Smells Bad, Tastes Good

Theoretically, Mr. Marshall's symptoms weren't difficult to treat. A single bottle of Blocker should have cured him instantly. However, upon seeing the bubbling, foul-smelling liquid in the bottle, he became extremely uncooperative.

"You guys... hahaha, go think of another, ha, method..."

Even as he gasped for breath from laughing, Marshall held out a rejecting hand to Ethan.

Ethan could only request instructions from his superior. However, when he turned around, he discovered that Ivy had already left the bedroom. Miss Chloe was also with her, hiding by the doorway.

Miss Chloe paced anxiously by the door, attempting to enter several times, only to be repelled by the pungent odor.

She could only try to convey a message to Ethan with her eyes.

--That's shit, don't pick it up!

Ivy, on the other hand, observed Ethan, who had suddenly gone pale, with great interest. She was curious about what action her usually eloquent subordinate would take. If it were her, she would most likely knock Marshall unconscious and force the Blocker down his throat.

Marshall was the branch manager transferred from the Imperial Capital's United Reserve Bank to Brookwood Town. His uncle was a Noble in Gear City. These five years as branch manager were meant to enrich his professional resume. According to procedure, he would be transferred to the head office in the Imperial Capital.

For someone who had been accustomed to delicacies since childhood, making him drink the Blocker was almost impossible.

Ivy had heard that many investigators on the front lines took medication to reduce their sense of smell and taste to adapt to the odors of Blockers and Exorcism Agents. This made them less sensitive to smells, but the downside was that the drug's damage to their senses was irreversible. They would find it difficult to enjoy fine food after retirement.

However...

How many front-line investigators lived to retirement age?

"Mr. Marshall, are human senses not deceiving you?"

"Don't come any closer--!"

Amidst his wild laughter, Marshall retreated to the corner of the room, hands outstretched. He pulled a pistol from a drawer and aimed it at Ethan, giving the impression that he would take Ethan down with him if he took another step closer.

"Mr. Marshall, I've heard you come from a distinguished family. Your ancestors were high-ranking officers in the Kingdom Army and participated in the brutal Heresy War."

Upon hearing the glorious deeds of his ancestors, Marshall stabilized slightly, his hand trembling as he shifted the muzzle elsewhere.

"So, have you heard the story of Stinky Tofu?"

Ethan spoke in a gentle tone, stopping in his tracks. His words had an effect; even the wild laughter subsided. Marshall, only a few steps away, shook his head blankly at him.

Ivy's blonde hair stood on end as she listened intently.

This indicated that Ethan had prepared thoroughly on his way here, having researched Marshall's background.

Could it be that this guy intended to blackmail Marshall with his family's honor?

It wasn't a bad idea, though.

"It was in the early days of the Heresy War. During a battle, the First King was ambushed by followers of an Evil God. They engaged in a three-day tug-of-war in the forest. When they finally defeated the Evil God's followers, only an empty village remained outside the forest. The Kingdom Army soldiers were starving and thirsty. They searched the entire village but found only a local specialty called tofu, and most of it had spoiled due to being left out for too long."

As Ethan spoke, the bedroom fell silent, with only his narration and the sound of steady breathing.

Everyone gradually grew accustomed to the pungent smell of the Blocker.

Ethan continued, "The spoiled tofu was inedible. But if they didn't eat something, they wouldn't be able to hold on until they returned to town. Therefore, the First King made a decision. He ordered someone to start a fire in the village and heat a large pot of oil, into which they threw the spoiled tofu to deep-fry it. The pot immediately emitted a pungent odor. Many soldiers questioned whether this food could truly be eaten. Amidst their doubts, the First King set an example. He was the first to taste the deep-fried spoiled tofu and was surprised to find that it tasted quite good.

"Years later, after the Heresy War ended, the First King revisited the village and recalled his experience there. He realized that it was the spoiled tofu that helped the Kingdom Army overcome a crisis. So, he instructed the locals to imitate their method and cook this dish. Due to its characteristic of smelling bad but tasting good, the First King named it 'Stinky Tofu.' Today, Stinky Tofu enthusiasts prefer that pungent odor because only through such a strong contrast can they truly appreciate the charm of this snack."

Ivy's expression grew increasingly solemn, eventually becoming almost identical to Marshall's.

She never imagined that the Empire's First King had such a story!

Ethan observed Marshall's wavering, realizing his strategy was having some effect. He had read the Containment Bureau's assessment of Marshall, which stated that he possessed the traits of old-fashioned Nobles, placing great importance on family reputation and honor.

"The full name of the Blocker is the Relaxation Blocker 2.0. As you can tell from the name, it has undergone several versions of updates and iterations from its initial release to the present version you see today."

Ethan announced loudly, "The Containment Bureau's research department comprises the Empire's most brilliant scientific minds. This is the crystallization of their wisdom and hard work. Do these smartest people in the world never receive feedback? Don't they know that the Blocker's smell is intimidating?"

Although these words were directed at Marshall, they caused Ivy to fall into thought.

She had never considered the problem from this perspective before.

Ethan's image in her eyes suddenly grew taller, and every word he spoke struck her heart like a heavy hammer, prompting new reflections. It reminded her of the mentors at the Enlightenment Society, who were all the most learned scholars in the Empire.

Compared to them, Ethan was far too young. She found it hard to imagine someone her age possessing a similar aura to her mentors.

"The research department certainly knows. They also know countless methods to eliminate unusual odors, yet they haven't done so. They can accept feedback from investigators and change the solution's taste, but the smell and appearance must be preserved."

Ethan gave Marshall time to process and think. Seeing that Marshall seemed to be comprehending, he continued, "When Stinky Tofu enthusiasts smell the pungent odor, they think of the First King's arduous journey during the Heresy War. Similarly, the research department wants to send a message to countless investigators trying the Blocker for the first time: this profession is not a tea party. Only those with willpower beyond ordinary people can survive in this industry."

Ethan walked step by step towards Marshall. This time, Marshall did not speak; he stared intently at the glass cup in Ethan's hand.

Too many thoughts occupied his mind.

He thought of his ancestors, of the First King, and of the grand Heresy War.

Then, the glass bottle was placed in his hand.

Ethan's low voice was like a devil's whisper, "The only question is, are you, like your ancestors, a person of strong will?"

Marshall's mind raced, extracting key information from the complex data.

That's right.

The pungent odor was preserved to remind investigators of the work they were engaged in.

But in reality, the taste issue had long been resolved. Just like Stinky Tofu, as times changed, it became a snack accepted by most people in the region.

With this thought, Marshall tilted his head back and downed the Blocker in one gulp.

Then, all thoughts ceased.

His vision blurred, his body swayed, and he looked at Ethan with only one thought remaining in his mind.

Damn it!

You lying bastard!

"That story just now..."

Ivy entered the room and patted Ethan on the shoulder from behind. She felt the scene before her was a bit strange, disrupting the solemnity brought about by the story.

She looked at Ethan, and Ethan looked at Marshall...

Marshall, on the other hand, rolled his eyes back, his tongue stained black and hanging out, his eyes now hollow.

This tongue is beyond saving.

She understood this subtle message from Marshall's expression.

"It was all made up."

Ethan glanced at the empty glass bottle on the floor and commented, "Even a dog wouldn't drink this crap."