If You Want A Cheeky Seductress (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 17

Late November.

The capital city of Selshar in the Grand Duchy of Torkan was bustling with preparations for the “Festival of Stars,” set to begin in December. Held from the second week of December for fifteen days, the Festival of Stars was a celebration meant to bid farewell to the chilly season in good health and to pray for prosperity in the coming year.

Located in the southwestern part of the continent, Torkan rarely saw snow even in midwinter, and the temperatures remained mild enough that a light coat was often sufficient. Yet, for Torkan’s people—who, much like their ruler, loved merrymaking—holding festivals was a matter of utmost importance.

Normally, around this time, the Grand Ducal Palace would ease its workload and shift focus toward festival and party preparations, but circumstances this year were far from favorable. A heavy cloud of worry hung over the faces of the assembled nobles, knights, and Floyd himself in the council chamber.

“There have been victims even in nearby villages.”

Viscount Conrado Veitren, Minister of Security, spoke in a grave tone.

“Despite warnings not to go near the water, four children apparently snuck off to play by the stream without their parents’ knowledge and met with tragedy. Even the parents who carried their collapsed children home collapsed themselves after getting splashed with water.”

Floyd, who had been staring darkly at the table, asked, “Are the children still alive?”

“…They reportedly passed away shortly after being brought home. The parents remain unconscious and haven’t learned of their children’s deaths yet.”

A month earlier, they’d received reports of people suffering from mysterious illness—rashes, high fever, then coughing up blood before dying. Initially assuming it was an epidemic, they dispatched an investigation team with appropriate countermeasures, but the returning team suggested the cause seemed to be linked to “water.”

“Though there aren’t many survivors to confirm, all had one thing in common: they either drank water or immersed themselves in a stream shortly before collapsing.”

It sounded absurd. Water was so deeply intertwined with daily life that finding someone who hadn’t touched it even once in a day would be nearly impossible.

“Moreover, nearby flora and fauna are also dying with similar symptoms. We found plants near the river turning pitch black and animals collapsed as if they’d drunk the poisoned water.”

By then, it was clear the water was the source.

The river running through Torkan was exceptionally wide and deep; such devastation couldn’t result from a mere trace of poison. Thus, Floyd personally went to investigate. In the woods near the afflicted village, he sensed the presence of a monster.

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