Chapter 220: Crises Beyond Cinder of Dusk
As expected, Patrick didn’t answer immediately. He looked at Jade for several seconds, silently weighing the information she had given him before finally speaking.
"I would lock down the entire settlement first," he said calmly. "Then I’d compile a complete list of every non-resident currently inside Climber Rift."
"If your records are organized properly, tracing them wouldn’t be difficult. After that, I’d isolate anyone with a recent travel history to Senduro Highland or anyone who had direct contact with those people."
The look on Jade’s face answered his question before she even spoke.
Climber Rift had guards stationed at every entrance, but temporary visitors weren’t always registered unless they arrived as part of a large convoy, merchants transporting goods or guests who had been expected in advance.
If the three or four ordinary travelers enter separately there wouldn’t be a single record of them.
She let out a quiet sigh before rubbing her temple.
"I’ll mobilize my men and try to track them down before they realize we’re looking for them. The last thing I want is panic spreading throughout the settlement."
"I’ll lend you men if you need them," he said before turning back to Patrick. "Although I doubt Freebound lacks manpower."
His fingers tapped lightly against the table. "Let’s assume we find them. What then? They may not even show symptoms yet."
Patrick shook his head. "Chief, ordinary people don’t become asymptomatic carriers of parasitic aberrants. That’s a characteristic of viruses and bacteria. Parasites need a host to continue their life cycle, and most of them begin affecting that host almost immediately."
Gideon leaned back in his chair. "That would normally be true. But if the parasite we encountered was engineered. What if that engineering makes asymptomatic transmission possible?"
The room suddenly became quiet.
Gideon reached into his coat and pulled out Arthur’s report before placing it in front of Patrick.
"I almost forgot. Read this again."
Patrick accepted the report and slowly turned the pages.
Gideon quietly observed him.
The older man’s expression gradually changed with every page he read. His brows slowly knitted together, his eyes widened ever so slightly and by the time he reached Arthur’s final theory, even the color on his face had faded.
Then...
Something unexpected happened. The shock disappeared.
It was replaced by excitement. Not the excitement of someone discovering treasure, but the fascination of a scientist finally seeing a puzzle begin to fit together.
"My God..." Patrick whispered.
He looked up at Gideon. "You’re right. This parasite is almost certainly engineered. However, I also agree with whoever wrote this report."
He raised the document slightly. "The parasite infecting the ant colony and the one infecting the Eagle Union members are most likely two entirely different organisms."
"If I may?"
Gideon nodded.
Patrick passed the report to the four researchers behind him, who immediately began reading Arthur’s observations while Patrick continued explaining his conclusion.
"Based on the symptoms recorded here, the parasite inside the Eagle Union members behaved very differently from the one inside your patient. Those infected retained enough cognitive function to write messages, communicate with one another and even leave their headquarters in coordinated groups."
He paused briefly. "That tells me the parasite wasn’t trying to destroy higher brain functions. In fact, I’d argue it was preserving them."
"The hallucinations, the strange writings on the walls, the repeated phrases..." He slowly shook his head. "Those weren’t random symptoms. They suggest the parasite was manipulating perception while allowing the host to remain functional."
Then Patrick gestured toward Jace. "Your patient is the complete opposite. The parasite inside him aggressively invaded his nervous system, gradually replaced normal biological functions and ultimately seized direct control of the body itself. It has no interest in preserving the host’s identity. It only wants a functioning vessel capable of spreading the infection."
"So if this hypothesis is correct..."
Patrick’s expression gradually became serious. "Then we’re dealing with two different parasites designed for two completely different objectives."
"However," Patrick continued, "if I were in your position, Miss Jade, I wouldn’t search for healthy-looking carriers. I’d search for people whose behavior suddenly changed."
"Empty eyes, incoherent murmuring, unusual movements, sudden personality changes or repetitive actions."
He folded his arms before continuing. "My hypothesis is that they aren’t carriers in the traditional sense. It allows the host to leave the colony and blend into society before accomplishing whatever objective it was designed for."
"And if that’s true..." His expression gradually turned serious. "Then we’re no longer dealing with a simple parasite. We’re dealing with one intelligent enough to adapt its behavior."
Jade’s expression immediately became solemn.
"I need to return to Climber Rift."
She stood up without hesitation. "I’ll organize a search party based on the characteristics you just described. Thank you, Professor."
She had already reached the door before suddenly stopping.
"Oh, and Gideon, you still need to show them those grave flowers."
Then she hurried out of the room.
"Grave flowers?" Patrick frowned.
Percy awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"I... forgot to mention that." He gave an embarrassed smile. "I know our agreement was to investigate the exploration route, Professor, but this situation became urgent."
"Then come with me."
Gideon stood up. "Your assistants can stay here. I’ll have tents prepared for all of them."
He looked toward the four younger researchers. "I apologize. Cinder Dusk is still a newly established settlement, so proper accommodations are limited."
Patrick waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t worry about us, Chief. Most Greenwarden researchers spend more time sleeping in tents than in actual buildings."
He then turned toward his colleagues.
"Take the rest of the day to organize your notes and warm yourselves. We may have a long night ahead."
"Will they be free to walk around the settlement?"
Gideon didn’t answer immediately. His eyes quietly swept across every researcher before finally nodding.
"That’s fine. Just stay away from the construction sites."
The four researchers nodded in understanding. None of them looked particularly suspicious.
In fact, all of them were still discussing Arthur’s report among themselves, occasionally pointing at certain paragraphs as they exchanged opinions.
***
Patrick slowly slumped into the chair inside the defense tower. The massive screens covering the wall displayed hundreds of glowing Pyrovour Borealis scattered across the snowy valley like stars that had fallen to the ground.
He removed his glasses and let them hang from the cord around his neck before rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"I’ve studied Pyrovour Borealis for nearly twenty years and I’ve never seen a colony this large."
He leaned farther back and let out a long sigh.
"I don’t think you or Miss Jade can destroy all of them."
His finger pointed toward the screen. "The moment you begin attacking one side, the others will scatter long before your soldiers can reach them."
Gideon quietly stood behind Patrick’s chair with both hands clasped behind his back, his eyes fixed on the endless field of glowing flowers.
"So we’re supposed to watch them spread? Wait until they scatter into Climber Rift... another settlement... or perhaps somewhere even farther?"
Patrick didn’t answer.
Gideon continued. "I understand how scientists work. You gather data, build hypotheses and calculate probabilities. But I’m not a scientist."
A faint smile appeared on his face. "I’m the chief of a small settlement. To me, statistics don’t protect people. They’re only useful if they lead to a solution."
Patrick quietly nodded. "I understand. Because from my perspective... If these flowers scatter during the First Eternal Snow, every settlement within this region—including Climber Rift—will be threatened before next winter ends."
He folded his arms. "If I were you, I’d immediately warn every nearby settlement and every major faction, including the Mercenary Guild."
"Then I’d establish guarded perimeters around this valley. Keep people away, eliminate any aberrants approaching the flowers and delay their spread for as long as possible."
Gideon slowly nodded. "I’ll ask Jade to coordinate the warning."
He pulled another chair over and sat beside Patrick.
"Then answer me one more question. If destroying them isn’t realistic... Do these flowers have a natural predator?"
Patrick rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "They originated in the northern territories."
He remained silent for several seconds before finally nodding to himself.
"I know a few researchers stationed there. They may have encountered something capable of feeding on them. Allow me to send them a message."
"Do whatever you need." Gideon answered without hesitation.
"If finding a solution requires funding, equipment or manpower, Cinder of Dusk will provide it."
Patrick suddenly laughed before lightly patting Gideon’s thigh.
"Don’t look so tense, Chief. Greenwarden isn’t going to bankrupt you."
He smiled. "Just sponsor our next research project."
"If the research benefits this territory, then I have no objections."
Gideon looked back at the endless sea of flowers outside. "If possible... I’d even fund an expedition into White Death."
Patrick’s smile widened. "I’ll send you several proposals after this crisis is over. But first... let’s solve the disaster already sitting outside your territory."
Gideon nodded, finally his worries slowly melting as he sighed heavily.
Comments