‘I’ll have to praise him later for his hard work.’
As I watched Reno, the man was soon standing before me. Pretending not to recognize him, I handed him some coquo and grains. The man accepted them but hesitated.
“Um, Your Highness. May I say something to you?”
Here it comes.
Though I was calm inside, having been informed by Reno beforehand, I feigned curiosity and tilted my head slightly.
“Go ahead.”
“Well, you see, the truth is…….”
Perhaps because he wasn’t leaving like the others and instead spoke to me, people around us started watching the man closely.
“That is to say, actually, I…….”
“…….”
“I-I…….”
The man struggled to form words, his body trembling slightly as he fidgeted with his collar.
Was he embarrassed at the thought of apologizing to me in front of others?
“Take your time. It’s all right.”
“I-I–I…….”
“…….”
“I, I…….”
Even after my reassurance, the man kept repeating the same syllable. At this point, no matter how much I tried not to find it strange, it was undeniably odd.
Just as I was about to step back, feeling a bit uneasy—
“I……………. SAVE HER!! MY SISTER!!!!”
The man suddenly pulled something out from his clothes. A thin, long metal rod glinted as it caught the light.
Before I could react, the metal rod was swiftly aimed in my direction.
Thwack!
A horrifying sound of flesh being pierced echoed sharply.
“Your Highness…!!!!”
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