Chapter - 17 ('Two Facet')

Caroline approached Linda, channeling spiritual energy to heal her stomach. Next, she focused on healing Leo's back. As a Materializer in the Sixth Form of Materialization, Spirit Force, she possessed the ability to use spiritual energy for healing. Gradually, the wounds closed, and both Linda and Leo were completely healed.

The cultist ran!

"Let's return now!" Caroline uttered these words, but immediately she collapsed to the ground. The side effect of the 'Spirit bound' artifact depleted her strength from her body. She couldn't even muster a bit of her strength to move. Although there was a small reserve of spiritual energy left in the artifact, it has been entirely exhausted during the healing of both Linda and Leo.

Big sister!

Caroline!

"Please, just carry me back," Caroline murmured slowly, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.

Leo lifted her onto his back, and the trio made their way towards Four Streets, stopping a carriage.

Having finished reading the report, Eric discovered Eli's true identity: Elizabeth Arthur. This revelation shocked him, as he had no recollection of her being the princess. In his memories, she was merely a Noble from the capital. The file revealed a commission to protect Eli during her stay in this city, and now that she had returned to the capital, the file was closed. It detailed the attacks and espionage attempts around Princess Eli, showcasing how Punisher had safeguarded her. The captain's tomorrow's escort was likely served to protect Eli. Realizing she had gone to the capital yesterday aligned with his memories, everything now made sense.

Hearing footsteps, Eric swiftly closed the files and stowed them in a box, ensuring the desk was devoid of any documents. He cleared all the documents on the table. Some were about the expenses and commissions, he has respectively put everything into the order.

Good Evening Captain, Eric said while he came out from his office. When did you arrive captain? Seeing the captain drinking tea touching his face with left hand, he was surprised. While drinking, the Captain's face looks like it was covered by a humanoid mask. Eric thought it was weird, is captain wearing a humanoid mask? He pondered but didn't say anything, because Captain must have his reasons.

Captain George nodded silently, continuing to sip his tea. His face appeared devoid of any discernible emotions.

"Where are the others?" the Captain inquired.

Eric sat at a wooden chair in front of the captain. Ms Caroline and Mr Leo together with Linda went outside a few hours ago. It's about time for their return.

Eh, the Captain nodded and inquired, "Have you finished the work?"

Hearing this, Eric smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly, "Wasn't the question supposed to be, 'How was your first day?'"

Yes, it's already finished. It was a very easy job. Eric said while he leaned on the chair.

I also went through the commission files, filled with supernatural and mysterious and unknown. Ghosts, cultists, kidnapping, discoveries of humans skull, mysterious voice near the cremation ground etc. it was quite scary.

"These are just normal, there are much worse things in the world that you might imagine," the Captain stated, also the more it's worse the more there will be opportunities.

Eh, how tho? Eric pondered.

You should know about the 'Facet' right! The captain said staring at my eyes.

Yes! I know they are used for advancement in the Form Of Materialization. Eric replied.

So, do you know where they came from? The captain smiled scarily.

That! I don't know! Eric pondered and said, The goddess gave it to her believer!

"That's true, but there are also other ways to obtain 'Facet.' When a person becomes ensnared in a nightmare, their soul may vanish into it. If they fail to return to their body within an hour, the body undergoes mutation due to cursed blood, hosting a new consciousness. This new consciousness version manifests itself as an ugly monster, resulting in the emergence of 'Facet' within. It's a 'Natural Facet,' possessing potent corruption abilities capable of disturbing the cursed blood, almost turning the one who consumed the 'Facet' into a monster. On the other hand, the 'Artificial Facet' bestowed by the Goddess poses no harm to the body, still it can stir a certain amount of cursed blood but it's manageable because its power is significantly diminished than the 'Natural Facet'."

We have gotten the formula below Ninth Form Of Materialization but if one wanted to advance to Ninth and Tenth Form they have to ask Goddess for the Potion.

Hearing the information provided by the captain, Eric was perplexed. There are two types of 'Facet' and each Facet' has its advantages. Of course if he wants to choose, he will definitely choose 'Artificial Facet'. He doesn't want to risk his Goddess given life. And if he wanted to advance to Ninth and Tenth Form Of Materialization, he have to ask the Goddess. Just thought of meeting a God make his body shiver.

Sometime later, Linda and Leo arrived with Caroline on his back. "Captain, you're back!" exclaimed Linda, seeing the captain chatting with Eric.

Turning around, Eric saw Linda, Mr. Leo, and Ms. Caroline on his back. Eric was shocked to see their state.

"What happened to you guys? And what happened to Ms. Caroline?" Eric asked, noticing their states. All of them had their clothes torn, as if a cat had shredded them with its claws.

Eh, we just fought with the Zombie and Cultists! Linda said.

Zombie! Cultists! You just went outside and met both of them at the same time! How ironic? Eric muttered, then he remembered his encounter with a zombie. He thought that maybe they want to eliminate that zombie for his sake.

The captain went near Caroline and placed his hand on her back; a white energy entered Caroline. It was spiritual energy. Captain George is in the Eighth Form of Materialization so, he could use spiritual energy for healing. Caroline opened her eyes slowly, observing the captain's healing, and then closed her eyes again in exhaustion.

"Take her to rest," the captain said, finishing the transfer of spiritual energy. "She will wake up tomorrow."

Then, Leo nodded and took Caroline towards inside.

The captain was about to sit down, but he coughed up red blood. It seems he had been injured during the escort mission.

"Captain!" Leo exclaimed, rushing to him and holding his right shoulder. Linda also approached, holding his left shoulder.

"You are injured!" Eric said.

"It's nothing, I just used a bit of spiritual energy," the captain said, cleaning his blood with his Materializer powers.

Captain! Linda said.

"In truth, I was injured during the escort mission," the captain admitted.