novelraw Chapter 294: The Soul Within the Cardinal
Chapter 294: The Soul Within the Cardinal
"The Pale Bird-kin Mark... are you saying you possess relevant clues?"
"What if I said the Pale Bird-kin Mark is right here with me?"
The moment Fischer's words fell, everyone around Valentiina turned their gazes toward him. Even within Valentiina's eyes, uneven ripples surfaced, akin to ripples in a freezing spring. A hint of contemplation flashed through her eyes before she suddenly spoke up:
"I mentioned to you earlier, Mr. Fischer, that the reason we went to that island in the middle of the Eastern Ocean—the one hiding the scroll—was because we previously discovered the tomb of an ancient Pale Bird-kin near a snowy mountain within Mya's borders. Inside the underground palace, we uncovered the island's location and buried ancient history. But very quickly, we also discovered a graverobber's tunnel in that underground palace..."
"Someone had arrived through the graverobber's tunnel one step ahead of us and stole the most precious burial object inside."
She gently stroked the ring on her finger. The ring was made of precious material, akin to warm jade that felt impossibly smooth to the touch, and it appeared remarkably radiant even indoors.
"The officials in Mya informed us that the stolen item was a precious piece of True Ice, and that it was the doing of foreigners who had hired local bandits. We suspect the Pale Bird-kin Mark was stolen alongside that piece of True Ice. However, the Mya Military Forces who brought the True Ice back last week told us that they didn't find any Mark there; they only found the Pioneering Company employees who were guarding the item..."
Fischer smiled and nodded, saying,
"You guessed correctly. The items they stole indeed included the Pale Bird-kin Mark."
"I followed Captain Alajina from the Southern Ocean into the Eastern Ocean. While stopping for resupplies mid-journey at the Patroshen Islands, I ran into my old enemies—people from Naris. As you know, the name Fischer Benavides is worth 10 million Nario back in Naris.""I came into conflict with the members of the Overseas Occult Bureau stationed there. Although I was lucky enough to escape, they carried Communication Magic meant to contact the authorities remotely, so my whereabouts have been exposed to Saint-Nazareth. In order not to burden the Iceberg Queen, I left halfway through and traveled ten thousand miles to the Northern Border with the Pale Bird-kin Mark, hoping to obtain the protection of the Turan Family."
Balzac, who was standing beside Valentiina, curled his lips. Staring at Fischer with a rather frivolous tone, he speculated,
"Or perhaps it's also possible that you are actually an employee of the Nazarene Development Company? They gave you the Pale Bird-kin Mark and told you to infiltrate our team, attempting to steal even more wealth and secrets from the Frostwood Sycamore Tree like a bandit..."
Although Phyllis and Balzac couldn't be considered to get along, their opinions were surprisingly and exceptionally unified when it came to forming an 'Anti-Fischer Front.' He didn't trust this handsome, foreign gentleman from Naris in the slightest.
He clearly detested illiterate people like Phyllis. But for some unknown reason, when interacting with a scholar like Fischer who knew far more than he did, he couldn't feel happy either—it felt as though the spotlight meant for him was being stolen away by someone else.
Fischer shook his head but didn't open his mouth to refute Balzac's words or offer any additional explanation. He merely kept his gaze fixed straight ahead at Valentiina.
"I'm afraid no matter how much I try to explain, it will serve no use. In that case, let's keep the focus of this issue strictly on a pure transaction. Since it's a transaction, there is naturally a risk of being deceived. However, Ms. Valentiina can easily avoid this risk, so long as you are absolutely certain you can find the Pale Bird-kin Mark through other channels."
The Pale Bird-kin Mark was on Fischer's person. No matter how many other channels Valentiina sought out, she would inevitably have to circle back to Fischer in the end. He wasn't worried that the other party would refuse to agree.
"The Pale Bird-kin Mark is on your person?"
Valentiina rubbed the ring on her hand. After a second of thought, her light silver eyes flickered slightly. Even though her expression barely changed, a distinct sense of excitement still leaked through, and at the same time, she asked Fischer this question.
"I apologize, but before Valentiina agrees to this transaction, it would be best for me not to reveal too much information regarding my bargaining chip. After all, doing so usually only invites more suspicion, doesn't it? What I want is very simple: the protection of the Turan Family and the qualification to enter the Frostwood Sycamore Tree alongside you all."
Ms. Valentiina was still too young. Such an obvious display of temptation was an expression that absolutely must not be shown during negotiations and transactions. That was because it would give the opposing party an opening, allowing them to step on your desires to widen the tug-of-war space in the negotiation.
Thus, when Valentiina saw the half-smiling, half-not-smiling expression on Fischer's face, the sense of excitement she had so difficulty built up instantly dissipated without a trace, and her small face drooped into an unhappy pout.
But that unhappy little expression only lasted a mere second before seemingly being buried beneath the heavy frost and snow of the Northern Border, disappearing from view entirely. She slightly raised her right hand to support her cheek, then peered at Fischer sitting opposite her through the gaps between her fingertips.
"Mr. Fischer Benavides, the Turan Family uses people without ever considering their origins. As long as our goals are aligned, there is room for cooperation. This is also the reason why I dared to invite you to join my team the very first time we met."
"Since this is a transaction, and you have presented a bargaining chip favored by the Turan Family, we are naturally perfectly happy to fulfill what you desire one step ahead. But let me remind you of one thing: do not attempt to deceive the Turan family with an empty promise... The Turan Family is determined to obtain the Frostwood Sycamore Tree. We must reach it no matter what, and the consequences brought about by deception will be something you simply cannot fathom."
Her petite body remained seated in the wheelchair. Her legs seemed to have completely lost all mobility, remaining motionless like dead weight. Yet, this sickly, delicate body did not hinder the oppressive presence radiating from within her—the aura belonging to the greatest faction in the Northern Border, the Turan Family.
Such an oppressive presence was somewhat lessened for Fischer, who wasn't a native of the North. Previously, he only had a certaion level of understanding regarding the power of this family; roughly just knowing that they had started off by dealing in ore trading and were now dedicated to investing in various places across the Northern Border.
"Of course, no problem. Does this mean the transaction has been reached?"
Valentiina nodded and spoke,
"Tonight, we will leave the Sardin Woman's Country alongside Sister Ilos and depart for Nebalen. You will be heading out together with us. We'll discuss the matters regarding the transaction again mid-journey, Mr. Fischer."
After saying this, without waiting for Herdor behind her to push, she wheeled herself independently toward the church doors. Since Balzac and Phyllis were merely hired help, their boss had made the decision, meaning they had no right to interfere. Thus, after merely throwing a glare at Fischer in his chair, they followed Valentiina out of the church together.
Herdor, however, was in no rush to leave the church. Instead, he looked at Fischer, who was still sitting in his chair. Burning-hot steam continuously puffed out from beneath his face, yet Fischer couldn't see any area within his body suitable for coal burning. Such a miraculous physical structure only made Fischer increasingly certain that the Herdor before him shared an extremely close relationship with the Lord Cardinal.
Outside, Valentiina was gradually moving further away. Just as Fischer thought Herdor was about to let the Lord Cardinal possess him and discuss some intelligence regarding Erwind, he suddenly said something that completely baffled Fischer.
"Sizzle... I truly didn't expect that the illustrious Fischer Benavides would end up in such a situation today... Helson's student—I really should have thought of it much earlier."
"You know my mentor?"
Herdor's mechanical face displayed no identifiable expression, and even his tone sounded somewhat stiff, much like the components making up his current body.
"Sizzle... I wouldn't say I know him, it was just a brief encounter a single time. Back then, I once attended an exhibition hosted by the Naris Magic Association, and I saw him there. He had teamed up with another master magician from Naris to design a brand new Circle Head, shocking the global academic magic community. As someone of the exact same age who had accomplished absolutely nothing, it left me feeling quite regretful, and drove me to study magic even harder."
Gravity Magic?
When Professor Helson collaborated with that Gravity Magic master to design Gravity Magic, it should have been decades ago, back when Professor Helson was still young. Yet the Herdor in front of him was saying they were the same age back then?
Wait a minute. Just what exactly was the situation with this Herdor in front of him? Wasn't he a Cardinal created by the Lord Cardinal?
Fischer felt a bit surprised, but the Herdor standing before him wasn't surprised by his astonishment at all. The steam escaping from beneath his face grew denser, and for the first time, a human-like chuckle emerged within his stiff tone.
"Sizzle... This is quite a jaw-dropping matter, isn't it? No one would have ever expected that the old man desperately clinging to life inside this mechanical suit is actually such an incredibly ancient fellow. Although my body has been changed, I still feel like I'm aging constantly. Recently, I've even started feeling like my brain isn't as sharp as it used to be..."
"Sizzle... We've gotten sidetracked. You are the personal student of Magician Helson. Valentiina is still young and has spent a very long time confined within the family; naturally, she doesn't know much about matters concerning Naris. Helson's disciple wouldn't be an evil person. She will eventually understand this... She's just... far too desperate for the Frostwood Sycamore Tree. You will come to understand this later as well."
"Sizzle... Regardless, welcome to our team, Mr. Fischer Benavides. I am Herdor Turan, a member of the Turan family, and also a considerably un-orthodox magician."
Herdor gently extended his right hand toward Fischer, almost as if a vivid, living soul had just materialized within that originally lifeless mechanical body. After recovering from his daze, Fischer likewise extended his right hand toward him. Right as they lightly shook hands in close proximity, he suddenly noticed a tiny bit of pale blue flowing light shimmering within the other party's mechanical arm.
And this flowing light... was something Fischer had only ever seen on the Lord Cardinal's Cardinal body!
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Herdor."
"Sizzle..."
Herdor nodded to show his acknowledgment. However, the steam beneath his face seemingly surged out uncontrollably, shrouding his entire face in clouds of mist. Shaking Fischer's hand, he then released his grip, turned his head, and followed Balzac and the others out of the church.
Remaining seated where he was, Fischer spun the metal card in his hand. He had already confirmed it several times over: the Cardinal approaching him just now really was Herdor himself.
"It seems... there's also a great deal of troublesome affairs within the Turan Family..."
"What the hell is going on? How come so many weird things happen whenever I'm with you? Is he a human or a machine?"
Eimhart, who had previously shrunk into Fischer's pocket when they were discussing serious matters, finally poked his head out. Actually, he originally could have stayed out on Fischer's shoulder to listen, but for some unknown reason, whenever he watched Fischer chatting with other women, he couldn't help but feel the urge to remind the other party to quickly run away.
"Mr. Fischer... um... could you give me a hand? I... well... I brought a few too many things, and they're really heavy..."
Hearing the voice, Fischer turned his head toward the Mother Goddess statue beside him. There, situated behind the Mother Goddess statue, was the pregnant-bellied Rabbit-kin nun Ilos. With one hand, she was dragging a massive bag bundled into a giant lump behind her. The bag was bulging intensely; there was no telling what exactly was stuffed inside, but she probably even went up the bell tower to pack things, which explained why she took so long to come down.
However, looking at her clutching her lower belly while panting for breath, Fischer couldn't help but feel an unfounded sense of guilt—akin to making one's wife do dirty, exhausting chores right after getting her pregnant... Even though she actually wasn't carrying a child at all.
"My heavens! Are you planning to pack up and carry away your entire church? Furthermore, I'd really love to ask how on earth you managed to drag that massive bag of things all the way downstairs."
Sitting on Fischer's shoulder, Eimhart curled his lips and ruthlessly offered up his mockery.
"Eh? These are all things that Sister Charut left behind, as well as some valuable items from the church... If I leave them here, I'm afraid someone will come and steal them all..."
Fischer shot a speechless glance at the various bottles and jars stuffed inside the bag. She had apparently even packed up the pickled sauerkraut and seasonings. It seemed her level of stinginess was truly on par with his own.
"Valuable items?! You actually have valuable items? Let me take a look at 'em!"
Right at that moment, a pair of muffin-like lion ears suddenly appeared right behind Fischer without him noticing. After hearing Ilos's previous words, those lion ears twitched joyfully. Following that, Fischer felt someone lean in close beside him, their eyes practically glowing as they appraised the items in Ilos's bag.
It was none other than Valentiina's subordinate, the money-loving Lion-kin, Phyllis.
"Tch! What kind of garbage is this?! And here you called them valuable items... Making me get all happy for nothing... Oh, right, almost forgot: the boss told you guys to hurry it up. We still need to catch a boat out of the Sardin Woman's Country."
Upon seeing clearly what was packed inside the bag, Phyllis immediately grew incredibly disappointed. With a look of disgust, she backed several steps away from Fischer. Little did she know, her simple words immediately caused the expression on Sister Ilos's face in front of her to turn incredibly pitiful.
"I... I'll just leave these things inside the church then..."
Ilos's ears drooped down slightly. Sporting a tearful expression, she tried to drag the giant bag of things back into her room. However, unable to bear the sight of her struggling so strenuously to drag the items back, Fischer reached out his hand and effortlessly hauled that massive pile of items back in front of her room. Turning to her, he casually offered a word of comfort:
"It's fine. The Turan family bought this land. As long as the mayor of Hearthome Castle isn't a completely stupid pig, he should help keep an eye on things for you..."
"Mhm, mhm."
Clutching her little belly, Ilos nodded obediently. It was unknown what she was thinking about, but her face flushed with a faint rosiness for a brief moment as she followed closely behind Fischer and walked out of the church together.
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
She listened to the tolling of the church bell one final time. However, the serene sound of the bell failed to afford her much courage. She felt rather unconfident, especially regarding the upcoming journey.
But since she had already decided to take this step—to return and meet her deceased relatives one last time—she ought to muster up her courage...
She silently prayed in her heart one final time, begging for the Mother Goddess in the heavens above to cast Her gaze upon her and grant her protection.
The carriage at the doorway wasn't equipped with Space Magic, but it was still considered adequately spacious. Valentiina, Balzac, and Phyllis were all seated inside the carriage compartment. Only the Cardinal machine Herdor remained outside driving the carriage.
"Mr. Fischer, Sister Ilos, please board the carriage first. It is very cold outside. We will be heading to the port right away and leaving the Sardin Woman's Country tonight."
Fischer nodded. He helped Sister Ilos board the carriage first. Right as he was about to climb in himself, he seemed to notice something. He gently turned his head to look at the side of the carriage, only to see the window curtain being lifted ever so slightly, revealing a pair of light silver eyes within that were currently staring straight at him.
When Fischer turned his head to look at those eyes, the curtain was suddenly dropped back down, shielding the gaze belonging to Valentiina behind it.
"Never mind, it looks a bit cramped inside anyway. I'll just sit outside with you."
Shaking his head, Fischer said this.