Gray-black scales, numbness, loss of sensation, and eventually losing control of one's body—unable to move.
Just hearing about these symptoms was terrifying. And they were all caused by this "Eleazar" disease!
Lumine suddenly felt a deep sympathy for Collei.
"It's okay. I'm used to it. Even Master Tighnari can only use herbs to temporarily alleviate the symptoms. I've already given up on the idea of a cure."
Collei sighed as she spoke.
She wasn't exactly sad—after all, she had lived with it for so many years. Just being able to sit here and eat with Amber was already enough to make her happy!
"...Collei," Amber murmured, feeling heartbroken for her friend.
Lumine thought for a moment, then looked toward Nolan, who was preparing food outside.
"Do you have any way to help?"
She knew that Nolan possessed all kinds of strange and powerful abilities. Maybe, just maybe, he had a way to cure Eleazar.
For example, his ability to grant "attributes"—if they were lucky, he might be able to give Collei an attribute that made her immune to diseases.
Amber and Paimon also turned to him with hopeful eyes.
Feeling everyone's expectations, Nolan considered the situation.
This was a perfect opportunity to help Collei and gain her affection.
"Hmm... Since I've never actually seen Eleazar before, I can't say for sure whether I can do anything. I need to examine it first."
He shook his head as he answered.
"Oh, right! Even doctors need to see their patients before they can diagnose them.
"We were just talking about it based on hearsay—we haven't actually seen Eleazar up close.
"Collei, why don't you show him your Eleazar?
"This guy is super strong! He can even withstand the attacks of the Raiden Shogun herself! If he can handle that, surely he can punch Eleazar into submission!"
Paimon nodded eagerly, recounting Nolan's feats to boost Collei's confidence.
"Eh?! He's really that strong?"
Both Collei and Nasrin looked at Nolan in amazement.
The Raiden Shogun was an actual god of Inazuma. Being able to endure her attacks wasn't something an ordinary adventurer could do.
"Being good at fighting has nothing to do with being able to heal diseases!"
Lumine sighed helplessly.
"Yeah… That's true. Maybe we shouldn't bother him with this."
Collei also understood that just because someone was powerful in combat didn't mean they had medical expertise.
Besides, if she could avoid it, she didn't really want others to see the disfigured parts of her body affected by Eleazar.
"No! If it's Nolan, I know he can do it!"
Amber suddenly stood up and grabbed Collei's hand.
She had just thought of something—Nolan's ability to grant "attributes" through "Spiritual Core."
Just a few days ago, he had given both her and Eula personalized attributes that suited them perfectly and greatly aided their work.
Amber's attribute:
[Spiritual Core Attribute · Aerial Reconnaissance Master]: This attribute only appears on intelligent beings. The bearer gains a 150% increase in aerial movement speed, master-level reconnaissance and tracking skills, and Elemental Vision.
Eula's attribute:
[Spiritual Core Attribute · Body of Frost]: This attribute only appears on intelligent beings who wield the Cryo element. The bearer gains a 200% increase in resistance, can coat their entire body in "Solid Ice," and obtains unparalleled defensive power.
Since Nolan was able to create attributes that were perfectly suited for them, he should also be able to create one that could counteract Eleazar for Collei!
That meant there was hope for Collei's condition…
With this thought in mind, Amber eagerly pulled Collei toward Nolan and explained her idea.
Nolan was slightly surprised by Amber's suggestion.
He hadn't expected her to think of this method.
The only problem was that the attributes were granted at random. If they didn't get a suitable one, it would be a waste of his "spiritual energy."
Especially since Lumine might eventually gain control over the power that caused Eleazar—similar to how she had controlled the Abyssal energy of the Withering Zones.
Still, after considering it for a moment, he decided not to refuse.
It was currently midday, and his spiritual energy had fully recovered.
If Collei was lucky, she might just receive an attribute that could counteract Eleazar.
"Alright, let's give it a try!"
Nolan nodded, activating his "Spiritual Core Attribute" ability.
Wisps of luminous energy gently drifted onto Collei's body.
"This is…"
Collei suddenly felt a cool sensation spreading through her body.
At the same time, a surge of information flowed into her mind—she had gained a special ability:
[Spiritual Core Attribute · Blessing of the Forest]: This attribute only appears on intelligent beings. The bearer is blessed by the forest, greatly enhancing their control over the Dendro element. They can heal injuries and restore elemental energy by touching trees.
Increased control over Dendro, the ability to heal wounds, and restore energy—
This was an incredibly powerful ability!
Could an ordinary adventurer really grant something like this?!
Could Nolan actually be a god, like the Lesser Lord Kusanali?
Collei's eyes widened in shock.
Regardless of the truth, her favorability toward Nolan had skyrocketed:
[Collei Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 450 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.4 (300/400)]
"How do you feel, Collei? Does this new ability help with Eleazar?"
Amber could tell from Collei's reaction that she had successfully received an attribute.
After all, she had been just as astonished when she first got hers.
"Uh… I don't really feel any changes."
Hearing her friend's question, Collei described the details of her new ability.
"Huh? It's a healing ability, but it doesn't cure diseases…"
Amber lowered her head in disappointment, her red bunny-ear ribbon drooping like a pair of sad rabbit ears.
"It's okay, Amber. Curing Eleazar isn't that easy. Even the top scholars of Sumeru haven't been able to solve it."
Collei comforted her with a reassuring smile.
"Besides, the attributes are granted randomly. The chances of getting one that perfectly counteracts Eleazar were always slim."
Nolan wasn't too bothered—he was still pleased with the affection points he had gained from Collei.
He smiled and continued speaking:
"Collei, you should let me take a look at your 'Eleazar.' Maybe I can find another way to solve it."
"Hmm... alright."
Perhaps due to her increased trust in him, Collei seemed less resistant to revealing her "Eleazar."
After hesitating for a moment, she slowly raised her arm and gently rolled up the deep green sleeve.
First, her fair wrist was exposed, followed by the ominous-looking gray-black scales further up.
Feeling everyone's gaze on her arm, Collei lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding their looks.
"So this is the 'Eleazar'?"
Nolan took hold of Collei's wrist and released his mental energy, letting it seep into the gray-black scales to examine their nature.
Almost immediately, he felt his mental energy being consumed and eroded by some unknown force.
If this were an ordinary disease caused by bacteria or a virus, it shouldn't have any effect on external mental energy.
It was now clear that the "Eleazar" was indeed caused by an invasive foreign energy, just as he had suspected.
This power bore a striking resemblance to the corruption of the Withering. As he injected his mental energy, he found that he could temporarily suppress the disease's power—but he couldn't eradicate it.
The main issue was that the disease was deeply intertwined with Collei's body. Forcefully removing it would be almost the same as attacking her directly.
It seemed that this was something best left to a professional.
Nolan turned to look at Lumine and said, "Lumine, come over here for a moment. This 'Eleazar' is quite unique—perhaps you can do something about it."
"Oh?" Lumine was puzzled. "If I can handle it, then shouldn't you be able to as well?"
"'Eleazar' isn't a normal illness caused by a virus. It's a form of corrupt energy, much like the power of the Withering. You might be able to purify it."
Nolan explained simply.
"The Withering's power..."
Lumine immediately understood.
Nolan wanted her to try and grasp the nature of the energy causing "Eleazar"—and then cleanse Collei of it.
With this in mind, she stepped forward to carefully examine the affliction.
Hearing that there might be a cure, Paimon and Nasrin also came closer, watching attentively.
It didn't take long.
Lumine concluded that the energy causing Collei's "Eleazar" was indeed very similar to the power of the Withering.
She believed she could neutralize it the same way she had once cleansed Withering zones—by using pure Abyssal energy to counteract it.
However, unlike the Withering, which spread everywhere and had dense Withering Tumors as a source, the Eleazar was different.
If she wanted to fully understand its properties and convert it into something she could purify, it would take her several days.
After some thought, Lumine looked at Collei and nodded.
"I am confident I can cure your 'Eleazar,' but I'll need a few days to study the energy behind it."
Collei lifted her head in disbelief.
A disease that had tormented her for years—a curse she had come to accept—could actually be cured?!
She couldn't believe what she had just heard.
"T-Truly? The 'Eleazar' can be cured?!"
"Hehe, if this guy says she can do it, then it's a guaranteed 100% success! Collei, you can relax!"
Floating beside Lumine, Paimon thumped her chest, reassuring Collei before Lumine even had a chance to respond.
"That's amazing! Collei, I've known Lumine for a long time, and she's never lied just to comfort someone. If she says she can do it, then she definitely can!"
Amber lifted her head excitedly.
She hadn't expected that, after Nolan failed to find a solution, Lumine would suddenly provide a breakthrough!
"Collei, even Master Tighnari has spent years researching your illness but has never found a cure.
"But these adventurers are incredibly skilled—I really think you should give it a shot!"
Nasrin had a great impression of Nolan and his companions. While she still had doubts about curing a disease that even Tighnari couldn't solve, she didn't want Collei to miss this opportunity.
If they truly succeeded, then both she and Tighnari, as well as the other forest rangers, could finally rest easy!
After all, they all feared that one day, this adorable young girl might lose all mobility—unable to even eat—before succumbing to the disease entirely.
This was simply too cruel.
"Mm!"
Collei wanted to say something, but just as the words reached her lips, she suddenly felt something welling up in her eyes.
She didn't want everyone to see her vulnerable side, so she shut her mouth and nodded firmly instead.
"Very well. Let's eat first, and once we reach Gandharva Ville, we can inform your mentor, Tighnari, about this," Nolan said with a gentle smile.
Since Lumine mentioned that it would take a few days, it wasn't practical to begin studying the nature of the Eleazar out in the wild. They needed a calm and quiet environment, and there was no need to rush.
"Alright! Thank you all so much!"
Collei bit her lip, holding back her tears.
[Collei Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 300 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.5 (200/500)]
### Noon
Nolan quickly prepared lunch, and after everyone had eaten and taken a short break, they resumed their journey.
In the afternoon, Amber had a patrol mission, so she reluctantly bid farewell to Collei and returned to Mondstadt to fulfill her duties.
She planned to teleport back to visit Collei later in the evening after finishing her work.
Collei completely understood—since they could still see each other later, she wouldn't want to interfere with her friend's responsibilities.
After Amber left, Nolan and his group continued toward Gandharva Ville under the guidance of Nasrin and Collei.
They crossed hills and rivers, fought off monsters that stood in their way, and finally, as the sun began to set, they arrived at their destination.
Gandharva Ville was built along the rainforest, perched upon a massive horizontal tree. The various structures were crafted from wood in a distinct architectural style.
The entire settlement blended seamlessly with the lush greenery of the ground and the refreshing atmosphere of the rainforest. Not only was it beautiful, but it also had a unique charm.
"Master Tighnari is under the canopy of that great tree. Since it's getting late, let's first find a place for you all to settle down," Nasrin said as she walked along the dirt path ahead.
"Hehe, no need for that! We have a portable space, so we don't need to find accommodations when we go on adventures," Paimon said, shaking her head.
Nasrin recalled how, back at noon, Nolan had casually opened a spatial rift to bring out tables, chairs, cooking utensils, and ingredients.
It seemed that their spatial storage was large enough for people to live in.
She nodded in understanding and, with a hint of envy in her voice, said, "I see… That's such a convenient ability."
"Well, adventurers need to have at least some decent skills," Nolan chuckled lightly.
"..."
Nasrin was speechless.
If every adventurer had what you call 'decent skills,' the monsters of Teyvat would have gone extinct long ago.
And all the treasure chests scattered across the land's ruins would have been emptied already.
Before long, the group finally arrived at Collei's home—Tighnari's residence. Though Nasrin had never met him in person before, she had heard much about him.
However, when they entered the house, Tighnari was nowhere to be found.
"Collei, please take care of our guests. I'll go look for Master Tighnari," Nasrin said to the green-haired girl.
Just as Collei was about to respond, a voice called out from outside.
"No need—I'm already back."
---
(End of Chapter.)
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