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Seeing him lead the purge force deep into the area, Haida pursed her lips slightly and then inquired about the current situation inside the research facility.
"Some corners have an extremely high density of living corpses, and relying on light firepower would be too inefficient, so we have sealed them off. In addition, all the protective devices inside the entire facility have been removed."
"As for the Tide Listeners..."
When they were mentioned, Zoparos frowned slightly, his expression revealing a hint of complexity.
"Their will to resist was very strong, and we were outnumbered, so we could only resort to the fastest annihilation tactics. As a result, we captured very few prisoners, no more than thirty."
"Apart from the few remaining prisoners, the other Tide Listeners either perished in battle with us or were devoured by the out-of-control living corpses."
His confusion when he said this stemmed mainly from his stereotypes about the people of Golmouth.
In the memory of this elderly sorcerer, most practitioners of the mystical arts of the Abyss Kingdom adhered to the most basic survivalism. As long as they could live, they would spare no expense.
In a harsh and chaotic lawless land, "dignity" is only fit for an epitaph.
These Tide Listeners have shown considerable loyalty to their sect, which is indeed contrary to common sense in some respects.
"I see."
Haida nodded slightly, expressing her gratitude to Zoparos for taking over her work from Lu. ↓.￣「∝
Just then, Zoparos noticed the atavistic features appearing on Haida's body, and his expression turned serious.
“Sister Haida, the wolf fur on your face… is it the blood of Meredith that has been brought to life?”
"Yes, this is the effect of the first type of ritual within the Bonestone Sanctuary."
She confirmed Zoparros's assessment and then warned the cryptic scholar, who was clearly excited.
“Master Zoparos, the ritual there is still active and extremely dangerous. My advice is not to go for now. Once the effects have subsided, you will have priority in research and sample collection.”
"This……"
Upon hearing this, Zoparos put his hands behind his back and started spinning around in circles, clearly unwilling to give up.
But Haida was, after all, the commander of this operation. Out of professional duty as a hunter, Zoparos was inclined to respect her judgment. But…why?
Why was she so certain that the effects of the first type of ritual would soon disappear?
Just then, a chilling aura quietly rose and spread through the outer corridor of the sanctuary.
Most of the time, the Chief Hunter's visit will be silent.
He arrived in silence, and will leave with only a chilling stillness. It is only when facing his colleagues that he announces his approach in this peculiar way. As the shadow beneath Haida's feet shifted, Yaheng stepped out with steady strides.
"I will take over the rest of the business."
Without any pleasantries, he simply gave the clearing troops a concise order.
The hunters of the Funeral Court bowed their heads in response, obeying their chief hunter's orders with an almost pious devotion. As a hunter, almost no one was unaware of Aheng's infamous reputation... to witness his visit in person was an honor in itself for the purging force.
This also indicates that the level of danger in this mission far exceeds that of normal times.
"Professor Zoparos, please calm down."
His grey-chestnut eyes, hidden in the shadow of his tricorn hat, glanced at Zoparos before offering a word of advice to the little old man who had once taught him his esoteric knowledge. Perhaps only when facing old acquaintances would he reveal his nearly sparse "humanity."
"……Um."
Upon seeing Yaheng, Zoparos was initially surprised, then nodded knowingly.
This kid was still in Attilia a few days ago. For him to arrive here at this speed, the first-class ritual within the Bonestone Sanctuary must possess extraordinary characteristics and pose a potential threat of large-scale harm.
Even Sister Haida's physical condition showed visible signs of atavism under its influence, and I truly couldn't withstand such torment. That being said, the forbidden ritual of the first category was so close, it was unbearably tempting…
The Bone Stone Sanctuary had completely collapsed, but the tangled appendages sprouting from the nascent Abyss Well filled the massive gap, from which sticky, black blood occasionally oozed.
Even without understanding the essence of the [Feast of the Vanishers], Yaheng still sensed the unusual spiritual energy emanating from the surroundings in an instant.
He extended his gloved left hand, picked up some putrid blood from the ground, and then brought it to his nose to sniff.
The qualities of catalysis and tracing back to the source indicate that something lurking deep within is stirring restlessly.
Only after completing this action did he turn his gaze to Haida and Xitia beside her. The latter's legs had transformed into translucent tassels, while the former had grown the dark gray fur of the Meredith wolf.
Facing his daughter, Yaheng seemed to want to say something, but ultimately remained silent.
A moment later, he raised the Shadow Scythe and cut open the superfluous appendages that encased the Bone Stone Sanctuary, then walked alone into the melting sea of blood.
Fran's autopsy is also in its final stages.
In the very beginning, she carefully considered every step she took with her scalpel. After all, this nascent form of the Abyss, using a human body as its vessel, was full of countless variations and had almost no fixed shape.
What lies beneath the skin may not be fascia, what flows in the veins may not be blood, what is wrapped in muscles may not be bone, what is inside the skull may not be the brain... Everything is an unpredictable unknown, and it is impossible to rigidly apply conventional procedures.
Therefore, in order to conduct an in-depth dissection and analysis of it, we must discover the "patterns" within the complex and disordered flesh and blood.
As Fran's understanding of the remains deepened, her movements became increasingly swift and efficient. Even the chimeric spine "Sphinx" on her back used its sharp appendages as scalpels, serving as her external prosthetics.
An endless sea of rotting blood eroded her, but the physical pain was nothing more than nourishment for her to power the chimera spinal engine.
She was completely absorbed in her work.
Gradually, the proliferation rate of the nascent abyssal creature began to slow down, eventually stopping completely and transforming back into a pure corpse.
This grand dissection, far exceeding the limits of mortal capabilities, has thus come to an end.
[Dear Dr. Fran, you have disassembled a divine individual, completing the advanced experiment in 'anatomy'. Resolution acquisition cap increased to 100%, currently at 84%.]
"It's so quiet." (Group)
Fran's upper body was submerged in the black blood, but she merely smiled, her eyes half-closed, her amber gaze filled with lingering satisfaction. Only when the aftertaste gradually faded did she step onto the massive rib of a nearby whale and leave the sea of blood.
For Fran, in her "complete" state, so-called madness was not merely a surge of high spirits, nor was it the same as hysteria or delirium. She could still maintain a considerable degree of rationality, but she was unable to suppress the near-absolute self-forgetfulness. VIII.
If this madness were allowed to spread unchecked, she might lose everything within her personality structure, ultimately transforming into something higher and more unfathomable.
That is, "ascension". (綺)
Fran split himself before the Great Plague primarily to prevent the ever-approaching Ascension and ensure that he could maintain his existence in the way his self-awareness desired.
She showed no intention of leaving, simply waiting quietly.
At this moment, the black stitches on the doctor's neck are slowly appearing, just a short distance from connecting end to end. This indicates that the effect of the Ancient Banyan Fruit [Shadow of the Past] is about to end.
Fran intends to wait for his old self to fade away. 4
Otherwise, if she saw something that piqued her interest in this state, she might not be able to resist doing something outrageous. IV
Just then, Yaheng stepped over the pile of corpses atop the sea of blood and entered the stone coffin altar located in the center of the sanctuary.
"This time, you beat me to it again."
Seeing Fran and the completely dismantled remains of Melvis, he showed no surprise whatsoever. After all, the doctor was located in Gormouth, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to have hunted before him.
“I did not participate in the hunt, so the spoils should rightfully be yours alone. But I must cut off Yuanjing’s head to end the lingering poison of the corpse.”
"Yaheng, you have become the apostle of the sole sword wielder... This is much faster than I expected. Let me look through my memories of the future."
“Oh, it was after the Holy Heir ‘Sword Throne Suanni’ was beheaded in Saffold, the capital of Loreton.”
Fran rested his cheek on his hand, looking relaxed and natural.
If you ignore the blood on her face and hands, the scene would seem like just an ordinary reunion of old friends.
"Hmm~ Holding fast to the obsession and determination of the One and Only Sword, yet wielding the dark shadow of the Six-Eyed Raven, constantly coveted by Him. What a contradictory form of existence, yet able to maintain astonishing stability..."
"I suddenly have a strong desire to know how well you've integrated with the Throne of the Heads."
As she spoke, a warm smile appeared on her glossy lips.
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soup!
Chapter 197 Chief Funeral Officer
"That's it."
Upon hearing Fran's words, Yaheng merely closed his eyes slightly. Then, after a brief bow, he retrieved a scythe as tall as a person from the shadows beneath his feet. The scythe, composed entirely of shadow, emitted a metallic whistling sound from time to time, as if wary of the person before him.
“Viola’s former mentor, you have fallen into disharmony.”
"I cannot grant your request. And you should be well aware of the implications of your words."
Yaheng's feelings towards Fran, the mentor of his former lover, were always quite complicated.
Provided she is not offended, she is mostly willing to follow established social norms, making her almost "harmless." She is even willing to contribute to maintaining stability in a region, provided she receives reasonable compensation.
Of course, whether this doctor possesses a true sense of morality remains to be seen.
However, her very existence is an unstable factor that cannot be ignored.
With just a few years of guidance, Viola, who originally worked at the medical station, was able to reach or even surpass the level of the medical secretary, thereby indirectly promoting the reform and iteration of Norrington Biomedical.
And this seems to be the result of her deliberate control.
As the Great Plague had just ended, Aheng believed that Fran was an ancient apostle hidden in Norrington, and possibly the closest possible embodiment of it. Otherwise, there was no way to explain everything she possessed and controlled.
After traversing the high mountains and ridges built of severed limbs, shattered blades, and bones, and climbing the sixth step... he came to a profound understanding that even though the apostle was blessed with divine guidance and had shed his frailty, he still could not fully reach the place where the doctor stood.
For a variety of reasons, Yaheng has always maintained a mixture of suspicion, scrutiny, and respect for her.
And if necessary, he would do everything in his power to quell the other's uncontrollable madness, regardless of whether the cost was his own demise or the sin of murdering his lover's teacher.
When Fran saw the chief hunter of the Funeral Court raise his scythe, he merely glanced at the weapon, seemingly unconcerned about the impending clash between them.
Or perhaps, this is the situation she wanted.
"The shape of the Throne of the Head is very stable. It does not droop like a fluid, nor does it emit black particles or radiation. It seems that your mastery of it has also improved since you became an apostle."
"That's excellent. As an observational sample, your superiority is beyond question..."
Yaheng remained silent upon hearing this, but his profound and icy spirituality surged and spread silently, like the cruel breath of the northern wind and snow.
As the sole swordsman and the only blade apostle, he never needs a reason to use combat as the standard by which he measures others.
Similarly, when Fran in his complete form encounters an experimental prototype that interests him, he needs no reason to study it.
A duel that needs no reason is about to begin.
"Bah."
A few shimmering strands of pale plasma appeared on Fran's soft, slender fingertips, and the deafening roar of the air being pierced by psionic lightning was deafening.
In an instant, the chain of current crossed the gap between the two sides and struck Yaheng directly before the wind could stir.
Light is also a type of oscillating electromagnetic field, so the two are almost identical in their propagation speed, differing only in the conductor and the medium. It is faster than reaction, faster than instinct; the moment the field of vision lights up, it means you have been hit, with no way to avoid it.
Just as the heavens punish the wicked, yin and yang clashed and shone.
This is why Fran used to favor using psionic lightning for feints and probing attacks.
However, the plasma-encased and scorched Yaheng suddenly shattered and disintegrated, then gradually disappeared like a phantom. Long before Fran made the first move, the chief hunter had already left behind a decoy to lure the enemy and quietly slipped into the shadows.
The next moment, he stepped out of the shadows beneath Fran's feet and swung the blade of the Decapitation Throne toward the black stitches on her neck.
"Qiang!"
The moment the scythe made contact with the ribbed steel legs of the Sphinx, the scattered spiritual fire fragments surged violently.
But the stalemate did not last long. Almost in the blink of an eye, the Throne of the Heads had transformed into an invisible and intangible phantom, and through its interlocking spine and limbs, it once again slashed at Fran's neck.
Fran deftly leaned back, her upper body bending at an almost right angle, avoiding the attack with a near-reverse joint motion. It was as if she were not flesh and blood, but a marionette whose limbs could be manipulated at will.
"My flexibility has decreased slightly. It seems my 'future' self isn't as fond of sports, but neither have I, Han: 捌'↓wu⊥＄路)】｝々粫..."
As she created distance, the steel limbs of her interlocking spine were about to tear Yaheng's body apart.
But with a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, he raised his other sleeve, and an intricately patterned short-handled pistol instantly appeared. A cold, sharp sound accompanied by gunpowder smoke rang out, and the limbs of the Sphinx, which was about to fall, were immediately repelled by a tremendous repulsive force.
This gun was left behind by the Suanni sword holder of Loredon after its death. [bowing]
It contains a kind of remnant of a principle, otherwise, the firepower of conventional firearms alone would not be able to stop the Sphinx's movements.
At that moment, Fran also noticed the special effect produced by the gun.
Her center of gravity shifted slightly upward, making her feel almost top-heavy and disrupting her balance... and she inexplicably felt a urge to kneel and kowtow.
Ultimately, however, this is merely an illusion originating from the brain, which Fran can easily correct. The short spear [bowing] differs fundamentally from Grantham's ancient gravity-altering device.
"Nice toys. Looks like you've had a good haul in the North."
After a brief period of probing, Fran started talking again.