Chapter 27 Dionysus 05

Zhu Yu had a simple dinner at the winery.

By the time she had arranged everything and returned to the mansion, it was already completely dark.

Maggie did not go to the winery today, but stayed in the mansion to organize and classify the collected information related to the "Dionysus Festival".

When Zhu Yu pushed open the door of the study, he saw a pile of clearly classified documents neatly arranged on the desk, with labels on the top.

She walked over, sat down, and gently opened it.

The beginning part was about the history of the origin of the Dionysus Festival. Since Maggie had briefly told her about it, she glanced at it and turned directly to the next page.

But this flip made her pupils shrink slightly.

In the center of the page, her golden cup was printed prominently.

Zhu Yu immediately focused his attention and read the notes carefully.

It turns out that this document introduces three "alchemical relics" passed down by the god of wine Iros.

The three relics symbolize "inspiration", "time" and "resonance" respectively.

The golden cup in Zhu Yu's hand is one of them, corresponding to the power of "inspiration".

The second relic, the "Hourglass of Helles", is an alchemical instrument given to Iros by Helles, the god of time and friend of the god of wine. According to legend, Helles appeared in the days when Illes was at his lowest point and could not make a drop of good wine, and placed this hourglass in his wine cellar. From that day on, the aroma of wine returned to the world again.

Zhu Yu was surprised to find that when using this alchemical tool, what was poured in was not gravel, but wine to be brewed. As the wine dripped down drop by drop, it could significantly accelerate the fermentation process, and even trace back to a golden fermentation node to restore a batch of ruined fine wine.

The alchemical relic is now kept by the Lord of Ilos, Count Malthus von Royck, and after the festival, the top three contestants will each be able to keep it for one year.

As for the third relic, the "Dionysus Pot", it is a bronze two-handled pottery pot with a simple shape, and the body of the pot is engraved with sacrificial poems of Iros.

According to records, after it receives any wine, it will produce a strong alchemical "resonance" and will continue to produce large quantities of the same type of wine until the resonance period ends.

This relic is now enshrined on the main altar of Iros and is only opened by the high priest during the Dionysian Festival. After the festival, the top-ranked wine will be poured into it to share this "Gift of Dionysus" with the people of Iros.

After reading the introduction of the three alchemical relics, Zhu Yu continued to read the information at the back and began to carefully browse the part about the Dionysus Festival selection and reward mechanism.

Her attention was quickly attracted by one of the sentences -

“Those who rank in the top three in the final evaluation of the Dionysus Festival will be given the right to independently handle the five ‘Honorary Winemakers’ titles. The nominees are not restricted by their background or resume, and can be awarded this title regardless of whether they have been criminals, slaves, or have other special identities.”

Reading this passage over and over again, Zhu Yu couldn't help but feel ripples in his heart.

Five places, not restricted by any background, she knew very well what this meant to her.

If she could get into the top three, then those girls in the winery who had been framed and abandoned would be officially recognized as legal winemakers in the city's public notice after the Dionysus Festival. They would have a complete social identity and corresponding rights and status, and would be able to return to the sun again without having to hide in closed manors.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu folded a corner of the paper.

Could this... be one of the reasons why Elena decided to participate in the competition?

Just as Zhu Yu was about to continue reading the remaining materials, there were two light knocks on the door. Then Maggie poked her head out and said in a low voice:

"Miss, it's late, you should go to bed."

Zhu Yu replied without even looking up:

"Give me a little more time. I still haven't finished reading some information."

Maggie reminded quietly: "But tomorrow is your first day in office at the Tribunal, you need to get up early..."

Zhu Yu then raised her head and was stunned for a moment - she had completely forgotten about this.

She rubbed her eyes which were sore from long hours of use and sighed tiredly: "...Okay, I'll clean it up right away."

***

The next morning, Zhu Yu went out despite being slightly sleepy, changed into a neat outfit, and went to report to the court in the town of Arce.

The court was located in the administrative district in the center of the town. The gray-white building was quiet and solemn. The stone pillars on both sides of the gate were engraved with holy emblems symbolizing order and judgment. The soldiers and law enforcers who came and went were all in a hurry with serious expressions.

As soon as Zhu Yu walked into the hall, she saw Captain Rhine standing not far away and talking to someone. After a few seconds, the other party noticed her and immediately walked over quickly.

"Good morning, Miss Draka," he nodded.

"Good morning." Zhu Yu responded.

Then she asked, "What is my task today?"

Captain Rhine was stunned for a moment, then he smiled and made a "follow me" gesture.

"You should adapt to the work environment first. There's no need to rush into cases or anything like that." Captain Rhine said, "We usually give new employees an adaptation period when they first join the company."

As he spoke, he led Zhu Yu through the corridor and stopped in front of a wooden door on the third floor: "This is your special office. The documents, writing materials, and files are all ready. You can write reports, check files, or make some suggestions here."

Zhu Yu looked around and found that the room was clean and spacious. The window seat had plenty of sunlight, and there was a large desk covered with dark green velvet.

She nodded silently: there are windows, chairs and tea, this working environment is much better than her real life.

As she sat down, she muttered to herself: It turns out that the daily task of being a Knight of Light is to sit in the office and write proposals for pay... She is very familiar with this, and slacking off at work is her old job.

But even so, she didn't really intend to fool people.

Zhu Yu recalled the various plague transmission routes and prevention and control points discussed in the secret meeting, and found that some of the current epidemic prevention measures in the town of Arce had loopholes, such as insufficient screening of mobile personnel in the southern urban area and incomplete disinfection channels.

She simply picked up a pen and wrote down some of the experiences and measures she had heard from the secret society.

After all, no matter what her identity is, since she is now in the Tribunal, she must make good use of this position to do something for the people who really need to be protected.

It was a very relaxing day.

In the evening, Zhu Yugang stretched and prepared to go home.

Just as she was wondering whether she should ask 996 to prepare some new desserts for dinner, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

She frowned and opened the office door, and saw several members of the tribunal in duty robes running around in the corridor with serious expressions, constantly saying words such as "West District", "infection", and "isolation line".

Zhu Yu's heart sank suddenly. Just as he was about to go out to ask someone, a deacon from the Tribunal hurried over.

"Miss Draka, a large number of suspected plague patients have appeared in the West District. Currently, several residential areas have been temporarily blocked. The Archon has ordered us to immediately send a support team to control the epidemic."

Zhu Yu was stunned. West District? That was one of the most densely populated areas in Arce Town. If an epidemic broke out, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Before she could ask more questions, Captain Rhine stepped over the threshold.

He was dressed in combat gear, with a sword at his waist, and his face was solemn.

"Ms. Draka." He looked at Zhu Yu with burning eyes, "I hope you can go with me to the West District to help control the situation. Your light magic's ability to treat the disease may be our only means to stabilize the situation at present."

Zhu Yu was about to agree, but paused when the words came to his lips.

——Oh no, Maggie and 996 didn’t come with us today.

When she went out in the morning, she never thought that she would have any field work on her first day at work.

Without 996's mental shielding, once she casts witchcraft, the fluctuations of her witchcraft power cannot be concealed at all, and the Tribunal's magical instruments may be able to detect her true identity in minutes.

Zhu Yu smiled calmly, "Captain, of course I am willing to help. But I just remembered that I have a lot of disinfectants in my mansion, which may be of great help. How about I go back and get those supplies, and then rush to the West District to meet you?"

Rhine hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay. We will meet at the intersection of the West District Old Street then."

After Zhu Yu returned to the manor, he immediately summoned Maggie and 996 and informed them of the emergency situation in the west district. Maggie immediately took servants and potions, while 996 changed into casual clothes and prepared to hide in the crowd to help cover up the abnormal energy fluctuations when she cast the spell.

The group rode at full speed to the West District.

When they arrived, the street had been blocked. Rows of sacks marked with lime powder were piled at the entrance of the old street in the West District. The air was filled with a pungent smell of disinfectant and a faint smell of corruption.

According to a soldier, the unexpected outbreak of plague in the West District was caused by a batch of fermented liquor smuggled on the black market being mixed into a civilian tavern.

The wine itself is mixed with unprocessed remains of rat corpses, and in a closed, poorly ventilated environment with suitable temperature, the germs multiply and spread rapidly.

The first few people who drank the alcohol developed high fever and fell into a coma within half a day, and several blocks soon fell into panic.

What's worse, this batch of wine was bought at low prices by many street stalls and hotels. In an instant, the West District became a huge hotbed of the virus.

Now many people have high fever, rashes all over their bodies, and vomiting black blood from their mouths, looking horrible.

The streets were filled with makeshift stretchers and patients. Patrolling members of the Tribunal and volunteers maintained order while constantly disinfecting with chemicals and distilled water.

Zhu Yu found Captain Rhine on the street. When he saw her, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards her quickly:

"We have tried our best to seal off the area, but the number of patients keeps increasing and we can't hold on any longer."

Zhu Yu nodded, took the prepared medicine box from Maggie, and ordered it to be distributed.

"I'll handle the worst ones."

She walked towards the row of isolated patients at the edge, raised her right hand, and the light of purification slowly emerged from her palm.

At the same time, 996 released a mental barrier to suppress her magical power fluctuations.

Under the gaze of everyone, a soft and warm light emerged from Zhu Yu's palm and slowly sprinkled on the patient.

Unlike the violent output that she used to dispel the undead in the past, today her purifying power gently wandered over the surface of each patient's body, guiding the bacteria out of the pores little by little, and then leading them to the ground to gather and evaporate.

Zhu Yu's forehead began to sweat and her palms became hot. The power of purification continued to drain her energy, but she did not stop.

The breathing of the patients in this row gradually became stable, and their pale faces gradually regained their color.

The eyes of the medical officers, volunteers, and Captain Rhine who were watching were gradually filled with respect and shock that were difficult to conceal.

In this era of epidemics, a knight of light who can cure the plague is like a miracle from legend.

Until the last ray of light faded, Zhu Yu withdrew her hand and took a half step back. Maggie immediately stepped forward to support her.

With Zhu Yu's help, the most seriously infected people were finally out of danger.

Although her purifying power can almost completely eliminate those with mild and moderate infections, for those patients with the most severe symptoms, their symptoms have only been alleviated from severe to mild, and they are far from being truly cured.

Nevertheless, this has greatly relieved the pressure on law enforcement and medical personnel on the scene.

The overwhelmed pharmacists finally had time to replenish supplies, and the tired caregivers were able to take turns to rest.

Just as Zhu Yu breathed a sigh of relief, the crowd behind him suddenly became a commotion.

"Get out of the way! It's the Archon!"

She looked back and saw an official carriage hastily parked outside the city. Consul Albert got out of the carriage, sweating profusely, with a cloak that he had not yet buttoned.

He rushed forward in two steps, held Zhu Yu's hand and said, "Ms. Draka, thank you so much!"

"If you hadn't acted in time this time, the West District would have been out of control. You are the true guardian of our town of Arce!"

Then came a series of compliments and gratitude, praising her nobleness, greatness, amazing medical skills, and brilliance...

Zhu Yu's ears were callused by his praise, and he couldn't help but interrupt his endless chatter: "Thank you for the compliment, this is my duty. By the way, Lord Albert, I want to know how long it will take for these mild and moderate infected people to recover if they rely on existing treatment methods?"

Albert's face suddenly turned bitter when he heard this, and his tone was also somewhat helpless: "It will take at least a month... That is under the condition that the supply of medicine is stable and there is sufficient care. If there is another wave of infection, I am afraid it will take longer."

"One month." Zhu Yu repeated in a low voice, frowning slightly.

The Light Knight's light magic is different from her own purification magic.

The latter can be used again after a period of rest, as long as they are refreshed and under control.

The Knight's Light Magic is more like a "blessing" linked to a divine contract, which consumes a lot of energy and has a long cooldown time.

If she doesn't want to reveal her identity, she can only act as the "Knight of Light", but this efficiency is like a drop in the bucket.

She lowered her head to think for a moment, made a quick decision, raised her head and looked at the Archon:

"I will come back in five days for a second round of purification."

Albert was startled at first, then a smile of surprise appeared on his face:

"Really? That's great! If you are willing to help again, I will arrange the patients who need treatment most in advance. But in this way... won't the frequency of your spell casting be too frequent? Will it be a burden on you?"

"Don't worry about that."

Zhu Yu's tone was calm, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.

In five days, her first batch of "secret ale" will come out of the cellar.