Meanwhile...
In Lynn's bedroom.
Lynn was flipping through a book in his hands, filled with emotions.
If he hadn't been rummaging through his belongings today, he would have almost forgotten about this precious research achievement he had treasured for years!
Secret Source, as the oldest form of magic on the Violet Continent.
During that period of four to five thousand years ago, it had reached its absolute peak.
Lynn vaguely recalled the situation from those years in his mind.
Indeed.
When you have a powerful dragon lady as your wife, you deeply realize just how weak humans are.
Whether it's about strength, or certain other... unfortunate aspects...
It's not at all like those fantasy novels describe, where the protagonist can stand firm and maintain their vigor regardless of who their partner is...
After all, humans have their limits.
No matter how strong you are, it's extremely difficult to physically conquer a mighty dragon!
O(╥﹏╥)o
He faintly remembered those ego-crushing words he heard during their honeymoon.
"Hmm~ Has it started yet?"
"It's already finished..."
Looking up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, tears streaming down his face.
During the time when his dragon lady was still around, what was it that drove him to become stronger?!
What was it that kept pushing him to become more powerful?!
Of course, it was because...
Because...
(Ĭ^Ĭ)
Let's not talk about it anymore, it's all tears from here.
Lynn tearfully browsed through the book in his hands, reminiscing about his past research achievements.
It was really just to supplement his nutrition a bit, and he accidentally ended up thoroughly researching all the knowledge about Secret Source.
"But anyway, there were some achievements," Lynn sighed wistfully.
He continued reading.
Reading with great interest.
It felt like looking back at elementary school essays decades later.
There were indeed some different feelings.
But just then.
Lynn suddenly froze.
"Huh? Why is there a page missing?"
Lynn stared at the gap in the yellowed pages, somewhat bewildered.
"Did I lose it while rummaging through things?"
...
Soon, at noon.
Accompanied by a magical glow from a teleportation spell.
Nanako's figure slowly appeared in her own bedroom.
She was wearing a blue robe, carrying stacks of boxes in her arms, and even had large packages tied to both of her pigtails.
"Finally, I've gathered all the materials!"
Nanako put her hands on her hips, wearing a proud expression, with the ahoge on her head dancing lightly.
After determining the basic recipe for breaking the curse.
Nanako used teleportation magic to return to Winter Spring Valley and gathered all the materials needed for the potion from the valley's treasury.
After all, as an ancient organization like Winter Spring Valley, they had every magical material one could need.
"With these materials and Nanako's abilities, I should be able to create a potion that can break the curse!"
Nanako ٩(๑>◡<๑)۶ spun around, her pigtails flying.
Without another word.
Nanako hugged all her materials.
Then quickly rushed out of the inn.
Just as she went out, she saw the magical girl Elina standing outside the inn.
Elina looked curiously at Nanako's packages and tilted her head, asking, "Steward Nanako, what are you..."
Nanako winked and said, "I've found a way to break the curse!"
Upon hearing this, Elina's eyes immediately lit up, "Re... really? Lady Nanako, you..."
Nanako immediately raised a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, saying mysteriously:
"Shh, don't say it out loud. There should be a place in Lakeside Town where we can brew potions, right?"
Elina immediately closed her mouth, then with wide eyes, nodded vigorously, "There's the Alchemist Guild, you can rent an alchemy workshop from them for a small fee."
Nanako said cheerfully, "Perfect! Elina, quickly take me there!"
Elina glanced questioningly toward the inn and asked:
"Steward Nanako, should I notify your disciple?"
Nanako glanced at the inn and shook her head firmly, saying craftily, "No need, let him rest well. We'll give him a surprise after we make the potion."
Of course there was no need to notify him.
Because the potion recipe came from her disciple in the first place.
However.
The main reason was that she wanted to prove her abilities.
Even without her disciple, Nanako could create excellent potions.
Because Nanako was also a very powerful mage.
Harboring this little secret, Nanako and Elina immediately snuck away to the Alchemist Guild.
However, they didn't notice.
Around the corner near the inn.
A pair of eyes was watching Nanako and Elina's retreating figures.
...
[Church]
"Marshal Knight, it's just as I said, I just saw that steward from Winter Spring Valley and another mage heading toward the Alchemist Guild."
Marshal Knight frowned slightly, pacing, his armor clanking.
He pondered, "Did you hear what they were saying?"
The attendant bowed his head and said, "I didn't dare get too close, but I faintly heard something about potions and curses..."
Upon hearing this.
Marshal Knight immediately looked up, frowning, "Potions? Could those Winter Spring Valley mages have found a way to break the curse?"
After the curse outbreak in Lakeside Town, many people from their Holy Church had also been turned into pigs.
But regarding methods to break the curse, the Holy Church had also been conducting research.
However, they still had no results.
Marshal Knight fell into deep thought.
"Continue monitoring them! If they make any progress, report to me immediately!"
"Yes!"
He had just received news recently.
The guards responsible for watching over the cursed residents told him that Saint Anna had personally ordered the release of control over those residents.
And she was with those Winter Spring Valley mages.
He couldn't help but frown.
If Saint Anna had really returned, why hadn't she come to see them at the church?
Moreover, during this time, he couldn't contact Saint Anna no matter what method he tried.
He felt there were some suspicious points.
So, where exactly had Saint Anna gone?
"Oink— Oink—"
Miserable pig squeals came from the basement.
Marshal Knight flew into a rage and shouted toward the basement, "Beat him! Keep beating him! Beat him until he stops trying to be my father, damn it!"
...
Meanwhile.
In a room at the Alchemist Guild.
Just by showing the Winter Spring Valley steward's emblem, Nanako very easily obtained permission to use the alchemy workshop.
"Quick, quick! Take out all the materials! Let's prepare to brew the potion!"
Nanako busily worked, humming a light tune, her pigtails bouncing up and down, as she quickly took out all the various materials she had brought from Winter Spring Valley.