Our Family Has Fallen-Chapter 499 - 315: Corpse Decomposition Spore_2
"The organization has decided that the Romani within the Empire will largely withdraw from the war zone. Naturally, the person in charge there will also be recalled. When that happens, the position will be yours."
"No, I’ll stay here to handle communication between the organization and the Lord. My abilities aren’t yet sufficient for more significant tasks." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
An unexpected reply; Amanda had actually refused. One had to understand that a regional head was a high-ranking position with real power. Normally, she might not have attained it even with another ten years of hard work and accumulated merit.
The Elder, fearing Amanda didn’t fully grasp the situation, continued to explain, "Hear me out. The main withdrawal is from the war zone. Several prosperous areas within the Empire unaffected by the war will remain untouched. Furthermore, after the war, the organization will restore its operations here. Once rebuilt, this region will be your solid backing."
The Elder’s meaning was clear: the imperial region she rebuilt would bear her mark. Later, upon her return to headquarters, this would become a significant advantage for her advancement.
This was an extremely rare opportunity. As the Elder described it, the path was paved; success was virtually guaranteed.
"No, please find someone else," Amanda stated calmly, unmoved by this offer of compensation.
It seemed like a promotion of several ranks, and a regional head truly held power, unlike her previous role as a mere field-agent Seeker of Omens.
But the problem was, no one knew when the war would end. As long as it continued, the organization wouldn’t invest resources in the Empire, and I would be bogged down here. Moreover, the war’s intensity was unpredictable. If it spread throughout the entire Empire, I might be the only one left. Taking charge then would make me a commander without troops, an empty title. More than that, my spirit is broken; I no longer wish to exert myself for the organization. I was so dedicated and hardworking, but what about Tamara? A traitor! Yet now, the traitor is being favored again, while I’m effectively exiled. Honestly, anyone would find this unbearable. It’s no wonder I’ve let everything slide.
Seeing her state, the Elder could only sigh. After a moment of silence, she began to reveal some confidential matters.
"Tamara’s talent has become incredibly important due to our dealings with the Earl. It’s safe to say she will be highly valued going forward.
"This talent is also crucial for the very survival of the Romani people. So, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she is destined to surpass you as she develops.
"We know you and she don’t get along. Asking you to stay here is for your protection. Remaining here also offers you an opportunity to cultivate a good relationship with the Earl. With Tamara not present here, she is bound to become estranged from him.
"The position of regional head will earn you the Earl’s esteem, elevating your importance in his eyes, and it will also provide you with the chance to consolidate your own power.
"If you manage things well, the possibility of making a comeback and challenging her isn’t out of the question."
The Elder knew how to press the right buttons. If there was one thing Amanda cared deeply about, it was her rivalry with Tamara.
These words instantly ignited Amanda’s rebellious spirit. The thought that Tamara was being reinstated and might even surpass her intensified her resistance.
Those memories of Tamara suppressing me were far from pleasant, and to top it off, I almost killed her! That means, no matter what, I’ve completely alienated her; there’s no room for reconciliation. The Elder’s path is uncertain, but it highlights a crucial point: Tamara owes her current standing entirely to the organization’s dealings with the Lord. If I can replace Tamara in the Lord’s favor, I won’t have to fear her! When it comes to talent, I don’t think I’m much worse than Tamara. And with the position of regional head... the outcome isn’t set in stone...
"Fine! But I need resources," Amanda declared, her resolve returning. She could lose to anyone but Tamara; this was her final stand.
"Over the next few days, I will arrange the handover of responsibilities to you with the current regional head. As long as you can control a region, no one will dare to bully you easily."
If Amanda had known the real reason for the Romani’s withdrawal wasn’t the war, but the collapse of the Spiritual Network, she might not have agreed so readily.
But the Elder would likely have found a way to deceive her regardless. After all, Amanda was still too young.
"The issue Geralt reported is indeed severe. We must develop a quick and convenient method for disposing of corpses; otherwise, this slaughter will only end up nourishing the Evil God."
Inside the sanatorium, Lance stood before an operating table, flanked by Grendel and Paracelsus.
"Regarding this problem, Grendel has developed a Potion: Corpse Decomposition Spores."
As Lance spoke, he nodded at Grendel. She produced a small vial containing a pale yellow powder.
She carefully poured the powder onto a piece of Flesh in a petri dish. Within a few breaths, the fresh Flesh liquefied into a bloody fluid.
"These spores have a very potent effect on Flesh and can decompose it in a short time..." Grendel began, using the demonstration to explain the product’s details to Lance and the others.
Evidently, this was a weakened version Grendel had cultivated based on the Witch’s legacy, the Gangrenous Fungi. Its terrifying self-replication ability had been removed, and the extent of Flesh dissolution was limited to a controllable range.
Moreover, it retained its trigger condition: the effect only activated upon contact with blood.
The initial goal had been to develop a weapon to counter the Flesh Rite of the Ascension Cultists. Coincidentally, Geralt had returned and highlighted the team’s difficulties in dealing with corpses.
This newly developed Potion perfectly met their needs, capable of easily dissolving bodies.
This way, even when Lance wasn’t participating in operations, they would have a more convenient method than burning to dispose of corpses.
But it didn’t end there. Lance turned to Paracelsus. "Try yours."
Paracelsus said nothing, proceeding to experiment on materials in another petri dish.
Compared to Grendel’s somewhat unrefined technique, Paracelsus’s procedure was more standardized.
She took a small amount of Corpse Decomposition Spores and placed it on the Flesh. After allowing the reaction to begin, she took out a water-based Potion and precisely applied it drop by drop with a pipette.
A miraculous scene unfolded: the flesh-dissolving reaction gradually ceased, leaving behind a piece of Flesh, half of its surface eroded.
After rinsing it with clean water, Paracelsus cut open the piece of damaged Flesh, revealing that the muscle fibers within were still intact.
"The reaction has indeed stopped, but a control Experiment is still necessary," she stated after inspecting the Flesh. But she wasn’t finished yet; she mixed the remaining Potion with more Corpse Decomposition Spores, waited a moment, and then poured the mixture onto a piece of Flesh in another new petri dish.
This time, the Flesh showed no abnormalities, completely lacking the rapid dissolution observed earlier.
"The Experiment was a success. This anti-pathogen spore extract exhibits broad resistance to the fungus and can serve as an antidote. However, I still need to conduct more research."
Lance watched the Experiment from the side, pleasantly surprised.
The original Gangrenous Fungi were terrifying; Lance had personally witnessed them madly consume and spread in a short time. Such a thing was extremely dangerous. Although Grendel’s Corpse Decomposition Spores had many restrictions, without a specific antidote, he would find it difficult to authorize their use.
The current Experiment demonstrated a solution, proving its practical value.
"By the way," Paracelsus said, "the medical camp just sent over a corpse. Perhaps we can conduct a direct test. After all, a piece of meat doesn’t tell us much, and the structure of a corpse is very complex."
"Approved." Lance was already keen on promoting the Potion’s use and naturally wanted to assess its practicality.
The corpse was from that batch of Pirates. Some of the injured among them had been sent to the medical soldiers for practice. Deaths were quite normal. This was the reality of injuries in a world devoid of Supernatural Power: they meant infection, they meant death—outcomes that human strength alone could not prevent.
