Reborn as the General's Useless Daughter-Chapter 208: The Suffocating Forest (Part-5)

When Zora slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she felt was lightness.

The bone-deep exhaustion from before had vanished completely, replaced by a relaxed clarity that made even her breathing feel smooth.

As a physician, she knew her limits better than anyone. Recovering this fast meant only one thing.

He had fed her a very high-grade medicinal potion.

Her thoughts had barely settled when her gaze met a familiar face.

Prince Kael was looking at her with a faint, lazy smile.

"So," he said softly, amusement dancing in his eyes, "after hugging your husband all night, did you sleep well?"

Zora froze.

Only then did she realize that her arms were still wrapped around him.

"..."

She immediately let go, her movements stiff, her ears flushing deep red.

Her cheeks also flushed as she tried to process the situation. She clearly remembered leaning against his shoulder... but when did it turn into this?

"This... I don’t know what happened after I fell asleep," she said, trying to sound calm.

"I understand," Prince Kael nodded seriously, his expression solemn enough to look convincing.

But the more seriously he nodded, the more she knew he absolutely did not believe her.

Beyond him, she noticed the expressions around her.

Every single person was wearing a knowing smile.

Her embarrassment instantly doubled.

Reesa skipped over and grinned. "Zora, I’m starting to think you and Prince Kael are truly a match made by fate."

"I just fell asleep!" Zora protested; her face was now completely beet red in embarrassment.

"That’s normal," Reesa said cheerfully. "You’re husband and wife. Honestly, your relationship is enviable."

She leaned closer and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "You know, after you fell asleep, Prince Kael stayed in that position the entire night. He didn’t move at all. I was genuinely impressed."

"Ah?" Zora blinked.

She hadn’t known that.

Reesa nodded seriously. "You worked for two days and nights to develop the antidote. He stayed by your side for two days and nights without rest. If a man treated me like that, I’d treasure him for life." Her tone was sincere, without teasing.

Zora felt something gently tap against her heart, at those words.

She glanced toward Prince Kael again. He happened to look back at her, smiling as always, calm and steady.

Her heartbeat skipped.

"Master, you’ve completely fallen for the Prince, haha!" Black chirped.

"Agreed!" White echoed enthusiastically.

"I agree too," Shihtzu added in a soft, milky voice.

"...Enough."

Zora ignored the three traitorous beasts and turned to the group, regaining her composure.

"I’ve finished refining the antidote. After taking it, we can safely enter the suffocating miasma."

She then distributed the detoxification potions to everyone.

Sebastian accepted one and looked at her seriously.

"Zora... are you certain this can truly resist the suffocating poison?"

All eyes turned to her.

She met their gazes calmly, confidence steady in her eyes.

"I have complete confidence in my detoxification medicinal pill," Zora said calmly, her lips curving into a faint, steady smile. "After taking the pill, I’ll enter the suffocating miasma first. Once you see there’s no problem, you can follow."

Her tone was gentle, but there was no hesitation in it.

She understood everyone’s caution. After all, one wrong step here meant death.

Others didn’t know, but she did. She trusted her medical skills absolutely.

Though the composition of this miasma was unusual, it still belonged to the same category of toxins she had encountered before. This time, she had spent two full days and nights refining the antidote, all for absolute certainty.

Even so, the crowd still looked uneasy.

Raphael’s heart tightened. He was just about to speak, intending to volunteer in her place, when someone else moved first.

Prince Kael had already swallowed the detoxification potion.

"How could I let my lady take such a risk alone?" he said with a light smile. His dark eyes were calm, filled with unwavering trust.

Before anyone could react, he turned and walked straight toward the suffocating miasma. "If there’s no problem, I’ll signal you."

Zora stared at his retreating figure, her eyes softening.

This man seemed to trust her at all times, in all matters.

Did he realize that if something went wrong, there would be no second chance?

Around them, expressions shifted again and again. Many people felt their hearts tremble. Prince Kael wasn’t just trusting Zora’s antidote. He was entrusting his life to her hands.

Raphael’s gaze grew complicated. He had once thought Prince Kael didn’t care deeply enough.

Now he realized how wrong he had been.

Someone who was willing to stake his life on her judgment... how could he possibly be indifferent?

Just as Prince Kael was about to step into the miasma, a warm, slender hand suddenly caught his.

He froze and turned around, surprise flashing across his flawless features.

"Let’s go together," Zora said.

She lifted her head and smiled at him. The smile was bright and unguarded, like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Just those simple words, yet they said everything.

The corners of Prince Kael’s lips lifted, warmth spreading through his eyes. His fingers tightened around hers, as if he would never let go again.

The surrounding spirit warriors stared in astonishment, unsure of what the two intended to do.

When they saw them walking side by side toward the suffocating miasma, realization finally dawned.

In an instant, gazes filled with shock, curiosity, and pity followed them. Many people sighed inwardly, convinced that the two were walking straight toward their deaths.

Yet neither of them looked back.

"They actually dare to step into that suffocating miasma. They’re simply courting death."

"There are always people in this world who are blindly overconfident. So many have failed already. Do they really think they’re special?"

"What a pity. Such a good-looking couple, throwing their lives away like this..."

Murmurs spread through the crowd, one after another. Though their tones differed, the conclusion was the same. No one believed the two would succeed. What lingered instead was curiosity. Everyone wanted to see how Zora and Prince Kael would meet their end.

Over the past two days, Zora had been studying the suffocating poison relentlessly. Most spirit warriors dismissed her efforts outright. Still, since someone was willing to risk death, they were more than happy to watch.

Standing before the rolling white miasma, Prince Kael smiled faintly. "Madam, we’re going in."

Zora nodded. "Alright."

The next instant, they stepped forward together, grabbing hands together.

In the blink of an eye, both figures vanished into the suffocating fog, swallowed completely by the dense white haze.

As soon as they disappeared, Alaric Von Seraph and the others could no longer hide the concern on their faces.

"Zora... will they be alright?" Reesa clasped her hands tightly, anxiety written all over her face.

She had wanted to go in as well, but Prince Kael had moved too fast. Deep down, she also felt this moment belonged solely to them.

"I hope so," Baldwin said softly, his expression conflicted. "I believe in Zora’s abilities."

No one spoke after that.

Time passed in heavy silence.

Yet from within the miasma, there was no sound. No footsteps, no cries, no movement at all.

Even when Reesa called out Zora’s name, the suffocating fog remained eerily silent.

Seeing this, many spirit warriors shook their heads.

"It’s over. No one can survive inside that kind of miasma."

"Let this be a lesson. Anyone who goes in will only be throwing their life away."

"I thought that so-called genius doctor was impressive. Turns out she was just reckless."

Mockery and sighs drifted through the air.

Reesa’s face turned deathly pale. She shook her head repeatedly, unwilling to accept it. "No... that can’t be true. Zora wouldn’t fail."