Chapter 324 : Hugh-Stone’s Information
Chapter 324: Hugh-Stone’s Information
After neatly placing the ritual materials on the workbench, Janna didn’t rush into performing the 【Law of Contracts Summoning】. Instead, she walked into the washroom and began filling the Alchemical Bathtub with water.
"Splash—"
Gazing at the steaming Alchemical Bathtub, Janna, both mentally and physically exhausted, quickly undressed and stepped into the tub.
"I almost forgot, this inner shirt was also torn by a branch."
As she threw her clothes into the hamper, Janna finally noticed that the back of her undergarment had also been pierced with a large hole.
"Forget it, whatever."
Feeling the electric massage sensations coming from the Alchemical Bathtub, along with the increasingly rich elemental aura surrounding her, Janna slowly closed her eyes. While enjoying the relaxation of the moment, she also entered a shallow meditation to begin reinforcing her mana.
The next afternoon, public classroom on the sixth floor of the Magic Tower.
"That’s all for today’s lesson. Class dismissed."
"Goodbye, Professor Margaret."
As Mary-Margaret walked out of the classroom, Janna closed her textbook, Intermediate Herbal Studies, and made her way toward the exit.
"Janna—"
Just as Janna was about to take the elevator down, a familiar male voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"Senior Hugh, long time no see."
Due to being preoccupied with breaking through recently, Janna hadn’t attended any White Dance Shoes Club activities for quite a while. As a result, it had also been a long time since she last saw Hugh-Stone.
"It really has been a while. The last time I saw you was at Soro’s inauguration as the new club president."
The inauguration Hugh-Stone referred to was the ceremony earlier in the year, when Soro-Flame officially succeeded Richard-Eva as the new president of the White Dance Shoes Club.
Thinking about it, it really had been several months since Janna had seen Hugh-Stone.
"Senior, I entrusted a messenger to return the 【Well of Vortex】 you lent me. Did you receive it?"
"I did—though next time, just have your messenger hand it to the Door Spirit. There’s no need to deliver it into the house personally."
At that, Hugh-Stone recalled how, a few days ago, while he was bathing in the washroom, a strange scarecrow-like creature suddenly jumped out from the void and charged into the room.
Had he not immediately recognized the item hanging on the scarecrow—none other than the 【Well of Vortex】 he had lent to Janna—he might have ended up grappling naked with it.
"Alright, I’ll tell my messenger to be more cautious next time."
Seeing the evasiveness in Hugh-Stone’s eyes, Janna, who had guessed what happened, let out a soft cough and calmly looked at him.
"Senior, did you come to find me for something?"
"Ah! I almost forgot the main reason I came!"
Prompted by Janna’s reminder, Hugh-Stone patted the back of his head, then spoke to her with a mysterious air:
"You must have heard about the recent 'Black Aphids' curse outbreak in the Misty Forest, right? I’ve uncovered the hidden truth behind it."
"Hidden truth?"
Janna’s previously calm expression immediately showed signs of disturbance upon hearing Hugh-Stone’s words.
"The location of the 'Black Aphids' curse coincides with one of the bases I had previously established in the Misty Forest. At every base, I planted a Venus Flytrap, but that one withered too—"
Upon hearing this, Janna quickly caught on to the implication behind Hugh-Stone’s words.
Venus Flytraps, being magical plants that naturally prey on insects, not only possessed strong vitality but were also highly effective at countering insect-type curses like the 'Black Aphids'.
However, during the recent cursed pestilence, even the Venus Flytrap had mysteriously withered and died. This clearly proved that, aside from the 'Black Aphids' curse, another force powerful enough to sap the Venus Flytrap’s life was present.
"Are you suggesting—there was also a force of pollution within the curse?"
"Exactly. And I suspect that this pollution came from the Dim Sun Church—"
Upon hearing Hugh-Stone’s reply, Janna, who had already been entertaining similar suspicions, nodded gravely.
However, as she noticed the eager glint in Hugh-Stone’s eyes, her own expression shifted from serious to hesitant.
"Don’t tell me you came to get me involved in tracking down members of the Dim Sun Church?"
"Exactly! Janna, you really are sharp!"
Just as he was trying to figure out how to bring it up, Hugh-Stone gave up the pretense after Janna directly exposed his thoughts.
"Janna, out of everyone in the entire Dordogne-White Tower Trial, your purification abilities are the strongest. If you’re willing to join my team, we’ll definitely come out on top in this mission—"
Mission?
Upon hearing Hugh-Stone’s words, Janna quickly latched onto the key point.
"Senior, this mission you mentioned—does it involve the Dim Sun Church?"
"Not exactly—but close. The three major academies in Dordogne will soon be issuing two missions. The first is to eradicate Shadow Demon Wolves; the second is to investigate the source of the 'Black Aphids' curse. The mission reward is said to be a top-tier apprentice’s Witch Tool—"
Watching Hugh-Stone’s eyes sparkle as he spoke of the rewards, Janna couldn’t help but shake her head slightly.
"Senior Hugh, I’m afraid I can’t accept this one."
Still basking in his daydream of the mission rewards, Hugh-Stone’s expression instantly dropped upon hearing Janna’s refusal.
"Janna, won’t you reconsider? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Sorry."
Seeing Janna’s resolute demeanor, Hugh-Stone eventually sighed and shrugged nonchalantly.
"Alright then. Just don’t be too envious when I come back with the mission rewards."
"I will sincerely offer my congratulations, Senior."
Ding—As the mechanical elevator doors opened, the two exchanged glances before descending together to the first floor of the Magic Tower.
"Janna, we agreed that next time there’s a similar mission, you’ll team up with me first!"
"Of course."
After a few more words at the entrance, Janna watched Hugh-Stone leave the Magic Tower. Only when his figure completely vanished from her view did her previously calm eyes start to reveal a deep solemnity.
"So it really was the Dim Sun Church—"
Initially, Janna had merely suspected that the 'Black Aphids' curse might be related to the late Earl-Bloodred.
But when Hugh-Stone mentioned that there was also the aura of pollution from the Dim Sun Church within the curse, Janna could mostly confirm—
This matter must have been orchestrated by the vampire behind Earl-Bloodred.