Pandora Unchained - a Cultivation Progression Fantasy

"You've been here precisely six days and five hours," Sorin said to Astley. "We'd originally have left you for another half day, but the situation has changed."

The Myth-Binder was clearly out of sorts, but Sorin's words slowly reduced her immersion in the past and brought her back into the present.

Once he described the situation with the mysterious illness, he went on to describe their altercation at the market. "We ultimately have no idea how Aeris Loveless contracted the illness. That's why I need you to sift through the archives and compile relevant information for me to review."

"That shouldn't be a problem," said Astley. She tilted her head towards the coin. "It's an interesting specimen, by the way. It's an obol, a silver coin once used as currency in all of Pandora. Such coins aren't uncommon, but this one was blessed by a deity and therefore contains mixed elements of divinity and corruption."

"We really don't have time for this," said Sorin.

"I mention it because a potent energy is sealed inside the coin. A curse of sorts," said Astley. "In this case, it's an anti-tampering curse. The Ferryman evidently didn't want anyone manipulating the realm's currency. It's this backlash that filled the room and made it impossible for the museum staff to enter."

Sorin blinked. "I fail to see how this is relevant."

Astley shrugged. "Didn't you mention artifacts were destroyed? Something about an ancestral statue, a black pyramid, and a bunch of other things that went up in flames?"

Sorin sighed. "You just want to study the artifacts. I very much doubt that something a two-star spell could destroy would be responsible for a possible epidemic."

"But it's possible," said Astley. "There is precedent."

"Fine," said Sorin. "You can look into it once you're done organizing the archives. As for those artifacts, I'll have Lawrence confiscate them and anything else that might have been on the vendor's stall. I'll also ask Lawrence to produce an image of the artifacts he saw on that day. Does that satisfy you?"

"It does," said Astley. "

"Here's the key to the archives," said Sorin, handing it over. "The archivist goes by the name of Alfred. Strictly speaking, I'm supposed to accompany you at all times, but he's susceptible to bribery. Once he sees you're there to organize the place, he'll be begging you to stay."

"And what will you be doing?"

"Corresponding," answered Sorin. "Simulating. Experimenting. Absorbing information. I also need to speak to the Alchemists Guild to see what local ingredients they have in case this is a local illness that requires local ingredients to control.

"By the way… are you alright?" though Astley looked relaxed and well-rested, it remained that she'd spent nearly a week inside this room without going out. There had also been a hint of derangement in her eyes while she'd been studying the sealed obol.

"I'm fine," said Astley. "Just a little frazzled is all. It's what happens when you dig into ancient history."

"Should I be concerned?" asked Sorin. "Should we check up on you on a regular basis?"

"I wouldn't bother," said Astley. "We Myth-Binders are trained to handle contamination, distortion, and amnesia."

"In any case, please organize the archives first and fetch me any information that matches my specifications," said Sorin. "It's critical that I obtain it as soon as possible." In other words, no side projects.

Once Astley set off, Sorin went to the Adventurers Guild, where an overwhelmed administrator brought him to the demon parts storehouse. "These goods have all been identified as prime demon parts and will be sold either in bulk or via auction to local manufacturers," explained the young administrator. "We normally wouldn't sell these to individual adventurers, but as a two-star hero, you are entitled to purchase anything you like at cost."

Sorin didn't stand on ceremony and collected a sample of everything he didn't have, poisonous or otherwise. More information was better than not enough. Even if he couldn't find what caused the illness, every item he analyzed would bring him one step closer to discovering a solution.

After scouring the Adventurers Guild and sending a large bill to Governor Loveless, he went over to the Alchemists Guild and took one of everything for analysis. He then perused their register of local materials and took note of unique items that weren't currently in stock.

"Please issue a mission for these items," said Sorin, handing a jade slip listing thousands of items to the slack-jawed clerk. "Double the normal asking price. List Governor Loveless as the issuing entity and send the bill his way." Though he hadn't asked for permission, he was sure that his every movement was being monitored. Since they hadn't stopped him at the Adventurers Guild, it meant the Alchemists Guild was fair game.

It took Sorin most of the afternoon to sweep both warehouses and return to the Mildred Public Hospital, where Astley was working furiously to reorganize documents. About a hundred documents had been set aside for Sorin. He reviewed them and confirmed that there were indeed cases with symptoms matching those currently observed. Unfortunately, none of these illnesses transcended realms.

Sorin digested the information. At sunset, he met with Lorimer. The rat informed him that while he and his brethren hadn't discovered traces of the illness, he'd discovered a few agents. Failing everything else, hunting them down for questioning was an option.

The next morning, Sorin returned to the Governor's Manor. The once-crowded building was completely deserted save for Flesh-Sanctification guards and quarantined cultivators that had been rounded up by the governor.

Governor Loveless appeared at Sorin's side the moment he crossed the threshold. "Is there any news? Have you discovered any leads? I approved all of your missions as soon as I received notice from the Adventurers Guild and the Alchemists Guild and have pulled some strings to facilitate the activities of Mr. Holt and Mr. Fletcher." He no longer came off as stern and emotionless. The indomitable façade of a demigod had vanished. In its place, Sorin saw the fragility of a concerned husband and parent.

"I haven't discovered anything yet," answered Sorin. "Given your current mental state, I take it that Aeris's condition has worsened the stasis imposed by Six-Foot Slumber?"

"Her vital functions have each dropped ten percent since your last visit," said Governor Loveless as he led him to Aeris's room. There were guards at the door, but no one attending her directly. This task, Sorin suspected fell to Physician Olivander, who was currently as busy as Sorin, was responsible for this.

He inspected Aeris's body and confirmed that while her condition had deteriorated, it wasn't critical. "What about the maid and other quarantined individuals?" asked Sorin.

"Their conditions are much worse, even with the application of Six-Foot Slumber," answered the governor.

"'Their?'" said Sorin with a frown. "Are you saying another maid fell ill?"

"All six of them," answered the Governor. "In addition, eight guards have fallen ill, three cooks, and two of her friends. Each of them has been quarantined according to your instructions and is currently receiving care from Physician Olivander and her team."

"That's unfortunate but not unexpected," said Sorin. "As for your daughter, while her condition isn't excellent, there's no cause for concern. I'll have Physician Olivander adjust her nurturing treatments to account for imbalances developed, assuming she hasn't already done so.

"As for the other patients, I'll need to examine them as well. Though Aeris and her maid share multiple symptoms, there are slight differences. I'm hoping that by analyzing each patient and the similarity of their conditions, I'll be able to further narrow down possible pathogens."

"Of course," said the Governor. "Please let me know if you need anything. Also, feel free to recruit any of the city's physicians to assist you."

"I don't believe that will be necessary for the time being," answered Sorin. "The spread is contained, and we don't yet know if the disease is fatal. It's not uncommon for disease to display serve symptoms in one patient and then spare the next."

"This way,' said Governor Loveless, leading Sorin towards the staircase. "The patients are located in the basement, while quarantined individuals are kept mostly on the first and second floor."

"A good precaution to take," said Sorin. "At Physician Olivander's request?"

"Naturally," said Governor Loveless. They'd just reached the bottom of the stairs when suddenly, a middle-aged physician burst out of the basement stairwell. Sorin recognized him as Physician Gordon, a two-star physician who worked in Physician Olivander's clinic.

"Governor!" Physician Gordon shouted. "Emergency!"

"What is it?" snapped Governor Loveless. "Did something happen to my wife and child? Why were they relocated without my knowledge? I'll have someone's head for this. Wait— they're still in their rooms. What's this emergency you speak of. Out with it, man!"

Physician Gordon gulped loudly. "It's Aeris's maid, Bertha, Governor."

"What about her?" asked the Governor impatiently.

Physician Gordon was clearly not used to dealing with demigods, but in the end, his professionalism won over, and he managed to spill out the bad news. "She's dead," he answered. "She passed away just four minutes ago."