A moment later, Toki withdrew his hand.
The power of Bolstering Bubblebalm had been completely exhausted, dissipating into the air.
Clorinde’s complexion had improved considerably, and her breathing had stabilized, but she still hadn’t woken up.
It seemed she would still need some time to fully recover her stamina and shake off the exhaustion weighing on both her body and mind.
“How is she?
She’s all right, isn’t she?” Furina immediately stepped forward and asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
“She’s fine now.” Toki stood up and dusted off his hands, speaking calmly.
“Most of her injuries have already healed, and her stamina has been restored.
“The main reason she hasn’t woken up yet is that the emotional blow was too severe.
“My Bolstering Bubblebalm can’t heal something like that.” Hearing this, Furina gently nodded, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
“That’s fine.
As long as she’s physically all right.” The nearby staff members also breathed sighs of relief.
One after another, they bowed respectfully toward Toki.
“Thank you for your assistance!” Clorinde held considerable importance in the hearts of these staff members.
Naturally, they were grateful that Toki was willing to heal someone who had just been his opponent.
Toki gave a slight nod without saying anything else.
Instead, he looked toward the staff member from earlier and urged, “Don’t just stand there.
Go finish my release procedures!” He had no intention of lingering here any longer than necessary.
He had won the duel and been acquitted.
The most important thing now was to complete the formalities and finally leave the shadow of the Fortress of Meropide behind.
Then he could start planning what came next.
Whether it was raising Furina’s affection toward him or winning over Clorinde, he needed his freedom first.
The staff member didn’t dare delay.
“Yes, yes!
We’ll take care of it immediately.
Please wait just a moment!” With that, the staff member hurried away to deal with the paperwork.
The others remained respectfully nearby, their gazes filled with awe.
Furina stood beside Toki.
Looking at his composed expression, she still had a lingering smile on her face.
“Clorinde has already been taken somewhere to rest.
“It might take a little while to finish your release procedures, so I’ll stay here and wait with you.” Toki gave a slight nod and didn’t refuse.
With Furina here, the procedures might even be completed faster.
Besides, spending more time with her could gradually increase her affection toward him.
There was no downside.
Before long, the procedures were complete.
A staff member handed Toki an official release document and spoke respectfully.
“Everything has been processed.
You are now free to leave.
“However, His Grace Wriothesley asked us to pass along a message.
He’s waiting for you in his office at the Fortress of Meropide and said he has something important to discuss with you.” “Wriothesley?” Toki raised an eyebrow, a trace of confusion flashing through his eyes.
He wasn’t particularly close to the Administrator of the Fortress of Meropide.
Why would Wriothesley suddenly want to see him?
“Could there be some kind of problem?” Furina frowned as well, sounding somewhat worried.
“I’ve got no grudge against him, so he has no reason to make things difficult for me.” Toki shook his head and calmly continued, “If he wants to see me, there’s no harm in going.” With that, Toki said goodbye to Furina and headed toward the Fortress of Meropide alone.
The elevator slowly descended.
The cold, damp air washed over him once again.
Toki walked steadily toward Wriothesley’s office.
Wriothesley was sitting behind his large desk, looking as composed as ever.
When he saw Toki enter, he raised his chin slightly, signaling for him to sit.
Toki didn’t stand on ceremony.
He walked straight over and sat in the chair in front of the desk.
Then he narrowed his eyes at Wriothesley and spoke teasingly.
“Duke, all my release paperwork is already finished.
“Why call me back here now?
“Don’t tell me you’ve come up with some new excuse to keep me locked up.” A faint smile appeared on Wriothesley’s face.
He shook his head.
“You won the judicial duel.
“Even if you really had attempted to assassinate the Hydro Archon before, under Fontaine’s laws, you’ve earned your freedom.
“I didn’t ask you here to detain you.
“I have something to give you.” As he spoke, Wriothesley took an elegant black wooden box from a drawer.
He gently pushed it across the desk toward Toki.
“Take it.” Toki looked at the wooden box in front of him, a trace of surprise appearing in his eyes.
He picked it up and lightly shook it.
A faint sloshing sound came from inside.
He raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?
You get a souvenir for doing time here?
“How generous of you, Your Grace.” “I wouldn’t call it a souvenir.
It’s more like…
compensation.” Wriothesley leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
“While you were imprisoned in the Fortress of Meropide, you used your healing ability to save five critically ill patients.
“You must have consumed a considerable amount of your life force to save them.
“I’m giving you this as compensation on their behalf.” “Compensation?” The curiosity in Toki’s eyes grew stronger.
Without further hesitation, he gently opened the wooden box.
Inside was a crystal-clear glass bottle containing a pale blue liquid.
The liquid slowly shifted within the bottle, giving off a faint, refreshing aura that seemed soothing just to look at.
At the same moment, the system’s notification sounded inside Toki’s mind.
Information about the liquid instantly appeared before him.
…
[Sourcewater Droplet] Effect: After use, greatly restores vitality and replenishes lost life force.
It has no harmful side effects and can also mildly nourish the body, improving physical resilience.
…
“So that’s what this is…” Toki looked at the description and nodded in realization.
“No wonder it looked so familiar.
It’s a Sourcewater Droplet.” Wriothesley looked slightly surprised.
He raised an eyebrow.
“You know what this is?” “Of course I do.
I’ve absorbed tons of these things!” Toki laughed and waved his hand casually.
“Even after all the enemies were dead, I’d still absorb every last one before leaving!” Wriothesley: “????” Wriothesley stared at him blankly for a solid two seconds, his eyes filled with confusion.
Sourcewater Droplets were considered exceedingly rare in Fontaine.
Most ordinary people would never even see one, yet Toki was claiming that he had “absorbed tons of them.” And apparently he treated them like something to pick up after fighting enemies?
Just who was this guy?
After recovering from his surprise, Wriothesley lightly cleared his throat and concealed his bewilderment.
His usual composure returned.
“Actually, I also have a somewhat selfish reason for giving you the Sourcewater Droplet.
“The Fortress of Meropide will inevitably have seriously injured inmates or guards in the future.
“Sometimes, even Sigewinne can’t handle every case.
“What I’m hoping is…
“If we encounter patients or wounded people we aren’t capable of treating in the future, you’ll still be willing to lend us a hand.” Hearing this, the corner of Toki’s mouth rose slightly.
He waved his hand.
“For the sake of this Sourcewater Droplet, we can talk about it when the time comes.
“But I’ll make one thing clear in advance.
“Treatment costs extra.
“I’m not doing it for free.” (End of Chapter)