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

"Okay, don't worry, I'll be careful." Hearing this, Sakura chuckled softly and then replied gently, "Miaomiao, you should go back and rest. You've been busy all day."

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Sakura!"

After seeing that his friend had agreed, Muirsay nodded slightly, took a few steps back, and turned to leave.

……

After watching Muirsey's figure disappear from sight, Sakura leisurely withdrew her gaze and left, heading towards the Structural Science Laboratory.

She had brought up everything she needed to say, both openly and subtly, at dinner tonight, and she hoped and believed that Muirsey would take some action.

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

Structural Science Laboratory —

"You've arrived, Miss Sakura."

Himer, who had just come out of the laboratory, greeted Sakura with a smile after noticing her arrival.

"Hmm, how is Ifrit doing today?" Sakura nodded gently and asked calmly.

"...Ifrit is still a little weak, but her spirits are still good." Faced with Sakura's casual question, Himer's expression was unnatural for a moment, but she quickly replied.

Sakura, with her keen observation, noticed Himer's unusual expression, but her demeanor remained unchanged, and she continued in a gentle tone:

"Is that so? What a poor child. I hope she recovers soon."

"Yes, I also hope Ifrit can recover soon." Hearing Sakura's perfectly reasonable answer, Himer concealed her emotions and echoed her sentiment.

"Heh~ Miss Hermer, please take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself." Looking at the girl in front of her whose thoughts were written all over her face, a hint of helplessness flashed quickly in Sakura's beautiful blue eyes before she gave her advice.

In Sakura's opinion, compared to Saria, Muirsey, and the other two who had been working in the scientific community for many years, Himer, a girl who had just graduated from school, was much easier to understand.

Take that strange color from Himer just now, for example. Sakura didn't need to think too much to guess that Himer was doubting her.

After all, she had reported to her superiors this morning that there were no problems last night, but Hermer knew what had happened last night, so it was reasonable for her to suspect her under these circumstances.

However, her "acting" was so bad that, to put it dramatically, she couldn't hide anything... So it's no wonder that Hermer's teacher, the head of the Structural Engineering Department, Ahrendts, was able to keep her under his thumb, fooling her completely, and even causing her to misunderstand Seria.

Of course, Sakura didn't care about Himer's suspicion of her, because it was expected.

"I will. Thank you for your help tonight, Miss Sakura."

Hemer nodded slightly in response to Sakura's request.

“It’s my duty, Miss Hermer.”

……

After settling Ifrit completely in, Himeru said goodbye to Sakura and left, heading towards her dormitory.

Just as Sakura had guessed, although Hermer tried her best to maintain a calm demeanor, her mind was actually in a state of extreme turmoil.

The reason she's feeling so conflicted right now is not only because she received a whole bunch of clues and information today that she couldn't quite process, but also because she belatedly discovered a loophole tonight that made her uneasy.

This loophole made Himer unconsciously suspect Sakura... Although she thought it was unlikely, she couldn't help but connect this new colleague she had met with the mysterious snake master.

However, despite her suspicions, Himer is currently unable and has no way to investigate this matter.

To get to the bottom of this, she only had two options: either ask Sakura for details herself, or go directly to the Defense Section to investigate the surveillance footage or something else... But she couldn't use either method right now.

If Sakura is fine, that's fine; but if she is, then it's a classic case of stirring up trouble.

In the latter case, because of the need to conceal Ifrit's situation, Himer could not openly investigate directly.

Otherwise, if he accidentally attracts the attention of his teacher, Ahrendts, who might forcefully examine the little dragon... it wouldn't be good to continue the experiment.

Therefore, even if there are doubts or suspicions, Himer can only swallow them silently.

However, more concerned about Ifrit's safety and the truth behind the [Flame Demon Project] than figuring out what happened last night, Himer was more interested in.

The truth behind the investigation plan still requires a long-term approach.

However, the safety of Charmander is still of utmost importance in a certain sense, so even though the Serpent Lord said he wouldn't be coming for the next few days, Himeru still plans to sneak into the Structural Science Lab in the middle of the night for a stroll.

If this were anywhere else, she naturally wouldn't dare to do something so risky... but this is Rhine Life's headquarters, so the safety level is relatively high.

"Ugh……"

After letting her mind wander for a while, Hemo couldn't help but sigh softly as she walked back to her dormitory, a hint of weariness flashing in her eyes.

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

Möbius's laboratory—

After noticing that it was completely dark outside the window, Möbius leisurely put down the documents in his hand, then stretched and loosened his limbs, thinking to himself:

"Sakura, you've worked hard~ I'm going to rest now."

'I didn't expect you, Doctor, to actually keep your promise to Ifrit...?'

Sakura, who was on guard duty, was caught off guard by Mebius's words and was stunned for a moment before responding.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm just tired and want to rest. What does that have to do with the lab rats?" Möbius retorted without even thinking after hearing Sakura's words.

"Well, whatever makes you happy, Doctor."

'Hmph~'

……

As the exchange concluded, Möbius stood up, turned off the equipment and lights in the laboratory office, and then left.

And the office once again welcomed a long-awaited night of rest.

P.S.: There will be another one later.

Chapter 118 Himer's Decision

For the next few days, Möbius kept his word and didn't visit Ifrit at all, behaving like a researcher with an extremely regular schedule. He spent his days researching in the lab and his nights resting at home on time.

However, compared to the regularity and "leisure" of her situation, the other two sides were in a complete mess.

Saria and the others are still frantically investigating the truth about Hayden's laboratory, and thanks to Sakura's reminder, Muirsey's investigation workload is even greater than in the original story.

During the day, he would go out to investigate with his friends, and in his spare time and evenings, he would go to Rhine Life to investigate on his own.

Furthermore, based on his understanding of Saria, without any evidence, Muirseth did not tell her his speculations or Sakura's information, but instead investigated on his own.

Meanwhile, Himer was in even greater turmoil than Saria.

Because Ahrendt couldn't stand it anymore, even though all he had recently received were data reports of Ifrit's poor physical condition, he still planned to resume the "treatment" of Little Fire Dragon as soon as possible.

Himer had no right to object to her teacher's decision, especially since she hadn't even regained the privileges she had been temporarily stripped of and the right to contact Ifrit during the experiment...

Moreover, her investigation into the [Flame Demon Project] has not progressed well. Because she has not regained her authority and cannot be too open about it, her investigation is severely restricted in all aspects.

……

Early morning, Ifrit's room—

"Hermer, what's wrong?"

Ifrit tilted her head and looked at Himer who had brought her breakfast, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

"It's nothing, just a few minor issues. Ifrit, don't worry." Hearing this, Himer, who was tidying up the room, raised her head slightly and forced a smile at Ifrit.

However, it was this smile that made Ifrit, who was initially just puzzled, slowly furrow her brow.

Honestly, she really hates this situation. Everyone's lying, clearly there's something wrong, but they're insisting nothing's happening...

"..."

However, after noticing the fatigue in Himer's eyes, Ifrit looked away and finally managed to say, "Then... Himer should take good care of herself and get some rest."

After speaking, Charmander lowered his head and continued to eat his breakfast quietly.

Although she was very worried about Himer's current state, Ifrit also knew that her questioning would not get the desired result, but would only make the already tired person even more tired because of her.

The little dragon wasn't an ignorant child, so she temporarily suppressed her urge to ask the question...

"Well, I will."

Watching Ifrit eat breakfast, a hint of helplessness and apology flashed quickly in Himer's tired eyes.

In truth, Hamer had longed to find someone to confide in and share her troubles... but in her opinion, that person should absolutely not be Ifrit, a child who should be living a carefree life.

……

After tidying up the room, Himer straightened up, a determined glint in her eyes, and then said to Ifrit, who was sitting on the bed:

"...Ifrit, I have to go out for a bit. You stay here quietly. If you're bored, read the new picture book I bought for you."

"Okay, I'll stay here and wait for Himer to come back."

Upon hearing this, Ifrit was somewhat surprised, but still obediently nodded her little head.

"Yes, I'll come back to be with you soon."

Looking at the well-behaved Ifrit in front of him, Himer couldn't help but reach out and rub her little head.

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

After leaving Ifrit's room, Himer did nothing.

Hesitantly, he went directly to the office of his teacher, Ahrendts, the head of the structural engineering department.

Time was of the essence; she simply couldn't delay any longer. She wanted to know the truth, and at the same time, she wanted to postpone Ifrit's "treatment"...

Even if she couldn't do it, she hoped to get in touch with Ifrit, so that it would be easier for her to do some things.

……

"咚咚-"

"Please come in."

Hearing the knocking at the door, Ahrendts, who was engrossed in processing documents, said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the person outside opened the door and came in.

"Oh, it's Himer. Is there something you need?"

Ahrendts looked up at the person who had come in, and only after recognizing that it was one of his students did he put down his pen, adjust his glasses, and ask.

"Teacher, I'd like to talk to you."

Looking at the person sitting at the desk in front of him, Hermer's expression was extremely serious. Before Ahrendts could react, she quickly bowed to him and said loudly, "Teacher, I'm sorry!"