After sending Kiana and Raiden Mei away, Bronya's pale gray eyes fixed on Lierre. The speech she had prepared was just about to leave her mouth when she was interrupted.
"Don't speak yet. Let me guess your purpose first."
Lierre reached out to cut her off. Her eyes first scanned Bronya's expressionless face, then moved downward until she saw Bronya's legs encased in exoskeleton armor.
A few years ago, Bronya had lost her emotions due to the X-10 Experiment, becoming a "poker face."
At the same time, her legs were damaged, leaving her unable to walk normally.
These aftereffects wouldn't disappear until Bronya became the Herrscher of Reason.
"It's all my fault. Only now did I remember my identity as a divine physician. I've let you suffer for days for no reason. As your guardian, I've truly been derelict in my duty!"
Lierre beat her chest in mock distress, her exquisite face filled with self-reproach.
Bronya: "..."
What exactly did you guess? Why did you reach such a strange conclusion?
And since you're guessing, why not verify it with Bronya? Don't just unilaterally adopt the identity of Bronya's guardian!
Bronya wanted to retort, but once again, she was interrupted by Lierre.
"But thankfully, it's not too late. I have some Panacea left. Here, eat!"
Lierre thrust the medicine jar into Bronya's hands. "Its effect can cure any disease, even a hangover. It has the aesthetic beauty of a line of code written exactly as intended. So, eat without worry. If it's not enough, I'll go get some more."
To let her "snatched" daughter suffer unnecessary pain for several days—she truly wasn't a qualified parent.
But better late than never.
Besides, this was a great opportunity to build favor.
She believed that as long as one swung the hoe well enough, no corner was impossible to dig up!
When it came to undermining Cocolia, she didn't feel even a shred of guilt.
"Bronya sought a private talk with you, but it was not because of the root causes of Bronya's past illnesses."
Bronya looked down at the jar in her hands, not quite believing Lierre's nonsense.
If there truly were such an irrational medicine in this world, every hospital would go bankrupt and every doctor would be unemployed.
"Then I guessed wrong." Lierre pointed at the jar. "But the two aren't mutually exclusive. If you trust me, then eat it. Unless you don't want to return to normal as soon as possible?"
"...Bronya will try it."
Bronya gave Lierre a serious look, then decisively unscrewed the lid, took out a red pill, and swallowed it without hesitation.
She didn't harbor much hope for a pill that looked so unremarkable.
The aftereffects left by human experimentation were unsolvable; existing medical technology had no way to cure them.
As the pill reached her stomach, Bronya suddenly felt a warmth rising from her core, which then turned into countless warm currents flowing through her four limbs and hundred bones.
Soon, the legs that had previously lost all sensation slowly began to feel again.
"This..."
Upon realizing this, the expression on Bronya's normally blank face shifted into shock for the first time.
"While being emotionless is a 'moe point' for some, there's a world of difference between a natural personality and being forced into it. Congratulations on finding your feelings again."
Lierre gave a gentle smile and pointed at the exoskeleton armor on Bronya's legs. "You probably don't need these anymore. Shall I help you take them off?"
"Bronya will do it herself!"
Bronya solemnly placed the medicine jar on the ground. Then, with a heart full of excitement, she skillfully dismantled the exoskeleton armor from her legs.
Finally, standing back up without any external aid, Bronya took a few tentative steps.
There was absolutely no discomfort, as if the damage had never occurred.
Suppossing the urge to try running a lap, Bronya thanked Lierre from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you. Bronya will find a way to repay this favor in the future. Bronya will not take any more of the Panacea."
She handed the jar back but immediately followed with a request. "Um, Bronya would like to ask for one Panacea pill. However, Bronya cannot take it for free. Whatever Bronya is capable of doing, please command me as you wish!"
"Oh? Then why didn't you just keep one before handing it back? Why go through the extra step?"
Lierre took out a Panacea pill and handed it over casually.
"Business is business. Without obtaining permission first, Bronya will not greedily take such precious medicine for herself."
Lierre's inexplicable kindness toward her reached the point where she would give her half a jar of Panacea to eat like candy, but that didn't mean Lierre allowed her to give the medicine to others at will.
Bronya took the Panacea, her heart feeling much more at ease, and tucked it away carefully.
She had asked for this for Seele.
The word "Panacea" might not be just for show.
Perhaps no matter how special Seele's physical condition was, the Panacea might play a key role.
After all, Lierre had said its effect had the aesthetic beauty of a perfect line of code.
"Since you can't eat them all at once, I won't give you the rest of the pills. Keeping them on you would only bring you harm," Lierre said.
An ordinary person is innocent, but carrying a treasure makes them a target.
Once others realized the value of the Panacea, people would inevitably flock to Bronya.
"By the way, don't talk to me about 'repaying favors.' You should know that before I came here, I already used half a jar of Panacea to trade for items from students in several classes."
Lierre pointed at a sack by her feet, flashing a bright smile at Bronya.
Bronya looked over. The open sack contained only common daily necessities; the rarest things inside were likely just some jewelry.
A quick glance told her there wasn't much of value inside.
A true philanthropist!
"Though Bronya cannot understand your behavior, Bronya cannot break the rules. If you do not mind, please accept this."
Bronya looked at the cheerful Lierre with a complex gaze. Then, she picked up her exoskeleton armor and handed it over.
"Now that's more like it. This is a normal trade."
Lierre took the exoskeleton armor and thought of the sachet Fu Hua had given her. A new plan began to form in her mind.
Just then, Theresa, who had been eavesdropping in the back, could no longer sit still. She also wanted to ask for a Panacea pill for Murata Himeko, whose lifespan was dwindling.
Thus, Theresa stepped out from her hiding spot and walked briskly toward Lierre.
"Ahem, what a coincidence. You're all here too."
Theresa gave a light cough, offering a greeting with feigned surprise.