The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 162

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I couldn't stay up late yesterday and fell asleep.

Chapter Fifty-Six: Unexpected Calamity [The Ghost Mansion (Final)]

There is no doubt that this poem from the mansion contains some information.

However, what we had obtained before were only fragments, which only allowed us to glimpse a little of the inside story.

It is known that each poem represents a period of experience and a past event, that is, its own "theme." This differs somewhat from the original poem, "The Ghost House."

"Is there anything wrong with this poem... ∽〔四ba〕→±馓叁￥￥〇〔↑珷?"

Seeing Fran deep in thought, Davis asked with a hint of curiosity.

The preceding scattered verses were filled with a chilling, melancholic atmosphere, and this final paragraph, concluding the entire piece... further intensifies that eerie feeling. It sends shivers down one's spine.

"In fact, the content of each article is not important. The key lies in the last sentence."

Fran explained softly, his face illuminated by the dim, flickering candlelight of the lamp in his hand.

Compared to the original poem in Ghost House, each poem in this mansion series ends with "an extra line." It's like a summary, an exclamation, or simply a commentary.

The first piece: [Though the filth and decay have not been seen, it lingers timidly, relentlessly pursuing.]

Part Two: [Revisiting the Ghosts of the Dead, Fear Rekindles Like a Flame.]

Part Three: [—The dinner here was just like yesterday, no different. No, no different.]

Part Four: [Completely unaware, the devil of greed is none other than His close advisor.]

Part Five: [That deity brought iron laws and bloodshed.]

The sixth piece: [The Nuo mask brings joy, a false object brings ultimate pleasure. The wearer is silent, and even in sorrow, there are no tears.]

Upon hearing this, Davis began to recall the last sentence of those previous individual pieces. He then frowned slightly, realizing with surprise that these words indeed corresponded precisely to the strange occurrences taking place in the mansion.

"Then... what does this poem in Count Ferdinand's master bedroom represent?"

Since he had witnessed other events firsthand, it was not difficult for him to find anomalies that matched them.

But this last one... seems somewhat unclear, making it difficult to make sufficiently reliable guesses based on known information.

"It is very difficult to change a person's personality and habits. It requires an extremely significant change or years of external influence."

Fran began to explain his understanding in a detailed and engaging manner.

"In other words, it would be very difficult for Count Ferdinand to suddenly become a 'monster' within a few months, unless he was originally one but has been hiding it very well."

"Perhaps it was influenced by some subtle force, or perhaps... it has been replaced by something else."

At this point, Tames seemed to remember something and then spoke.

“I remember the count did have a masquerade mask, but… I’ve never seen him wear it.”

"Could it be related to the 'fake' in that poem?"

In the poetic form, "Nuomian" can be understood as a mask implying sacrificial rites. Does this mean the Count's transformation was due to him "wearing a mask"?

Is it a mask in the actual sense, or a psychological mask in the abstract sense?

"Perhaps his abnormality stems from this, but nothing is certain until we meet him."

Fran neither confirmed nor denied this.

Although she was quite inclined to believe this possibility, it was rather hasty to draw conclusions before even starting a formal consultation... She needed to carefully confirm the specific circumstances.

As she spoke, she raised her hand and pushed open the heavy door to the master bedroom.

The Count of Ferdinand's master bedroom was extremely spacious, and the original side room was already decorated in a magnificent and luxurious style.

The value of the main hall room far surpasses that of the main hall, almost reaching the limits that ordinary people can imagine.

Intricately carved silver ornaments are everywhere, including many ritual objects cast from gold.

“Oh… no wonder Krull wanted to come to the Earl’s mansion to make some extra money. The Sassanid carpets in the Earl’s bedroom are antiques that are almost a hundred years old. They’re worth more than I could be sold.”

"These kinds of things should normally be stored away from water and light to appreciate in value, but the Earl just laid them out in his room for everyday use..."

Davis discerned the intricate patterns on the carpet, and for a moment, he couldn't help but squint slightly.

Fran glanced at the ancient and ornate Sassanid carpet with great seriousness, then subtly looked away.

There are many ways to collect consultation fees, but taking someone's carpet is indeed a bit undignified... Most importantly, due to cultural differences, it won't retain its value even if you bring it back to Norrington.

Just then, the count's weak voice rang out from the bed, but it was not clearly heard through the thick velvet curtains.

"You've arrived much faster than I expected."

“But none of you can save me, including yourselves. After putting on that mask, the me of the past died… It devoured me… and then it devoured my lover, my child…”

"What a pity..."

His voice was hollow and indistinct.

"If you wait quietly for dawn, or enter this room later, just before daybreak... you might survive."

Ferdinand's figure was hidden behind a silk curtain, making it difficult to see his exact appearance.

But judging from his slowly shrugging shoulders... he seemed to be smiling.

“Count, I suggest we don’t waste time on such unimportant matters. The most important thing now is your illness…”

Fran slowly approached the bedside, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"My illness?"

The count seemed to want to laugh, but he forced it back, making his voice sound extremely strange.

“No one can cure my illness, Fran… not even you. Because ‘I’ am no longer myself. I’m just a monster in human skin, an evil spirit in a mask…”

"laugh……"

Finally, Ferdinand could not suppress his urge to laugh and began to chuckle softly.

"Please stop your charade, Count of Hanover."

As the two were talking, Tames came to the bedside and pulled back the curtain that concealed the Earl's figure.

Beneath the shadows was a gaunt, dazed middle-aged man. His eyes were sunken, and he looked as listless as a ghost.

Qi: "Oh, Attorney Tames, you didn't run away? So you came to the mansion with some purpose too..."

Ferdinand glanced at the person in front of him with a hint of surprise.

Jiu: "I really want to persuade you to escape. But the damage you left behind in the manor is too great, and now it is too hungry... I'm sorry, no one can leave."

After saying that, he started laughing uncontrollably.

Like a jester in a satirical opera, he mocks the whole world without any restraint.

Ferdinand's face was violently distorted, his mouth stretched almost to his ears, and his pupils began to dilate in a delirious manner.

“‘Hysteria’ can have these symptoms…that’s really novel and worth studying.”

Fran pursed his lips slightly, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

"vomit……"

Ferdinand spat out a pool of putrid blood that resembled sludge, which spread extremely quickly, covering most of the master bedroom floor in an instant.

After that, many fragmented human figures rose from the filthy pool on the ground.

Their faces were distorted and fragmented, resembling faded and distorted old photographs. Tom, the former cook at the Hanover manor, the countess dismembered and cannibalized, and... the naked "daughter."

"What's this……"

Davis's eye twitched; if it weren't for his inexplicable trust in Fran, he would have almost run away.

As a folklorist, in addition to having solid professional skills in secret history, one also needs to be able to keenly perceive danger.

If you discover something sinister, retreat decisively; if you feel addicted, stop immediately... There is no shame in running away; nothing is more important than living.

It is 'desire'.

Fran took a deep breath and quickly began to explain to him.

Because of the urgency of the situation, she had to speed up her speech to give the impromptu lesson. As a result, she spoke without any pauses, as if reciting a rapid-fire monologue.

“All the strange occurrences within the mansion correspond to some dark desire of Ferdinand… only they are expressed more blatantly, as if there is a certain distortion.”

“Krull’s room corresponds to ‘appetite for people,’ Davis’s room corresponds to ‘fear of the dead,’ Tames’s room corresponds to ‘desire for judgment,’ and Father Ghosn… probably lust or ‘repentance.’”

"As for my room, it reflects possessiveness. Of course, you could also call it 'love'."

The strange sights in the mansion stemmed from Count Ferdinand's inner projections. But these were not ordinary emotions; rather, they were distorted and dark fantasies.

"You...know 9￡〓；●叁「〖五熝≥′賰索：？"

Upon hearing Fran's words, Ferdinand's almost vanished rationality seemed to experience a resurgence.

Most of the psychologists I had previously consulted were able to try to understand me, but most of them were unable to remain calm and rational after witnessing my appearance.

Those who were lucky enough to forget everything, while the less fortunate... completely lost their own thoughts.

The doctor in front of us, however, seemed completely unaffected.

"Of course. It's all so obvious, almost without any concealment... You understand it much better than someone with depression or autism."

Fran's lips curved slightly, and her eyes burned with intense excitement.

"laugh……"

Unable to suppress it, Ferdinand let out another low laugh.

"But what's the point? Your fates were already sealed... Or rather, are you willing to take the place of this man who has become boring?"

His voice was sharp and grating when he said this, as if he were choking and pretending to be someone else.

Meanwhile, the filthy humanoid figures around them began to swell and slowly surge toward the group.

Fran interrupted him quickly.

"Oh, we've already enjoyed plenty of riddles and harsh words lately, so please skip this old program... Please get ready, the treatment is about to begin."

She suddenly reached out and pressed her hand directly onto Ferdinand's face.

"what are you up to?"

Maintaining his clown-like, eccentric tone, Ferdinand spoke with some doubt.

"It's very simple, just a mask. Just take it off, right? That's why I'm so keen on treating exogenous diseases; as long as the source of infection is isolated, it works quickly."

“Fool, I exist in his spirit, and you say ‘pluck’…”

Ferdinand frowned and let out a contemptuous sneer.

At the same time, it suddenly sensed its own spirit body beginning to detach from its host body at an extremely rapid speed. Tracing back to the source, unraveling the mystery step by step. 3< "Lu-※

How...did you bump into me?

Its voice trembled slightly, but then it was completely pulled out. Gradually, the illusory form revealed a material-like entity.

For abstract concepts, stealing them at the current level of the [Crown Thief] would be quite difficult. However, since the mask itself is in a spiritual state, it can be absorbed through [Soul Shaping] and then completely peeled away.

The process of removing the mask went incredibly smoothly, almost like a natural outcome.

It was a radiant ball mask, adorned with expensive and intricate designs. It was decorated on both sides with agate gemstones and peacock feathers.

“You’re one of those guys? But how is that possible? There are no real priests in Gulins…”

The mouth of the mask was moving rapidly, as if it were in shock.

But Fran could clearly sense that it was subtly influencing his mind. It seemed that it didn't even need to be worn on his face; mere touch was enough to cause its corrosive effects.

"Hmm... If you like to do these meaningless little tricks, how about I give you a hand?"

As he spoke, Fran put the mask on his face, and it fit perfectly on its own.

"Dr. Fran..."

This action made Davis and even Tames feel a little uneasy.

If Fran is affected by this mask, then judging from the precedent of Count Ferdinand, the situation could become very dire...

Moreover, this time no one will be able to stop her.