The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 269

Of course, Fran was not worried about his whereabouts being discovered or him being assassinated or ambushed.

This doctor dislikes pointless, self-inflicted trouble, but if a sufficiently interesting surprise comes her way, she'll gladly accept it and handle it cheerfully in her own way. After all, the unexpected is part of life, and she quite enjoys this change.

However, due to the existence of the [Fog Within the Door], tracking down her would likely require a tremendous investment of time, resources, and energy, and the outcome would usually not be particularly pleasant...

Luya quickly drafted a paper reply.

With a few light, graceful hooves, her figure gradually faded and disappeared into the dream. Out of dedication to her mission as a messenger, she suppressed her longing for her bed and blankets, and prepared to set off to reply to the inchworm.

As she left, the stable dreamscape around her gradually became disordered and blurred, returning to a hazy and tranquil darkness.

Fran then draped herself back under the silk summer quilt and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, trying to recover from the fatigue left over from her previous clinic visit in the borderland. Of course, she might not actually be that tired; it was probably just a ritualistic self-reward after completing the visit.

……

The following day, Foyport, Black Sea Tavern.

In fact, this is the best-selling beverage and food establishment in the entire Foy Harbor. Both the rum and draft beer are of exceptional quality, and the reputation for both quality and price is well-deserved. From dockworkers and office workers to even pirates, everyone is willing to come here to spend their hard-earned wages.

This is probably because the first thing Captain Niflår did after becoming an honorary professor of the White Cup Order was to ask Grantham for their excellent and highly refined winemaking techniques...

Even in brewing, the researchers at White Cup maintain a rigorous and high standard of taste. The beer they produce is worlds apart from the unlimited supply of near-expiry sour beer at the docks. You can feel the difference just by smelling it, let alone tasting it.

"Dr. Fran's scheduled meeting was the very next day after we received the news. That's incredibly fast. I thought it would take at least a week to get there."

With a hint of surprise, Niflüe sighed to Utus beside him.

"It's probably because she's already in Foy. It's quite a distance from Mordway, and neither the main forces of the Gallonson Royal Court nor the Star Abyss Society are here. Although it's still within their sphere of influence, the impact is ultimately smaller."

Utus took a sip of the golden-yellow falcha rum in his hand, a hint of contentment on his face.

As a marine studies professor who resides in Norrington year-round, he has had considerable interaction with the Mystics. Whether hunters or healers, they are all extremely efficient and decisive, never hesitant and possessing exceptional execution skills.

For those who hunt secrets, "time is life" is not merely a moral proverb, but a practically binding code of conduct. Any careless action or incomplete execution could lead to the death of a colleague.

After a short wait, the midday sun grew increasingly intense, eventually reaching its zenith.

Just then, Fran pushed open the wooden louvered door of the tavern and stepped into the slightly noisy crowd. Generally, evening and late at night are the busiest times for the Black Sea Tavern, but this place was still nearly full, bustling with customers.

It seems the residents of Foy City are highly adaptable to dangerous events, almost as if they've forgotten the horrific gunfight that occurred there previously… perhaps thanks to the White Cup Order's expertise in such aftermath and crisis management.

Just as the tavern waitress was about to approach Fran, Utus stepped forward and took over the service.

After all, a well-dressed female doctor appearing in the Black Sea Tavern would indeed be quite conspicuous, and he didn't want some of the drunken patrons with muddled minds to cause trouble. However, this wasn't so much to protect Dr. Fran… but more for the safety of the other patrons.

Utus had several encounters with her in Norrington and knew that this doctor was far from being just an ordinary Hunter's coroner.

"Good day, Professor Utus." Lu

Upon seeing Utus approach, Fran greeted him with his usual business-like smile.

"Good day, Dr. Fran. May the thoughts of the pure white cup flow endlessly. Please come with me; Mr. Niffield is waiting for you in the inner drawing room."

After passing through the tavern's main hall and internal corridors, the two quickly arrived at Niflöhr's reception room.

Nifl put down his meerschaum pipe, the tobacco of which was almost burned out, and looked at the doctor who had entered the room. Time had etched countless deep wrinkles on his face, but his eyes remained as sharp as ever, like those of a hawk watching over the movements of a school of fish.

"Although this isn't our first meeting, it's the first formal meeting like today. I wonder if Dr. Fran prefers tea or wine?"

“Since we’re in the Black Sea Tavern, I’m naturally more inclined to drink. Manager Bartley is fascinated by the drinks here, so there must be something special about them.”

Fran settled gracefully onto the leather sofa opposite Niflöll, his expression natural and relaxed, responding fluently to Niflöll's questions. It was as if he wasn't a first-timer, but a regular customer.

“Very good. I personally prefer dealing with people who can tolerate alcohol to those white-glass drinkers. Of course, even if Dr. Fran really doesn’t drink at all, I can understand.”

After all, the nerves of someone who drinks excessively over a long period are in a state of dullness and numbness, while for a surgeon, the coordination and stability of the fingers are indispensable. Who would want someone whose hands shake like a sieve to operate on their stomach?

As he spoke, Niflü took a bottle of white wine from the Morien Harp Estate from his wine cabinet, filled it to a quarter full, and pushed it toward Fran. His action caused Utus's eyes to twitch slightly, and a complex look appeared in his eyes.

Erxianle Manor is really generous... I remember the old man said last time that there was not a single bottle left, yet there is still stock?

Most white wines don't need to be "awakened" by aging and can be drunk straight, although they taste even better when chilled. Fran picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and then gave his assessment.

The Harp Estate wine, aged for about eight years, is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It seems Mr. Niffield has a great understanding of wine collecting.

"Hey, just some hobbies from my early years."

4 Upon hearing this, Niflår gained a deeper understanding of the doctor.

The last guy who could tell you the vintage and origin just by tasting it was Grantham… Nifl even suspected that the old guy was cheating with some kind of white glass magic, until one day he discovered that he couldn’t even outdrink him.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Niflår. I think that besides the 'academic exchange' mentioned in your letter, you summoned me for something more important... right?"

After taking another small sip of his drink, Fran steered the conversation back on track.

"That's exactly right."

Clearly, Niflår didn't enjoy unnecessary small talk either. Seeing that she was getting to the point, he also quite swiftly began to explain his purpose.

"According to Utus, you appeared in the secret realm [Huayan Flower Garden] with a noblewoman from the Abyss Sea while exploring the Fallen City. I want to know where she is now, and whether she is being pursued by the Star Abyss Society?"

"If possible, please let me see her. This is my only wish in this life."

Upon hearing this, Fran did not respond directly, but instead raised his own question.

"Bringing Shitia here wouldn't be difficult, it would only take a few minutes. But Mr. Niflöll... what is your reason for wanting to see her?"

She was curious as to why this old captain, who had surveyed the deep sea for countless years, was so obsessed with the remnants of the Heil race. It was probably related to some extraordinary qualities he and Professor Utus possessed…

“The reason is simple, Dr. Fran. Because I am also a Heil, just like Utus.”

Niflü did not hide this from him, and answered readily and decisively.

“However, we are not ‘nobles’. Perhaps you already know this, or perhaps you don’t, so let me explain briefly… Ordinary Hail are creations of the nobles, not their offspring. The relationship between them is one of superiors and inferiors.”

"But in any case, we are still connected by blood."

As he spoke, a bluish-green scale-like light appeared on his arms, the corners of his eyes, and his cheeks, and the spirituality derived from the moon and the tide quietly emerged.

Nifl's ability to conceal his presence is extremely sophisticated; without him deliberately revealing himself, it is difficult to discern his true nature from any angle of observation.

Even Fran, without disassembling him, only felt a slight "strangeness".

"I see."

Fran nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

For the Star Abyss Society and the Royal Court of Gaelonsen, the remaining six Hai'il could be considered "remnants." And Niflü's self-disclosure of his identity, hidden for countless years, was undoubtedly a way for him to demonstrate his sincerity.

“In that case, I will bring Shiodia. But before that… there are a few things I would like to know.”

"Please ask, Dr. Fran."

Seeing Fran agree, Niflü breathed a long sigh of relief, as if years of pent-up emotions had dissipated. As for whether he had to answer a few more questions, he didn't care at all.

"It's not particularly hard to understand why a 'creator' would want to meet its former 'creator.' But besides that, are you perhaps after something else? For example, do you want to uncover the truth behind the war that ended it all, or do you want to ask the nobles for a longer life?"

Fran's final question was direct and sharp, without any attempt to avoid the subject.

After all, the older a person gets, the more trapped they are by the years, and the more easily they fear death... thus pursuing the continuation of life at all costs.

While it might be somewhat impolite to speculate about Niflöller's thoughts in this way, Fran, as a highly professional doctor, never shied away from such sensitive topics. She preferred to obtain the most authentic psychological state of her patients.

"Extend my life? Oh, so you're implying I'm getting old... I don't really care how long I live, as long as I don't die before Grantham. Those two old vampires from the Moon's Blessing certainly won't outlive me, so I won't compete with them."

Upon hearing this, Niflü curled her lip in disdain.

"As for the 'true purpose' of meeting with the nobles, it is related to a research project of the Star Abyss Society that has continued since the beginning of the millennium. I want to know if the creators of the past have a way... to prevent those Tide Listeners, who are increasingly obsessed with playing with corpses, from dragging the whole of Gormouth into destruction."

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soup!

Chapter 169 Compatriots and Family

"Oh?"

Nifl's words piqued Fran's interest somewhat, but she was still unaware of the extent of the captain's knowledge of the Star Abyss Society's research. Therefore, she remained calm and naturally continued his train of thought.

“‘Playing with corpses’ and ‘destruction’… Mr. Niflår, please elaborate on this part. I am quite interested in the research that the Star Abyss Society is currently conducting.”

So said, "Okay."

Since Q needed a favor, Niflöll naturally wouldn't refuse Fran's request. Besides, since he had brought it up himself, he was certainly prepared to continue recounting the whole story.

He picked up the bottle of Harp Estate white wine, poured himself half a glass, and then downed it in a rather rough gulp. Perhaps this would be considered a waste by some wine connoisseurs, but his years of life at sea had made him completely indifferent to such things; the only thing he cared about when drinking was whether it was "pleasurable."

"Where to begin? Hmm... more than thirty years ago, I bought a secret nautical chart from an intelligence broker of the Six-Eyed Raven. Although most of the safe navigation charts used by Gormouth now are made by me, the Abyss is so vast that there are always dangerous areas that I don't know about."

"According to the charts, there might be the ruins of Heyle in an inconspicuous little archipelago, and there are rumors among sailors that they have witnessed ghost ships in the area. So I decided to go and explore..."

The memories of thirty years ago seem distant to the captain, but his narration remains fluent and without the slightest hesitation.

"The Leviathan remained silent and sailed at a low speed, and with the help of a large camouflage relic, we approached the island... But just as we were about to find a suitable place to dock, I witnessed a scene that I still remember vividly."

"That day was a full moon, the time when the evil creatures of the Abyss are most active. But the area around the island was eerily quiet, with no signs of any evil creatures appearing. The beach was full of people, mostly young children, who looked to be no more than twenty years old."

"Their faces were filled with peace and ecstasy as they stepped into the tide one after another, almost like some kind of ritual."

3. Listening to Nifl's description, Fran couldn't help but think of the memoirs of those who witnessed the Scourge in the lost city of Morion. Some of them mentioned that their children seemed to be drawn by some kind of calling, walking into the sea without hesitation until they were completely swallowed by it.

"Was there any attempt to retrieve the person who fell into the water?"

Fran asked with some curiosity.

Compared to eyewitness accounts, a living survivor is far more valuable, and Niflår must have known this. Of course, that was thirty years ago… no one knows what kind of situation the captain was facing.

"Of course. But we didn't get too close at the time to avoid running aground. We were still conducting a water condition survey, so it wouldn't be that fast."

Niflaugh nodded and then continued his story.

"As the Leviathan drew closer to the island, many of the crew heard the song, ethereal, melodious, and captivating. They said they had never heard a more beautiful song since."

"But soon the singing suddenly stopped, and then... the sea began to 'boil'. The evil creatures that had been quietly lurking in the depths of the water revealed themselves, spreading everywhere that could be seen, like kicking open a cockroach nest."

"The evil creatures of the abyss surged onto the beach in a frenzy, devouring those who were waiting to enter the sea. Of course, those who had already entered the sea were even less likely to escape."

Upon hearing this, Fran pursed his lips, slightly disappointed.

For this doctor, personally dissecting a Star Abyss Society test subject was undoubtedly the fastest way to understand their research. However, judging from Nifl's description... it's unlikely that any of these test subjects summoned by the Abyss have survived.

At this point, Niflår changed the subject and began to talk about the "gains" of the trip.

"But most people became broken corpses floating on the sea, but one kid woke up after being bitten on the arm by a 'human-lip worm'. He swam around in the tide and the evil creatures for three or four minutes... until we pulled him out."

"Hey, when he was thrown from the net onto the deck, he was covered in sores, and his left arm was almost ripped off. The reason he didn't die... was because of the protection of his scales."

Just as he finished speaking, Utus lifted his white sailor sleeve, revealing a gruesome, healed tooth mark on his forearm.

“Oh… I see. 腫转:ˇˇ棂∽≌si'↑san↓【瘤si I see. 】”

Fran's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were deep in thought.

There is no doubt that Utus was a survivor of that full moon, perhaps even the only one. However, some unclear details still require further investigation.

"So, the Star Abyss Society is conducting some kind of experiment on that island using Haier's orphans?"

“I’m afraid that’s not the case,” Utus replied.

As a full-fledged professor of marine biology, his expertise in this field clearly surpasses that of Niflår.

"Besides me, the old man also salvaged many other people's remains... Of course, they were all the remains left over from the evil creatures' consumption. Through a brief autopsy, all the deceased were pure humans, without any of the scales or cheek markings of Heir."

"As for whether I am a Heyel orphan who infiltrated the group, or a successful case in the Tide Listener experiment, it is currently impossible to know."

"I've gotten some clues about what the Star Abyss Society is preparing for in recent years. Their research project should be 'biotransformation' that endows humans with the characteristics and spirituality of the Abyss Clan."

"In the past decade or so, they have sometimes secretly captured children and implanted some kind of special influence into them. If the integration is smooth, they are released back into society and integrated into the community. If it fails, they are fed to the evil creatures from the abyss that come ashore during the full moon."

Upon hearing this, Franco's amber eyes flickered slightly, as if he had already made a judgment.

So, the subtle "hidden spirituality" that Haida sensed earlier actually came from all the experimental subjects who participated in the "Hail Transformation." They lived, worked, and reproduced like ordinary people, and then passed on their traits to their offspring.

This experiment, which used the entire Gormouth as a culture medium, may have continued in the shadows for countless generations.

"Dr. Fran, if these secrets are leaked, the Lingchao people and the royal court will send their most elite troops to silence us that very night. I wonder if our sincerity is sufficient?"

　釟wu琪:∝liu→”娰√侕蒐！○SOu: After recounting the past, Niflår's expression relaxed slightly, as if people become fond of reminiscing about the past as they get older.

Next, he wanted to know when the doctor would arrange his formal meeting with the Heyer nobleman.

"of course."

Fran had already agreed, so naturally he wouldn't go back on his word. Besides, Captain Niflår was quite generous in giving him exclusive intelligence, the details of which were meticulous and comprehensive, and there was no attempt to conceal anything.

"Wait a moment, I'll bring her here now."