novelraw Chapter 545: Jasmine
Chapter 545: Jasmine
After Mill came to deliver the message, Fisher followed her to another room within the Prayer and Blessing Tower. There were no professional Demi-human doctors inside the Prayer and Blessing Tower, not to mention Ingrid's identity was sensitive, so Jasmine directly treated her.
"According to Lady Jasmine's words, that human miss's body has no major issues. It's just that her Soul received a slight impact, though it's unknown for what reason. Could it be related to those... Demons?"
Mill didn't go to the coast earlier, so naturally she didn't know the specific situation from just now. She could only repeat Jasmine's exact words to Fisher.
Fisher nodded without replying. Perhaps the impact on Ingrid's Soul was related to him, but he still needed to see her in person to know the exact situation.
Eimhart, on the other hand, stood on his shoulder, his expression solemn and nervous as he looked ahead. He carefully scrutinized everyone around them. He even suspected that Mill was Helaire in disguise. Every time he saw a person, he would mutter softly into Fisher's ear,
"Look, Fisher, does this person look like Baimon? Oh, that person looks a bit like her too..."
"..."
Fisher soon arrived at the door of Ingrid's room. Pushing open the door, it revealed a sun-facing, not particularly spacious room inside. The room was relatively simple, with only a single bed in the center. Ingrid, pale-faced with an expression of agony, was lying on it.
When the door opened, Ingrid immediately sat up as if experiencing a stress response. She pulled the blanket over half of her face and looked tremblingly at Fisher's group at the door,
"Un-Uncle?"Ingrid hesitated for a moment, and eventually called out Fisher's name tentatively. Fisher also nodded, and amidst the cautious scrutiny of Eimhart beside him, he responded expressionlessly,
"Not calling me hubby anymore?"
Hearing this, her complexion immediately turned rosy from the pale white. She pouted, glared at Fisher, and muttered,
"Uncle, you clearly know I was coerced... Although you are indeed quite good-looking, and you seem very powerful with a good temperament, you are far too un-human-like. You're not my type anyway... Moreover, I always feel that being with you would bring a lot of trouble. Those two Demi-humans earlier scared me to death. They practically wanted to knife me, you know?!"
Well, look at you being picky.
Fisher smiled slightly and didn't retort. However, after his teasing, Ingrid's condition seemed to improve somewhat, no longer as absent-minded as before.
Seeing the other party's condition warm up, Fisher frankly got straight to the point,
"Earlier, after we separated, you were caught by Naris's army, right? Did you see that General 'Barbatos'?"
"Yes! Uncle, I saw him... and not just that General, there was another... Chief of Staff? Named Agreas... They were all so terrifying... They made those three guys bring me to the Dragon Court, saying it was to shoot something or other, but in reality, it was to pass a message to you..."
"Besides those two, were there any other 'people' who made you feel terrified?"
"Besides those two... there seems to be a Grand Inner Court Official, named... Diane, I think. I don't know if she's on Naris's side but it felt like... that Inner Court Official wasn't terrifying at all, as if she didn't know the specific situation here, so..."
An Inner Court Official whose identity was still uncertain...
Even if that Inner Court Official was temporarily excluded, Fisher's previous analysis still stood without issue. At a conservative estimate, he would have to face two Eighteenth Tier Demon Gods.
"I understand... And what about now? You're so scared; what did you see?"
"I saw it! I saw it!"
Speaking of this, Ingrid's small face turned pale. She shook her head in a panic and hurriedly said to Fisher,
"It's precisely those two guys, those two guys who followed me here aren't dead yet... They have that... some Duke's Blessing, and became so weird. Even with their heads chopped off... I don't know where they escaped to, they looked like a puddle of flesh and blood just... Ah, there's more! There's more!"
While recalling, Ingrid suddenly thought of something and hurriedly said to Fisher,
"It's exactly the news I asked this... Dragonewt to tell you just now! When that ritual started, I saw a very, very large pillar of fire... but that pillar of fire was securely locked up. Originally, that... that ritual was supposed to summon the terrifying Agreas directly, but for some unknown reason, it was swapped by a... a very strange blonde woman. I saw that woman's shadow beside that pillar of fire... She said her name was 'Baimon', and she had some words to tell Fisher."
"Baimon! Fisher, quickly block your ears!! Don't be bewitched by her, otherwise, you'll definitely be played in the palm of her hand! Quickly, block your ears, everyone!"
Eimhart hurriedly flew onto Fisher's head, opening his pages like a pair of earmuffs, trying to cover both of Fisher's ears. But due to his book structure, he couldn't accomplish it no matter what. Furthermore, Fisher speechlessly picked him off, clearly ignoring his opinion.
He simply looked at Ingrid, paused for a moment, before continuing to ask,
"What did she say to you?"
Ingrid swallowed a mouthful of saliva, then told Fisher with a trembling voice,
"She said, she knows you aren't ready yet, so this is just a small reminder. She altered the summoning ritual to summon... a Demon God who is still locked within The Abyss, so the ritual would not succeed no matter what. But next time, she won't be able to help you..."
"She said, the [Game] is still continuing, definitely do not forget this point... That's all."
Listening from the side, Eimhart's non-existent heart was about to fly out of his book cover,
"Game?! Fisher, you! You actually dare to play games with her?! You... you... you're way too bold! What kind of game are you playing? Could it be that some part of your body is missing?!"
Compared to Eimhart's worry and breakdown, Fisher appeared very calm. He furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.
Of course he knew what game Helaire was talking about...
"One price, three favors..."
But earlier, when leaving the Sanctuary, the three fingers on Helaire's hand had already been snapped off. So did this also mean that two of the three favors had already been consumed?
However, what were the two favors granted to him respectively?
And what was the corresponding price?
Tsk, this bad woman truly is...
For some reason, the stunningly beautiful, smiling face of Helaire suddenly flashed through Fisher's mind...
Only at this moment, he seemed to share the same feeling as Eimhart.
Perhaps those alluring, scattered blue-gold pupils were hiding somewhere right now, staring closely at him and observing his every move.
But regardless, this would all circle back to a problem that Fisher was unable to understand despite much thought...
What exactly was Helaire's goal?
"...I understand."
However, he didn't sink further into this completely clueless problem, nor did he continue the topic. Instead, he spoke to the unlucky reporter before him who had been frightened out of her wits like a baby chick,
"Earlier, I was unknowledgeable about many things here, which is why I agreed to enter that factory with you, resulting in you falling into danger. However, your luck isn't bad; at least you kept your life. Perhaps this will stop you from being so reckless in the future and teach you to ensure your own safety..."
Ingrid nodded hurriedly. Only by facing something terrifying would she be jolted awake. Previously, this fellow recklessly wanted to come to the Dragon Court with Fisher, and only now did she shed tears after seeing the coffin. She estimated that an unknown amount of trauma would be left in her heart,
"Boo-hoo... Uncle, I was wrong... I won't dare to do it again next time... I want to return to my hometown in Schwari to farm, boo-hoo... I'll never be a reporter again..."
"It's not to that extent..."
Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Fisher grasped Eimhart—who had been continuously bumping against his shoulder, eager to know the inside story of his game with Helaire—stuffed him into his robes, and then suggested to her,
"For the next period of time, just stay in the Dragon Court. Do not wander around randomly; this place is different from Schwari or other places. If you aren't more careful and something happens, I won't be responsible. I'll figure out a way to send you back once things settle down."
"Mhm. By the way, those two Demons aren't dead yet; who knows where they are hiding... Uncle, you..."
"Those two aren't true Demon-kin, just their serving Attendants. They only pose a relatively large threat to you ordinary people... I'll go deal with it, rest assured..."
"Mhm..."
"Bump!"
Just at this moment, the door behind Fisher was slowly pushed open a crack. Ingrid immediately shrunk into her blanket to hide, while Fisher and Mill both turned their heads to look. Through the gap in the door, a pair of large, watery eyes was staring at everyone in the room.
"Jasmine?"
Fisher spoke with confusion, whereas outside the door, the Whale-kin girl flapping her long ears hadn't anticipated there would be so many people here either.
After hesitating for a moment, she pushed open the door and said somewhat sheepishly,
"Teacher Fisher..."
Mill was a bit surprised and subconsciously asked,
"Lady Jasmine, didn't you previously tell Lady Raphaela that you had matters to attend to? Why... Oh..."
As she spoke, she noticed that Jasmine kept looking at Fisher beside her. Even if Mill was dense, she should have noticed something by now.
Could it be that Lady Jasmine saying she was busy was just a diversion for Lady Raphaela? And after confirming that Lady Raphaela really went to sort things out, Lady Jasmine sneaked back?!
"Uh... that... I... Haha, I have some matters to attend to, Lady Jasmine, Fisher... I... I didn't see anything, I'll take my leave first."
Mill let out a dry laugh and hurriedly stood up preparing to leave, but was grabbed by the arm by Jasmine standing at the doorway.
Jasmine's small face was slightly red as she spoke equally unnaturally,
"Mill, I merely... have something to discuss with Teacher Fisher, nothing has happened. Please take care of this human here for a while, and we'll be back shortly."
"Ah... okay, no problem, Lady Jasmine."
"Absolutely do not tell Raphaela about this matter, okay? Mill, you wouldn't want me to reveal the secret matters you know, right?"
"...Mhm-mhm!"
Mill nodded, wanting to cry but lacking the tears. She was also somewhat puzzled. This matter clearly had absolutely nothing to do with her, so why was Fisher, who should have been panicked, completely devoid of any reaction, while her own heart was racing to the point of almost dying from panic?
Only after Mill promised repeatedly did Jasmine look at Fisher beside her and speak softly,
"Teacher Fisher... I have some matters concerning the Dragon Court to discuss with you, please come with me."
"Alright."
"Only... only Teacher Fisher alone."
"..."
The motion of Fisher standing up paused slightly. Eimhart in his robes furiously poked his head out and yelled,
"Jasmine, what's your meaning here? Targeting me? If you want to be strict about it, the Great Sir Book Artifact is actually a book, so your words are useless! Blah-blah-blah... Right, Fisher?"
"Alright, alright, just stay here for now."
"Fisher, your mom!"
Fisher pulled the small Eimhart out from his robes, asking him to keep an eye on Ingrid here, and that he would be right back.
Helplessly, Mill had to stay in the room to take care of Eimhart, who was flying around and blabbering non-stop, as well as the frightened patient, Ingrid—just like when she used to take care of the ignorant Lar.
Meanwhile, Fisher followed outside behind Jasmine, who wore her Priestess robe. She led the way; when it came to understanding the Dragon Court, Fisher was far inferior to her.
"Such a huge incident happened earlier, aren't you going to deal with it?"
"My part is already finished."
"So fast?"
"Mhm..."
"Where are we going?"
"We're almost there, Teacher Fisher..."
Fisher didn't ask further, because just as Jasmine said, they arrived very quickly.
Because in the next second, they stopped right in front of Fisher's own room.
"Returning to my room?"
"...Mhm."
Jasmine nodded, then pushed open the room door first, before pointing towards the distant hallway to Fisher. There was a corner at the end of that hallway, which was exactly where Jasmine was indicating,
"Go past that corner, walk straight... pass through the Royal Court, and you can directly arrive at where I rest..."
"What?"
"It's just... very close..."
"..."
Fisher turned his head back in a daze, only to discover that her face was a faint red. The two long ears by her face fluttered rapidly, seemingly expressing her current emotions.
There was no need to doubt; Fisher felt that his current resting place was arranged by Jasmine herself, which was why there was such a "shortcut"... Well, it was indeed quite convenient.
He didn't foolishly ask where Raphaela lived, because no matter where he lived, Raphaela would definitely come find him.
"Tap-tap-tap..."
The sound of footsteps drifted from the distant hallway. Fisher didn't look over; he just gently pushed Jasmine into the room first. Upon both entering, Fisher silently closed the door to avoid being discovered by others.
Fisher looked at the tightly-shut door. The footsteps outside passed by, completely oblivious to the anomaly here.
Only when the sound of footsteps faded did Fisher turn his head and say,
"Doing this is very dangerous. If Raphaela discovers it..."
"Smooch!"
The moment he turned his head around, a pair of soft lips pressed tightly against his, kissing Fisher as if making demands.
"..."
His body stiffened instantly, and he could only subconsciously feel everything happening before him.
That contact, as warm and passionate as a Hot Spring, filled Fisher entirely, taking over his unexpected surprise like a sneak attack.
"Tap-tap-tap!"
Another series of hurried footsteps rang out from beyond the door. Because Jasmine had suddenly stepped forward, Fisher's back was now leaning completely flat against the door.
The sound and vibrations of the footsteps outside were mere inches away from him and Jasmine. It felt as if in an instant, the people outside would discover that a strange human man was having such intimate contact with their family's High Priestess.
And as it should be, this news would quickly be learned by the Queen of the Dragon Court, resulting in exceptionally severe consequences...
However, the more it was like this, the more dangerous it was, and conversely... the more stimulating it was.
Sensing the movements outside, Jasmine's body trembled slightly, as if extremely nervous and excited. Fisher could even feel the sound of her continuously accelerating heartbeat...
"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
It wasn't until a long, long time passed that the footsteps outside gradually faded away, and Jasmine finally had to let go of Fisher before her.
Amidst her panting, her soft and sweet voice, like Cotton Candy, reached him,
"Haa..."
"As long as... we don't tell her... then Raphaela won't find out... Right?"
"Also... Fisher... I too... missed you so much."