To Bernadette, the combat techniques Odis had written about were clever but practically useless...
However, the overarching principles he outlined in his manuscript struck her as remarkably novel, almost like reading an exceptionally gripping novel.
Alternatively, one could say Bernadette had seen this method of 'digesting' potions through academic theses before. But those papers lacked originality, mostly rehashing the experiences of predecessors, unlike Odis, who was actively redefining combat itself.
In particular, his framing of combat as a means to punish evil and uphold righteousness elevated this otherwise brutal fighting technique to something far nobler.
She returned the manuscript to him, remarking with a meaningful tone, "It seems you know many secrets about potions."
Such as the 'acting' method.
Odis chuckled, "I don't know much, just a little here and there."
Bernadette casually asked, "When did you start writing this paper?"
"It's not a paper," Odis explained, "I plan to write a book on combat, compiling both its theoretical and practical aspects."
Bernadette paused... this was something she hadn't expected. She took a sip of her tea and repeated, "Your potion should digest very soon."
"Thank you."
As the waiter began serving their meal, the two drifted into aimless small talk, covering everything from current international politics to Backlund's ever-unpredictable weather.
Odis glanced at the sunlight outside, "The weather is quite nice today. It's been clear for hours now."
Bernadette shook her head, "Since arriving in Backlund, I've had to use magic daily to dehumidify my room. Only a vampire could possibly enjoy this city's dreadful climate."
Odis recalled a certain servant of the Church of Earth Mother, "Seems about right."
Then he pivoted the conversation, "I have a way to temporarily disperse Backlund's fog. Interested?"
Cutting into her steak, Bernadette glanced at him, "What's the point? It offers me no benefit."
Odis thought for a moment before adding, "What if we shared that technology?"
Bernadette smiled, "Go on. What's your real motive for clearing the fog? How do you need my help?"
Odis sighed, "I want to conduct an experiment on a 'Hurricane Array', But as you know, doing so under the nose of the Church of the Lord of Storms is risky. I'd need you to conceal my activities."
"Just for an experiment?" Bernadette asked, setting down her fork and knife.
"Well, there are secondary goals too; like collecting key data." Odis grinned.
Bernadette studied his eyes for a second or two before concluding, "You're clever. You've already learned how to bypass my truth-detection spells."
Odis had sidestepped direct answers twice now. His responses were truthful, so his nose hadn't grown, but they might not reveal his primary objective.
Bernadette smiled and said, "Let me think... Why would you use a 'Hurricane Array' to temporarily dispel the fog? Certainly not to improve Backlund's environment. Besides, I've only heard of a 'Breeze Array', never a 'Hurricane Array'. Clearly, you've enhanced its power significantly."
"Even briefly dispersing the fog would require an immense gale. And you're willing to share such a practical, high-level array with me?" She concluded with a smirk, "Whatever you're plotting in the shadows must be monumental."
Odis still didn't reveal his aim, "Everyone has secrets, no? For instance, the moment I saw you, I thought of Emperor Roselle's portraits."
Bernadette shrugged indifferently, "Many people make that connection."
Odis chewed a piece of beef slowly before saying, "How about I build you a ship?"
Bernadette chuckled, "I'm not lacking ships. I even own a shipyard."
"I mean a ship that's twice as fast as the most advanced steel warships today, with firepower rivaling a small cruiser fleet," Odis countered, "And most importantly, as long as its arrays are maintained, it could theoretically operate indefinitely."
Bernadette's smile deepened with satisfaction, "Now that's what I call sincerity. I'll assist you. Even if your plans are perilous, I'll do my best to keep you alive."
This reminded her of the ship model she'd seen at Odis's home. She knew instinctively that this vessel would embody the core of his research.
Odis raised his glass for a toast, "To a fruitful partnership."
"To partnership." Bernadette clinked her glass against his. After a sip, she picked up her knife again, muttering, "My intuition was right. A major event is brewing in Backlund."
Odis smiled wordlessly. Having a Sequence 3 ally would significantly boost his safety during the year-end operations. He changed the subject, "Earlier, you mentioned owning a shipyard?"
Bernadette teased, "Is that so surprising?"
"I'm just impressed by your wealth," Odis admitted, "Is piracy really that lucrative?"
Bernadette wasn't startled that Odis had recognized her, "It depends on the pirate's rank."
Odis spread his arms, asking, "What about me? Do I have the potential to become one?"
"You do. Because you already meet the hardest criterion."
"Which is?"
"Having a powerful backer."
Odis blinked, "I don't have one at sea."
"You do now."
Understanding dawned on him. He raised his glass again, "A toast to Her Majesty!"
"Just 'Your Highness' is fine," Bernadette corrected lightly.
"Of course, Your Highness."
For both, the meal had been immensely fruitful. Bernadette secured a deeper partnership with Odis, establishing a loosely defined hierarchy.
Odis, in turn, gained the protection of a High-Sequence powerhouse, and a potential escape route...
Once they finished eating, he asked Bernadette to return him via the Spirit World. The 'Machinery Hivemind' might be surveilling him these days, and him suddenly appearing at the Rosewood Pavilion from his herbal shop's backroom would raise eyebrows.
Thus, slipping back through the Spirit World was the cleanest solution. Bernadette would also erase the waitstaff's memories of Odis's presence...
....
Back in the herbal shop's courtyard, Odis was about to resume writing the 'Outline of Combat', when the towering visage of The Fool materialized in his mind, followed by the Little Sun's prayer.
Turns out, the 'Little Sun' had successfully captured the creatures from the Forsaken Land of the Gods that Odis needed...