The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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When she spoke of this, she could no longer hide her surging and intense hatred.

Sensing this, Fran's expression quickly softened. In this doctor's philosophy, hatred could also be considered a "resource," and a good entry point for healing mental illness.

However, since Bebesa hadn't accepted her good intentions before, she now preferred to use a more forceful approach to teach the little guy a lesson.

"Sister Haida, please help me hold her down."

"it is good."

As she spoke, Heda swiftly reached out and grabbed Bebesa by the neck, pinning the saber-toothed creature firmly to the ground. This caused Bebesa to struggle violently, but she could not shake the nun's steady and powerful hands.

This action triggered a kind of fear hidden deep in Bebesa's heart, to the point that she frantically manipulated her limbs like a hysterical drowning person.

"Little cat, what I'm going to teach you now is that if you can't overpower someone physically, then you don't even have the right to refuse. There's a saying I've said many times..."

“In my eyes, even wanting to die requires my permission.”

Most of the time, Fran fully respects the patient's choices, provided that the patient chooses one of the options she offers. In essence, however, she doesn't really care about the opinions of the patients.

"It seems those Loretons are quite concerned about you, given the rust curse on forged creatures. And I happen to possess a very efficient method for dealing with it, though it might be a little painful."

As she spoke, she took out a fake Japanese salute sword with a molten gold sheen from her waist.

When she was out on missions in Norrington, she would habitually bring the Craftswoman with her, since the spiritual essence contained in Sigrid was remarkably effective against most types of corruption. Moreover, staying in the clinic all the time was quite detrimental to her physical and mental development; she needed to get out and about from time to time.

"Actually, there are many rust removal methods to choose from. These include acid treatment, electric grinding wheels, high-pressure sandblasting, and fire treatment."

"Obviously, I'm going to use the last one now."

Fran raised the blade of the false sun and precisely sliced ​​off the rotting polyps from Bebeza's wound. These mushy substances, a bluish-copper color, instantly turned into powdery ash after being roasted by Sigrid.

Rust removal, wound cleaning, suturing, and medication application were all completed in one go, with the entire process finished in an instant.

During this time, Bebesa displayed astonishing tolerance for pain, enduring the cutting and burning without fainting. However, this left her extremely weak, to the point that she had no strength left, and even her screams and struggles ceased, leaving her only breathing short, shallow breaths.

Fran pinched her mouth shut and forced a green capsule down her throat.

Topical medication combined with oral medication can visibly accelerate the patient's recovery. Although this creature is not human, the medication itself still maintains the effect of stabilizing the mind and alleviating the loss of consciousness.

"Finish."

After cleaning up the rust curse and external wounds, Fran clapped her hands with satisfaction. Since most of her recent patients were non-human beings, her skills in the field of heteromorphology had become increasingly refined.

"Finally, we'll do a simple physical examination and test the core temperature of the four transit groups."

As she spoke, she took out a specially made, slender thermometer from the medicine box.

This is one of her self-developed medical instruments. In addition to its temperature measurement function, it also serves to test the stability of spiritual energy. However, it hasn't been used much yet, which is quite a pity.

"Should I hold her mouthparts still, Dr. Fran? She might bite the thermometer to pieces."

Haida dutifully asked the question.

Upon hearing this, Fran simply tilted his cheek slightly, then blinked his eyes lightly and innocently.

“Dear Sister Heda, this instrument is not for measuring oral temperature. In fact, both oral and axillary temperatures are very easily affected by external factors and cannot accurately reflect the internal temperature state of the human body.”

"The same principle applies to the stability of the detection reagent."

Haida narrowed her gray-brown eyes, vaguely understanding the meaning behind the doctor's words.

Fran never procrastinated when performing medical procedures. She immediately and swiftly lifted the saber-toothed creature's tail and then inserted the thermometer needle, which had been coated with Vaseline.

"Meow!"

This was the first time Bebesa had uttered a feline sound today, aside from growls and Loretonian grunts.

-

-

soup!

Chapter Twenty-One: Imitation of Ancient Beasts

Seeing Fran skillfully and smoothly insert the thermometer into the organ under the saber-toothed creature's tail, Haida, who was maintaining a restrained posture, couldn't help but slightly narrow her eyes, her expression becoming quite subtle.

Perhaps out of instinct, or perhaps out of a sense of empathy from observing up close, Haida involuntarily tightened the slender dragon tail hidden in the long hem of the nun's armor to alleviate the phantom pain that was not real.

"Oh, an unusually strong reaction. For a method of detecting core temperature and spiritual state, this is one of the mildest; there shouldn't be any discomfort."

　SoUsuO:jiu思∏lin□肆衫芜liu/泗弗兰 carefully examined Bebesa's current state, then raised her eyebrows slightly with a hint of doubt.

Regardless of whether the target is human or not, this doctor is quite confident in his technique of operating medical devices and would never cause adverse reactions due to rough handling.

Clearly, Bebesa was not struggling because of pain...it was mostly because of "self-esteem".

"From this perspective, Little Cat, your personality structure is becoming quite complete. Perhaps I shouldn't treat you as a purely animalistic creature."

Consider this a small punishment for your bad attitude.

Having said that, Fran kept Heda restrained and did not make any further moves herself. Three minutes later, she gently and quickly removed the thermometer and began reading the data on it.

"43.5 degrees Celsius is beyond the danger limit for both humans and ordinary felines, but it may be a relatively low level for saber-toothed creatures. Unfortunately, I do not yet have the physical data for your group."

"The good news is that the spirit stored in your body is quite stable and full of vitality."

After the rust curse and the pre-existing open wounds were cleansed, Bebeza's self-regulating abilities as a saber-toothed creature began to emerge. She was now out of danger, and aside from some weakness, had no other medical issues requiring attention.

It's worth mentioning that the light and flames Sigrid had previously wielded hadn't caused her any real harm. Although a certain doctor listed several rather violent industrial rust removal techniques, these methods were actually quite ineffective against curses.

The reason why the rust containing the malicious spiritual element was removed so cleanly and efficiently is mainly because Bebesa was born from the forge and has a certain affinity for the power of the Primordial Sun Fragment.

However, the patient was currently in a very low mood, her brass eyes were unfocused, and her body was instinctively curled up. Even though Haida had loosened her grip, she no longer showed any tendency to resist.

...it felt as if I had lost something important.

"Let's bring the follow-up psychological counseling back to the clinic. The patient needs to rest for a while now."

Fran clapped her hands with satisfaction, then cleaned up the medical equipment she had used and put it back in her medicine box. After a brief chat with Professor Utus, she had Heida take Bebesa and prepared to leave the Leviathan.

Just then, Utus seemed to remember something and quickly caught up with her.

"Dr. Fran, the Northern Blade Remnants that boarded the ship earlier also brought a relic with positioning capabilities. Judging from its shape, it is a hand-held compass."

He reached into the pocket of his sailor's coat, rummaged around for a moment, then frowned in confusion, clearly unable to find what should have been there.

But Fran tilted his cheek slightly and then innocently showed what he was holding.

“Oh, this… Professor Utus, it just fell out and I picked it up.”

Seeing her expression, Utus quickly realized something, and a hint of admiration rose in his eyes amidst his surprise. As a sailor stationed in Gormouth, dealing with thieves was practically a daily occurrence... but he had never encountered anyone who could take his belongings without him even noticing.

However, given the doctor's unique circumstances, it is not surprising that he was able to achieve this level of skill.

"It's alright. We don't yet understand the specific principles and functions of this relic, so let's just give it to Dr. Fran as well. However, if you complete your research on it later, we hope you can share this information with the White Cup Order."

Utus waved his hand generously.

“We will record these contents into the artifact sequence and then collect and publicize them.”

Fran would naturally not refuse such requests concerning academic content.

"Ah."

In fact, when the harm is under control, this doctor is very keen to spread esoteric knowledge... The reason he is relatively restrained in his daily life is mainly due to safety considerations.

"I will send a letter once the analysis is complete. Although this relic is only a mass-produced type, the craftsmanship used has many intriguing aspects. Perhaps a proper understanding will bring some surprises."

After speaking, Fran touched his lower lip with his index finger, his amber eyes then turning to the inchworm beside him. This guy wasn't very noticeable, so much so that he sometimes unconsciously ignored him, but he had already planned how to deal with him.

"As for you, Mr. Inchworm, if you have no other plans in the near future, you can apply for a job at Norrington College; they offer good benefits. As for other matters... I will have a messenger inform you."

Her proposed solution coincided with Utus's previous recruitment efforts, leading the Inchworm to wonder if the Hermit Lady had anticipated the Academy's actions towards her. Now, it seemed she even wielded considerable influence within the White Cup Order.

Those who are awarded honorary professorships by Grantham are all legendary figures, like Captain Niflü of the Leviathan, a Black Sea ghost from the old days... and the doctor in front of me is probably even above this group.

"Ok."

After a moment's thought, the inchworm nodded without hesitation, indicating its compliance.

If this weren't a public place and not a private meeting, he would have even considered using a more classical and humble phrase like "as you wish." But considering there were quite a few people around, he swallowed the honorific that had already reached his lips.

-

Since leaving the Leviathan, Bebesa, who was being held by the neck and embraced by Heda, gradually felt a wave of weariness wash over her. The mental exhaustion seemed to be an endless tide, slowly sweeping away her reason, so intense that it was almost irresistible.

To achieve true "healing," both the micro and macro levels need to be harmonized.

Even though the rust had been removed and the wounds had been stitched up, she still needed a sufficiently immersive period of rest to achieve a reconciliation of her mind and body. At the same time, she also needed to quiet herself down to forget that strange, not-so-painful, and rather subtle experience she had just had.

Bebesa's thoughts slowly rose and fell in the darkness, silent yet carrying a certain warm and peaceful meaning.

However, this precious rest did not last long.

"Dang! Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The sudden, resounding crash of a blunt metal object striking the ground was like a deep, rumbling thunder, yet it carried a steady rhythm.

Almost reflexively, Bebeza suddenly opened her eyes, revealing her fangs and claws. At that moment, besides the ferocity inherent in saber-toothed creatures, her eyes were filled with terror and shock, to the point that her body trembled slightly involuntarily.

The wind that rushes into the lungs from the nasal cavity is dry and burning, with an uncomfortable roughness.

Everything in sight was bathed in the red-hot light of the towering furnace. Crushed sandy ore was continuously transported from the conveyor belt and then melted into molten iron and steel in the flames of the furnace.

The familiar cacophony filled Bebesa's ears.

Gears meshed, machinery hummed, power hammers struck, and the faint sounds of Loretonese conversation filled the air.

"This batch is still a poor-quality failure."

"Many times I can't help but wonder... whether this craft can ever be replicated to the level of the old days."

The speaker was tall and imposing, his long, narrow shadow alone enough to cover several people. Even amidst countless furnaces, forging hammers, and red-hot solids, he wore a heavy, expensive fur cloak and gloves studded with jeweled buttons, seemingly oblivious to the heat.

"My master, please don't worry too much about this. Our technology is improving at a rate visible to the naked eye, the yield rate has been increasing at a visible rate in recent years, and the process has undergone many breakthroughs and iterations..."

"Moreover, this is not a skill created by 'humans' in the first place. The fact that you have been able to bring it back to life is itself a commendable achievement."

A high-pitched voice, tinged with obsequiousness, rang out.

Bebesa had no idea who the latter was. But she had heard the name and title of the person who spoke first countless times, to the point that they were so familiar that they were almost tiresome.

Grand Duke Saffower was the most distinguished military and political figure in Loretown and the only true ruler of Saffower.

"If half-baked imitations can be called great achievements, then the artisans of Attilien and those purveyors who are keen on academic plagiarism are probably machines that mass-produce 'great achievements.' These inferior products cannot reach the heavens like their ancestors, and sometimes they are even bound by the fragile human body. How ugly they are."

"If it weren't for the fact that their molten remains truly have value... ha."

Grand Duke Saffovo glanced at the hunched-over servant beside him, then fell into a long silence. His eyes reflected the crimson firelight, yet inexplicably gave off an indescribable chill, as if one were standing in the very center of a howling snowstorm.

"This batch of finished products is also nearing the end of its breeding period, so we're preparing for routine culling a few days in advance, as there's a shortage of raw materials in the military equipment sector."

After leaving a single command, he departed from the foundry where the furnace fire never ceased.

As she gazed at the gradually growing figure, Bebesa's breathing became heavy, and her eyes turned bloodshot. A burning desire to tear the other's throat surged within her... but she knew it was nothing but a pipe dream.

Compared to her more mature counterparts, she was still a sub-adult, having recently emerged from infancy, and far less robust than them.

However, even they were rendered helpless in this man's hands, turning into broken bones and iron filings. Even their corpses were ground into powder to be used as regular material for sharpening weapons.

How powerless, how ridiculous, it seems I have no choice but to eke out a living...

Bebeza took a deep breath of hot, stale air, then slowly exhaled. Her tense body quickly relaxed, and her hate-filled mind softened rapidly due to her powerlessness against reality, giving rise to a quiet despair.

"I thought you would be stronger, little cat."

Just then, a voice that did not exist in her memory quietly rang out.

Fran put his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips, and walked slowly through the narrow passageway of the foundry.

"Since the hatred has not subsided, why dare you not bare your fangs?"

"That is the road to death."

Bebesa hung her head and shook it with difficulty.

“My path to survival was paved by the deaths of my fellow countrymen, and therefore, I cannot die at the hands of that human being like them.”

Hearing her halting Loretonian, Fran raised his hand to cover his lips, silently mocking her.

"Is that all? To choose a slightly different but equally meaningless ending for yourself? Don't you yearn to tear open his chest and dissect his internal organs? Or do you think it's impossible for you to do so?"

"If you don't even have the courage to try, perhaps I should reassess your situation and switch to a different treatment plan..."

Upon hearing this, Bebesa's emotions visibly became unstable.

Even if she were slow to notice, she couldn't ignore the obvious contempt in the words of the person in front of her.