novelnext Page 199
Page 199
-
-
soup!
Chapter Ninety-One: A Letter from the Abyss
After obtaining the memory information contained in Regis's heart and blood, Jude also gained a real and profound impression of the White Cup Professor named Flamel.
She is the same type of research fanatic as Grantham.
In pursuit of the truth they uphold, they are willing to pay any price and disregard any worldly norms. They adhere to a pure rationality bordering on madness.
Such people are undoubtedly powerful and reliable allies, but at the same time, their existence is also accompanied by unpredictable dangers.
Marquis Jude's gaze was momentarily complicated.
Just as he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard Edros's voice coming from the bed in the bedroom.
"……Father?"
It wasn't a whisper after waking up, but just a murmured dream.
The curse of the blood plague is deeply ingrained, having profoundly corrupted Edros's consciousness and intellect. While the spiritual essence of the shell-like creatures can cure the blood plague, the spirit of the moth itself possesses a maddening quality.
Therefore, he will not wake up so soon.
After confirming that Edross's vital signs were still stable and there were no abnormalities, Jude left the bedside and sat back down at his desk.
He picked up an exquisite fountain pen engraved with a crescent moon pattern and began to write on the letter paper.
[To Grantham.]
Thank you for the gift you sent to Mordway. I have felt the sincerity of the White Cup Order. All the Moon Familiars suffering from the Blood Plague will pay tribute to your efforts in this regard. Please wait a moment; our return gift will not be too late.
[At the same time, your envoy, Ms. Flamel, has demonstrated extraordinary talent and ability, truly deserving of the title of Honorary Professor.]
[It is hoped that in the distant future, she will, like you, uphold and maintain the ancient covenant we signed under the moon.]
—Jude Noralia.
Having known Grantham for nearly two centuries, Jude's writing style was quite casual, and he did not deliberately use honorifics.
After he finished writing, he sealed the letter and then stamped it with the Noralia family's sealing wax.
Then, Jude congealed a drop of blood on his fingertip and drew a simple ritual on the desk to connect the two worlds. As a faint crimson light flickered, a bat-like "messenger" emerged from the ritual and carried away the letter.
—One∈○{○ridge*↑¤Land∞●guilt#RoadZhongQUn:—
In the private library of the Marquis of Jude on Rue de la Ville, Mordway.
Initially, Fran's idea was to save some time and meet up with Haida and the others after Marquis Jude recounted those past events. But then she thought that since it wouldn't take too long anyway, she might as well take this opportunity to browse through the Moon Familia's library.
After Rosalie showed Jude's keepsake, the guards outside the library quickly let her through.
Unlike a typical library, this was a smaller book room, containing only materials that Jude deemed valuable. Once inside, there were no guards or administrators; one had to search for materials independently.
Once inside the deserted depths of the library, she asked Fran, who was beside her, with some confusion.
"Dr. Fran... why do you call yourself Flamel and claim to be an honorary professor of White Cup?"
"Oh, just an impromptu joke. But Flamel is indeed a name I used to have."
Fran said it with a relaxed expression.
Rosalie pursed her lips, finding the statement somewhat unbelievable.
Is he really going to make such a joke about the actual head of the Noralia family, a current Marquis of the Moon...?
Although Marquis Jude's demeanor gives the impression of being approachable, he is, after all, an ancient and powerful figure among the Moon Clan, having stood for millennia. He has endured countless deceptions and battles, and is also the ultimate victor in numerous clandestine wars.
To play with lies in the face of such an existence, isn't this doctor a bit too audacious? But... her demeanor doesn't seem like ignorant arrogance.
If I had to describe it, it would be more like being fearless and emboldened.
Thinking about this, Rosalie couldn't help but have a guess.
Could it be... that she really is an honorary professor at White Cup? Is the autopsy officer position of the Hunters some kind of cover-up?
As the reporter was lost in thought, Fran had already arrived at the area he was looking for. The wooden bookshelves here were engraved with the emblem of the Six-Eyed Raven Order, indicating that the stored information was related to this.
“Hmm…Let me see if Marquis Jude has any information related to Oak Shadow Nest in his collection.”
Within Mordway's highest power circle, the location of Oak Shadow Nest wasn't particularly secretive; asking Jude directly would provide a quick and easy answer. However, Fran didn't mention this at the time.
The reason is quite simple... She was planning to commit a crime at Oak Shadow Nest, and if she asked about it rashly, Jude would probably easily connect it to himself afterward.
Although he wouldn't directly suspect that he was the mastermind, Fran didn't want to attract too much unnecessary attention.
After nearly half an hour of searching, she found information about Oak Shadow Nest on a parchment note. Judging from the tone of the Chinese characters in the note, it was probably Jude's own handwriting.
"On April 15th, at the request of the 'Legacy of the Eyes' High Priest, I went to the core settlement of the Six-Eyed Raven, Oak Shadow Nest."
"To be honest, I find it hard to understand why these guys would use their headquarters for a full moon auction. But considering that their gods do similar things... it all seems reasonable."
"The specific location is in the ancient oak forest south of Mordway. You can enter the secret realm by reciting a prayer at the foot of the tallest oak tree, which is shrouded in night mist."
"Where the shadows of oak trees meet, darkness deepens like the twilight. All things will be forgotten, just as fate is unpredictable. But the shadows of crows here will remember everything."
"Besides the prayer, a sufficiently weighty token is also required. Only distinguished guests of the First Habitat are qualified to enter. Also, the doors of Oak Shadow Nest can only be opened at dawn or the beginning of the month."
"Oh, they really overcharge for their stuff. I spent a lot of money on some things that might not even work."
After noting down its contents, Fran rolled up the scroll-like journal again and casually put it back in its original place.
"We have most of the information we need. What should we do next? Well, since we're already here, let's go through the other documents as well, so we don't miss anything later."
The Moon Familia's longevity makes their secret historical records highly credible and easy to access, and Fran naturally wouldn't give up this opportunity so easily...
Through her tireless research, she even found detailed files documenting the assassination attempt on Crown Prince Mordecai several years prior.
"Murphy Don Gallonson. Crown Prince of Mordway."
"Through some indirect investigations, it has been confirmed that Murphy, located in the capital Mordway, is the double he personally selected. He himself will periodically travel to the now-'Lost City' of Morion to arrange his own promotion ceremony. Wife..."
"Judging from the outcome, he probably wanted to transform himself into a pure mythical being through the blood and spirit of an entire city, in order to touch upon a more ancient life form." - Lu
"Amidst the black torrent of tsunamis, thunderstorms, and monstrous creatures from the abyss, Murphy's head was severed by the Undertaker of the Undertaker's helmsman." (Old)
As Fran gazed at the brief text, he narrowed his eyes, his expression subtle.
Oh... so Morion's downfall and the Crown Prince's assassination attempt by the Chief Hunter weren't two separate events, but one. No wonder Aheng has been so busy these past few years, always involved in events of this level.
Rosalie, who was standing nearby, initially resisted looking, but later, under Fran's enticement, she couldn't suppress her intense curiosity and began to peruse the weighty case file.
After reading it, she was stunned for a moment, then felt a chill run down her spine. (Six)
In other words... Mr. Jude actually knew the specifics of the fallen city all along? Also, the crown prince didn't die suddenly from a serious illness, but was killed by the Minister of Funerals?
The implications were so profound that even a single glance at Rosalie caused an overwhelming sense of unease, with the fear that she would be disposed of afterward.
"Rosalie, it's just a secret, don't worry about it too much."
Fran offered her a word of comfort.
“People die every moment in this world, but this time it was a prince who pursued taboos who died. On the bright side, the reason Mr. Jude asked you to stop this investigation... was, to some extent, to protect you.”
After mentally tracing the entire library in great detail, Fran came to a door in the library and gently placed his thumb and middle finger together.
As the crisp snap of fingers rang out, the gray, mottled mist inside the door gradually spread out.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to give Rosalie a word of advice.
"By the way, dear Miss Rosalie. Although I personally don't mind, it's best not to talk about my identity or what I saw in the library today. It's for your safety."
Then, in Rosalie's almost dazed gaze, Fran stepped into the hazy, ethereal mist.
……
In the principal's study at Norlington Central College.
At this moment, Grantham was engrossed in writing the theory of the occult and was constantly conducting small-scale tests with the ritual array on his body.
【Establishing Dreams】, 【Hyperthymesia】, 【Hidden Stairs】—these three forbidden first-class rituals were simultaneously etched into his body, blending together to almost form a single entity.
If the White Cup had not fallen into an eternal slumber, Grantham would surely have become an apostle, no longer bound by the constraints of his aging body.
Even so, his lifespan has already surpassed that of most fifth-tier cultivators. These three forbidden rituals are the "cornerstone" that stabilizes his form and prevents it from completely collapsing.
Just as Grantham dipped his quill in ink, preparing to further refine the esoteric text, a ritual array on his desk suddenly shimmered with a spiritual light—a "gate" prepared for the interdimensional messenger. (Nine)
"It's so late, it's probably one of the Moon Familia looking for me. Hmm... the only person in the Order of the Rebirth of the Moon who possesses my beacon is that guy Jude."
Soon, a bat-like messenger confirmed his guess.
"really."
Grantham took the letter from the bat, then picked up a grape from a small bamboo basket and handed it to the bat.
After receiving the grapes, the messenger licked his lips and swallowed them eagerly, causing his entire body to visibly become fuller.
Generally speaking, Jude only writes to me when something truly important happens, and even then, it's usually nothing good. That guy only thinks of me when things get really messy and I can't handle it anymore…
Thinking this, he used a light, sharp silver knife to tear open the sealing wax on the letter. Si
The candlelight flickered slowly, casting a warm glow, and Grantham quickly finished reading the letter. Then, he squinted slightly, a hint of confusion creeping into his expression.
This was a thank-you letter, and its contents were completely unexpected.
Honorary Professor, messenger of the White Cup, healer of the blood plague, and Flamel...
Grantham tapped lightly on the wooden table, his deep eyes flickering slightly, and quickly sorted through the information in the letter.
Flamel was the name Dr. Fran had previously used at academic conferences. According to Terence, she did indeed recently go to Golmouth, aboard Niflår's Leviathan.
In other words, it was she, as an honorary professor of the White Cup, who treated the blood plague in front of Jude?
Even with just a few words from the letter, Grantham accurately deduced and pieced together the entire story. Upon learning all this, his first emotion wasn't displeasure... but excitement.
Dr. Fran approached Jude with the title of honorary professor, which suggests that she was not opposed to it and that there was a possibility that she would genuinely accept the title.
That doctor possessed technology that seemed almost out of this era. Whether it was the Larraman's Organ demonstrated at the previous symposium, or the current method for resolving the blood plague... neither of these were things that an ordinary doctor could possess.
She might be an ancestor who has survived since the lost era, the medical officer of the Hunter Order, or some other kind of hidden being...
Therefore, Grantham has always strived to maintain a friendly and stable relationship with him.
In addition, he felt a strange sense of familiarity with the doctor, even though the two should have never met.
The most urgent task now is to find a way to solidify the title of honorary professor... Yue
After a moment's thought, Grantham picked up a piece of stationery and began to write a reply.
[To the Marquis Jude.] Skirt
[Thank you for your kind words. The White Cup Order has only done what it could. To be honest, we are quite ashamed to say that Professor Flamel almost single-handedly developed the specific treatment for the blood plague; we only provided negligible material support.]
[Every Exorcist will be a loyal upholder of the Oath of the Bud Moon, so please have no worries, Your Excellency. The cure for the blood plague is our demonstration of sincerity. Even after my death, my successors will not betray the oath. Of course, I hope this sincerity is mutual.]
Finally, I hope to see your return gift soon. The list of materials we require is as follows… If anything is missing from your inventory, please don't worry; sincerity is truly priceless. —Wu
— Grantham Isaac.
After finishing writing, he sealed the letter and handed it to the little bat who was waiting and getting sleepy.
Although the White Cup Order did nothing in the process, since they had received Jude's favor and permission, Grantham had to take this opportunity to make that old vampire vomit some blood.
Having completed the reply process, he then took out a blank college file from his drawer, preparing to have Terence forge a resume for Professor Flamel.
After that, Dr. Fran became a registered honorary professor...si
-4
--two
soup!
Chapter Ninety-Two: Immersed in Lament
As the capital of Gormouth, Mordway's streets remain brightly lit and bustling with activity even late at night.
At this moment, Haida was dressed in a wide leather robe in the style of the Abyss Sea, concealing her features as a funeral maid. The power sword "Nirvana" was also covered with a layer of black gauze to make it less conspicuous.
She strolled casually down a commercial pedestrian street, her gaze sweeping over each passerby without leaving a trace.
Strangely, a small group of people in the crowd had a different "aura" from the others.
It wasn't the filth of an evil heir, nor the repulsive stench of rotting flesh or blood; it was merely a very subtle difference. Even stranger, Haida hadn't noticed this difference before.