The running water felt like a luxury. Iris had to do her best to not moan in delight as it ran over her. The delight at finally being clean even trumped the discomfort she had at seeing herself naked.
But once that ended and she was in comfortable clothes once again, it was time to think about all the new information she had gathered inside the chamber.
The sun was shining brightly in the sky and she knew it was time.
The guards did not even look at her when she arrived in front of the sultan's residence. Iris knew that was because of the small chain still on her wrist.
It no longer restricted her senses, was no better than an ordinary accessory now but they all knew what it meant for someone to have this - the sultan's favor.
Not that it was necessary. Misha had taken the time to come and receive her in front of the residence.
"Finally. What took you so long?" the child asked in an impatient tone. She had cleaned up as well, her body now clothed in layers and layers of fabric. Her wild raven hairs had also been tamed somewhat.
She no longer looked like the wild fugitive they had met before, but an important person now.
But her discomfort was visible in the way she held herself, all tense and ready to strike. She looked uncomfortable in her clothes and accessories.
Iris instantly felt a kinship with her as she saw her frigid in her place.
"I needed time to sort some things out" her words were as short and crisp as ever, her eyes cold.
Since they were the only part of her face visible from her hood, they made for an eerie picture for most of the people. Some of the guards took a step back when she glared at them.
"Got it. Nicole also said that she would join us later. Man, I want to fight her but Rhea and that old hag might have a stroke." Misha complained as she led them inside.
She had been given a late introduction to Iris and Nicole once they were back in the city and it was safe to say that the other had a new target to fight now.
When they entered the sultan's study, it looked nothing short of a scene out of a medieval fantasy drama. Iris could not even begin to describe the place since she had no words for it.
"Have you brought the books? I have arranged for every available translation spell I could find" the sultan only took a single look at them before she went back to drawing.
As Iris closed on to her, she started to recognize some of the seals. The other was inscribing a translation spell on the table.
"Let's give this a shot" Iris muttered as she placed the book in the spell circle but she knew nothing would happen. Things were never that simple.
The book touched the circle but nothing happened. It was a fail.
"No reaction, huh? Well, let's try another" and they tried another and another and another. Nothing worked and the book remained stubbornly still.
"What kind of book is it? Anti-magic book?" Misha asked as she fired one magical fireball at it.
"Misha" Rhea cried out and Iris felt her breathe stop for a second…
…but nothing happened. The fireball connected and then burned out, leaving the book behind as it had been. The magic did not affect the book. Iris quickly picked the boom up while the sultan handled the child.
She had not thought of it before but maybe it was something about the book's pages that was different. She felt around it and then she felt it - the small spark of magic.
The books were written on enhanced parchment and that was why they were unaffected by any kind of magic.
'+100 points for discovering ancient knowledge. (1200/2000)
I point: 1 (collect 50 for a hint on the mission)
New and forgotten discoveries will give new skills. User is encouraged to keep exploring this world'
That was different. Why did Iris gain points for this but not any of the other discoveries? Was it not unfair for her? She was sure some of her earlier knowledge should have gotten her these points.
'The user is informed that discovery points can only be gained when the knowledge is something the original Iris did not know.'
That certainly cleared things up. There were things Michael did not remember from Iris memories but it did not mean that the original Iris had not known about them.
It also made Iris curious about how far she could abuse this new method of gaining experience. Was it only limited to the mission or for everyday things?
Also, did it work for anything or only specific things?
"Shall I try and get in contact with people who are experts in language skills? They might be able to help us out" the sultan asked, finally done with her charge. She looked curiously at the book.
"No need. The book has ancient magic soaked into it. We should not risk exposing it to foreign magic too much" magic had a will of its own and it could get volatile at times.
"If you say so." the shorter female said, now bored of this conversation.
"Now that the book's issue is out of the way, it is time to address the other issue. What have you thought about the healing court?" the sultan asked in a serious tone.
The issue was a delicate one since they did not want to invite the commission's wrath onto them.
"I was thinking that we could try it out small. Since the original court was here, no one should bat an eye if we want to open a subsidiary branch inside the city. Many cities do that" which was true.
The main headquarters of a court was important but that did not mean that the courts were confined to one place. Just like the commission's guilds, the courts had local offices, mainly maintained by the city.
These places operated in the name of the court but held different functions. A good example had been the court, or as it was better known - the tavern of Meili. As the court of the god of transport, they were mainly responsible for the delivery of goods.
But their subsidiary places were better known as a party and good's export grounds. This was just one example out of many.
"I shall start looking for a place to establish this then. Also, we will keep its real business a secret. But still, it will be difficult to get a permit for it. Will the council agree to it?" the sultan asked.
It should have been no problem for anyone but the name Isis marked a big circle on their head. Iris was concerned about it as well.
But she also had an idea.
It was a risky idea but one that could potentially.
"I have some connections in the council that could let us work with it. Give me a few hours and I will get back to you about this" the old council lady she had met before should have the necessary influence to get them through.
But the question remained - why would she help them? Help Iris?
Well, Iris had a bargain present and she hoped the other would take the bait. It was the only way to make things work.
But it would. The feeling inside Iris told her that it would because it had somehow worked in the original novel as well.