Toma: Reincarnated as the Knight's Adopted Son

Chapter 42: At the Bayerlein Ducal Mansion

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The Bazel Port in Axel Territory, governed by the Bayerlein Ducal House, is said to be one of the largest ports along the River Liber, rivaling the capital's.
With no trouble from seasickness, we arrived at Bazel Port by evening. Waiting for us was yet another luxurious carriage, and after boarding it, we arrived at a mansion that made our own home look like a mere hut. It was even larger than the main residence of the Lightstar Marquisate. As expected of a duke’s estate.

As we got out of the carriage, knights lined up, raising their swords to form an archway for us to pass through. The sight was surreal.
The front doors opened on their own, and inside, dozens of servants were lined up to greet us.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” they said in perfect unison. Truly a testament to the discipline of the duke’s household staff.

“Pardon the intrusion, but we have prepared separate rooms for the temple knights.”
“We are here to guard Lord Toma!”
“This is the Bayerlein Ducal Mansion. There is no need for protection here.”

“That cannot be!”
Sebas and Captain Suzanna Kolrausch began arguing.
“Suzanna, this is the duke’s residence. Please listen to Sebas.”

“…Understood. As you say, Lord Toma. But may I request that we be summoned if you are to leave the mansion?”
“Yes. I’ll call you whenever I go out.”
“Thank you, my lord.”

Thankfully, it didn’t turn into a big issue.
“Thank you, Lord Toma,” Sebas said with a bow, to which I responded with a smile.
“How is Brunhilde?” asked the Duke.

“Her condition remains unchanged.”
“I see… Hermina, Toma, Lord Roxfall, please rest for today. When Brunhilde awakens tomorrow…”
“No, I would like to see Mother tonight.”
“…Very well.”

The Duke personally led the way, accompanied by Lord Alexander and around ten servants.
We ascended to the third floor, walking down a long hallway until we stopped in front of a door guarded by two attendants. This was evidently the Duchess’s room.
When the door opened, a distinct, bitter scent wafted out. Perhaps it was the smell of medicine.

“Hilde… Hermina has come to see you.”
The Duchess lay still, showing no response to the Duke’s words. Though she looked quite frail, a certain dignity remained about her. Her pale hair was a sign of the long years of suffering.
“M-Mother…”

My mother reached out, hesitated for a moment, but then took the Duchess’s hand. Although she had no memories, something must have resonated within her, as tears welled up in her eyes.
I observed the Duchess with my information conversion ability. Her illness seemed to stem from a broken spirit. Ever since her daughter’s abduction, she had truly lost the will to live. Her heart, liver, stomach—everything was weak from prolonged despair. It seemed true that she did not have much time left, especially given her weakened heart.
As for the Duke, he was also dealing with an illness. A stomach cancer, very early in its development, which he likely wasn’t even aware of. I could only detect it thanks to my information conversion.

“Duke…”
“Yes, Toma?” He turned to me with a somber expression.
“Does the ducal library have any books on medicine?”

“Yes, it does…”
“May I see them?”
“…Why? If it’s about Hilde… the royal physicians have already given up hope.”

“Will you not show me?”
“…Very well. Sebas, guide him.”
“Understood. Lord Toma, this way, please.”

“Thank you.”
It seemed unlikely the Duchess would wake anytime soon, and even if she did, she had lost her sight. She wouldn’t be able to see Mother’s face, which was deeply saddening.
“This way, please.”

Sebas led me to a room filled with an impressive collection of books. This was the first time since coming to this world that I’d seen so many books in one place.
“The medical books are over here.”
I took several books and placed them on a table.

The Duchess desperately needed nourishment first. Both her diet and medicine would need to provide proper nutrition.
I identified a few promising medicines and asked Sebas if they could be acquired.
“I will arrange for them immediately.”

Sebas seemed to understand that this would satisfy me, so he promptly made the arrangements. It appeared that the duke’s residence had a department dedicated to handling medicinal supplies, and my requests were quickly fulfilled.
Once alone in the room, I used my conversion ability on the medicine.
There was no doubt the Duchess was my grandmother. Worn down by worry for her daughter, her life force was fading. I couldn’t just leave her like this.

—Convert! Become a medicine that will heal the Duchess!
“Ugh…”
My mana drained rapidly. I had over three thousand points of mana, and it felt as if every bit had been consumed, leaving me weak.

Status Open…
Impossible! My mana was down to zero, and it was draining my stamina too? My stamina was rapidly decreasing. This was… dangerous…
That was the last thing I thought before I blacked out.

When I came to, I was lying in bed. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but the eastern sky was beginning to lighten, suggesting early morning.
Status Open.
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[Name] Toma Roxfall
[Species] Demigod (Human-God hybrid)
[Information] Male, 8 years old, Healthy
[Title] Apostle of Deuro, the God of Creation
[Rank] G
[Attribute] Divine
[Blessing] God of Transformation (Unawakened)
[Level] 106
[Skills] Conversion, Level 3
[Life] 3,243 (6,506)
[Stamina] 3,324 (6,649)
[Mana] 3,486 (6,972)
=・=・=・=・=・=・=・=
That conversion used up so much mana and stamina that I’d gained two levels! It must have been incredibly draining… That was a close call.

“Huh?! What about the medicine?”
The table was as I’d left it, with granules on a plate. I checked them with my information viewing ability.
Converted: 200 grams of Pactein, 200 grams of Altian Ginseng, and 50 grams of Juzel Futo to 100 capsules of Life Elixir
Mana Consumption: 5,000 points
 

With a mana cost of 5,000 points… no wonder it also drained my stamina.
Life Elixir: A divine medicine crafted by Deuro’s Apostle, Toma, for his grandmother Brunhilde. To be taken twice a day, morning and evening, by dissolving five capsules in 100 milliliters of hot water. This will help Brunhilde regain her health.
 
If I could give this to the Duchess, her condition should improve.

I immediately requested an audience with the Duke.