Russell was utterly shocked.
Of course he had known Gilbert was in bad shape... but never this bad.
Tremors in the Mental Sea were indeed agonizing. He had tried it himself before, but his goal had been far too distant, and once he experienced that suffering, he had given up entirely.
But mental distress only made the body feel unwell. It might leave someone pale and white-haired, but nourished by the elements, their body would never deteriorate too badly.
Among mages, Russell only knew of the Undead Tower in a far-flung corner of the continent where people like this, nothing but skin and bones, could be found.
After all, their skin was little different from a piece of clothing to them.
For Gilbert to have tormented himself into this state could only mean he had long been struggling in agony on the brink of death... refusing to let go of that last breath solely for his family.
No wonder Ulrich was always so anxious about losing what he had.
He understood that everything he had now came from Gilbert's perseverance, and he truly could not bear to give it up. Yet every visit to Gilbert, whom only he could see, put his conscience to the test.
And Ulrich happened to be a man with a conscience.
Honestly, Russell felt that the others in the family must have some idea of the situation too. That was why none of them ever competed with Ulrich for the opportunity to see the man who was their family's greatest hope and support.
After all, Ulrich clearly wished someone could share this heavy burden with him.
Unfortunately, everyone understood that no one but Ulrich could make Gilbert feel his family's love.
And Gilbert had indeed paid a terrible price for his family.
This suffering was