Fran walked out of Will's bookstore and blended into the sparse crowd.
Vivian, concealing her form, followed closely behind, simultaneously using her [Calling Bird] to observe the situation of the two Children of the Whiskered Tree. After confirming they hadn't followed, she quickened her pace to catch up to Fran.
"Dr. Fran, why did you make contact with the Children of the Whiskered Tree? And this outfit..."
"It's in preparation for the White Cup's academic symposium."
Fran lightly adjusted her silver-rimmed round glasses, then lifted her overcoat to display the finely tailored academic robe she wore.
"Also, my current identity is not that of a doctor, but a star-gazing scholar from Gormouth... Please call me Flamel."
The name Flamel came from a famous ancient alchemist and was the alias she most frequently used. When she took on an identity other than doctor, she usually asked others to address her as such...
"I understand... Ms. Flamel."
Vivian deftly and compliantly accepted Fran's alias.
As a Confidential Division agent, she was all too familiar with assuming false identities. To the point that switching the address revealed no awkwardness, as if she had always addressed the person before her that way.
Fran was quite satisfied with Vivian's attitude and thus cooperatively began answering her questions.
"As for contacting the Children of the Whiskered Tree, it was just a spontaneous probe," she said.
"A secretive cult that has remained silent for nearly a millennium suddenly arriving in Norlington is really quite suspicious... Having a brief interaction with their emissaries gives some initial impressions."
So she used me, already there for surveillance, as a ready-made tool to arrange a "chance encounter"?
Vivian squinted slightly, not feeling displeased at being used as a tool, but inexplicably feeling a flicker of admiration...
Deliberately presenting a flawed argument to lure someone in, then gradually fishing for information, finally rebutting the other party with an unexpected sophistry.
Such a smooth, professional probing process—any active Confidential Division agent would likely find it hard not to feel drawn to it...
Fran pulled the still-thinking Vivian along, slightly quickening their pace.
"Alright, Vivian. It's about time; let's head to the academy... Sister Haida is waiting for us."
"Don't forget, there's an invitation for you from the White Cup too."
---
A thin wind carried fine snow, falling like willow catkins.
The winter this February was much milder.
Although the northern wind pressing down from Loredon still carried a chill, it wasn't as piercingly bitter as in previous years. The wind and snow melted away instantly upon touching skin, like the cool, brief touch of a haughty lady.
Norlington Central Academy was bustling with people, noticeably more lively than usual.
Besides the academy's own students and professors, there were many visitors from various fields attending the conference.
The academic symposium was divided into two parts.
The first was the presentation and sharing of the latest scientific research findings, completely open to the public, the only barrier being a ticket... though missing it wasn't a big deal, as the key points of the lectures would later be published in relevant academic journals.
The second part, however, involved mystical knowledge... less a lecture showcasing academic results and more an information exchange between secretive cults.
Most attendees were secret cult disciples who had truly stepped onto the mystical ladder, and to participate in the core part... required an invitation letter from the White Cup cult.
Child stood erect at the entrance to the academy's lecture hall, meticulously verifying each guest attending the conference.
Most visitors were clergy or researchers coming to listen to lectures, but there were also ordinary citizens who had purchased tickets.
Their lives benefited from developments in applied science, so many had become lay followers of the Pure White Cup, paying close attention to the forefront of technological progress.
For visitors holding tickets, Child only needed to guide them into the main hall... Those presenting invitation letters would be directed by him into the side corridor, which led directly to the inner symposium's council chamber.
Although the symposium's scale couldn't compare to the museum's Plum Moon ritual, it was still impossible for Child to handle security alone. Around him were many other Error-Purgers also checking tickets, with hidden sentries arranged in concealed spots.
Even so, the workload for each individual was considerable.
"It's nice that Professor Terence gets to prepare for the council chamber lecture and doesn't have to stand guard here..."
Child let out a light sigh, a trace of envy faintly visible between his brows.
However, he didn't harbor any complaints, as all Error-Purgers assigned here received extra winter subsidies. And Professor Terence's presentation project was reportedly quite important, with a high level of confidentiality; even he didn't know the specific details...
By the way, today's security operations were entirely under the responsibility of Professor Utus from the Oceanography Department.
This athletic professor had once served as first mate on the 'Leviathan' in his youth. Besides being extremely familiar with matters of Abyssal navigation, he was said to have the combat record of single-handedly dealing with an entire ship of pirates during boarding actions... quite reliable.
Just then, a young woman dressed in a star-gazer's overcoat approached Child and handed him an invitation.
"Hello, please wait a moment while I check the letter's contents..."
Child looked at the name of the invitee inside the envelope, and his blue eyes focused.
The signature at the end of the invitation was clearly "Fran Herschel." Moreover, in the attached confidentiality agreement, this name was replaced with "Flamel."
Flamel... Was that the alias Dr. Fran intended to use?
He looked at the silver-spectacled young woman before him, then noticed Sister Haida and Vivian were following closely behind, less than a step away.
"Welcome, you two from the Secrets-Hunter cult... and Ms. Flamel of the Stellar Abyss Society."
Having no further doubts about the visitors' identities, Child raised his hand, indicating for the three to proceed to the council chamber via the side corridor.
Fran gave a polite nod. Soon, their figures gradually faded into the dim lamp-lit shadows of the corridor.
"Hmm... Even in the external lecture hall, which doesn't involve mystical knowledge, there are some secret cult disciples lingering."
Vivian glanced back at the corridor they came from, but saw only a lightless darkness. The corridor seemed completely isolated by some intangible force from both ends.
"In the face of increasingly advanced firearms, lower-step extraordinary individuals are now almost no different from ordinary people. Therefore, they've also begun paying more attention to cutting-edge science to avoid falling behind the times."
Haida provided a concise and efficient explanation.
A century ago, several hundred low-level Evil Spawn transformed from sacrifices by ordinary lay believers could easily slaughter a town. Now, they would likely be turned into minced meat and bloody rain in the fiery winds of heavy firepower.
The same went for secret cult disciples.
Even a deeply experienced deacon, as long as he hadn't truly stepped into the fourth step symbolizing transcendence from the mortal... could be utterly eliminated by a steel-core bullet sent through his forehead.
"There's another reason, you know."
Fran's voice was very gentle, only audible to the two beside her.
She took the roles she played very seriously, so there was never any slip-up.
Of course, if someone truly saw through the act, this doctor wouldn't mind offering the discoverer a free psychological consultation to help both parties forget that unpleasant memory...
"These types, though they possess some entry-level mystical knowledge, aren't qualified to receive invitations to the inner meetings, so they can only remain outside."
"Otherwise, who wouldn't want to listen in on Norlington's highest-level academic conference? Just selling the information on the black market could yield a pretty penny..."
Haida nodded, acknowledging this point.
"The threshold for the White Cup's inner symposium is indeed high. Even within the Secrets-Hunter cult, usually only the most qualified scholars are sent."
"The past few times, it was Ms. Marian and Master Zoparos."
Hearing Haida mention this, Fran's gaze shifted slightly, appearing somewhat guilty.
"Hmm... Speaking of which, I've taken Ms. Marian's spot this time; she'll probably be unhappy, won't she?"
"Not at all."
Haida responded.
"Winter is a peak time for epidemics; Ms. Marian has been very busy these past few days. Not having to attend the symposium actually lightens her burden."
In fact, before coming to the conference, the nun had submitted a written report to the General Affairs Division and also sought the opinions of Zoparos and Marian.
Zoparos, being a deeply experienced cryptologist, had participated in many such symposia and thus didn't mind.
Marian was simply swamped with Medical Division affairs. In previous years, representing the Secrets-Hunter cult at the conference required a lot of effort in arrangements. Learning she could take a break this time made the senior physician nearly cheer with joy... she almost hugged Haida and gave her a kiss.
Hearing this, Fran couldn't help but narrow her amber eyes slightly.
"Oh, that fits my imagination of the workload for public medical institution staff. An iron rice bowl is stable, but there's also a lot of trivial work. That's why I prefer being a private doctor..."
Fran's impression of Marian was still from the Great Plague period—decisive with a touch of impatience. She seemed less like someone from the Medical Division and more like a young hunter from the Burial Court.
But according to Sister Haida's scattered descriptions over the past year, it seemed as time passed, Marian had grown increasingly similar to Viola from back then in various aspects.
Gentle, sharp, good at understanding others' thoughts, like a considerate elder... Time truly spares no one.
Following the directions on the White Cup invitation, the group passed through the corridor and arrived at a reception room within the council chamber. Terence, with a solemn expression, sat upright, appearing to have been waiting for some time.
Snap.
He snapped his fingers through silk gloves, and the reception room was immediately draped with a dim, pale curtain.
The White Cup's third-category secret art [Virtual Assembly], capable of creating a separated space for communication. He had used it at the Sated Club as well.
Although the council chamber's security was extremely high-grade and located deep within the cult... some appropriate confidentiality measures were still indispensable.
"Welcome, everyone, to the White Cup's academic symposium."
Although they had collaborated several times, Terence still offered a polite greeting.
Simple pleasantries aside.
Fran lightly lifted her overcoat and gracefully took a seat on the leather sofa opposite Terence. Her movements held a touch of stiffness and awkwardness, completely lacking her usual natural fluidity.
Although it was merely a simple change of clothes, the doctor's aura and the impression she gave were now completely different.
The surprise in Terence's eyes flickered briefly.
If the person before him also used a secret art like [Transfiguration] to alter her appearance, he probably wouldn't be able to recognize her true identity even face-to-face.
"Professor Terence. Let's be candid with each other, discard unnecessary probing and preamble, and get straight to the point."
"By inviting me, what does the White Cup cult actually want to obtain, or... what do you want to know?"
Since both sides already had some understanding of each other, Fran didn't intend to waste time on meaningless socializing and directly asked about their purpose. Her tone wasn't sharp, but held a faint, indisputable air.
Concise and direct, straight to the heart of the matter—truly the consistent style of the Secrets-Hunters. Could it really be as Headmaster Grantham speculated, that Dr. Fran is the Secrets-Hunter cult's "Medicae Primus" for this term?
Dispelling the baseless speculation from his mind, Terence nodded slightly, complying with her suggestion.
"We hope for the same."
"Actually, the White Cup cult doesn't expect to obtain anything from you. The reason for inviting you is more to demonstrate sincerity. Whether to give an academic lecture or simply observe... it's entirely your freedom."
Upon hearing this, Fran extended an index finger to lightly tap her lips, as if pondering.
"Hmm... Rather than a one-sided show of goodwill, I lean more towards a 'transaction' that is fairer to both parties."
"Rest assured, I will provide information equivalent to the compensation. However, the specific content... allow me to keep that a secret for now."
"Alright." Terence had no objection to this.
After this, the two exchanged the disguised information from the confidentiality agreement and the schedule for the academic lecture.
After confirming everything was correct, Terence left the reception room first.
His academic lecture was scheduled first, so after completing his reception duties, he hurried off to the council chamber.
Originally, Grantham had even intended for Terence to use an honorary professor position to extend an olive branch to Fran, but sensing Sister Haida's silent, intense gaze fixed on him from behind her, his reason ultimately kept him from voicing that idea...
---
The council chamber's seating was tiered from high to low, resembling a large theater or an auditorium.
Since [Calling Birds] weren't allowed inside, Vivian had to leave her little crow waiting outside the council chamber. Her seat was right next to Haida's, but a distance away from Dr. Fran's.
After all, her current identity was not that of the Secrets-Hunter cult's external consultant physician, but that of a star-gazing scholar from the Stellar Abyss Society...
Seizing this opportunity, Vivian got back to her Confidential Division roots, discreetly observing the attendees already seated.
Representing the Molting Moon cult was the Moon's Favored Viscount, Jonsen Murdoch.
He was built like a beast, to the extent that even under his well-fitted Western-style formal wear, one could see explosive, knotted muscle lines. Aside from a sickly pale complexion, he didn't look much different from a normal person at first glance.
The Veiled Assembly's seat held only a silver round mirror; the visitor's specific form was completely invisible.
The Sun-Forgers cult's attendee was a robust and efficient middle-aged craftsman, Dourn. He was highly accomplished in the field of weapon-forging and also one of the White Cup cult's collaborators.
Besides these were some independent seats, occupied by individuals usually from smaller cults or outright lone operators. But they had all shared sufficiently significant ritual results to earn their invitation.
This also included the two from the Children of the Whiskered Tree cult, and "Flamel" of the "Stellar Abyss Society."
+++
T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL