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

"Huh...? Isn't Himer checking anymore?"

Ifrit didn't resist Himer's touch, but looked at her with surprise and asked softly.

“Ifrit didn’t want to, and today isn’t a treatment day, so the check-up can be postponed.” Hearing this, Himer gave a helpless smile and then explained in a low voice.

As Himer said, the timing of the check-up on the day of recovery was not fixed. The reason she was in such a hurry to come in the morning to have Ifrit checked was simply because the child's health was not good after yesterday's accident.

However, since Ifrit is so resistant and seems to be in good condition, Himer had no choice but to give up for the time being.

Moreover, the little dragon's current state is completely different from yesterday, making her feel that something must have happened last night...

However, unable to get an answer from the child, she could only turn her attention to the note.

"Um... I'm sorry, Himer, I was so mean to you just now."

Faced with Himer's gentle attitude and words, Ifrit, who was initially a little angry, softened completely.

"It's okay, let's have breakfast first. After breakfast, I'll go check out that place. After I'm done, Ifrit, you have to tell me everything you know."

Looking at Ifrit, who was earnestly apologizing, Himer's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, and then he gently patted her head and said softly.

"Ok!"

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

After having breakfast with Ifrit, Himer asked her teacher, the head of the Structural Engineering Department, Ahrendts, for a short leave before leaving Rhine Lab's headquarters and heading alone to the place written on the note.

In fact, Himer knew that he should find someone to accompany him, because facing the unknown alone was indeed very dangerous... No one could be sure that the other party did not have malicious intentions.

However, before leaving the Rhine Life headquarters building, she thought about it all but couldn't figure out who to look for...

Saria was too busy; after spending some time with Ifrit last night, she went out again.

As for Sakura, whom he had already become acquainted with and could chat with a few times, she had just finished her night shift, and Himer felt too embarrassed to bother her.

Finally, since this matter should indeed be kept secret before it is confirmed, Himer chose to trust Ifrit.

Putting aside all these messy factors, Himer was actually quite curious about this person who could gain Ifrit's trust and protection in just a few nights.

Moreover, the [Flame Demon Project]...

……

As time passed, Himer, using her transportation, successfully arrived at the address on the slip of paper in her hand.

However, after she got off the bus, she discovered that the address on the note was just an ordinary fruit stand.

"..."

Although for a moment, Hermer felt a little fooled, but not wanting to miss anything, she still walked towards the fruit stand, wanting to ask the owner if he had any useful information.

"Hmm? You are... Miss Hermer. I didn't expect you to come so soon." The fruit stall owner was slightly taken aback when he saw the girl walking towards him, and then he whispered the name of the person in front of him.

"you know me?"

Hearing the stall owner's address, Hermer was slightly taken aback, and then asked.

"Haha." After hearing Himer's words, the stall owner first laughed, then lowered his voice and whispered:

“I certainly hadn’t met Miss Himer before, but someone asked me to give you some things and showed me your picture.”

"!"

"When did that person commission you?!"

The stall owner's words made Hermer frown slightly, and then she lowered her voice and asked in a low voice.

P.S.: There'll be another one later, around midnight. I think I'm doing alright with writing tonight...

Chapter 113 The Contents of the Letter and the Resolute Action

"!"

"When did that person commission you?!"

The stall owner's words made Hermer frown slightly, and then she lowered her voice and asked in a low voice.

"I can't reveal that, young lady..."

The stall owner first answered in a low voice, then raised his voice and shouted at Himer, "Haha, alright, young lady, what kind of fruit do you want to buy? Young people shouldn't be so indecisive!"

"All the fruits in my house are very fresh, and strawberries are especially recommended when they are in season."

"...Then help me weigh some strawberries."

Faced with the stall owner's sudden increase in volume, Hermer was taken aback at first, then reacted and said.

"Good Le!"

……

"Thank you for coming, goodbye, young lady."

"See you."

After saying goodbye to the stall owner, Himer casually picked up a large bag of strawberries and left.

It wasn't until they returned to Rhine Life's headquarters by public transport that Himer, in a secluded corner without surveillance, discreetly pulled a letter from a large bag of strawberries, encased in a white envelope.

Although she didn't get any useful information from the fruit stall owner, Himer still managed to get her "target" for the trip.

Honestly, because I wasn't very familiar with that area, before I got there, I never imagined it would be a fruit stand...

She had initially thought this trip might be a "trap," but it turned out there was no trap at all, and she didn't even see anyone. She went and received a large bag of strawberries and an unopened letter.

"..."

Of

Thinking it over, Hermer carefully put the envelope in her pocket; she felt this place wasn't suitable for reading such things.

"Sigh, I bought too many strawberries..."

After putting the envelope away, Himer's helpless gaze slowly swept over the large bag of strawberries she was carrying.

At the time, eager to know the truth, she didn't care or worry about it and quickly paid the money. But now, no matter how you look at it, she seems a bit like a sucker...

Fortunately, the fruit was indeed of very good quality, just as the vendor had said. We can share it with Ifrit and our friends later.

Having made her decision, Himer stopped hesitating. After carefully placing the strawberries down and changing into her white lab coat, she headed towards the laboratory. As for why she didn't pick up the strawberries right away, the reason was simple…

Who would take a day off just to buy strawberries? It's fine in private, but bringing it out into the open... it really seems abrupt.

Hemer didn't want word to spread throughout the structural engineering department that he wasn't taking his job seriously and was going out to buy strawberries during work hours.

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

After arriving near the structural engineering lab, Himer didn't rush back. Instead, he went to the restroom first and then took out an envelope from his pocket in a stall.

Because she didn't know what was written in the letter, she was much more careful when opening it.

After taking out the letter, Himer couldn't wait to read it.

[Miss Himeru, you must have many questions, right? I'm very curious about the "Flame Demon Project" I mentioned on the note?]

【Then why not try regaining your access and taking a look inside your structural engineering department? After all, there are some things you might not believe if you're told directly. But I believe that with Miss Himer's keen perception, she must have already noticed something…】

[Of course, one thing I can make clear is that the "Flame Demon Project" was conceived specifically for Ifrit, this "experimental subject." Yes, you read that right, an experimental subject.]

"!"

Upon seeing this, Himer's pupils constricted slightly, and a look of horror appeared on his face. At the same time, the hand gripping the letter tightened involuntarily, crumpling the edges of the paper.

If the letter is true, it confirms the suspicions and thoughts that Himer has been keeping hidden in her heart for some time.

“Teacher, you…”

Hemer gritted his teeth and suppressed the anger in his heart, preventing himself from running out to confront his teacher.

"..."

After a moment, Himer, who was furious with her inner thoughts, managed to calm down, then lowered her eyes and continued reading.

Alright, let's leave this topic at that. Let's cooperate again after Miss Himeru finds out the truth about the "Flame Demon Project."

[By the way, I should mention that I was a little too rough last night and accidentally cleared half of the Originium from Ifrit's body.]

[Then I'll just have to let the child cause a good fuss later, since I probably won't be visiting for the next few days and won't have my potion... But I think Miss Himer will help keep it a secret, right?]

Of course, if Miss Himeru insists on hearing the child's cries, there's nothing I can do to stop her.

[How pitiful! Ifrit encountered two people who claimed to protect her, but in reality, they not only failed to do so, but were even accomplices and perpetrators.]

"You're right, Miss Himer?"

—Snake Lord

"..."

After thoroughly reading the letter, which was casually formatted and full of sarcastic remarks, Hermer's hand holding the letter began to tremble. A mix of emotions overwhelmed her, leaving her feeling quite confused.

Firstly, it was quite shocking that this mysterious person actually had the technology to do something like that—eliminating half of the Originium in a person's body! This technology would be highly sought after anywhere.

Secondly, the last few sentences of this letter...

Himer admitted that those last few words, filled with "malice," had indeed deeply hurt her... But again, if the contents of this letter were true, then she... had truly committed an unforgivable act.

In a daze, it seemed as if Hamer was hearing...

For the first time, Ifrit's mournful cry, which hadn't echoed in the laboratory for some time, resounded...

This auditory hallucination jolted her awake. In the next few breaths, her eyes grew increasingly resolute, even revealing a sense of determination.

……

"I am back."

After composing herself and adjusting her expression, Himer returned to Ifrit's room with a smile.

"Hmm, welcome back, Himer!"

Ifrit, who had heard Himer's footsteps long ago, greeted him with a smile, as if it were no surprise.

"So, how's it going?"

"I went over there and read a letter. Now, ifrit, can you have a proper chat with me about you, Snake?"

P.S.: Ahem, 1 a.m. is also around midnight (seriously). Going to sleep now, everyone. Goodnight.