The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 239

Fran responded softly, then took out several exquisitely patterned ceramic flowerpots and methodically planted some special plants he had obtained in Morion.

"I'll also transplant a few flowers and plants. Maybe they'll enjoy the sunshine too."

The tulip left behind by the gardener killed by Bartley, the seedling of the ancient banyan tree, the branch of the "Touch of Flowers" taken from Haida's throat, and the wild lilies picked casually in the secret realm... a moment later, a simple flower garden with a pleasing arrangement was completed.

Viola has always been passionate about tending to all kinds of flowers and trees. She knows exactly what fertilizer ratio to use, what size flowerpot to use, how often to water, and how much to water each time... Whenever this topic comes up, she can explain it all with great expertise.

Even now, her garden remains unchanged at the Hunter's headquarters in Norrington.

If Viola were still here, Fran could rightfully and naturally entrust her with all the work of caring for the plants. And given her gentle yet inexplicably optimistic nature, she would probably gladly accept…

Slightly calming her wandering thoughts, Fran buried the roots of the last tulip in the soil of the pot.

Compared to other flowers, its colors are more vibrant and beautiful, and its blooming posture is more splendid and unrestrained. Even the gardener's remnants given by Barthes cannot compare to it.

It was a remnant left behind by the Glandular after it entered the Apostle's life and then disappeared, which Fran obtained from its remains.

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羹？

Chapter 133 Sea Bream Slices

As dusk deepened, the crescent moon rose higher.

The streets outside the Fog Street Clinic were quiet and desolate, with only a few streetlights casting a faint, clear light under the gloomy night fog.

At this moment, an elegant and tall figure was strolling among them, scrutinizing every corner with a slightly curious and discerning eye.

Compared to most secluded realms located in materially isolated areas, this place has an indescribable sense of strangeness.

For example, the "Floral Garden" constructed by Karmion. It uses the entire lost city as its real-world anchor point, and its scale is colossal compared to any other ritual. At the same time, it also possesses extremely strong stability and self-stabilizing capabilities.

And the foundation of all this lies in the spiritual essence provided by the vast number of living beings in the city.

The strange thing about "Fog Street" is that it is also extremely stable, even more so than the former. But when you are in it, you can't feel any spirits escaping. The faint gray mist seems to isolate you from all external perception.

If she hadn't known beforehand that Fog Street was a secret realm created by Dr. Fran, Shitia would have even thought it was somewhere in the material world. With her experience spanning over a thousand years from the Lost Era to the present, she had never heard of such a secret realm.

Although Shitia spent most of her time imprisoned in the Sands of Sleeping Tower, studying the mystical arts was one of the few pastimes she had during her long years as a corporal. The many unique characteristics exhibited by the Fog Street Clinic were so distinctive that they even contradicted the underlying logic of what constitutes a secret realm.

Her thoughts drifted away as she strolled slowly through the deserted streets, as if taking a leisurely walk. In the stillness, only the crisp, rhythmic sound of her high heels could be heard.

"I haven't walked on my feet for so long, and even though I've gotten used to it for a while, it still feels a bit strange..."

Syldia gently lifted her lower leg back, then tightened the slightly loose silk straps on her slender ankles. The stilettos she was wearing at the moment possessed a classical beauty reminiscent of a lost era's court, perfectly matching the gowns and robes favored by the nobles of Heir at the time.

She was momentarily dazed when her fingers touched the silk ribbons from Ahanta.

It seems like only yesterday that he was bound by magical shackles on his ankles, shackles powerful enough to suppress mythical creatures. It's hard to believe that he's now completely free from that cage…

Perhaps this is why humans always lament the unpredictability of fate.

Speaking of which, her stiletto heels and clothes were gifts from that doctor. It was clear that he had a rather strange collecting hobby; besides various nearly extinct spirit-infused materials, he also had some mechanical artifacts whose origins she couldn't discern.

They even have clothing from a lost era... and these aren't modern imitations.

After a leisurely stroll, Shitia arrived at the entrance of the Fog Street Clinic. It wasn't hard to find, as it was the only shop on the entire street with its lights on.

"Boom, boom."

Out of courtesy, she knocked on the wooden door that had a sign that read "Open for Business".

“Oh… welcome, Ms. Shitia.”

The one who opened the door was Fran.

At this moment, she was wearing a small teddy bear apron and carrying a bright silver knife, as if she had just come out of the kitchen.

If anyone else lived in Fog Street, they would have noticed a figure wandering around every night these past few days... No need to elaborate, that is Shitia in her strolling state.

Regarding this situation, Lan was quite pleased.

The most intractable symptom of various mental illnesses, with depression as the main symptom, is self-isolation. Most patients completely cut themselves off from external communication and do not respond to any stimuli.

Having the leisure to travel around is also a form of improved mental state...

“Perfect timing, I’ve prepared dinner for tonight. Please make sure to try it, Ms. Shitia… Oh, besides that, there’s something else I’d like to ask you. But it would be better to do it after dinner.”

With a warm, business-like smile and a very measured distance, Fran led Sydia into the main hall of the clinic, like a seasoned banquet hall waiter.

"Um... sorry to bother you."

When the doctor extended an invitation, Shitia simply nodded and accepted quite naturally.

That being said, she didn't actually have any particular expectations for Fran's cooking skills. After all, she had already personally experienced Sigrid's somewhat unsatisfactory culinary abilities...

If it doesn't involve baking, frying, or anything that requires a fire, the maid's cooking skills are acceptable, roughly on par with a skilled average person. But once she starts using fire, she easily transforms into a highly efficient coal-making machine.

Fran has made progress on this point after a long period of physical experimentation.

Sigrid's temperature control issues are actually related to the section of her spine containing a "control component." This small device not only allows her to issue commands to Sigrid but also serves as her sensor for flames operating at low temperatures.

After Fran removed and replaced that spinal cord, the maid naturally became insensitive to low-temperature flames. One has to admire the Sunforge Order's "Final Program"—it's truly intricate and rigorous; there's still much to learn...

Arriving at the round table in the restaurant, Shiodia gently lifted the hem of her doctor's coat before gracefully taking her seat.

Soon, she saw the dishes placed in the center of the round table. Her azure eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of confusion in them, as if surprised.

"This is……":

"A Gormouth-style main course. Before leaving, Professor Utus gave me some of the catch from the Leviathan, which is perfect timing, as I'd like to take this opportunity to develop some new dishes with regional characteristics."

“Oh, Professor Utus specifically requested that you clearly state in the presentation that he caught all these fish himself. Since he made this request, I'll just mention it here…”

For Fran, the enjoyment after cooking wasn't about tasting the food, but rather the process of "explaining the dish."

Shitia's surprise stemmed primarily from the fact that a meticulously crafted miniature iceberg sat at the center of the table. More like a decorative piece than a dish, it was undeniably visually striking at first glance…

"Dr. Fran, is this tonight's 'main course'?"

Shitia knew that some creatures of the deep sea had a habit of swallowing ice, but she didn't believe the doctor would actually use a piece of ice as a main dish. Upon closer inspection, she quickly discovered that each cross-section of the small iceberg contained an extremely thin slice of fish.

“That’s right. The main ingredient in this dish is the deep-sea red snapper. According to Professor Utus, this type of fish only appears in warm, comfortable waters rich in algae and rock salt, and where there is no pollution. May is the breeding season, otherwise it would be very difficult to catch one of this size.”

"Hmm... if we were to use a more fancy naming method, we could call it 'Frozen Sea Bream Mountain.' Of course, aside from needing to be sliced ​​thinly, it's actually just simple sashimi. It needs to be eaten with dipping sauce." (Rin)

Listening to Fran's story, Shitia hesitated for a moment before picking up a piece of paper-thin slice, dipping it in some of the sauce on the plate, and then putting it in her mouth.

With its tender texture and delicious flavor, the simple yet thoughtful seasoning brings out the pure and refreshing taste of the red sea bream to the fullest extent.

If an average person were to taste this dish, they would likely only find it delicious but wouldn't be able to articulate the exquisite technique used in its preparation. However, the dietary habits of the Heir people do not discriminate against raw or cold foods, and they are extremely particular about this aspect.

Therefore, Shitia concluded that... even the court chefs of Heil, who were well-versed in this art during the Lost Age, probably couldn't surpass Dr. Fran in culinary skill. Of course, this conclusion only applied to this dish.

It's possible that she, like Miss Sigrid, isn't used to the low temperature of the stove fire...

However, after tasting the other roasted or steamed dishes, Shisitia quickly dismissed this guess; without exception, they all possessed culinary qualities. It seemed that Dr. Fran indeed possessed extremely high culinary skills, and was particularly adept at handling various meats.

In fact, this sea bream fillet was specially prepared for Shiodia.

After all, Fran and Sister Heda preferred high-protein roasted meats, while Sigrid didn't care at all.

She eats food merely to enjoy its texture and flavor; after being chewed and swallowed, it is broken down at high temperatures by the internal alchemical furnace...

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About half an hour later, as Shitia swallowed the last piece of freshly cut sea bream, dinner came to an end.

In Fran's philosophy, the only thing to do during a meal is to "enjoy the food," so she didn't mention what exactly required Shitia's help.

However, this noblewoman from Heir was clearly quite concerned about this, so she quickly took the initiative to inquire about it.

"Thank you for the hospitality, Dr. Fran. Your culinary skills are beyond compare; no amount of praise can truly describe them."

Xitia took the handkerchief that Sigrid had prepared beforehand and gently wiped the corner of her lips.

"Now, please tell me... what exactly can I do for you?"

Seeing that she seemed a little reserved, Fran blinked slightly and began to explain the specifics of the matter in a gentle tone.

“Dear Ms. Shitia, please don’t be nervous. I have no intention of causing you any trouble. Besides, I am not the one who needs help.”

"Sister Haida is currently studying the second-class superior arcane art of the Hunters, [Mechanized Spirit Body], and has reached the final stage. She needs some spiritual materials from the Heil remnants. She needs about 15 grams of hair and a conical tooth."

Upon hearing Sister Haida's request, Shitia remained composed, her eyes as clear and calm as ever.

"Hair and teeth...that's easy to handle, leave it to me."

As she spoke, she flicked her fingertips, and a delicate strand of hair, almost invisible to the naked eye, quietly appeared. She then took a lock of hair from her long, waist-length hair. Almost simultaneously, the severed strands of hair began to grow back to their original length, as if they were alive.

As for the conical tooth... Just as Vivian was wondering how Shitia would extract the tooth, she saw her calmly place her hand on her neck and take off the necklace she wore close to her body.

After that, she took a triangular white cone from the necklace and gave it to Heda along with the strand of hair from before.

"Hmm... Is it a custom in Hyjal to grind down one's own teeth and make them into ornaments?"

Looking at the two spirit-infused materials that exuded the aura of Xitia, Fran tilted his head slightly, his expression quite curious.

"Yes. The Heir descendants need to replace their teeth throughout their childhood, but the cycle is quite long, usually once every few decades. After adulthood, they can regulate this physical phenomenon on their own."

"We are accustomed to wearing our childhood teeth as necklaces or earrings close to our bodies to enhance our esoteric abilities. They have mostly undergone a long period of spiritual immersion, so they are more effective as materials than newly removed teeth."

As she spoke, Xitia raised her hand and lifted the long hair around her neck, revealing the white earrings adorning her earlobes.

Wu: "So that's how it is."

Qi Fran nodded slightly, indicating that she understood. She had always been quite enthusiastic about collecting the cultures of other races.

Liu obtained the necessary spiritual materials, and Haida bowed slightly to express her gratitude as a hunter of secrets.

Liu: "Thank you for your gift, Ms. Shitia."

San: "Please don't mind, they are just some small personal items, nothing valuable."

Si Xitia lowered her gaze slightly and accepted her greeting. Compared to what Fran had done, some of the materials she had gathered were indeed insignificant. Given the doctor's painstaking efforts in treating her, paying a small "consultation fee" was only natural.

After this little incident ended, she walked to the velvet sofa in the main hall of the clinic and enjoyed a moment of post-dinner rest.

Led by Fran, Haida arrived at a quiet room at the end of the corridor to begin her final training in [Mechanized Spirit Body]. Incidentally, this room was originally used to temporarily detain high-risk mental patients, but the soundproofing was indeed excellent, making it perfect for Haida.

At this moment, Sigrid deftly began clearing the tableware from the banquet table, a task she was always quite adept at. Although being a maid at the Fog Street Clinic was mostly just a title, she seemed quite happy to fulfill her "duty."

After all, while Dr. Fran was enthusiastic about cooking, he always loathed washing dishes afterwards...

Thus, only Xitia and Vivian remained in the main hall of the Fog Street Clinic, along with Mu Ning, who was perched on Vivian's shoulder preening her feathers.

"..."

Feeling a mythical creature born in an ancient, lost era sitting beside her, a strange pressure gradually rose in Vivian's mind.

She pursed her lips slightly and remained silent, quite reservedly.

The two were now only half a body length apart, so much so that she could even smell the cold, deep-sea-like aura emanating from Xitia—faint and serene.

Lady Shitia is, after all, a noblewoman of ancient Heil. Would it be inappropriate for me to speak without even greeting her? But would it be untimely and seem noisy to start abruptly? What if I say the wrong thing? Besides, I know absolutely nothing about the etiquette of that lost era…

Most of the time, communicating with people and gathering intelligence are Vivian's strengths. But when faced with a Heir nobleman who seems to have stepped out of a classical epic, her rich communication experience is of no help whatsoever.

Now all I can do is hope that Miss Sigrid will finish washing the dishes soon and come over to break this tense atmosphere... Damn it, I should have helped her clean up in the first place.

While Vivian remained silent and uneasy, Xidia leaned against the velvet cushion, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly with her breath, revealing only a sliver of the clear color from her eyes, as if she were taking a quiet nap.

Just then, Luya, draped in a thin blanket, slowly emerged from Fran's bedroom.

After Sigrid left the Fog Street clinic in Norlington, Fran brought her physical body over at a later time to avoid her feeling lonely when she woke up in reality.

"Na."

She gently rubbed her eyes with her palms, then, with her slender deer hooves, she came between Vivian and Siouxia and lay down in the most comfortable position.

The deer-like body, covered in fine fur, rested on Vivian's lap, while the slender humanoid half lay in Shitia's arms.

Overjoyed at finding two new pillows, Luya adjusted her position contentedly a few times before falling asleep peacefully again.

After Sigrid had cleaned the restaurant and kitchen until they were spotless, she turned back to the main hall of the clinic to ask if anyone needed refreshments... The scene before her made her pause slightly, and her eyes, which were as black as molten gold, widened involuntarily.

Perhaps due to some influence from Luyala, Vivian and Siodia had both fallen into a deep sleep at some point... so much so that there was no one awake here now.

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Soup! (Currently drafting, needing recommendation votes...)

Chapter 134 The Decline of the End Times