The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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"Would you like to pay in cash, or would you like Miss Tong En to put it on your tab?"

Dorothy narrowed her eyes upon hearing this, and after a moment of silence, she finally answered.

"Just transfer it directly from the club's account."

Why did she so naturally start quoting prices and introducing her services? I'm clearly the owner of this fortune-telling shop. And those later items don't seem to be part of the club's original offerings at all…

As Dorothy pondered, Fran slowly approached and helped her to a chair.

"Let's get straight to the point, Miss Dorothy. Do you have questions about me, or are you genuinely confused about the future? Or are you simply here for a tea break?"

Fran tilted her head to the side, gently stroking her palm, maintaining the approachable tone typical of a psychologist. To help the other person relax, she even got up to make a pot of tea for both of them.

Dorothy pursed her lips with a subtle expression, and then began to explain her purpose in accordance with the other party's rhythm.

"I do want to know your identity."

“Miss Fran, according to the information I obtained within the Misty Society, there are no Unified Faction Masters above the fourth tier who have come to Norrington from Atilan. Although there are many Mirror Cleaners hidden in the mortal world, they should still leave traces... and they can't even guess your identity.”

"You've earned the Hunter's trust, so you're probably not a dangerous person in the conventional sense. But the unknown is always unsettling, and I'd like to get to know you better."

Her tone was quite frank, which was contrary to the usual style of the Misty Society.

When a fortune teller who is accustomed to using proverbs, metaphors, and riddles as their means of communication begins to speak normally, it is usually because they have encountered a more skilled colleague.

"This concerns my personal privacy, and the salary offered by the Mirror of Enlightenment Club is clearly insufficient to make me reveal my secrets, dear Dorothy."

Fran extended his index finger and shook it gently, as if he did not intend to give a detailed explanation.

But the next moment, she brought up a name in the conversation.

"However, perhaps we can resolve our current predicament through intelligence trading. Do you know anything about the high priestess of the Mordway branch of the Misty Society, the one in the ochre-white dress?"

就像垂杆钓鱼那样，她抛搜〕、索Ｑ群:9『《4‰⌒8243※{30＼／5出了自己的饵。

“Ochre-white dress…”

Dorothy's gaze narrowed slightly, a strange expression appearing on her face, as if she was carefully considering her words but unsure where to begin. After a moment of contemplation, she finally spoke, as if she had made up her mind.

"She was my mother's former lover."

"puff-"

Fran, who was sipping white tea "winter buds" from a porcelain cup, coughed briefly.

With her meticulous control over her body, she finally managed to swallow the hot tea, only making a barely perceptible, slight exhalation sound.

Even when facing the awakened prototype of the Abyss in the fake Skull Palace of the Star Abyss Academy, Fran was still able to maintain a calm and elegant demeanor with ease.

However, the information Dorothy provided was so explosive that it took her some time to regain her composure.

So, Dorothy's mother is the "Flaming Rose" that the woman in the ochre dress mentioned.

...It's no wonder that the Moth Priestess appeared almost disoriented and dazed at the time, and withdrew from the battle at the Oak Shadow Nest on the spot. This was probably due to her astute assessment of the situation.

After a brief moment of surprise, Fran silently took a sip of winter buds.

For the hidden existence beneath the surface of the world, union has little to do with inherent sexual definitions. It is the attraction, allure, and harmony between different individuals, their souls and personalities.

Just as the warm sun is to new leaves, a stream to swimming fish, and a flower stamen to a wild bee.

The high priests of the fifth tier have not yet completely shed their mortal bodies, and therefore love will not breed unforgivable sins.

However, two mortals with the same sexual characteristics should not have the ability to have offspring.

In short, if Flame Rose is indeed Dorothy's biological mother, then there must also be a father. Furthermore, Flame Rose's lover is the ochre-white dress who worships the mottled moth.

The complex and perplexing ethical relationships within these four families...

"I have nothing to hide about this. It's not something to boast about, but it's not something to be ashamed of either. I can tell you anything you want to know. I just hope that my honesty will be reciprocated with the same level of sincerity."

Although Dorothy couldn't detect any change in the man's amber eyes, she sensed that he must have become interested.

"of course."

Fran nodded slightly, maintaining his standard business smile.

“Since this is an information exchange, ‘fairness’ is naturally indispensable. Regardless of what you say next, I will waive one consultation fee for you. This divination will also be free.”

After receiving her promise, Dorothy continued her story.

“I have never seen my father since I can remember. I used to guess that he was divorced from my mother or that he had passed away. But when I asked my mother about this, she replied, ‘Your father does not exist.’”

Fran couldn't help but glance at him after hearing this.

"Miss Dorothy, can you confirm that the Flame Rose Lamp is biologically related to you?"

Dorothy's situation made it hard for her not to think of the father-daughter relationship between Heda and Aheng. Although both were descendants of Meredith and appeared to outsiders to be undoubtedly biological children, they were actually adopted by chance.

"Yes."

As if she had already guessed that Fran would ask this question, Dorothy gave a very confident answer.

"I can't go into the specific verification methods, but my mother and I are undoubtedly direct blood relatives. She is a perceptive, observant, strict yet not rigid person. She can always plan everything in advance before something happens."

“One day she broke away from the Misty Society and was never heard from again. I was only ten years old at the time. After that, I also sought divination through blood ties, but the revelations I received all pointed to death.”

"……I see."

Fran said he understood.

Dorothy was very young when the incident occurred, and most of her memories are now hazy, with little information available... Therefore, this mysterious family story remains shrouded in mystery.

Perhaps I should find some time to talk to Ochre Dress; I believe her insights would be more profound and thorough.

After adding a new item to his schedule, Fran explained his identity and the origin of the Ahantae robe he was wearing, following the usual practice in intelligence trading.

"Hmm~ Where should I begin?"

“Miss Dorothy, as you can see, I know a little about the divination rituals of the Mirror Wipers. But I am not affiliated with the Obscure Society, nor have I ever served as a priest of the Unifying Faction. My main profession is a doctor, and I am currently employed by the Funeral Court. I suppose this needs no further explanation; you should be well aware of my medical expertise.”

"As for your dabbling in the art of the Lanterns, it was merely a passing fancy, no different in essence from those mystical enthusiasts who enjoy seeking thrills in the northern suburbs. As for this Lantern Moth Robe... it is related to your mother, but its connection to you is much deeper."

"Due to some special reasons, I cannot tell you the specific source directly, but you can use it as a medium to perform divination yourself."

As he spoke, Fran loosened the belt around his waist, then removed the gray gauze robe that he had been wearing over his doctor's coat, piled it up slightly, and handed it to Dorothy.

-

-

soup!

Chapter Eight: The Lingering Light of Candlelight

As Dorothy received the Ahantasaurus robe, which still retained a trace of her body heat, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

She initially thought this was the standard uniform of the Unifying Faction of the Misty Society, but upon closer inspection, she noticed that the patterns on the lamps and moths differed slightly from the usual style. But what this actually meant… she had no idea.

Judging from Dorothy's behavior since their first meeting, she doesn't understand her mother, "Flame Rose," as well as Ochre Dress does. After all, the Night Moth Priestess displayed an almost intense emotional reaction the moment she saw the robe.

When Dorothy met Fran Yuhan last year, she didn't show much surprise, only that a Mirror Cleaner of a certain rank had joined the Mirror of Enlightenment Club.

Perhaps sensing a hint of contemplation in Fran's eyes, Dorothy was the first to explain.

"In fact, I don't know much about my mother. In a sense, she is quite a person who fits the stereotype of the Obscure Society. Serious, focused, alert, she communicates with others through poetry, crosswords, and obscure mathematical conjectures."

"But... she sometimes reveals a sensitivity that is different from what she appears to have."

She slowly rubbed her temples, seemingly pondering how to choose her words to describe her immediate family member.

"If we were to use the words of other members of the Misty Society, then this trait in my mother would be 'weakness.' But I know they just don't want to use those words. They abhor using terms like sentimentality, pity, or kindness to describe a pure mirror-wiper."

"Of course, after she joined the Unification Faction, the label of 'pure' was completely removed. All that remained were hateful and contemptuous glances."

Fran nodded slightly upon hearing this, maintaining his quiet listening posture.

Although Fran didn't interact much with the disciples of the Obscure Society, it didn't mean she was unaware of their current situation. Any secret cult with a branch in Norrington would have its movements noticed by her to some extent.

Although the lamp and the moth were interdependent during the apocalyptic catastrophe that nearly ended history a thousand years ago, this does not mean that they could truly abandon their differences in ideology and essence.

When faced with immense external pressure, the two sides may still be able to maintain harmony... but when the crisis concerning survival disappears and fades away, the contradictions will gradually emerge over time and become irreconcilable.

Of course, this rejection comes more from the person who is cleaning the mirror.

They will make the best solution based on reason, given the current situation and circumstances, but afterwards they will want to bury this less-than-glorious history.

“Miss Fran, in order to ensure that the divination can obtain enough revelations, I need to undergo a deep dream entry. Please take care of me from the side.”

As she spoke, Dorothy put on the moth-shaped gauze robe.

Its texture is delicate, its touch soft and comfortable, and it retains traces of osmanthus, dampness, rain, and medicinal scents. Clearly, this slightly complex aroma originates from the doctor before me.

They intertwined and gently flowed into the nasal cavity, without being unpleasant.

Besides, the size of the robe was surprisingly perfect.

Upon hearing Dorothy's request, Fran immediately clasped his hands together and agreed with a smile.

"This is what I should do."

Unlike Luara, who is a natural-born dreamer, humans, or most creatures in general, face risks if they try to remain awake and deeply immersed in dreams. If the images in a dream are pure incandescence, then the dreamer needs to have the self-awareness of being a ray of light.

If you are in a storm, you are a dark cloud; if you dwell in the deep sea, you are a fish; if you wander in the marketplace, you are a traveler.

To achieve the stability one dreams of, one must seek harmony.

However, once one becomes too immersed in it, forgetting their true nature, utter disorientation and madness will follow. Since the Sun's Abode and the source of its radiance disappeared, countless spirits and souls have been permanently forgotten in the dark and chaotic dream world…

Their bodies had already awakened, so the lost item could only wander aimlessly, with no end in sight.

A moment later, Dorothy lit three carved lamps with platinum bases in the calcite chamber and lay down on the gray velvet bed. To be honest, she was still a little worried about Fran beside her, after all, she had seen Childe's craniotomy in the [Mirror Image].

However, judging from the radiant appearance of the person involved afterwards, it seems that it was just Fran playing a trick on herself with some kind of distorted image... at least that's what she said.

Oh, I hope it's just a joke.

Dorothy clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and her expression gradually became peaceful.

Her even and steady breathing gradually began, indicating that she had fallen asleep.

At this moment, Fran did not proceed with a physical examination or sample collection as per his professional habits, since entering a dream for the purpose of obtaining revelation is a relatively dangerous process. The shock caused by external factors could potentially lead to irreversible psychological damage.

Therefore, she communicated with Luyara, asking her to provide Dorothy with any help she could in the dream.

As the "messenger" of the Fog Street Clinic, the little deer, located in the dream dimension, is almost always by Fran's side.

Although invisible and inaccessible, the two are actually on the same overlapping coordinate system. This effectively ensures that Luya will not encounter danger when resting or foraging.

Even in the event of an unexpected situation, Fran can be quickly put into a dream and receive protection.

"Hmm... Platinum pedestal, rose carvings, and candles infused with Dream Sleep flowers. The Misty Society always has these expensive and strange third-class rituals."

Taking advantage of this brief moment of leisure, Fran observed the ritual catalyst that Dorothy had just prepared.

The most crucial medium is, of course, that lamp-moth gauze robe, while these devices emitting dazzling white light are the instruments used to maintain the stability of the dream.

The third type of ritual, currently in active mode, is called "Insight into the Shadow of Wax Flowers." The practitioner can stabilize the dream vision by burning candles. While its efficiency in acquiring information is not outstanding, its advantage lies in its exceptional security.

If she were simply asleep, Fran would probably take the opportunity to do a spinal therapy session.

Likely due to years of sitting and lack of exercise, Dorothy is clearly in a sub-healthy state. Lower back strain is quite common among young people in Norrington, mostly caused by prolonged periods of working at a desk in improper posture.

But since we're already doing dream divination, let's put aside this tempting idea for now.

After waiting a few breaths, Fran took out a brass pocket watch from the sleeve of his doctor's coat, swung it around a few times by the watch chain, and then began to probe Dorothy's search for ∞→Q羣×↓：韭』〗咝跁—⊥陑&『⊥○杉”℃散↓刢五梦境.

Rather than listening to her description after she woke up, the doctor preferred to see for himself.

-

The candlelight was bright and enchanting, and the wax smoke drifted like a breath.

Her gaze pierced through the overlapping, swaying incandescent light and shadow, and the hazy, illusory scene surrounding Dorothy gradually stabilized, finally transforming into a tangible entity that her thoughts could discern. This dream, in terms of both realism and stability, far surpassed her previous ones, causing her to furrow her brow slightly in surprise.

The first thing that rushed into my nasal cavity was the strong, almost choking smell of smoke and dust.

It resembles an unattended stove, a long-abandoned furnace, or a dilapidated ruin with only broken bricks and tiles and moss growing on it.

Dorothy slowly opened her eyes and found herself inside a collapsing tower. Strange, blood-red smoke drifted in from time to time, and finely textured crimson quicksand filled every corner of her vision.

The various broken corpses were buried there, seemingly completely dried out, but some remnants of their appearance before death could still be glimpsed.

Humans, crows, rats, and their twisted and repulsive offspring.

"This is……"

She looked up at the sky, somewhat confused, only to see a despairingly dim light. The celestial body hanging in the dome appeared to be a full moon, but its glow was neither pale nor clear, only giving people an indescribable sense of turbidity.