The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 240

After arriving at the "quiet room" of the Fog Street Clinic with Fran, Haida did not immediately begin her study of [Mechanized Spirit Body]. Instead, she first observed the interior environment of the room, following the habits of a Hunter of Mysteries.

Here, all you can see is a kind of cold, hard metal, like cast iron. Even the bedding and toiletries are the same, tightly connected to the walls, cast as one piece.

Perhaps due to Dr. Fran's habits as a doctor, the quiet room was extremely tidy and free of any unpleasant odors. However, crooked marks could be faintly seen on the wall, seemingly used to record the number of days, and there was more than one.

“Oh, this room hasn’t been used in so long, I forgot to ask Sigrid to clean up the graffiti on the wall.”

Upon noticing the flaws in the metal wall, Fran raised an eyebrow, a hint of distress flashing in his eyes.

The people placed here are generally dangerous individuals with high instability. They seem to be keen on leaving scratches to mark the days before becoming experimental subjects, which makes the routine cleaning work a bit troublesome.

"Dr. Fran, may I ask, what kind of 'patients' are being held in this room?"

After a moment of silence, Haida couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, this... Hmm... I'm not sure if Haida still remembers 'Lloyd Murdoch'?"

“I have some recollection of him; he was the Moonkin who used our standard silver crossbow to assassinate Rosalie in Norrington. I remember he was taken away by the White Cup Order afterward, and according to the General Affairs Court’s report, he was never heard from again after being personally interrogated by Principal Grantham.”

"It should have already been disposed of in a harmless manner."

Haida's memory of the events concerning the Hunters was always clear. After a moment's thought, she recounted them in detail.

"Yes."

Fran nodded slightly, and then began to recount the origins of the story in a gentle, conversational tone.

“Lloyd’s brother, Regis Murdoch, was briefly placed here. Those marks were left by him with his own fingernails. After being infected with the Blood Plague, the Moonkin will experience a certain degree of atavism, and some vampire traits will be enhanced a second time.”

"For example, canine teeth become longer, and nails crystallize and become sharper."

As she spoke, she lightly touched her lower lip with her finger, her expression becoming serious, as if she were recalling an interesting past event.

"Before that, we captured a priest who believed in the Crown of Decay, whose specific title seemed to be 'Transmuter'. That guy's brain was practically devoid of any intact nerves, it was all liquid lysate."

"Although I deciphered part of his memories, the technology I had at the time was somewhat incomplete, which gave him the opportunity to self-destruct. It took me several days to clean up the bacteriolytics all over the ground, and it still feels a bit unlucky to think about it now."

Although the doctor's tone was as if he were describing something lightly, Haida knew that the reality was likely far more dangerous. 8

Even now, whenever she recalls the bacteriolysis that ravaged Norrington, a chilling dread still creeps into her heart. 5

"Dr. Fran, have you already mastered a cure for bacteriolytic disease?"

Haida couldn't help but be curious about this. 6

Although she had great faith in Fran's abilities, the doctor's explanation was far too bland. It was as if it weren't a divine plague worthy of a natural disaster, but rather mold growing due to the dampness of the rainy season.

“Dear Sister Heda, please don’t overcomplicate things. Even with lysins carrying forbidden spiritual properties, Viola was able to heal mild to moderate cases on her own; it’s by no means an incurable disease.”3

"Moreover, the infectious nature of 'bacteriolysis' is actually related to the spirit it carries. The reason the Great Plague ultimately became a natural disaster was mainly due to the divine incarnation that was brewing. In its normal state, lysolysis is actually very weak."4

"Without an external supply of spiritual energy, it can even be naturally decomposed by ordinary microorganisms in the material world. Moreover, a single tablet of nystatin can deactivate it."4

Clearly, Fran's research on this disease was very thorough; he could explain its nature and weaknesses in just a few words. 2

"……I see."

Like a student attentively listening to a lecture, Haida nodded slightly, indicating that she already knew.

As their conversation came to an end, she slowly sat down on the bed in the quiet room, then closed her eyes, immersing her mind, body, and intellect completely in the secret model of the [Mechanized Spirit Body].

Fran, meanwhile, methodically began preparing the spiritual materials he had acquired from Xitia.

According to the Ash Canon, "The Silence of Proverbs," the final stage of studying this esoteric ritual requires the long hair of a "siren" and the gray matter of the conical teeth of a "dark sea tribe." The former is a variant of the Heir, a half-fish-like creature, while the latter is a pure humanoid descendant directly created by nobles.

As a pure-blooded noblewoman, Ms. Shitia's material can serve as a perfect superior alternative.

Fran lightly rubbed his fingertips, and a wisp of chaotic flame rose silently, with a faint glimpse of rust-colored spirit flickering at its core. Strands of hair and conical teeth, scorched by the heat, transformed into a fine breeze carrying ash, swirling around Haida.

The reason why the [Mechanized Spirit Body] became an ancient lost secret technique is mainly because its completion conditions are too difficult and demanding. In order to completely master it, in addition to the practitioner having a certain level of secret technique skills, a device capable of carrying spiritual elements and consciousness is also required.

Under the operation of the arcane model, Haida's spiritual awareness slowly and steadily connected with the power sword "Nirvana" in her hand.

In fact, this process is fraught with unknown dangers. Even though the Hunters always regard their weapons as their most reliable allies, they have, after all, stained themselves with too much of the blood of otherworldly beings in the process of slaying evil creatures, and no one knows what might happen...

The moment she formed a spiritual connection with the sword in her hand, Haida frowned deeply, her expression turning solemn.

Restless, extreme, and narrow-minded. Like a pure fanatic whose mind is devoid of anything else, he only wants to tear apart more evil things and do everything in his power to offer up his only loyalty.

Cold, silent, empty. Like a steel skeleton buried deep in a tomb, its soul and consciousness utterly vanished, leaving only the efficient mechanical logic of executing commands. Yet, within this void lurks a venomous hatred for the living…

Two completely different feelings intertwined, making it difficult for her to immediately categorize them into a secret technique model using her own spirit. However, seemingly out of some affinity for the user, the blade itself did not show any tendency to reject it.

Just then, the ashes of materials originating from the Heil nobility seemed to come alive, binding the power sword and bringing with them a pure and all-encompassing abyssal spiritual essence. It was a soothing melody of moon and tide, enough to calm all restlessness…

After a few breaths, the connection established between Haida's spiritual awareness and "Nirvana" gradually stabilized, and the secret technique model was also fully constructed.

"call……"

Having confirmed that she had mastered the secret technique, Haida's previously solemn expression immediately disappeared.

With a regular weapon or sword, she wouldn't even need Shiodia's materials to complete the final process. But the power sword "Nirvana" had cleaved countless non-human beings, accumulating so much blood, spirit, and soul essence that it had become extremely difficult to complete the final stage of the arcane ritual.

"It's a success, Dr. Fran."

After refocusing her breathing, Haida turned her gaze to Fran, who had been quietly observing from the side.

"Hmm. This secret technique is indeed quite interesting... Could you demonstrate it for me? Although I have studied all the techniques recorded in 'The Book of Proverbs and Silence,' I haven't had time to personally test the specific effects of a large portion of them."

"it is good."

Upon hearing this, Haida did not refuse. She was also very interested in this ancient hunter's secret technique and eagerly awaited testing its specific effects.

The nun assumed her standard two-handed sword stance as usual, then unleashed a vertical slash through the air. The air was ripped apart, and a series of explosions immediately followed... two at the same time.

As she swung "Nirvana," a faint, grayish-white, icy phantom flashed to the side, besides the blade in her hand. But it was not a deceptive image; it was a sword-shaped spirit capable of directly touching matter.

"The cutting force and sharpness are similar to the original body, and it also possesses the secret technique of the Hunter of Mysteries that erodes the spirit body. It seems that taking that Ash Codex from the 'Feathered Dragon Tomb' under Norrington a few years ago was indeed worthwhile. It was worth being chased by Yaheng for a month..."

"..."

Hearing Fran's slightly relieved sigh, Haida's gray-chestnut eyes narrowed slightly. She silently pursed her lips, pretending not to have heard the doctor's last sentence.

"In addition to replicating the original attacks, the swords transformed into spirits can also engage in independent, autonomous combat. However, this will reduce their lethality to some extent."

Seeing that Fran was somewhat interested in the [Mechanized Spirit Body], Haida then began to explain some of her insights from her own experience.

At the same time, she could feel that the power sword "Nirvana" in her hand was no longer an object outside her body, but an extension of her limbs. The skills she had honed through training were as if etched into her consciousness and muscle instincts, requiring almost no extra thought when using it.

After completing her study of this esoteric ritual, Haida had no intention of staying in the quiet room any longer and soon returned to the main hall of the clinic with Fran.

Although she didn't have any particularly strong aversion to it, the thought that this place had once been used to "house" the Moonborn, who was afflicted with the blood plague, and the disciples of the Decaying Crown made her feel a little strange...

-

Foggy Street Clinic, main hall.

Even without consciously using her dream-entering talent, Luara can unconsciously make the beings around her feel drowsy. Of course, the effect is not strong, and it will basically not work if the other person is on guard.

The reason why Xitia and Vivian, along with Mu Ning on the latter's shoulder, fell into a light sleep was largely due to their relaxed and comfortable mental state. They were also somewhat tired after encountering an apostle in the Huayan Flower Garden.

Of course, Vivian didn't contribute much to the fight against the Gardener's Glandular, but forcing herself to participate in such a multi-layered conflict would be too demanding for her. Moreover, traversing city ruins and secret realms day and night with a physique slightly above average was also a considerable challenge…

About half an hour later, she and Xidia opened their eyes at the same time.

"I can't remember the last time I had such a pleasant nap. Hmm... Miss Vivian, do you know her background?"

As she spoke, Shitia extended her index finger and gently tapped Luyala, who was dozing in her arms.

"Her name is Luyala. I don't know much about her race or specific background, but she should be one of Dr. Fran's patients."

Vivian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing the noblewoman from Heyer speak up. She then answered her questions in as much detail as possible.

Upon hearing this, Xitia seemed to be deep in thought, and the azure light in her eyes also flickered.

“If I’m not mistaken, everyone here must have been her patient? I’ve heard Sigrid tell me about the first time she met that doctor at the Tower of the Sun.

"Well...you could say that." Vivian seemed a little unsure of herself when answering the question.

After all, she herself didn't seem to have received any treatment from Dr. Fran... Oh, if stomach problems count, then that's certainly true.

"However, Ms. Shitia, you don't even know what race the Luyala are?"

"Ah."

Xitia readily admitted to this.

"At least in the Tertiary period that I am familiar with, I have never heard of any mythical creatures with similar appearances and the ability to enter dreams. There are some records in the Heil book, the Deep Sea Scripture, which seem to have mentioned a similar race in the Dust Order era before the dwellings were hidden. But they only exist in the depths of dreams and cannot be verified."

"The Tertiary Period?"

Vivian keenly sensed certain information contained in what the other person said, and out of her professional instincts as a Secret Service agent, she immediately pressed for more details.

"Scholars of this era generally refer to a certain unknown period of history before the beginning of the millennium as the 'Lost Age.' But in reality, it is three interconnected yet independent eras."

"The Chronicles of Calamity, the Chronicle of Pure White, and the Chronicle of Decay. We generally refer to the Chronicle of Decay as the Third Chronicle, or the Last Chronicle. In fact, you hunters of the Mysteries have the deepest connection with the Chronicle of Decay."

It seems that people with a certain amount of life experience are fond of reminiscing about the past, and Shitia was no exception. She reached out and gently stroked Luya's sleeping face, then began to recount the history she knew.

"The beginning of the Decay Era originated from the 'War of Death' launched by the God of Hunting. For some unfathomable purpose, this sole sword wielder embarked on a path of slaying his own kind."

"No one knows the beginning, nor does anyone know the end. Even the great sorcerer Gloria, who had already taken on the 'prototype,' could not escape his fate of annihilation, which fueled the doomsday prophecy... However, since we are still alive, it means that the annihilation that destroyed everything has not happened."

"Even though it has stagnated and declined, history continues."

As Wu listened intently to the old history described by the nobleman from Heyer, Vivian felt a cold sweat silently slide down her cheeks, and her throat involuntarily became slightly dry.

Why could Ms. Shitia speak of such dark and heavy topics in such a casual, conversational tone? Was this really something I should be listening to...?

-

-

soup!

Chapter 135 Yearning for Daylight

After a brief conversation, Vivian had gained some understanding of Shitia's personality.

Despite her noble status, this noblewoman from Heyer naturally exuded elegance and composure in her demeanor and bearing... However, she possessed an almost inhuman indifference towards worldly concepts such as status and position, yet she would occasionally reveal a quiet and humble quality in her conversations.

After a moment, Vivian let go of her initial nervousness in front of the mythical creature and was no longer as tense as before. Her tone of voice also became much more coherent and fluent.

“Ms. Xitia… I want to know, the last era of the Lost Age seems to be only a little over a thousand years ago, so why was that history lost? A civilization that was once extremely prosperous should have left countless traces even if it had disappeared.”

In response to Vivian's question, Xitia lowered her gaze slightly, pondered for a moment, and then gave her an answer.

"In fact, the lost era has indeed left its mark. Most of the relics we have today are creations of our ancestors. But paper documents and other historical materials have been erased with the eternal sleep of the White Cup. To review that history, we can only rely on the 'memory' of thought and rituals."

"But even memories stored in the minds of living beings are not immune to influence. 'Forgetting' originates from the gods' erasure and deletion of the pages of history, and even I cannot completely prevent my own thoughts from subtly changing."

When she spoke, her words were delicate and gentle, like those of an elder woman telling a bedtime story to a child. Oh, that analogy might be a bit impolite, but it's certainly true.

Hmm... a feeling of déjà vu. *Whoosh*

Vivian felt a strange sense of familiarity, but couldn't quite place it. After a moment's thought, she realized that Dr. Fran often used a similar tone when introducing something to her.

"Of course, I was imprisoned in the Sleeping Sand Bell Tower at the end of the Cataclysm, and know very little about what happened afterward. Although the Listeners of the Star Abyss Society come almost every full moon, they basically just check whether the seal on the secret realm is intact."

“Miss Vivian, if you don’t mind, please tell me about the situation of other cults after the ‘War of Death.’ My understanding of this era is still too shallow. Since you believe in that determined Swordholder, perhaps you know more about the secrets.”

After recounting the stories of the Third Age, Shitia turned to Vivian to learn about the history of that era.

"Hmm...of course. But I wonder which part Ms. Shitia is most interested in?"

If this nobleman from Heir wanted to know about other things, then Vivian probably wouldn't be able to help. After all, she was just an ordinary Secret Service agent... But if it was about the history of the "First Millennium," then she certainly knew quite a bit.

To gain entry into the Secret Service, besides passing a firearms test, one also needs a relatively deep understanding of clerical work. Even though Vivian wasn't particularly interested in that area, she was still thoroughly familiar with modern history.

However, she has now forgotten most of what she learned, and much of it requires some recall before she can recall it. (Nine)

Vivian's original plan was to smoothly transition to a purely clerical job after her term of service ended, but ever since she was assigned to Sister Haida's squad, high-threat field incidents have been coming one after another, almost non-stop.

At the current rate at which she's accumulating merits, if things continue like this, she might be promoted to supervisor in a few years, at which point switching to an office job will be nothing but wishful thinking... Life is truly unpredictable.

Upon hearing Vivian's question, Syldia lowered her head slightly, seemingly unsure which part of history she was more interested in. (Part Three)

After a few breaths, she slowly spoke.

“Everything. Miss Vivian, please tell me everything you know.”

Gazing into the clear, azure eyes of this nobleman from Heir, Vivian could clearly sense the solemnity in his expression. Therefore, she did not refuse, and after a moment, she began to succinctly recount the modern history found in the Hunter's documents.

"After the Lost Age, most cults were in a broken 'reset' state. A large number of mystical arts were lost and difficult to find. The White Cup was the most severely affected, having lost almost everything. Whether it was their exquisite craftsmanship comparable to that of the Sunforge Cult, or their intangible arts of dreams and memories, a large part of them were completely erased."

"However, by reverse engineering the recovered artifacts, they slowly reversed the tide. Here, we must mention Whitecup's headmaster, Grantham Isaac; without him, the process probably wouldn't have been so smooth..."

Since Ms. Shitia said she wanted to know "the whole thing," Vivian had no choice but to recount the entire history as she knew it from the beginning. However, the content wasn't overwhelming; overly detailed or controversial parts could be glossed over briefly, just enough for her to grasp the general situation.