She planned to add a line to her future operating principles: "Quit while you're ahead."
Just as the thief lady silently noted down the first assignment, Fran stated the second commission entrusted to her.
"Second, I need information on the 'Abyssal Descendants,' preferably related to Sirens."
"Abyssal Descendants?"
A trace of involuntary surprise colored Detreka's tone.
"They've vanished from the Abyssal Sea for many years. Especially the Heyl Sirens; the most recent sighting record within our cult is at least a decade old."
"Hmm... I admit, that's quite a challenge."
Fran propped her cheek with one hand, her tone still calm.
Detreka's reaction was entirely within her expectations. If Abyssal Descendants were that easy to find, the Secret-Hunters' material repository wouldn't be out of stock. Even if the Secret-Hunters don't have any, the White Cup should have some reserves.
"It doesn't have to be precise information; even the slightest clue is acceptable."
She didn't intend to make things difficult for Detreka, so she only stated her needs without setting hard targets.
"Hmm... If it's just that kind of information, there's plenty, but most are worthless rumors. Two days ago, a sailor claimed he saw a Siren pulling on his fishing hook, that's why he wasn't catching any fish..."
Detreka pursed her lips but ultimately didn't say more.
Circumstances were against her; she had no room to refuse. Moreover, the client lady hadn't set rigid requirements; even if she couldn't find anything, it would be understandable...
"Here, catch. This is the deposit. I hope you won't disappoint me when we meet again."
As she spoke, Fran placed an ancient Norlington gold coin into Detreka's hand.
Despite the wear of time, the coin still gleamed with dazzling metallic luster. Its obverse bore the portrait of the first Meredith, and the reverse was the head of a sharp-eyed, fangless pale wolf.
"Okay... thank you very much."
The thief lady somewhat flusteredly accepted the ancient gold coin. After seeing its quality clearly, a flicker of pleasant surprise unavoidably rose in her heart.
She thought she'd only be working for free after being caught, but this lady was actually quite generous with payment, as if not worried at all that she'd take the money and run.
Detreka had already pocketed the ancient gold coin, then cautiously spoke.
"Ms. Vivian, should I leave now? It's not safe to stay here long. If that Secret-Hunter starts searching, he'll eventually find this storage room..."
"Hmm."
Fran granted her request, then also took out Bartley's saw cleaver from her medical kit and tossed it to Detreka.
"Take it, your 'trophy.' A Secret-Hunter's personal item; it will help your advancement."
"This..."
Seeing the stolen goods returned to her hand, the thief lady felt inexplicably moved.
Even though she had become a prisoner, Ms. Vivian was willing to give her colleague's lost item back to her, and the offered terms were much more generous than most clients... Um, is your Confidential Division still hiring?
"Really, thank you so much..."
"Don't rush to thank me, Miss Detreka."
Fran's tone was even and gentle, her amber gaze likewise.
"Getting payment from me is easy, but it's by no means a gift without a price."
"If you try to run away and break our agreement... the outcome might not be very wonderful, you know? Of course, I think neither side wants to see that happen, right?"
Her voice, accompanied by the dull roar of the surging tide, inevitably raised a strand of chill.
"Yes, Ms. Vivian... Within my capabilities, I will try my best to fulfill the contract."
Detreka gave a cautious response.
Hearing this, Fran lightly tapped her fingertip, plucked a small downy feather from the raven Munin on the back of her hand, and gave it to her.
"If you need to notify me of any discoveries, use it to set up a summoning ritual. Hmm... If you encounter any danger during your investigation, you can also use it to get some extra help."
"Of course, there are other methods. When you fall asleep embracing the thought of calling me, a messenger will naturally come to you."
"...I understand."
With some trepidation, Detreka accepted the soft downy feather.
After that, Fran raised her hand and opened the locked door of the ship's storage room, letting this Six-Eyed Crow Snatcher leave.
Stepping out of that dark, cramped cabin and feeling the sea breeze again, Detreka couldn't help but deeply breathe a sigh of relief.
Unnoticed, her back blouse and the hair at her temples were soaked with cold sweat.
Even though Ms. Vivian had maintained a friendly smile from start to finish, she still felt enormous psychological pressure. As if facing an ancient mythical creature that devoured people.
Detreka had indeed considered whether to take her gains and flee far away after landing, but considering the risks, she ultimately dismissed the idea.
Secret-Hunters' tracking abilities were beyond doubt; she didn't want to become a target on those fanatics' list.
Besides, Ms. Vivian's commission wasn't harsh, completely within acceptable limits.
Phew.
I wonder if she'd teach me that technique she used to take the saw cleaver from me if I joined the Confidential Division...
Shaking her head to dispel the churning thoughts, Detreka calmly began walking toward her room. Just like an ordinary passenger who had come out for some sea air.
——
Detreka had left, but Fran did not leave the storage room. She remained seated on the small stool with her legs crossed.
She raised a hand to cover her mouth, yawning.
Just then, the figure of Haida in her deep black nun's habit appeared at the door. Her deep gray eyes focused slightly, then locked onto Fran, who seemed to have been waiting for some time.
Although it might be impolite to say so, whenever someone lost something, Haida couldn't help but think of Fran. After all, the number of times Fran had stealthily taken small items from her wasn't small... and each time she called it keeping a souvenir.
But this time, Fran had informed her about the Snatcher in advance via Calling Bird.
"Dr. Fran. You've met the Searcher who stole from Mr. Bartley?"
"Yes."
Fran admitted quite lightly.
"Her attitude in admitting her mistake was good; she's a good kid. I hope she won't make me go look for her actively in the end..."
At that moment, Bartley's burly figure slowly appeared behind Haida; the two seemed to have come together.
"Oh? Doctor, are you planning to 'lay a line'?"
At this, the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.
First letting an unimportant role leave, then using this lead to gradually pursue deeper... This was indeed a common Secret-Hunter technique. Never expected this Burial Court's externally hired doctor could execute it so skillfully.
"But the Six-Eyed Crow isn't among the heretical spawn; even if we find their church stronghold, there's not much we can do. At most, give them a lesson and demand some compensation."
Bartley licked his lips, somewhat regretful.
What a pity. If it were one of those crazy heretical spawn who caused trouble, he'd have work to do...
"Fishing? Not quite."
Fran gently shook her index finger, seeming to have other plans.
"That girl has some special qualities; using her as 'bait' would be a bit of a waste. However, her usefulness will take some time to manifest."
"Mr. Bartley, please put your saw cleaver on my account for now. After this, I'll pick out a comparable weapon for you."
Bartley waved his hand, not too concerned about this.
Before boarding, he had been so unbearably itching for a fight that he proposed sparring with Sister Haida.
And the result was... a thoroughly satisfying defeat.
Without invoking spirituality, no matter what moves Bartley used, they were ultimately flawed, while Haida maintained effortless composure. This made him relive the feeling of powerlessness from his reserve period facing the director instructor.
Great! And Haida is so young!
Such an excellent junior... could she perhaps slightly alleviate the Burial Primus's obsessiveness and suffering?
Although he didn't know what plans this Dr. Fran had, someone trusted so much by Sister Haida was also worthy of his trust.
"Just a knife. It's called a relic, but besides being made of [Pseudomorph Steel], it has no other abilities; it's just very hard. Besides, I still have another one."
Fran didn't change her mind because of his modest words, her expression quite firm.
"Hmm... That may be so, but I'm not in the habit of owing others. Since I gave away your weapon, you reasonably deserve corresponding compensation."
To satisfy Sigrid's forging hobby, she had recently been studying some old items from her collection room. Reverse engineering had made some progress and desperately needed a qualified weapons tester...
"Alright then, I'll accept the doctor's kindness."
Bartley didn't continue to refuse and readily responded. However, he still didn't have much expectation for a weapon provided by a doctor.
Speaking of which, Sister Haida also has a sword beyond standard-issue weaponry.
The spine was straight, the edge mirror-like, and the entire sword's form and weight were far beyond conventional, so much so it had to be carried on the back.
With just one glance, he couldn't hide his longing...
Heard from Black Banyan's small piece of news, it seemed to have come from the Sun-Forgers Cult... But that old guy's sources are never very reliable; maybe it's a relic obtained from some exploration.
"As for that little thief, I won't interfere anymore. But if there are heretical spawn leads later, or if you need support, you can notify me."
After a simple farewell, Bartley slowly walked toward his room.
"Sister Haida, your colleagues seem quite nice. Losing a weapon and not even getting angry... Years ago, I wanted to study the Decapitation Throne, and Ahern chased me across half the North District."
Fran turned her head, teasing the nun beside her with a hint of amusement.
Hearing this, Haida's gray-brown eyes couldn't help but narrow slightly.
"Oh, so that lockdown in Norlington a few years ago was because of you... Ahem. If you had been willing to reveal your identity back then, father would probably have agreed."
The two conversed briefly as they walked through the Leviathan's outer corridor, returning to their bedrooms one after the other.
Waves surged, the night deepening.
In Vivian's room, she lay on her side hugging a blanket, breathing evenly and steadily, seeming to have been sound asleep for some time.
After being force-fed a seasickness pill by Fran, her symptoms indeed greatly eased, but it also made her somewhat prone to sleepiness... so she spent almost the entire day curled up in her warm little bed.
With a soundless flap of wings, the raven Munin flew into the room from the window, landing beside her cheek.
It raised its black beak, lightly pecking Vivian a few times. Seeming quite dissatisfied with this master who slept comfortably in her room while it had to work overtime.
She even had one of its feathers plucked...
But Munin's actions were gentle, seeming just symbolic.
Soon, it settled down by Vivian's pillow, then picked up a few strands of hair to arrange in front of itself, making itself comfortable for a rest.
——
Life at sea was monotonous and boring. Stepping outside the cabin, the only scenery was the deep blue, nearly black waves of the Abyssal Sea. Everything in sight was unchanging; the ship was like a solitary island, the sea a cage.
This easily made one question, "Are we really moving?"
Therefore, how to healthily and reasonably pass the time became the most important thing...
"The Six-Eyed Crow, revealing its dark wings with the dawn and moonrise. It is the raptor that observes and steals enlightened treasures, also the profound darkness that bores into the earth. Using the radiance of celestial bodies as anchors, shaping fallen, earthly shadows into form..."
At this moment, Vivian was in her room, leafing through the two secret texts Fran had given her earlier.
Namely, The Black Feather Secret and The Night Ballad of Mist Raven.
The former was a detailed explanation of secret arts and rituals under the "Crow" system, while the latter was a mythological epic. Although it also recorded some ancient formless arts, most were extremely obscure and difficult to understand.
Crow feather secret arts mostly related to three principles.
"Shadow," "Observation," "Theft."
Leafing through the ancient text in her hand, a long-buried question in Vivian's heart rose again uncontrollably.
Confidential Division agents were often called "Crows," and Six-Eyed Crow cult Snatchers also shared this nickname.
The deities they worshiped had absolutely nothing in common, but whether in secret arts or style of action, they were highly similar. This also made the Confidential Division almost the most unique department within the Secret-Hunters Cult.
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