Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 105 - 101: Unstable Treatment
A day in Naranya begins with the sound of insects, as cicadas live out their final life cycle, and the people of Naranya tolerate these noisy neighbors with patience.
They step out of their cottages as the morning dew is about to dissipate, embarking on a new day.
The tavern in the early morning is far from the bustle of last night, with only a few scattered customers patronizing the establishment.
In Lyle’s room where he is resting, a sprig of tender green grapevine juts out of the window, resembling a baby’s unruly little hand; its leaves reach out in the sunlight—such a charming sight would certainly delight anyone who first lays eyes upon it upon waking.
But, should there be a need to get up, Ralph is always his own alarm clock.
The opened door came with neither knock nor inquiry; it was like a sudden gust of northern wind that swept into Lyle’s room.
Without words, Lyle knew that those sharp, piercing eyes were certainly fixated on his languid self, prompting an awkward psychological reaction that instantly dispelled all drowsiness.
Upon getting up and seeing Ralph already neatly dressed—he was the last to rest, yet the first to awaken—his dark circles proudly proclaimed his accomplishments like smoky eye makeup.
"Go down for breakfast, and let’s sort out the information from last night."
While munching on bread with young cheese, Lyle listened to Ralph speaking from across the table.
"Verlet and I visited the families of the recent disappearance victims last night. Through Verlet’s coordination, we were able to gather some information."
"The disappearances all took place between eight and nine at night, in streets and alleys nearby. I inspected the sites; there were no signs of struggle, and the local residents heard no unusual sounds. It’s as if the individuals vanished into thin air."
"We believe it is the work of the same individual, and possibly a female, because a faint scent was left behind. Verlet is the one who made such a deduction."
"It’s the scent of March roses, a perfume that has recently become popular amongst the affluent. Due to the difficulty in its production, it is an extremely expensive luxury item—I can’t mistake it, having smelled that strong scent not just once or twice. That intensity, in a way, is equivalent to a stench."
"A woman who can afford expensive perfumes, and the individuals who disappeared did so willingly."
"It’s seduction." Karen explained casually as she reached for another pancake, "Vampires have an attractive appearance, and they can use their dark power to bewitch humans."
"That scent might also serve another purpose, to mask the smell of blood."
Ralph pulled on the brim of his cap, casting his eyes into the shadows, his voice void of emotion like a final verdict.
"The journey wasn’t in vain."
"Now, let’s plan out the locations for our ambush, and who will participate..."
A neatly dressed waiter approached. He came to Verlet’s side and bowed as he spoke.
"Miss Verlet, Baron Tyron invites you and your colleagues to join today’s gathering in honor of the upcoming Flower Crown Festival. Please be on time—the event will start in thirty minutes."
There it was, an invitation to the gathering.
Ralph frowned. After the waiter left, he looked at Verlet, "A gathering at this time?"
Verlet shrugged, "Our Baron Tyron is fond of gatherings, holding three to five a week. We’ve all grown accustomed to it."
"In my view, there is nothing inappropriate about it."
"But we have plans for tonight."
"Yet during the day, it’s only planning, isn’t it? Vampires move at night, and we can do our planning at the gathering. Baron Tyron values his reputation highly; it’s best not to decline his invitation."
Ralph pondered for a moment.
Then he said what Lyle was hoping to hear.
"Let’s skip it, we have official business to attend to now, and it’s not suitable to go to a party. Besides, I don’t have appropriate clothes."
"I do—uh, I mean, my father has a few suits that don’t fit him properly. I believe he wouldn’t mind lending one to you."
Lyle mocked inside his mind.
If it really were a suit from Verlet’s father, he would likely be tearing his cheap uncle to pieces in a rage, because his daughter had not only become a sheriff but was also planning to swindle her dad.
Verlet’s eyes were fixed on Ralph, her hands pressing down on the edge of the table. She might not have realized it, but the squeezed area and its considerable visual impact were indecent.
"...I understand."
......
The group of four made their way toward the Bennet estate.
Just then, Shuishui reached out a tentacle and touched Lyle’s side.
The secret door was now open.
Lyle immediately grabbed Ralph, and with all his might, made the most pained expression he could.
"Uncle, I’m feeling a bit unwell... I need... to use the restroom."
"Can you hold it? Little Butler, we’ll be there soon."
Lyle forced a strained smile, "I’m sorry, Verlet, I can’t take it anymore, I must handle something right now."
"It’s okay, Little Butler, after you’re done, go straight along this street, you’ll find a door with a green kite pattern at the Bennett residence. Just say my name to the butler, and he’ll let you in."
"Alright, I understand." Lyle showed a relieved smile and walked away alone.
Verlet tugged on Ralph’s sleeve, who was still watching the direction in which Lyle had disappeared.
"What are you still looking at? Little Butler just went to relieve himself; is there a need to stand and watch? You spoil him too much."
Ralph’s expression was calm as he forced a few words through his sealed lips.
"He was smiling with his eyes narrowed."
"?"
......
Lyle ran frantically through the dark alley, as Shuishui fully displayed its form, its extending tentacles brushing against the close walls, occasionally giving Lyle a push, or aiding his sprinting body to take tight turns without slowing down.
When faced with a thick wall blocking his path, he would leap at the base, and Shuishui would carry him away, like an octopus or a spider.
Liveser’s experiences had a certain impact on Lyle; his speed had surpassed what it was before.
Keeping the target from losing him was one aspect, on the other hand, Lyle indeed remembered Karent’s words.
"Tomorrow, I will grant you release."
Perhaps Becky and his young lord had overlooked those words, but through Shuishui’s sensitive perception, Lyle could distinctly feel the malice within.
They were in danger.
As Lyle approached the wine cellar, he smelled the scent of blood.
The guard lay in a pool of his own blood, his face still twisted with terror.
Damn beast.
Lyle hastily checked on him; his helmet was cast aside, and at the neck, two bright red gashes gushed like tiny fountains.
Too much blood was lost; simple hemostasis was already ineffective.
Luckily, the current Lyle possessed more than just medical knowledge.
He pressed his fingers tightly against the wound, as magic power twined around his fingertips.
Hopefully, your fate is not sealed yet.
Unstable healing.
What a bizarre sight.
The dark red plasma looked like it was breeding parasites, tiny red tentacles wavering in the blood, spreading like a fungus, following the direction of the bloodstream into the wound, aggressively wedging themselves in. Soon, nothing was left on the ground but red marks.
The residual plasma in those two gashes quickly darkened and coagulated into scabs, sealing the wounds.
The healing was complete, and unbelievably, the unconscious body began coughing, though no matter how violent the coughs, the guard did not awaken.
Lyle breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, the side effect was just coughing, though the man sounded as if he was hacking up his insides. It shouldn’t be serious, right?
Lyle ignored the guard who continued to shake on the ground like a centipede and moved towards the wine cellar.
Karent had already left, and there lay Becky, the unlucky fellow. His wounds were relatively neat, it seemed that Karent had startled the guard while inflicting them, which had led to the ghastly wounds on the guard.
Becky had already passed out, his complexion pale, evidently suffering from excessive blood loss, pulse faint, teetering on the edge of death.
May your loyalty bring you good fortune.
Unstable healing.
Trembling.
Becky’s skin bubbled like boiling water, his body under the skin crackling, and when the trembling ceased, Lyle understood the side effect and how his ability had replenished Becky’s blood.
His fat had been drained.
What was once a corpulent figure was now skin and bones, the dry skin draped over his frame like a blanket.
His own plague virus had converted his fat into blood.
Looking at his body, which now appeared healthier, Lyle was uncertain.
Does weight loss count as a side effect?
