"Evil Spawn? I hope nothing like that happens..."
Mitchell muttered to himself, though Haida's words still gave him a strange sense of calm.
Outrider Hunters from the Secrets-Hunters, though mostly eccentric in character, were indeed experts in handling Evil Spawn. They knew how to use violence efficiently and generally adhered to certain commandments and principles, thus enjoying a good reputation.
If the case truly involved those unclean entities, having the help of a Burial Court Supervisor would clearly make the situation much safer.
Confirming there were no oversights, Mitchell left with the two police officers.
Vivian took a sip of tea from her porcelain cup, then placed the cup next to Munin. It promptly dipped its jet-black beak into the cup, beginning to take small sips.
"That Star-Teller actually didn't make us go back to the police station for an interrogation process? For something similar in Norlington, we'd at least be questioned for half a day... And he only wanted one statement, no separate questioning sessions."
She was somewhat surprised by the laxness of law enforcement in Foy.
"That's quite normal, Vivian."
Haida's tone was rather calm. She had experience with assignments in foreign countries, and not just once. She was already used to it.
"At least Foy still has laws, which is much better than other cities in Gormouth that have become lawless lands. Besides, Gormouth is a relatively friendly country towards Secrets-Hunters."
"Regardless of how much sincerity, at least they are willing to maintain a surface-level friendliness."
Vivian thought for a moment, then nodded understandingly.
"It's fortunate this trip is to Foy in Gormouth. If it were to Loredon, we probably couldn't even bring our Secrets-Hunter credentials... and would have to prepare a new set of identities and disguises."
Although the Northern Nation showed no overt rejection or hostility towards Secrets-Hunters, they had actually implemented quite a few measures targeting hunters in secret.
Perhaps using money and titles to tempt corruption, perhaps using poison and daggers for assassination...
Precisely because of this, the Secrets-Hunter branches in Loredon were mostly withdrawn. And those who couldn't withdraw in time... either chose rebellion or were wiped out.
"Oh... It seems they absorbed a lot of 'lessons from past failures' from the Gormouth royal court before engaging in some unsightly research." Fran rested her cheek on one hand, her gaze playful.
"Haida, do you know approximately how many Loredon hunters chose to defect?"
Haida remembered the information about the Loredon incident quite clearly, so she answered without much thought or hesitation.
"One Blade-Hanging Training Ground and one Church of Silence. About twenty percent of hunters escaped and returned, about thirty percent were wiped out. The rest... are traitors."
"Fifty percent loyalty rate. It seems most hunters are indeed sufficiently devout to the God-Hunting God."
Although Fran was not very knowledgeable about this recent event, she was quite experienced regarding changes in human nature under severe pressure and tests.
It's not strange what people will do for survival in desperate circumstances.
On one side, gold and fine wine; on the other, poison and torture instruments. Those who can truly face death and fear are few and far between. Often, corruption at the spiritual level doesn't come purely from Evil Spawn and heretical cults... money can achieve it too.
"However, I've always been somewhat curious... why did Loredon's attitude towards us suddenly undergo this change?"
Since this aspect was brought up, Vivian took the opportunity to ask this question that had always left her somewhat puzzled.
Haida shook her head, not giving a definite answer.
"The General Affairs Division only issued a warning to hunters who might go to Loredon for assignments; other than that, there were no public explanatory documents. Even in the materials under Head-level access, there was no explanation."
"Perhaps they were provoked by the Chief Hunter's assassination of the Moldway crown prince a few years ago, afraid they would become the second."
Fran was somewhat interested in this. She seemed quite serious while listening to Haida's account.
Staying in the Fog Street for too long sometimes made her information lag. Discussing such secrets related to the current situation made her strangely feel as if she were still young...
"Being so easily provoked is a bit too 'sensitive.' Perhaps the rulers of Loredon themselves have a guilty conscience."
With a faint, elusive smile, she voiced a guess.
Haida actually also leaned towards this answer, but her habit was not to draw conclusions without evidence. Therefore, she did not state her specific stance.
"Regarding the true situation, perhaps only higher-ranking hunters know."
Vivian lightly raised her hand and glanced at her wristwatch. It was already around one in the afternoon. The Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel's check-out time would arrive soon. But what to do afterwards... she currently had no idea at all.
If it were a solo operation, she would use the Calling Bird's convenience to gather information throughout the city, making plans after discovering valuable intelligence.
But since this mission was led by Sister Haida... she could justifiably hand over all decision-making matters to her. Especially with Dr. Fran here; such matters absolutely wouldn't be up to her to decide.
"Sister Haida, what should we do next?"
Seeing Vivian ask, Haida then explained her own thoughts.
"If it were me, I would try to make contact again with that Stellar Abyss Society Star-Teller, try to find the person who attacked Bartley last night, then further track that person's organization and mastermind..."
"But I think Dr. Fran must already have some understanding in this regard?"
"Ahem." Fran raised a hand to cover her lips, giving a light cough. This was essentially an admission.
"Today is the second day of the full moon. The Six-Eyed Crows cult will hold an internal exchange gathering. My informant will take us to the location."
"However... some disguise is needed this time. Perhaps it would be better if I went alone?"
Saying this, she opened her clear amber eyes slightly, looking apologetically at Haida before her.
Dressed in a black, form-fitting nun's robe, carrying the power sword "Nirvana" that was almost as tall as a person, and the dull metallic clinking of loaded ammunition while walking... the presence of this Burial Attendant was far too strong, easily drawing attention no matter where she stood.
Even ignoring characteristics at the level of clothing and attire, she also had that cold aura held by veteran hunters and the hereditary gray eyes of the Meredith family.
"Hmm, this is an infiltration mission after all... I can understand."
Haida had no objection to this.
"Aside from that, is there anything else you need me to assist with? Dr. Fran."
"Hmm... There is indeed one thing I need you to complete."
Fran slightly pursed her lips, then explained a pending matter she was still quite concerned about.
"Haida, please try to investigate the Stellar Abyss Society's 'Bell Towers.' According to a knowledgeable person, songs are sometimes heard there, and it may be connected to some child disappearance cases."
"The Stellar Abyss Society's Bell Towers?"
Haida slightly frowned, contemplating the meaning in the doctor's words.
She originally thought the task given to her would be related to the Ant-Scale Door or the Moth, but she didn't expect Dr. Fran to be most concerned about the most normal Stellar Abyss Society.
This was indeed somewhat thought-provoking...
"I understand." After a moment, she agreed.
Seeing Haida had already agreed, Fran then slowly turned to Vivian beside her.
"Ms. Vivian, for the exploration of the Bell Towers, please trouble yourself to assist Sister Haida?"
"Alright... I understand."
Vivian rather obediently accepted Fran's arrangement. However, her current expression clearly carried some confusion.
She didn't understand why, when Dr. Fran had only arrived in Foy on the first day, she already seemed to know everything here inside out.
She even assigned tasks in a methodical manner, with a strange General Affairs Division style...
Also, when responding to the Star-Teller, Sister Haida said she knew nothing about the case, but now she stated very definitely that the one attacked in the tavern that night was Bartley. Based on her understanding of this nun... she must have already obtained confirmed intelligence.
What happened during the time she was asleep yesterday?
Before Vivian could figure out the reason, Fran had already straightened her clothes, picked up her medical kit, and prepared to go out.
"Moonrise is still nearly five hours away. Lunch can be dealt with during this time. It's said Foy's grilled squid is very distinctive... not to be missed."
"Oh, I almost forgot..."
Saying this, Fran took out the "Combi-Stake Crossbow" Black Rose, which Sigrid had just finished forging, from her medical kit, and handed it along with the 5 bolts containing Primal Sun power to Haida.
"This is?"
Haida hefted the oddly-shaped crossbow in her hand, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly.
Fran then introduced the weapon's structure and effects to the nun beside her.
"Payment from a house call. It can fire both stake bolts and bolts. The bolts contain the characteristics of the 'Primal Sun' and will have great power. Be careful of the recoil, and remember not to use it from too close a distance."
"And there are only five rounds of ammunition, use them sparingly."
From Fran's words, Haida vaguely discerned the origin of this crossbow.
Containing certain characteristics of the Primal Sun, and this warm-to-the-touch feeling... Clearly, its forger was Sigrid. Compared to the Secrets-Hunters' standard-issue crossbows, this crossbow was much heavier, almost like a hand cannon.
"Thank you, Dr. Fran. I will be careful."
Without any polite refusals or the like, Haida promptly accepted this new weapon.
According to Dr. Fran's thinking, this was probably a Fog Street Clinic employee benefit. Or perhaps a "return gift" for taking her sidearm from the book repository.
After accepting the crossbow, she adjusted the hand crossbow configuration, then took a few mock aims to simulate the shooting feel. One had to say, crafted items from Sigrid were indeed of high quality and full of artistic design sense.
Even though the Secrets-Hunters' own weapons manufacturing was also extremely refined, the former were masterpieces from a Sun Forge artificer, while the latter were mass-produced standard weapons; there was almost no comparison between them.
After this small interlude, the group finally left Room 427, preparing to leave the Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel.
—
A Burial Director's quarterly transfer order also came in many types. Some involved going alone to a dangerous region to perform a hunt; others were almost equivalent to administrative leave.
Haida's transfer order was closer to the latter.
Her purpose in coming to Gormouth this time was to find the spiritual materials needed to constitute the [Mechanized Spirit] secret art, which could be seen as seeking advancement in secret ranks. Therefore, the General Affairs Division did not issue additional tasks.
After all, hunters ultimately also belonged to cult followers and needed some time for self-elevation.
After leaving the Dreamslumber Flowers Hotel, Fran took Haida and Vivian to try many seasonal seafood at the grill stalls in Foy Port. Such as grilled crab legs, seared prawns, grilled oysters, charcoal-grilled squid, and some raw shellfish...
As the dishes on the plates continually decreased, time also gradually moved from noon to the dim light of dusk.
Frankly, Vivian enjoyed this process very much. She even strangely felt a slight illusion, as if she wasn't on a mission but on vacation in Foy...
"It's already dusk? Time passes so quickly, it feels like just a moment."
Fran glanced at her brass pocket watch, gave a brief sigh, then placed the last skewer of peeled prawns into her mouth, chewing carefully.
"Haida, the Stellar Abyss Society, being classified as an ancient cult, even if just observing from the periphery, be careful for safety?"
"I will."
Currently, even against a high-ranking High Priest, Haida had the ability to put up a fight, but she still responded humbly to Fran.
Prudence was a virtue she had followed since becoming a Secrets-Hunter; she would absolutely not abandon or forget it because she herself was gradually becoming stronger.
After saying goodbye, Fran walked alone into a deserted alley corner.
She raised a hand to touch the worn wooden door of a shop, and pale gray Mist Within the Door then spread out within the door frame.
At home, on the sofa in her living room, Detreka was quietly waiting.
She occasionally looked at the wooden pendulum clock beside her. Seeing there were only thirty minutes left until the gathering and Ms. Vivian still hadn't arrived, she couldn't help but feel somewhat uneasy and restless. Hmm... there wasn't even a person in sight on the street.
Suddenly, Detreka caught a faint, moist scent.
It was like the fresh scent of falling rain, carrying a faint, elusive earthy smell. Soon, faintly swirling gray mist formed from the door of her home, and Fran in her white physician's coat stepped out.
"Good evening, Detreka."
Seeing Detreka was still stunned, Fran took the initiative to greet her with a smile.
"Ms. Vivian!"
Seeing the mist drifting from the door, the thief lady couldn't help but widen her eyes. Astonishment was written all over her face, hard to conceal.
Her door was clearly locked. Last time, she could pick the lock in the blink of an eye; this time, she actually walked out directly from the mist in the door frame, skipping the lock-picking process altogether.
The Confidential Division had such efficient and convenient secret arts? How come she had never heard of it?
Feeling astonished, Detreka also couldn't help but feel somewhat fortunate. It was lucky she had chosen to continue cooperating with Ms. Vivian. If she had taken the money and run midway, this current scene would probably be extremely terrifying...
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