Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 674 - 67: No Source of Infection

Coughing and fever are symptoms of a cold; bloodshot eyes can be explained by a prolonged lack of rest.

But excessive hunger is not.

However, Ethan can understand the diagnosis given by the doctors in Dark Furnace City. After all, the transmission characteristics of the ghoul virus are extremely harsh; you either have to have eaten human flesh or been bitten and scratched by a ghoul. In the latter case, going to the Life Divine Teachings to purify the wound immediately can effectively prevent the spread of infection.

Demon Hunter August mentioned in the book that the purification techniques of the Life Divine Teachings can effectively dispel infections from dark creatures, having a very significant suppressive effect on the ghoul virus, werewolf virus, and vampire plague.

But it was their first night in Dark Furnace City, and they had not suffered any attacks from ghouls.

"I asked the hospital's former clergy to perform purification techniques on me, but... it didn't improve."

Ave's voice sounded weak, but she didn't panic because of that, instead making a rational judgment, "Tie me up, as the book suggests."

Tonight they were discussing the methods Demon Hunter August used to aid villagers infected with the ghoul virus, which had a twenty percent chance of recovery.

Of course, the process of treatment is extremely painful.

Demon Hunter August emphasized in the book that if such methods were decided to be used, one must steel their resolve; he introduced a real case where a father, attempting to save his son, released the thick rope due to a moment of weakness and was attacked.

When other demon hunters arrived, their colleague had already been gnawed down to only half of his body, and his son had completely transformed into a ghoul.

The human will cannot overcome the biological instincts brought by the ghoul virus.

This phrase is repeatedly mentioned in the ghoul chapter.

"I can persevere."

Ave gritted her teeth and said.

Ethan almost immediately thought of the symptoms he experienced after leaving the library. He had a brief hallucination on the street, and upon returning to the manor, he even momentarily believed Duke Bellamo's meat would be incredibly delicious. After witnessing Ave's condition, he realized those were also symptoms of infection with the ghoul virus.

But his resistance seems slightly stronger than most; the virus didn't linger in his body for too long.

The problem is, how did he and Ave become infected with the virus?

Since arriving in Dark Furnace City, they hadn't seen even a shadow of a ghoul.

Could it be... the sumptuous banquet prepared by Duke Bellamo to welcome them?

But Duke Bellamo himself showed no signs of infection, even though he ate more than anyone else at the banquet. Considering that in the novel written by Fisher, Duke Bellamo is identified as the culprit, Ethan, having settled Ave, summoned Duke Bellamo, the chef, and all the servers tonight to the reception hall.

Ethan couldn't help but feel a bit nauseous.

If the virus in him and Ave wasn't transmitted through wounds, it would be through the most traditional infection path in "Discovering 100 Dark Creatures"—consuming human flesh.

This transmission mode is much faster and more intense than through wounds; August believes it is almost impossible to cure and unnecessary to try. For these people, the best way is to give them a clean and swift release.

The method to kill a ghoul is simple: chop off their head with a weapon. The weapon itself is unrestricted, not needing to be a longsword enchanted by the Life Church or other tools difficult for ordinary people to obtain.

Sometimes all you need is an axe.

Hopefully, these people didn't mix human flesh into last night's banquet.

An uneasy atmosphere spread through the hall as Duke Bellamo and his servants stealthily eyed Ethan.

On his first day in Dark Furnace City and moving into the manor, the new cabinet minister was already ill. If escalated, this could potentially turn into a serious political incident, especially since Ethan specifically emphasized having the chef called in, it sunk everyone's mood to the bottom.

"Do you think... someone poisoned Ave?"

Duke Bellamo cautiously asked, causing the chef to instantly kneel on the ground in fright, shouting, "Innocent! I haven't done anything!"

This seemed to awaken deep-rooted fear within the chef, because a year ago in Dark Furnace City, convicting people didn't require solid evidence. Especially in incidents like this, a simple suspicion was enough to send ordinary individuals like them to the gallows due to the "advanced" concept proposed by the former Chief Judge. In reviewing cases, they found that gathering evidence and individually investigating suspects consumed massive time and effort, whereas convicting and executing each suspect would inevitably bring the hidden real culprit to justice.

Simple, efficient.

This act passed the vote in the Seven-Person Council with a 4:3 advantage, under the strong support of the Church.

Just when everyone thought the chef would be the first unlucky one, Ethan suddenly said, "You can go back."

The chef was stunned at first; he could hardly believe his ears.

Moments later, he repeatedly thanked him and then stumbled out of the hall.

Unlike the Judicial Court, which values simplicity and efficiency, Ethan is a detective who follows traditionalism, thus adopting some clumsy methods.

For example, he asked Senior Elementalist to help delve into the chef's mind to see if he "accidentally" mixed human flesh into tonight's dinner. The investigation results relieved Ethan. It turned out this chef had been at his post for many years and was very experienced. He had served many dignitaries from the Imperial Capital and was well aware of the significance of Ave-Margaret's name in the empire today.

As a result, he didn't sleep all night, personally inspecting each ingredient used for the banquet, ensuring everything from vegetables to meats was flawless. From the moment he received the news, he hadn't left the kitchen. Every dish offered at the banquet was thoroughly examined by him.

This was an unusual interrogation, at least from what the servants in the manor had seen. There were no questions or answers; Ethan merely glanced over each of them. In the meantime, they vaguely heard the sound of "crackling," and then Ethan would say, "You can go back now." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The servants would then leave the hall, relieved but with lingering fear.

This "interrogation" lasted nearly an hour until only Ethan and Duke Bellamo were left in the vast hall. The gas lamp on the table flickered unsteadily, and Duke Bellamo's forehead was covered in sweat. Ethan's gaze finally landed on him.

Unlike the servants, he guessed that Ethan had used some kind of Mind Reading technique.

He had heard that both Magicians and the followers of the God of Truth possessed similar magic.

"Pardon my frankness, Mr. Ethan, but perhaps Ave merely caught a common cold. I invited the best doctors from Dark Furnace City, and I trust their judgment..."

"A cold doesn't bring about a ravenous appetite."

Upon hearing this, Duke Bellamo was startled.

This became the final part of the interrogation, yet Duke Bellamo hadn't placed "strange meats" into today's dinner. Unexpectedly, this slightly chubby noble earnestly welcomed their arrival. Upon receiving Ave's letter, he decided to entertain these visitors from the Imperial Capital properly.

Bellamo was well aware that the recent turmoil in Dark Furnace City had tarnished their reputation elsewhere. This was an important opportunity to change the Imperial Capital's perception of them.

Ave's sudden illness was entirely unexpected for him, and at this moment, his anxiety was no less than that of the manor's servants.

"So, you think this is a symptom of ghoul transformation."

Bellamo's complexion turned somewhat pale.

"I believe you are already aware that Sheriff Shuga was killed at his home, and the creatures he raised couldn't safeguard his door."

Ethan said, "We're discussing an unusual kind of ghoul that can infiltrate a human home silently, even cleaning up the scene after attacking a victim."

Duke Bellamo's face grew paler, and inner turmoil arose within him.

"I don't think this is a random incident. Don't you find this scene familiar? Anyone attempting to investigate the disappearance cases ended up murdered. You might be the next one... if you say nothing now, I won't be able to help you."

In fact, Ethan didn't need Bellamo to answer his question, just needed to guide him through the conversation to recall something.

And his goal had already been achieved.

After a moment of hesitation, Duke Bellamo shook his head, "I've looked into last year's case. It was a tragedy, but Shuga couldn't find any clues. The Security Office believes that Mr. Fisher left Dark Furnace City while investigating the case and unfortunately met his end outside the city."

"This isn't a very cooperative attitude."

Ethan shook his head, "Then let's start with your son."

"No, I, how did you...?"

Duke Bellamo stood up from his chair in shock. Everyone who knew about this matter had left Dark Furnace City or taken it to the grave, and he was the last person in this world who knew this secret.

"You know this isn't simply a cold."

The same location, the same symptoms, and the same diagnosis results.

"Next, Ave will become parched. She'll drink several buckets of water, but it won't quench her thirst. On the second day of the symptoms, she'll begin to loathe sunlight, and veins will appear visibly on her body. Then, likely that night, as a maid changes her water basin, she'll suddenly attack from behind, knocking the maid to the ground, biting her neck. Drinking blood is the only way to quench her thirst."

Ethan paused for a moment, "And the point is, after so many years, you still don't know how that child got infected, do you?"