"Huh?" Lucy was stunned, staring blankly at Lucas. He refused? Why did he refuse?
"I will not go to the capital with you," Lucas refused again. Sedona City couldn't do without him right now, and besides, he knew his own limitations. What medical skills did he possess? He only understood some basic medical knowledge and knew how to use some medicines.
"Wh-why?" Lucy didn't understand. If someone was offered the chance to treat the King, surely many would fight for it. If they succeeded, wealth and glory would be theirs. Unless... this person had no medical skills and couldn't actually heal anyone.
Now, Lucy's gaze towards Lucas was filled with suspicion. Could this person really have saved someone on the brink of death? Or had the story been exaggerated?
"Don't look at me like that." Lucas gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying lightly, "There are many kinds of illnesses. Based on your description, the King is simply old. His bodily functions and immune system have degenerated. Some illnesses are simply incurable."
"Old?" Lucy's eyes stung with unshed tears. Yes, her father was old. She should have known. Even the most skilled doctor in the capital was helpless, so how could someone in this remote place possibly cure her father?
In the end, she had just been clinging to a sliver of fantasy. "Is there really no other way?" She asked bitterly.
"A complete cure is impossible. We can only help him recuperate his body, and perhaps he can live a few more years," Lucas said calmly. The only thing he could do was bring some medicine and supplements from Earth. As for whether they could actually extend the King's life, he didn't know.
"How do we recuperate? Are you willing to come to the capital with me now?" Lucy's eyes lit up with joy. It would be enough if her father could live a few more years.
"No, I will give you some medicine and supplements. You can take them back and ensure he takes them on schedule. He also needs to eat and rest regularly and eat more light foods," Lucas said, shaking his head. If Sedona City wasn't in the middle of a major development phase, perhaps he would have gone to the capital for a look.
"I see." The light in Lucy's eyes dimmed.
"Wait for two days. I'll prepare the medicine and have someone send it to you," Lucas said calmly.
"Alright." Lucy pursed her lips and nodded. "Then I won't disturb you any longer. I'm staying on the third floor of Drunken Night."
Lucy gave a polite nod and, with a touch of disappointment, turned and left the study. Before leaving, Jones shot a cold glare at Lucas and then departed.
"Lord Lucas, I'll go check on her," Elisa said with a curtsy and jogged out after them. She needed to comfort Lucy. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
Creek...
The study door closed, and Lucas stared at it quietly, his brows furrowed in thought. The old King was gravely ill, which meant the struggle for power was about to begin.
"Master, this is an opportunity," Annie said in a low voice, her brown eyes shining with a wise light. She knew all too well how brutal the fight for the throne could be.
"Yes, it's an opportunity." Lucas stood up and walked to the window, looking out over Sedona City. He was about to be drawn into this struggle.
But, it was also an opportunity for him. With the inland in turmoil, they wouldn't have time to worry about him here. He could do as he pleased.
"Master, we should make plans early. Once a new king ascends the throne, it will be disadvantageous for us," Annie said urgently. Sedona City was developing faster and faster. Now, even a princess had appeared here. Who knew, maybe the King himself would come one day.
For a ruler, a city like Sedona would certainly be desirable. If they were to interfere in Sedona City's affairs, the consequences would be disastrous.
"It will take at least half a year for a new king to stabilize his position after ascending the throne," Lucas said softly. The old king was gravely ill, and from what he understood, there were three princes competing for the position.
So, after the old king's death, it would take at least half a year for the three princes to determine a winner. After that, they would need to consolidate their power. By the time they were free to deal with other matters, it would already be winter.
Therefore, this year was a golden opportunity for Lucas's great development. As long as he developed well this year, with grain and soldiers, he would have the ability to contend with the entire kingdom. At that time, if the new king was not sensible, it would be time for someone else to sit on that throne.
Conflict was inevitable. If he were the king and saw a city as magical and prosperous as Sedona, he would certainly want to claim it for himself and then promote it.
"Master, should we recruit more soldiers?" Mina asked, a sense of urgency in her voice as well.
"Don't be anxious. Even if we tried to recruit now, no one would enlist. Let's wait and see how many people come to Sedona City after this flood before we decide," Lucas said with a wave of his hand. Sedona City's current food supply couldn't support too many soldiers. They would only have a surplus of grain after the spring planting and summer harvest.
The Western Lands, which Lucas had initially thought to have a single-harvest geography, he later discovered through investigation, could actually support two harvests a year. The climate and temperature here were perfectly suited for it.
The reason it was previously a single-harvest region was mainly the fault of the nobles. Not only were those nobles lazy, but they also self-righteously insisted on planting in late spring, wasting the first three months of the planting season entirely.
"Master, will the old king make it?" Annie asked in a low voice. This was the key point.
"It will be difficult," Lucas sighed. Based on his study of history, very few rulers lived long lives. Most died in their fifties, some even in their forties.
"Master, will this affect our plan?" Annie asked nervously.
"The impact isn't significant. No one will be allowed to interfere in the Western Lands," Lucas said coldly. To live in peace, one needed strength. He had already begun to lay out his plans for the Western Lands.
"Master, should we have someone keep an eye on Lucy? I have a feeling she has other intentions for coming to Sedona City," Mina said coldly, afraid the princess might be plotting something.
"No need. Start sending people to the capital. I want intelligence from there," Lucas said faintly.
"Yes," Mina nodded in acknowledgment.
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