I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

As for why Muirsay wasn't in a hurry, besides being somewhat busy before, it was mostly due to a kind of "you can run away but you can't hide" mentality.

Moreover, unlike the others, Mebius herself works within Rhine Lab, making her someone the Elf Lady can openly and readily visit at any time.

Even if Muirsey doesn't go looking for him today or tomorrow, the person who interests her will still be there at least for the time being.

Unless the person resigns the next day, but she thinks that's unlikely.

Besides, some things can't be rushed. You see, Muirsay wanted to uncover Möbius's "secret," which is a long process, and whether he succeeded or not was another matter.

At the same moment—

"Achiu—"

"...?"

Möbius, who was conducting an experiment, suddenly sneezed, causing the instruments in his hands to tremble.

Then, she put down what she was holding, took out her handkerchief and wiped her nose, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

To be honest, since Mebius became a Fusion Warrior, he has hardly ever gotten sick, and he rarely even sneezes.

In Mebius's memory, those few sneezes almost always occurred after the "pink filth" had been on his mind.

As for why Snake knew this, it was because she would always see some annoying guy after she sneezed a few times that day.

Therefore, this inevitably led Möbius to suspect that he was being targeted by some "dirty thing" again at Rhine Lab...

------------------

Structural Engineering, a certain laboratory—

After parting ways with Muirseth, Saria easily found her way to the laboratory where Ifrit was being "treated".

"You've come, Saria."

Noticing the familiar figure, Himer, who was staring at the instrument, slowly raised his head and then said with a smile.

"Well, how is Ifrit doing?" Upon hearing this, Saria nodded slightly and then asked in a calm tone.

"Things are alright lately, they're slowly getting better. Ifrit is inside right now, let me take you there to keep her company." Hemer answered Saria's question with a smile and earnestness.

"it is good."

Saria nodded slightly at Himer's suggestion.

Then, led by Himer, Saria walked into the room.

The researchers in this lab were already used to this situation, after all... it had happened many times before.

……

"Saria, you've come to see me!"

Sitting on the bed in the room, Ifrit's eyes lit up when she saw the familiar figure behind Himer, and she said excitedly.

"Yes, I'm here."

Looking at Ifrit, who seemed to be in good spirits, Saria's lips curved into a slight smile, and she spoke in a softer tone.

Ifrit seems to be in exceptionally good spirits today.

“Yes, I noticed it when I woke Ifrit up this morning. She’s definitely in much better shape than usual.” Hemo explained earnestly in response to Saria’s confident tone.

She was actually quite surprised by this. Although Ifrit usually seemed to be in pretty good condition,... after all, she was constantly suffering from pain, so her condition was actually...

That cannot be considered good at all.

As for her lively side, it only comes out when she's with Himeru, Saria, or other familiar people.

However, today was very different. Every researcher in the lab could clearly see that Ifrit was in great shape and had been active since she woke up in the morning.

"This is a good thing; it means the treatment is effective."

After hearing Himer's answer, Saria didn't think much of it and just said softly.

"Ah."

However, the two people who were talking to each other did not notice Ifrit, who was looking away with a slightly evasive gaze.

After all, while others might not know, she herself was quite clear. Her current physical comfort didn't come from "treatment" at all; it was entirely thanks to some hypocritical and treacherous person.

However, knowing this is one thing, but as a good child who keeps her promises, Ifrit naturally wouldn't reveal the snake's existence.

P.S.: There will be another chapter later, but I'll still update before 6 PM.

Chapter 82 The Abnormality of "Healing" and Saria's Wrath

However, if they had only thought Ifrit was in good spirits before, everyone present noticed something was wrong after the experiment began.

Because receiving "treatment" and injections is always accompanied by severe pain, Ifrit usually experiences great pain during "treatment".

Recently, due to the increased dosage, she has been in even more pain and has become more restless.

However... today's treatment was quite unusual.

As treatment began and the active ingredient was injected, Ifrit's face, which would usually contort with pain at this time, remained remarkably calm, as if she felt no pain whatsoever.

This unusual behavior instantly attracted the attention of all the researchers present, including Saria.

"...Ifrit, aren't you in pain?"

Saria, who was very close to Ifrit, noticed the anomaly immediately, but she assumed that Himer and the others had injected enough tranquilizers or something.

However, when she noticed the other people who were just as surprised as she was, she realized something was wrong, frowned, and asked seriously.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Ifrit did not speak, but simply shook her head slightly to indicate her current state.

"..."

Now that's bad. Saria's brows furrowed even deeper, and a sharp aura rose around her. She then looked towards the outside of the room and said:

"Stop this treatment! Examine Ifrit first!"

"That won't do. The treatment can't be stopped halfway. There's still time for a check-up after this treatment is finished."

"Moreover, this is a treatment program in our Structural Medicine Department, and Chief Seria shouldn't have the right to interfere forcefully."

Before the other researchers could react, Ahrendts Parvis, the head of the structural engineering department, gently adjusted his reflective glasses and then spoke slowly.

"At once……"

"Injection complete!"

Upon hearing this, Saria's expression turned even uglier, and just as she was about to say something more...

The quietly ending injection successfully interrupted her words and also successfully drew her attention back to Ifrit.

At this moment, Ahrendts Parvis, the head of the structural department who had just refused to stop treatment, also gave instructions to the surrounding researchers to examine Ifrit's body.

Although Ahrendt Parvis didn't want to interfere with the treatment... no, the experiment, he was actually interested in the changes that had occurred in Ifrit.

Therefore, he issued the order without needing Saria to remind him again.

"..."

However, even as the researchers around her began to conduct a thorough examination of Ifrit, Saria's grim expression did not ease in the slightest.

What she cared about wasn't Ahrendt Parvis's attitude towards her just now... but rather their attitude towards Ifrit.

Is this harsh attitude, which doesn't prioritize the patient's safety, really treatment?

"I'm fine, Saria..."

As if noticing Saria's less-than-ideal mood, Ifrit, who was lying on the bed, reached out her small hand and gently tugged at her sleeve to comfort her.

"Phew... If Ifrit feels unwell, remember to tell me."

After hearing Ifrit's words and noticing her subtle movements, Saria, who was in a fit of rage, slowly calmed down and then bent down to pat her little head and said seriously.

"Yes, I will!"

Ifrit enjoyed Saria's touch, her eyes brightening slightly, her expression quite pleased. But quickly, as if remembering something, she hurriedly asked:

"Can Saria spend more time with me today?"

“…Okay.” Upon hearing this, Saria thought for a moment about today’s arrangements and nodded gently. “Don’t move around, cooperate with them for the examination.”

"Great!"

Hearing Saria's words, Ifrit cheered softly and lay down contentedly, no longer moving around.

"..."

Looking at Ifrit like this, Saria felt a little better. However, in her opinion, this matter was not over yet...

Thinking about it, she looked at him with scrutinizing eyes.

The light slowly swept over Ahrendts Parvis, who was standing outside looking at the data.

……

Finally, after a thorough examination, the group of people found absolutely nothing unusual in the results.

“That’s impossible. The pain couldn’t just disappear suddenly… Check it again, and this time be more thorough.” Looking at the test results, which showed nothing unusual, Ahrendts Parvis’s eyes flickered slightly. He adjusted his glasses and spoke again.

After receiving his instructions, all the researchers in the laboratory, including Himer, got busy again to conduct a new round of more detailed examinations on Ifrit.

Throughout the entire process, Saria stayed by Ifrit's side, quietly comforting her and waiting for the unusual outcome.

However, after this extremely meticulous second inspection, everyone finally discovered a clue to this "anomaly".

"What kind of substance is this?"

Hammer stared blankly at the few clues he had uncovered, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

And it wasn't just her; almost all the researchers present had similar expressions, even their section chief, Ahrendts Palvis, muttered to himself:

"I don't know the ingredients... Besides suppressing pain, I don't know the effects either... How... how did this come about?"

"Is it self-generated... or..."

After muttering to himself for a while, Ahrendts Parvis subconsciously raised his head, his gaze sweeping thoughtfully over the people around him.

Ifrit, have any strange people come to see you recently?

After reviewing the results of the second examination, Saria didn't pay attention to the state of the others. Instead, she leaned down and asked Ifrit in a slightly gentler tone.