The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 265

Along the way, besides the ghouls formed from criminals and experimental subjects, there were also many corrupted members of the Dark Guard. Most of them were highly skilled in combat and seemed to carry some kind of mission from their previous lives, acting with unwavering efficiency and decisiveness.

"Snap-"

Dodging a dagger that grazed his neck, Haida swiftly sliced ​​through the body of the operative before her with a single stroke, along with the blade he was about to thrust out. Even as a vile ghost, he had not forgotten the skills he had honed day and night in his previous life.

For some reason, the nun had a strange feeling that she was fighting against the living.

Finally, after breaking through the encirclement, the group arrived at the execution ground deep in the dungeon, used to execute criminals and those infected with the filth... They could see a corrupted person, also wearing the leather robe of a dark executor, standing silently in the center.

However, his aura was more profound and deep, and his blood-red eyes revealed an almost icy ferocity.

Based on the information gleaned from previous documents and notes, the identity of this executor is now clear... the leader of the Dark Side, "Abyss Guardian" Hynir. In the final moments of his life, he seemed to spontaneously dedicate himself to protecting someone.

Did they fulfill their mission successfully, or did they fail miserably? The answer remains unknown. But what is known now is that Hainir and his comrades have fallen into depravity and are deeply mired in filth.

The flying blade came silently and with a sharp edge, but Haida blocked it with her power sword.

While completing the feint, Heiner did not immediately close the distance to launch an attack. Instead, he deftly retreated, placing himself in a relatively safe position where it was easy to observe his weaknesses.

Just then, the corpse-like executioners of the Dark Guard around them slowly rose to their feet, fueled by the filth. They were clad in armor and wielded long-handled axes used to pierce armor and decapitate criminals, yet their movements showed no sign of slowing down.

"Encirclement and annihilation tactics...that feel so familiar."

Haida let out a barely perceptible sigh, then quickly looked around to confirm the distribution of the surrounding enemies.

When facing stronger individual evil offspring, the Hunters' purge forces often employ this tactic. Like a pack of wolves or hyenas hunting a lone lion, they primarily engage in standoffs, feints, and harassment to gradually weaken their opponent.

I never imagined that one day I would become the target of the "hunting".

“Break through head-on, Sister. I’ll handle the executors around us.”

The black knight's voice rang out, and at the same time, the long-handled axe blade in the hand of the executioner's transformed demon fell. He struggled to block this powerful blow, and the clanging of metal echoed throughout the execution ground.

"Ah."

Haida nodded slightly, then cast aside her reservations and turned her back to the other person.

Of course, even if the Black Knight hadn't come to her aid... the nun would still have chosen to break through head-on. Her individual abilities were enough to offset the numerical disadvantage, and the enemy's encirclement, devoid of firearms, was completely ineffective in restraining her.

All Haida had to do was "behead" him.

With a swift stomp of her hunting boots, she appeared beside Hainir in a flash. Facing the power sword slashing down from the nun's hand, he didn't flinch. Instead, he met the attack head-on with his own dagger.

Whether in terms of his own strength or the killing range of his weapon, Hynir was undoubtedly at a disadvantage. If this blow landed, he would probably be sliced ​​open from head to toe, cut in two.

But then an executioner hiding in the shadows behind Heinil appeared, using his long-handled axe and his body to block the blade of the power sword "Nirvana"... at the cost of being cut in half at the waist.

Comrades who volunteered to be weapons... such precious loyalty. In an instant, a strange feeling flashed through Haida's mind like a flash of inspiration.

The Abyss Guardian's dagger was already close to her chest.

"Pong!"

The blazing light suddenly appeared, as bright as a flame.

Although the first sword strike missed, the ceremonial sword "Pseudo-Sun," which was Sigrid's creation, immediately unleashed a wave of flames that completely engulfed Hainir. The primordial sun's spiritual essence intensely scorched the impurities within his body, then burned away his constantly healing flesh and blood.

A few breaths later, the filth inside Hainier could no longer withstand the burning, and he collapsed almost completely.

As the flames subsided, gray-black smoke lingered around him, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

Lily stepped forward and began purifying the soul of the leader of the Dark Guard. Meanwhile, Hynir seemed to sense a familiar aura and power; he struggled to lift his head and look at the young, white-haired priestess before him.

"White Witch, you're alright...it's all good now..."

The moment Zhu saw Lily, a hint of relief appeared in his cold eyes.

The executioners of the shadows live in the shadows and twilight, or in dark underground prisons. They are never allowed to step into the daylight. The world hates them, despises them, and fears them.

The young white witch who came to this place didn't care about any of this.

In the rain of death, she rescued her colleagues in Hynir, who were corrupted by filth, and bore the filth they carried, while pleading with the executioners to save the other white witches... In her gaze, the "Abyss Guardian" saw his own reflection.

Perhaps their roles are different, but she, like myself, is someone who has given everything for this country. She is also the last and only hope in the fight against corruption.

With the White Witch by his side, Hainil and his comrades began their desperate escape as they fought off the surging tide of corrupted corpses.

As they drew closer to escaping the dungeon, fewer and fewer people remained around them. They took turns covering the rear, and all those who stayed knew perfectly well what fate awaited them... until finally, Hainir was swallowed up by the endless sea of ​​ghouls.

粶——

-

Chapter 164 Dominating Spirit and Flesh [The Frontier Kingdom]

After purifying the "Abyss Guardian" Hynir, Fran and Lily left the underground prison and, guided by the faint glow of the spring water in their bottle, headed towards the Eastern Border Spring. During their journey, Lily discovered the little white witch that Hynir was protecting.

She collapsed just before reaching the border, having narrowly escaped this hopeless country.

But perhaps this is the ending destined by fate...malicious, ironic, and full of mockery. The secret agents who abandoned everything to protect those they cared for ultimately could not escape death, falling just before reaching their end.

the seventh.

The prayers of the deceased little white priestess flooded into Lily, along with many of her emotions from her lifetime. These included worry for her mother and sisters, bewilderment at the sudden and unexpected rain of death, and guilt towards the executors who had sacrificed their lives to protect her…

There was no fear, nor did she think of "herself." Perhaps every White Witch has become accustomed to dedicating herself and everything to her mission, thus forgetting about gains and losses, or even whether her own life can continue.

They looked at each other in silence; all Lily could do was carry on the wishes and will of each of her older sisters.

But for some reason, she inexplicably felt that her sister Fran was acting strangely. Oh, it was an indescribable state, neither like an anomaly caused by filth nor a sign of a psychological change.

Simply put, Fran's soul and the White Witch's power gave Lily an overwhelming sense of "strength." It was as if she wasn't alone at that moment, but rather a composite entity containing many other souls.

I should talk to her, but perhaps now is not the right time.

Because of the blood ties between the White Witches, Lily trusted Fran almost unconditionally. But even so, she needed to know what the other was doing... As the only remaining White Witch, whatever her sister was carrying, she should share some of her burdens.

A moment later, the group finally arrived at the Border Spring. Zhong

The clear, sparkling spring water gently floated on the ground, like a veil or a silver mirror. Around it grew lotuses, pure white and deep red, intertwined and blooming freely. Amidst the blossoms and leaves, a slender, greyish-white figure quietly awaited the arrival of the newcomer. Q

Even through this illusory image formed of power, one could vaguely sense the weakness and exhaustion of the White Priestess of the Spring. Her body was nearing complete collapse, and the corruption was nearing its end… Though her consciousness remained, the pain in her body increased daily, without a moment's respite.

Whether it was her imagination or not, a faint, gentle smile appeared on Fritilla's blurred face when she saw Lily.

"This is the last one..."

"Mine, purification." (Tug)

She slowly reached out and gently stroked Lily's cheek, wanting to use the last of her remaining strength from the sacred spring at the border to cleanse her daughter's body of impurity. A faint light flickered, enveloping the two of them.

But the next moment, Fridia felt confused.

Lily carries the souls of so many corrupted beings, yet there is no pollution within her own body. She is pure and flawless, like a carefully polished piece of glass.

After confirming that there was no need to help Lily stabilize her condition, Fridia's gaze shifted slightly to the other "daughter" beside her. She possessed unfathomable amber eyes, a deep and restrained aura, and a soul burning with a fiery intensity… unlike any of the others in her memory.

Under the shimmering pure white light, she and Fran established a brief connection on a soul level.

"Who are you?"

Time was limited, so Fridia could only ask her questions as directly as possible.

For Fran, this was probably the first time she had directly interacted with a patient since starting her rounds. Adhering to her long-standing medical practice, she gave a graceful bow and then began her self-introduction in a rather businesslike tone.

"Although my appearance is somewhat hard to discern, I am a 'doctor' passing through this place. As you can see, I have come to heal the filth and death of this borderland. Hmm... you can call me Fran."

The doctor spoke naturally and fluently, probably because he had to go through similar procedures every time he interacted with a patient.

"A white witch from another country or ethnicity? Or perhaps..."

Many speculations circulated, but Fridia did not delve further into the matter.

She no longer had the time to get an answer from the other party.

"If you can, please take my child away. This country has no hope left, and it no longer needs saving. Both she and you should live freely...unbound by a fate burdened with filth."

"This filth is something I brought upon myself, and none of you should bear the burden of it..."

After speaking, Fritilla's last remaining power in the border spring vanished completely. Her illusory image also slowly faded away until it completely disappeared.

Feeling the warmth and encouragement from her mother, Lily's previously chaotic emotions were calmed.

Perhaps her mother didn't want her to go find her, but saving her was her and her sisters' wish, and also the goal that had led her all this way. Giving up now, leaving, preserving the last vestiges of hope and embers... perhaps that was the right thing to do.

But Lily already carries the hopes and wishes of too many people.

Hynil, who risked his life to protect the White Witch; the wolf knight waiting for his return in the snow-covered flower field; Elaine, the Black Witch, who poured her heart and soul into alleviating her mother's pain; her sisters... and all those who did not give up hope until the very last moment.

At this moment, she resolved to completely break this endless cycle of tragedy.

Or perhaps, this is simply a child's most sincere wish to save his family... without any further rhetoric or embellishment.

Clutching the pendant adorned with four protective treasures on her chest, Lily looked at Fran, her deep blue eyes revealing a determination and unwavering resolve beyond her years.

Although she didn't say anything, Lily's expression made it clear that she wouldn't leave.

Even if doing so would disappoint my mother.

Looking at Lily in front of him, Fran couldn't help but smile slightly, a strange sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection) creeping in. The more chaotic and dangerous the place, the earlier the children mature; perhaps there is no more effective teacher in this world than "cruel reality."

This is probably because its only challenge is "survival," and once someone is eliminated, they no longer have the opportunity to try again.

“Since Lily hasn’t changed her mind, let’s stick to what we agreed on and keep going until the end. The forbidden zone and the White Witch of the Spring are both below the border… We’re getting close to our destination.”

-

Arriving at the underground forbidden zone via the spiral staircase, Fran's amber eyes gleamed subtly. It was as if some long-suppressed, fervent emotion was finally about to be released... The closer he got to Fridia's location, the stronger the throbbing became.

The doctor had been preparing for this country filled with the dead for too long, and he was visibly getting restless.

Long before that, Fran had made house calls in a world in the Warhammer universe where war was raging, healing wounded soldiers and ordinary civilians there, which gave her a strange sense of absurdity... She herself had mentioned this before.

It's like treating a fish scalded in boiling oil. Even if they are spared for a short time, death will inevitably come in the near future. Sooner or later, what is prolonged is not only life, but also suffering.

Even so, no one gave up the struggle; everyone was doing everything they could to survive.

The borderlands... are more like graveyards. The living are gone, leaving only rotting corpses that can move. This also makes Fran somewhat hesitant to proceed; even for her, healing death is a tricky task.

Within the restricted area, the concentration and activity of the filth were far higher than anywhere outside. A dense, poisonous fog, composed of five corrosive particles, had formed, lingering like a miasma. To ensure freedom of movement, Fran slightly closed his hands, unleashing [Dust and Impurity Removal] to envelop everyone around him.

Normally, to move around freely in the restricted area, one needs a "mask of heretics," a protective device developed by Phiten, the leader of the National Magicians' Guild, which can filter out harmful particles in the air to a great extent.

However, its appearance is a little... well... hard to describe.

Like a mask prepared for a prisoner about to be hanged or a guy planning a bank robbery, Fran really didn't appreciate it. Of course, mainly because there was only one, making it difficult to distribute.

The forbidden zone was once the territory of an ancient people, and thus many of their old passageways remain. The National Magicians' Guild also constructed many new passageways and functional rooms here to facilitate the transport of supplies, equipment, and experimental subjects during their research on the Impurities.

Transparent cells for observing drug reactions, laboratories for facilitating surgical dissections, and containment cells for imprisoning the undead. Even now, stepping inside, one can still hear the agonizing sounds of the impure creatures struggling and howling.

Both Lily and Haida are now quite familiar with the process of cleaning and purifying the undead, and there is no need to elaborate on the process of advancing deeper into the realm of undead.

After a long time, Fran found the last piece of the puzzle she was missing in a metal cage in a restricted laboratory. Even though maintaining the "Dust Removal" state for so long had made her slightly tired, a slight smile couldn't help but appear on her lips.

That was the eighth little white witch to die, and also the last one.

After using the [Crown Thief] to take her soul, the doctor let out a long breath, a sense of indescribable accomplishment welling up within her. She could hardly wait to begin the final treatment.

Just then, Lily gently tugged at Fran's sleeve.

She could clearly sense that Fran was surrounded by the pure white spirits of all her other sisters. And they were almost identical to her in appearance and aura, except for Fran.

　SOOsUo group▲:[∪〗／泣＊”【⊙-〉馓娰（〉 Now, it's time for Lily to seek answers from the "sister" who has been with her all this time.

We are not truly human, are we?

We come from this laboratory, from the fragmented soul of our mother, and from the research on "artificial life forms"...

Fran understood Lily's confusion, and she couldn't help but raise her hand to stroke the little witch's head before confirming her guess.

"Yes."

“All young white priestesses are creations modeled after the White Priestess of the Spring, ‘Fridia.’ However, there is no need to doubt whether you are human… Since the soul exists, this is naturally beyond question.”

Lily tilted her head slightly, looking directly into Fran's eyes.

Based on her previous observations, the memories of the corrupted individuals, and numerous notes, even though she hadn't yet completely confirmed her conjectures, she already had a general understanding of the truth. Therefore, she didn't show any surprise when she received the answer from Fran.

What she really cared about was another issue.

And what about you, sister?

"Me..." Upon hearing this, Fran lightly touched his lower lip with his index finger, seemingly considering how to answer Lily.

“You can think of me as a white witch who happens to be passing through this place, Lily. However, I am more widely known as a ‘doctor.’ Like you, I also have duties that I must fulfill.”

"This is a long-term medical mission, and the patient in need of healing is the White Priestess of the Spring... or rather, the entire borderland."