And this time, she didnât turn pale again.
"Wow, the effect of the Golden Salmon Meat is truly amazing."
Cao Xing couldnât help but praise.
A couple of minutes later, Maritaâs body twitched slightly, her long eyelashes fluttered as if she were about to awaken.
The moment she opened her eyes, she found herself lying on Cao Xingâs lap. A hint of girlish shyness suddenly appeared on her mature face.
"Youâve finally woken up, Lady Marita."
The woman before him seemed to react quickly.
She nodded slightly, "Did I just... faint?"
"Yes."
Marita furrowed her delicate brows, seemingly contemplating something.
But she quickly adjusted and then softly asked, "Lord Cao Xing, was it you who rescued me?"
Cao Xing nodded.
Hearing this, a deep gratitude appeared in Maritaâs eyes.
"Thank you, Lord Cao Xing..."
"Though Iâm not sure why I suddenly fainted, I have a premonition that if it werenât for your presence, I might not have woken up at all..."
[Because you rescued Marita Vergas, her Goodwill has increased. Current Goodwill: Friendly.]
...
Seeing the System Prompt, Cao Xing felt secretly delighted.
Thankfully, my share of Golden Salmon Meat wasnât wasted.
However, he remained expressionless and said, "Youâre welcome, just a small effort. Let me help you to a chair."
The lady regained her composure, then nodded slightly, "That would be quite kind of you."
She tried to support herself but, having just fainted, her whole body was weak, and she couldnât stand despite several attempts.
Seeing this, Cao Xing slid one arm under her neck and the other behind her knees.
Before she could react, he scooped her up in a princess carry.
Maritaâs mature face showed a trace of surprise and a hint of panic.
Her long skirt draped in mid-air, and her legs, clad in white stockings, dangled.
"Uh..."
She instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around Cao Xingâs neck, her face turning crimson.
It wasnât until Cao Xing set her down on a chair that Marita realized what had happened.
"Th-thank you..."
Her voice was less solemn than before, even carrying a touch of girlish shyness.
Cao Xing waved his hand and then asked, "Lady Marita, do you know the current state of your body?"
Cao Xing went straight to the point.
She shook her head, "I am not sure, these symptoms started about a year ago."
"At first, it was alright, just feeling a little dizzy, but it would be gone after a short rest."
"I thought it was due to being overworked."
"But later, the symptoms became more frequent, and because the business matters of the guild were so complicated, I planned to consult a doctor once I was no longer busy."
"However, this sudden fainting was my first experience."
Seeing the expression on Cao Xingâs face, Marita gently asked, "Lord Cao Xing, do you happen to know the cause of my fainting?"
Cao Xing pondered and then asked, "Have you ever heard of the Life Withering Curse?"
Upon hearing the term, Marita furrowed her delicate brows.
She nodded, "I have heard of such an evil curse."
"It can be cast on a target without their knowledge."
"And anyone afflicted with this curse will have their life force continuously drained, with no means for a complete cure."
"Once the curse fully erupts, the afflicted will find only temporary relief by constantly replenishing their life force."
"Eventually, they will reach a state where their life force is entirely drained, never to awaken again."
"However, this curse hasnât appeared on the Western Continent in many years. Even I only stumbled upon it once in an ancient tome..."
Cao Xing listened thoughtfully. This seemed to resemble the symptoms of Chinon Dutraâs wife.
And Marita appeared to comprehend something, looking at Cao Xing.
"Are you suggesting that I am under this curse?"
Cao Xing nodded.
At that moment, the ladyâs face grew cold, and an aura of fear emanated from her.
Although it was brief, it gave Cao Xing a strong feeling of oppression!
Even more intense than when he first met Franciska!
But a moment later, she retracted her aura and apologized, "Iâm sorry, Lord Cao Xing."
Cao Xing shook his head.
Marita didnât doubt what Cao Xing had said, as her symptoms indeed seemed to fit the Life Withering Curse.
Luckily, it seemed her curse was still in its early stages.
Once it fully erupted, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Thinking of this, she once again looked at Cao Xing with gratitude.
"Thank you, Lord Cao Xing. If it werenât for your reminder, I might have dismissed it as a common ailment."
"Marita Vergas will remember your kindness today."
"If you ever need assistance, I will exert all my strength."
She didnât inquire how Cao Xing had determined she was under such a curse.
Because Marita understood that everyone has their secrets.
She only needed to know that Cao Xing hadnât harmed her, and had even helped her.
Cao Xing shook his head and asked, "Do you have any plans for later? Or is there a way to break this curse?"
Marita nodded slightly.
"There is. As long as you find the one who cast the curse and deal with them directly, itâs the simplest and most straightforward method."
"And surely the one who cursed me had prior contact with me."