Imaging results showed that the mercenary's internal organs had blurred outlines and abnormal shadows were visible.
Abnormal Originium detection within the circulatory system indicates signs of Oripathy infection; the individual can be confirmed as Oripathy Infected at this stage.
[Somatic cell fusion rate with Originium] 16%
The patient has multiple crystals on their skin, with lesions located throughout the body, and the crystals do not currently show any tendency to spread.
[Blood Originium Density] 0.42u/L
The patient's internal circulation crystal density remains unchanged; observation and treatment are recommended.
"Huh? Why is it like this again?"
Looking at the medical briefing in their hands, the medics gathered around had expressions of utter disbelief.
"How many is this? Why have all the Originium crystals in their bodies become inert?"
"No, no! These Originium crystals clearly have energy, how could this happen?"
But it happened!
The Babel Tower, the New Medical Department
After a day of preparation, the damaged Medical Department was forced to relocate.
Closure already harboring deep resentment, twisted her face when she saw the Pure Gold filling the entire room.
According to ACE, who was traveling with him, it was a facial muscle spasm caused by the transition from anger to extreme excitement.
After learning that she could control all the funds, Miss Vampire Demon excitedly announced that she would give the Medical Department a major overhaul of its equipment.
As for the subsequent funding requests sent to her by the Engineering Department and other departments...
"What? This is compensation for the Medical Department, how can it be used elsewhere?"
"Me, embezzle? What are you saying! Do you know how difficult it is to get these goods? Doesn't smuggling require bribes?"
"There's so much of it, we can't use it all! Can't you guys have a little longer-term vision? If we can't use it all, of course we should save it."
"Where should it be stored? Of course, it should be stored by me, the logistics manager!"
This shameless behavior naturally aroused dissatisfaction among all departments, with the Engineering Department bearing the brunt.
"We're both members of the Engineering Department, so give me some face. I also helped with your drone manufacturing."
The savior of the Engineering Department, Mechanist, launched a romantic offensive.
"How dare you say that? I haven't even settled accounts with you for those illegal alterations to public facilities yet!"
"What are you talking about! Don't you really like my oil-based latte art? I got your permission before I modified it!"
"Why don't you use your own coffee machine!"
Still a war correspondent ACE--
According to him, the Mechanist failed to Closure the verbal sparring he had boasted about and ultimately had to slink out of the office in disgrace.
Fortunately, Mechanist managed to get information about the investors from Closure.
"So you've come to me to beg for money?"
Looking at the obsequious Engineering Department staff in front of her, Vera picked up her coffee expressionlessly.
"Ahem, how can this be called 'profiteering'? It should be called 'cooperation and win-win, creating the future'..."
The Mechanist, awkwardly pushed forward to act as a negotiator, frantically pulled out a pile of works.
"Look at this! A special coffee machine that can make uniquely flavored latte art with machine oil!"
Vera silently put down her coffee and looked at another machine.
"You're interested in this? This is also one of my masterpieces! Popcorn that smells like engine oil..."
"Stop."
Vera rubbed her temples and pushed the artwork, which reeked of engine oil, further away from her.
"Investment is no problem, and we plan to expand our cooperation with Babel Tower in the future."
Everyone's faces lit up with joy, but before they could utter any words of praise, Vera pulled her hand to interrupt.
"But! I don't want these funds to be used for such pointless things."
A silence fell over the room. The engineering staff exchanged glances, then stood up and burst into laughter.
"I knew it! The Mechanist boss's idea was terrible; who would try to please someone with something like this?"
"Exactly, it's not as good as my instant noodle creative shield. Eating instant noodles while standing behind a shield would be so much better."
"You bastard... you always drink the most coffee!"
Amidst the laughter and joking, the Mechanist bowed to Vera after finishing his tirade.
"Rest assured, we will maintain full transparency regarding the use of funds."
The engineering staff stopped joking and looked back seriously.
"From equipment repair and prosthetic development to camp expansion... we guarantee that every penny of Pure Gold will be used wisely."
"Why didn't you say that earlier?"
Upon hearing the intended use of the funds, Vera's serious expression gradually softened.
With a wave of her hand, Ines, who was examining Hedley's medical report, stepped forward.
"You come from a business family, so you have experience in this area. You can decide how much to give."
Ines stood there, stunned. She didn't remember telling anyone about her past.
Is it Hedley?
Turning her head, she saw the burly Sarkaz man intently studying her medical report, his focused expression softening Ines's heart.
"... I have no problem. Are there any funding restrictions?"
"No cap on price yet."
As the two casually discussed future investments, the Engineering Department staff tried their best to maintain their composure and project an elite image.
Of course, they don't need to show it; they are already elites.
In Kazdel, where resources were scarce, the ability to make decent equipment from scraps was proof of skill.
While Vera and Ines discussed the details of future investments, Wis'adel watched with gritted teeth.
If she also knew this, she would be the one standing in front of Vera now.
"Hey, Hedley."
"... Is something the matter?"
Hedley put away the medical briefing and turned his head.
"Give me all the knowledge in your head."
"Are you serious?"
Hedley looked at Wis'adel with a strange gaze that made the latter bristle.
"What kind of look is that? We're all Sarkaz, if you can understand this, why can't I?"
After a long silence, Hedley took a book from his bag and handed it to Wis'adel.
"Is this all the knowledge you have? It's not that extensive."
"This is a special compilation of everyday words that even a dummy like Sarkaz could recognize."
Seeing the bewildered look in Wis'adel's eyes, Hedley patted her on the shoulder.
"Let's learn all the words first."
"[Sarkaz rough...]"
What are you talking about?
Vera approached, Wis'adel withdrew a curse.
"It's nothing, Wis'adel is just preparing to learn how to read."
Vera stopped and looked at the book in Wis'adel's hands.
Is there a second book?
Hedley: "???"
"You... need it too?"
"For Ifrit."
Vera remained expressionless, while Hedley remained silent for a long time before nodding.
On the one hand, as a teacher, he wanted to say that lying was wrong.
But his intuition told him that it was better not to expose it.
"What is the infection status?"
Hedley didn't press the matter, and Vera breathed a sigh of relief, then inquired about the two's medical briefing.
"It's neither good nor bad, but... aren't you really going to get it checked out?"
Hedley's expression was serious, and his words made Wis'adel nod repeatedly.
"Even with the utmost care, there's still a possibility of infection. You should be responsible for your own health."
I know what I'm doing.
Vera glanced at the medical staff who were still arguing about the data anomaly and shook her head in refusal.
It has now been confirmed that the potion has an inhibitory effect on Oripathy, but it is currently unknown whether this effect is due to the Red Potion or the energy-restoring effect of the spring water.
The medical staff have reported to the Doctor, but at this moment, the Doctor's medical skills are still far inferior to those of the actual medical director.
Vera took out the Red Potion and examined its color under the light from the ceiling.
Perhaps the research on the Red Potion can only officially begin after that doctor Kal'tsit returns.
How much longer until I can leave?
"It's simple, just pay the bail and find a guarantor."
Kazimierz, temporary prison
After Kal'tsit's various academic verifications, the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy has determined that she is not a spy.
Logically, once the misunderstanding is cleared up, there shouldn't be any more trouble.
As long as she pays compensation for the damage to public facilities and has a guarantor with no criminal record, Kal'tsit can easily be released from prison.
The awkward thing is that Kal'tsit is now penniless, and the guarantor who should have been there has "disappeared inhumanely" during the Great Purge.
Before contacting the important figures Kal'tsit knew, protecting the current Feline and the unregistered person was undoubtedly the priority.
"Alright, stop staring at me like that. You were the one who started it, weren't you?"
Rubbing his hairy arms, the guard moved a little further away from Kal'tsit.
Every time he looked into those eyes, he was reminded of his deceased grandmother, even though she looked quite young.
"Look at this handsome young man."
The guard turned and looked at the strange man in another cell.
"What the hell? How did you get in here, you tin-clad guy?"
"Well, let's not talk about that shameless old man who ran away after causing trouble."
In order to find the Flame Demon, he and the Shapeshifter hit it off and infiltrated the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy to search for information.
He intended to knock out the seemingly frail staff member, but unexpectedly, the other party threw out a bunch of Flame Demon.
The old man is indeed an old man; his escape speed is far beyond what I can match.
The Tin Man exhaled a smoke ring in a somber tone. It seemed that the guards hadn't intended to rummage through his abdominal cavity during the body check.
"Making friends unwisely? That just means you have poor judgment in people."
Despite being choked, the Tin Man didn't get angry. He took out a piece of paper and wiped his eyes.
"I guess I'm just sentimental. I always keep these old parts in good condition."
"Alright, Tin Man, talking to you is much more interesting than talking to that Feline."
The guard leaned against the fence and stretched out his hand; the Tin Man tactfully offered him a cigar.
"Since that lady doesn't have bail, how about I pay it?"
"You?" The guard cut the cigar in half and lit it.
"You don't even have a place to settle down yet, so don't even think about bribing me. If it were before, I might have agreed."
The guard, puffing on a cigar and savoring a flavor not belonging to his social class, began to cough violently.
"Ahem... The higher-ups have changed, and they're much stricter than before. If they really bring you out, I'll be in jail."
"Yes, there's no need to worry about that."
The door suddenly opened, and looking at the newcomer, the Tin Man sat up from his lying position.
"My bailers have arrived."
Liberi's ear feathers and Pythia's tail—these distinct physical characteristics made it difficult for the guards to distinguish between them.
"Um, miss..."
"This is the document from the Adeptus Sprawiedliwy. May I take this guy with me?"
After checking the documents handed to him, the guard deftly opened the door.
"Of course, please go ahead."
The Miss Feathered Serpent threw out the cane that had been taken away, which the Tin Man caught and nimbly spun around.
"Hmm, I didn't expect to be so highly regarded; it was Miss Ho'olheyak who personally came to bail me out."
"Ah~ I never expected that such a renowned senior member of the Maylander Foundation would be locked up in such a small prison."
Her body was supported by a mechanical exoskeleton on her oversized robe, and Ho'olheyak smiled like a beautiful, venomous snake.
"However, you're overthinking it. I'm here on behalf of Rhine Lab to sign a cooperation project."
"As for Maylander... you know so much, they'd love for you to die here!"
"Hmm... it seems that the commander is in dire straits himself. He actually entrusted such an important task to Maylander's agents."
"That's really hurtful. You're also an agent of Maylander, don't you have quite a few friends?"
"I don't believe you could be a friend of that commander. What's your purpose in coming here? To investigate that Flame Demon?"
"Um, why don't you two go outside and talk further?"
The two wanted to continue their conversation, but the guard dared not listen any longer. How could he possibly know such intelligence about spies?
"Of course, thank you for taking care of me during this time."
The Tin Man gave a polite bow and looked at Kal'tsit was watching coldly from the sidelines.
"So, Ms. Kal'tsit, do you need Maylander's assistance?"
"... A Dead Souls, a Feathered Serpent, an agent of Maylander, where do you stand?"
"Hmm, I thought you'd be more direct in your speech after all this time in jail."
The Tin Man tapped his head in distress, pretending not to care, and said:
"Lecturer of the Tower of Leithanien, Honorary Lord of Ursus, Urban Designer of Victoria, Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces that Destroyed Kazdel... With so many identities, what stance do you take?"
The guard beside her had already fainted, while Ho'olheyak stared excitedly at Kal'tsit.
"Feathered Serpent... Few can recognize my race. It seems you are one of those immortals mentioned in the records?"
Kal'tsit was rendered speechless by the Tin Man's retort, but Ho'olheyak initiated a conversation, promptly shifting the focus of the conflict.
"Feathered Serpent..."
"Yes, Feathered Serpent."
Ho'olheyak bent down, her frivolous tone turning serious.
"Standing before you is the last offspring carrying the obsession of the Feathered Serpent's legacy for four hundred and forty-two years."
Looking at the Feathered Serpent flaunting its long history, the two old men present couldn't help but chuckle.
"Even now, you are still repeating the same wrong path."
Kal'tsit frowned, scrutinizing Ho'olheyak's physical features.
A large amount of information is fed into the brains of newborns, allowing this information to be retained effectively and for a long time.
The person who invented this extremely brutal brain surgery was indeed a genius, setting aside ethical considerations.
At the same time, he's also a damn madman.
The Feathered Serpent clan's insane method of inheritance has halved the lifespan of this Gods' People race, which should have lived longer than ordinary races.
And now, this poor, pathetic Feathered Serpent is showing off and begging to the immortals who have truly experienced the age of Gods' People.
"We have always been pursuing the glory of our ancestors! What have you experienced? You must know the true Feathered Serpent!"
"Could you grant me wings derived from the Feathered Serpent's bloodline?"
"Can you show me... the wind and thunder, the glory of soaring, the magnificent figures?"
After receiving Kal'tsit's tacit approval of her status as an immortal, Ho'olheyak bombarded the audience with questions, completely disregarding the fact that an omnipotent immortal would be imprisoned.
Yes, the Feathered Serpent, overwhelmed by its memories, has lost its composure; now, the questions are being asked by the memories inherited in its mind.
"You and your race make me laugh."
Kal'tsit finally spoke, and her words calmed Ho'olheyak down.
"... What?"
"All races are moving towards the future, only you... are willing to sacrifice the lifespans of your entire race just to return to the past."
Kal'tsit's voice was neither sad nor happy as she looked at Ho'olheyak, who stood frozen in place.
"Those who go against the wheels of time will only be crushed by them."
"But the Feathered Serpent won't!"
Ho'olheyak's voice became agitated, and its thick tail kept thrashing against the railing.
"We are the darlings of wind and thunder. All the other Gods' People have perished, but we are still alive... This is proof!"
"I don't need your judgment. Tell me what you know, and then I'll take you away from here."
"Or perhaps... the all-knowing immortal being is just a fraud?"
Kal'tsit let out a long sigh of relief as she faced the Feathered Serpent's extremely aggressive gaze.
"It's simple to become the person you used to be: just let go of everything about being human."
"How do I do it!?"
Kal'tsit remained silent, Ho'olheyak understood and said:
"You'll get what you want, just financial support. Those big shots don't want their dirt on them to be spread around."
"Hmm... wouldn't this be considered an abuse of power?"
The Tin Man made his presence known, only to be met with a murderous glare from Miss Feathered Serpent.
"Shut up, Tin Man!"
The Feathered Serpent looked at Kal'tsit again, who uttered two words.
"Sarcophagus."
"Sarcophagus... what's that?"
"Regarding this part, someone will give you the answer when I return to Kazdel."
"Ha... I hope you're not lying to me." Ho'olheyak stared intently at the other person.
"Otherwise, you'll know just how terrifying a mad Feathered Serpent can be!"
Kal'tsit was about to say something when she was interrupted again.
"Enough! I know what you're trying to say, but that kind of future isn't for me."
"I don't need any condescending advice. As long as your information is true and reliable, I can fulfill the grand wishes of my ancestors and reclaim my true power."
"The Gods' People have been abandoned by the times."
Out of a doctor's conscience, Kal'tsit decided to dissuade him.
"How many warships' bombardment could your powerful Feathered Serpent withstand?"
"You've seen Columbia's development firsthand. When the Daichi can no longer satisfy them, people will eventually set foot in the skies."
Surprisingly, Ho'olheyak was not angry when she heard these words.
"In the past, I might have been swayed by what you said, but don't you think your words are somewhat contradictory now?"
As the group walked out of the prison, Ho'olheyak opened her arms as if embracing the sky.
"Not long ago, in this very city beneath your feet, a returning Gods' People defeated the Flame Demon of fear for all nations."
Do you know how happy I was when I heard the news?
Ho'olheyak cupped her face in her hands, her eyes filled with longing.
"I've seen those photos... what a beautiful figure!"
"That is the ultimate goal that I, we, and the Feathered Serpent Clan aspire to!"
Not far away, passersby cast their gazes, and Ho'olheyak toned down her flamboyant demeanor.
"You're old now, and the elderly often have a narrow perspective, so don't block the way for the young people."
Knowing there was no way to dissuade her, Kal'tsit sighed and looked away.
When do we depart?
"I'll leave immediately after I sign the cooperation agreement!"
Understanding Kal'tsit's concerns, Ho'olheyak smiled broadly.
"Don't worry, I'm just as anxious as you are, so... we'll pass through Leithanien on our way back."
"There, an elector will provide you with the necessary funds, and at that time, please also reveal the secret of the Sarcophagus to me."
Kal'tsit remained silent, but the Tin Man standing nearby became interested.
"Leithanien... speaking of which, the concert is starting soon, why don't you go and listen to one on your way?"
"I never said I was going to take you along. Senior, you should know better than to leave, shouldn't you?"
"Eh... Is this how Miss Feathered Serpent treats an old man who has no use to her? Where did that polite child who asked me questions go?"
Veins bulged on his forehead, Ho'olheyak gave a forced smile.
"Experienced elder, we already have this team; there's no need to add any unnecessary burdens."
"What about an experienced guide? With me around, we can avoid a lot of unexpected situations, such as the journey... Using magic to travel through the Winter Spirit Mountains is much faster."
"No need for you to worry. This journey has been meticulously calculated, and there will absolutely be no unexpected events."
"Absolute?"
Facing the smoke blown by the Tin Man, Miss Feathered Serpent gritted her teeth.
"Absolute!"