Inside the church’s reception room, Sister Meryl brought tea for everyone, then took a seat herself.
When it came to serious matters, Kuang Ruo and Left Enforcer shed all their usual frivolity, adopting a diligent and responsible professional demeanor.
At this moment, Father Charles, Left Enforcer, and Kuang Ruo were all scrutinizing the piece of flesh preserved within a bottle.
Adair had already recounted everything that had transpired with Quentin. While he omitted that the Desire Gene Amplifier was an artifact from another world, he thoroughly explained its full capabilities.
1The others, sensing discretion was key, did not press Adair on why he knew so much about cult artifacts. Given Adair’s significant assistance, such questions could be deferred for now, provided appropriate precautions were taken.
This was not the first time the Grand Cathedral had encountered such matters. Sometimes, pushing too hard could worsen an otherwise smooth situation.
Since Lifa had taken the Desire Gene Amplifier’s components, Adair had no way to produce them and could only remain silent.
Fortunately, the others’ focus wasn’t on that. Father Charles remarked with a grave expression, “Body modification, mutation? This is quite something.”
Left Enforcer prodded the chunk of flesh with a toothpick, discovering it still exhibited unconscious reactions. “It’s practically creating a new species,” he observed. “That cult actually possesses such power.”
Kuang Ruo interjected, “I’m reminded of the monster that suddenly appeared recently. That, too, was an unknown plant.”
“Are you referring to the plant on the Verdant Grassland?” Adair inquired.
Father Charles nodded. “Lord Adair is already aware. Indeed, after the anomaly occurred there, we sent people to investigate covertly. We confirmed it doesn’t belong to any recorded plant species.”
“One might even say it has transcended the definition of a plant; calling it a demonic creature wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”
Adair offered a wry smile. “Rather than knowing, I’d say I was chased by it across half the Verdant Grassland. If not for Ye Xi, I would have perished there.”
Kuang Ruo turned to Ye Xi. “Oh, the maid-sama certainly possesses such strength. What are your thoughts on that plant?”
“Preliminary estimates suggest an area of about three hectares,” Ye Xi calmly stated. “Its attack radius extends for one to two kilometers, and its attack speed isn’t overly fast.”
“However, it possesses numerous vine whips that are incredibly resilient; ordinary weapons cannot sever them. The predator likely hunts by instinct, so its attack trajectory and intent are easily predictable. This is all I know for now.”
Father Charles’s expression grew solemn. “That is already quite impressive. Thank you for the information, Miss Ye Xi. I never imagined it had grown so large, and its attack range and physical strength have advanced another level.”
“Are you suggesting it wasn’t originally this large?” Adair pressed.
Father Charles nodded. “Precisely. When we first investigated, the plant only consumed livestock like cattle and sheep, and its size was merely twice that of such animals.”
“However, its appetite has grown increasingly voracious, and eyewitness descriptions of its size are constantly being updated.”
Left Enforcer looked at Adair. “Are you suspecting that plant, like the owner of this flesh, is a mutated human?”
“Though I have no direct evidence, I feel it would be best to investigate,” Adair replied. “I lack a reliable method to confirm its true nature, so I wondered if the Cathedral possessed a way to determine the carnivorous plant’s true identity through this piece of flesh.”
Father Charles appeared somewhat troubled. “To analyze this piece of flesh, I lack the necessary equipment here. Instruments for biological analysis are only available at the Cathedral in the Royal Capital.”
“Expediting its delivery to the Royal Capital would take approximately two days.”
“Two days?” Adair’s heart sank slightly. Two days wasn’t excessively long, but the round trip would consume four days.
He hadn’t come specifically to resolve this anomaly; he also bore the mission of swaying this duke to Rich’s side.
Whether this duke was colluding with the cult would determine his subsequent approach to the matter.
A four-day delay, even with a month-long buffer period, meant little actual operating time would remain.
Noticing Adair’s frown, Left Enforcer asked, “Is there an urgent matter?”
“Yes,” Adair confirmed. “I came here to complete another mission entrusted to me, and then this incident occurred. Four days might be a bit long for me.”
“Then try this.” Left Enforcer produced a small bottle containing white powder and scattered it over the piece of flesh.
A wondrous scene unfolded. The powder, initially as pure white as snow, now changed color, emitting a blood-red glow.
Kuang Ruo exclaimed in surprise, “I never would have thought! If what the young man says is true, has the species not changed despite the physical mutation? Is it still human?”
Adair looked at Kuang Ruo, a hint of confusion in his eyes, not quite understanding the powder’s magical use.
Kuang Ruo explained, “This is a special enemy-detection powder made by the Inquisition. When sprinkled on a living creature, it displays different colors based on the creature’s species.”
“And this light, the color of our blood, is the symbol of humanity.”
“I see,” Adair acknowledged. He wasn’t surprised that Quentin, who had transformed into a grotesque worm, was still identified as human.
After all, the Desire Gene Amplifier merely enhanced existing human genes; it was entirely normal for the human genome to be retained.
“So, if we take a part of that demonic creature and use this powder, we can determine its true identity?”
Left Enforcer nodded. “Precisely. If it also turns blood-red, then the demonic creature is a mutated human. However, this might be difficult for us to handle.”
Adair was initially puzzled but quickly understood. “Is it because of the Duke’s blockade of the Verdant Grassland?”
Father Charles nodded. “Indeed. To obtain a sample of that plant’s tissue would mean luring it out, and that would cause a significant commotion. If we were to get entangled with the plant and be discovered by the Duke’s men, it might be difficult to resolve.”
“After all, the Cathedral is not permitted to interfere with matters in another’s territory without authorization or in an emergency.”
“In that case, let us handle it.”
Adair willingly took on the task. For Ye Xi, this wouldn’t be difficult; with her skill, obtaining a sample of the demonic creature’s tissue without being discovered by others would be quite easy.
The cult was a common enemy for both him and the Cathedral. To fight this enemy, his best ally was the Grand Cathedral.
Adair wouldn’t mind providing as much information about the Krass Cult to the Cathedral as possible; it would make things much easier for him.
Father Charles spoke apologetically. “I am truly sorry. This should be our responsibility, yet we keep troubling Your Excellency.”
Adair calmly replied, “I also have my own motivations. This is also to leverage the Cathedral’s power to better suppress that cult.”
Kuang Ruo looked at Adair with some surprise. “The young man truly holds a grudge against that cult, to be so persistent in opposing them.”
Adair smiled, offering no explanation. In his previous life, his village and all his relatives within it were destroyed by a disaster caused by that cult.
Even though his relatives were alive in this life, it didn’t mean he could let go of the enmity from his past. He was quite petty, after all!
Seeing Adair’s reluctance to elaborate, Kuang Ruo didn’t press further. Everyone had secrets they wished to keep from outsiders, and he respected Adair’s privacy.
Father Charles pondered for a moment, then said, “Nevertheless, that does not diminish your contributions. Once this matter concludes, I will prepare a suitable gift for Your Excellency. Please do not refuse.”
Seeing Father Charles’s serious demeanor, Adair nodded. “Then I thank you, Father.”
****
Adair and Ye Xi subsequently departed from the church. The sky outside had already grown dim, and the setting sun cast a unique beauty upon the vibrant city.
Adair stretched deeply, muttering, “I truly hope this lord isn’t an accomplice to those cults.”
Ye Xi glanced at him. “Sometimes, it’s not up to them. Let’s head back; we have things to do tonight.”
“Oh, you’re quite proactive today, aren’t you?” Adair asked, puzzled.
Ye Xi looked at Adair coldly, then suddenly offered a gentle smile. “I heard Master intends to properly train me. I am quite looking forward to it~ I can barely wait to discover what Master truly has in mind.”
Adair shivered. “Ye Xi, please don’t be like that. You’re making me a bit nervous. How about we go grab something to eat first?”
Ye Xi pressed a hand on Adair’s shoulder, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Master, dinner can wait. Let’s discuss the training first.”
With that, Ye Xi actively took Adair’s hand and led him toward the inn.
At this moment, Ye Xi and Adair resembled a pair of lovers in the throes of passion, their hands tightly clasped. Their beauty and charm made many single passersby genuinely envious.
Only Adair, the person directly involved, could truly understand how ‘intimate’ they were at that moment.
The hand Ye Xi held, after experiencing a few brief seconds of softness at first, made Adair wish he could chop it off. It hurt too much!
Adair’s facial muscles twitched uncontrollably. Just as he was about to speak, Ye Xi preemptively sensed his intention and squeezed harder, forcing Adair to swallow his words.
As they walked further, however, Adair’s complexion actually improved significantly. This wasn’t because Ye Xi had released him, but because his held left hand had gone completely numb.
Back at the inn, Ye Xi and Adair finally released their tightly intertwined hands.
Ye Xi embraced Yuzu, who had joyfully rushed over upon seeing her master, leaving Adair to the side.
“No strange individuals entered the room, did they?” Ye Xi inquired.
Yuzu shook their head, indicating they had diligently stood guard and detected nothing amiss.
Ye Xi, understanding, rewarded Yuzu with a special dog treat.
Adair, now released, was about to move his purplish left hand but immediately winced, his face paling from the pain.
“If you don’t want your left hand to turn into a chicken claw later, don’t move it unnecessarily.”
Ye Xi fetched a basin of warm water, poured in some medicine, and then took out a dry towel, soaking it in the basin. Once thoroughly wet, she applied it to Adair’s left hand.
“Leave it on for a while, and it will be fine. Until then, if you move your hand carelessly, you won’t need it anymore.”
Ye Xi leaned against a nearby cabinet, looking at Adair with a half-smile. “What kind of props are needed for training? Do you need me to get them for you?”
“Training requires props?” Adair scoffed. “Such physical-level training is too primitive. I pursue higher mental training.”
“When I successfully conquer you, Ye Xi, and make you obediently call me ‘husband,’ then you will truly understand its horror!”
“…” Ye Xi looked at Adair, whose mischievous intentions remained undeterred, feigning fear. “How utterly terrifying~”