Haida returned to her bedroom. After performing routine maintenance on the power sword "Nirvana," she placed it on a weapon stand alongside her two wooden-handled folding knives.
Although there was no opportunity to use it today at Fog Street Clinic, and the Adamantium blade integrated with living metal had no concept of wear... routine care was still essential.
A weapon that accompanies one closely is also a close comrade-in-arms; it's best not to neglect it.
She turned on the small lamp beside the wooden cabinet by her bed and, while the night was still young, began studying the Ash Creed she had borrowed from Fran.
This ancient document, exuding scents of myrrh and leather, recorded many lost secret arts under the Secrets-Hunter system. Some parts had been iterated and improved upon, continuing down the line... Below were the lost parts.
"Category Two, upper-tier secret art [MechanizedSpirit]. Briefly materializes one's own 'spirit' into simple -structured instruments." (There are limitations. Well-received. This art's side effects stem from 'spirit' consumption. Overuse in an overdrawn state may lead to irreversible inspiration failure. Reactivating spiritual perception requires ordering corresponding medical services. Risk factor: High.)
"Category Two, mid-tier secret art [Silence]. Significantly slows the chant speed of all casters within a ten-meter radius and increases the obscurity of all prayers." (This art has a Category Two, upper-tier alternative: [Listening to Silence]. Unless there is rank suppression, it can achieve complete magic prohibition within range. Mediocre, mixed reviews.)
"Category Two, lower-tier secret art [Blood Burn]. Burns reason and spirit, fighting like a maddened, trapped beast to maximally awaken the instinct for slaughter." (The more you use it, the dumber you get. Mostly negative reviews. Recommended to solve some advanced math problems after use to prevent IQ loss.)
Haida slightly narrowed her eyes, a hint of a smile appearing in her gray-chestnut gaze for no reason. Fran's annotations and comments indeed carried a strange sense of humor...
Following the secret arts section was a heavily redacted and modified secret, seeming like poetry from a lost era or a song fallen into the dust of history.
"The Corrosive Devourers are the Mother's children. She is the Mother of Swarming Ants, and also the Mother of Nesting Serpents."
"She is the deity who rules over the rabble. She is the deity who swallows suffering. She is the deity of proliferation and division. She is the deity who intends to steal dreams."
"The desire for suffering was stripped away by the Crimson Cup. The folly of stealing dreams is a futile, extravagant wish. The instinct for division and proliferation is coveted by the Withered Crown."
"And the supreme authority to rule the rabble has now returned to me. —██████."
After this was an extremely long, thick redaction.
The person who erased this name seemed to want to gouge it out of the page. So much so that Haida couldn't remove the ink stains without damaging the book.
But she also didn't want to remove the stains. An instinctive sense of crisis made her feel a cold suffocation, as if a blade edge was pressed against her throat, each breath causing a strange sting.
That obscured name... perhaps she wasn't yet qualified to know it.
….
July passed like flowing fire; August was not yet ended.
Despite the scorching summer heat, Haida felt a coldness seeping deep into her limbs and bones.
The specific content of secret cult creeds generally falls into three parts: precepts, arts, and secret histories.
Precepts represent the laws the cult must observe and uphold. Arts encompass a series of mystical knowledge, including secret arts and rituals. As for secret histories, they are generally well-known ancient epics.
The public version of the Secrets-Hunter Ash Creeds retains only the precepts, intended to give ordinary believers and the general populace a general understanding of the cult while preventing misuse and excessive dissemination of mystical knowledge...
The internal version contains all three, but the "secret history" part is retained merely in form. The many medieval anecdotes recorded in it can also be read in children's rhymes and storybooks found on street corners.
But the original in Haida's hands now narrates, in an obscure and profound tone, the deity known as the "Mother of Corrosive Infestation."
The writer's description of Her was detailed yet carried a faint trace of disdain, even bluntly stating at the end of the passage that they had seized Her authority to "rule the rabble"...
Clearly, this writer whose name was erased was also a deity.
And being able to leave their name without restraint in the Secrets-Hunter's Ash Creed "Aphoristic Silence" made their identity equally evident...
Their titles were many.
The One to Whom All Sounds Return to Silence. The One Who Governs the Order of Dust. The One Who Does Not Fall into Falsehood. Or perhaps... The God Who Hunts Gods.
"The era is not written, so I cannot judge when this secret history occurred. But a simple inference... perhaps over a thousand years ago."
Records of the God-Hunting God's authority are consistent and stable within the past millennium's literature, with no changes. If They truly seized authority from another deity, it likely only happened earlier.
She hesitated whether to continue reading. The sense of crisis at the spiritual-knowledge level had been sounding alarms ever since reading that passage, like thorns in her back, a blade edge against her throat, a faint tremor occasionally at her brow.
The desire for knowledge surged forth without a sound.
This elusive feeling of yearning was like a feather brushing the skin of her neck. Not unbearable... yet carrying a hint of seductive allure.
Thump.
Haida breathed out lightly and decisively closed this "Aphoristic Silence."
As a Burial Attendant of the Secrets-Hunter Cult, this level of self-restraint wasn't difficult for her.
"Of all parts, this one has no annotations..."
According to Fran's habits, the book she gave her generally wouldn't contain large-scale hazards, like some texts might have memetic plagues that pollute cognition... or delayed-trigger instant-death curses.
But this didn't mean the book was safe.
The greater possibility was that Fran believed the dangers contained in this book were within her capacity to bear. Following this logic, she could still continue studying this creed.
"Set aside the secret history part for now; look at the secret arts again. Currently, I need some combat methods beyond the physical..."
Haida lightly rubbed her temples, turning the Ash Creed back to previous sections.
"For the next secret art to study, choose 'Mechanized Spirit.' This formula can compensate for my tactical shortcomings."
Haida glanced at the time on the wall clock. It was still early; she planned to use the time before sleep to try and familiarize herself with the basic principles of this Category Two, upper-tier secret art.
After a period of reading that could be called enjoyable, a piercing discomfort snapped Haida out of her immersion.
Then, she looked out the window. That thing rising slowly... should be the newborn morning sun.
--
Yellow sand, setting sun, dry, scorching hot wind. This was the capital of the Sand-Flow Nation, Attilan—Ahanta.
A middle-aged man wearing gold-red military robes and adorned with luxurious ornaments stood in the shadow of a palace hall pillar.
Tiyel, one of the three "Corona Riders" of the Secrets-Hunter Cult.
He slowly walked into the glow of dawn, revealing furrowed brows and a face covered in gloomy clouds.
"Solm still hasn't found Sigrid..."
"'Hasn't found,' or 'simply isn't looking'? That guy has always been without scruples... It wouldn't be impossible for him to let a potentially out-of-control alchemical creation escape, right?"
His adjutant Hossain kept his head bowed low, trying not to provoke Tiyel, who was already so angry he was losing composure.
"Mr. Tiyel, although Norlington is close to Attilan, that's relative to other cities... You know the branch's situation. Apart from the patrol squad that happened to be out, there were no survivors."
"Mr. Solm probably isn't having an easy time either. After all, manpower is severely insufficient..."
"How convenient. That's also Solm's own defense. Although manpower is severely lacking, he's quite enthusiastic about rebuilding the branch..."
Tiyel's eyes narrowed slightly, the depression in his gaze almost solidifying.
He had poured so many years of effort into the Sun-Forgers Cult's Norlington branch, yet everything turned to ash overnight... The only remaining result was "accidentally" obtained by Solm, who just happened to be nearby.
Who could stand this?
"Letting Solm have the Norlington branch is fine. After all, everything has been reshuffled, and he's already taken the lead."
"But Sigrid must be found! The alchemical formula on her is undoubtedly some lost technology. As long as we retrieve her... both the loss of lives and Philosopher's Stone can be recouped. The Sun-Forging Cult will gain another 'Sacred Artifact.'"
"Yes."
Hossain bowed deeply, accepting Tiyel's order.
Although this adjutant didn't yet know how to specifically execute it, opposing his superior at this juncture was clearly not a good choice...
"But Mr. Solm's recent efforts are probably focused on rebuilding and preaching. It might be hard to increase the search intensity for Sigrid."
"Of course I know that."
Tiyel rubbed the ring on his index finger, looking towards the morning light rising from the end of the sand sea, as if contemplating.
"So, let Byers come see me."
"...I understand."
Hossain fell silent for a moment, saluted in acknowledgment, and retreated from the hall.
The entire hall returned to silence, with only the sound of wind brushing sand grains echoing in one's ears.
"...Anderson and Malz died so carelessly, unable to even recover the results. Years of planning, nearly all efforts wasted..."
Tiyel placed his carefully manicured nail between his teeth, biting on it repeatedly. This action seemed to alleviate his deepening irritability.
"Besides the stockpile of Philosopher's Stone from the entire branch, she also has a shard of the 'Primal Sun.' That is true divine slough, proof of my Lord's former existence... It must not be lost because of me."
"Hah, not a total loss. At least it proves the 'Final Formula' in that alchemical secret text truly can create humanoid alchemical life. Though judging from the current cost, it's far from mass production..."
Tiyel clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slowly.
He was waiting for his subordinate to receive the summons and come.
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded, but before Tiyel could respond, the visitor had already pushed the door open and entered.
"Respected Mr. Tiyel, Adjutant Hossain said you had business with me... Heh. Of course, I rushed over without delay. To behold your honorable visage is truly an honor."
Regular Sun-Forgers Cult members' attire generally features gold and red. But this visitor wore a wide, windproof black cloak; all exposed skin was wrapped in yellowish bandages.
"Byers. Starting today, your travel ban is lifted."
The Falling Sun Rider named Byers let out an obsequious laugh, almost cheering.
"Thank you so much! You understand me. Staying within the cult every day was driving me crazy. Seeing colleagues passing by, smiling and greeting me... I was so moved I couldn't even eat."
Byers walked towards Tiyel with full joy. He lightly rubbed his hands; the eyes faintly visible from the bandages examined his capricious superior.
"Heh... Of course, I know your rules. Please tell me, what dirty work do you need me to do?"
Tiyel's gaze darkened slightly, clearly displeased with his flippant way of speaking. But for this matter, only he was most suitable.
"Go to Norlington to find Sigrid. If possible, retrieve her intact, alive or not. If not, retrieving just the materials within her body is also acceptable."
"Oh, I've heard about that matter recently. But..."
Byers slowly twirled a finger, seemingly in no hurry to agree.
"Even Mr. Solm can't find that girl's trail. I'm just a 'Falling Sun Rider'; how could I find her? If I return empty-handed, please don't blame me."
"Hmph."
Tiyel naturally knew Byers was bargaining with him. But his mood was extremely poor now, with no leisure to ponder stakes.
"I swear by the Primal Sun, scorching all spirits. If you can bring Sigrid or her fragments, I will immediately absolve your shackles and restore your eternal freedom."
"Deal."
Hearing Tiyel's condition, Byers agreed with speed almost too fast to imagine. A contract was thus established.
"So you understand the sincerity I've shown. Go, Byers."
"Oh, at your will, Mr. Tiyel."
Byers lifted the ragged sleeve of his sandproof black cloak to cover his bandaged face, bowing to the Corona Rider before him.
--
Fog Street Clinic.
[Luminous Staircase (From the Abyssal Depths)]
[Quality: Ordinary]
[Traits: This biological ingredient is low-risk, appearing as a solidified mass and exhibiting phototaxis. Can activate and release stored light and heat, but without processing cannot form a beam and may self-detonate.]
[Note: "Only a pervert would stuff something like this inside their helmet."]
Inside the operating room, Fran looked at the identified ingredient on the operating table, lightly stroking the "Far Caress" on her wrist, falling into contemplation.
"A good harvest. Ingredients from the Abyssal Depths are always practical and interesting. But it seems I'm almost collecting a full set of someone's equipment..."
She currently wore a white heavy protective suit. Sigrid beside her maintained her body in an alchemical state, her entire form surrounded by flare-like light traces, half-solid, half-intangible.
"Dr. Fran... What is this? Is it that highly hazardous material you mentioned?"
Sigrid felt novelty and nervousness; this was her first time officially assisting Fran with work.
"No, this ingredient is relatively safe."
"It's a relic from the Abyssal Depths. After processing, it can be made into a weapon. Coincidentally, its various characteristics suit you well. Consider it an onboarding gift. First, I'll do some processing..."
"But I've already caused Dr. Fran a lot of trouble by staying here. I cannot accept your gift..."
+++
T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL