Odelliana’s brow arched slightly. “He met a beast wearing a human face?”
“Yes. He described it as a man whose entire body was pure white. Apparently, this man possessed a peculiar ability. The lunatic swears he saw a bizarre scene—a new beast being born from the corpse of one that had just been killed by this man’s hands.”
“A beast creating another beast?” Odelliana echoed, her tone tinged with skepticism.
“Exactly,” Malena replied with a wry chuckle. “Of course, no one believed him. Neither did I.”
“…It’s not exactly a credible story,” Odelliana murmured. Most people, herself included, would dismiss such claims as the ramblings of a madman.
Malena shrugged. “Still, I’ve heard there are ancient records about beasts wearing human faces. The problem is, most of those records are locked away in royal archives. But the fact that such documents exist suggests there might be some truth to it. The lunatic also said that the higher the rank of the beast, the closer its form was to that of a perfect human.”
Odelliana leaned forward slightly. “Could the ability he mentioned be what’s referred to as the Curse of the Beasts?”
“He never described it as a curse,” Malena replied, shaking her head. “And I’ve never heard of beasts casting curses on people.”
“Where is he now?” Odelliana asked.
Malena sighed, her expression growing faintly wistful. “I don’t know. He’s been wandering around like a restless soul, obsessed with his research. He never stays in one place for long. I’ve completely lost track of him.”
“…What a pity,” Odelliana muttered, her voice dropping. “I had questions I wanted to ask him.”
Malena tilted her head, studying her companion with mild curiosity. “About the Curse of the Beasts? Why the sudden interest?”
“…Just curious. Do you know anything about the Chingene people?” Odelliana asked, her tone casual, as though she didn’t expect much of an answer.
To her surprise, Malena nodded. “Yes. They live in the Principality of Padanian on the Eastern Continent. In Padanian, they’re also called the Okullo tribe. They’re said to be a mystical people, renowned for their skills in astrology and sorcery—some even claim they can predict calamities.”
“Then they must know a lot about curses, too,” Odelliana remarked, a glimmer of hope flickering in her voice.
“Curses are a form of sorcery, so it stands to reason they’d know more than most,” Malena replied matter-of-factly.
“Is there any way to meet them?”
Malena’s expression turned thoughtful. “Unless you travel directly to the Principality of Padanian, it would be difficult. They’re a minority even there, so their numbers are small. Occasionally, they come here on trading ships, but… I’ll see if I can have my colleagues look into it for you.”
Odelliana nodded, her mind racing. If the Chingene people held the key to breaking the curse, perhaps she could finally heal her leg. The mere thought filled her with longing. If only I weren’t a cripple… my life could be so much more than this.
Her determination solidified. Once I’ve gained stability and established my independence, I’ll have to go to the Principality of Padanian myself to find them.
But the thought was bittersweet. If she still had the authority of her position as a daughter of the Grüsewald family, she could have sent servants to Padanian in her stead. Now, stripped of power and resources, she was painfully aware of her limitations. A sigh escaped her lips. If only her body weren’t so broken, she wouldn’t have to rely on anyone. She could make the journey herself.
“It’s time to rest now,” Malena announced, pulling Odelliana from her thoughts. She moved with practiced efficiency, spreading fresh linens over the bed, tucking a sachet of sleep-inducing herbs under the pillow, lighting a candle, and burning a small coil of incense designed to promote restful sleep. Once satisfied with her preparations, she stood and smoothed her apron.
“I’ll take my leave.”
“Alright. Thank you for your hard work,” Odelliana replied softly.
After Malena left, silence settled over the room, broken only by the faint sound of raindrops pattering against the window. The damp scent of wet earth drifted in, carried by the rain.
Dragging herself to the window, Odelliana rested her arms on the sill and stared out at the downpour. A click of her tongue expressed her irritation. “Just when I thought it was finally clearing up, it pours again,” she muttered, watching the rivulets streak the glass.
Fortunately, it seemed to be just a passing shower. The rain lashed down with ferocity, flashes of lightning illuminating the night as resounding thunder reverberated through the ground. Odelliana remained at the window, watching the deluge soak the earth outside.
Then something unusual caught her attention.
What is this?
A faintly familiar scent wafted to her nose, subtle yet distinct. Most people wouldn’t have noticed it—it blended seamlessly with the damp, earthy smell of rain and the faint aroma of the sleep-inducing herbs Malena had prepared. But beneath those scents lurked an acrid undertone, sharp and metallic, tinged with the unmistakable bitterness of something burnt.
Odelliana’s brows furrowed as she inhaled cautiously, trying to place the scent. It took a moment, but recognition dawned like a bolt of lightning.
This is…!
Her heart raced. She hastily pulled up her sleeve, covering her nose and mouth to shield herself from further exposure. Then, moving with purpose despite her crippled leg, she crawled back to her bed. Reaching underneath it, her hand found the cold, familiar hilt of a hidden dagger.
She gripped it tightly, her pulse hammering in her ears. The scent left no room for doubt. She had encountered it before—this was the distinct, unmistakable smell of a paralytic poison derived from a certain toxic plant.
