"Sir, your 'Balm Breeze' is ready. If you wish to consume it in-store, please wait at your seat and we will bring it to you. Of course, if you prefer, you may also take it with you."
"Consume in-store. I'll carry it myself."
Saying this, Albert lifted the serving tray with both hands.
Although four cups of coffee had considerable weight, his hands were extremely steady, not a single tremor visible.
Neville followed unhurriedly behind the youth until he arrived at the seat without incident.
"Apologies for the wait, you two."
As the coffee was set down, Albert also greeted the other two who had been seated for some time.
One was tall and burly, his double-breasted standard hunting attire quite imposing. The other seemed like a child barely over ten years old... red lips, white teeth, delicate features. Although wearing attire of the same style as the former, his aura was completely different.
From their attire and the Secrets-Hunter holy emblems they wore, their identities were not hard to discern...
It was Alwin and Black Banyan.
"Welcome, you two from 'Children of the Whiskered Tree.' Having you serve drinks upon arriving in Norlington makes us appear lacking in hospitality."
Alwin took the still-scorching coffee and took a small sip.
Although he was large in build and had once been a veteran hunter... after all, he had sat in an office at the General Affairs Division for over a decade, so sometimes his speech naturally carried the scholarly air of a desk job.
"No need for formalities, Supervisor Alwin. We know the Secrets-Hunters don't care for that."
"We also understand that the Secrets-Hunters remain wary of the Children of the Whiskered Tree. This is quite understandable; no one likes unexpected variables suddenly appearing... especially right after the 'Drinkers' incident."
Neville's attitude was calm and composed, seeming quite adept at handling such situations.
"Good! Since that's the case, let's not waste words."
Black Banyan clearly disliked this overly formal, veiled sparring. After receiving Alwin's approval, he somewhat impatiently steered the conversation towards the main topic.
"The library ruins outside the city suburbs have been sealed for over a century. Why do you suddenly want to reopen them?"
Although Black Banyan's question went straight to the heart of the meeting, his attitude made Albert feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Why does the other party bring a bad-tempered child to a meeting with a General Affairs Division supervisor? Could he be his child? Even though the location chosen isn't particularly formal, you can't really treat diplomatic affairs between two cults as a family dinner, can you?
In fact, the Children of the Whiskered Tree had their own considerations for choosing the "Balm Breeze" café to meet with the Secrets-Hunters.
This place was located in the East District, nominally under the jurisdiction of the Sun-Forgers Cult.
Although it was said that a large-scale malignant forging accident had occurred at the Sun-Forgers branch, with the long-term residence of the 'Sun-Corona Rider' Solm, it had finally not fallen into a state of existing in name only.
If negotiations broke down and the worst-case scenario occurred... then the Secrets-Hunters wanting to take action here would have some reservations.
Beating Neville to speaking, Albert spoke up first, retorting to Black Banyan.
"Can even children participate in inter-cult meetings now? May I ask who you are?"
"Hmm... child?"
Black Banyan repeated the word, finding it quite novel. He couldn't help but chuckle lightly, raising a finger to gently tap on the table.
"I am the Burial Court supervisor, Black Banyan."
"And, child, I must tell you something... Your father may not be older than me. Based on my previous appearance, calling me 'grandpa' wouldn't be excessive."
Hearing this, Albert's eyes narrowed slightly, momentarily shocked.
This little boy's words indeed carried a trace of the bloody aura unique to old hunters, hard to fake. But reversing age and returning to childhood... is that really possible? If it were a disguise, he should be able to see through it.
Neville slightly raised his eyes. Clearly, he had noticed the brass supervisor's signet ring on Black Banyan's index finger.
The Secrets-Hunters disdained deceit and naturally wouldn't falsify such trivial matters, so the only answer left was... the person before them was a genuine hunter supervisor.
"Mr. Black Banyan. I can understand your doubts."
"But that library is very important to us... It is one of the two old holy sites of the Children of the Whiskered Tree. Even though it has become ruins, traces of the Whiskered Tree's past existence remain within."
"To retrieve the stored items within the old holy site, we are willing to bear any cost."
His words and demeanor were quite earnest.
After all, the negotiating positions of the two sides were inherently unequal. The Secrets-Hunters nearly dominated the city of Norlington. For the Children of the Whiskered Tree to come here rashly and try to contend for dominance was clearly absurd.
But at the same time, he also had to show his determination. If his request was truly met with an uncompromising refusal, then the Children of the Whiskered Tree wouldn't mind unsealing the library ruins themselves, even using some special methods.
Alwin roughly understood the other party's needs, but new doubts also arose.
"For the past hundred years, you have shown no trace. Why choose precisely this time to retrieve the sacred items?"
Neville took a sip of the now slightly cooled coffee, then looked at Alwin with an appreciative gaze.
"Mr. Alwin, your question is precisely the key point we wanted to explain."
"The ancient banyan that has been silent since the beginning of the millennium is showing signs of 'sprouting.' This signifies that He will be freed from the desiccation that has lasted for several epochs. The Children of the Whiskered Tree should also temporarily abandon this concealment that has lasted countless ages..."
Sprouting... This word made Black Banyan feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Although Black Banyan knew that Neville was describing signs of revival in the deity he believed in... but now he himself was also somewhat like a vegetative state. Hearing similar descriptions always felt a bit off.
Oh... and even his codename carried the meaning of a banyan tree.
By coincidence, the ancient deity worshipped by the Children of the Whiskered Tree was precisely the "Temporal Banyan." In a sense, the two were quite connected by fate...
---
The next day, Fog Street Clinic, operating room.
Fran was currently preparing her usual conventional medication, the small green capsules used frequently before.
The most important effect of this drug is to stabilize the mind. Additionally, it can provide a certain degree of antibacterial and antiviral properties and promote the healing of external injuries. It's a basic medication.
"Self-adapting specialized phage, broad-spectrum antibiotic extract compound, the standard sanity potion formula, and my blood extract..."
She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a pale, slender arm, then deftly took out a syringe-equipped vacuum tube and inserted it into the bluish vein in the crook of her elbow.
The steel needle pierced the soft skin, crimson blood slowly rising in the vacuum tube... The blood draw was completed quickly.
"The low-temperature, low-speed centrifugation process for preparing serum and plasma has been proven unnecessary. My blood can be used directly as the raw liquid in the above formula... The effect is even somewhat better."
"What's still missing now? Hmm... Bodily fluid containing human DNA. To complete the drug's adaptation at the genetic level."
For a split second, Fran had the thought of calling out the name "Viola."
Many years ago, when human materials were needed, she would summon that diligent but not-so-bright apprentice of hers. Taking a lock of her hair, or a few drops of saliva.
"Haida."
This time, Fran called the nun's name.
"What is it, Dr. Fran?"
Haida quickly responded to Fran, simultaneously, keenly detecting that Fran's mood seemed to have dipped for a moment.
"Oh... You seem able to sense my emotional changes. Have you been secretly profiling my personality model again? I told you that's dangerous. It can cause serious side effects after reaching a critical threshold."
Fran pursed her lips with a hint of reproach, carefully studying Haida.
The nun thought for a moment, then answered quite honestly.
"After receiving Dr. Fran's warning within [Construct Dream Slumber], I have basically not deepened the resonance with your personality model."
Meaning... The reason Haida could detect Fran's emotional changes was simply because she had become more familiar with her.
Hearing this, Fran nodded quite satisfactorily, not doubting that Haida was lying. After all, there was no need, and she wasn't good at lying...
"Following medical advice is a good habit. If your spirit were truly assimilated by my personality, it would become one of my 'Prayer Hands.' Restoring the original personality would take considerable time then."
"Although Fog Street Clinic medical staff enjoy free medical services, you still shouldn't neglect your own health, you know?"
"Yes, I'll be careful."
Haida nodded obediently in agreement. Fran also continued her medication preparation process.
"Alright, Sister Haida, I need you to provide some medicinal materials."
"Is it blood?"
She had seen Fran drawing blood, so she similarly rolled up her sleeve, exposing the crook of her elbow.
"Blood would work too, but it's somewhat wasteful... Saliva is sufficient."
Saying this, Fran took out a slender sampling swab.
"Open your mouth, say 'ah'— depress the root of your tongue, expose the throat. Good, you're doing well."
She scraped the saliva and the oral epithelial cells within with precise movements. Not too much was needed. After all, this part of human genes only provided the "beacon" for the drug's adaptation direction.
Soon, the collection process ended.
Fran immersed the obtained sample into the drug ingredients, let it sit for thirty minutes for adaptation, then began the alchemical blending.
Driven by [Forbidden Alchemy], soon, dozens of finished products in capsule form were freshly made.
---
[Cure-Your-Ill 3000. Type II.]
[Quality: Ordinary]
[Effect: Can suppress some common infectious diseases and external wound infections. Additionally, due to the addition of a certain someone's blood in the ingredients, this drug possesses mind-stabilizing properties.]
[Note 1: "Croak, this little capsule's potency is astonishing, surpassing any medicine tenfold!"]
[Note 2: "Actually, this is just a broad-spectrum emergency drug. Please do not blindly believe the previous note. If unfortunately afflicted with a serious illness, seek appropriate treatment. Do not avoid treatment out of fear. Thank you for your cooperation. Below is the Fog Street Clinic's contact number..." — Fran Herschel.]
Fran looked at the tray of capsules awaiting encapsulation, took one out, and examined it meticulously.
"The number produced per batch is acceptable. But the quality is ordinary. It seems the technical gaps caused by self-fission are indeed significant..."
"No matter. As long as safety isn't an issue."
With that, Fran encapsulated the medication and stored it in her medical kit. Finally replenishing some of her previous consumption.
She then walked out of the operating room and returned to the clinic's main hall with Haida.
Just at that moment, Sigrid was holding dozens of organized paper documents, stacking them steadily on the table in the main hall.
"Dr. Fran, I've organized the 'secret histories' you specified. They're all about the Confidential Division and the God-Hunting God, with some from the Six-Eyed Crow cult..."
"Thank you for your hard work, Sigrid."
With an encouraging tone, Fran raised her hand and lightly stroked her molten-gold hair.
This Sun-Forging artisan, even in human form, had a body temperature slightly higher than normal, making her hair feel warm to the touch. Probably not very likable during the height of summer...
But Norlington in October was already deep autumn, bordering on winter, so this warmth became rather pleasant, even making one somewhat reluctant to let go.
After Sigrid had already started blushing, Fran put her hand down.
She then picked and chose from the stack of documents, glancing through them casually.
"The Deep Forest Where Crows Perch... Pity it's only a fragment... It only talks about epic allegories among deities, with no ritual details or mystical knowledge."
"Creation Theory. This book is purely theoretical, and mostly contains debunked nonsense."
"And this one, Raven Research Notes. This is a modern book, from the secret art scholar Zoparos. He deeply explored the origins of the Confidential Division and where its secret art system came from..."
Hearing about this one, Haida's expression became somewhat peculiar.
Master Zoparos was one of the most senior secret art scholars in the Burial Court. The [Hound Mimicry] prayer text on Byers's arm was inscribed by him. Although advanced in years, he was still an active secret arts practitioner and often participated in drawing high-level prayer texts.
It was said he often couldn't find the books he had written, which troubled him greatly.
And the book in Fran's hands seemed to be that unique copy lost decades ago...
"Mr. Zoparos indeed has insight, but his fervor for secret arts clearly surpasses that for secret history. Therefore, this research note abruptly stops at the climax and crucial 'revealing the truth' stage."
"Stopping at such a point, it might as well not have been written."
Fran put down this book steeped in the scent of ink and leather, then began searching for other scattered fragments.
"Dr. Fran, is this the book you're looking for?"
Sigrid took out a rather ancient piece of parchment from the document pile and handed it to Fran with some trepidation.
"Oh... Yes."
+++
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