The brawny man said nothing. He simply turned around and walked away.
After a brief hesitation, Nash stepped forward and followed him.
A sleek Cullinan was parked by the side of the main road, just outside the manor. It was the same car Nash had noticed when he went shopping with Hera earlier.
The brawny man approached the vehicle and opened the door. Nash understood the gesture and didn’t hesitate to climb in.
Inside the car, an elderly man and a middle-aged man sat waiting.
The old man exuded a restrained aura, calm and regal, with an air of wisdom and kindness in his eyes.
The middle-aged man had a beard and carried a palpable, murderous energy—an aura honed through years of battle.
The old man placed a hand over his heart and smiled warmly. “I’m Zakariah Sinclair. It’s a pleasure, young Nash Calcraft.”
The middle-aged man simply nodded, introducing himself with a terse, “Stellar Orwell.”
Nash looked out the window, his voice indifferent. “Did you need something from me?”
He’d assumed these people had been targeting Hera in the past. It was a surprise to find they were after him instead. He hated the feeling of being followed, but there was no malice emanating from them. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered to sit down.
Zakariah, sensing Nash’s coldness, let out a low chuckle. “Don’t take it out on Stellar. We’re only here because we need your help to treat an ailment.”
Nash’s eyes remained fixed on the road. “Is this how you invite people?”
The coldness in his tone made Zakariah feel like he’d been plunged into an ice cave. His expression faltered, but he quickly composed himself, channeling his inner energy to counteract the pressure Nash had exerted. However, in less than three seconds, his energy evaporated as if it had never existed.
Zakariah’s face turned pale, his gaze fixed on Nash in disbelief. His strength as a martial arts master had been crushed effortlessly by this young man?
When Skadi had mentioned Nash’s strength the day before, Zakariah thought she might have been exaggerating. Now, he saw she hadn’t been exaggerating at all. In fact, this young man was far stronger than he had imagined.
Zakariah placed his hand over his heart again. “Mr. Calcraft, he’s a unique case. You’re the only one who can help him…”
Nash pulled his aura back in and glanced up at the rearview mirror, catching Stellar watching him. Stellar quickly looked away, his deep voice rumbling, “The person you’ll be treating is the warden of the Northern Territory.”
Nash’s eyes narrowed slightly. A warden. A man in charge of an entire territory.
The power of such a person could not be underestimated.
There were only four wardens in all of Drakonia.
After a long pause, Nash spoke again, his voice slow and deliberate. “What’s wrong with him?”
“A poison that causes deossification,” Stellar answered, his expression serious.
“A parasitic poison?” Nash’s voice was tinged with astonishment.
He had traveled far and wide, studying various medicines, but he had never encountered a poison quite like this.
A poison capable of deossification was an incredibly potent parasitic toxin. Once a person was poisoned, their bones and joints would start loosening within a month, decaying as time passed. In three months, their bones would turn to ash.
It was a torture worse than death.
A man of such power, a warden who commanded thousands, would be reduced to nothing by this poison. And it was likely that his most trusted aide was the one who had betrayed him.
“It’s been 25 days,” Stellar added, his concern evident. “Can he be cured?”
Nash ran a hand through his hair, his expression contemplative. “I’m not sure, but I can try.”
Stellar’s gaze hardened. “I won’t risk the warden’s life if you’re not fully confident.”
His tone turned cold, his voice a low rumble. “The Northern Territory is under the warden’s protection. If something goes wrong during treatment, the border will fall into chaos.”
Nash shrugged, unbothered. “Then hire someone else.”
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