Thankfully, the sea voyage lasted only a little over half a month. If it had been any longer, this doctor probably couldn't have resisted and would have directly taken action...
After saying goodbye to Professor Utus on the ship, the group from the Secret-Hunters Cult left the Leviathan and stepped into Foy Port.
Foy City had Gormouth's largest ice-free port and was also a necessary supply point on the safest shipping route, making it almost one of Gormouth's most prosperous cities. Here, one didn't need to worry too much about heretical spawn and cults... but be careful of thieves and desperadoes.
"Nothing's changed after a few years away. The air still smells as bad as ever."
Bartley grinned, sighing with some nostalgia.
As he spoke, his gaze lightly swept over a few furtive figures mixing within the crowd, issuing a simple warning. Gormouth had many thieves; many first-time visitors got taught a lesson.
This seasoned hunter wasn't particularly tall, but his knotted muscles and neck scars involuntarily gave people the impression of "burly." Combined with that neat set of leather hunting attire, it was indeed quite imposing.
Most petty thieves wouldn't choose such a target to act against, especially since he was a Secret-Hunter.
"Let's part ways here, Sister Haida. I need to pursue the Nightmare Guest. Hmm... You have plenty of hunting experience yourself; you probably don't need me to accompany you, right?"
Bartley looked at Haida, speaking with some consideration.
Although he was a Gormouth local, their tasks were different. And this wasn't a sightseeing trip; Sister Haida was already a director. In principle, like Black Banyan or Silver Wing Locust, she was fully capable of handling things alone.
"Hmm, you go ahead."
Haida gave a slight nod, having no objection, and gave him a blessing using the Secret-Hunters' rites.
"May the never-ceasing blade of the Swordbearer guide your hunt."
"Uphold the Precepts of Earthly Order, be worthy of the Hunter's blood."
Bartley then quite solemnly responded with the second half of the prayer.
After speaking, he immediately turned to leave. But as if suddenly remembering something, he turned back to remind Haida.
"Sister Haida, when I was an examiner, I saw your record. You probably haven't been to Gormouth, so you might not be very clear about some situations... Although this information is probably on the mission sheet, I should say it again."
"It's mid-April now, approaching the Plum Moon rituals. Lunatics and evil beings will be more active. And... these two days are a 'full moon.'"
After saying this, Bartley waved and walked toward a tavern by the port.
"Full moon..."
Haida's eyes narrowed slightly, thinking about the specific meaning of the word he mentioned.
"We should find a place to stay first. The mission sheet does recommend a few hotels."
After noting this, she planned to solve today's lodging problem first.
"Don't the Secret-Hunters have a branch like the Church of Silence in Foy?"
Hearing Haida's murmur, Fran asked somewhat curiously.
This lady spent years holed up in Fog Street Clinic; her sources of information outside Norlington mostly relied on newspapers... somewhat out of touch with the times.
She remembered the Secret-Hunters had branches in many countries. Besides the Church of Silence with most functions, there was also the Burial Court's "Blade-Hanging Training Ground" and the Confidential Division's "Mystery-Watching Gathering."
"Ahem, there used to be."
Vivian raised a hand to cover her lips, somewhat awkwardly answering this question.
"But after the Chief Hunter killed the heir apparent of the Gormouth Royal Court, we withdrew most of our public strongholds. Due to lacking regular equipment and supply, generally only sufficiently qualified high-ranking hunters could apply to come to Gormouth."
Hearing this, Fran's amber eyes blinked slightly, her expression subtle.
No wonder most cultists instinctively felt fear upon hearing Ahern's name. His record was indeed impressive... Even a royal heir apparent could make his hunting list.
"So, why did he do that?"
Fran showed some interest about this past event.
Haida took over from Vivian and continued.
"That Crown Prince, to rid himself of illness and a frail body, voluntarily accepted a ritual to transform into an Abyssal Sea heretic spawn. Only when he was slain did his mutated body and corrupted spirituality become exposed."
"That's not surprising then..."
Fran showed an understanding expression.
She was quite familiar with Ahern's way of doing things. This Chief Hunter had no interest in interfering in worldly power struggles, but if he saw heretic spawn infiltration, he would equally not tolerate its existence.
Seeing the doctor seemed somewhat concerned, Haida gave a more detailed explanation.
"The new ruler of Gormouth has complicated feelings about the Burial Primus—half gratitude, half fear. Therefore, although most Secret-Hunter branches withdrew, hunters could still enter Gormouth without facing rejection..."
Fran lightly pinched her lower lip, generally able to guess that new ruler's psychological state.
Gratitude meant that if Ahern hadn't killed that former heir apparent, he probably couldn't have reached his current position. And fear... referred to worry about the Chief Hunter's capabilities.
Ahern could silently and effortlessly kill a heavily protected heir apparent; killing himself was probably equally easy.
Considering the group wasn't familiar with the specific situation in Foy City, after brief consideration, Haida chose to go to the "Dreamslumber Flowers" Hotel for temporary lodging. She raised her hand and hired a car waiting by the street.
Although the White Cup and Sun-Forgers had manufactured mass-produced motor vehicles, only cities relatively close could get sufficient supply, so they were quite sought after. Foy City also had some, but passenger fares weren't that pleasant...
Before preparing to get in the car, Fran felt a gaze from within the crowd... It was Detreka, also preparing to leave.
She then looked back and gave an almost warm smile.
Knowing her observation was detected, Detreka somewhat awkwardly averted her gaze, then disappeared into the crowd.
At the same time, seeing customers, the driver greeted them quite eagerly.
"To Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel? Hmm... 6 Gormouth silver. If it's Norlington standard, then 4."
He maintained the consistent enthusiasm of service industry workers, getting off to actively help with luggage. Only when he saw Haida single-handedly lift a fairly heavy suitcase into the back seat did he show poorly concealed surprise.
"Judging by your attire, are you 'hunters' from Norlington?"
After getting in, the driver skillfully and talkatively struck up a conversation.
"Hmm."
Haida responded briefly, affirming his guess.
"Foy City rarely sees hunters lately; there were some years ago. Heh... Choosing Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel is indeed the right place. The environment there is good, and the seafood paella and flower tea are quite famous."
"But I heard that hotel had some bad rumors, or strange tales, in its early years. Like something about a 'non-existent room.' Probably stories young people made up for fun, or spread by other hotels to affect business."
This driver clearly had potential as a tour guide, occasionally talking about local customs or famous food and lodging. He even mentioned which shops liked to overcharge foreigners...
Haida's personality was quiet; most of the time, she would quickly end this kind of conversation of uncertain significance.
But Vivian, as a Confidential Division agent, was quite experienced in external communication and information gathering, so most of the time she gave responses.
About halfway there, Fran, who had been leaning sideways against Haida's shoulder with closed eyes pretending to rest, spoke.
"Mr. Driver, is there anything requiring special attention during the 'full moon' in Foy City?"
"This..."
The driver uncle was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, clearly somewhat surprised by the question. But he quickly answered.
"As sailors say, it's the Abyssal Sea's curse. Whenever the moon is full... things from the sea will crawl ashore with the tide, and some enchanted people will also want to return to the sea, becoming one of them."
"I'm not sure what 'they' are exactly. After all, those things haven't appeared since the Stellar Abyss Society set up the bell towers, and no one gets enchanted and drowns themselves in the sea anymore. Miss, if you're interested, you can ask some old folks; they probably saw it."
"Is that so... Thank you for your answer."
After roughly understanding the situation, Fran politely thanked the driver.
A short ride quickly ended. After paying the fare, the group entered Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel.
While Vivian and Haida were at the front desk booking rooms, Fran sat by a sofa, drinking the tea a waiter brought.
Gormouth's most famous tea was "Winter Bud," but obviously, the hotel couldn't prepare such expensive tea for every guest.
The hotel served "Tranquil Slumber" made from Dreamslumber flowers, affordable and distinctive enough, and had some calming effect.
Fran gently blew away the steaming mist, then took a small sip.
Not bitter or astringent, the taste was light and gentle, not much different from ordinary flower tea.
Just as she put down the porcelain cup, a light pink, glossy tongue tip quietly probed into the cup, carefully licking. Fran narrowed her eyes, looking at Luyala, who had appeared beside her at some unknown time.
"Na?"
Luyala seemed to really like the taste of Dreamslumber flowers; the cup was empty in moments.
"What's wrong, Luyala? Are you hurt?"
Fran, having experienced a little over half a month of idleness on the Leviathan, was now quite eager, seeming already impatient to start treatment. However, after carefully stroking the little deer's smooth fur all over, she found no wounds or signs of illness.
Annoying, such a healthy state, even gained some weight. Is the nutrition too good...
Looking into those excited amber eyes, Luyala slightly shrank her head, still unable to suppress shyness.
"Na."
She gently nudged Fran with her head, then pointed her branch-like deer antlers toward a certain direction, as if guiding the doctor to look there.
"Hmm... special spirituality, and only visible in the dream dimension. Is this why you came to me?"
Fran looked in that direction and indeed discovered a deep, strange spirituality.
Unlike ordinary formless "spirit," this spirituality had a form directly observable to the naked eye, like a ribbon of light, pointing to a specific room in the hotel corridor.
"Na!"
Seeing the doctor finally understand her meaning, Luyala breathed a light sigh of relief, as if relieved.
She then slightly opened her mouth, chewing a few times, making an eating motion.
"...I understand. There's something you need there?"
Fran's gaze flickered slightly, already knowing the little deer's intention.
Originally, hearing that driver say this hotel had some strange tales, she thought he was just bored telling ghost stories. Never expected there really was something abnormal...
"Dr. Fran?" Just as Fran wanted to pet Luyala again, she heard a distant, faint call.
With the falling sensation of the dream dissipating, she opened her eyes.
The crystalline young deer beside her had disappeared, that strange spirituality likewise. But the "Tranquil Slumber" in the teacup was already empty.
Seeing Fran's expression showing some weariness, Haida knew she had probably really been asleep. Although this doctor loved slacking off, she actually didn't need much sleep.
Perhaps, was she entering a dream?
Fran rubbed her slightly tangled eyelashes, then got up from the leather sofa.
"Haida, rooms booked? Then let's go. This hotel... is more interesting than imagined. Tonight might have other plans."
"Alright."
Haida was already prepared, then concisely agreed.
Under the waiter's guidance, the group arrived at hotel room 427 on the fourth floor.
It was a mid-standard triple room. The bedding was clean and tidy, the decor with some Gormouth classical style. Generally, triple rooms were probably meant for traveling families of three... but as a temporary base for the team, it was quite suitable.
"Guests, if you have other needs, please press the call bell. I will come to serve you. Meals will be sent up from the kitchen later."
After completing the guiding task, the waiter prepared to leave. Just then, Fran stopped her.
"Miss Waiter, I have something to give you."
As she spoke, she took out a Norlington standard silver coin, held it between her fingertips, and gently swayed it.
"Ah, thank you very much, Doctor..."
Seeing that brand-new Norlington silver, the waiter's eyes showed some delight. Guests in Gormouth mostly didn't have the habit of giving tips; encountering a generous foreign guest was quite rare.
"But this is not a gift, but a fair transaction. One must give something to receive corresponding gains. Right?"
Fran rhythmically swayed the silver coin in her hand, like a clock's pendulum.
And the waiter's pupils gradually lost focus, falling into a dazed trance. For such completely unprepared ordinary people, Fran didn't even need to take out the brass pocket watch.
"Yes, yes..."
After the waiter agreed, Fran slowly stated her question.
"So, please tell me, which room in Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel is 'non-existent'?"
Hearing the doctor's question, this young waiter's face gradually became panicked, as if recalling terrifying things.
"It's... room 408. Our hotel, has no room 408."
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