Sigrid waved her hands somewhat flustered, instinctively declining. Although she was employed as a maid, during this time, she had actually been the one constantly under Fran's care.
Fran wasn't surprised; she just watched the artisan lady before her with interest.
"First, I am merely selecting a more suitable owner for an item. Second, if receiving it as a 'gift' makes you uneasy, then consider it 'wages.' Let it be your labor remuneration for this year."
"Thank you..."
Sigrid could clearly accept this explanation. Compared to a groundless gift, "earned through labor" made her feel much more at ease.
Seeing her agree, Fran immediately began explaining its effects.
"This abyssal ingredient is called 'Luminous Staircase,' and the processed product is named [Gangway]. It can drive light and heat to generate self-targeting scattered light beams, which will only burn the locked-on target."
"Even if causing large-scale scattering, it won't accidentally injure those nearby."
"What is the source of its light energy?"
Sigrid stepped forward curiously, seemingly wanting to poke this bright, clear cube.
"Judging from the description of having 'phototaxis,' it's probably accumulated sunlight."
"Then why is it getting brighter and... expanding?"
"Wait!"
Although wearing heavy protective gear, Fran's movements were still unbelievably fast.
She picked up these cubes, wrapped them in a surgical muslin cloth, then threw them into the shadows under the counter as if handling a grenade.
A silent light flash erupted instantly; the muslin cloth wrapping it turned into burning fibers drifting away.
But unexpectedly, the scattered light prisms from moments ago didn't harm the surrounding environment; there wasn't even a mark on the walls.
"What happened?"
Looking at the sudden incident, Sigrid was at a loss. She wanted to help Fran up but worried her current alchemical state might burn the other.
"Oh, no need to worry. Just a harmless little interlude. See, no one was injured."
Saying this, Fran placed these [Luminous Staircase] cubes into her medical case, isolating the light source.
"Almost forgot. Although sunlight isn't visible in the operating room, I have a... living sun right next to me."
Fran patted herself, seemingly brushing off accumulated dust.
In reality, the purification process in her operating room was extremely stringent; dust particles per unit volume didn't even exceed a hundred; there couldn't possibly be dust.
"Giving this to Sigrid at least solves the energy source problem. But I need to figure out some isolation to prevent overcharging causing a sympathetic detonation..."
She pondered the next processing plan, fingertips lightly tapping the edge of the operating table, making a rhythmic tapping sound.
---
---
[Gangway]
[Source: Abyssal Relic (Crafted by Fran Herschel)]
[Effect: Releases highly refractive light prisms with moderate controllability and self-targeting capability. This relic has been fitted with several heat valves by a certain doctor, effectively preventing overheating and internal meltdown. However, users are advised to control energy output power, as damage remains possible otherwise.]
[Note: "Although a certain doctor said not to act like a pervert, they still kept part of the ingredient to make someone's helmet, probably to complete a full set for a rainy day."]
--
Fran examined the gradually cooling light-forged ring on Sigrid's right index finger and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Thankfully, this final product finally withstood the unintentionally dissipating power from the "Primal Sun" shard, didn't explode, and the form was also very stable.
This ring was the joint creation of Fran and Sigrid. The former handled processing and theoretical guidance; the latter handled design and specific casting.
Fran had to admit that in the field of forging, the artisan lady possessed higher talent than herself. After all, interest is the best teacher.
But for her to reach Fran's current level, she still needed some time to accumulate experience and technique...
"Dr. Fran, is this final product qualified?"
Sigrid pursed her lips, hands hanging before her abdomen, her molten-gold colored eyes carrying a hint of unease.
Their previous few final products seemed fine at the design level. Aesthetic, practical, and full of classical artistic sense... But during final use, uncontrollable self-meltdowns occurred.
"Very good. The current strength is pretty much the limit achievable with this ingredient."
Fran hummed a light, cheerful tune, her expression relaxed and pleased.
Using an ordinary quality ingredient to craft an accessory solved Sigrid's annual salary issue, so cost-effective... Though she hadn't actually stipulated a specific salary in the employment contract with Sigrid.
If she wanted, she could put on a top hat, grow a mustache, and instantly transform into a lamppost ornament skimming surplus value.
But alas, Fran was a staunch supporter of the eight-hour workday, detesting overtime. Her attitude towards employees was basically equivalent to a certain Megatron who aspired to enslave humanity...
"Phew."
Fran took off the white, sweat-moistened rubber gloves and casually tossed them into the nearby trash bin. Then she frowned, as if remembering something, walked out of the forging chamber, and hurriedly rushed into the kitchen.
"Forgot to set the alarm. Hope yesterday's squab isn't burnt..."
Sigrid then followed Fran out of the forging chamber.
She stroked the still-warm ring on her hand, her hands trembling slightly from excitement... This forging was truly challenging for her.
When in the cult, the materials she handled were mostly metals; in the vast majority of cases, Sun-Forging system rituals could be used for smelting and shaping.
Even when facing the never-before-seen "Adamantium" during the power sword "Nirvana's" reforging, she didn't falter.
If a single Molten Gold Ritual's intensity wasn't enough, then use multiple rituals stacked continuously until this metal with near-absolute physical strength changed form.
But [Luminous Staircase], although appearing as a solid cube, was actually a soft, living biomass. Using such material to craft an implement... was indeed a bit difficult for her.
Currently, in the main hall, Fran wore oven mitts and a little bear apron over her white coat. The scent of roasted meat wafted around her, clearly having just rescued today's dinner from the kitchen oven.
"Alright, let's test this self-identifying, friend-or-foe targeting effect? I'm quite curious about its principle..."
"Dr. Fran, now? Hmm... right here?"
Sigrid looked at the eager Fran, feeling somewhat apprehensive.
The Sun-Forgers Cult also had secret arts for manipulating light prisms; she wasn't unfamiliar with them. But that art could melt through steel plates and wouldn't change the effect based on the target's identity.
After all, this is the real world; there's no concept of turning off friendly fire...
"Of course, no need to worry."
Fran used the thick oven mitts to draw a circle on the center of her chest, seemingly giving Sigrid a target.
"Then I'll start. Dr. Fran, be careful..."
Sigrid raised the index finger wearing [Gangway]. In an instant, a clear concentrated light beam, before thought could even flow, struck Fran's chest, piercing through her body in a single hit.
But she then stood firm, reaching out to lightly touch the pierced spot. Not only was there no wound, but even the clothing was undamaged. The light beam was like an intangible phantom, passing through her physical body upon contact.
"It did hit. But the heat carried by the light energy didn't conduct; it passed directly through the physical entity. Perhaps this ingredient has value for further research."
Fran pondered for a moment, then temporarily shelved this question. Design a research project around it when there's time... There are more important things to do now.
"Sigrid, it's been a while since I've cooked by roasting... Come try whether my skills have deteriorated."
She eagerly lifted the tray, showing Sigrid today's dinner—a freshly baked, perfectly cooked roast squab.
The squab, skewered on a spit, had crispy, browned skin. The fully roasted meat was tender and juicy, exuding rich aromas of apricot branches and honey wine.
"Yes. But actually, I don't need to eat. You don't need to take care of me like this..."
Sigrid's cheeks flushed slightly, she instinctively swallowed, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
During this time, Fran's feeding was almost like a grandma from back home. If her life form hadn't been fundamentally altered, she might truly have to worry about gaining weight.
Fran lightly wagged a finger, slowly taking a seat at the dining table, and began explaining to her in a veteran's tone.
"Dear Sigrid, sometimes such meaningless actions are rituals in themselves. Eating, appropriate exercise, sufficient sleep, and bedtime reading... Everything you do becomes an anchor point stabilizing 'humanity.'"
"So, the first thing you must learn is... to enjoy life."
--
General Affairs Division, Director Alwin's office.
Alwin, Silver Wing Locust, and the temporarily suspended Black Banyan were having a routine directors' meeting.
"I'm not even the Burial Court director anymore; why am I still called to these meetings? Is it so hard to let an old man enjoy his twilight years? Don't want to pay the pension, right?"
Black Banyan complained somewhat irritably, though his youthful, clear voice made this statement very unconvincing.
"If you'd said this two months ago, I'd have felt guilty. But now... I just think you're displaying your not-so-impressive sense of humor. Also, you're even a year younger than me; what pension?"
Alwin narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Black Banyan, who sat upright on the leather sofa, slightly swinging his legs.
He was quite unaccustomed to Black Banyan's handsome, boyish appearance, to the point where each time he saw him, he instinctively wanted to rub his eyes to confirm he wasn't dreaming or caught in some strange illusion.
The Burial Court even specially ordered a hunter uniform in his current size.
The leather small suit combined with a burgundy tie gave him a strong youthful vibe, making this seasoned hunter who had faced death numerous times seem like an inexperienced young master...
"I'm actually just showing off that I'm younger than you, like you used to enjoy doing. Let's see who's the uncle now?"
Black Banyan looked at Alwin with amusement. He himself hadn't fully adjusted to his current body yet, but seeing the other's incredulous expression gave him a strange sense of satisfaction each time.
"Alright, dear Director Alwin, let's get to the main topic. Everyone's time is precious..."
Silver Wing Locust leaned lazily on the sofa, her curled crimson hair slightly loose. With one hand holding a makeup mirror and the other an eyebrow pencil, she adjusted her makeup absentmindedly.
"Oh, I almost forgot. One of you is a retired Burial Court casualty already suspended from duty, the other is an old cadre from General Affairs who sits in the office all day drinking goji berry tea... Only I run off my feet every day."
"Ahem."
Alwin coughed lightly, seemingly wanting to refute. But considering the other spoke the honest truth... he ultimately gave up on this potentially self-humiliating endeavor.
"Were there any noteworthy situations in the previous Sun-Forgers Cult case?"
"You've read the case files and mission reports we submitted, haven't you? Why ask again?"
Silver Wing Locust raised an eyebrow slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing.
"I want to know the parts that couldn't be written in the formal report."
"Is that so~"
Silver Wing Locust deftly put away her makeup mirror, also gradually putting away her lazy demeanor.
"The most critical moment, I went to receive 'Corona Rider' Solm, so I missed witnessing many situations. But judging from the burns on Haida afterward, she likely had a direct confrontation with Anderson, who wielded an alchemical creation."
"And she won. When I returned, I saw her toss Anderson out like a dead dog."
"Haida wasn't facing an ordinary 'Falling Sun Rider'... The alchemical creation Anderson wielded consumed the souls of nearly everyone in the Sun-Forging Spire just for the sacrificial ritual... Honestly, I can't see through how far that child has grown."
As she spoke, Silver Wing Locust somewhat wanted to take out a lady's cigarette from her chest and light one, but considering this was Alwin's office, she ultimately held back.
"What's so strange about that?"
Black Banyan glanced at Silver Wing Locust somewhat disdainfully, interrupting her.
"Didn't Sister Haida land two strikes on the 'Cup's Servant's' not-yet-transformed heart before, forcing him to detonate his body? No matter how fierce the thing in Anderson's hand was, he's just human."
"Even if he loaded a bunch of alchemical organs into his belly, if his head is blown open or his chest sliced open... he'd still die."
"Enough."
Alwin spread his hands slightly, his steady gaze showing some complexity.
"Questions regarding Haida and Dr. Fran can be temporarily set aside. The General Affairs upper echelon's opinion is we currently don't need to worry..."
"What I'm truly concerned about is the alchemical formula in the Sun-Forging Spire's secret room. What kind of alchemy could turn everyone in the entire spire to ash overnight? Who will be the next sacrifice?"
"If it happened at the Secrets-Hunter headquarters, would we have the capability to stop it before completion?"
Silver Wing Locust yawned, unconcerned about Alwin's worries.
"Confidential Division alchemists examined the scene. That alchemical formula is fragile and cumbersome during the preparation stage and requires massive amounts of Philosopher's Stone... Most importantly, it can only harvest souls who believe in the sun."
"This is the latest information, originally scheduled to be sent to General Affairs in a few more hours... You're getting it cheap."
"I see."
Alwin, having gotten the answer from Silver Wing Locust, didn't feel relieved because of it. He seemed to be thinking about something else, still frowning deeply.
+++
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