As for that third-rate doctor, who knew when he might suddenly develop some terminal illness? Naturally, Lord Reed couldn't afford to wait for him.
If they happened to cross paths someday, then fine. And if not, well, that was simply the man's bad luck.
"Kureha lives up here?" Tesoro lifted his head to stare at the towering castle on the mountain. He turned anxiously to Stella. "That trail is too steep. Let me carry you. What if something happens…"
Lord Reed fixed Tesoro with a blank stare. "Tesoro, if you say one more word, I'll make you fly."
The young couple immediately stiffened. Tesoro's face drained of color.
Most importantly, Tesoro's gold formed a chair beneath Stella, Reed's blood-mist created a protective railing around her, and Moria's shadow lifted the chair smoothly into the air.
Accompanying her were four of the most powerful forces on the sea: Lord Reed, Tesoro, Enel, and Moria. With a lineup like that, if Stella tripped, the four of them would probably throw themselves off the mountain in shame.
Stella shook her head with a gentle smile. "No need. Everyone has been taking such good care of me. You barely let me walk at all, so I'm not tired. Darling, don't pressure yourself so much."
Reed shoved both hands in his pockets and strolled ahead lazily. Behind him, blood-mist twisted into a crimson carpet that climbed all the way to the top of the mountain. Thick fog coiled around the entire group, shielding them from the biting wind and snow.
Perona floated in the air, clutching her beloved Bearsey plush. "It's freezing here. Does Kureha really live in this kind of place all year?"
Moria chuckled. "Heh heh heh… a witch who's lived more than a hundred years must have some quirky habits."
"Shut up, Moria." Without even turning his head, Reed flicked a sphere of blood-mist back at him. It splashed precisely across Moria's mouth. "When you see her, all of you show some respect."
"We're here for checkups. Enel, that includes you."
Enel: Huh? I didn't even say anything, brother.
Lina turned and gave Enel a long, serious look, then nodded thoughtfully.
Enel: What? What? What is this? What did I do?
(Your nod… so solemn… so tiny… yet so unbelievably hurtful…)
After leaving the castle, the group headed straight for Kureha's residence.
It was a small wooden cabin perched high on the mountain peak. Snow buried the surroundings in white silence, cold wind howling across the cliffs. Yet the cabin radiated a strange calm, like a pocket of warmth in a world of frost.
"Kureha! You home?" Reed called cheerfully from outside.
The door creaked open.
A tall woman appeared at the threshold, her expression cool and sharp. She wore her long silver hair in a ponytail, a cigarette between her lips and a bottle of plum wine in her hand.
She squinted at Reed. "Brat, who's your sister? I've never seen you before."
Reed didn't mind her blunt tone at all. His smile only widened. "Kureha, your name is legendary to me."
With a wave of blood-mist, he produced a sealed jar of aged plum wine and a large container of pickled plums. "I heard you like these, so I brought them as a greeting gift."
Kureha's eyes paused on the jars for precisely one second before the corner of her mouth curled up. "Hmph. At least you know how to behave."
She stepped aside. "Get in. But don't expect discounts."
"Of course." Reed turned, gesturing for Tesoro and Stella. "Kureha's medical skills are priceless."
Inside, the fireplace crackled warmly. The air smelled of herbs and rich plum wine.
Kureha poured herself a cup, took a sip, and her eyes lit up. "Good. This is from West Blue. At least twenty years old."
Reed winked proudly. "You're a true expert. And you surprise me, Kureha. You're not only brilliant, you're beautiful and kind-hearted too."
Kureha set the cup down. "Smooth-tongued brat. Trying to learn the secret to my longevity?"
Every person present, Perona and Rabun included, froze like they had seen a ghost.
They stared at the elderly Kureha, then at Reed who kept calling her "sister."
Perona nudged Moria. "Lord Moria, is Lord Reed actually that old?"
Before Moria could reply, Kureha's gaze shifted to Stella. Everyone immediately straightened like soldiers in formation.
"You're the one who needs the exam?" Kureha asked.
Stella nodded and placed a hand over her belly, nervous. "Yes, Doctor Kureha."
Kureha approached her, paused, then snapped, "What are you all doing crowding here? Out. All of you. What are you staring at?"
The group scattered instantly.
Bang.
"Stella, don't worry!"
"You're forcing my hand."
Bang.
The door closed.
A short while later, Kureha emerged, back to her usual relaxed, wine-loving state.
She took a long sip, then said, "The fetus is extremely healthy. Strong to an unbelievable degree." She glanced at Reed. "Seems someone has been doing a lot of work."
Reed chuckled. "Just lending a little help."
Kureha snorted. "But the expectant mother's mood must stay stable. Excess tension can affect the baby."
She looked straight at Tesoro. "Especially you. If you keep acting so neurotic, you'll lose your mind before the child is born."
One more tantrum out of you, and I'll throw you out of my castle.
Tesoro scratched his head awkwardly. "Yes, Doctor…"
Kureha returned to the table, picked up a pen, and wrote a prescription. "Once a day. Follow this exactly. No slacking."
She paused, then added, "The fee is one hundred million berries."
Reed burst into laughter and whipped out a black credit card. "Swipe it. This card draws five hundred million berries from all my businesses. And I'll supply you with plum wine and pickled plums for a whole year."
Kureha accepted the black card, smiling faintly. "At least you're polite."
Then she leaned close, lowering her voice. "Do you really take me for some naive maiden? What's going on?"
Reed scratched his cheek. "Beautiful sister, I want Tesoro and Stella to stay in your castle until the baby's born. Think of it as a favor I'll owe you."
Kureha narrowed her eyes and blew out a puff of smoke. "Brat, this isn't some maternity ward."
She dangled the black card. "You think this is enough to hire me as a babysitter?"
Reed immediately conjured an entire crate of limited-edition plum wine, the bottles frosted, the aroma thick. "Sister, these are sky island brews. Aged fifty years, chilled with cloud-shell coolers."
He lengthened his tone on purpose as blood-mist massaged her shoulders gently. "Besides, your castle is lonely. Tesoro can sing for you, keep you entertained. He can even fix your golden toilet."
"Pfft." Perona spit water all over Moria's face.
Tesoro nodded desperately. "Sister, I can do anything…"
"Deal." Kureha cut him off, snatching the wine crate. "But I have one condition."
She pointed at Rabun. "I want to study that little one. Leave it with me."
Enel exploded. "What? You mortal. You dare seek death "
Crack.
Reed chopped Enel on the head and turned to Kureha with a bright smile. "No problem. Rabun is yours to take care of."
Enel: I swear to the heavens…
Rabun looked at Kureha, then raised its tiny fin. "Moo."
(Hello. Please take good care of me.)