The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 280

But whenever one speaks with Lady Shitia, it seems that no matter the topic, the conversation inevitably returns to the tragedy of the Heir remnants. (Seven)

Fortunately, as a mythical creature with an ancient lifespan, she possesses a correspondingly strong mental fortitude… and the first course of treatment has already shown initial results, preventing her from sinking into deep sorrow. liu

In this light, the racial relationships among the Heir nobles, as mythical beings, are indeed fascinating and worthy of considerable research. They are interconnected, interdependent, and bound by blood, yet maintain a detached indifference and individual independence.

Unfortunately, Ms. Xitia is now the last noble, otherwise, if there were enough data, Tinuville could use an array of computing power to simulate and calculate the behavioral logic of their entire population.

The voyage across the Sea of ​​Souls shares some similarities with Fran's traversal of the "Mist in the Doorway," both allowing for long-distance travel in a short time. The only difference is that it is slightly more dangerous and less efficient.

After sailing for about a day on the sea of ​​the dead's spirits, the ghostly skeletal ship of Hyle was gradually approaching the cargo port south of Norrington.

"Dr. Fran, we've arrived."

Heda gently shook Fran, who was leaning on her shoulder, and the latter slowly opened and closed his eyelashes, ending this routine of taking a break whenever he could.

Meanwhile, the Funeral Court and White Cup's support forces had been waiting at the harbor for some time. Although the Abyss blocked most communication equipment, the White Cup could still communicate using the transoceanic cables left over from the Lost Age…

Captain Niflöll sent a telegram before setting sail, indicating that his ship would arrive within a day.

"I never thought that I, an old man with half my body buried in the grave, would have a day when I would be out on fieldwork. The guys in the General Affairs Department are getting more and more fanciful."

Master Zoparos sighed, seemingly helpless, but his words contained no hint of complaint, but rather a kind of indescribable excitement.

When he received the assignment, the elderly hunter sorcerer immediately expressed his surprise and dissatisfaction by puffing out his beard and glaring.

However, upon hearing that this trip would allow him to access the ancient secret rituals of the Abyss Familia and gain a deeper understanding of the secret history of the War of Destruction... Zoparos resolutely agreed to obey the assignment, but insisted on having priority access to matters related to the rituals.

Accompanying him were three hunter supervisors: Black Rong, Bartley, and a middle-aged supervisor named "Withered Locust".

In addition, they also led a highly trained elite mopping-up force of 36 men.

Three funeral directors, one master of arcane arts… such a force deployment is enough to rewrite the outcome of a small-scale covert war. The reason the chief hunter hasn't shown up is because he's currently in the quicksand kingdom of Atilan and can't arrive in a short time.

Grantham of the White Cup Order was unfortunately unable to participate in the operation because he had not yet fully recovered from Fran's previous surgery.

In compensation, he dispatched Danfas, the head of the security department at Norrington Central College, and a team of Truth-type external armored demonstrators as aid. The only one not assigned any weapons... was Assistant Instructor Child.

But Danfass obtained temporary access—a special key specific to Childe. This key allowed him to briefly unlock some secret about this lost-age artifact…

It is no exaggeration to say that Assistant Coach Child's strategic value is even greater than the sum of all the members of this team of White Cup Debunkers.

"It's only been a few days, and Niflår is already saying he can get to Norrington. Has he switched careers to fly aircraft? But those things can't fly over the fjords under the stormy seas."

While expressing his doubts, Bartley carefully maintained the "Shark Claw" chainsaw sword in his hands according to the user manual. He cleaned and lubricated the serrated chain with patience, meticulousness, and even gentleness.

"Stop showing off your spoils, Bartley. You're never this devout when you're reciting the 'Dust Order Commandments' every day."

Hei Rong curled his lip and clicked his tongue lightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Ever since Bartley returned to Norrington from Foy to report for duty, he has been showing off this sword almost non-stop. Crucially, its quality is exceptionally good; it can even saw through most conventional weapons in a brief, direct confrontation.

"There's no other way. As the prayer says, 'Only the sword in my hand is my comrade who will never betray me.' Weapon maintenance is just my way of showing respect to my comrades-in-arms according to the customs of the funeral home."

"Oh, I forgot, your weapon 'Death Banyan' seems to have become one with your body. It can probably only be maintained by watering and fertilizing it. Sigh, such a simple maintenance method, I'm truly envious."

"Unlike me, I spent almost a month just studying this mechanical manual, and my hairline has started to recede."

Bartley maintained a slightly irritating smile and made a sarcastic remark.

Compared to the bickering between the two survivors of the Northern Rebellion, Ku Huai was much more silent. He simply stood to one side without uttering a word, his expression revealing a mixture of suppressed emotion and almost impatient fervor.

Kuhuai is a traditional and typical funeral director, fitting all the stereotypes about hunters: paranoia, ruthlessness, silence, and cruelty. (Medical)

Just then, Child suddenly closed his eyes, as if listening. (Lin)

"The ship is approaching... I can hear the sound of the tide."

"The sound of the tide?" (crying)

Danfas looked towards the harbor; the waves calmly continued their ebb and flow, and as far as the eye could see, there wasn't a single ship in sight.

Suddenly, the Heil ghost ship, its keel and mast composed of bones, barnacles, and unknown crystals, burst through the sea, revealing its enormous and majestic form. A nearly transparent wave of spirit energy surged around it, creating twisted, invisible ripples.

"Such a strong sense of alienation, this is a genuine creation of a lost era."

Master Zoparos exhaled, then rubbed his hands together with considerable excitement.

"I thought only the remains of this kind of thing were left in the ruins of Philanes. I never imagined that there would be such a well-made finished product still existing in the world. Oh, even if my heart were to have a heart attack right now, seeing it would make the trip worthwhile..."

As the salt-laden ladder descended, a support force of nearly a hundred men boarded the ghost ship's deck, where they were met by Heda and Shiodia, who were waiting there.

Fran did not show up.

She doesn't like appearing in her usual capacity in crowded places and avoids this situation most of the time. Of course, it's also possible that she simply doesn't want to spend the effort explaining and handing over tasks.

"I believe you all have a good understanding of the purpose of this trip through the mission briefing and related instructions, so I will not go into details."

"If you would like to know any other details, please feel free to ask me."

Haida performed a simple sword-wielding salute, followed by a greeting.

Seeing this, Zoparros nodded. He seemed quite satisfied with the nun's demeanor and tone of voice.

Compared to Yaheng, who is more inclined towards pure weaponry, Haida might be more suitable to lead the Funeral Court. As a hunter's disciple who follows the swordsman, in addition to hunting, one also needs the ability to "govern" this field.

Of course, no one would question the strength, prestige, and determination of this year's chief hunter.

“I am quite interested in some matters, and I would appreciate it if Sister Heda could answer them. Of course, I hope these questions will not offend the lady beside you.”

Zoparros's curiosity about the many strange occurrences and secrets Heda witnessed in Gormouth was already irrepressible.

Mysterious clans originating from the depths of the ocean, ancient rituals of the era of decay, and the bizarre plan that the Star Abyss Society has been secretly advancing since the beginning of a thousand years... No competent esoteric scholar can remain calm in the face of such things.

However, the conversation did not take place directly on the ghost ship's deck. Every moment was precious, and the necessary exchanges could wait until the voyage to take place in the cabin.

As the hunters' purge team and the Exorcists entered the cabin efficiently and systematically, Heil's ghost ship quickly submerged again, sinking into the cold, black tide with transparent ripples of spirit energy.

-

Inside the ghost ship's interior cabins, Franqi met with a man alone. /÷（四ˇ2～≥

It was neither Zoparros, the most senior of these hunters, nor Danfas, the head of the White Team's security department, but Child's assistant instructor.

She had always been interested in the teaching assistant with the body of a doll, but they hadn't had many opportunities to interact, and previous treatments had only been superficial. Now, however, they were about to embark on a day-long ocean voyage, which would be more than enough time for a thorough medical examination.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Dr. Fran."

Upon seeing Fran, Child greeted him warmly. For him, going to sea was a novel and exciting experience, his only regret being that he couldn't go with Professor Terence.

"Yeah, me too."

Fran responded with a light greeting.

The doctor then instructed Child to lie down on the salt bed in the cabin and relax, cooperating with the physical examination... or rather, for him, this should be called "dream divination".

“Teaching Assistant Child, you said last time that you sometimes dream of being in a disaster, with everything around you collapsing, is that right?”

"Yes."

Childe nodded obediently in confirmation.

"Compared to simple building damage or disasters like earthquakes, it's more like a 'collapse' at the level of material form. Tangible things tremble, shatter, and then fall into nothingness in distortion."

"It's like a shattered dream."

Fran nodded slightly upon hearing this, indicating that he understood.

"Then, taking advantage of this moment of leisure, let me try to delve deeper into the analysis of this strange dream revelation..."

Although it was described as a "dream," the doctor was fully aware that the various images appearing in Child's mind were actually leaks from the information storage device. Therefore, what he was seeing were all past events that had actually occurred.

As Luya's glassy hooves lightly touched the ground, Child's consciousness drifted upwards in a daze, and then he fell into a deep sleep.

Fran also quickly began his physical examination process. This included craniotomy, thoracotomy, and abdominal surgery... For ordinary people, this would probably be a bloody process that would make them feel physically uncomfortable.

But beneath Childe's lifelike skin lay countless working mechanical devices and a secret furnace in operation. Even this doctor had to admire the White Cup ancestors' exquisite puppetry skills.

Under limited conditions, they have undoubtedly achieved the pinnacle.

Gears, escapements, oscillating weights—countless intricate metal structures and a mystical array of incantations interlocked, maintaining their smooth operation. Oh, and they even used some form of integrated circuit…

In addition to these basic structures, Child's body also contains several embedded, unknown weapons, likely ancient relics from the Pure White Era. Even Fran could vaguely sense a hidden danger emanating from the spiritual energy contained within them.

In comparison, the sniper rifle that this teaching assistant used most often, which was engraved with "redundant knowledge intrusion," was probably just a kind of "toy."

"No wonder Grantham sent Child to provide support. In some ways, he is the White Cup Order's most lethal war machine. His technology far surpasses that of external armor and other weapons."

After completing the analysis and sketching of the doll's internal structure, Fran rubbed his knuckles with slight excitement, his eyes gradually burning with excitement.

Soon, with Luya's help, she began to peer into Child's dreams and spiritual memories.

-

-

Soup! (Immersed in sipping Torina's nectar)

Chapter 182 The Riddle of Truth

Who is the oldest being in the White Cup Order right now?

If this proposition were asked of any denier, the answer would be "Principal Grantham".

This refutationist, born a thousand years after the beginning of time, led the entire newly formed cult to gradually break free from decadence through his actions and ideals, ultimately allowing the former glory of the Pure White Era to shine once again.

This was a painstaking and arduous process that lasted for more than 500 years... far exceeding the limits of the life of an ordinary high-ranking priest.

But if the question is directed to Grantham, then his answer will be the name "Zeard".

This seemingly young history teaching assistant is a genuine creation of the Lost Age, one of the highest achievements resulting from the fusion of Pure White Era's mechanical technology and puppet mimicry. His existence spans thousands of years, traversing the Pure White Cup's fall into eternal slumber and the end-of-era decay of the Lost Age, right up to the present day.

Child and the dolls of his type are the last sparks created by the White Cup ancestors to record the ancient civilization and history, like living documents, and to continue their existence in the world in place of their impending extinction.

However, due to some technical reasons, his memories are sealed and reset every once in a while. Otherwise, the ever-accumulating redundancy of consciousness would risk dragging down the entire spirit body... which is why he behaves like an ordinary teaching assistant.

Now, Fran's task is to try to peek into Child's ancient memories, which are sealed deep within his spirit, through dreams.

……

"Na."

Luya circled Fran, her hooves moving nimbly as she made a light, quick turn.

It's no wonder she visibly showed excitement. For this mythical creature, the excess consciousness in the dreams of ordinary humanoid beings was probably just a snack. But Child's sealed memories spanned three eras, and the fragments of consciousness and thoughts were unprecedentedly vast, as boundless as the ocean.

Fran extended his index finger, slowly twirled his lower lip, and examined the surrounding environment.

The black wasteland shrouded in dark clouds, the slowly collapsing pure white tower, and the staggered, flowing crowds of gray and white people... even just standing in them will evoke the most basic and primal fear in the human heart.

"It seems that Luyara went a bit too far, taking me directly into the deepest part of my long-forgotten memories."

"What a terrible environment... At least I won't get my shoes dirty in the dream."

As she spoke, she kicked a stray piece of construction debris beside her, raising a cloud of dust.

Without a doubt, the time period in which this memory is currently occurring marks the end of the Pure White Era and the beginning of its decline. The most direct connection between the two is the Pure White Cup falling into eternal slumber.

The eyes of the Baibei ancestors have already glimpsed the true starry sky, and the towers they have built have touched the distant heavens. Rather than seeking the secrets and principles beneath the surface of the world, they are pursuing a path that no one before them has ever walked...

That is, to step onto the surface of the world, beyond the warm embrace of the stars of one's homeland, and to seek the "pure externality" of material things and reality.

The current scene is the final outcome of their practice of this concept.

...Glory faded into oblivion, and the great pioneers, along with them, fell into eternal slumber.

Fran strolled through the ruins of this magnificent city-state, where he could see the broken buildings around him slowly rising and falling in some strange way, as if they were floating beneath the ever-flowing tide.

"The secret instrument for altering gravity is highly damaged, and the energy supply of the secret furnace is almost exhausted."

She carefully observed every corner of this desolate city as she slowly moved forward, guided by Luyala.

Even though Luara's talent can make the dream form more stable, it is, after all, a record of the memories of an entire civilization. With her current abilities, she can only keep the surrounding area from fluctuating violently.

In addition, the scattered redundancy of consciousness in Child's mind constitutes many invisible voids, which, once touched, will form knowledge pollution.

“Oh, so that’s how it is… the thought fragments used by Assistant Instructor Child’s sniper rifle, which is imbued with [Redundant Consciousness Intrusion], are entirely derived from himself. Strictly speaking, the shooting he does in combat can even be considered a form of self-healing.”

"However, the efficiency seems to be only so-so."

As they spoke, Fran followed Luara, whose white tail swayed constantly, and walked around the cracks and corpses in the broken walls, climbing up the floating steps of the collapsed tower.

Oh, calling the humanoid objects nearby "corpses" might be a bit of an overstatement.

They were merely grayish-white, transparent, and ethereal entities, devoid of flesh or blood, their faces distorted and blurred, maintaining the behavioral patterns they had before death.

Some wandered about, some wept, some wrote furiously… Most were neatly dressed and reserved, yet at certain moments they would display inexplicable madness. For example, embracing a doll in silence, carving words incessantly on stone walls, or leaping off a window sill.

Finally, Fran stepped onto the crumbling top of the tower, then opened the door and entered the room. (★※☆〈)