The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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Furthermore, the sky above this borderland is shrouded in a cloud of filth, obscuring daylight and maintaining a somber, depressing atmosphere day and night. The craftswoman is also unable to draw upon any additional spiritual energy from the outside world… and thus has no spare capacity to create additional explosive arrows.

Once Sigrid retrieved the dissipated primordial solar essence, the incandescent light gradually faded away.

Lily then stepped forward to purify the soul of the Magician of Fungi, which was trapped within the carbonized corpse. Since most of the filth contained within had been burned away, the purification process became quite easy.

The young white witch gently closed her eyes, and memories of the fungus magician flooded her mind.

Melville, the name of this magician. To save his critically ill lover, he traveled to a distant land beyond the borders in search of a cure. Anxiety, worry, longing… one sleepless night after another spent far from home.

After completing his studies, and with a burning desire to return home, Melville finally went back to his homeland. He was about to see the lover who had haunted his dreams.

At that time, filth and death will fall like rain.

"Just a little bit more... and I'll see her..."

As the soft, reluctant murmurs faded from Lily's ears, her soul was also freed from the shackles of filth.

"It's time for us to leave."

The Black Knight's reminder snapped Lily out of her daze, and the group then began to delve deeper into the Mage's Association.

This area is naturally low-lying, with most of the facilities embedded underground. Therefore, it was immediately flooded when the "rain of death" fell, and even today, the cascading water is still visible everywhere. There is still a long way to go; it's not advisable to linger here too long.

……

Inside the Magicians' Guild, in a room surrounded by a profusion of flowers.

A witch-like corrupted being stood silently within, her gaze empty and profound, with faint traces of thick blood and tears visible on her cheeks. Because she was indoors, Haida did not use the crossbow "Black Rose" this time.

Besides saving explosives, the reason for the explosion was that this was inside the Mage's Association building, and a violent explosion could cause structural collapse.

Perhaps because she was already suffering from a serious illness and on her deathbed before her death, she was not powerful after becoming an undead. However, her magic that controlled the wind and flowers still caused Heda some trouble... though not particularly troublesome.

When the nun's power sword pierced his body, the battle, which was not much of a suspense, came to an end.

As Lily cleanses the filth that clung to her soul, the thoughts of the Flower Witch also emerge.

"Melville...where are you?"

With tears welling up in her eyes, she murmured almost sobbingly.

Loneliness, waiting, and a lingering concern and longing identical to that of the magician from before. The two were so close, yet their steps faltered at the final moment before they could meet.

Fate and life are separated forever, and lovers who miss each other are like parallel threads, untouchable.

Looking at the corpse before him, longing for the return of his lover, Fran pursed his thin lips, his amber eyes subtly shifting.

In the silence, a feeling of "dissatisfaction" was quietly building up...

This doctor always had two things to say: death and old age.

Firstly, her invitation was rejected. Secondly, she witnessed a tragic ending filled with regret and resentment. The scene before her eyes urged her to put the preparations for the final treatment on the agenda as soon as possible.

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soup!

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Chapter 158 The Black Witch [The Frontier Kingdom]

The interior of the Mage's Association was flooded by the torrential rain caused by the filth. Although the water level had dropped somewhat due to the operation of the large barrier and drainage system, most of the floor was still covered with shallow puddles, and one would inevitably get their shoes and socks wet when wading through them.

The amulet on Lily's necklace contains a barrier magic that can repel water flow, so there's no need to worry about that.

Although Fran also possessed a White Witch's amulet, it did not have a similar barrier.

While activating [Dispelling Dust and Impurities] throughout could achieve a similar effect, it would consume a significant amount of spiritual energy, especially given her current physical condition... Unless absolutely necessary, it would be much more time-efficient and less strenuous for Sister Haida to carry her.

The nun wore the standard hunting boots of a funeral maid, waterproof and dustproof, suitable for traversing complex wasteland terrain. Moreover, she could even steadily carry Fran with one hand while holding a weapon in the other... so she wouldn't be unable to deal with even a sudden attack from an undead.

The Magicians' Guild's exploration went smoothly. After the Fungus Magician and the Flower Witch were purified, there were no more undead in the outer area that posed a real threat... Even if an encounter occurred, it would be over within a few breaths.

Through the battles so far, Haida has gained some understanding of the immortal nature of the corrupted.

Although they can recover from any physical trauma they suffer, self-healing and regeneration take time. Quickly destroying their physical structure can directly deprive them of their mobility, thus eliminating their threat.

8. "Okay, Haida, put me down now."

After passing through the flooded area filled with deep pools, Fran coughed lightly as a reminder.

Although the doctor didn't object to this convenient and quick way of moving, Lily was right beside her, and even she felt a little embarrassed to be held in one arm like that all the time... As the "older sister" of the same White Witch, she still had to maintain the necessary decorum.

"Ah."

After speaking six words, Haida slowly bent down and put Fran down.

The ground here was still submerged, with a thin layer of water covering the stone slabs. The doctor lowered his foot to test the depth, and only stepped on it with peace of mind after confirming that it wouldn't submerge the soles of his Mary Jane shoes.

We need to find a way to recreate the Magic Association's lightweight and close-fitting barrier magic... otherwise, it's too easy to get dirty while moving around in these damp ruins, and it's also a hassle to clean ourselves up.

Along the way, Fran collected several research notes on foreign magic, as well as a stone tablet recording the method of making the protective treasures of an ancient people. The owner of the notes was the dark witch "Elaine," who controlled the Mage's Association.

As the group arrived at a spacious hall free of any evil spirits, Fran finally found a moment to carefully study her research notes. She lifted the hem of her skirt and slowly sat down on a rectangular stone cabinet on one side of the hall.

"Hmm... As expected, the magic of foreign lands on the border is mainly characterized by the energy manipulation system. It manipulates and drives energy bodies and autonomously shapes their forms. The direct destructive power is considerable, but it lacks versatility across multiple fields."

"To be able to construct such intricate barrier magic within the limitations of her own spellcasting system, this dark witch 'Elaine' is indeed quite talented. However, the information I have is not enough to reproduce it... It would be best to meet her in person."

Fran put the paper documents back into her medicine box and then turned her attention to the remaining ancient stone slabs.

The language used in the borderlands is close to a common language, so the group can communicate without much difficulty. However, the languages ​​of ancient peoples are obscure and archaic, similar to the cuneiform script of the Sumerian language family... Without basic reference documents, the work of deciphering them will become extremely difficult.

Even Fran could not fully comprehend a completely unknown language in a short period of time. Although her spiritual enlightenment could help her understand some of the meanings, it was, after all, a "revelation" at the level of psychic knowledge, too vague and unclear to serve as actual evidence.

"If needed, I can help you decipher the contents of the stone tablet."

Seeing the white witch staring at the inscriptions on the ancient stone tablet, the black knight, who had remained silent, finally spoke.

"Well... then I'll trouble you."

Fran handed him the stone tablet, then took the ceremonial sword "False Sun" from his waist and had Sigrid materialize into human form to join the research. The craftswoman was quite interested in the foreign land's knowledge of casting and naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity to learn more.

Upon hearing the Black Knight's words, Lily's eyes flickered slightly, and she looked at the immortal contractor who had been with her all this time.

The knight is fluent in the language of an ancient people... which means he has some connection to the existence of an ancient people?

Or perhaps, he himself is a member of an ancient people.

Doubts and speculations flickered across her mind. Of course, this didn't affect the trust between Lily and the Black Knight. From the very beginning of her awakening, facing this desolate world deeply corrupted by filth… only he remained by her side. Cleansing the path ahead, purifying the filth, never abandoning her.

In a sense, she and the knight were already in sync.

This ancient stone tablet primarily explains the operating principles of the spells within the "Guardian Artifacts" and the energy-supplying materials required, falling within Sigrid's area of ​​expertise. After the Black Knight's meticulous analysis, she quickly mastered it completely.

After enjoying a month-long course in common sense about the dark age of technology taught by Dr. Fran and Ms. Tinuville, Miss Craftswoman's learning ability has undergone a qualitative leap.

For her now, understanding an ancient stone slab that has been deciphered is no challenge at all; it's almost like an appetizer.

"The preliminary work is basically complete. Now... let's go meet that dark witch from the Magicians' Association." Qi

As he spoke, Fran, with light steps, began to venture further into the deepest part of the forest structure from the stone platform.

... Filter

A deep pool formed by the convergence of accumulated water, laboratories filled with specialized instruments and scriptures, and various areas, including an undamaged magically woven hanging ladder… The Mage's Association's terrain was already complex, but the structural damage caused by the Rain of Death exacerbated this. (See below)

If it weren't for the large-scale protective magic within the facility, all that would remain now would be a completely submerged underwater ruin.

After a rather arduous journey, Fran finally arrived at the location of the Dark Witch, Elaine.

It was a central hall located deep beneath the Mage's Association, its pillars towering and imposing. Dark purple candlelight flickered in the gentle breeze, casting a somber and oppressive glow.

A woman wearing a wizard's pointed hat and a black robe lay curled up in the center of the shallow pool, her long, ink-black hair dipping into the water and spreading out like silken threads. At this moment, her eyes were slightly closed, as if she were in the midst of a sweet dream.

But soon, the presence of the living awakened her.

Ripples spread across the pool, and a transparent current rose with the waves. The dark witch "Elaine" also opened her crimson eyes, which were tainted by filth.

"It seems that this is Elaine, the Dark Witch of the Mage's Association."

A corrupting aura rose and swelled, but Fran seemed unconcerned, observing with interest the witch who had been deeply corrupted before her.

With Heda and Sigrid by her side, she didn't need to fight personally. All she had to do was find a safe spot to lie down. She could comfortably start slacking off... Of course, if any special circumstances arose, she wouldn't mind offering a little help.

A sudden gust of wind swirled, surging up along with the counter-current pool water.

Elaine's figure then hovered in mid-air, her long, dark hair now resembling tentacles due to the corruption, wrapped around a strange, withered staff, as if it were an extension of her limbs.

As the witch cast her spell in mid-air, dozens of magical energy projectiles, shimmering with filthy light, appeared and shot straight at Heda, who was approaching at top speed.

Lily also manifested the spirit of the Black Knight, closely following the nun and maintaining a coordinated offensive.

As a young and slender girl, she certainly couldn't keep up with Heda's pace. But the "Reaching for the Moon" ability that Fran lent her could make up for this shortcoming to some extent. This chain could stick to the wall and use the force of deformation to pull the wearer to move quickly.

“Thump! Thump! Thump!” Jiu. 〃〗樲私叁/参∠◎〕仲⊥ˉQun:

Haida parried the power sword "Nirvana" in her hand, deflecting the dozens of energy-converting projectiles with a blocking motion. The projectiles exploded the instant they touched the sword, and the impact caused ripples to spread across the pool beneath the nun's feet.

Phew... Directly withstanding the energy manipulation magic was indeed a bit of a stretch, but the power was still within an acceptable range. My arm was only slightly numb and there were no other adverse effects.

Haida quickly assessed her current state, then evaluated and judged the battle situation. Speaking of which, hunting spellcasters who wielded invisible magic was also the Funeral Maid's forte... The current situation could be considered a perfect fit for her profession.

Immediately, the nun began to execute her most familiar and effective tactical plan.

This means using mobility to quickly cut in front of the enemy and then decapitate them or damage their spine and torso.

Just now, Haida blocked Elaine's energy-generating bullet, and Lily behind her, driving the black knight, took advantage of the opening to leap forward and slash at the witch with the cracked black broken sword in her hand.

She lightly waved the withered branch staff in her hand, and in a flash, she appeared on the other side. Dozens of blade-shaped magic stones, accompanied by a sharp whirlwind, were ready to be fired, aiming at Lily, who was still in the air and had nowhere to dodge.

Under normal circumstances, Lily would probably have had to rely on her magical barrier to barely withstand the attack. But now, she was quite skilled at using [Reaching for the Moon], and with the burst of chains, she was pulled to the side pillar in the blink of an eye.

The sharp, piercing sound swept past her ears like a knife; by the slightest margin, Lily narrowly avoided the blade and the magic gravel.

"Spells that can change one's position, like blinking..."

Haida's gaze narrowed slightly as she fell into deep thought.

If her opponent were an ordinary spellcaster, she could easily force them to use the spell frequently by closing in on them, thus depleting their spiritual energy. But the Dark Witch Elaine was already a corrupted corpse, her power derived from the almost inexhaustible filth within her body.

If the battle becomes a stalemate, one will be the first to fall into a disadvantage due to the continuous depletion of physical strength.

Thinking of this, Haida glanced at the black knight beside her.

"Block the direction she might be flashing and launch a coordinated attack."

"Hmm," the black knight replied in a deep voice.

Due to their tacit understanding at the tactical level, he could understand the nun's thoughts at this moment without needing to explain.

After regrouping, the two attacked Elaine from different directions, while Lily prepared to unleash the spirit of the old warrior Grote.

But unexpectedly... the Dark Witch did not use Blink to create distance again this time.

Before anyone knew it, the withered wooden staff she used for her spells had appeared in Fran's hands. The doctor, with a warm and approachable smile, showed the still bewildered Elaine the trophy he had just taken.

The next moment, Haida's power sword "Nirvana" and the Black Knight's cracked blade came hurtling towards them.

Elaine's chest was pierced straight through, and rotten blood and thick fluid gushed out like a torrent, her magic also dissipating in near collapse.

As the blade was withdrawn from her body, the witch collapsed, limp and powerless. A fleeting thought, shrouded in filth, flashed through her mind, and in her final moments, her vision, which had been shrouded in darkness, gradually cleared.

What came into view was Lily, who was already standing in front of him.

"Warm light... Is that you there?"

Relief, relief, and a sense of calm all combined.

For Elaine, who gave everything, including her life, to protect the White Witch of the Spring, knowing that she was still safe and well before her own end was the greatest comfort.

A pure white glimmer emerged from Lily's hand as she gently stroked the dark witch's cheek, beginning to cleanse her of impurities.

As the soul broke free from the filth and decay of the corpse and returned to purity, the memories of the Dark Witch Elaine also appeared in Lily's mind at this moment.

……

Elaine, renowned as a genius, has lived under the immense pressure of loneliness and the expectations of others since childhood. Her inner world is dark and suffocating; there is no one to confide in, no one to understand, no light or sound. It's as if she's drowning in a deep pool, about to exhaust even the last breath in her lungs.

Just as her tormented soul was about to collapse, the White Priestess of the Spring, "Fridia," came to her side.

That was Elaine's first and only friend.

It was like the bright daylight shining through the gloomy clouds, or a warm arm pulling her out of the deep pool.

After that, the dark witch devoted herself to research on the filth. Even if she couldn't eradicate it, she wanted to at least alleviate Friedia's suffering and burden, and ensure her safety.