Chapter 114

Chapter 114: Mutation

“Time to go~”

Inside the carriage, after informing Vania twice, Dorothy activated the zombie puppet ring and started the puppet coachman to drive the carriage forward. As the coachman cracked his whip, the horse pulled the carriage into motion.

Relying on the bird’s-eye view provided by the crow doll, Dorothy tracked the distant luxurious carriage from afar. After some time, she encountered the same issue as last night.

Due to the difference in speed, Dorothy’s carriage was gradually left behind, soon exceeding three kilometers, beyond the maximum control radius of her zombie puppet. Thus, she could no longer continue tracking.

However, this time, Dorothy had prepared an alternative plan.

“Vania, nun, it’s up to you.” Turning her head, Dorothy said to the uneasy nun beside her, who nodded in response.

“Huh… Understood.” As Vania spoke, she closed her eyes and began to carefully perceive something.

“I see it… Keep moving forward…”

Hearing Vania’s words, Dorothy nodded and controlled the coachman to continue driving the carriage forward, gradually leaving the city and heading towards a dense forest.

To avoid losing the target like yesterday, Dorothy used Navigation of the Literary Sea to ask Vania if there were any tracking methods among the “Lamp” extraordinary beings. The answer she received was the “Waymark Sigil.”

The Waymark Sigil is a type of sigil with the meaning of “Lamp,” capable of forming an invisible mark on an object’s surface. Once a “Lamp” extraordinary being memorizes a Waymark Sigil, they can sense the location of the mark created by that sigil.

If there are no “Lamp” extraordinary beings available, a small compass-like device can be used for memorization and positioning. This device operates by consuming the spirit energy stored in “Lamp” storage items, such as those commonly used in the An Yin Bureau.

In Dorothy’s understanding, this is akin to a transmitter, each with different characteristics similar to wavelengths. After memorizing it, a “Lamp” extraordinary being can track from a great distance.

After learning about this item, Dorothy asked Vania if she had one. Unfortunately, Vania, being a non-combat nun, did not have one.

Then, early that morning, Dorothy went to school and bought one from Audric for 30 pounds, along with an additional 20 pounds to learn how to eliminate the scent, avoiding detection by “Cup” extraordinary beings with sensory abilities.

She was told to use a container filled with “Stone” medicine to wrap it up.

Finally, Dorothy had Vania memorize the Waymark Sigil and imprint it on a hair accessory bought from the street, giving it to Anna as a farewell gift. The treated hair accessory did not retain Dorothy’s scent.

This was a precautionary measure, and now it has proven useful, allowing Dorothy to track her mentor’s lair.

“Now that Viscount Field is restrained by the An Yin Bureau, they cannot take action against him without decisive evidence. They will likely engage in prolonged negotiations. Even if the mentor acts, despite being Black Tier, he cannot handle the entire bureau’s strength alone. According to Vania, that James, the bureau chief, isn’t easy either.

“But, the mentor’s base and his subordinates must be dealt with. All the other children need to be rescued to prevent them from doing extreme things once the mentor is gone. Since the mentor is currently negotiating with the bureau, I should seize this opportunity to resolve this side. Without a Black Tier present, it should be fine.”

Dorothy thought, continuing to drive the carriage forward, gradually entering the mountains. At this moment, she sensed something unusual.

“However, I originally thought the mentor would resist on the spot, seeking a direct confrontation with the Hunter to force a breakthrough. I didn’t expect him to agree to go to the bureau with the Hunter?

“In situations where exposure is imminent, one usually chooses to fight hard. Handing oneself over to the bureau is tantamount to giving up all chances. Outside, there’s still a chance to run, but inside, there’s none. Could it be that the mentor is confident his disguise can fool the entire bureau?

“Or perhaps…”

Sitting in the carriage, Dorothy pondered, feeling a sense of foreboding.

…

Underground in the Cedar Shirt Building, Igewent An Yin Bureau.

In the bureau chief’s office, James and Viscount Field sat on opposite sides of a desk, each with a cup of hot tea in front of them, engaged in conversation.

Before them lay a sheet of lyrics.

“So, Viscount Field, your meaning is that you stumbled upon these lyrics in an old book and found them fitting for the children, so you had them sing this song?” James asked seriously, while Field responded earnestly.

“Of course! So, if you ask me about the specific source of this nursery rhyme, I don’t know. That old book was something I found years ago on White Pearl Street. The shop doesn’t exist anymore. Where am I supposed to find it?”

Inside the office, James and Field were having a tense conversation, while outside, a group of Hunters stood at the door, armed and ready.

Among them, Elena peered through a small window, her eyes fixed on Field, a faint yellow glow appearing around the edges of her pupils.

“How is it, Elena? Did you notice anything?” Gregor asked beside her, and Elena slowly spoke.

“He has the protection of ‘Shadow,’ but it’s not strong. I’ve seen through it. I can tell that Viscount Field has a large amount of ‘Cup’ in his body, more than a typical Thirster. There are also other peculiarities I can’t quite make out, but in any case, Viscount Field is definitely suspicious!”

Elena stated confidently. Hearing this, Gregor sighed in relief and whispered to his team members.

“Draw your weapons, prepare to act at any moment…”

Outside the office, the area was heavily guarded, while inside, Viscount Field continued talking incessantly.

“James, I warn you again! If you don’t stop…”

Field, who had been pointing at James, suddenly frowned, stopped talking, and rubbed his temples. His expression became strange, and his hands began to tremble slightly, muttering to himself.

“Something’s wrong… Something’s wrong… What’s happening? Why am I reacting now? I just drank it. How could this happen?”

“Lord Viscount, what’s wrong?” Seeing this, James frowned and asked seriously, while Field slowly lifted his head, panic-stricken.

“J-James… Has my butler Lue come to pick me up?”

“Butler?”

Hearing Field’s words, James immediately stood up, opened the office door, and asked the team outside.

“Has Viscount Field’s butler arrived?”

“Butler? No… Mr. James.”

Gregor said in confusion. Just then, a scream echoed from inside the office.

“Aaaaah!!!”

Everyone turned to look, seeing Viscount Field, who had been sitting in his chair, now collapsed on the floor, grabbing the ground, his body convulsing violently, face flushed, and his muttering turning sorrowful.

“No… No… Don’t… Save me! I don’t want to become a monster! Don’t abandon my master! Don’t abandon my mentor!!”

Amidst his sorrow, red patterns appeared mysteriously on Field’s body.

Seeing this, James widened his eyes.

“Toxin recognition… Mutation…”

…

“Snap”

In the luxurious carriage, the elderly man with a goatee, dressed in a butler’s uniform, closed his pocket watch and sat down, crossing his legs.

“The time has come. It’s starting on the Field side…”

As he spoke, the old man named Lue placed his cane flat on his lap, the red gem at the top of the cane glowing slightly under his touch.

“Thank you for your six years of loyalty, Lord Viscount, my master.”