Toki’s injuries had completely healed.
There was no longer any reason for him to remain in the infirmary.
He stood up and moved his limbs around.
His entire body felt refreshed, without the slightest stiffness or discomfort.
Then he turned toward Sigewinne, who was still busy working.
After thinking for a moment, he asked softly, “Um…
Sigewinne.” “Could you keep this a secret for me?” Sigewinne stopped what she was doing.
She raised her head and blinked her innocent eyes.
Then she nodded and replied, “You mean the secret that you can use elemental power without a Vision?” “Yes, exactly.” Toki quickly nodded, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
“Of course I can.” Sigewinne smiled and agreed, her voice gentle.
But just as she finished speaking, she paused.
The smile on her face faded slightly as she whispered, “It’s just…” “Just what?” Toki’s heart tightened, and he hurriedly pressed her for an answer.
What he feared most was Sigewinne asking for some condition that would be difficult to fulfill.
But Sigewinne merely shook her head.
Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward a corner of the infirmary.
There, an inconspicuous device was blinking with a faint red light.
It was one of the Fortress of Meropide’s surveillance devices.
Toki followed her gaze.
The instant he saw the device…
His expression froze.
Then realization dawned on him.
He had completely forgotten!
The Fortress of Meropide was an underwater prison firmly under Wriothesley’s control.
Surveillance devices were installed everywhere.
The cells, the corridors, even the infirmary…
There were almost no blind spots.
The moment he had used Bolstering Bubblebalm just now…
Whoever was watching the surveillance feed had definitely already seen it.
Keeping it a secret no longer seemed to have much meaning.
Toki sighed helplessly and waved a hand.
“Forget it…
It is what it is.” He gave up struggling against it.
Things had already reached this point.
There was no use dwelling on it.
Toki walked over to Sigewinne.
With both hands behind his back, he spoke thoughtfully.
“Sigewinne, have you ever heard a certain saying?” Sigewinne froze for a moment before shaking her head.
She asked curiously, “What saying?” “It goes…
Medicine alone can’t save Fontaine!” Toki spoke with an utterly serious expression and a solemn tone.
“Huh?” Sigewinne was completely baffled.
Her large eyes were filled with confusion.
She quickly asked, “Then what can save the people of Fontaine?” “Give up medicine and take up combat!” Toki abruptly raised his voice, speaking as though he had just revealed some profound truth.
“You need to increase your own combat power!
Only then can you save the people of Fontaine!” “Think about it.” “If you use overwhelming strength to eliminate every enemy…” “Wouldn’t that mean the people of Fontaine would never get injured in the first place?!” Hearing this, Sigewinne hurriedly waved her hands.
A troubled expression appeared on her face.
“But…
fighting isn’t something I’m good at.” “That kind of thing can be left to Fontaine’s Gardes.” “I’m perfectly happy staying behind them and treating their injuries!” Toki fell silent.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he complained inwardly.
It seemed convincing Sigewinne to work hard at increasing her combat power…
Wasn’t going to be as easy as he had imagined.
She wasn’t like Furina.
With Furina, all he had to do was threaten her with her secret, and he could easily get her to do what he wanted.
Sigewinne was simple and kindhearted, focused entirely on treating illnesses and saving lives.
She had absolutely no interest in fighting.
Toki took a deep breath and suppressed his helplessness.
He softened his tone and continued, “I respect your decision.” “But you could also try…” “Improving your healing abilities even further.” “For example…
this Bolstering Bubblebalm.” As Toki spoke, he opened his right hand.
He focused his mind and used Bolstering Bubblebalm once again.
A pale blue water bubble bounced in his palm.
It was crystal clear and radiated a soothing warmth.
After using it, Toki waited nine seconds.
Then he immediately created a second one.
Even after using the ability repeatedly, he didn’t feel tired in the slightest.
Sigewinne stood beside him, staring in complete astonishment!
Her mouth hung slightly open, her face filled with shock.
It took her quite a while to finally react.
Then she hurried over to Toki, her voice trembling with excitement.
“H-How exactly are you doing that?” “Can you teach me?!” “If I could use this ability repeatedly within such a short period of time…” “I could save so many people!” Looking at the anticipation filling Sigewinne’s eyes…
Toki secretly laughed to himself.
Outwardly, however, he deliberately adopted an enigmatic expression and spoke as though there were some profound secret behind it.
“This ability…
isn’t something I can teach you.” “You’ll have to discover the method yourself…” “Anyway, do your best!
I believe in your talent!” After saying that, Toki didn’t linger any longer.
He turned around and headed out of the infirmary.
“Mhm!
Okay!” Sigewinne nodded vigorously.
She raised both hands and encouraged herself.
“I’ll work hard!
I’ll definitely figure it out!” Toki had already left the infirmary.
He was walking toward his own cell.
As he walked, he thought to himself.
If Sigewinne worked hard to improve her healing abilities…
Then according to the system’s rules…
He should receive a corresponding improvement as well.
Perhaps someday…
A single Bolstering Bubblebalm…
Might even develop the power to bring someone back to life!
That wouldn’t be bad at all!
At the same time…
Inside the surveillance room of the Fortress of Meropide…
Wriothesley sat in a large chair.
His fingers gently rubbed his chin.
On the display screen before him, footage of Toki using Bolstering Bubblebalm was playing repeatedly.
His brows furrowed slightly, and his voice carried a trace of confusion.
“A foreigner who suddenly appeared in Lady Furina’s room…” “And he can use elemental power without a Vision?” “Could he be the Traveler I’ve heard so much about?” Wriothesley paused, then shook his head.
His voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
“But from what I’ve heard…
that Traveler has blonde hair.” “And she’s a woman, with some sort of floating creature constantly accompanying her.” “No matter how I look at him, that description doesn’t fit.” “Could there be…” “More than one of these Travelers capable of using elemental power without a Vision?” Wriothesley thought deeply for a moment.
Then he raised his head and called toward the door.
“Come in.” A guard dressed in a black uniform quickly entered.
He bowed respectfully.
“Your Grace, what are your orders?” “Go.
Gather more information about the Traveler.” Wriothesley’s expression became serious as he gave the order in a deep voice.
“Focus on finding out where that blonde Traveler is now.” “Yes, Your Grace.
I’ll see to it immediately!” The guard bowed in acknowledgment before turning and quickly leaving.
It wasn’t long before the guard returned with new information.
“Your Grace, we found her.” “The blonde Traveler has already left Sumeru.” “She is currently making her way toward Fontaine.” “She should arrive here before long.” Hearing this, Wriothesley’s expression grew even more serious.
He slowly rose from his seat and murmured in a low voice, “This blonde Traveler…” “No matter what nation she visits, upheaval seems to follow.” “It looks like Fontaine may be in for turbulent times as well.” His gaze became solemn as he began preparing for what might come.
No matter why this Traveler was coming to Fontaine…
He had to ensure order within the Fortress of Meropide.
And safeguard the peace of Fontaine!
(End of Chapter)