The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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However, before Bebesa could speak, Fran had already stepped forward and placed her index finger near her lips. Her action was quite bold, as if she wasn't worried at all about having her finger bitten off by this saber-toothed creature that was about to go out of control.

“It’s good that you feel angry and want to defend yourself.”

"And you know very well that you can't take revenge on anyone with just a surge of anger; that's the most basic and realistic consideration. But what I want to teach you is... that high wall you perceive may not be as insurmountable as you imagine."

As she spoke of this, her voice gradually echoed away, taking on a slightly ethereal quality.

Luya has sent a message that this dream, made up of memories, is about to end.

At times, Fran displays extraordinary generosity, completely disregarding personal gain or loss. However, she can also inexplicably harbor ill will in certain situations, such as holding a grudge against uncooperative and passive patients.

This time, she does not intend to provide direct assistance to Bebesa.

Of course, this doctor would not be too harsh on a patient suffering from psychological trauma.

Giving strength is the simplest thing for her; a ceremony, an operation, or a lesson can accomplish it.

Besides the above, there are also more indirect methods, such as subtly utilizing one's "connections" within the Hunters' Order. Regardless of the hunters' opinions of the kitten, Sister Heda wouldn't mind accepting her.

The image of a saber-toothed creature draped in the armor of a funeral attendant is always quite striking...

At the same time, this can also serve as a test of the General Affairs Division's attitude.

Although Fran maintained a subtle understanding with the chief hunter of the Funeral Court, Aheng did not entirely represent the entire Order of the Hunters. She was also somewhat interested in finding out the source of the General Affairs Court's strange friendly attitude.

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羹捏

Chapter Twenty-Two: Past Events in the Snow Country

As her physical condition recovered, Bebesa gradually shed her original small, leopard-cat-like body while in hibernation, and then transformed into a young female humanoid.

She appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen years old, with delicate and well-proportioned features, though her brows seemed perpetually furrowed, even in her dreams. Her development was slightly beyond that age, already qualifying her as a sub-adult.

Before Bebesa had regained consciousness, Fran instructed Sigrid to fetch a brand new hospital gown for her to change into, while he went to the Ridge Palace next to Fog Street to invite Sydia to the clinic for a chat.

She wondered if that ancient nobleman of Heil had any unique insights into this saber-toothed creature.

In addition, the painting previously seized on Moonburton Street contains a special esoteric ritual called "Skin Covering Tracing," which Ms. Shitia also needs to study.

Although Fran himself has a unique and profound understanding of the techniques of the hidden world, he is mostly engrossed in completing his own research, so it would be best to entrust this task to someone else...

Coincidentally, there is a learned, skilled, and slightly older master of secret arts in the Fog Street. It would be a shame not to make good use of him.

Let's consider it Ms. Shitia's rent.

A moment later, as the crisp sound of stiletto heels lightly tapping the floor echoed in the clinic's main hall, Fran and Sydia appeared at the entrance.

Since executing Melvis in the fake Skull Palace of the Star Abyss Society, this nobleman of Hyjal has maintained a high level of spirits. Although he is as quiet and reserved as ever in conversation, a hint of relief and lightheartedness can be faintly seen in his azure eyes.

At this moment, the main hall of the Fog Street Clinic is unusually bustling.

Sister Heda, Syldia, Sigrid, and Tinuvel, the abominable intelligence of the dark age of technology, all settled comfortably on the velvet sofa, their gazes all focused on the sleeping Bebesa.

Fortunately, she was not conscious at the moment; otherwise, facing so many eyes on her would have put her under immense pressure...

"Sabertoothed Beast?"

After a moment of contemplation, Xitia shared her guess.

The Heyer nobleman's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

It wasn't because she hadn't seen real saber-toothed creatures; quite the opposite, it was precisely because she knew about ancient cat-shaped castings that her expression showed suspicion at this moment.

"Having been forged in the furnace and gradually cooled and shaped, she possesses a strong blade that wards off disease... Her aura and the spirit within her body are very similar. However, there are some differences in minor characteristics. Compared to those ancient beings from the lost era, she is much weaker."

Bashitia lightly touched her chin with two fingers, seemingly wanting to touch other parts of Bebesa's body to examine the saber-toothed creature's anatomy more closely and figure out the true source of its strange state.

Sigrid, who was sitting to the side, also blinked her molten gold-colored eyes from time to time, making no attempt to hide her strong interest in Bebesa.

Ordinary practitioners of esoteric arts may know about saber-toothed creatures, Suanni, or other similar cast beings, but most simply categorize them as a non-special group in ancient myths and epics, without a deep understanding of their true nature.

Sigrid, as a fragment of the primordial sun and the sun-forging craftsman, had an unmistakable understanding of what this saber-toothed creature before her meant.

Those were the works of gods from a lost age, representing the pinnacle of iron and fire craftsmanship in the realm of living beings. Brass for eyes, cast iron for flesh, molten gold for bones—pure inorganic matter was given new life in the high temperatures of the forge.

It is magnificent, dangerous, and powerful.

Fourth, without a doubt, these blade-like creatures emerging from the forge are the material manifestation of the concept of power in reality, seemingly immune to disease and weakness. Yet they also possess an extraordinary fragility, far more prone to corruption than other mythical creatures.

If she could, Sigrid would have loved to disassemble the entire Bebesa to thoroughly analyze its manufacturing process... The reason she didn't put it into practice was largely because she wasn't confident she could reassemble it intact.

“Logically speaking, saber-toothed creatures should not take human form before they have fallen into depravity. And even if they do take human form, they should be very ugly, at least their facial features and limbs should be rough and rugged... I have seen a few pre-saber-toothed beasts and have some impression of this.”

Xitia carefully considered her words before further elaborating on her thoughts.

"While the Suanni can transform into human form on their own, they shouldn't be so fragile. Furthermore, there shouldn't be any flaws in their 'production' that could be easily detected by a layman."

Her wording was quite euphemistic, but the true meaning was already clear.

All the Heirs were products of the nobility's creation, and thus these first-generation Familias, born from the Abyss, were mostly highly skilled in the field of creation. From Shiodia's perspective and standards, this "saber-toothed creature" could hardly be considered qualified in any way.

"Yes."

Sigrid nodded, sharing the same view.

"Perhaps this is not a very accurate way of putting it, but the body of this saber-toothed beast contains a kind of indescribable 'craftsmanship'. Even though the technique used is extremely profound, the blacksmith does not seem to have put much effort into it, and hastily produced it after ensuring the most basic individual differences and diversity."

"Like... mass-produced products that follow a certain standard."

That being said, Sigrid's interest in Bebesa has not diminished in the slightest.

While mass-produced counterfeits may lack finesse, they also make reverse engineering easier and simpler. Craftsmen have always been enthusiastic about disassembling castings, much like the White Cup Examiners who never care about academic plagiarism.

"Don't be impatient, Sigrid. This little guy is still in the recovery period after his injuries heal. Besides, my research on saber-toothed creatures is not deep enough. It would be bad if I accidentally damaged him."

Fran maintained his smile and gently offered a word of advice.

Upon hearing this, Haida slightly narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.

She trusted the doctor's skills and expertise in the biomedical field almost unconditionally, and had no doubt that Fran could reassemble Bebesa after taking it apart. It just felt a little odd coming from her.

It seems that this guy is the one who is most interested in this saber-toothed creature.

The sounds of conversation seemed to disturb Bebesa's deep sleep. With a few slight blinks, she gradually awoke after a muffled murmur in her sleep. A strong sense of alertness instantly dispelled the lingering drowsiness, and she immediately looked around quickly, instinctively wanting to find a safe place to curl up.

However, Bebesa soon found herself in the center of the hall, surrounded by people in almost every direction. No matter how she planned her escape route in her mind... it seemed that the only outcome would be being dragged back by the neck.

She glanced furtively at Haida with a hint of timidity in her eyes, then quickly looked away after meeting those grey-chestnut eyes.

She vividly remembered the nun's steady and powerful hands; once they made contact, breaking free was an impossible dream. Moreover, the nun gave her a strange feeling, a vague and indescribable sense of unease… as if a gigantic, terrifying creature lurked beneath the nun's black armor.

"You're finally awake, little kitten."

"Welcome to Fog Street Clinic. Don't worry, it's safe here, and there are no dangers in any sense."

Fran, sitting on the sofa opposite Bebesa, crossed her fingers and greeted her with her usual business pleasantries. She had regained her usual patience, making her Loreton accent gentle and charming.

"……hope so."

Bebeza exhaled slowly, no longer intending to maintain her previous violent and uncooperative attitude.

However, the saber-toothed creature, now shaped into human form, still kept its hands slightly behind its back, subtly covering its buttocks and tailbone, its movements carrying a hint of defensiveness, as if protecting something important.

She had no way of knowing the doctor's true intentions, but given the current situation, rashly resisting was clearly not a wise choice. The other party far surpassed her in both knowledge and physical strength; therefore, she had no right to refuse.

"Calm down?"

Seeing that Bebesa's expression had calmed down, Fran rested his cheek on his hand and asked with great interest.

"Ah."

Bebeza nodded slightly.

Compared to her previous behavior, this guy was almost obedient at this moment. Besides what he had seen and heard in his dream last night, it was also because of the feeling he had towards the other people in the main hall... which was somewhat subtle.

Undoubtedly, they all maintained an impeccable human form, but what truly lay beneath that layer of skin remained uncertain for Bebesa. She didn't know the source of this strange feeling; she only vaguely sensed something was amiss, fueled by the instincts of a saber-toothed creature.

As for describing it using language, that is even more difficult.

After all, Bebesa had not even fully mastered her native Loreton language, and her vocabulary was quite limited.

However, she could still vaguely draw some conclusions from the feedback given by her sense of smell.

The doctor before her and the tall nun beside her were undoubtedly the most distinctly "human" among them all. At least the two were genuine flesh and blood, while the blonde maid was like a pure source of light and heat, her aura both scorching and warm, carrying an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

Similarly, in Bebesa's perception, Syldia was like a moist and gentle sea breeze, giving her a profound and ethereal feeling.

As for Tinuville… oh, Bebesa barely noticed this ship AI, after all, she used the body of the White Cup Doll, and apart from the external bionic parts, she was almost purely mechanical.

"Little cat, I believe you should have a certain understanding of the current situation based on your own observations."

“You are not special on my patient list.”

"I admit I have some interest in your identity, race, and past, but I will still uphold my professional ethics as a doctor and ensure your personal safety during treatment... Your physical injuries have now healed, but your mental state is clearly far from healthy."

"Therefore, we will spend some more time together."

Fran lightly tapped the wooden table with his fingertips, deftly steer the conversation back on track.

She had quite a bit of experience in dealing with these somewhat temperamental little animals. First, you need to apply a certain amount of pressure to calm them down a bit; this is the prerequisite for any normal communication. Only after that can you use a gentler approach to establish a basic level of trust.

"Bebesa, have you thought about what to do next?"

"No."

Bebeza's answer was quite concise and to the point.

In Loretown, she never looked forward to the future or tomorrow. Every day she lived could be her last; whether she would open her eyes again the next day was unknown. Perhaps after a single rest, she would become an ornament on someone else's weapon, just like her other kin.

After being brought to Golmouth by a slave caravan from the North, escape became the main theme of her life. Although it was no longer all despair as before, she still lived a precarious existence.

"Hmm~ It's normal for a kid your age to have no concept of the future."

Fran was not surprised and maintained his warm smile.

"Well, I have one more question."

"You were once given to Prince Gunther as a gift by that team of 'Snow Country Vanguard.' After you managed to escape from the mansion, why didn't you leave Mordway directly instead of going to the underground exchange on Belfarin Street to liberate the prisoners trapped in the slave warehouses?"

Upon hearing Fran's question, Bebesa frowned slightly, seemingly unsure how to answer.

After a moment's hesitation, she slowly began to speak.

"I want to do it, and I'm capable of doing it."

"My hands and feet were bound by chains, steel rods were driven into my limbs, a collar was around my neck, and the cage was damp and cold. I hated it all... As a child, I wondered if I would ever be rescued by someone, but it was just wishful thinking. The miracle did not come during the long wait."

"Those who bear the blood of saber teeth will never be met with a savior or a hero, only death."

"My escape from Saffowo was paved with the blood and bones of my fellow citizens. Therefore, if I can free others who share my fate, why shouldn't I?"

"And why didn't I bite off the Duke of Saffor's throat? Simply because I couldn't..."

Lin spoke haltingly, but stubbornly tried to express herself fully, her face flushing with a slight urgency. However, Fran provided vocabulary hints each time she stumbled, and eventually she managed to finish the sentence.

After listening to Bebesa's account, Fran lightly flicked his fingertips, seemingly quite satisfied with the answer.

“Dear kitten, it’s a good start that you’re willing to open up.”

"At the same time, you exhibited a quality called 'empathy,' or we could call it compassion. This is an important component influencing socially affiliative behavior... Oh, I'm sorry, I seem to have made it a bit complicated."

Upon seeing Bebesa's clear yet slightly bewildered brass-colored vertical pupils, Fran promptly suppressed the urge to continue elaborating on the complex sentences.

4. "In conclusion, I am willing to offer you some assistance beyond medical services."

She turned her head slightly to look at Sister Heda beside her.

"Hai Da, I wonder if the Order of the Hunters is interested in accepting a saber-toothed creature?"

Although Fran seemed to be seeking the nun's opinion on the spot, the two had actually communicated privately beforehand, and the question and answer at this moment was more like a formality.

"of course."

Haida responded in a deep voice.

Then, the nun looked at Bebesa with a solemn gaze, but it was not as cold and disdainful as it usually was.

"The saber-toothed beast was originally the work of a certain swordsman from the past, and the Hunters never refuse to 'return what belongs to its rightful owner.' Coincidentally, our views and stance on Loredon are the same as hers... One day, I will personally cut off the heads of those despicable madmen one by one."

“Bebesa, the Order of the Hunters will grant you the power you deserve and will not deprive you of your freedom. But you must still follow the Hunter’s Commandments. After the ancient dust has burned away, this is our only remaining support and constraint as we approach the Cliff of Madness.”

"Perhaps I've said too much. Now I need your opinion. Newly born members of the Sabertooth clan, are you willing to follow the commandments of the Mortal Order and become a Funeral Maid?"

After speaking, the nun extended her hand to Bebesa, just as the chief hunter had done years ago when he came to the Chamber of Commons and extended his hand to her.