novelraw Chapter 344: Purpose and Incident (Two-in-One)
Chapter 344: Purpose and Incident (Two-in-One)
Fisher and Eimhart on his shoulder walked down the stairs together. At the stairwell, they saw the Lion-kin Phyllis hugging her arms and yawning. That mechanic Sertil generally wouldn't show her face; staying in her room manufacturing machinery all day was her job. The only one able to constantly maintain a working state was that scholar from Schwari, Balzac.
"Morning, Awoo..."
Phyllis yawned and greeted Fisher behind her. Fisher also replied with a "Good morning." Following that, he evaluated that quite lively first-floor lobby. Only to see that within the area surrounded by many Turan Family staff not far away, several demi-humans with fox-like heads were entering the hotel behind Valentiina and Heidelin.
The Snow Fox-kin tribe members had very few human characteristics on their bodies. They were furry all over, yet lacked the soft touch of Cloud Cat-kin or Sheep-kin. Overall, they looked like standing foxes, catching people's eyes. Fisher had just evaluated them when that white Snow Fox-kin standing behind the leading brown Snow Fox-kin carrying a wooden basket seemingly felt something and turned her head to look at him.
In Juna's eyes, dazzling pink scent mixed with light green continuously burst forth from that gentleman standing at the stairwell. That scent seemed as if it wanted to fill up the entire room. While making Juna's eyes light up, her face also slightly flushed red. She gently tugged the sleeve of Dar in front and softly opened her mouth,
"Father..."
"Outside you must call me Clan Chief."
"Mm... Clan Chief, look over there."
Dar cast a glance in Fisher's direction. Following that, he narrowed his eyes and took out a pair of small silver-framed glasses from his sleeve. The instant he put on the glasses, not only did his field of vision become extremely clear, that pink and light green aura blowing against his face frightened him so much his glasses went slightly crooked. His expression was somewhat bizarre, because pink represented 'interested and fond', while green represented 'friendly'.
Dar used his gaze to motion towards Fisher in the distance, asking Valentiina,"This one is..."
Valentiina took a look at Fisher hugging his arms in the distance. Her face revealed a slightly imperceptible sense of reproach. Who told this guy Fisher to stay in his room for five whole days? Valentiina also didn't dare to directly go to Fisher's room alone to look for him, so she could only quite resentfully suspect he was doing some shady things inside his room.
"Ah, this one is a scholar I hired. He is very interested in the history of the Northern Border and Demi-human Races. I feel you will have common topics to discuss."
A scholar researching Demi-human Races, huh...
Dar looked at Valentiina sitting in the wheelchair again. Only to see that in her gaze looking at Fisher, light red representing 'annoyance' and faint pink representing 'interested and fond' continuously seeped out. Moreover, Heidelin behind her silently rolled her eyes after hearing Valentiina's evaluation of Fisher. Dar turned his head back again, only to see several scents also floating out from Heidelin's body.
One strand was the deep purple 'unwelcome and disgust', one strand was the deep red 'annoyance', yet mixed within those two strands of scent was a tiny trace of faint pink...
Looking at those two strands of scent with different approaches but equally wondrous results, Dar suddenly felt, their waters were quite deep, huh?
However, as the Snow Fox-kin Clan Chief, Dar was ultimately widely experienced and knowledgeable. Even after sniffing such complex scents and situations, his face still didn't reveal any extra expressions. It was instead Juna behind him who kept looking over in Fisher's direction.
"Please come this way, Clan Chief Dar. We have already prepared a place where we can converse quietly. Right, you still haven't had breakfast yet, right? I will immediately have the servants prepare it..."
"No need, we already ate before entering the city. Best to quickly enter the main topic, Miss Valentiina. After the discussion finishes, regardless of the outcome, we must quickly return to the tribe."
Valentiina cast a glance at Clan Chief Dar. Her guess regarding the Snow Fox-kin suddenly agreeing to negotiate seemed correct. Some urgent matter must have occurred within their tribe for such xenophobic Snow Fox-kin to suddenly agree to the demand of exchanging the Sigil. She rubbed her ring and nodded,
"This is fine too. Then please follow us."
On the edge of the stairwell, Fisher took Eimhart on his shoulder back into his embrace, only leaving one of his eyes secretly evaluating the outside environment through a tiny gap exposed by his suit pocket. He and Phyllis didn't follow them to squeeze into the elevator, but instead went directly from the stairs to the floor where the negotiation was taking place.
While walking up, Fisher suddenly Realized After the Fact that that scholar from Schwari, Balzac, wasn't here. Hence, he turned his head, cast a glance at Phyllis, and asked,
"Where is Mr. Balzac? Didn't he come down very early?"
"I don't know about his whereabouts either. He wasn't here anymore when I came down. You also know that Old Bal and I mutually annoy each other. Why would I go care whether he is in the Restroom or went somewhere to slack off... However, it seems his cold still hasn't recovered. His complexion wasn't very good either when I saw him yesterday."
"Cold still hasn't recovered?"
Fisher raised his eyebrows. Five days ago, on the day Heidelin laid her cards on the table with him, Balzac had told him he seemed to have caught a slight cold. Heidelin should have also found some medicine for him; why hasn't it taken a turn for the better even now...
"Right, that guy is just a stinky human; his body is super terrible. He even got seasick on the boat when we went to the Southern Ocean before, very normal. He's probably still wildly sneezing in the Restroom right now. It's fine if he doesn't come too. If the boss is negotiating later and he keeps sneezing on the side, it wouldn't be good if he ruins things."
Fisher silently cast a glance at the first floor behind him, always feeling something wasn't right. Ever since getting the "Elizabeth Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder", plus now with the strong enemy Erwind hiding in the dark, he always felt there were wicked people wanting to harm him everywhere. He paused his footsteps and looked back towards the direction of the first floor. Yet he saw that before the corridor, Caleb Uz sporting that Mediterranean hairstyle was currently silently pointing outside the stairwell, seemingly reminding Fisher.
He hesitated for a second, then patted Phyllis' shoulder and spoke,
"You go up first. If Valentiina or Heidelin asks, just say I went to check on Balzac's situation."
"Hah? Real or fake? Heidelin even specifically told me to have you help the boss today, yet you..."
Phyllis reached out her hand, just about to retain him, when Fisher dashed madly downstairs, making her freeze in place. She somewhat distressfully stroked the ears on her head.
"Clack clack clack..."
Accompanied by a burst of friction sounds from mechanical gears operating, the elevator slowly stopped on the third floor. Heidelin pushed Valentiina out of the elevator. Valentiina looked towards the stairwell, only to see only one Lion-kin Phyllis standing there. She immediately glared at Phyllis with her gaze; the meaning was very obvious,
"Where did Fisher go?"
Phyllis distressfully scratched her head. First, she covered her mouth with her hand and pretended to cough twice. Then she used two fingers to imitate legs and gestured a running motion twice. After that, she pointed downwards. For such a clearly simple matter, having Phyllis describe it to Valentiina nearly deep-fried her brain.
However, fortunately Valentiina was relatively smart. Even though Phyllis' actions were extremely abstract, she still saw through the meaning the other party wanted to express at a glance. She let out a sigh and covered her head, silently instructing Heidelin to continue walking forward.
The white Snow Fox-kin Juna hiding behind Dar searched for that handsome-faced gentleman the first moment she exited the elevator. But just as regrettably as Valentiina, she naturally grasped empty air.
The group of people soon arrived in the conference room prepared in advance by the Turan Family. Not many Snow Fox-kin tribe members came; adding the guards, there were only six or seven. The main ones discussing matters were only Dar in his capacity as Clan Chief and another Elder. After both parties took their seats, Dar first shot a meaningful glance to the Snow Fox-kin Elder beside him.
That Elder nodded. He took out a small wooden box from his robe and placed it on the negotiation table. Gently pushing open the wooden box, that Snow Fox Race Mark flashing with faint light revealed its true body. Having already found four Sigils, Valentiina recognized at a glance that it was a genuine Sigil.
The Elder didn't close the box, but Valentiina quickly shifted her gaze away from that box. Following that, she smiled and said,
"The Snow Fox-kin's frankness makes the Turan Family admire you. Just as we promised previously, in order to exchange for this Sigil, you may raise whatever demands you have."
Dar didn't immediately reply anxiously upon hearing this. Instead, he took off the silver-framed glasses worn on his face. After breathing a mouthful of air onto them, he used a handkerchief carried on his person to wipe them.
"Presumably in the Northern Border, our Snow Fox-kin's characteristic of extreme xenophobia has already been renowned far and wide for a long time. Especially because of this special nose of ours that can see scents, it makes people feel we are even harder to get along with... But actually, although we can see the scent of others' thoughts, it doesn't mean we will speak them out. Just like you humans and other Demi-human Races; sometimes clearly knowing what the other party is thinking, yet still having to feign ignorance."
"This is not the reason we are closed off. The reason why we haven't been able to leave the tribe for so long, remaining in the primitive tribe without ever entering the eyes of all living beings until today, is entirely because of that guilt hidden within our bloodline..."
Valentiina's action of rubbing the ring on her hand slightly paused. She frowned with some doubt and asked,
"Guilt? Clan Chief Dar is referring to..."
"I believe the Turan family already understands enough about the Frost Phoenix belief in the Northern Border. Phoenixes truly exist; otherwise you wouldn't expend so much effort searching for that long-disappeared Wutong Tree. Then you must also know, our Snow Fox-kin have been assigned by the Phoenix King to be managed by her youngest daughter, Moon Princess, since ancient times..."
Clan Chief Dar closed his eyes. Even though it was clearly a fox's head, it humanly revealed a few bits of helplessness and vicissitudes of life.
"During Moon Princess's tenure, our ancestors loyally executed the duties of managing the territory for her and resolving disputes among the tribes with fairness. She also trusted us especially because of this. Moon Princess was an extremely loving and kind Phoenix. She treated all living beings equally. She even chose someone outside the Phoenix Race as her partner. Therefore, the Phoenix bloodline she gave birth to was not pure."
"From birth, her child suffered discrimination from her brothers and other Phoenix tribesmen. Even the other five tribes who pledged loyalty to the Phoenix didn't acknowledge she was also a Phoenix. Because of this, even Moon Princess had no choice but to hide her. Our ancestors then became responsible for caring for that pitiful Phoenix until... all Phoenixes were recalled to the Wutong Tree and vanished without a trace from then on. But Moon Princess's child still survived."
"But the Moon Princess's bloodline that our ancestors were responsible for watching over was stolen by wicked people due to our negligence. Our ancestors searched the entire Northern Border but were To Gain Nothing. At that time when the Phoenix Race disappeared, the Northern Border was plunged into complete chaos. The five tribes withdrew from the mundane world one after another, heading to the snow mountains Unfrequented By People to pursue their master's traces. Humanity rose as a result; mutual conquests and chaotic wars were endless. The final bloodline of that Phoenix Race was also lost as a result."
"Our ancestors thus felt guilty until death, and sternly ordered their descendants not to go out, because we had no face to meet the other fiercely loyal five tribes. With so many years passing, we have always scrupulously abided by the dying teachings left by our ancestors, Knowing One's Place and never communicating with the outside, repenting for our faults time after time in the cycle of bloodlines... If not for sudden changes occurring in the tribe, we still wouldn't leave the tribe."
Clan Chief Dar's gaze was serene. The Snow Fox-kin Elder beside him also closed his eyes, seemingly finding it somewhat difficult to face the words he spoke next,
"One or two months ago, we rescued a human climber on the snow mountain. Originally it was just to express respect for life that we lent a hand to save him. Unexpectedly, after sending him away, a strange epidemic suddenly began to spread within our tribe... Some tribe members would have feverish heads and ache endlessly all over their bodies. For some more severe ones, black pustules even grew on their bodies. Over this past month, more than half the people in the tribe have already all caught it..."
"We have scrupulously abided by the injunctions left by our ancestors until today, living a simple and natural life. I do not blame the outlander human we rescued. I merely regret that we are powerless when facing the disease... We need the Turan Family to help cure the disease spreading in our tribe. For this, I am willing to break the precept, leaving the tribe we have survived in for generations."
Valentiina nodded understandingly. It was instead Heidelin behind her who directly closed her eyes when she heard about that "Moon Princess's bloodline". Fortunately Dar didn't notice that maid always standing in the corner of the room, otherwise he would discover traces of light yellow scent spreading from Heidelin's body; that was the color of "nervousness and unease".
"So that's how it is. So an outlander brought disease to your esteemed tribe... But worry not. According to Clan Chief Dar's description, this disease indeed gives people a headache. In past history, it has indeed caused bloody massacres as well..."
Hearing Valentiina's words, Clan Chief Dar, who was originally still somewhat Uneasy And Apprehensive, raised his head Unbelievable. Previously, their tribe had tried every method but failed to cure this disease. Let alone that disease could rapidly strike down the infected Snow Fox-kin; in just one or two days, the infected person could only lie on the bed wailing in pain, completely losing the ability to take care of themselves.
Before leaving the tribe to seek the Turan Family, they were also hesitating. They worried that even the Turan Family would be unable to solve such a terrifying conundrum. Someone in the tribe even called that outlander they saved "the Phoenix's reckoning", using this to metaphorize the invincibility of that disease... However, after seeing the faintly golden scent on Valentiina's body, Clan Chief Dar also set his heart at ease, because that scent represented "confidence and certainty".
"The Turan Family truly has a method?"
Valentiina also hadn't expected the matter of negotiation to be resolved this simply. The fingers rubbing her ring somewhat uncontrollably began to Jump for Joy, briskly tapping her unfeeling thighs. But on her face, her smile was still considered proper,
"To be accurate, it's not the Turan Family having a method... According to Clan Chief Dar's description, what you contracted may be the disease 'Death-Rot Plague' that plagued humans for a long time several hundred years ago. It is normal that you are at your wit's end; after all, in the distant West Continent, this epidemic was a terrifying existence that took tens of millions of lives within several decades."
"However, to humans, due to the existence of the 'Anti-Rot Agent', not many people among the living now will be infected anymore. Living beings vaccinated with the Anti-Rot Agent will have immunity towards this epidemic. Now it seems only the native humans and Demi-human Races of the Southern Continent will be infected with such an epidemic... The Snow Fox-kin haven't left their tribe for a long time; practically speaking, this is no longer a conundrum to the outside world."
Clan Chief Dar exchanged a surprised glance with the Elder beside him. Both seemingly Unbelievable, not daring to believe the epidemic that effortlessly swept across their entire tribe could be effortlessly resolved. If it wasn't for the light golden luster on Valentiina's body being bright, they would even start to suspect the authenticity of this conclusion.
"Therefore, Clan Chief Dar, you may feel completely free to change your request. After all, this isn't considered any difficult matter to fulfill for us, yet the Snow Fox Race Mark you brought is something we genuinely need."
Clan Chief Dar opened his mouth. After a long, long time, he just then lowered his head to look at that Snow Fox Race Mark placed inside the box. Upon that mark, a bizarre demi-human with a fox's face was however endowed with precious glory. Following that, Dar shook his head and said to Valentiina,
"I even thought this matter would take a long time to resolve. It's us who are ignorant and ill-informed. It seems after returning we must also properly consider the necessity regarding adhering to ancestral teachings... Thank you for your help. In view of Miss Valentiina's sincerity, I am willing to hand the Sigil to you first, and then request your help in obtaining that whatever... 'Anti-Rot Agent' to vaccinate my tribe members. Their current condition is very terrible."
Valentiina smilingly nodded, making appropriate arrangements.
"Thank you for your trust. After this I will dispatch members of the Turan Family to carry the Anti-Rot Agent and return to the tribe with you. If it is confirmed to be Death-Rot Plague, they will immediately help your tribe members vaccinate. And if it is another disease, we will also keep helping you until you escape the entanglement of the disease... However, I am still very curious, who is the human who appeared in the Snow Fox-kin tribe? After all, that place has already entered the Sema Mountains..."
Dar raised his head, shaking it as he said,
"That person didn't come from outside the snow mountain, but came down from the snow mountain. He shouldn't be a human of the Northern Border. A black-haired, black-eyed man, I've really never heard of one."
"A Carduan?"
Valentiina frowned. Black hair and black eyes were the most iconic characteristics of Carduans. This also meant the person coming down from the mountain was a pure Carduan. But what did a Carduan from the West Continent enter the snow mountain to do?
Although people from different factions of the West Continent would climb the mountain to explore every year, the Turan Family largely had records of these people going up the mountain... In recent years, not a single Cardu person went up the mountain. It was actually six or seven years ago that a team of men and horses went up.
It seemed to be an organization called the 'Witch Research Society'. At the time, quite a few people came, and the team composition was also rather luxurious. The entire team top to bottom all flashed with the light of magic and Relics. Those who didn't know would even think they came to blow up the mountain. The Turan family therefore dispatched people to track them for a period of time, until they completely entered the depths of the Sema Mountains and could no longer be tracked.
Them coming out was something that happened several months later. The number of people in the team only had about a fifth of when they came remaining. It was said they suffered heavy losses, and it was unknown what they obtained inside... And now, another Carduan came down from the mountain. Could it be that those Carduans back then still hadn't completely come out of the mountain?
Just as Valentiina was thinking, the bright magic lamp above the room suddenly flickered. The sudden brightness and sudden darkness within the room instantly attracted the gazes of everyone present.
"Zzt zzt zzt!"
Intense sounds of electric currents continuously transmitted. Just as Valentiina frowned, wanting to ask Heidelin to go ask the hotel staff what was going on, the entire building trembled as if there was an earthquake.
"Rumble!"
"Eldest Miss!"
Feeling the vibration of the building, Heidelin, who had been waiting quietly with her eyes closed in the back, rushed behind Valentiina's wheelchair at the very first moment and deathly gripped the handles of her wheelchair. That vibration paused slightly, producing no further extra shaking. Valentiina grasped the handles of her wheelchair Struck With Panic, her face pale as she looked out the window.
"Was it an earthquake? But how could... Clan Chief Dar, are you all alright?"
"We are alright."
After confirming the Snow Fox-kin party was fine, she just then let out a sigh of relief. The situation on the scene was unclear right now. That Snow Fox-kin Elder hastily first covered the Sigil contained by the wooden box on the tabletop. Dar's daughter, Juna, behind him, also tightly hugged that wooden basket into her embrace.
Just as Valentiina was still confirming what happened in the hotel, the servants outside and the Turan Family staff successively let out gasps of shock.
"Wait, what is that?!"
Valentiina investigated out the window with doubt. She only saw on the hotel's outer wall, continuous ear-piercing sounds of bricks shattering and windows bursting open transmitted unceasingly. That chilling, bizarre sound continuously spread starting from the first floor. When a thick shadow completely covered the outer layer of the conference room's window, only then did Valentiina somewhat fearfully hold her breath.
If someone was still outside at this moment, you would discover that under the Surface outside that hotel, massive vines comparable to flesh and blood yet also tree branches grew outwards. Growing upwards all the way along the outer wall of the hotel, until wrapping the entire hotel within. Those tree branch-like flesh and blood trembled slightly. Following that, massive eyes soaked in blood vessels abruptly opened one by one, all locking onto Valentiina in the conference room.