The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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Vivian concealed herself and followed closely behind, while simultaneously using her [Calling Bird] to observe the situation of the two Sons of the Bearded Tree. Once she confirmed they hadn't followed, she quickly approached Fran.

Zero: "Dr. Fran, why did you contact the Son of the Tree of Truth? And what about that outfit...?"

"This is for the academic seminar on white cups."

3 Fran slightly lifted her silver-rimmed round glasses, then lifted her blouse to reveal her exquisitely tailored graduation gown.

5. "Also, my current identity is not that of a doctor, but an astrologer from Golmouth... Please call me Flamel."

Flamel's name comes from a famous ancient alchemist and is also her most frequently used pseudonym. When she is not using her identity as a doctor, she usually allows others to address her by this name…

“I understand…Ms. Flamel.”

Vivian readily and obediently accepted Fran's pseudonym.

As an agent of the Secret Service, she was far too familiar with masquerading as someone else. So much so that she didn't sound awkward at all when changing her form of address, as if she had always addressed the person before her in this way.

Fran was pleased with Vivian's attitude, so he readily began to answer her questions.

"As for contacting the Son of Suju, it was merely a spur-of-the-moment attempt,"

.

"It is rather suspicious that a secret sect that has remained silent for nearly a thousand years has suddenly come to Norrington... After a brief contact with their envoy, I have gained some initial impressions."

So you used what was available and arranged a "chance encounter" by taking advantage of my presence in the bookstore while I was monitoring you?

Vivian narrowed her eyes, not feeling resentful at being used as a tool, but rather inexplicably feeling a sense of admiration...

They deliberately throw out flawed statements to lure people in, then gradually use clichés, and finally refute the other party with an unexpected sophistry.

Such a smooth and professional espionage process would likely make any current agent of the Secret Service yearn for it...

Fran pulled Vivian, who was still thinking, aside and quickened his pace slightly.

"Alright, Vivian. It's about time, let's go to the academy... Sister Haida is waiting for us."

"Don't forget, you also received an invitation to the White Cup event."

-

-

A little busy on weekdays. Things will get better afterwards.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Truth Covered in Armor

A light breeze and fine snow fell like willow catkins.

February this year was much milder.

Although the north wind sweeping down from Loreton still carried a chill, it wasn't as biting as it had been in previous years. The snow melted instantly upon touching the skin, like the gentle, cool caress of a haughty lady.

Norlington Central College was bustling with people and was noisier than usual.

Besides students and professors from our school, there were many other people from all walks of life who came to visit the conference.

The academic seminar was divided into two parts.

One aspect is showcasing and sharing the latest research findings, with the content being completely open to the public. The only hurdle is a ticket... However, even if you miss it, it's not a problem, as the key points of the lecture will be published in relevant academic journals later.

The second part deals with esoteric knowledge... It's less a lecture showcasing academic achievements and more an information exchange between secret sects.

Most of the attendees were true disciples of the esoteric sect who had stepped onto the mysterious steps, but to truly participate in the most core part... an invitation from the White Cup Order was required.

Child stood ramrod straight at the entrance of the college lecture hall, carefully checking each attendee and guest.

Most of the visitors were faculty or researchers who came to listen to the lectures, but there were also many ordinary citizens who bought tickets.

Their lives have benefited from the development of applied science, so many of them have become believers in the Pure White Cup and pay close attention to the cutting-edge development of science and technology.

For visitors with tickets, Child simply led them into the hall... while those who presented invitations were ushered into the adjacent corridor, which led directly to the council chamber for the internal seminars.

While the academic symposium couldn't compare to the Plum Moon Festival at the museum, it was still impossible for Childe to handle security alone. He was surrounded by many deniers who were also responsible for checking tickets, and there were also hidden sentries.

Even so, the workload per person is still considerable.

"It's so good that Professor Terence can go prepare for his lecture in the council chamber and doesn't have to stand guard here..." said the neighbor.

Child let out a soft sigh, a hint of envy flickering in his eyes.

However, he didn't complain much, since the exterminators who were transferred here received an extra winter allowance. Moreover, Professor Terence's project was said to be quite important, with a high level of secrecy; even he himself didn't know the specifics… Qi

Professor Utus of the Oceanography Department is in full charge of today's security arrangements.

This agile professor served as the first mate of the "Leviathan" in his youth. In addition to being extremely knowledgeable about deep-sea navigation, he is said to have single-handedly dealt with an entire ship full of pirates during boarding maneuvers... He is quite reliable.

Just then, a young girl dressed in an astrologer's smock came up to Child and handed him an invitation.

"Hello, please wait a moment while I check the contents of the letter..."

Childe glanced at the name of the invitee in the envelope, his azure eyes narrowing instantly.

The invitation was signed "Fran Hesserl" at the end. Furthermore, in the attached confidentiality agreement, this name was replaced with "Flamel".

Is Flamel... the pseudonym that Dr. Fran will use?

He looked at the girl wearing silver-rimmed glasses in front of him, and then noticed that Sister Heda and Vivian were following closely behind, less than a body length apart.

"Welcome, the two from the Hunter Order... and Ms. Flamel from the Star Abyss Society."

With no further doubts about the visitors' identities, Child raised his hand, gesturing for the three to proceed to the council chamber via the side corridor.

Fran nodded politely in acknowledgment, and soon the three figures gradually disappeared into the dim light of the corridor.

"Hmm... Even in the outer lecture hall, which does not contain any mystical knowledge, there are some esoteric disciples lingering."

Vivian glanced back at the corridor she had come from, but saw only utter darkness. The corridor seemed to be completely isolated by some unseen force.

"Faced with increasingly advanced firearms, those at lower levels of the extraordinary are now almost indistinguishable from ordinary people. Therefore, they are also beginning to pay more attention to cutting-edge science so as not to fall behind the times."

Haida explained it concisely and clearly.

A century ago, a few hundred secondary evil offspring, transformed from ordinary believers through sacrifice, could easily slaughter towns. But now, they would likely be reduced to minced meat and blood rain in the heavy firepower of steel.

The same applies to esoteric Buddhist disciples.

Even a highly experienced acolyte, as long as he has not truly stepped into the fourth step symbolizing the transcendence of mortality... can be completely destroyed by a steel-core bullet sent into his brow.

"There's another reason."

Fran's voice was quite soft, and only the two people beside him could hear it clearly.

She takes her roles very seriously, so much so that she never makes any mistakes.

Of course, if someone does see through the deception, the doctor wouldn't mind providing the discoverer with a free psychological consultation to help both parties forget this unpleasant memory...

"Although these people possess some basic esoteric knowledge, they are not qualified to receive invitations to internal meetings, so they can only remain outside."

"Otherwise, who wouldn't want to sit in on Norrington's highest-level academic conference? Just selling the information on the black market could make a fortune..."

Liu Haida nodded, acknowledging this statement.

"The threshold for the White Cup internal seminar is indeed very high. Even within the Hunter's Order, only the most qualified scholars are usually invited."

“The previous times it was Ms. Marian and Master Zoparos.”

When Haida mentioned this, Fran glanced sideways, seemingly feeling somewhat guilty.

"Hmm...Speaking of which, I took Ms. Marian's seat this time. I'm afraid she won't be happy about it?"

"it's not true."

Haida responded in kind.

“With frequent outbreaks of disease in winter, Ms. Marian has been very busy these days. Not having to attend the discussion meeting has actually eased her burden.”

In fact, before attending the meeting, the nun had submitted a written report to the General Affairs Department and had also consulted with Zoparros and Marian.

Zoparros himself is a highly experienced cryptanalyst who has participated in many seminars like this, so he doesn't care about it.

Marian, on the other hand, was simply busy with medical affairs. In the past few years, she had spent a lot of energy making arrangements to represent the Hunters Order at the conference. When she learned that she could take a break this time, the senior physician was almost overjoyed... and almost hugged Haida and kissed her.

Upon hearing this, Fran's amber eyes narrowed slightly.

"Oh, that perfectly matches my imagination of the workload of medical staff in public healthcare institutions. While a stable job is secure, there are also many mundane tasks, which is why I prefer to be a private doctor..."

Fran's impression of Marianne was still from the time of the Great Plague; her personality was decisive but somewhat impetuous. She didn't seem like someone from the Medical Court, but rather like a young hunter from the Funeral Court.

However, according to Sister Heda's scattered descriptions over the past year, it seems that as time has passed, Marian has become more and more like Viola in every way.

Gentle, perceptive, and good at understanding others' thoughts, like a considerate elder... Time really flies.

Following the directions on the invitation on the white cup, the group walked through the corridor to a reception room in the council chamber. Terence sat upright with a solemn expression, seemingly having been waiting there for some time.

"despair."

Through his silk gloves, he snapped his fingers, and a dark, pale curtain immediately fell over the reception room.

White Cup's third type of arcane art, "Virtual Meeting," can create a barrier for communication, which he also used in the Hungry Club.

Although the Academy Council Chamber is heavily guarded and located deep within the Order, some appropriate security measures are still essential.

"Welcome everyone to the academic seminar at White Cup."

Although the group had worked together several times before, Terence still offered a polite greeting.

Qi's brief greetings need no further elaboration.

Fran lifted her blouse slightly and then gracefully sat down on the leather sofa opposite Terence. Her movements were somewhat restrained and awkward, completely lacking her usual natural fluency.

Although it was just a simple change of clothes, the doctor's aura and the feeling he gave off were completely different.

1. A fleeting look of surprise crossed Terence's eyes.

If the person in front of him were to use a secret technique like [Disguise] to change their appearance, he probably wouldn't be able to recognize their true identity even face to face.

“Professor Terence, let’s be frank with each other, abandon unnecessary probing and preamble, and get straight to the point.”

"What does the White Cup Order want from me, or... what do they want to know?"

Both parties already knew each other to some extent, and Fran didn't intend to waste time on meaningless socializing, so she immediately inquired about the other party's purpose. Her tone wasn't sharp, but it subtly carried an air of unquestionable authority.

Concise and to the point, getting straight to the point—that's certainly the style of the Mysterious Hunters. Could it really be, as Principal Grantham suspects, that Dr. Fran is this year's "Medical Secretary" of the Mysterious Hunters Order?

Dispelling the unfounded speculation in his mind, Terence nodded slightly and complied with her suggestion.

"We hope so too."

"In reality, the White Cup Order doesn't expect anything from you. The reason we invited you here is more to show our sincerity. Whether to give an academic lecture or simply visit... it's all up to you."

Upon hearing this, Fran extended his index finger and lightly touched his lower lip, seemingly deep in thought.

"Hmm... Rather than one-sided overtures, I prefer a 'deal' that is fairer to both parties."

"Don't worry, I will provide information commensurate with the reward. But the specifics... I'll keep you in suspense for now."

“Okay.” Terence had no objection to this.

After that, the two exchanged information about the cover-up in the confidentiality agreement, as well as the schedule for the academic lectures.

After confirming that everything was in order, Terence was the first to leave the meeting room.

His academic lecture was scheduled as the first one, so he rushed to the council chamber after completing his reception duties.

Grantham had originally planned to have Terence offer Fran an honorary professorship, but feeling Sister Heda's watchful gaze from behind, his reason prevented him from saying it aloud...

-

The seats in the council chamber are arranged in a row from high to low, like a large theater or an auditorium.

Since callbirds weren't allowed here, Vivian had to have her little raven wait outside the council chamber. She sat next to Heda, but a distance away from Dr. Fran.

After all, her current identity is not that of an external physician of the Hunter's Order, but an astrologer of the Star Abyss Society...

Taking advantage of this lull, Vivian began to do what the Secret Service did all along, quietly observing the attendees who had already taken their seats.

Representing the Cult of the Moon of Metamorphosis is Viscount Ormondson Murdoch.

He was so robust, almost like a wild beast, that even beneath his well-tailored Western-style suit, one could see his explosively bulging muscles. Apart from his sickly pale complexion, he didn't look much different from a normal person at first glance.

The only thing on the seat of the Misty Society was a round silver mirror, which made it impossible to see the visitor's specific appearance.

The attendee from the Sunstone Order was a robust and capable middle-aged craftsman named Durnan. He was highly skilled in the field of casting machinery and was also one of the collaborators with the White Cup Order.

Besides these, there were some independent seats, usually occupied by people from small sects or simply solitary practitioners. However, they had all more or less shared in the esoteric results of a significant amount, and thus were qualified to be invited.

This included two members of the Son of the Tree Cult and Flamel of the Star Abyss Society.