“This is… a crystal ball.”
As expected, the Information Society does not introduce a useless person. Leonardo recognized the crystal wrapped in a handkerchief at first sight.
“It is matter condensed from Masaka's evil energy.”
The surprising thing is not only that. Leonardo really understood what this thing was.
“This is Masaka's evil spirit…?”
Isn't it just an ordinary stone? Irel opened his eyes wide and looked down at the jet black crystal. That cold and dense light was indeed very similar to the aura she felt from Masaka.
Maybe that's why when she helped Lane vomit the crystal, the side quest was suddenly updated.
‘This also counts as neutralizing Masaka's power.’
At that moment, Leonardo also confirmed her words.
"That's right. Even though the thesis hasn't been officially published in the academy yet."
However, Leonardo shrugged, saying it was only a matter of time. His calm, unobtrusive attitude makes people even more confident.
“I have something to ask… Mr. Leonardo.”
“You're wondering why Receiver vomited up the crystal, and why it was Masaka's evil spirit, right?”
Irel nodded silently. Since both clearly understood the purpose of the meeting, the conversation went smoothly.
“Frankly speaking, this crystal can be considered a ‘product of Serving’.”
“Serving products?”
“Yes. In the first place, what do you think Serving is?”
It was the scene that took away the Receiver's life when Masaka frantically had sex. Irel thought so but didn't dare say it, just smiled wryly.
"Serving is nothing more than a purification ritual. As you know, Masaka's power is very strong, but its origin comes from evil energy. It is the aura of death. Therefore, even mindless monsters like Kitan instinctively feel and fear that evil energy."
Leonardo straightened his back and explained softly.
"But Masaka is human after all. If too much evil energy accumulates in their body, they will go crazy and explode. The ritual to properly remove evil energy before that happens, is 'Serving'."
“Yes, I know that too.”
“But do you know that that's not all?”
“…Isn't that all?”
"Serving is not simply absorbing evil energy. The Receiver's body is like a filter, purifying the absorbed evil energy on its own."
This was the first time she heard this. Irel blinked. Leonardo continued to explain to her, who looked a bit confused.
"The principle is very simple, just like an oyster creates a pearl. When impurities enter the body, it will cover it with its own mucus to form a pearl and then expel it."
Having finished speaking, Leonardo pointed to the black crystal. As if to say that it was a pearl created by the Receiver.
"The excretion process may be painful, but in the long run it's a good thing. Either way, it prevents Masaka's evil energy from continuing to accumulate in the body."
Irel was silent for a moment. She was thinking carefully and trying to understand what she had just heard.
"Then."
Rearranging her thoughts, Irel spoke up.
"If the crystallization process continues, Masaka's evil energy will no longer accumulate in the body... then the Receiver's lifespan will not be shortened. Am I understanding this correctly?"
The reason the Receiver's lifespan is short is because they absorb Masaka's evil energy on behalf of others. In other words, they are suffering for the world, as if they had swallowed a fatal poison that should have destroyed others.
But what if they could purify themselves and then excrete that poisonous gas out? At that time, isn't there any reason why their lives should wither earlier than ordinary people?
"Although it is unclear what causes the Receivers to vomit crystals, most people who have experienced this phenomenon live a long time. Some people even live many times longer than average."
Varkan's words suddenly rang in his mind. Irel, who was always worried about her own finite life, swallowed her saliva slightly, hope rising in her heart. Leonardo, noticing that tense look, just smiled gently through his remaining eye.
"In short, that's true. Any Receiver that has the ability to self-purify and excrete Masaka's evil energy will definitely live a long life. Because poison will no longer accumulate in the body."
Indeed. Irel's face brightened. She almost jumped up and clapped her hands for joy, but luckily she was able to hold back, because after all, in front of her was Leonardo - someone she had just met for the first time.
“Ah, but… Leonardo, is the phenomenon of vomiting crystalline balls very rare?”
Before the overflowing joy had time to dissipate, curiosity arose again. Luckily, there is someone here knowledgeable enough to answer that question.
"That's right. According to the investigation, only about five percent of Receivers can perform the 'real' Serving ritual."
That means, the number of Receivers that can not only absorb Masaka's evil energy but can also purify and excrete it is very small. Including Irel and Lane.
“What about Receivers who cannot undergo the purification and excretion process on their own?”
"They will die pitifully. They won't last long."
Leonardo answered gently but firmly. Even though she knew this truth, Irel still felt cruel, she unconsciously asked again.
"But isn't there another way? To get rid of Masaka's evil energy, somehow..."
“Not currently.”
The cold answer made Irel silent. Leonardo then added an explanation as if to console him.
"Although unfortunate, it is inevitable. In nature, only individuals that evolve and develop themselves can survive. Those that are eliminated will only get there."
Of course, that explanation is equally cold. However, Irel's face had an indescribable expression.
‘How strange.’
In Leonardo's words, Lane belongs to the 'evolved individual'. It's just that she's not perfect, so vomiting up the crystalline ball on her own is very difficult.
Lane's recent illness is also due to this reason. If Irel hadn't arrived in time, Lane might have actually died.
‘At that time, I clearly…’
Irel remembers it very clearly. The black aura trapped in Lane's body. And when she used the Receiver power, she was suddenly able to push that air up, forcing the girl to vomit.
If she could use this power more freely, wouldn't she be able to save not only Lane but also the other Receivers? Irel thought so. Because a world where the Receiver is forced to have a short life is a very sad thing.
'It seems Leonardo still doesn't know about this.'
Irel hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should say it or not. But she felt something was wrong, so she decided to keep quiet.
“But why is Leonardo researching Receiver?”
Anyway, his knowledge is quite impressive. Receivers were very few from the beginning, and most died early so not much information was known. Furthermore, the highly possessive Masaka will soon take them away, making research completely out of reach.
In that respect, it is a miracle that Leonardo knew so much. Even Varkan, who was as influential as the king, could not find out information about the 'crystallized island'.
So, Irel suddenly became curious. How did the man in front investigate the Receiver?
"Actually."
Faced with the unexpected question, Leonardo lowered his eyes behind the blindfold. His normally calm face looked awkward this time.
"I once received a secret request from a certain organization and conducted research for a long time. I apologize for not being able to reveal the details."
“It's okay. What kind of research is that?”
“Although it is a bit tactful to say it in front of Lady Irel, it is research on how to increase the number of Receiver individuals.”
What? Irel's face visibly wrinkled.
A moment later, Leonardo was guided to the lobby by the servant. And like most other guests, he expressed his thanks for 'your ladyship's kind reception' and left the mansion.
The carriage he came in was an ordinary carriage, without any markings. Leaving the Vasslo Moor mansion, he circled around the village, loitered aimlessly around the market, then headed out into the suburbs and across the fields.
Finally, when darkness fell, the carriage headed towards its true destination. There, people wearing white robes were waiting, bowing to Leonardo in unison.
“Did you go out smoothly?”
"Are not."
Leonardo stepped down from the carriage, took the cloak and put it on. He blurted out with an arrogant expression, completely different from when he was in front of Irel.
"A stupid woman. I tried to ask her if she knew anything, but it was a waste of time."
"Really? I heard that Varkan is very fond of her."
"Just a Receiver. Nothing more, nothing less than Masaka's toy. Who would discuss important matters with someone who only serves sex."
Leonardo was upset
tsk
one hour. The only reason why he came to find Irel was because Varkan was too secretive and had no other way to find clues.
‘But it was just a useless trip.’
No matter what he asked, Irel remained silent with a blank expression, or said she didn't know. That's why these Receivers are so useless.
“Things that only exist to be eaten.”
Leonardo said in a contemptuous tone, pulling his cloak further down. He ripped off the blindfold like a toy and threw it away haphazardly.
The eyes revealed underneath are of different colors.
Meanwhile, Irel remained at the mansion, lost in thought. She stared at the empty space the guest had just left, then tilted her head.
“That's strange.”
Why did he lie about his name?
Irel, whom Leonardo – no, Archbishop Ramon – contemptuously called a 'stupid woman', had seen more than he thought.
'And he clearly hates me. The sympathy level has reached rock bottom.'
Including the opponent's malice.