Bologue always felt that recent times had been chaotic. First, there was Belli’s commission, then the frenzied Teda, the strange and naive Aimou, and the Gray Trade Association that attacked him... There were far too many messy things, so many that Bologue almost forgot about the existence of the Sanguine Corruption Cult.
From Yas’s tone, it seemed that all these troubles were secondary, and the real main issue was the Sanguine Corruption Cult.
The lights in the conference room went out, and in the dimness, a slide projector cast images onto the screen, with one crimson scene after another appearing before their eyes.
"The traces of the Gray Trade Association are well-hidden; after all, this is essentially their home ground. But the Sanguine Corruption Cult is different. In our investigation, the investigation of the Ninth Group is also proceeding simultaneously. They discovered several sacrificial sites within the Great Rift, where blood has soaked every inch of the soil."
Geoffrey stood in the back, switching the films.
Bologue had dealt with the Sanguine Corruption Cult before, and was not surprised by the bloody and brutal scenes. But the members next to Hart were clearly not as familiar with such matters, frowning as they observed the corpses strewn everywhere.
"Those who can be present here have been acknowledged by the Action Group through multiple missions, so there’s no need to hide anything here anymore."
As Yas spoke, the film switched to another slide, showing crimson blood stored in containers.
"This is the Elixir of Immortality, offered by the Sanguine Corruption Cult to the Crimson Queen... It can also be understood as the contract material obtained from trading these flesh and blood. This blood possesses extremely strong healing properties; even if mutilated, a body injected with such blood will quickly recover."
Yas paused, then continued.
"This substance can only heal the physical body. As for what lies beneath the flesh, no one knows what will happen... The Sanguine Corruption Cult often uses this substance to promote their miracles."
Bologue listened and nodded. The handprint on his chest had not faded, and his dread of the Sanguine Corruption Cult only grew.
"In the event of encountering the Sanguine Corruption Cult during operations, you must keep in mind that they may carry the Elixir of Immortality, and they themselves are also under the Protection of the Crimson Queen. Each one of them is extremely difficult to kill, much like the Undead."
As Yas spoke, his gaze fell on Bologue.
These words were not directed at the members of the Sixth Group, but at himself and Palmer. The two of them were the elite who broke into the venue with invitations, while the others were the reinforcements that would sweep in after the two caused chaos inside.
"Aside from this, we suspect that the Sanguine Corruption Cult will likely join this auction as well.
Your main goal on this trip is to thwart the transaction, kill every member of the Sanguine Corruption Cult you come across, regardless of what they want from the Gray Trade Association or what the Gray Trade Association intends to sell to them, stop it all at all costs."
Yas’s voice became stern, and fearing they might still not feel at ease, he added.
"If necessary, the Ninth Group will also support our operations. After all, hunting the Sanguine Corruption Cult is also one of their responsibilities."
After a moment of silence, Bologue spoke.
"Is this transaction so important because the Gray Trade Association wants to sell something?
That thing is extremely important to the Sanguine Corruption Cult, so much so that these lunatics fearlessly confront the Order Bureau and delve into the Great Rift. Simply because this cursed item is too important, and if the Sanguine Corruption Cult gets their hands on it, it will definitely cause big trouble, which is why we need to take it so seriously?"
Bologue had his reasons for this judgment. Since joining, he had executed many missions, but it was the first time two Action Groups were cooperating on a mission, and the Ninth Group was present outside the field.
A mission concentrated on by three Action Groups clearly spoke to its importance.
Yas and Lebius exchanged glances, and the usually quiet Lebius spoke up.
"There’s no need to be overly secretive, Yas. Besides that part, it would be better to let them understand more... Anyway, this information is only useful for these two guys."
Their gaze fell on Bologue and Palmer, with the Special Operations Group’s Undying Body and Debtor infiltrating within, while the Violence Suppression Action Group carried out sieges from the perimeter. The plan was brilliant, fully exploiting the Debtor’s traits.
Yas nodded, and Geoffrey continued switching the slides in the back, revealing a crimson heart to everyone.
Although it was a blurry and flat image, at first glance, it seemed to throb like an illusion. At the same time, Bologue felt as if his heart was being tugged, and others felt the same; unconsciously, everyone’s blood started to heat up slightly, and the sound of their heartbeat became intense.
It was a heart resembling a human’s heart, yet its flesh was not smooth. Instead, it was covered with patterns like crawling worms. More precisely, the entire heart seemed to be composed of intertwined blood-red worms.
Like a meticulously crafted piece of art by a certain artisan, its true form was soft flesh.
"This item is called the Immortal Heart, a Holy Relic within the Sanguine Corruption Cult. From the accumulated information of the Ninth Group, this item is also a product obtained after sacrifices to the Crimson Queen. But compared to the regular Elixir of Immortality, obtaining the Immortal Heart evidently requires a significantly higher price."
Yas continued narrating, part of which should have been Carnegie’s, as today’s meeting should have involved the Ninth Group. However, Carnegie refused to attend, using the excuse of continuing the pursuit of the Sanguine Corruption Cult.
This is typical of the Ninth Group, who, due to the uniqueness of their function, always maintain a sense of distance from other Action Groups, making them appear quite unusual in the entire Field Operations Department.
"For reasons unknown, the Gray Trade Association actually acquired this Holy Relic and is preparing to offer it to the Tyrant. The Sanguine Corruption Cult suddenly arrived at the Great Rift to reclaim this Holy Relic."
Indeed, it was ultimately this damned arms dealer that sparked the conflict.
"What is its effect?"
Bologue asked. The mission’s target this time was that heart.
"In its normal state, it’s just a piece of dead flesh. But when implanted into a body, it can continuously produce the Elixir of Immortality."
The meeting room fell into a dead silence.
Palmer had completely sobered up. Faced with such matter, not waking up was difficult. Yesterday was a happy Vow Festival party, but today it turned into a life-and-death mission. His mood had completely numbed.
Bologue bowed his head in thought. The effect of the Elixir of Immortality was already troublesome enough. Coupled with the Protection of the Crimson Queen, these cultists were extremely hard to kill, and now there was an added Immortal Heart...
"Can I understand that we are very likely facing a group of Undead?" Bologue asked.
"They aren’t really Undead... just not that easy to kill." Yas answered.
"You can hasten their death, right? Just like my weakness." Bologue suddenly realized this point.
"That’s right, we can create an Ether vacuum to restrict them, but you first need to infiltrate them, sabotage internally, so we can intervene from the outside."
Yas’s gaze swept over his team members, all showing readiness.
"By then, we will be able to suppress them on a large scale."
"But there is an exception... if the Immortal Heart is implanted into a human body..." Bologue did not feel reassured by Yas’s words, instead continuing to probe about this Holy Relic.
Blue eyes stared at Yas, waiting for his next words.
"We’re not clear on that; even the Ninth Group has not observed the Immortal Heart being implanted into a body," Yas answered Bologue’s question. "Our documentation on the Immortal Heart is scant, only aware of its powers and significance."
Bologue felt a headache coming on. He had thought about facing off against similar Undead in the future, but hadn’t expected it would all happen this quickly.
Yet he also pondered that the Undying Body has a cost, his own undying traits even praised by Serey, then what would the undead nature of the Crimson Sect be like? Perfect, or flawed?
"Any other questions? If not, let’s adjourn." Lebius said.
Everyone nodded silently, the meeting thus adjourned. Palmer slumped in his chair completely, taking quite a while to shakily stand up.
"Seems like you need a sleep." Bologue suggested.
"I think so too." Palmer’s eyes were full of red threads, looking extremely miserable.
Ivan glanced at his nephew from afar, sighed helplessly, said nothing, and left. This operation also had the Crow’s Nest’s aid; all the crucial information was consolidated by them.
A tall figure blocked their way, Hart stood in front of the two. When this fellow stood up, Bologue realized he was truly a hairy monster. Just getting to know Hart more, Bologue really wanted to ask how much shampoo he had to use each time he showered...
Wait a second, he probably uses pet shampoo instead, right?
"Let me reintroduce, Hart Vine." Hart pointed at himself, with sharp claws growing from his hand.
"This is Kingsley Stanford," Hart introduced the man beside him, then the woman, "And this is Fanny Field."
Kingsley nodded at Bologue; he seemed like the steady type. Fanny kept smiling at Bologue, and before Bologue could introduce himself, she spoke first.
"I heard about you from Kemp. Bologue Lazarus, he said you saved him and Shelley."
Bologue thought of those two newcomers, saying flatly, "Nothing, just a rescue mission."
"And you’re Palmer Clarks, right?"
Kingsley pointed at the nearly dead Palmer.
"Am I that famous?" Palmer spruced up a bit, not expecting his reputation to reach the Sixth Group.
"Hm," Hart nodded, seriously, "The Clarks family’s jinx. The leader said, during operations, better stay away from you."