The Lady Nun Vows Revenge - Chapter 247: Chapter 247

"Is something burning up ahead?"
They hadn't even arrived at Caslig County yet, but Eliza had already noticed a strange glow flickering in the distance.
Nolan narrowed his eyes, his voice crisp and steady. "Everyone, check your masks. From this moment forward, no one is to expose their nose or mouth to open air."
"Strip her. Let Mr. Bradford have a good look."
Inside the carriage, Eliza heard the command and immediately adjusted the mask she wore over her face.
She wasn't afraid of the plague—her body was protected by the spiritual water—but precautions had to be taken, especially for appearance's sake. She needed others to believe she was just as vulnerable as they were. Only then would no one question her immunity.
As they drew closer, the source of the glow became horrifyingly clear.
Eliza's eyes widened in shock as she saw the mass graves, towering piles of corpses consumed by fire.
"It must be Kane's order," she said grimly.
Anyone who died of the plague couldn't be left to rot. If the bodies weren't burned immediately, they would become fresh sources of infection.
Eliza understood this all too well. But even with two lifetimes of mental preparation, nothing could've truly readied her for the sight of so many charred remains.
By the time they reached Caslig County, the carriage was stopped at the gates by a contingent of soldiers.
But the moment the guards saw Nolan's unmistakable silver hair, they straightened and stepped aside with respectful nods.
"Your Highness—it's been too long."
Just then, another rider emerged from within the city—tall, lean, and formidable, seated atop a massive steed. One hand gripped the reins, the other rested on a long broadsword. Despite the lines of exhaustion etched across his face, he still retained a trace of rugged charm.
Nolan raised an eyebrow. "You came to meet me in person? That's rare. Judging by your face, you haven't slept in days. Be careful—you keel over, and I'll have to take over your command."
Kane gave an exasperated snort. "You cheeky bastard. Came to Noganlul just to steal my military authority, didn't you? Well, don't get your hopes up. I'm in better shape than you'll ever be. I could go another ten days without sleep and still outlast you. Don't believe me? We can settle it right now."
His hand twitched against his sword hilt, eyes gleaming with challenge.
Nolan waved him off. "Relax. If you can still stand, you can keep your mess. I've got enough to handle."
"Mess? What mess? I've got this entire county under control!" Kane barked.
Nolan offered no rebuttal.
Kane was just about to puff up again when he suddenly slapped his forehead. "Damn, I got so distracted I forgot—Holy Lady's still in the carriage, isn't she?"
He turned toward the carriage just as Eliza stepped down.
Eliza smiled, composed and graceful. "I've long heard of Mr. Valencia's name—it's an honor to finally meet you in person."
Kane blinked. And then just... stared.
"By the gods..." he murmured. "They say the Holy Lady chosen by the King is like a goddess descended—beautiful and kind. I didn't believe it at first, but now that I've seen you, I admit, the rumors don't do you justice."
Eliza blinked, momentarily stunned.
But when she saw the genuine admiration in his expression, she felt her cheeks warm with the faintest flush.
Thankfully, Kane didn't push the flattery any further, and they quickly turned their attention to business.
"Those herbs you sent the past two days—they really work. Where'd you even find something like that? Can you get me more?" Kane jumped right in.
Nolan shook his head. "They weren't mine. The herbs were brought by the Holy Lady from Hasen City."
Kane turned back to Eliza, surprised. "You brought them?"
Eliza nodded. "Yes, they were from my stores. But I'm afraid I don't have any more. I grew them myself, and I brought everything I had."
Kane's hopeful look fell instantly.
But Eliza continued, "Fortunately, the majority of the herbs were sent directly to Caslig County. As long as your people have been using them as I instructed—mixed sparingly into the regular medicinal supply—they should be enough to last."
She hadn't come to Caslig County first precisely because she wanted to give the herbs time to take effect. The more critical the region, the more potent and concentrated the spiritual water she had applied.
Caslig County had received the strongest batch—most of it nearly undiluted.
So by now, the herbs should've fully taken hold.
And judging by how eager Kane had been to ask for more, it seemed they had.
"But one or two herbs per pot? That's hardly enough!" Kane was still skeptical.
He didn't understand that the true efficacy lay not in the herbs themselves—but in the spiritual water they carried.
Eliza simply smiled. "One per pot is plenty. Truth be told, my herbs are grown using a special method. They're far more potent than anything you'll find in the market. Some are even incredibly rare. I'm sure you noticed."
Kane had noticed.
He had nearly dropped dead from shock when he saw the pile of freshly harvested medicinal mushrooms among the supplies.
At the time, he'd been ready to accuse Nolan of burning through the royal disaster relief fund just to buy miracle herbs.
But the physicians told him those medicinal mushrooms were newly harvested—fresh, flawless, and, most importantly, powerful.
Herbs like that weren't something you could buy, not even with money.
Without them, Caslig County would've lost hundreds more lives over the past few days.
So the first chance he got, Kane had tried to poke around, hoping Nolan would spill where he'd sourced them.
He never imagined it was the Holy Lady herself.
And that she had grown them.
His gaze toward Eliza changed. Instantly, it carried more respect—and more than a little awe.