Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 797 - 62: News from an Old Friend

Chapter 797: Chapter 62: News from an Old Friend

"A student of Philarx?" Pannis said in surprise, "How did a student of Philarx come to look for you? I remember you two didn’t know each other, with no dealings between you. Could I be mistaken?"

"Sss, you are not mistaken, back then we indeed did not know each other," Alcmene said. "However, in these recent decades, sss, he has come to seek me out a few times, so we got acquainted. What’s so strange about that?"

"Hmm, there can be only one reason for him seeking you out," Pannis frowned and said. "To seek treatment from you?"

"Yes, he’s been coming to me for some herbs to treat his illness, sss," Alcmene nodded. "His health has been declining over the years, sss, but that’s not surprising. After all, he has used time magic to forcibly break through human limits and lived several decades longer. It’s inevitable that his body deteriorates."

"How is he doing now?" It was only then that Pannis understood why that red-robed Mage had looked at him oddly. As Philarx’s leading apprentice, he must have recognized him and understood his identity, which would explain his reaction. Pannis sighed and asked in a low voice, "I know his health is deteriorating, but to what extent now?"

"Sss, how can I make you understand this," Alcmene said with a headache, trying to explain in language that wasn’t too technical. "His activities are now basically sustained by my medication, sss. If he doesn’t take his medicine on time every day, I’m afraid he won’t be able to stand up before long. Even so, sss, the fact that his mind remains clear is quite astonishing. Many elderly people suffer from this kind of illness, sss, just not as severely as he does. However, as I said to his apprentice Felic just now, sss, the power of medicine is limited, and the human body slowly adapts to it, sss. The more frequently the medicine is taken, the less effective it becomes, and the shorter its duration of efficacy. At this rate, sss, I fear that in half a year, at most a year, the medicine will no longer be able to counteract the worsening disease, and then, I fear... you understand."

"It seems this old fellow can’t hold on much longer. Time is indeed the most severe poison of all," Pannis said with a long breath, relaxed and leaning back in his chair, looking up at the wood grain on the ceiling of the treehouse. "I still remember our adventure deep into the ice plains in search of the Guardians’ remains. He and Nellie never got along due to innate personality clashes, often bickering over trivial matters, but when they worked together their coordination was impeccable. A Guardian Knight and an Element Mage with shaping energy specialization, on the ice plains, no, anywhere really, they were practically invincible. That time Little Goblin and I had it easy. Even facing four or five of the strongest frost bears deep in the ice plains, we didn’t have to lift a finger; just watching their performance was enough as they easily roasted the Demigod Rank frost bears into char. Heh, it’s hard to believe that in the blink of an eye, Nellie’s gone, Little Goblin’s gone, and now it’s Philarx’s turn, isn’t it?"

"Indeed, sss. And who knows, in a few years, it might be my turn," said the Lizard Lady. Lizardmen were a very straightforward race, not prone to comforting others. Even though Alcmene, as a High Priest, had learned to speak more diplomatically, her nature dictated she wasn’t likely to comfort others like members of other races might do. So, she simply said calmly, "I suggest you go see him. If you delay for too long, sss, I’m afraid you won’t have another chance to visit him again."

"Yeah, I’ll go," Pannis nodded. "Anyway, the way back from your place isn’t far from his territory. Just a half day’s detour and we’ll arrive. Do you have any other business? If you do, I can go there myself, no problem."

"Even if there are matters to attend to, they aren’t that urgent," said the girls after a brief exchange of looks. Catherine spoke on behalf of them all, "If you’re willing, we would, of course, choose to accompany you. Moreover, since we’re using Lady Nellie’s name as our adventure team’s emblem, how could we not pay a visit to the former Lady’s comrades-in-arms? It would be our greatest honor, and any other matters would have to be set aside."

"That settles it then," Pannis said with a smile, not at all surprised by the girls’ thoughtful decision. Turning to Alcmene, he added, "Since we’re here, we’re not in a rush to leave, especially since those issues aren’t urgent within a day or two. We’re planning to stay at your place for a couple of days. Galantis even said she wants to take them around to have a good look at the vicinity. You don’t mind, do you? Are we welcomed?"

"If you can promise not to eat up all my food reserves, hiss hiss," Alcmene brought her tail in front of Pannis, pointing at him, "Don’t think I’ve forgotten so easily, hiss hiss. The last time, when there were just two of you, you said you wanted to observe the ongoing effects, but you ended up staying at my place for a month, hiss hiss hiss hiss, and you ate almost half a year’s worth of my food, making me apply for assistance from the tribe. Hiss hiss, and this time you’ve brought so many people over, hiss hiss, you’re planning to eat up half a year’s worth of my food in just two days, aren’t you?"

"Hey, hey, knock it off, we’ve got company," Pannis hopped around on the spot, dodging the thick tail of the Lizard High Priestess smacking his legs, and also occasionally sidestepping Galantis’s tail which mischievously tried to trip him. With a mixture of laughter and helplessness, he said, "It’s not as bad as you say. We didn’t eat that much. Hey, stop it already. Why are you still attacking? I admit we did eat a bit more than usual, but there’s no way it amounted to half a year’s supply. Galantis, why are you messing around too? Back then, a lot of it was fed to you, and now that you’ve grown, not only do you not repay me, but you also team up with your mom to attack me."

The girls watched the entertaining struggle between the Lizard mother and daughter and Pannis, smiling amusedly at the sides. They realized that they had some misunderstandings before; Lizard people might be forthright but not cold-hearted. They might not use words to comfort their friends, but they often act to distract their friends’ attention, allowing them to shift their focus from memories unknowingly, so as not to remain immersed in sadness and melancholy.

In the end, Pannis was still no match, having dodged the tail attacks of the two Lizard Ladies only to forget the presence of another nemesis close by. The simple hydra, Jack, oblivious to Alcmene’s intentions and not coordinating with her, found the activity quite amusing and used its advantage of nine necks for a wide-ranging attack, ultimately biting onto Pannis’s pant leg and plunging the poor Pannis into a literal tail-whipping hell. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendations and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)