The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Page 339

The images in my mind were so ethereal and distant that they were sometimes clear and sometimes blurry.

As an ancient member of the Abyss Clan, Shitia's memory abilities are beyond the comprehension of mortals. However, for a long time, she desperately longed to forget, so as to escape the torment of those comfortable memories.

Through the connection of the spiritual tassels, Fran also sensed the constantly changing emotions of Scythia.

If this had happened when she left the Ridge Prison, the Heyer noblewoman's reaction would likely have been much more intense... But now, she was more like a detached observer, calmly enjoying the ballet without much ripple.

As Fran watched the black-haired girl's dance steps intertwine, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

Even she had to admit that the inchworm truly possessed a talent for dance. Both the choreography and the music selection were perfect, and the entire performance maintained a classical narrative feel.

In addition, he also had a strong spirit of dedication to art.

Hmm... the above point is questionable; we cannot rule out the possibility that this kid actually enjoys it.

Thinking of this, Fran felt a little regretful.

Haida and Vivian brought the two little ones to the Drowning Theater, but this group of hunters obviously had important business to attend to and wouldn't have time to enjoy the ballet.

Fran was tempted to go to the underground warehouse to examine the scroll relics, but he didn't want to miss the upcoming final chapter of Act IV.

Inviting someone alone to a theater is a very intimate gesture. Leaving your partner behind during the performance is extremely rude in social situations, especially when the other person clearly intends to see the entire ballet.

Fran felt a strange, absurd smile creeping onto his face. He never imagined that one day he would be in a situation where he was "too busy to be in two places at once."

Earlier, this doctor could have easily resolved the problem using a functional body. But after the self-inflicted split that resembled an intercalation before the Great Plague, most of her prayer hands became unusable due to the failure of the [Consciousness Synchronization Protocol]. Mio

As for a new, fully functional spare body... this task was considered non-essential and therefore ranked very low on her research list, and she had never really thought about doing another one.

Well, it's better to stay here and watch the final act. Sister Heda can handle something like the drowning of the theater entirely on her own.

However, Fran remained somewhat concerned about the dangerous relic related to the [Skin Covering Traces], and had already decided to seek out Haida tonight to ask if she could share the spoils... and also check on the nun's physical condition after the battle.

As I pondered, the joyous third act quietly began its variation. (Six)

The inchworm on the stage subtly pursed its lips, opened its eyes, and slowly detached itself from its immersed emotions, its thoughts beginning to flow.

The focused gaze of others naturally carries a sense of psychological pressure, which applies to dancers, actors, and even eloquent political leaders alike. To avoid being overwhelmed by tension, some choose to abandon all other thoughts in near-numb relentless practice, while others imagine the audience as apes.

In its early years, the inchworm also felt ashamed of its appearance when it transformed into a dancer and found it difficult to adapt to the intense gaze of the audience.

But as his mastery of the Moth Ritual deepened, he was now like a fish, born to exist within the ocean of others' emotions. Neither scrutiny, cheers, nor judgment could disrupt the rhythm of his dance.

However, the gaze of a certain doctor in the audience today still made the inchworm feel pressured, something it hadn't done in a long time.

As the final act approaches, my performance may not have satisfied the hermit lady, but it should have been acceptable...

The debut performance is exceptionally important for a profession like dance, and Chihuo spared no time in preparing for it. In addition to providing the music, script, and choreography, she even made some of the stage props herself, leaving her with no time to answer students' questions after class.

He couldn't help but feel a little relieved that he hadn't neglected his work arrangements at the Drunkard Theater; otherwise, he would have truly made a fool of himself in front of the Hermit Lady.

“—Boom.”

The bronze bell rang dull and deep, like the first thunderclap of a storm, announcing the coming of a dramatic change.

Act IV.

Dark blue silk ribbons, representing the tides of the sea, were thrown from the hands of the many backup dancers and flowed across the stage like a flood.

The soothing strings fade away after a brief transition, and the brass and snare drums quickly take center stage, their timbre intense and resounding, like the clanging of metal.

The lights dimmed from bright to dim, and the air seemed to be filled with the strong, raw smell of iron and blood.

It is obvious that the theme of this scene is "war".

It was not a direct confrontation between the two sides; rather, the two armies fought fiercely in orderly formation. From the stage performance, it was more like a one-sided massacre, resembling a pure war.

Amidst the torrential rain, figures jostled about, swords and spears were raised, and hoarse screams echoed faintly in the air.

"Is it a story written in a script, or a reinterpretation based on a long-forgotten period of history, possessing a documentary quality?"

Elsa had finished her glass of golden champagne, and her face was flushed, but her expression was full of the seriousness that only appears when facing academic issues.

Elsa, who initially only intended to spend time with her father, is now unable to look away, her eyes glued to every change in the dancers on stage.

As a student majoring in natural history within the Faculty of History, she has an exceptionally strong interest in this subject.

"So, Elsa, it wasn't a wasted trip, was it?"

Seeing his daughter's earnest and serious expression, Seven Eugene also showed a slight smile.

"Ah."

Although she was a little embarrassed, Elsa readily admitted it.

The current situation is somewhat similar to that of her childhood. After her father finished work, he would often take her to some children's places to play, but she would always refuse on the grounds that they were too childish... However, once she actually went there, she would be the first to lose herself in the fun.

Speaking of which, when Professor Chihuo was lecturing on the history of Gormouth, he mentioned that he knew of a period of history that was not widely accepted by the academic community. The content of this history differed greatly from the official documents provided by the Starry Abyss Society, but its authenticity was considered higher, and it was supported by numerous pieces of research.

Its name is "War of Annihilation".

Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten to that part yet.

After gathering her thoughts, Elsa refocused all her attention on the ongoing ballet.

The war raged erratically, but the harvesting of lives proceeded with meticulous order. Whether they were the inhabitants of Morion or the Hyir who had emerged from the Abyss, all were slaughtered indiscriminately by those clad in white cloaks.

The deep blue-black silk ribbons flipped in an instant, transforming into a viscous, glaring crimson. The towering pagoda in the prop set gradually collapsed, heading towards destruction amidst blood and fire.

At that very moment, something strange happened.

The velvet curtain covering the stage, adorned with intricate patterns, suddenly burst into flames, engulfing the surrounding architecture and set design. Although the flames spread slowly, they still sent waves of heat through the dancers.

The inchworm remained composed, yet a hint of confusion flickered in the depths of its eyes.

Where did the fire come from? I didn't plan this scene...

Although he tried his best to improve the visual effects of the finale, it seems that the props team couldn't achieve that level.

He himself didn't mind dancing in the fire a little longer, but the backup dancers were all ordinary people, and obviously couldn't withstand such a high-risk performance.

Despite the unexpected situation, the inchworm remained calm. The fire did not affect the performance for the time being; on the contrary, it further aroused the audience's emotions.

He could sense the turmoil in the hearts of everyone present at that moment, and he could also hear very faint gasps of surprise.

However, we must find a way to end the performance before the fire spreads out of control. This is a tricky matter and we must be very careful, otherwise it will surely backfire.

The inchworm secretly made a gesture backward, intending to speed up the process.

The performers in the audience seemed surprised by the unexpected turn of events, but instinctively assumed it was part of a planned segment, as no dissonant notes were present. The orchestral melody progressed rapidly, becoming increasingly rich and soaring, and the emotions reached their peak at this moment.

As the flames spread, the tower set built with wooden supports collapsed with a crash, and the dancers retreated like a crowd fleeing a disaster.

In the end, only the inchworm playing Hyel and one other person remained on the stage.

The other person wore a white scholar's robe over a suit of armor, and held a short dagger. The emblem of the Star Abyss Society was faintly visible on his clothing. In his other hand, he held the oath signed under the pale crescent moon.

The next moment, he placed the parchment scroll in the fire, where it burned completely.

Even though he could feel the heat of the flames rising to his brow, he suppressed his panic. For a dancer like him, such a stunning performance was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he had to consider whether it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

If he performs well, his status and reputation at the Drowning Theater will definitely surpass what he used to be.

Whether it was his professional ethics, his artistic pursuits, or his greedy desire for fame that fueled his actions, none of that mattered. The undisguised fervor in his expression was the most crucial element of this scene.

Dancers dressed in the attire of the Listeners of the Tide relentlessly approached the last member of the Abyss Clan on the burning stage.

The sound of tearing through clothing rang out... Finally, the short blade in his hand pierced through the black-haired girl.

Just as in Chekhov's *The Gun*, if a gun hangs in the first act, it will inevitably be fired in the third. And this gleaming dagger appears in the oath of the second act… and so it will cause someone's chest to bleed in the final act.

The brass instruments and bugles that symbolize war ceased after this scene, and in the gray silence, an ethereal solo voice quietly began to sing.

It wasn't a passionate song, but rather a sigh-like humming.

When he heard some familiar songs playing, the seasoned performer Chihuo admitted that he felt a moment of nervousness.

According to my original plan, this segment should first maintain a quiet atmosphere, then transition to a poignant violin solo, and finally conclude when the audience is still savoring the experience.

And this Night Moth Priest knew very well the origin of this ballad… the elegy from the *Deep Sea Scrolls*. Those in Norrington who knew anything about it, aside from the Hermit Lady, were only a few professors from the White Cup Oceanographic Department, and Zoparos of the Funeral Court.

The only one who could sing it perfectly was the nobleman from Heir beside the hermit lady.

The inchworm silently swallowed a mouthful of saliva, its eyes momentarily glazing over.

Fortunately, this can be understood as weakness after being stabbed, and it doesn't seem out of line.

That ancient clan has also come to the Drowned Theatre. Did she not stay in the Deep Sea or Gormouth? Or did she choose to follow the Hermit Lady after the events at Morion?

It takes immense courage to reenact someone's personal history in front of them, and one must also overcome their own embarrassment. Most importantly... the inchworm was unaware of this beforehand.

Fortunately, Siodia was willing to accompany the performance, so she probably didn't have too many complaints about the ballet...

As the black-haired girl draped in a grey veil collapsed and died, the swaying Dream Flowers around her turned to ashes in the fire and scattered in the dust.

Gallonson's madmen trampled his corpses and mangled bodies, gazing with rapturous relish at the blood in their hands. They were the undisputed winners, having seized everything they craved from the war. Betrayal may be despicable, but the defeated are buried deep in the earth, with no right to accuse.

As the ballads ceased, the dance drama "Under Naurmaran" came to its final curtain call.

The audience remained silent for a few breaths, then, without any hesitation, thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Everything had fallen into place naturally; this was what every dancer deserved.

-

〇——

soup!

Chapter 41 Marbein

Compared to operas, which feature characters with clear stances and rich narrative variations, classical ballet tends to be more inclined towards abstract expression through stream of consciousness.

The latter might be recounting an epic or describing a fable.

Without prior explanation, it is difficult for the audience to fully understand the plot... After all, the performer is simply dancing, and the only way to express himself is by swaying his body to the rhythm.

This is the weakness of dance drama, but it is also its artistic characteristic.

Because they cannot speak, they must infuse their emotions into their dance steps and postures, doing their utmost to bring a sense of "beauty" to every gaze that falls upon them.

Why do two clouds that never merge go to one place? Why do two independent trees sway at the same time? Why does a misty, tranquil lake ripple?

Because of the wind.

An excellent dancer must become that wind that resonates and stirs the soul.

When choreographing "Under Naurmaran," the inchworm design first presents the audience with pure beauty through the image of a solitary and graceful sea creature in the first act, and then gradually deepens and solidifies the impression in the oaths and celebrations of the third and fourth acts...

When the emotions have reached their peak, the final act of devastation will utterly destroy all the beautiful things that have been sketched and depicted. Just as dominoes are piled up for the ultimate purpose of collapsing in that one moment.

While appreciating beautiful things is certainly a pleasant experience, witnessing them being crushed into dust under the irresistible ravages of fate... can evoke a more breathtaking and shocking emotion in that instant.

After finishing his performance, the spotlight that had been covering the inchworm was immediately turned off, and he retreated, his figure disappearing behind the curtain covered in flames.

"Although there were some setbacks, this premiere should be considered a 'successful' performance."

The audience's intensely fluctuating emotions were captivated by him throughout the performance; any mistake or overstepping of his boundaries would disrupt the immersion. Furthermore, the performance was overseen by a hermit lady and a nobleman from Heyer, making it a challenging experience even for professional dancers.

And after everything is over, all that this disciple of the Night Moth has done for this ballet will be returned to his soul and body in some indescribable way.

As the inchworm took several deep breaths to calm the burgeoning excitement in his heart, he felt a whisper in his ear.

Vague, hazy, deep and difficult to understand.

This should have been a disturbing feeling for Lin, but his inspiration and passion suddenly burst forth at this moment. It was noisy and fiery, and even his limbs, bones, and internal organs felt scorching, as if the coal buried deep beneath the earth's veins, once ignited, could never be quelled.

The once tightly closed doors of the fourth staircase of death opened at this moment, and before he could make a judgment, his body had already embraced the transformation.

"It happened at this time?"

The inchworm felt an overwhelming joy, but this emotion did not originate from its conscious will. It was simply that its body was genuinely releasing joy, which then directly affected its thoughts.

According to this moth devotee, his ascension ceremony to the priesthood should have been postponed slightly.

Death might come after I've perfected the ballet "Under Naurmaran," or after I've choreographed a new ballet that's even better, or perhaps at the celebration banquet next May... However, the chaotic and irrational unexpected always arrives without warning.

"It seems that the 'feedback' from those two heavyweight audience members had a profound impact on the performance, thus triggering unprecedented gains. But besides that... there seem to be other factors involved as well."

The inchworm, located in the backstage staff passage, propped its cheek with one hand and quickened its pace as much as possible.

Entering the fourth tier signifies that the body has officially begun to shed its mortal nature, thus requiring a certain amount of time for physical transformation. The promotion process of the Night Moth Priests happens to be one of the more complex ones... They need to gradually discard their current bodies and embrace the ancient, profound forms from the past.

During this period, he will remain in a vulnerable state of dormancy for a considerable time.

The problem is that the fire at the Drowning Theater is now spreading. If a safe environment isn't found before the transformation becomes uncontrollable, he, who is about to become the high priest, may die without dignity in an accidental fire.

The inchworm certainly didn't expect that one day its performance would be so good that it would become a problem.

But who could have foreseen this? Even in the lost era a thousand years ago, it would have been no easy task to gather a pair of apostles and mythical creatures as guests for a performance; it was a scene that only appeared in allegorical epics.