The Alchemist’s Secret

Iordera closed her eyes, and the control panel reappeared before her.

[Physical Condition: Excellent]

[Core Status: Good, Undamaged]

[Energy Storage: 98%]

[Dormancy Requirement: None]

Essentially, this meant her body was in perfect condition, free from any bumps, bruises, or rheumatic pains. Her high energy storage was a result of the hearty dinner she had consumed the previous night, and the lack of a dormancy requirement indicated she had slept sufficiently, with just a few hours each day proving ample.

Of course, if she wished, she could certainly continue sleeping.

Yet, the more crucial details lay within the subsequent section:

[Joint Hammer Lv1]: Strike the enemy with an elbow, then unleash a powerful punch. The punch benefits from a three-point joint power-up—shoulder, elbow, and palm—resulting in a triple critical strike.

The elbow strike inflicts a slowing effect, while the punch delivers an armor-piercing effect.

‘This seems a bit complex; perhaps I should try it out…’

Iordera sat up, a ripple of anticipation passing through her as she faced the quiet air. However, upon seeing the maid sisters sleeping peacefully nearby, she suppressed the urge.

‘I should just keep sleeping. I’ll find an opportunity to try this out after work tonight. Once I’ve mastered this move, I can analyze the other skill.’

‘How wonderful! Now I, too, possess combat capabilities.’

Zzz

****

Sleeping soundly until dawn, Iordera awoke, washed up, and prepared to begin another day at work.

Nina had just woken, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she stood at the doorway. “Young Miss, are you preparing to leave?”

“Yes, and Nina,” Iordera suddenly recalled something, “you don’t need to buy a sword, nor any other weapons.”

‘With skills at my disposal now, who would foolishly bother with air-fencing?’

“Then I don’t have to go to the market today?” Nina’s eyes brightened.

“No, you should still make a trip to the market. At least buy some useful household items,” Iordera instructed her. “Be productive; weren’t you responsible for procurement in the caravan?”

“Alright…”

The morning commute was the most harmonious part of the day; perhaps it was simply too early, even for the destructive witch’s minions to have stirred from their slumber.

Iordera arrived at Prison Number Zero and headed to the cafeteria to await breakfast.

“Good morning, little lass. You’re here so early again today,” the kitchen lady greeted her.

Today marked her third day of work, and everyone else in the prison had grown accustomed to her presence.

Iordera shrugged. “I have to deliver meals to the people inside, so I need to arrive early.”

“Such a kind heart, little lass, always thinking of the prisoners.”

The other staff working at Prison Number Zero had no idea who was confined within. The only ones in contact were Sir Olcott and the meal-delivery jailers he had arranged.

Perhaps this was precisely why the personnel were rotated every seven days.

Iordera carried the breakfast tray into the cell, her expression as placid as an ancient well, her heart as still as calm water.

‘Just focus on work, ignore everything the witch says, mm-hm.’

“You’ve arrived,” Hecate said, smiling as she looked at her. “The surprise I mentioned for you today is already prepared.”

Iordera paid her no mind, silently placed the breakfast tray inside, then retreated to sit down.

“I was thinking of you yesterday, all night long,” Hecate continued, ignoring the fragrant breakfast. “The days before I was imprisoned feel so distant, as if they happened in another lifetime. But thankfully, I’ve managed to recall a few things.”

Iordera gave a perfunctory hum.

‘Go on, speak all you like; it will be futile. She won’t listen. Besides, what good would it do for you to rack your brains? Could you possibly fathom my identity?’

‘Firstly, I am not human, and secondly, I am not even from this world. You could never comprehend it.’

‘If you manage to figure it out today, I, Iordera, will immediately devour that steamed bun on your plate!’

Just then, Hecate lifted her head and sniffed the air.

“Camellia oil. I actually adore this scent; it cleanses all foreign odors from alchemical substances, leaving behind only this faint tea fragrance.”

Iordera hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I think, perhaps, what you’re smelling is the millet porridge, plain steamed buns, and roasted sausage.”

The breakfast tray was still sitting right there.

Hecate chuckled softly. “My dear, since you’ve already inquired about my identity, you should know that I am also skilled in alchemy.”

The young loli sitting outside grew visibly unsettled.

Hearing the word ‘alchemy,’ she felt a surge of panic.

“But even I couldn’t create automatons indistinguishable from humans, because I lacked certain components,” Hecate said, watching the changes in the loli’s expression with amusement. “And there is only one alchemist on the entire continent with such resources and capabilities.”

Iordera couldn’t help but blurt out, “Who?”

“My teacher, Sheila, The Guardian.”

“Oh… oh, those are indeed significant figures,” Iordera feigned indifference. “But what does that have to do with me?”

Hecate smiled and continued, “My teacher spent a very long time conducting a certain experiment. She used many top-grade materials, even unique items, which took her several hundred years to create two automatons… one of which was considered a failure because it was missing something.”

Iordera’s heart pounded. She instantly realized Hecate was likely referring to the origin of her current body.

‘Big sis, this truly is a “surprise”!’

At this moment, Hecate’s tone shifted. “Let’s return to you, my dear. You possess a complete personality and a rather mature demeanor towards people, yet you lack common sense about this world, and you have some peculiar little habits.”

She reached out and patted her clothes. “For instance, yesterday, when you were bored, you repeatedly touched your pockets, as if trying to pull something out to pass the time?”

“I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Iordera bit her lip, her heart sinking. ‘It’s over,’ she thought, ‘she’s truly figured something out.’

‘Well, according to the oath I just swore, I need to find a way to snatch that witch’s steamed bun and eat it.’

“Are you hungry? Feel free to eat it if you wish,” Hecate said gently, noticing her gaze. “However, darling, eating steamed buns won’t help you grow ‘big buns’; you need to drink milk for that.”

Iordera silently retrieved the steamed bun, shoved it into her mouth, and swallowed it, letting the great furnace in her stomach break it down.

“Thank you, but I still don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, yes, if you say you don’t know, then you don’t know; no need to argue,” Hecate slowly moved a little closer. “But my dear, if you wish to learn more about this story, I can point you in the right direction.”

Iordera subtly perked up her ears.

“Before that, however, please fulfill one request of mine,” Hecate said with a smile.

The young loli instantly calmed down. “I cannot help you escape, nor do I possess the ability to do so.”

“Rest assured, it’s merely a chat,” the witch twisted her neck. “On the first day we met, you mentioned someone far more formidable than me. Would you care to tell me their story?”

Iordera paused for a moment, then remembered.

“Hannibal, no problem. This movie… *cough*, I mean, this story is called ‘The Silence of the Lambs’.”