Chapter 217
Raymond's eyes flickered, and he nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll find Gianna. You stay in Dawnridge and help Felix."
Mitchell agreed, "Yeah, sounds good."
In the next few days, one headed to Willow Creek, while the other stayed in Dawnridge to figure out how to rescue Felix.
Meanwhile, once the road to Foster Price's place was clear, Gianna and Garrett left Willow Creek.
Two days later, they reached Herb Valley.
Foster frowned when he saw them. He asked, "What do you want?"
Gianna stepped forward, explaining, "Foster, someone who’s been very kind to me was poisoned and is in a coma. The antidote herbs are only here, so I came to ask for your help. I'll accept any punishment."
Foster glanced at the unconscious Natalie, frowning.
Foster instructed, "Lay her down flat."
After checking her pulse, Foster's face turned grim, and inquired, "Did you give her Celestial Starflower?"
Gianna replied, "Yes."
Foster remarked in disbelief, "You... That was the only one, and you used it on her. You..."
He thought the Celestial Starflower might help Gianna withstand the punishment, but now...
Gianna expressed urgently, "Foster, saving her is the priority!"
Foster sighed and started preparing medicine for Natalie.
After she drank it, her complexion improved a bit.
Foster informed, "The herbs you need are out. You'll have to gather them from the mountain."
Garrett's face fell. He hated gathering herbs because of the snakes. He wasn't scared of them, just grossed out.
Gianna nodded and agreed, "Got it."
Foster said sternly, "Gather the herbs first. You'll face punishment after."
Gianna said nothing, grabbed a herb basket, and headed up the mountain.
Garrett scratched his nose, avoiding her gaze, and said, "Gianna, I'll stay here and watch over Natalie."
Foster kicked him, saying, "We don't need you here. You go too. I'll give you a list. If you don't get everything, don't come back!"
Garrett felt wronged but had no choice.
With the list, they headed to the back mountain.
Foster watched them leave, sighed, and stroked his beard as he muttered to himself, "Seems like we can't avoid what's coming. We'll have to go back eventually."
By the time they returned with the herbs, it was almost dark.
Garrett looked like a mess, with scratches and holes in his clothes. Gianna was in better shape, just a bit messy.
Foster glanced at Garrett, and instructed, "Wash up and eat."
Then he looked at Gianna, and said, "You, come with me."
Gianna followed Foster into the pharmacy. He took out a black pill and placed it on the table, and explained, "This is a Dreamwell Capsule, made from over a hundred poisons."
Foster continued, "Anyone who takes it will feel like a thousand ants are gnawing at them every night at midnight, a pain worse than death, getting worse each day until they die."
He added, "Your senior brother couldn't bear it and committed suicide. Since you broke the rules of Herb Valley, if you want to save Natalie, you must take this Dreamwell Capsule."
The rules of Herb Valley have been passed down for thousands of years. When Foster became the master, he had to follow them.
Even though Gianna was his favorite student, Foster couldn't make an exception.
Gianna paused for a moment, then swallowed the Dreamwell Capsule.
Foster sighed, and said, "If you had the Celestial Starflower, it could've eased the pain. Now, you just have to endure it."
Gianna nodded firmly, and stated, "This is my choice."
Foster said gently, "Go eat."
After dinner, Garrett pulled Gianna aside. He asked, "Did Master talk to you about the punishment?"
Gianna nodded, and replied, "Yes, I'm fine. Master asked me to grind some medicine after dinner. I'll go now."
Garrett didn't push further, sensing she didn't want to discuss it.
At midnight, Gianna woke up in excruciating pain, feeling like her bones were being gnawed at. She curled up, breaking out in a cold sweat, biting her lip to stay silent.
When the pain finally subsided, she was drenched and pale, her lip bleeding. Exhausted, she passed out.
The next morning, birds chirping woke her. She sat up slowly, barely remembering falling asleep.
After a few days in Herb Valley, seeing Natalie improve made Gianna feel that her nightly suffering was worthwhile.
On the fourth day, Gianna got a letter from Scorpio, reminding her of their deadline and asking her to meet him in Willow Creek. The fact that Scorpio could reach her in Herb Valley showed the extensive influence of his intelligence network.
Gianna went to Foster to say goodbye. Natalie needed a month to fully recover, and with Foster, Quinn, and Garrett there, Gianna felt reassured.
Foster handed her a box angrily. He instructed, "These are painkillers I made. Take one every three days. There are ten, enough for a month. Come back in a month for more and I'll teach you the formula."
Despite his anger, Foster cared deeply for her.
Gianna smiled while teasing him, "I knew you cared."
Foster snorted and turned back to the pharmacy, his expression grave. There was no antidote for the Dreamwell Capsule, and the pain would only worsen over time. He didn't know how long she could endure.
Gianna packed her things and said goodbye to Quinn and Garrett in the kitchen.
Quinn's eyes reddened, and asked, "Gianna, you just got back. Why are you leaving so soon?"
Gianna patted her head, reassuring her, "Don't worry, I'll be back in a month."
After comforting Quinn, Gianna asked Garrett to take care of Natalie and left Herb Valley.
Before meeting Scorpio, Gianna found a public phone booth to call Felix and tell him about Natalie. But no one answered after several tries.
Scorpio's subordinate grew impatient, and asked, "Are you done yet? This mission is important. We can't afford delays!"
Gianna pressed her lips together and dialed Felix's number again.
