Page 103
Page 103
"Then we can begin preparing the materials for the final construction. Hmm... if I remember correctly, Hunters of Mystic Arts can reimburse the research materials for mystical arts, right?"
"Yes, yes..."
After a moment's thought, Haida's expression became somewhat subtle.
"But 'Mechanized Spirit Body' is a lost second-class superior secret technique, and it is not currently on the General Affairs Department's reimbursement list."
This is a rather serious problem.
The essence of arcane arts lies in communicating with higher dimensions through thought and psychic awareness, thereby gaining power sufficient to influence reality. Perhaps it's a dream, perhaps the astral plane, or perhaps the abyss or nothingness…
When a secret technique model is fully completed in the mind, special materials and rituals are usually required to solidify it and prevent loopholes from causing a mental breakdown.
After all, not all mystics have the level of medical care Fran possesses...
If a major error occurs in the "final construction" of the secret technique, the outcome may be the complete loss of "self," becoming a vegetable... or even becoming an evil offspring.
Fran stroked his chin, seemingly deep in thought.
"No need to worry, just leave the spirit-nurturing materials to me."
"This..." Adhering to the basic principle of not accepting rewards without merit, Haida instinctively wanted to decline.
Fran lightly placed the tip of his index finger between the nun's lips, stopping her from continuing.
"Consider this payment for Sister Heda's service as the second, please do not refuse."
"……All right."
Fran's reasons were very valid, so Heda stopped refusing and obediently agreed.
Often, the nun would feel as if the doctor had completely figured out her thoughts.
She always followed the rules and customs of the Mystery Hunters, making her point of view both reasonable and cunning.
粑◇伍∮]Sulfur±≌Six Umbrellaˉ:Private¨←Second Update『◎Group±£:Fran tapped his head, beginning to recall the spirit-gathering materials required for the secret technique 【Mechanized Spirit Body】.
"Fifty percent ash, thirty percent biomass, ten percent minerals, and ten percent miscellaneous."
"The ash material requires the ash from the long hair of the 'Siren' and the ash from the conical teeth of the 'Abyss Clan.' Most other materials play a supporting role and have little impact on the final construction."
As she spoke, she took out a small booklet and a quill pen and wrote down a brief list of materials.
"Although it's possible to complete the final construction without using spirit-infused materials, Haida's foundation in mysticism shouldn't pose a major problem. However, it might affect the strength of the secret technique..."
“Let’s follow the highest standards of employee benefits at Fog Street Clinic.”
Fran tore off the materials list, folded it slightly, and put it into the pocket of his white coat.
She then took a tissue, wiped the remaining ink off the white quill pen, and handed it to Haida.
"This is?"
Haida looked at the spotless white quill pen in her hand, and was momentarily puzzled.
“It was made from the ear feathers that fell off before. One of them was given to Sigrid… Sister Heda, please accept the other one.”
As he spoke, Fran raised his finger and brushed aside the two snow-white downy feathers in his hair.
“Thank you, Dr. Fran.” Without hesitation, Haida accepted the exquisite quill pen.
When faced with gifts of great practical value, the nun would have more to consider, such as the power sword that seemed tailor-made for her. But as for souvenirs expressing friendship... she could accept them without any qualms.
In fact, Heda wasn't aloof; she was just rather quiet. This can be seen in her interactions with Vivian.
The reason she kept to herself was mainly because most of the hunters of her age kept their distance from her because of the funeral minister's infamous reputation, and she herself had long been used to being alone.
However... seeing Fran's confident and composed demeanor, Haida couldn't help but feel a little curious.
Qiu asked, "Did Dr. Fran have been collecting these kinds of spirit-infused materials before?"
"Absolutely not."
Evan decisively shook his index finger.
"I don't know any of the secret arts of the Hunter system, so why would I specifically collect this kind of material?"
Si was so confident, so self-righteous... Haida couldn't help but squint her gray-chestnut eyes.
"Dr. Fran, the basic concept of the 'Mechanized Spirit Body' technique hasn't actually been lost. The reason it's classified as a lost technique is mainly due to the extinction of the spirit-infused materials..."
“Golmouth has not seen sirens or the still active ‘Sea Families’ for decades.”
Although Fran probably knew this too, she couldn't help but repeat it again... and wanted to know where the doctor's confidence came from.
"Extinction doesn't mean extinction. How will you know if you don't go and see for yourself?"
Fran tilted his head slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
Hmm... she probably just wants to find an opportunity to go on vacation, right?
If it were anyone else, Haida would have thought that the idea that had just flashed through her mind was absurd, or even a bit rude.
But if the subject is Dr. Fran, then this is very likely the truth... Making such a strange and inexplicable decision suddenly is really in line with her habits.
The two stared at each other for a few seconds before Haida finally looked away, as if admitting defeat.
"...Then I'll schedule the upcoming tasks."
After becoming the head of the funeral home, she was finally able to arrange her own time more freely, without having to wait for the general affairs department to summon her at any time.
"Okay, it's decided."
Fran quickly finalized the itinerary, and judging from her expression, she seemed to have planned it all along.
Heda put the Ashes Codex into her nun's robe's storage pouch, and after a moment's thought, she spoke again.
"Dr. Fran, don't you want to know about my background?"
“Most of the hunters know that Aheng is my blood relative, but in reality... the only thing we have in common is these gray-chestnut eyes.”
"I am indeed curious about that."
Upon hearing Haida mention this, Fran's amber eyes flickered slightly, as if he had become interested.
It wasn't until she saw the flashback at the Lois mansion that she learned Haida was actually Yaheng's adopted daughter. After all, the two were quite similar in both temperament and personality, making it difficult to tell them apart without genetic testing.
“Over the years I have also investigated my own origins, but all the clues have been cut off by the Meredith family, making it impossible to investigate further.”
"That family... does indeed have that kind of foundation."
Fran was not surprised by this.
Although the Order of the Hunters has almost completely suppressed Meredith in recent years, a year ago Haida was just an ordinary funeral maid, at most a little better than the others.
It's perfectly normal to find nothing when trying to investigate such a behemoth on your own.
Wouldn't an ordinary family be completely exposed for engaging in red-cup transactions? Back then, when the Lois family's alchemist Commons dabbled in the fungicide, the entire mansion was almost completely wiped out by Aheng...
Even those survivors who were not transformed by the contamination were left with lifelong trauma after witnessing the horrific events of that night. Even after receiving psychological treatment at White Cup, some still developed post-traumatic stress disorder.
Meredith merely handed over Carni as a scapegoat, and the Order of the Hunters did not investigate further... This shows the extent of the maneuvering involved.
"Dr. Fran knows about 'The Gray Wolf of Meredith,' doesn't he?"
Finally, Haida spoke about the core of what she knew. Although it was a question, her words carried an air of certainty.
"I've heard that pure-blooded Merediths are said to exhibit special biological characteristics."
Fran quietly observed Haida's features, his eyes revealing understanding.
"Grey-chestnut pupils, a keen sense of smell that relies on spiritual awareness, and conical teeth that are more likely to tear flesh apart..."
"I noticed that last point when I did your oral exam last time, didn't I?"
Haida nodded slightly, showing no surprise.
Although Dr. Fran appears lazy and nonchalant, his observation skills are so meticulous that he would never overlook such details.
"Then, Dr. Fran should also know why Father, as a member of 'Meredis,' has the surname 'Moira'?"
"Hey... Haida, you're the one who wanted to tell me something, but I'm the one who's been answering your questions."
That being said, Fran didn't dislike such interactions.
She raised her hand, instinctively reaching to brew a pot of tea, only to realize that the black tea she had taken from Ms. Solani's house was completely gone. She could only sit back down and continue with Haida's question.
"Because 'Moira' is Viola's surname."
“Since Yaheng has already abandoned the identity of Meredith, he will naturally not force this surname on you.”
Upon hearing this, Haida was filled with emotion.
Although she only spent a brief moment with Viola's phantom in the memories of the medical station, the warm and gentle medical officer did leave a deep impression on her.
"Then why was Father able to break free from the family so easily?" Haida asked again.
"Hmm... I don't know about that."
While Fran enjoyed collecting secrets, she wasn't exactly an expert on other people's family affairs. Nor was she a full-time journalist like Rosalie.
Haida didn't keep anyone in suspense and concisely recounted what she knew.
"The Meredith family held a trial to punish their father, and ultimately... they sentenced him to death for 'treason'."
"After the verdict was announced, my father killed all the decision-makers involved in the ruling."
"That sounds like something Yaheng would do..."
Fran did not doubt the authenticity of the event.
After all, Haida was not one to boast, and Meredith's power did indeed begin to decline precipitously from a certain day.
"But... how did Haida know?"
“I was right next to him that day, being tried alongside him as his illegitimate daughter.”
Upon hearing Haida's reply, Fran narrowed his eyes.
In other words, while protecting a little girl, Yaheng wiped out all the guards and sorcerers of the Meredith family at the adjudication meeting...
The shadow nature of the Throne of the Headhunter does indeed provide an overwhelming advantage when facing humanoid units. However, to achieve the aforementioned feat, simply possessing the relics is far from sufficient…
Even if Yaheng doesn't use the Shadow Scythe, he is still the "Chief Hunter".
"After that day, he was able to get rid of the Meredith surname forever as he wished. At the same time, he was also called 'Red Wolf' by the family, meaning one who is stained with the blood of his own kind."
"I see……"
Fran held the booklet and took notes quite seriously. These exclusive revelations from the parties involved were indeed valuable to record.
"There's another question... Why did you tell me this?"
She was still somewhat puzzled by this.
"Dr. Fran was the medical secretary's teacher, so he is certainly qualified to know these things... Consider this my humble return gift."
A faint smile slowly and gently curved the corners of Haida's lips.
Her smile was beautiful, but it was fleeting, like a brief moment of brilliance before she returned to her composure... as if it had never happened.
Just then, a rhythmic knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Boom, boom."
It was Sigrid; she had returned from shopping... In addition to Attilian's new tea this year, she also brought ingredients for dinner.
This was, in fact, the first time she had gone out alone since arriving at the Foggy Street Clinic. Thanks to her meticulous disguise and Fran's repeated warnings, thankfully nothing unexpected happened…
Fran stepped forward, opened the door, and took the nearly full woven bag from Sigrid's hands.
"It shouldn't be too late, Dr. Fran..."
Looking at the setting sun outside the window, Sigrid felt somewhat insecure.
The vendors at the North Market were a little too enthusiastic when they saw her in her funeral maid uniform, which caused her to spend quite a bit of time completing Fran's shopping list.
"Perfect timing, now is the best time to prepare dinner."
Yi Fran picked up the woven bag and walked lightly into the kitchen to begin preparing for cooking.
After experiencing such a challenging house call for the first time, I had to treat myself to something nice...
As the glow of dawn faded and dusk sank completely into the night along with the golden-red sunset, the twilight also followed.
The fog-shrouded street was as if shrouded in a gray veil, with only the dim light from the clinic still shining through.
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