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Page 170
Fortunately, the sea voyage only lasted for a little over two weeks. If it had lasted any longer, the doctor probably wouldn't have been able to hold back and would have just started doing it...
After bidding farewell to Professor Utus on board, the group of the Hunters left the Levia and entered Foy Harbor.
Foy boasts Gormouth's largest ice-free port and is a crucial supply point on the safest shipping routes, making it one of Gormouth's most prosperous cities. Here, you don't need to worry too much about cultists and heretics... but beware of thieves and outlaws.
"Nothing has changed in the years I haven't been back. The air is still as unpleasant as ever."
Bartley grinned and sighed nostalgically.
As he spoke, his gaze swept briefly over several furtive figures mingling in the crowd, serving as a simple warning. Gormouth was known for its thieves, and many first-time visitors received a lesson in the art.
This seasoned hunter wasn't particularly tall, but his bulging muscles and the scars on his neck gave him an undeniably imposing presence. Combined with his impeccably tailored leather hunting attire, he was undeniably intimidating.
Most petty thieves wouldn't choose such a target, let alone a Hunter of Secrets.
"Let's part ways here, Sister Haida. I'm off to hunt down the Nightmare Guest. Hmm... you have quite a bit of hunting experience, you probably don't need me to take you along, right?"
Bartley looked at Heida and said with some consideration.
Although he was a Gormouth native, the two were on different missions. And this wasn't a tourist trip; Sister Heda was already a supervisor, and in principle, like Blackfiend or Silverfeather, she was perfectly capable of handling things independently.
"Well, you go."
Haida nodded slightly, having no objection, and bestowed her blessing upon him with the etiquette of a hunter.
May the unceasing blade of the swordsman guide your hunt.
"Strictly adhere to the precepts of the world, and live up to the blood of the hunter."
Bartley responded to the second half of the prayer with great seriousness.
After saying that, he immediately turned to leave. But then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned back and reminded Haida.
“Sister Heda, I saw your resume when I was an examiner. You probably haven’t been to Golmouth before, so there may be some things you’re not very clear about… Although this information is roughly written on the task list, I still have to say it again.”
"It's mid-April now, close to the Plum Blossom Festival, when madmen and evil spirits will become more active. And the next two or six days are the 'full moon'."
After saying that, Bartley waved and walked toward a tavern by the harbor.
"Full moon..."
Haida closed her eyes slightly, pondering the specific meaning of the word he mentioned.
"Let's find a place to stay first. There are a few recommended hotels on the mission list."
After noting this down, she decided to solve her accommodation problem for the day.
"Don't the Mysteries have any branches like the Silent Church in Foy?"
Hearing Haida's mutterings, Fran asked her with some curiosity.
This guy spends most of his time holed up in the Fog Street clinic, and his sources of information outside Norlington mostly rely on newspapers... He's a bit out of touch with the times.
She remembered that the Mysteries Hunters had branches in many countries. In addition to the Silent Chapel, which served most of the functions, there was the Funeral Court's "Hanging Blade Training Ground" and the Secret Court's "Mystery Gathering Place".
"Cough, yes, it existed before."
Vivian raised her hand to cover her mouth, answering the question with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"But after the chief hunter killed the crown prince of the Gormouth court, we withdrew most of our public outposts. Due to the lack of regular weapon supplies, only highly qualified high-ranking hunters can apply to go to Gormouth."
Upon hearing this, Fran's amber eyes blinked slightly, his expression becoming somewhat subtle.
No wonder most cultists instinctively feel fear upon hearing Yaheng's name; his record is truly impressive... even the Crown Prince of the royal court is on his hunting list.
"Then why did he do that?"
Fran found this story somewhat interesting.
Haida then picked up where Vivian left off and continued speaking.
"In order to get rid of his illness and frail body, the crown prince voluntarily underwent a ritual to transform into the evil offspring of the Abyss. It was not until the moment he was killed that his deformed body and corrupted spirit were exposed."
"That's not surprising..."
Fran looked enlightened.
She was quite familiar with Yahengba's style of doing things. These seven chief hunters had no intention of interfering in the power struggles of the mortal world, but if they saw evil offspring infiltrating, they would not tolerate their existence either.
Seeing that the doctor seemed to care about this, Haida explained it in more detail.
"The new rulers of Gormouth have mixed feelings about the Undertaker, a mixture of gratitude and fear. Therefore, although most of the Hunter's branches have withdrawn, hunters can still enter Gormouth without being ostracized..."
Fran lightly touched his lower lip, and could roughly guess the new leader's state of mind.
Gratitude stems from the fact that if Yaheng hadn't killed the former crown prince, he probably wouldn't have been able to climb to his current position. Fear... refers to his concern about the chief hunter's abilities.
If Yaheng could kill a heavily protected crown prince silently and effortlessly, killing himself would probably be just as easy.
Considering that the group was unfamiliar with Foy City, Haida, after some deliberation, decided to stay at the "Dream Flower" Hotel. She raised her hand and hired a car waiting for customers on the street.
Although the White Cup and the Suncasting Order have mass-produced motor vehicles, only a few nearby cities have sufficient supplies, making them quite sought after. Foy City also has them, but the passenger fares aren't very attractive…
Just before getting on the bus, Fran felt a gaze from the crowd... it was Derica, who was also about to leave.
She then looked at the other person and returned a warm smile.
Realizing she had been discovered, Detricka awkwardly looked away and then disappeared into the crowd.
At the same time, upon seeing that there were guests, the driver greeted them quite attentively.
"To the Dream Flower Hotel? Hmm... 6 Gore Silver. If it's the Ninelington standard, then 4 it is." ∷[∪〓
He maintained the usual enthusiasm of a service industry worker, and proactively helped with the luggage after getting out of the car. He only showed undisguised surprise when he saw Haida put a rather heavy suitcase into the back seat with one hand.
"Judging from your attire, are you Norrington's 'hunters'?"
After getting in the car, the driver started a conversation skillfully and talkatively.
"Ah."
Haida gave a brief response, which was considered confirmation of his guess.
"Hunters are rarely seen in Foy City now, though there were some a few a few years ago. Hey... you guys definitely made the right choice by choosing the Dream Flower Hotel. The environment there is very nice, and the seafood risotto and flower tea are quite famous."
"However, I heard that the hotel had some bad rumors or strange tales from its early years. Like the 'non-existent room' or something like that. It was probably just something made up by young people for fun, or something other hotels did to affect their business."
This driver clearly had the potential to be a tour guide, frequently mentioning local customs, famous restaurants, and accommodations along the way. He even mentioned shops that liked to rip off outsiders…
Heda is a quiet person and usually ends these meaningless conversations quickly.
However, as an agent of the Secret Service, Vivian was quite experienced in external negotiations and information gathering, so she usually handled the responses.
Halfway through, Fran, who had been leaning against Haida's shoulder with his eyes closed as if dozing, finally spoke.
"Driver, is there anything we should pay special attention to during the 'full moon' in Foy City?"
"This..."
The driver was taken aback, clearly surprised by the question. However, he quickly gave an answer.
"In the sailors' words, it's the curse of the deep sea. Whenever the moon is full... things from the sea will crawl ashore with the tide, and some bewitched people will want to return to the sea and become one of them."
"I don't know what 'them' are either. After all, those things haven't appeared since the Star Abyss Society set up the clock tower, and no one has been tricked into jumping into the sea anymore. If you're interested, ma'am, you can ask some old people. They probably saw them."
"I see... Thank you for your reply."
After getting a general idea of the situation, Fran politely thanked the driver.
The short drive ended quickly, and after paying the fare, the group entered the Dream Flower Hotel.
While Vivian and Heida were booking rooms at the front desk, Fran sat on a sofa to the side and drank the tea that the waiter had brought him.
Golmouth is most famous for its "Winter Buds" tea, but obviously the hotel cannot prepare this precious tea for every guest.
The three stores offer "Mimi" made from Dream Sleep Flower, which is affordable, unique, and has a calming effect.
Fran gently blew away the rising steam, then took a small sip.
It is neither bitter nor astringent, and has a light and mild taste, not much different from ordinary flower tea.
Just as she put down the porcelain cup, a pale pink, glistening tongue quietly slipped into the cup and began to lick it carefully. Fran narrowed her eyes and looked at Luara, who had appeared beside her at some point.
"Na?"
Luya seemed to really like the scent of the Dream Flower, and her glass was emptied in no time.
"What's wrong, Luara? Are you hurt?"
Fran, who had been idle for almost two weeks aboard the Leviathan, was itching to start examining the fawn. However, after carefully stroking the fawn's soft fur, she found no wounds or signs of disease.
Damn it, I was in such good health, and I've even gained weight! Is it because I'm getting too much nutrition...?
Looking into those excited amber eyes, Luya shrank back slightly, still feeling a little embarrassed.
"Na."
She gently nudged Fran with the top of her head, then pointed her branch-like antlers in a certain direction, as if guiding the doctor to look in that direction.
"Hmm... a special kind of spirituality, and it can only be seen in the dream dimension. Is that why you came to find me?"
Fran looked in that direction and indeed discovered a deep and strange spiritual presence.
Unlike ordinary, formless and intangible "spirits," this spirit possesses a form that can be directly observed with the naked eye, like a ribbon made of light pointing towards a certain room in the hotel corridor.
"Na!"
Seeing that the doctor finally understood her meaning, Luya breathed a sigh of relief.
She then slightly opened her mouth and chewed a few times, mimicking eating.
"...I understand, is what you need there?"
Fran's eyes flickered slightly; he already knew the little deer's intentions.
The driver had mentioned some strange tales about this hotel, but I thought he was just telling ghost stories out of boredom. Turns out, there really are some unusual things going on here…
"Dr. Fran?" Just as Fran was about to touch Luara again, she heard a faint, distant call.
As the sense of loss washed over her as the dream faded, she opened her eyes.
The azure fawn beside him had vanished, as had the strange spirit. But the "Tranquil Sleep" teacup was now empty.
Heda noticed the weariness in Fran's eyes and knew she had probably just fallen asleep. However, although the doctor was fond of slacking off, she didn't actually need much sleep.
Perhaps, I'm dreaming?
Fran rubbed his slightly matted eyelashes, then got up from the leather sofa.
"Haida, have you booked a room? Let's go then. This hotel... is more interesting than I expected. We might have other plans for tonight."
"it is good."
Haida was prepared for this, and then succinctly agreed.
Led by the waiter, the group arrived at room 427 on the fourth floor of the hotel.
This is a standard triple room, with clean and tidy bedding and a decor that has a touch of Golemouth's classic style. Generally speaking, triple rooms are probably prepared for a family of three traveling... but it's also suitable as a temporary accommodation for a small group.
"If any of you guests have any other requests, please press the call bell and I will come to serve you. Your meals will be served from the kitchen shortly."
After completing her task of guiding the way, the waitress prepared to leave. Just then, Fran called out to her.
"Miss waitress, I have something to give you."
As she spoke, she took out a Norrington standard silver coin, held it between her fingers, and gently swung it.
"Oh, thank you so much, Doctor..."2
Upon seeing the brand-new Norrington silver coin, the waiter's eyes lit up with a hint of delight. Most guests in Gormouth didn't have the habit of tipping, so encountering a generous stranger was a rare treat.
"But this is not a gift, but a fair exchange. You have to give something to receive something in return. Right?"
Fran rhythmically swung a silver coin in his hand, like the pendulum of a clock.
The waiter's pupils gradually lost focus, and he fell into a dazed, bewildered state. Fran didn't even need to take out his brass pocket watch for such an unsuspecting ordinary person.
"Yes, it is……"
After the waiter granted his permission, Fran slowly uttered his question.
"So, please tell me, which of the Dream Flower Hotels is 'non-existent'?"
Upon hearing the doctor's question, the young waiter's face gradually turned pale with fear, as if recalling something terrifying.
"It's... room 408. Our hotel doesn't have a room 408."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.