Returning to Saint Roch Cathedral, Charlotte made her familiar way through the prayer hall and went underground from the rear. After greeting several Purification-ers she knew, she headed toward Ms. Viève's office.
It feels like I've become a full member here, except I don't get an extra salary... she grumbled inwardly, knocking on the door bearing the Purification-er captain's nameplate, only to find that she was not inside.
After asking around, Charlotte learned that Viève was in the Alchemy Room.
It was where commonly used ritual materials were stored and more dangerous experiments were conducted. She had heard that full-fledged Purification-ers also prepared and drank their potions there when advancing. She passed it every time she visited the underground area, but had never actually gone inside.
Pushing open the inconspicuous iron door beside the storeroom, Charlotte saw long tables topped with stone slabs, wooden racks in the corners, and the test tubes, droppers, scales, and crucibles for melting small amounts of metal set upon them. They reminded her of the chemistry laboratories she had often used in school.
The room was much warmer than the corridor. At first, she thought it was because of a furnace, but she soon discovered that the source of the heat was the blonde nun bent over a long table, busy with something. The Solar High Priest's forehead was covered in sweat, several damp strands of hair clung to her cheeks, and much of her robe was soaked as well. With her left hand, she held a cylindrical, pointed bullet in place on a metal stand, while her right held an engraving knife. Concentrated golden light continuously seeped from its tip into the brass casing as she carved intricate patterns and symbols.
*It looks like she's making a charm, except the base material isn't the