Chapter 321.1
The initial indication of this illness is an intense sensation of coldness experienced by the patient. However, recognizing the progression of the disease immediately upon the onset of this symptom was challenging. The Kingdom of Flake, known for its consistently low temperatures, often witnessed drastic drops in temperature overnight. Individuals who exhibited these symptoms initially dismissed them as mere consequences of the cold weather or perhaps the early stages of a common cold.
Moreover, the symptoms of this particular disease developed gradually. In the early stages, they were not distinctively evident. Patients who gradually began feeling colder than usual gradually adapted to this condition, remaining unaware of any underlying issue with their bodies. Suddenly, the symptoms would intensify. By the time extreme chills and shivering engulfed the patient’s entire body, the disease had already advanced significantly.
Instances of this disease were exceptionally rare, and most people were unaware of its existence. Since there were very few doctors who had directly encountered affected individuals, no one knew how to treat it.
“To be precise,” Eugene stated, “the disease is known as linden tea poisoning.”
“What?” Myung King stared at Eugene with a perplexed expression before shaking his head. “That’s… that’s unbelievable. Linden tea has been a traditional beverage in the kingdom for centuries.”
Linden tea, a local specialty of the Kingdom of Flake, possesses warming properties when consumed. It not only aids in fatigue recovery but also promotes skincare and facilitates a restful sleep. These beneficial attributes made linden tea a beloved beverage among the people of Flake, who consumed it regularly as a staple.
However, the cultivation of linden tea leaves was limited to cold regions. Furthermore, once dried like other tea leaves, they became excessively bitter, rendering them nearly undrinkable. Consequently, the harvested leaves had to be consumed within a few days. This restriction meant that linden tea could not be exported or sold outside the region, remaining an exclusive delight within the Kingdom of Flake.
“Linden tea contains a minute amount of toxicity, which generates heat within the body. In small quantities, occasional consumption poses no issue. However, the people of Flake have been regular consumers of this tea since childhood, developing an immunity to its effects.”
Individuals lacking the ability to detoxify the tea’s toxicity would be unable to recognize the associated illness and could succumb to its effects. Over time, this particular constitution would have vanished, leaving no descendants within the Kingdom of Flake.