The day after Nanahoshi collapsed.
When Cui Ciyou hurried back from the Mansion in Sharia, he immediately received an urgent summons from the Armored Dragon King, Perugius.
Everyone staying there had gathered in the conference room, except for Yurz the Atoning and Sylphy, who could not leave because they had to keep the treatment Spell Formula active.
Cui Ciyou, Linia, Pursena, and Julie, whose eyes were red and swollen as she clung to the hem of Cui Ciyou's clothes for comfort.
Nearly all the members of the Armored Dragon King's retinue were present as well: the Armored Dragon King and his eleven remaining Familiars.
Perugius himself sat alone at the head of the table.
"Please, sit."
Shivalier spoke, inviting everyone to take their seats.
They sat as instructed, every gaze fixed on Perugius.
"We have identified Lady Nanahoshi's illness."
Shivalier went straight to the point.
"The illness Lady Nanahoshi suffers from is called 'Dulai Disease.'"
Dulai Disease?
Cui Ciyou's brow furrowed as he rapidly searched his memory.
He was certain he had never seen or heard the term in any book or scroll he had read, or even in those fragments of memories from two seasons of the "anime's plot."
He instinctively looked at his companions. Linia and Pursena looked equally blank, exchanging bewildered glances.
Julie tilted her little face up, her large eyes filled with confusion.
But on second thought, if it had been a common illness...
With at least four hundred years of experience, the Armored Dragon King would surely have recognized it already.
There would have been no need to send his Familiars to search for information.
"It is perfectly understandable that none of you have heard of it."
Shivalier continued, confirming Cui Ciyou's guess.
"This is a peculiar, severe illness that appeared only occasionally during the