“To prevent us from gathering in Central, that’s what happened. If the word spreads that there’s an epidemic, no one will want to come here.”

“It might be an attempt to create chaos and then occupy it.”

Edrish nodded with his chin resting on his hand.

“We need to get the antidote quickly. But how can I get the antidote only in Serbion? I’m not sure if I can obtain such a large quantity.”

“I can’t guarantee helping everyone, but as for the antidote, I’ve secured it.”

I widened my eyes at Edrish’s words. Edrish scratched the back of his neck, seeming uncomfortable with my fervent gaze.

“If we’re going to fight against snakes, it’s only natural to prepare for their biggest weapon.”

“But how can we get that much?”

“I asked Sir Tasmillion. I thought he could make it.”

“Sir Tasmillion?”

“Yeah, he looks like a secluded old man, but he’s quite a smart guy. He spends all his time in the study, reading books and experimenting with herbs. After getting poisoned, he seemed to research it intensely and eventually succeeded in making the antidote.”

Wow.

My jaw dropped. I never thought Tasmillion could have such an ability.

He should wear a mask to look cool. Surely, he would pretend to cough casually, but inside, he would like it.

Thinking of him made me more eager to finish everything and go back home.

“Even though I gave him a lot of work, the old man scolded me a lot.”

It was rude to speak like that to a lord and his grandfather, but right now, it didn’t bother me.

“But I’m really relieved that he could make the antidote.”

However, that wasn’t a fundamental solution.

They said there were still steadily increasing new infections.

“Especially those who frequently engage in outdoor activities are mainly infected with the epidemic. So everyone thought it was just a common infectious disease.”

“Then, someone is still spreading the poison somewhere. We need to find the source and properly block it from the roots to resolve this situation.”

“What’s common among the patients?”

“Well, there’s no commonality. Age, gender, whether they are supernatural beings, everything is different.”

“Did they share any common places or go through the same locations?”

Again, Mogus shook his head in distress.

“There were patients who only drew pictures in the art room, and there were teachers or knights teaching students. Regardless of age or whether they are supernatural beings, everyone got infected.”

So, where did they get poisoned? If everyone is exposed, it’s hard to figure out.

“Could it be food? Like the last time, spring water or the underground water everyone drinks.”

“In the underground water of this big city?”

That would require an enormous amount of poison.

“Check it out. Where is the main water supply facility that supplies water to the entire city?”
There was no need to hesitate. Mogus quickly arranged for a concealed carriage by contacting nearby merchants, and we immediately got back on the carriage.

As soon as we arrived at the water supply facility located along the river, I looked up as if I was going to tilt my head back.

“Since we use the falling power to send it everywhere, the water supply facility is positioned at a higher location.”

“I know that too.”

I pretended to know from Edrish’s explanation. Actually, I didn’t know.

But it seemed like an arched bridge with layers stacked.

“Do we have to go up there?”

“To confirm precisely. If it’s scary, you can stay below.”

“I-I’m not scared. Not scared at all.”

Internally, I debated whether I should just stay below, but I didn’t want to be separated from Edrish. It felt like a trauma from being apart for a while.

“I’m a brave hedgehog.”

Edrish chuckled.

I confidently started climbing the stone stairs. However, before taking ten steps, regret flooded over me.

This looks like stairs only at a glance!

Of course, there were no handrails on the side, and the stones under my feet were a mess. Because the stones were old, there were gaps everywhere, making my body sway if I relaxed even a little. What if I step wrong while swaying?

I’m just going to fall.

The hedgehog eventually falls.

Even though Edrish held onto my waist from behind to help me not sway, my back was soon drenched in cold sweat. Additionally, when the empty space on the side suddenly caught my eye, it felt even more distant.

“If you think you can’t go up, you can go down right now.”

Edrish quickly read my expression.

“W-would that be a good idea?”

But after saying that, looking down made my mind even foggier.

I can’t go down here.

When I went up, I only saw the stairs, but looking down, the dark river and ground were captured at a glance. My legs shook embarrassingly without my permission.

“Then transform into a water creature.”

Ah, that’s a good idea!

I quickly turned into a hedgehog. That’s right! It’s much more stable with four legs. However, the stairs are too high for me to go down?

I hesitated, not knowing how to put my feet, but Edrish quickly lifted me up. He lightly wrapped his hands around me, making sure I didn’t shake.