Chapter 67: Experiment - Dorothy’s Forbidden Grimoire

Chapter 67: Experiment Staring at the steaming cup of tea on the counter before her, Dorothy's gaze grew increasingly hazy. After scrutinizing the liquid within the cup for a moment, she addressed Clifford uncertainly. "Mister... do you mean to say that this cup of tea contains the flavor described in that novel?" "Yes, that's exactly the taste," he affirmed. "After unintentionally receiving that novel and reading it, I became so preoccupied with finding that taste in reality that I lost my appetite and couldn't sleep. Those times of longing were truly torturous, but, miraculously, I found it six years ago and have been free from that torment since then..." As Clifford spoke, he pushed the cup an inch closer to Dorothy. "And this... is the flavor I discovered from the book. Come, Miss Mayschoss, have a taste. I guarantee it will be unforgettable for you," he suggested with a noticeable smile. Meanwhile, Dorothy murmured quietly as she gazed at the teacup before her. "Unforgettable?" Muttering to herself, she slowly lifted the teacup. Under Clifford's expectant gaze, she drank the tea slowly, and then her expression floated into a reverie. "How does it taste, Miss Mayschoss?" "Mm... it feels so strange, so wonderful... extremely satisfying. I've never tasted anything so good... Oh, my... by the grace of the Holy Mother, it's a delight I've never experienced..." In a trance-like state, Dorothy spoke with a cheerful tone. Watching her from across the table, Clifford chuckled. "Heh... see, Miss Mayschoss, I wasn't lying to you." "Thank you, mister... you weren't lying indeed. I think this must be the taste described in the book. But may I ask, do you have more?" Dorothy inquired curiously, to which Clifford, already prepared, produced a small paper packet and placed it in front of her. "This is the secret ingredient for that taste. Take it with you. If you wish to experience that flavor again, just sprinkle a little into your water and drink it. Of course, sprinkling it on food offers a different sensation altogether. It's up to you how you choose to enjoy it," Clifford explained further. Dorothy hesitated before speaking. "Umm... how much does this cost?" "Haha, there's no charge. As a fellow enthusiast I've finally encountered, how could I request payment?" Clifford said with a laugh. After his words, Dorothy hesitated slightly before storing the packet on her person. "Thank you, mister." "You're welcome. If you run out, feel free to come back for more. Oh, and remember, don't let anyone see you adding the powder," Clifford advised once more, to which Dorothy gave her thanks. "Thank you, mister, I understand. Goodbye for now." With that, Dorothy gathered the book she had rented and left the store. As he watched her leave and glanced at the now-empty teacup, the smile on Clifford's lips grew colder. "Heh... everything is progressing smoothly. Now I just need her to become fully controlled, and then I can use her to corrupt Gregor... With the effects of the 'Chalice' drug, it won't take long..." Clifford could feel that the captain of the Igwynt Bureau's Hunter Squad was already within his grasp. This was good news for the Crimson Eucharist, which had recently suffered continuous setbacks. ... In the bustling streets of Igwynt, a carriage moved amid the throngs. Inside, Dorothy rubbed her temples. She felt her body in turmoil, a desire churning within, a thirst growing stronger—a longing to re-experience that fragrant cup of tea. Clearly, these were the effects of ingesting the 'Chalice' drug. 'Hah... seems I'm only immune to intellectual poisons through knowledge. Physical drugs still work on me, so I'll have to be careful when eating in unfamiliar places in the future...' As she thought this, Dorothy glanced at her watch, checking the time before making some calculations. 'Three o'clock in the afternoon, half an hour since drinking the first cup. The thirst is already appearing, though still mild; but at this rate, it will only grow stronger... I need to find out my limit...' Putting down her watch, Dorothy leaned back in the carriage, closing her eyes and waiting as the thirst intensified, patiently waiting for the ride to reach its destination. When the carriage stopped by Nanyang Flower Road, Dorothy alighted, paid the fare, and made her way home. After entering her house and sitting on the sofa, she continued to experience the swell of thirst until she could barely suppress it with willpower alone. She opened her eyes and swiftly retrieved an item from her bag. It was a test tube, containing a grayish-white powder. Dorothy fetched a teacup, filled it, and placed it before her. Carefully, she opened the test tube, sprinkling a little powder into the cup... With her identification sight engaged, Dorothy watched as the water in the cup began to emit a gray glow, a phenomenon resulting from the 'Stone' energy's influence. This was a passive effect of Kain's identification technique, allowing Dorothy to discern extraordinary influences on things and judge the extent of that influence. Thanks to the powerful memory granted by her vocation as a Scholar, she vividly recalled the degree of influence the 'Chalice had on the tea she drank at the bookstore. By comparing this degree, she needed to precisely brew a cup of "Stone" tea matching it exactly. Lessening the 'Chalice' influence would mean incomplete removal, adding too much 'Stone' would harm her intellect. Fortunately, as a Scholar, Dorothy's control was exceptional, and achieving perfect precision was no issue. After finishing the sprinkling, Dorothy sealed the test tube and consumed the brewed "Stone" tea in one go. Then, she lay on the sofa, again closing her eyes, to feel the once uncontrollable thirst and desire quickly fading until clarity returned to her mind. "Phew... done~" Having detoxified herself, Dorothy exhaled a long breath and checked the time again. "Half-past five in the afternoon. I drank the tea at half-past two. Based on these experimental results, the cycle for the 'Chalice' drug between doses, until the next inevitable craving, is approximately three hours. Though it might vary slightly depending on individual constitution, give or take half an hour or so..." Dorothy murmured to herself, noting this crucial piece of data. Then, she took out the small paper packet Clifford had given her. After examining it closely, a faint smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. "Now that all the conditions are about right, it's time to help my brother's company catch the mole."