Without experimental equipment or auxiliary medicines, Konehl-Ghervil naturally could not fulfill Dr. Schmidt’s request on the spot.
She was merely a dilettante (TL Note: A ‘bandiaozi’ refers to someone with superficial knowledge or skill, an amateur.). With the right conditions and Govet-Ghervil’s assistance, it would be no arduous task.
The best outcome would be for Govet-Ghervil to complete it independently, with Konehl-Ghervil merely overseeing.
The furball in her arms remained still, signifying her assent.
“When do you approximately require the results?” Konehl-Ghervil inquired, feigning contemplation.
“The sooner, the better,” Dr. Schmidt replied, carefully placing her brooch back into her pocket.
“You may conduct your work either at the chapel or accompany me back to the hospital; both locations offer comprehensive facilities and suitable conditions.”
This presented quite a dilemma.
Neither location was ideal; Konehl-Ghervil much preferred an undisturbed environment where she and Govet-Ghervil could work in solitude.
With too many people present, her identity as a ‘Blood Rose expert’ could easily be compromised.
All her efforts would then be in vain.
Her two companions remained silent, eager to witness Konehl-Ghervil’s true capabilities as a nun of Solis Abbey.
“Extensive facilities are not necessary, but I do require some time,” Konehl-Ghervil stated, inclining her head to examine the metal box. From this angle, no one else could discern the subtle shift in her expression.
“…Could you perhaps yield results by tomorrow?” the doctor probed tentatively.
“The higher-ups… that is to say, the Chief, has requested that we complete this within twenty-four hours.”
Dr. Schmidt, noting Valo-Ramsey’s presence, saw no need for concealment, as the deployment of a Chief from the capital was no secret among those in their circles.
A pang tightened Konehl-Ghervil’s chest upon hearing this, and she regretted her hasty decision.
“Has your Chief arrived so swiftly?”
Valo-Ramsey raised an eyebrow, voicing the very question Konehl-Ghervil yearned to ask.
‘What an excellent teammate,’ she silently lauded him.
“That information is beyond my clearance,” Dr. Schmidt responded. “Orders are conveyed via raven, and the movements of the Chiefs are never disclosed externally.”
“You don’t even know which Chief it is?” he pressed further.
“Indeed,” Dr. Schmidt confirmed. “Is Mr. Valo-Ramsey perhaps interested in our Chief’s identity? You could try your luck waiting at the hospital, or you might apply for an audience with our Chief under your authority as a senior agent of the Epidemic Prevention Bureau.”
“I believe I shall refrain from imposing,” Valo-Ramsey demurred.
This was the extent of his assistance.
Valo-Ramsey merely chuckled, choosing not to press the matter further.
“Very well, then it shall be tomorrow. I will provide you with an answer by then.”
Having closed the metal box, Konehl-Ghervil walked to the bedside, picked up her satchel, placed the contents inside, slung it over her shoulder, and donned the wide-brimmed hat from the wall before turning to face the others.
“It is time for us to depart.”
“To the streets?”
Ishmele-Esli was visibly eager.
They had discussed similar topics the previous evening, with Konehl-Ghervil asking if she had any particular places she wished to visit.
Ishmele-Esli still recalled the bustling, lively scene of Hundred Flowers Street.
“Ahem…”
Konehl-Ghervil shot her a discreet glare.
“We are returning, of course. Our time today is hardly abundant.”
Having just declared her need for time to deal with the petal, she certainly couldn’t turn around and suggest going out to play—though a stroll was indeed on her mind, it was inappropriate to mention it in front of the doctor.
Such an action would not only undermine her scholarly facade but also, to some extent, imply disrespect towards the hospital department.
Given her limited understanding of these individuals, it was prudent to avoid giving offense.
“Allow me to drive you back; I have a car,” Dr. Schmidt offered kindly.
“No, thank you. My driver is rather free today,” Konehl-Ghervil replied with a smile, her gaze settling on the sole gentleman in the room.
“Provided I’m paid, it sounds like a decent job,” Valo-Ramsey remarked, a hint of resignation in his expression.
“That works out well. You can come directly to the Glenny Medical Center to find me tomorrow. I await your results with anticipation.”
Bidding farewell to the doctor, Konehl-Ghervil was finally relieved of the need to speak in her exhausting, deep voice.
Sustaining such a tone for too long would undoubtedly strain her throat.
“Are you truly heading back already? You seemed to have a good grasp on that petal, didn’t you?”
Valo-Ramsey leaned closer, twirling a car key on his index finger.
“Are you attempting to pry information from me again?”
Konehl-Ghervil found him rather exasperating.
“I haven’t regained my memories,” she clarified. “The knowledge of the Blood Rose I displayed during my confrontation with the Baron was merely something I learned on the fly (TL Note: ‘Xian xue xian mai’ describes learning something immediately and applying it, often implying a superficial understanding.).”
“You misunderstand me entirely; it was simply a friend’s concern.”
“Perhaps you could tell me about the Glenny Medical Center, and then take me to a few post offices near the Cambaton residence.”
“You wish to investigate the letter’s origin?”
“Precisely, my friend.”
Not only the post offices near the Cambaton family’s home but also those closer to the manor required investigation.
However, Konehl-Ghervil suspected it was largely a futile effort, as the letter itself seemed problematic.
She had privately scrutinized its contents several times, finding nothing noteworthy in its wording or sentence structure.
Unless one was a local with some familiarity with Mrs. Penelope, it would be difficult to pinpoint the letter’s true anomaly.
It conveyed no explicit message nor contained any clues, leaving only the sending post office as a potential starting point for investigation.
An hour later, Konehl-Ghervil, Govet-Ghervil, and Valo-Ramsey had already visited four post offices.
Ishmele-Esli, upon hearing Valo-Ramsey’s pledge to protect her mission target and with some money provided by Konehl-Ghervil, reluctantly chose to go sightseeing on Hundred Flowers Street.
Along the way, Valo-Ramsey provided a general overview of the Glenny Medical Center: a large hospital established through a collaboration between the church and the government, situated in the city center, and ranking among the foremost in Florence City in terms of scale.
It also served as a regional hub for the hospital department, where doctors from neighboring cities seeking qualification for the department would first undergo training and assessment.
Returning to the matter of the post offices, none of the four yielded any information about the sender.
Most people were acquainted with the Cambaton family’s daughter, especially the postal staff who dealt with numerous individuals daily. They explicitly stated that the lady had not visited between Monday and Tuesday.
They then canvassed several more post offices near the Cambaton mansion, ultimately visiting seventeen by four in the afternoon, with no discernible difference in the results.
Considering that Florence City boasted between four and five hundred post offices, attempting to investigate them all with just two people would surely drive them mad.
Ultimately, Valo-Ramsey was compelled to leverage his authority as an Epidemic Prevention Bureau agent, dispatching personnel to other post offices while he personally examined the shipping records.
The findings nearly made Konehl-Ghervil’s jaw drop: the stamp on the envelope was a forgery, and there were no shipping records whatsoever.
This implied the letter had reached Mistfall City from Florence City without ever passing through a post office.
Beyond train transport, Konehl-Ghervil could conceive of no other method.
However, since the disappearance of the train’s occupants had been thoroughly investigated by the police, this possibility was largely ruled out.
The most plausible current theory was that Mrs. Penelope herself remained in Florence City, and the letter had been delivered to Mistfall City by someone she had entrusted.
Pursuing this lead would likely require considerable time to yield any concrete results.
Upon meeting Ishmele-Esli, Konehl-Ghervil observed that she remained in high spirits, though her outward appearance didn’t immediately betray it. This was evident, however, from her enthusiastic tone, the greasy sheen around her mouth from her meal, and the bouquet of wrapped flowers clutched in her hands.
Truly, she was a well-trained knight.
Konehl-Ghervil felt a touch of envy.
After a perfunctory dinner out, they returned to the secluded bungalow just as the sun began to dip below the horizon.
“Where’s the petal?”
Govet-Ghervil was not particularly tired, having barely participated in the day’s activities, merely tagging along in the morning and napping soundly in the car all afternoon.
“It should be in here.”
Tossing her satchel to the furball, Konehl-Ghervil prepared to take a shower, having worked up a considerable sweat.
“Rest well after your shower; you can leave the rest to me.”
A wave of relief washed over Konehl-Ghervil; the creature was finally proving useful.
Scooping up the furball, she vigorously rubbed it against her face for a moment, dislodging a fair amount of cosmetic powder. Meeting an indignant stare, Konehl-Ghervil chuckled merrily as she entered the washroom.