The Handbook for Completing Demi-Human Girls

Chapter 154: The Location of the Ruins

Last night's moonlight was precisely beautiful. The wonderful festival atmosphere of the Gothrin Festival infected quite a few Nari citizens, as if the matter of the Schwalian delegation being attacked previously completely lacked any influence towards them at all.

The truth was exactly like this. Even if the populace knew of this matter, fundamentally speaking to them, life still hadn't changed. At most, it was just that recently, the Royal Family and the Gryphon Party lambasting the New Party caused them to hold a sliver of dissatisfaction towards the New Party. However, it wasn't targeting the security issues of the academic conference, but rather their internal potential corruption issues.

As mentioned before, the New Party's economic policies trended towards Liberalism. They lowered regulatory standards across multiple domains, including the market, in order to stimulate the economy. But one couldn't generate the thought that the New Party and the Nari authorities completely washed their hands of management because of this.

While the economy took flight, the New Party set about reforming the tax system, substantially expanding the funds of the official national treasury. They also utilized these funds for urban construction, factory revitalization, environmental improvement, and multiple other aspects. All of these were the responsibility of Nari's New Party Government, and also yielded a certain degree of efficacy.

And the corruption issue thus meant that New Party people were taking the populace's money and squandering it wantonly. It was possible that the operational efficiency of the money didn't even reach thirty percent of the total tax revenue. The remaining seventy percent all flowed into private wallets.

This was the greatest setback Nari's Pioneer Party had encountered recently.

Over the past period of time, their black material of consumption in highly luxurious venues such as the Pink Pavilion was exploded by the media until it flew everywhere in the sky. To be beaten by the Gryphon Party on the assembly floor of Parliament until they ran away like cornered rats, holding their heads, yet lacking any method to counterattack—the reason lay precisely in Dexter within the Golden Palace supporting the strike against the New Party from behind.

This prince still understood the method of holding a bowl of water level. He had consistently lacked the opportunity to suppress the New Party previously. Therefore, he finally could take this chance to suppress the New Party's soaring posture a bit, not caring in the slightest about any prior affections; as for the Gryphon Party, that was Beating a Drowning Dog. Their strikes were more ruthless than anyone else's.

Fisher had even heard that the Gryphon Party hired many media reporters to squat and guard the doorways of venues like the Pink Pavilion every day, just in order to capture one or two photos of New Party members going to work part-time, and then taking them to the Gryphon Party there to exchange for money.

However, this basically had nothing to do with the scholar Fisher. After all, the foundations of the New Party hadn't been shaken, even though they had eaten their fill of bitter suffering recently...Who told them to be continuously sailing smoothly with the wind these past few years? This was perhaps one of the few major crises the New Party had faced since its establishment, right?

Nari's political system looked to be the Golden Palace and the Parliament checking and balancing each other. In actuality, it was the three-way separation of power between the Golden Palace, Gryphon Party, and New Party. Because even if certain parties were the opposition, they still possessed voting rights within Parliament.

Within certain official organizations, positions must also be prepared for opposition party personnel, in order to avoid a situation where a single family dominated.

This was an implicit mechanism present since the very beginning of this system's design, and was also explicitly stipulated by the kingdom's constitution. It was presumably the final outcome brewed from various parties mutually compromising with each other countless times.

Even if it still retained quite a few flaws, compared with the noble centralized parliament of Schwari next door, and Kadu's divine right interfering in politics, it was already much better.

For the remaining two or three days, the academic conference continued to be held. The New Party really absorbed a lesson this time. Didn't you like messing around wantonly underground? They directly ordered people to construct a new small house within Saint-Nazareth University, then hollowed out the underground, and further applied several protective magics.

This time around, even a fly couldn't enter. But presumably, the Pink Pavilion also lacked any thoughts charting out another attack either.

The remaining days of the conference were all held there. However, the first day's debate was the true essence. After Fisher answered several of their questions later on, the agenda began transitioning towards other links.

The Magic Ban delegation first expressed their gratitude towards Professor Fischer Benavides's theories. Although they didn't directly announce the conference results, it was obvious Fisher was victorious in the debate.

Subsequently, it was the exploratory meeting for profound exchanges between the Schwalian and Nari academic circles. The contents included academy exchange students, establishing subjects cross-nationally, and matters of professors from both countries holding part-time titular positions.

At the meeting, Schwalian Prince Lausanne personally invited Fisher to serve as a titular professor for the Chevalie Royal Magic Academy, serving as a sign of the academic circles of the two countries repairing their friendship.

Because of this, Fisher also took a group photo with Prince Lausanne. Facing a massive crowd of media flashing away in a continuous barrage, it blinded him until his eyes ached.

And then the remaining meetings were no longer Fisher's work. It was the matter for educational personnel of Schwari and Nari to exchange. Prince Lausanne was exceedingly busy these few days.

In any case, ever since that night, Fisher hadn't seen Karolina again. However, she was generally together with Lausanne.

Why?

Because Prince Lausanne woke up every morning and came over to attend meetings with a face full of smiles. At first glance, he wore the appearance of a hot-blooded young lad who had just come into contact with love. With a bright spring breeze caressing his face, he was incredibly radiant.

It wasn't until roughly Wednesday noon that Fisher once again dined together with the Schwalian Prince. It was even him actively inviting him.

The lunch was only partaken by him and Fisher, two people. A room was even specially arranged. There were only dishes inside the room. Unprecedentedly, no liquor was laid out. You must know, fine liquor was an absolutely indispensable item at Schwalian dinner parties.

When Fisher came in, Lausanne roughly knew what he was thinking about. He mere smiled and explained,

"I still have to meet with Karolina in the afternoon, so I won't be drinking liquor."

Prince Lausanne straightened his clothes and looked toward the completely unconcerned Fisher beside him. Suddenly recalling the appearance of him introducing Karolina to him previously, he became rather resentful.

This guy only cared about introducing; the specific situation wasn't explained clearly in the slightest! It caused him to be conflicted to death that night. Even the action when he ran over and grabbed Karolina's hand was acting on impulse.

He merely didn't want to miss this opportunity. For a moment, not thinking much, he opened his mouth and urged her to stay.

But ultimately, with a few days having passed now, Lausanne didn't regret it in the slightest. He even began feeling fortunate about his decisiveness at the time.

After all, the taste of a Witch truly was very nice...

But on the surface, roasting still had to be roasted. If it wasn't for having to meet Karolina in the afternoon, Fisher being penalized with drinks was an inevitability.

"You guy. Hiding so many matters from me previously; were you trying to get me killed or what?"

"It was you yourself who said it. As long as she catches your eye and she is a lady, then it's fine."

"Bullshit. Is she a lady?"

"Is she not?"

Prince Lausanne opened his mouth, not knowing what picture emerged in his mind. Then the corners of his mouth trembled, exactly as though true knowledge emerged from practice. Thus, conceding defeat, he stated,

"Seems like she is..."

"..."

It wasn't known what things he recalled to obtain this kind of answer. However, Fisher himself saw that he didn't actually seek him out to bicker over this kind of matter, so he merely cracked a joke.

Fisher smiled lightly, ate a bit of food, and asked,

"So what did you look me up for today?"

Prince Lausanne wiped his lips, subsequently stating,

"It's like this: after this meeting concludes, I plan to take her away from Nari and return to Schwari. Although returning will also be very troublesome..."

Taking Karolina back, for the Schwalian Queen to not investigate the roots and bottoms of this girl could not be justified. As for when she would know she defected from the Witch Research Society, and when she would know she wasn't even considered a girl previously—that was unknown.

In any case, these two massive milestones couldn't be evaded. It was estimated that when the time came, setbacks couldn't be avoided.

However, since Prince Lausanne was willing to make this decision, Fisher could only trust that he possessed the courage to face difficulties. Therefore, he sincerely wished him,

"Wishing you all things go smoothly."

Prince Lausanne smiled bitterly and shook his head, returning to formal matters,

"I hope so... Karolina revealed everything to me. She told me to remind you not to expose your own identity easily. That thing called what... Pink Pavilion, right. The water behind it is very deep. The connection between her and you is completely secret; there are no flaws. Furthermore, she reminded you that if you want to trace it, a woman called Anna inside the Pink Pavilion is very important. She said you and she have met before."

Fisher thought for a moment. The impression of that female with a peerlessly beautiful visage wearing dignified attire emerged within his mind. He had seen that woman twice. Once was intruding into the Pink Pavilion disguised as a Schwalian. Once was the Volunteer Teaching activity at the Full Moon Church...

The identity of a Schwalian had no way to be used, because the one who pulled strings at the time was Tlander. The New Party's problems were very great right now; he might not necessarily be able to enter again.

Fisher actually felt that the line regarding Volunteer Teaching had the possibility of being pursued deeper. Because according to what the bishop there said, Anna seemed to constantly go to the Full Moon Church to pray.

"I know. Thank her for her reminder."

Fisher nodded and spoke as such.

"There is also one more matter..." Prince Lausanne reached his hand into his own pocket, brought out a paper slip, and passed it to Fisher. "This is the remuneration she promised you. It is the address of a ruin."

Fisher received that paper slip and spread it open to look. He saw that inside was an exceedingly detailed map. Karolina's hand-drawing abilities were very strong. A lot of text was also annotated at the side.

This Witch ruin was actually in the Northern Border!

Or rather in the largest nation within the Northern Border, within the borders of the Sardin Woman's Country.

That is to say, the Witch Research Society had once Crossed The Ocean to go to this Northern Border nation to investigate this ruin, and gained a strand of black hair regarding the Undying Witch from inside...

"Karolina said that this ruin is exceptionally deep and also exceptionally dangerous. It is in the depths of the Sema Mountain Range in the Northern Border where signs of human habitation are rare. At the time, merely arriving at that ruin had already resulted in the deaths of many people. Moreover, the previous President of the Witch Research Society disappeared inside; they haven't come out to this day."

"That strand of hair on Karolina's body was precisely found on the periphery of the ruin. Right now, that strand of hair has already lost its original Magic Power. She is also gradually changing back from a Witch to a human..."

Hearing up to here, Fisher subconsciously asked,

"Change back to a human? That means her Trait is gradually being lost? Then wouldn't she..."

With his Face Covered in Black Lines, Prince Lausanne covered his face and waved his hand, stating,

"Don't let your thoughts wander. She hasn't changed back to her original appearance; she's still a normal lady... She merely wanted to say she had no way to help you use that strand of hair to lock onto the position of that true Witch. Perhaps there will be more clues inside that ruin, but it is extremely dangerous there. You must be careful yourself."

Fisher looked at the map recording a detailed route in his hands and nodded,

"I will pay attention. Thank her on my behalf."

His gaze remained continuously fixed upon that map Karolina drew. He only saw that atop the paper, she had written an annotation:

"Sema, meaning [Troll] in the Northern language, is the most massive mountain system within the Northern Border, covered by ice and snow year-round. Even the most ancient Northern Border people have never wholly probed clearly the mysteries buried inside. The exploration route must strictly follow my route in order to avoid accidents occurring."

"Incidentally mentioning, it seems many Demi-human Races live there. If you're interested, you can go research them."