Do You Have Friends, O Millard?

'Black Carrion... Asmodeus…'

For Cien, who had recalled his past life, the name Asmodeus was not unfamiliar to him.

Although Cien was not a smart child who ranked at the top during his school days, he at least knew that Asmodeus was the name of a demon.

Which religion did this demon belong to? Cien didn't know.

He recognized the name from several games and books he had read (i.e., comics).

Cien was not an outstanding student or a great person in the real world. He was just an ordinary worker.

That's why, unlike in every other story where humans go to another world (i.e., isekai), usually the main characters make technological breakthroughs, Cien was completely incapable of doing so.

He didn't have enough knowledge to accomplish such a thing. Besides, he was busy with his situation being trapped in Death Valley.

He didn't have time to create various innovations apart from the items listed in his cellphone's recipe.

Now the name Asmodeus appeared. Cien didn't know if this demon was the same as the myths in his previous world or different.

As far as Cien remembered, Asmodeus was a demon representing lust or desire. But judging from Duke Bahman's condition, this Asmodeus was using poison.

'Different but with the same name? Whatever it is, the important thing is the fact that the demon is involved in this matter. It seems that Abyss has begun to do something in Mandora.'

Cien sighed softly, pondering about Abyss made his head spin.

He was certain that something significant was about to happen in Mandora, especially regarding Ashur.

Based on Duke Bahman's condition and Dion's drastic changes, he had a strong conviction.

Cien even suspected that the Abyss had infiltrated the high ranks of Ashur, perhaps even the royal family.

He decided to warn Halima about this. But before that, Cien put down his phone and gazed at the figure of Duke Bahman lying weakly on the bed.

"Uncle Alzair, have you ever interacted with the Abyss race?" Cien asked, to which Alzair Bahman slowly shook his head.

'Someone has poisoned Uncle Alzair. As a Duke, security measures are undoubtedly strict, so there's a high chance that the culprit is a close relative…'

Cien shook his head, dismissing all his current assumptions.

He turned to Duke Bahman and began explaining the cause of his condition—about the Black Carrion poison, about Asmodeus, and also about the possibility of his death within a year or two.

Cien could see the Duke's eyeballs trembling, whether from shock or anger, or perhaps both.

However, just like Cien, Duke Bahman must have started assuming that one of his closest people had betrayed him.

Allowing Duke Bahman to contemplate and calm himself, Cien reopened his phone.

This time, he accessed the alchemy recipe feature. If there's poison, there must be an antidote. If the world of Kastia hadn't found it yet, it didn't mean his phone wouldn't know either.

Cien opened the alchemy section and typed "Black Carrion" in the search column.

Five search results appeared—four types of Black Carrion poison concoctions and one antidote.

'Bingo!'

Smiles adorned Cien's face. He grew increasingly proud of the functions and knowledge contained within his cellphone.

Without hesitation, he touched the antidote concoction and fell silent upon seeing the required materials.

'Holy Water, leaves from the World Tree, Eternal Ice, Saint's Tears, Mandrake Root... What kind of materials are these?!'

Cien knew about Holy Water. It could be found in Temples.

But as for the other materials, honestly, Cien was not very knowledgeable, even though he had heard some names like the World Tree.

However, he had never seen their physical forms. So, for Cien, the required materials were considered rare.

'Hmmm, but with the power of a Duke, obtaining these materials might not be a problem. Maybe.'

Cien carefully studied the recipe, then closed his cellphone and put it back in his pocket.

He then asked Duke Bahman for permission to use the paper and pen in his room. Cien wrote down the newly learned concoction there. From the materials to how to make it with so much detail.

When he finished, it was time for Cien to leave.

Lingering in Duke Bahman's residence could make those people (spies/traitors) start to suspect him.

He bid farewell to Duke Bahman and carried his empty coffin.

Opening the door to leave, he met Halima, who was still on guard.

"Sis Halima, I apologize for troubling you."

Halima replied with a smile, "It's alright, Little C. Your presence might be a gift in itself for us."

Cien then handed Halima a piece of paper he had written earlier.

"What is this?"

"Recipe of the antidote for Duke Bahman."

"!!! Little C, you..."

Cien nodded and then explained the current condition of Duke Bahman. How a poison had caused his body to become like this.

Cien also warned Halima to be cautious of the people around her.

This was clearly understood by Duke Bahman's young sister. Halima also reached the same conclusion as Cien, that there was a traitor among the leaders of Ashur City.

Halima then looked at the potion written by Cien.

Her smile stiffened as she saw the materials that needed to be used. It wasn't just the materials, but the alchemist who would make it had to be a master.

Indeed, those materials were rare. But it was not impossible to obtain them with the influence and power of Duke Bahman. They just needed to spend enough money to acquire them.

"Thank you, Little C."

"This is all I can do, Sis Halima. My visit to Ashur cannot be long, so I cannot make the potion myself. I hope you can obtain the materials soon, Duke Bahman doesn't have much time."

"I understand. Thank you nonetheless."

Cien gave a slight smile. They both walked back together to the front gate.

Along the way, Cien also mentioned that before leaving Ashur, he would try to find out about the changes that had occurred to Dion.

Cien was confident with his phone. He could also find out about the condition of Duke Bahman's son. Well, if they met.

When they arrived at the front gate, they were greeted again by the guards who were still alert at the gate. Cien bid farewell, and his figure disappeared from the sight of those at the gate.

Seeing Cien leave, Halima immediately turned to the guards.

"The person who just left was Duke Bahman's old friend. But his identity is somewhat complicated, so it's better not to be known. I hope you can keep quiet about his visit, alright?"

""Yes, ma'am!""

"Good."

Halima returned to the residence. Not to go back to sleep, but to start preparing the antidote for Duke Bahman. After three years, the spirit within Halima finally resurfaced.

She was truly grateful for Cien. It had never crossed her mind that the person who would bring her hope regarding her brother's situation was someone who had been presumed dead ten years ago.

Halima chuckled to herself, "He's like a ghost. It will be interesting to see Ethel's reaction when she finds out Cien is still alive. Oh! Maybe I should just send a letter to Ethel about this!"

***

Elsewhere, in a patient's room at a renowned clinic in Ashur.

A young man lay unconscious, his body pale like a zombie.

Beside the bed sat a middle-aged man, the current head of the Millard Family, Baron Raphael Millard.

Looking at his son's condition, he still couldn't comprehend who could have done this to his son.

From morning until last night, he had asked Duke's people to mobilize knights to investigate the C-Owl organization.

Unfortunately, far from Raphael's expectations, C-Owl itself had no knowledge of the attack.

Instead, they turned the question around and inquired about Cherry's condition, the person kidnapped by Edmond.

Cherry had disappeared, but not because of C-Owl. The Bahman side found no evidence of the orphanage's involvement, making the perpetrator even more mysterious.

That wasn't the only thing Raphael had to face.

Since Cherry was indeed forcefully taken by Edmond, when he returned to Westya later, he would have to confront Ethel. There would be consequences to be paid for his son's actions.

"You bastard! Who dares to fight against us?!"

Raphael was frustrated. If his son couldn't return to how he was before, he would lose his baron status once again.

Raphael didn't want the baron status of his family to fall into the hands of an outsider, just like before when Cien—a foster child—ended up inheriting the baron status from his brother. Not him or his son!

That was unacceptable!

Lilinette was already useless, Edmond was still in critical condition, and the only remaining child he had was from his mistress, someone he disliked.

Clack!

The sound of the door opening. A doctor entered. Raphael turned to the doctor with a haughty expression.

"Can Edmond be saved?"

"Of course, he can. Don't worry, we are trying to gather donors as quickly as possible."

"Just so you know, if my son dies, I will ensure that this place of yours will never stand again. Remember that!"

The doctor narrowed his eyes as he looked at the nobleman in front of him.

He said nothing. He was not afraid of the threats given by Raphael. On the contrary, he laughed silently in his heart at Raphael's behavior.

Baron Millard was known to have a bad reputation among the people of Ashur.

They delighted in the misfortunes that befell him. Likewise, the doctor was pleased to see the arrogant boy, who always did as he pleased, now lying helpless in a patient's bed.

He would certainly heal him. He would also try to find a donor for him. After all, he was still a doctor!

The problem now was only one. This was Ashur, a place where its citizens hated the Millard Family. Would there be anyone willing to donate their blood to a Millard child?

The doctor shook his head slightly in response to Raphael's threats.

As a doctor, no matter how bad his patient was, he would still help them. So he came only to examine Edmond's condition. Not to listen to rants or threats from Raphael.

After finishing the examination, the doctor smiled. He then patted Raphael on the shoulder, disregarding their difference in status. Was he being impolite? He didn't care!

"You should start praying to your God. Hope that there will be a friend who is willing to help you."

The doctor said, then walked away without waiting for Raphael's criticism of his actions.

What he had said earlier came from the depths of the doctor's heart. He himself didn't want to see his patient die. But for now, Raphael truly needed a miracle.

Hope and pray.

Pray! And hope for one or two people in Ashur who are still willing to help them, oh Millard.