The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 42

“I have intelligence about the dehydration syndrome, and I need you to deliver it,” Ciel said.

“Deliver it to whom?”

“The Redemption Society.”

Avena stared at the red-haired girl in front of her, falling into a deep contemplation.

She was finding it increasingly difficult to see through this girl… What else does she know?

“And earlier?” Avena tentatively asked.

“I don’t want anyone else to know that this information came from me.” Ciel knew what she was puzzled about and said, “I recommend you pass it directly to Adele and have her relay it to her sister. I trust they’ll make the right judgment.”

Avena took a deep breath, her expression finally turning serious.

The amount of knowledge Ciel possessed… exceeded her expectations.

“Alright, tell me the details.” Avena said, “I’ll relay the message for you, and I don’t require anything in return. This information about the dehydration syndrome is something I need as well. If it proves accurate, I’ll compensate you.”

Avena was clearly not someone who lacked money. She wasn’t trying to take advantage of Ciel, just as she hadn’t in the simulation, even when she found an auxiliary potion material. She still paid Ciel for it.

Ciel paused for a moment to choose her words carefully before speaking: “I need you to contact Adele and tell her that someone is conducting a Reconstitution Ritual to ascend from ‘Plaguebearer’ to ‘Source of Cholera’ in the Clock Tower District. The ritual is taking place near the Church of the Savior Goddess at the Clock Tower Chapel.”

Avena’s eyelid twitched. With every word that came out of Ciel’s mouth, the shock in her heart intensified. By the time Ciel finished speaking, she couldn’t help but stand up abruptly.

“Are you sure?” Avena’s voice quickened without her realizing it. “Where did you get this information?”

“My intelligence network.” Ciel did not give a specific answer, but her response did not contain any lies.

It was indeed her intelligence network, though the entire network consisted solely of Ciel herself.

Avena began pacing back and forth, her mind racing.

This information… could it be reliable? She’s just a normal civilian.

But a normal civilian wouldn’t have access to a potion. A normal civilian wouldn’t know the details of my path’s Reconstitution Ritual. A normal civilian wouldn’t recognize members of the Redemption Society at a glance, call one of them by name, and even be aware of her little-known church background.

Ciel’s intelligence network was likely far more formidable than Avena had imagined.

When did Berren City gain such an organization? Was it an academic society? A secret cult? What kind of group was behind her?

Judging solely from what Ciel had revealed, this organization seemed to harbor no malice and even sought to prevent a large-scale massacre.

“Thank you for the information. I’ll make sure it’s delivered.” Avena looked back at Ciel and said, “If it proves accurate, I’ll ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.”

“Can I receive part of the compensation in advance?” Ciel asked.

“Uh…” Avena hesitated briefly before asking, “What kind of compensation?”

“A worker at the Stone Match Factory named Lichie—she’s my sister. I need you to get her out of the Clock Tower District and keep her safe,” Ciel said.

“Consider it done. I know the factory owner. I can arrange to have her transferred and settled immediately.” Hearing Ciel’s request, Avena agreed without hesitation.

Given the level of intelligence Ciel possessed, the organization behind her certainly had the resources to protect a single civilian. This was likely a personal request on Ciel’s part.

Avena also saw this as an opportunity to establish a connection with Ciel. If she could learn more about the intelligence network behind her, all the better.

Anything money could solve wasn’t a problem for Avena.

Ciel borrowed paper and a pen from Avena to write a letter to Lichie, telling her not to worry. She handed the letter to Avena, asking her to give it to Lichie when she arranged for her transfer.

After leaving the letter and ensuring that Avena was already working on getting her sister out of the Clock Tower District, Ciel finally felt a sense of relief.

Ciel left the “Avenger” potion behind and informed Avena that if she did not return, all the money obtained from selling the “Avenger” potion should be given to Lichie. Avena agreed to this arrangement.

Bidding farewell to Avena, Ciel left the police station and took a public carriage back to the Clock Tower District.

By the time she returned home, it was already 6 PM, and the sun had completely set.

Having delivered the intelligence and ensured her sister’s safety, Ciel finally had the mental space to focus on the simulation.

Based on the last simulation, Ciel knew she was already infected. She didn’t even dare to see Lichie, afraid of passing the infection to her.

Leaving the potion with Avena had felt like making funeral arrangements—she was preparing for the worst.

Even if she used up all her Fate Points and still couldn’t avert her death, at least she could leave enough money for her sister to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

Back in her room, Ciel took out her notebook, took a deep breath, and began thinking seriously.

The message had been delivered. As time passed, they would take the intelligence more seriously. It was unlikely that patients would continue to be housed near the Clock Tower Church.

But Ciel knew the matter was far from over.

She needed to verify a few things in the simulation.

Ciel opened her notebook and began writing in Chinese.

【Find Avena and get Adele’s location. Have Adele take me to see High Priestess Uris.】

【Gain Uris’s trust and provide a detailed description of the dehydration syndrome’s symptoms, including the bizarre rapid extraction of bodily fluids that occurs later. See if this offers them any insight.】

【If they decide to investigate, accompany them throughout the process. Learn every step of what they do to optimize the procedure further down the line.】

Ciel set down her pen and seemed to recall something. She asked silently in her mind.

“System?”

「Yes?」

“Does the simulation version of me have access to the system?”

「Does this system seem like such a cheap thing to you?」

「The version of you in the transitional phase receives a sub-system that grants access to your existing abilities. With memory adjustments provided by the system, you won’t realize it’s a sub-system.」

“Then… can the simulated version of me, equipped with the sub-system, also run simulations?” Ciel asked.

This time, the system didn’t answer directly. After a long pause, a window popped up.

「You can try it :D」

What kind of cryptic response is that?

Ciel opened the simulation interface and checked the next available future simulation.

「Future: 2 Days (Saint Year 741, June 20, 7:00 PM) (Cost: 10 Fate Points)」

Two days later? So soon?

Ciel hesitated for a moment before resuming her note-taking.

She methodically sketched out the system’s interface in her notebook, replicating the layout of each tab and screen.

If the sub-system in the simulation differed from the real system interface she knew, she would gain a mystical anchor point that no one else could replicate. As long as she saw the system interface, she could distinguish whether she was in reality, a simulation, or a transitional phase.

This way, the simulation version of herself could also instantly recognize that she was in a simulated phase, avoiding the kind of mental breakdown she experienced last time.

【If your interface differs from mine, it’s the sub-system. You are the simulated version of me. Rest assured. PS: This system talks too much.】

【At 6:59 PM on June 20, try running a simulation and record what happens.】

Ciel set down her pencil, took a deep breath, and reopened the system interface.

This time, with the intelligence delivered in advance, the situation should be resolved earlier. The transcendent might even flee after being exposed.

If everything went according to plan.

“Future, No. 2.”

The silver light enveloped Ciel.