After transiting through the Hidden Management Zone, Luo Shu quickly arrived at the underground garrison. Taking a specialised elevator, he descended to the fifth basement level.
Upon exiting the elevator, he was greeted by Megumi Kato, who had been waiting there.
The girl calmly put away her phone upon seeing Luo Shu's arrival and addressed him with natural composure:
"Good morning, Director."
"Good morning, Kato." Luo Shu returned the greeting before asking, "How are things progressing?"
"Shinobu is attempting communication in the treatment room, though progress seems limited..."
"Limited progress?" Luo Shu frowned slightly upon hearing about Shinobu Kocho's difficulties in communicating with Reverie Metherlence. "Take me to see."
The two proceeded down the corridor together towards the treatment room.
In the treatment room, Luo Shu saw Shinobu Kocho in a white lab coat, with a rather peculiar expression, and a blue-haired girl sitting on the medical bed, with an indifferent demeanour.
The girl wore a dark blue dress, her fine blue hair tied with numerous wide black ribbons. Her expression was detached and calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
Seeing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but step forward and ask Shinobu Kocho:
"How is she?"
"Difficult to communicate with." Shinobu Kocho shook her head before explaining, "No matter what language I used to speak to her, she gave no response. Only occasionally would she glance at me, but she remained completely silent—almost like an autistic patient."
At this point, Shinobu Kocho's expression turned slightly awkward as she added:
"If it were my sister, she'd probably have more experience with treatment... After all, our family also has a child who isn't very accustomed to communicating with others..."
Hearing this, Luo Shu couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Then where is your sister Kanae?"
At that moment, Megumi Kato, who had been following Luo Shu, added an explanation:
"Miss Kanae is currently in the Hidden Management Zone, assisting Dr Tabane Shinonono with research on the recently captured Echidna."
Then, Megumi Kato lowered her voice and said, "Besides, if it's autism, the Director should be better at solving the problem, right?"
Similar to conditions like depression caused by imbalances in brain chemistry, autism—stemming from genetic mutations—could also be addressed by Luo Shu's Calamity Absorption ability, absorbing and containing the condition. This had been personally tested by Luo Shu during free clinics at Kamijo Hospital, and as his secretary, Megumi Kato had naturally seen the records.
"The Director can treat it?" Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but show surprise.
"If it's autism, then there shouldn't be any issues."
As he spoke, Luo Shu walked up to Reverie, gently placing his hand on the girl's head and activating Calamity Absorption.
Yet the next second, Luo Shu's expression suddenly turned extremely odd.
Noticing this, Megumi Kato keenly picked up on the change and asked:
"Did you discover something unusual?"
Luo Shu fell silent for a few seconds before withdrawing his hand and saying:
"She has no illnesses whatsoever. To put it plainly, her body is even healthier than the healthiest person."
Hearing this, Shinobu Kocho grew visibly flustered:
"But this child shows absolutely no reaction to anything I say... Even the slightest response is extremely delayed..."
At this, Megumi Kato suddenly interjected:
"Could it be... she just doesn't want to acknowledge you?"
Shinobu Kocho's face turned green at those words.
Compared to a misdiagnosis—a matter of professional competence—being outright ignored by Reverie was far more painful for Shinobu Kocho.
She had huffed and puffed through all sorts of examinations, reported the situation to Megumi Kato as the secretary, and even brought in Luo Shu, the Director, intending to use his extraordinary abilities to treat Reverie's condition.
And now, she was being told that this little one simply couldn't be bothered with her?
Who could keep their composure after that?!
Shinobu Kocho's expression cycled through shock, embarrassment, and finally, gritted teeth.
In the end, Shinobu Kocho—never one to hold back her temper—ground out through clenched teeth:
"If that's the case, could Senior Kato help arrange accommodation for this child?"
"The underground treatment facility's resources are already stretched thin. The department has no obligation to treat a child who isn't ill."
Hearing Shinobu Kocho's dismissive words, Luo Shu couldn't help but chuckle.
At the sound of his laughter, Shinobu's composure broke. Her cheeks flushed red as she turned to Luo Shu with an awkward expression:
"Could you please not laugh?!!"
In response, Luo Shu waved his hand reassuringly:
"Alright, alright. Shinobu, you go do what you need to do. I'll take care of this child."
Seeing Luo Shu's response, Shinobu sighed. After glancing at Reverie, she turned and left the room.
After all, rather than staying in this awkward situation, she'd much rather go assist her elder sister Kanae Kocho—at least there, she wouldn't feel so mortified.
Once Shinobu had left, Megumi Kato turned to look at Luo Shu, who was studying Reverie, curious about how he planned to handle the communication barrier.
Just then, Luo Shu suddenly asked:
"What's your relationship with the Spirit King of Wind?"
Reverie looked up at Luo Shu with her emerald eyes, staring silently before slowly lowering her gaze and drifting off to sleep right before him.
"...She fell asleep?" Megumi said in surprise, though her expression remained largely unchanged—her tone was unmistakably astonished.
"Null effect?" Luo Shu scratched his cheek, carefully considering what he knew about Reverie Metherlence.
After becoming a Demigod, his Spiritual Power now allowed him to mentally retrieve and review his memories, ensuring he could recall necessary knowledge.
It was through this that he remembered the details about Reverie Metherlence.
The heroine from the anime Elemental Gelade was born into the race known as Edel Raids. Outwardly human, but capable of transforming into weapons during battle. Among the Edel Raids, she belonged to the rarest of the seven great lineages—the last surviving member of the Metherlence family.
Luo Shu vaguely recalled that she had a close friend with whom she'd promised to reunite at Edel Garden after the friend's wedding.
Recalling this, Luo Shu tentatively asked:
"Do you know about Edel Garden?"
At these words, Reverie's ears twitched slightly. She slowly opened her eyes, looking at Luo Shu with mild astonishment:
"You know of Edel Garden?"
"I do know that place."
Seeing Reverie finally respond, Luo Shu exhaled slightly in relief.
Reverie studied Luo Shu's face intently before asking quietly:
"Can you tell me how to get to Edel Garden?"
Rather than attempting to deceive her, Luo Shu answered honestly:
"You might not fully grasp this, but the distance between you and Edel Garden right now is measured in worlds."
"To put it simply, you've crossed worlds. You're in a different world now."
"To reach Edel Garden, we'd first need to locate your original world and find a way to return there. Only then could we search for Edel Garden."
"Does that make sense to you?"
Reverie tilted her head slightly, her gaze drowsy yet questioning:
"Can you help me? What would it cost?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu looked surprised.
This child seems far more perceptive than her appearance suggests.
"The condition is signing a contract, with the promise being to help you find Edel Garden."
Reverie glanced at Luo Shu and softly agreed:
"Alright!"