Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully

"How.. How is this possible? Even the Sunpetal Draught could not help..."

Alaric and Doctor Emma could only watch with their mouths open.

Baron Charles turned to Riku, tears streaming down his face, his earlier composure completely gone. He got to his feet, though his legs still trembled. "Master Riku! I... I don’t know how to thank you! You’ve performed a miracle! My father... he hasn’t spoken so clearly in weeks!"

"Whatever you say, Mister Riku, my family will definitely not let you down."

"Just the agreed sum is sufficient, Baron Charles," Riku said gently, helping the still emotional Baron to a chair. "The gold will be used to bring relief to many others who cannot afford such a donation."

"Charles. This cannot be, right!" Lord Alaric suddenly interjected, his face still contorted with hostility.

"This is some trick! A momentary illusion! No mere commoner could achieve what the best healers of Luxia could not!" He rounded on Riku. "What dark arts did you employ, sorcerer? What price will my uncle truly pay for this ’miracle’?"

"You think you can use black magic on my uncle and fool all of us? Dream on. Today, I must expose you."

Before Riku could respond, Lord Gregor, who had been listening with surprising clarity, pushed himself up slightly on his pillows. His voice, though still weak, held a newfound strength and a clear note of command.

"Alaric! Enough!" the old lord rasped, his gaze sharp and fixed on his nephew.

"But Uncle," Alaric protested, stepping forward, "he’s tricking you! I’ve heard of these things! A brief surge of vitality, then... then it all drains away, leaving the victim worse than before! It’s a charlatan’s ploy!"

Lord Gregor’s eyes narrowed. "Silence! Do you think I am a baby, Alaric, unable to discern how my own body feels? This young man has brought me relief I haven’t known in months. He has done what no other could. Whether it is art or miracle, it is a blessing."

"Uncle, please!" Alaric pleaded, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "Trust me on this! My mother and I, we care deeply for you, for this house! We only want what’s best—"

"Enough!" Lord Gregor’s voice, though still raspy, cut through Alaric’s words like a whip.

"I am fully aware of what you and your mother are planning, nephew." The implication in his tone was chilling, and Alaric visibly paled. "This is Hummer family business. You will treat our guests with the respect they are due. Now, get out. I will deal with you later."

"But uncle.."

"Out!"

Lord Alaric flushed a deep red. He visibly deflated under his uncle’s stern gaze and the weight of that unspoken accusation. He shot a venomous glare at Riku, then turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Baron Charles, having regained some composure, beamed at Riku. "Master Riku, Elder Borin, young miss Elara, please, you must stay. Allow us to offer you our hospitality."

-----------------

Baron Charles, his face still alight with relief and gratitude, ushered Riku, Elder Borin, and a quiet Elara from Lord Gregor’s bedchamber into the manor’s grand dining hall.

It was a stark contrast to the simple fare of "The Respite" or the meager rations of the Underbelly. Lord Gregor, looking remarkably improved though still frail, insisted on joining them and propped up in a comfortable chair at the head of the table. Doctor Emma hovered nearby, still looking at her patient with a mixture of disbelief.

A variety of dishes lined the table. Though most of them were simple vegetables and meat, it was still much more opulent than what any ordinary family could eat. That said, the taste was not exceptional, mostly due to the lack of many seasonings and spices.

"Master Riku," Baron Charles began, raising his goblet once everyone was seated, his voice thick with emotion. "Words cannot express our gratitude. You have given my father back to me, back to this house. The ten thousand gold coins are already being prepared, but it feels like such a paltry sum for the miracle you have wrought. Please, know that House Hummer is forever in your debt."

Lord Gregor, sipping some warm broth, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, young man. You have a rare gift. Though the disease has not fully faded away, this old warrior hasn’t felt this... clear... in a long, long time. Thank you."

"It was my honor to help, Lord Gregor, Baron Charles," Riku replied, accepting their thanks with a polite nod. "The gold will go towards helping many others who suffer from this blight."

As the meal progressed, the conversation inevitably turned to the Crimson Creep.

"Father," Charles said, a troubled frown creasing his brow, "what puzzles me is how you became so severely afflicted. You’ve barely left the manor grounds these past few months, and we’ve had no visitors known to carry the Creep. Doctor Emma has been most diligent in her precautions."

Doctor Emma nodded. "Indeed, my Lord. We’ve been extremely careful. Lord Gregor has had no direct contact with anyone from the afflicted districts. His onset was... sudden and severe. It defied all logical patterns of contagion we’ve observed in the city."

Lord Gregor himself looked thoughtful. "It is strange. One day, I felt a slight weariness. The next, the burning began, and the marks... they appeared as if from nowhere. I recall no specific incident, no unusual encounter."

Riku listened intently. This was a crucial piece of information. If Lord Gregor hadn’t contracted it through normal means, then how?

His mind flashed back to the Whisperwood, to the mist-emitting stones.

"Baron Charles, Lord Gregor," Riku began carefully, "during my investigations into this Creep, I’ve encountered certain... objects. Maybe one of them slipped into your manor somehow?"

"What kind of objects?" Charles asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Stones... Mysterious stones that seemed to contain the creep. Tell me, do you think you have ever seen any suspicious stones in or around your mansion?"

"Mysterious stones?" The Baron asked, perplexed.