nagpurpolice Chapter 40: Pointed Questions
Chapter 40: Pointed Questions
Chapter 40: Pointed Questions
Edwins first instinct was to immediately grab something heavy and start clubbing Niall over the head, while shouting about them being murderers, but he restrained himself for the time being. This was not the time or place for that sort of action. Yes, he could be a little reckless at times, and he should have probably figured out sooner that the black-robed bio-alchemist in the ruined wizards tower wasnt exactly sourcing his ingredients from ethically agreeable places, but he had just gotten too keen on the idea of Science! and hadnt really thought about it too deeply. Though, even if he had known from the start, would that have actually changed his actions any? Probably not, in all honesty. Hed learned so much from Niall that-
You feeling alright? Niall broke him out of his musings with a concerned expression on his face.
Hm? Oh, yeah. Ill be fine, I just dont deal with, Edwin lamely gestured at the blood-covered minion in front of him, all that well.
Niall looked back and forth for a moment in confusion, before coming to a realization, Ah! Yeah, tha makes sense. Vitae can ge a bit messy at times. Go sit down, itll help. Drink some water, maybe lay down? Ill wash up and get food ready.
Edwin nodded mutely as he retreated to his room. Good, he wouldnt have to deal with the outlaws while he thought about how to, well, deal with them. Plenty of time to come up with a plan.
Edwin reclined on his bed, surprisingly clean for a bandit hideout, but it also made sense that a bio-alchemist could keep his lair free of bugs. It was still dusty, but that was. Tolerable. He retrieved his canteen from his belt and stared into the distance, thinking as he sipped at his water. Actually, first he should check his progress. He hadnt checked his notifications for a couple days now, and he should probably make sure everything was up to speed.
Level Up!
Alchemy Level 4346
Athletics Level 2527
Firestarting Level 3637Visit for the best novel reading experience
First Aid Level 1826
Flexibility Level 2223
Identify Level 3840
Memory Level 2328
Nutrition Level 2223
Outsiders Almanac Level 7477
Packing Level 1617
Polyglot Level 3334
Visualization Level 4142
Congratulations! For breaking into a habited building undetected you have unlocked the Burglar path!
Congratulations! For successfully brewing an elixir you have unlocked the Potioneer path!
Congratulations! For brewing and applying an alchemical healing potion you have unlocked the Alchemical Medic path!
You have unlocked the Potion Brewing skill!
Accept Skill? Y/N
Ooh. Potion brewing. That was tempting. Really tempting. Hmm. No. Well, maybe? No. He already had alchemy at an honestly respectable level. But potion-brewing wasnt well, it also was Gah, he didnt know!
Hmm. He had a lot of Skills which were perfectly decent. Seeing, Breathing, First Aid, Survival, Nutrition they were all useful in their own right, and all had strong potential for their near futures, but he didnt want to clutter up his Skills list with all sorts of Skills which just reflected what he was capable of doing on his own.
So I have to ask, Edwin cautioned, as they served up the ladles of stewNiall had prepared, and waited for Niall to indicate he should proceed, These arent from the resupplies, right?
Niall immediately shuddered, Good heavens, no! Tha would be disgusting! the alchemist shook his head. Wait, had Edwin misjudged him? Were they actually not rendering humans into potion ingredients, if this was the reaction for that sort of thing, An a complete waste, too! No, the meat comes from either hunting or the supplies they migh be carrying. The suppliers themselves are much too precious to eat, theyre saved for potions.
And there it was. Well, at least he wasnt eating people, and he knew for sure that the potions did have travelers ground up in them.
I see. Well, thats a relief. Edwin honestly replied.
Could you imagine? Cannibals, ah! Truly disgusting. Potions, though, potions at least youre using them for good. Niall shook his head, apparently trying to get the image of eating people out of it, An now youve gone and ruined my appetite. He accused Edwin, who could only helplessly shrug in response.
Sorry?
Ah, not your fault. Ill finish eating another time. Ill be on the top floor, Edwin, if youd join me when youre done?
Oh? That was interesting. Edwin watched as the alchemist retreated upstairs, leaving him with the three hulking minions. He didnt stick around long, hastily gulping down his stew (it was really good, which Niall attributed to his Cooking skill) with a clear conscience before following Niall.
Edwin paused as he prepared to venture to the floor above the lab. He wasnt sure what he was expecting, some torture chamber with blood and viscera everywhere, or maybe children in cages as they waited for dissection, and he needed to prepare himself. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, stepping up to a perfectly normal room. Of all the things he was preparing for, that was not one of them. There werent bloodstains on every surface, nor rusty dissection tables.
A bit of quiet and brief poking around found some bloodstained cloth off against the wall, a table with a rust-colored discoloration right in the center, and discarded restraints against another side of the wall, iron manacles with the key in the lock. That worked pretty well, actually. Edwin didnt take them out quite yet, but it would be useful once he needed to disable Niall.
Still, he was pretty sure this was a dissection room, just one that was kept pretty clean. That was a relief, that while his host may have been a serial killer, he was at least a neat one. Small mercies. Still, he should get moving. Hed waited long enough, no need to make the bandit leader suspicious.
Edwin made sure his knife was loosened in its sheath as he ventured up the final flight of stairs, so he could draw it at a moments notice. It was hardly meant for combat, but it was still better than nothing, at the very least.
Ah! Edwin. Glad you could make i. Niall didnt turn as Edwins weight caused the weather-worn wood of the top to squeak in protest, Mind your step. The top can be a little rotten in places, its why I dont come up here often.
So then why are you up here now?
Its a good place to look out an think, you know? Especially if you come out after dark.
I can believe that. Edwin joined Niall as he watched the sun descend towards the horizon, washing the grassland in brilliant crimsons and golds. From up here, you could see for miles, all the way to the farmland in the distance, to the herds of either cattle, horses or something else, grazing in the grasslands here and there. Looking away from the farmland to try and see the end of the waving grasses was unsuccessful, the endless sea just fading into the distance beyond what he could even hope to see.
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You mentioned wishing to leave?
Edwin shrugged, Yeah. Its been informative, working with you and reading the Grimoire, but I need to move on before my pursuers catch up.
Have you considered the possibility they are no attempting to pursue you, if you have yet to see them?
Edwin shook his head, I made the lord too mad, assuming he even survived, to let me go. He struck me as the sort of person to pursue a grudge to the ends of Joriah if he could. I have a head start, yes, but I need to try and keep it.
I see. Pity. Well, if you find yourself coming back this way, you are always welcome here. When will you depar?
Tomorrow morning, probably. Its a bit late to leave now, I dont want to travel at night again.
Niall chuckled, Smart. I trust I don need to tell you not to let anyone else know about us? Well be found sooner or later, but I like this tower an dont want to have to leave any sooner than I must.
Nah, its fine. Edwin sighed and shifted his position such that he was slightly behind Niall, who was still looking out over the grasslands. He so desperately wanted to give some witty one-liner, but settled for efficiency instead. With a single continuous motion, he drew his knife and slammed its pommel into the side of Nialls skull.