Having devoured all the snacks Dr. Callan had brought, Govet-Ghervil slept soundly from afternoon until evening. Upon waking, she felt her strength almost entirely restored.
She fed Konehl-Ghervil liquid food, including water and milk. There was little else she could do; for instance, moving her was out of the question. In truth, in her current body, her strength was comparable to that of a five or six-year-old child, though her limbs possessed the agility of a primate. Due to her size, she couldn’t assist Konehl-Ghervil in getting out of bed to exercise her body. Prolonged immobility in bed was detrimental to blood circulation and muscle development. After a certain period, stiff joints and muscle atrophy would be the least of her worries. She decided to alleviate this by changing her sleeping posture, massaging her limbs, and gently moving her joints. Completing these tasks the previous night had taken over an hour.
At that moment, Konehl-Ghervil lay prone on the bed in a peculiar position. Her nightgown was pulled up, her bottom raised high, and her head turned to one side. This was no act of perverse amusement. Govet-Ghervil had gone to great lengths to arrange her into this posture to address a universal human need. Dr. Callan, undoubtedly, possessed experience caring for such patients. Among the items she had brought that morning were absorbent cotton paper and disposable diapers made of gauze. Their purpose was self-evident.
Having removed her original undergarments, she painstakingly put on the diaper, one leg at a time, sliding it up her calves and thighs, finally securing it. She hadn’t even had a chance to pull her nightgown back down.
Just then, an impolite individual gave a perfunctory knock before opening the door. Dr. Callan stood frozen in the doorway.
Her blood, disobediently, surged with agitation, manifesting as a blush creeping across her face. The smooth, fair skin of the girl on the bed, from her thighs downwards, was laid bare for all to see. Compounded by her posture, a position Dr. Callan had never imagined, one Konehl-Ghervil would certainly never willingly assume. Even in a diaper, she possessed a unique charm. Her allure was undeniably striking. The visual impact washed over her brain and veins, a warm flush rising through her nasal passages, promptly stemmed by a finger pressed to her nose.
“A pervert remains a pervert,” Govet-Ghervil would have uttered far harsher words, had she not noticed the large suitcase Dr. Callan carried.
“I… I won’t refute that,” Dr. Callan replied, her gaze unwavering. Since she had already been scolded, she might as well make the most of the moment. To her, the girl’s nearly perfect figure at this age, combined with the unusual pose, made every extra glance a bonus.
“You should at least close the door, shouldn’t you?”
Only after this prompt did Dr. Callan realize her oversight, turning to close the door. When she looked back, however, the scene before her brought profound disappointment. Govet-Ghervil had already pulled Konehl-Ghervil’s nightgown down, concealing everything completely.
“My stance is clear: if I do not approve, any intentions you harbor for my sister will be utterly futile.”
After smoothing the girl’s body and covering her with a thin blanket, Govet-Ghervil used all four limbs to leap into the air, landing steadily on Dr. Callan’s shoulder.
“Furthermore, I can inform you that I am not her only blood relative.”
‘Quite heavy,’ Dr. Callan thought. Her left shoulder dipped under the sudden weight. She couldn’t fathom what this large furball intended. ‘Hadn’t it always been wary and guarded around her? Or was it simply overconfident in its own abilities?’
“I will not regret my choice,” she stated in a low voice, steeling herself for the possibility of being controlled by those eyes once more.
“Whether you regret it or not is of no concern to me. Open that suitcase at once; I want to see what you’ve brought.”
Govet-Ghervil, perched on her shoulder, fixed her eyes on the held suitcase.
‘So, it’s just gluttony,’ Dr. Callan realized. With a greenish tint to her face, Dr. Callan several times almost asked if eating so much would turn her into a fat rat. No, she already *was* a fat rat, especially compared to a normal chinchilla.
“Why are you dawdling? Do you wish for me to reveal all your transgressions to her?”
Of course not. Dr. Callan conceded that she had no recourse. If Konehl-Ghervil were to learn of her habit of secretly smelling clothes, the powerful and reliable image Dr. Callan had cultivated in her mind would shatter, and at worst, they might cease to be friends.
Three minutes later, Govet-Ghervil stood on the table, heartily devouring the delicacies, utterly oblivious to the peculiar gaze of the doctor beside her.
“Does she usually strictly control your diet?”
Dr. Callan finally couldn’t resist asking, her tone cautious.
“Not to the extent of strict control, but the food she prepares…” Govet-Ghervil paused her eating, recalling something, and the wagging of her tail diminished. “Imagine an old hag, so decrepit she can barely walk, her face covered in pus, attempting to disguise herself as a young, beautiful maiden.” “Anyone who glimpses her true form would be forever scarred and never wish to look again.”
Though the analogy was bizarre, Dr. Callan understood it perfectly. Rarely did a human and a rat find such common ground. Dr. Callan realized this was an opportune moment to improve their relationship and learn more about Govet-Ghervil.
“It’s not as if she can’t make normal-tasting food. She studied cooking with Mrs. Keith for a while; this situation shouldn’t be happening.”
“She absolutely possesses a talent for concocting poison.”
“What else does she usually demand of you?”
Govet-Ghervil darted a glance at Dr. Callan, keenly sensing her attempt to extract information. “You should rephrase your question. Ask what I demand of her.” ‘Don’t think a few snacks are enough to pry for information and alter the dynamics,’ she thought. ‘The perverted brat is far too naive.’
Exposed, Dr. Callan showed no embarrassment. Without explicit confrontation, the current state of affairs could be maintained, and there was still room for negotiation.
“The True Dreamscape (TL Note: A realm of dreams that can affect one’s physical body in reality.),” she said, pulling a black leather notebook from the very bottom of her suitcase. “I’ve consulted relevant information. It is no less perilous than some ancient ruins. Should one suffer misfortune within it, their physical body in reality would also…” She glanced at the girl on the bed, leaving the consequence unspoken.
“Indeed, that is the case.” Having tired from eating, Govet-Ghervil leaned against the suitcase, gently rubbing her belly as she replied. “Your investigation speed is quicker than I anticipated. Those old codgers in the capital told you, didn’t they?”
Dr. Callan nodded in affirmation. “The conditions for leaving the True Dreamscape are exceedingly stringent, but the conditions for entering…” She opened the notebook and pushed it towards Govet-Ghervil. “Only require a medium.”
Govet-Ghervil, of course, recognized the notebook as the one obtained from the Baron’s eldest son, and she had already surmised Dr. Callan’s objective. “They likely neglected to tell you one crucial detail: mediums are divided into natural and artificial. A natural medium is a permanent real-world entrance to the True Dreamscape, and I am ninety percent certain it lies within a desert town named Burdurka.” “Artificial mediums are single-use, and I regret to inform you that this notebook has already lost its efficacy.”
Dr. Callan stared at the notebook, utterly silent. Though her expression remained unchanged on the surface, the veins on the back of her hands, visibly deepening in color, betrayed her inner turmoil. This was one of the symptoms of a patient afflicted with Crimson Lotus (TL Note: A fictional disease causing visible vein darkening and accelerated blood flow during emotional stress.). When emotions fluctuate significantly, the body’s blood production and circulation accelerate. The blood vessels would swell under the increased pressure. In male patients, this characteristic would be more pronounced, whereas in females, it remained within a normal range.
“The investigation outside is just as crucial. The sooner the mastermind is apprehended, the sooner she can awaken.” Kicking the notebook aside, Govet-Ghervil leaped onto Dr. Callan’s shoulder, offering a strange form of comfort.
‘It would be a terrible waste for such an excellent source of food to fall ill and worsen due to a bad mood,’ she mused.
“Let’s be practical. If you were to enter the True Dreamscape, there’s no doubt your power in the real world would diminish significantly, and the situation could spiral into something far worse.” “The reason they only dare to act covertly is because you, the Chief, are here. Furthermore, if you truly went inside, who would protect her out here? Do not rely on me; I am not adept at combat.” “I understand all of this,” Dr. Callan replied, her voice tinged with melancholy. “I merely wish to care for her personally, and now even this small desire seems impossible to fulfill…”
‘Is that her angle?’ Govet-Ghervil paused, momentarily stunned, finding it difficult to discern the sincerity in her words. ‘The atmosphere had become such that it would be awkward to suddenly turn hostile.’ ‘Still, it was opportune, as she had been pondering how to conceal her own plans.’
“Alas…” She crossed her tiny paws, letting out a profound sigh. “I can expend my power to allow you to speak with her and witness her surroundings.” “However, you must fulfill one condition for me.”
Upon hearing this news, Dr. Callan’s hands trembled with excitement, and she eagerly declared her commitment. “This city, no, this entire nation, within the jurisdiction of The Order, I can procure anything you desire to eat!”
Govet-Ghervil wagged her tail contentedly. “Go prepare some ingredients shortly; I will concoct a potion that will allow you to enter dreams. Once you are in the dream, you must convey certain things to her exactly as I instruct.” “Remember, the duration will only last fifteen minutes.”