Chapter 347 Invitation to the Count's Mansion <TOC> Chapter 349 Mysterious Illness
Translator: SumTLMan
Not long after the steward of the Count’s mansion left, Bal arrived.
“I’ve asked around and even sought the most knowledgeable wise men, but no one seems to have any impression of ‘Hippocrates,'” Bal respectfully said. “I also asked some old professors from the academy, but still, no one knew.”
“However, I wouldn’t dare to face you without any news. Coincidentally, a few days ago, one of my underlings accidentally saw this snake-shaped symbol and murmured that he had seen a similar pattern before. I was intrigued and followed this clue, and I actually found someone.”
Bal rambled on about his small accomplishment before continuing with the rest of the story.
His underling had recently seen a pattern with a “serpent coiled around a scepter,” which was extremely similar to the “black serpent coiled around a cone” pattern that Angel had given him.
After questioning in detail and following the clue, Bal eventually found a woman.
This woman ran a small medical clinic at her home, and the clinic’s flag bore the pattern of the “serpent coiled around a scepter.”
According to the woman, her grandfather had seen this pattern in an ancient book from the central library. It was said that this symbol often appeared in some medical texts, seemingly as a belief of certain doctors or as a totem of a medical school. Her grandfather, on a whim, had taken note of the symbol. Later, he decided to use the pattern on the flag of their medical clinic.
Bal said with regret, “Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away a few years ago, so she doesn’t know which book contained the record. In order to complete the task you assigned, I sent my underlings to the central library to search for similar patterns using the symbol as a clue. However, even after turning the medical books upside down, they found nothing.”
“Later, I thought that either the book was lost or it had been placed in the library’s ancient book vault,” Bal said. “But I don’t think the possibility of it being lost is high. Who would specifically steal a medical book?”
Angel caught a term, “Ancient book vault? What is that?”
“It’s a fully sealed vault built to protect ancient books, located underground in the central library. However, without the order of the librarian, no one can enter,” Bal said, making a helpless expression. “The people in the library are basically stubborn, and no matter what methods I used, they wouldn’t budge and refused to open the vault.”
Angel nodded in understanding. Old scholars always had some persistence, perhaps inexplicable or pedantic. But it was because of this group of people that knowledge could be well inherited.
“I understand. You don’t have to worry about this anymore,” Angel pondered for a moment and then proactively put an end to the matter, as he would negotiate the follow-up issues.
After a pause, Angel coughed and whispered, “I have another question for you. Do you know any famous enlightenment mentors in the entire Watthelmgrass?”
In the end, Bal couldn’t provide an answer. Watthelmgrass was vast, with countless occupations. Enlightenment mentors were essentially Earth’s kindergarten teachers. Although they played a significant role in a person’s growth, they ultimately belonged to an inconspicuous profession. Bal wouldn’t naturally pay attention to them, so in the end, he could only chuckle and say, “I will immediately help you inquire about this.”
Bal’s efficiency was indeed impressive; it wasn’t long before he returned to Angel with a booklet in hand. Somehow, he had managed to obtain the mentor list from some of the most renowned enlightenment institutions in Watthelmgrass.
Angel flipped through it and found even information on retired personnel.
After dismissing Bal, Angel began to browse through the booklet.
As it was the academic season, he didn’t want to disrupt the students’ regular class schedules. Therefore, he decided not to choose from the active mentors but to focus on the retired mentor list.
Angel started by examining past evaluations and shortlisted a few individuals. After memorizing their addresses, he left the bay area.
Close to dusk, Angel returned with a kind-hearted elderly lady in her seventies, wearing a light blue dress.
The old lady, named Dushana, was the gentlest, most neutral, and most disciplined mentor Angel had selected after much comparison. She was also the only one willing to teach full-time.
After arranging for Dushana’s accommodations, Angel brought her to meet Totoro.
“I’ve told you about Totoro’s situation. He has almost forgotten everything, be it common knowledge or language communication. Apart from being able to move and walk, he is like a baby in other aspects. So, I’m counting on you,” Angel said.
Dushana had never faced a student like this before. Seeing Totoro, who was nearly double her size, she was somewhat worried, as her strength to manage children was no longer what it used to be.
However, when Dushana saw Totoro’s clear eyes, reminiscent of the sky after rain, her worries gradually subsided.
She had taught countless children throughout her life and had seen various expressions in their eyes. Sometimes, she could discern their personalities just from their gaze – mischievous, lively, or introverted – and teach them accordingly.
Totoro’s eyes were unique in her experience, so clear and innocent that merely gazing into them seemed to provide redemption for the soul.
It would be such a pity if such a person, emanating tranquility and purity from their core, remained in this naive state.
“Don’t worry, I’ll do my best,” Dushana assured Angel, her smile now more sincere.
Angel nodded, “I won’t interfere with your teaching. However, for extreme concepts, feel free to discuss them but avoid indoctrination; also, don’t deliberately guide him to remember his past, as it may cause secondary harm. As for everything else, please do as you see fit. I believe you can fill this blank canvas with colors unique to him.”
…
Dushana’s teaching methods were not fixed; she would take Totoro to experience the outdoors and nature, and even enjoy picnics together. She taught him various knowledge in a relaxed and entertaining manner.
Occasionally, she would take Totoro to the bustling city, telling stories of ordinary people, discussing human affairs, and chatting about neighborhood gossip. Even though Totoro didn’t show much reaction, Dushana continued her storytelling like a grandmother sharing tales with her grandchildren. It was through these seemingly endless stories that Totoro could learn even more vocabulary.
Angel used “Boundless Silence” to follow Dushana for a day, and approved of her teaching methods and values. He then set his mind at ease and no longer paid too much attention to Totoro, only discussing Totoro’s learning progress with Dushana during dinner every day.
One day, as the sky gradually darkened.
In a spacious estate in the suburbs of Watthelmgrass, Leonrique paced back and forth in the hall, his face filled with anxiety and worry. Occasionally, he would sit down to take a sip of dull wine before resuming his pacing.
His daughter Magda sat at the table, resting her chin on her hand, absentmindedly playing with the cutlery, her thoughts unknown.
When the Lady of the Count’s Manor, Cynthia, entered the hall, this was the scene she encountered.
Cynthia glanced at the butler holding wine by the side and whispered, “How long have they been like this?”
The butler quietly gestured the number “two” and whispered, “Two hours.”
Cynthia shook her head helplessly. She called out to Magda, and when Magda came to her senses, Cynthia approached Leonrique and spoke softly, “What are you worried about now? Since he accepted the invitation, whether he comes or not, our sincerity has been expressed. Besides, it’s not time yet; whether he comes or not is still unknown.”
Leonrique sighed, “You don’t understand. If he really is a wizard, not just a single Watthelmgrass, but the entire Whiskas Royal Court, would not be able to stop him.”
“But he hasn’t done so these days, has he? I think you’re worrying too much.” Cynthia led Leonrique to his seat, “Stop thinking about it, just wait here. If you keep walking around and drinking like this, when that person arrives and sees you like this, it won’t be a good look.”
His wife’s words made sense; it wouldn’t be good to reek of alcohol before the guest arrived. But…he was genuinely worried, as the other party was an extraordinary being!
Suddenly, the corner clock chimed, indicating it was eight o’clock in the evening, half an hour away from the time marked on the invitation.
According to the default rules of banquets, no one would arrive on time; usually, they would arrive half an hour early. Leonrique thought to himself that if that person was willing to come, he should already be on his way, right?
As Leonrique pondered, the wooden doors of the hall were pushed open, and a guard entered.
“Report, sir, the guest has arrived.”
“He’s here?” As Leonrique was still digesting the news, Magda suddenly stood up, “He’s here!”
Father and daughter uttered the same words, but their tones were different – one was filled with complexity and doubt, while the other with joy and surprise.
Cynthia and Leonrique looked at Magda simultaneously, causing her cheeks to turn red, “I…I…I was just…”
Leonrique interrupted Magda, “Stop talking. Apologize to the guests later, and then return to your room. Do not come out again.”
Magda’s face was filled with anxiety, “Dad?! What do you mean? Leaving halfway is disrespectful to the guests!”
While speaking, Magda also tried to catch Cynthia’s eye.
In the past, no matter what the issue, Cynthia would stand united with her daughter. However, today, she also put on a stern face and sided with her husband.
Having lived for more than half their lives, how could they not understand Magda’s little schemes? The feelings of a young girl are always of romance, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, the premise is that they need to consider who this romance is directed at!
The previous week’s “gag order” had not yet taught her to recognize the situation.
Magda wanted to say something else, but the sound of footsteps outside the door was already approaching.
A row of knights walked in, then slowly separated to stand on either side. They raised their long spears in their hands and placed them on the ground, making a neat and uniform sound. Then, all the knights removed their helmets, held them in their palms, and knelt on the ground.
As the newcomers approached, the knights bowed their heads one by one.
This was the knights’ welcoming ceremony reserved for distinguished guests.
In the center of the knights, a young man wearing a black and white checkered windbreaker walked into the hall from the entrance with a steady pace.
Chapter 347 Invitation to the Count's Mansion <TOC> Chapter 349 Mysterious Illness