Edgar supported Erza as she was about to fall down.
Jin gave Erza a glass of Persica juice specially made in Horai Island, which Reiko had given to him.
It was made by raising the content of free magic element (ether) and specializing in the effect of recovering magic power.
Erza manages to drink it down and regains her energy.
"You've made it to ......, Erza!
"That's great!"
Jin and Reinhardt praised her.
"Yes, thank you.
"So, what do you think?"
How did it work?
"Wait a minute. ......<>"
Elsa examined her father again and her face lit up.
"The blood clots are gone," she said.
"Oh, yes! Just as I thought."
Jin thought that since the brain was bleeding internally, it would be better to use a surgical healing magic instead of a medical healing magic. And it worked.
Internal medicine basically activates the healing power of tissues. In the surgical system, there are not only activation of the healing power, but also the accompanying effects such as closing a wound in case of a cut, or repositioning a bone in case of a fracture, and so on.
The accompanying effect is that the blood clot is broken up and absorbed by the body. Think of it like the disappearance of internal bleeding. The blood clot is not a foreign substance, but a part of the body, or was a part of the body, and is therefore decomposed and absorbed quickly.
"In this state, I think it is best to let the brain damage heal as much as possible."
"Yes, I understand. ......<>"
The Persica juice had restored almost all of Erza's magic power, so she could use the advanced magic again without any problem.
"......I think this is good."
The viscount's breathing seems to have deepened.
At any rate, we have done what we can do. The rest was a matter of observation.
So Jin and the others moved into the reception room once more.
This time, Moritz posed a question to Erza.
"Erza, when did you learn to use such advanced healing magic?
What was that juice you just drank?
"The way you healed her, what was the meaning of that?
Etc, etc, etc, etc.
Jin and Erza answered these questions one by one. Of course, they kept Houraishima and Jin's story reasonably vague.
"......I see, you had such qualities. I'm sorry I didn't develop those qualities in you. I'm sorry."
When Moritz finished listening, he apologized on behalf of his father for not recognizing Elsa's talent and for having forced him to discipline and educate her for it.
"......It's already done. ......Now tell me about Markus."
It was Moritz's turn to tell about Markus.
"Yes. I didn't like him, though, so I don't know much about him.
Moritz then began to tell us what he knew about Markas.
"He first came to our house about ......12 years ago. Elsa was just a little girl, remember?"
Twelve years ago, Elsa would have been five. It's a fine line.
"I just couldn't get into him. He was so devious, so close to the edge of criminality. My father liked him, though."
Where were you from?
"Well, I didn't ask him. My father didn't seem to care much for him.
I thought you were a different person when I met you at the technology fair.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that. He's changed a lot in the past year.
"Changed?"
According to Moritz, Erza's demeanor has changed dramatically since she started traveling with Reinhardt.
She had been reserved, but now she was more outgoing and her skills as a magi engineer had improved.
"Well, there is a possibility that my previous attitude was a lie, I mean I think it's the right one.
"Then why do you say that?"
This time it was Jin who asked the question.
"Why, I don't know. I don't know why. I have some guesses. ......
"Gathering information. ....... If that's true, he was working for some country or organization.
Jin nodded in his mind when he heard that statement.
"So that's what it means. The reason for the change in attitude is that he had gathered all the information we had, and now he was trying to gauge our reaction.
Jin thought that his guess was probably correct. Erza and Reinhardt praised him as a wise man, and he was able to make a fairly correct judgment from the little information he had.
However, all Jin and the others wanted now were the facts.
"I want to check out Marcus' apartment.
Moritz nods at Erza's suggestion.
"Well, that's all right. Come on. Come on. ...... you can all come."
Moritz helped Erza to her feet and motioned to the rest of the group.
They all went to Marcus' room. The door was unlocked.
"This is Marcus' room. Feel free to check it out."
Moritz said to Jin and Reinhard. He stood by the door and looked around.
Jin immediately started to examine the room. Reiko was with him.
"Father, I found this here..."
Reiko held out a golden container. Inside it was a gray powder.
"<>"
Jin quickly examined it and was surprised to find out what the substance was.
"...... arsenic."
"What?
Erza was the only one who realized the danger of arsenic when she heard the word. The others did not understand.
"Jin, what is arsenic?"
Jin answers Reinhardt's question with a serious face.
"In a word, it's a poison. In a word, it's a poison, and a very dangerous one at that.
"What!"
Moritz looks surprised when he hears the word "poison. However, the discovery of poison does not immediately lead to a crime. Jin and the others continue to investigate the room.
"What is this sake?"
There were three bottles of sake in beautifully crafted crystal bottles on the shelf.
"Yes, the brand favored by the Marquis Theoderic. It is from the South and very expensive. I have delivered it to you several times in the past.
The lid of the bottle was like a cork, unsealed, so you could pull it off if you wanted to.
And if it is an expensive liquor, only the Marquis would drink it without letting others drink it.
Jin reasoned this way and showed the liquor in the bottle by analyzing it before the eyes of the people present.
"<>. ...... This is it!"
"Jin, you don't think so?"
"......Yes, a very small amount of arsenic was detected. If the Marquis was drinking this, it is probably the cause of his cirrhosis.
It was a shocking revelation.
Moritz's face turned pale. If it became public that a member of his own family had poisoned the Marquis, he was sure to be crushed.
Even if not, the fact that his father was being considered for punishment for the trouble he had caused was deeply disturbing for Moritz.
But Jin was more concerned about something else.
"...... does Markus know about the presence of arsenic?
When he had checked the basement of the laboratory, arsenic and nickel had been separated. Nickel is said to be an additive metal for stainless steel, and his predecessor had known about the existence of arsenic.
However, it is said that arsenic is not known today.
It is certain that the knowledge of arsenic has ceased to exist after the War of Magic.
However, Marcus, who seems to be a demon tribe, knew the existence of arsenic. This means that there was no breakdown of knowledge among the demon clans due to the magical wars.
Of course, it is dangerous to judge only on this one point, but it is at least a possibility.
Jin concluded that there is a possibility that the demon tribe has more advanced technology and culture than the current human race.
"...... Sorry, I'm feeling a little sick. I'm going to go back to my room. ...... Erza, the rest is up to you."
Meanwhile, blue-faced Moritz staggered away, probably imagining that the house was about to be demolished.
"I know how you feel, brother. But now we have to find out the truth.
Erza said stoutly and continued to investigate the room.