The last to arrive at the dining table were Lord Yubak and his entourage.

“As we arrived, we first dispelled any lingering malicious energy and set up a formation to block any more from entering.”

As soon as he sat down, he began discussing the progress of the work. I also had some knowledge about the formation he was talking about.

Various talismans, banners, or jade items engraved with magical patterns are prepared; upon placing them at calculated positions, the ambient energy reacts, and something desired by the person setting it up materializes.

‘If this were a Western fantasy setting, it would feel like creating a magical circle with magical instruments, wouldn’t it?’

That was the impression I had when I first heard a detailed explanation of these formations, and ever since, I’ve thought of them as magical circles. It was also easier for me to understand it that way.

No one would understand even if I explained, so I might as well keep this understanding to myself.

“While this method is generally used to protect large areas, it won’t completely heal those affected by this specific curse targeting certain individuals. It’s just a temporary measure.”

After saying that, Lord Yubak hesitated for a moment, looked at the master of the house, and added,

“Of course, even a temporary measure will bring some relief. You will suffer less.”

“…I can only express my gratitude for that alone.”

The master of the house bowed his head slightly, his complexion a little brighter.

Although he had invited them to dine together, given the master’s situation, it was unlikely that he could easily digest any food. The real reason he invited them under the pretext of dining was likely to hear how things were progressing from the Yubak lords.

“I can’t express how much it tormented me, not even knowing the cause. Just for coming here I am grateful, let alone hearing that the cause has been identified and can be addressed.”

Choked up, the master of the house couldn’t finish his sentence. Listening to him, Lord Yubak spoke in a gentle tone.

“I understand your feelings, as I too have experienced the agony when my own disciples fell ill. Worrying also takes energy, so for your own health and for when your family recovers, please make sure to eat well and get enough sleep.”

“Yes…yes, of course.”

“I plan to check on your family members again in the afternoon. If there’s any improvement, I will inform you as well.”

“Thank you, Grandmaster.”
The atmosphere was quite harmonious. As I quietly observed, the eldest son came to mind again.

‘Hmm, not someone I want to keep thinking about.’

But strangely, it bothered me.

‘Why?’

I tend to think deeply about things that matter to me, which can sometimes be problematic. However, I quickly let go of things I consider insignificant.

The eldest son looked splendid and did some odd things, but that was all there was to it.

It meant he wasn’t worth my continued concern.

I came here at Danju’s request, and the subordinates were handling the practical matters. All I had to do was assist them as I had been doing. Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t get the eldest son out of my mind.

‘Really, why?’

I pondered throughout the meal, but no answer came.

Even worse, thinking about it alone now made it more than just bothersome. It felt irksome, and it was even more problematic that I still didn’t know why I felt that way.

I blinked a few times, then internally sighed.

‘Is it intuition?’

In the past, when I had discovered the curse, I hadn’t approached it through rational logic.

I had impulsively dived in and acted. But I had found something, and since then, I started to believe in things that couldn’t be explained rationally.

‘But I might have branded him suspicious just because I’m obsessed with my thoughts.’

I swallowed my saliva internally.

Even if I continued to doubt the eldest son, it seemed like neither Ha Hyun nor the subordinates had any particular thoughts about him.

‘It seems like I’m the only one bothered.’

Not that I plan to conclude that I’m definitely acting strange, but the possibility that I’m unnecessarily behaving strangely cannot be completely dismissed either.

‘Logically, the latter seems more plausible.’

It seemed like something that should be observed a bit more.

In the afternoon, the patients I revisited were undoubtedly more stable. Their breathing seemed a bit easier, and their fever had somewhat subsided, making them look as if they were merely sleeping.

However…

‘He doesn’t look good?’

The eldest son was the opposite.

Whether it was because he had spent his energy talking to us in the morning, or for some other reason, his complexion now seemed even paler compared to my siblings.

But perhaps because his condition was originally the best, even with his poor complexion, it wasn’t to the level where conversation was impossible.
He sat facing us with a teacup between us, despite his four hundred worries.

“You look unwell, sir.”