The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

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But Haida felt a strange, inexplicable sense of familiarity. After quickly searching her memory, she found the source of the familiarity with the book cover. (Seven)

Norrington East End, the secret chamber of the Sunforge Tower… the final program of alchemy. (Lu)

And, the charred remains of Sigrid, sealed within the golden statue.

Without a doubt, the core of the mechanical god "Logic" is also a human being, and this unsettling pillar is, in fact, closer to a coffin. The rules of this worldview are so cruel that the need for sacrifice for divine ascension is so reasonable that it evokes no sense of unease. III

Compared to the countless Moonburnt victims in Preshville, the ordinary residents bound to the altars and bled to death, and the sacrifices turned to ashes in the war, the bodies used for sacrifice were utterly insignificant. 4

"Be careful."

Heda reached out and shielded Little Flamel behind her, then drew her power sword "Nirvana," taking the lead in preparing for battle.

"It is fundamentally different from the enemies we have encountered before."

Whether it was the "tortured" Long Chambala or the "King in Yellow" Caesar, they only evoked a sense of the bizarre. The weakened new god could still ravage humanity with unparalleled power, but he could not make this nun feel any real threat.

The mechanical god "Logic" gave her a real sense of danger that she couldn't ignore.

Before Heda could finish speaking, a faint sense of dread crept up her spine. It wasn't a warning from biological instinct or psychic awareness, but a purely physical phenomenon... Once the nun realized this, she saw her hair floating and trembling.

The next moment, the crimson arc of electricity struck Haida's torso directly.

No matter how strong the body, how agile the movements, or how sharp the reflexes, nothing can outrun light and electricity. Before the visual senses capture the arc of electricity and before the neural signals even reach the brain, the impact is already a foregone conclusion.

It is much faster than action and thought.

If it were a cultist disciple manipulating the electric arc, it might be possible to intervene before the ritual is completed, or to predict the trajectory of the attack from the direction of the arc's deployment and then find cover.

However, the core of "Logic" simply stood quietly in place, never exhibiting any movement from beginning to end. Furthermore, it was a highly refined mechanical creation, to the point that Haida couldn't even determine whether it harbored any hostility.

Now, the answer is obvious.

"Humph."

That's a very distinctive way of greeting people in Preshville.

Haida exhaled, then clenched her fingers and moved her limbs.

After undergoing the proto-body transformation surgery, her body's tolerance to radiation and high temperatures has surpassed the physical limits of carbon-based life forms, reaching an "incomprehensible" level. However, the crimson arc of electricity from earlier still caused her a strong numbing sensation, making her reactions and movements somewhat sluggish at this moment.

Oh, the Black Eclipse Dragon itself is also a type that is weak to lightning, so the current situation is also unavoidable.

The electric arc just now was merely the first thunderclap before the storm pressed in. Gas could be seen rapidly being released from the heat sink on the mechanical god "Logic" base, and the entire machine began to operate at high speed.

Dozens of crimson arcs of electricity locked onto Haida once again, and without cover, there was almost no chance of successfully dodging.

"despair."

At that moment, Sigrid quickly pressed her arm to the ground, and the alchemical code, resembling molten iron, immediately spread and expanded, instantly enveloping Heda and Flamel in two double-layered mesh metal cages.

The high-voltage electric arc that breaks through the air falls onto the metal cage and is then conducted into the ground.

Techniques like Thunderclap have unparalleled advantages in both speed and power, but their drawbacks are also exceptionally significant.

Calling it a drawback might be too harsh; it's simply a physical characteristic of charge movement. The electrostatic shielding generated by the Faraday cage structure ensures that the external electric field is uniformly distributed across the cage surface, while the internal electric field is zero.

This will render the vast majority of arc attacks harmless... However, if the cage material itself has poor conductivity and contains high-resistance sections, there will be a considerable risk of melting when encountering extremely high voltage.

The crimson arcs of electricity surged wildly, like a raging serpent in its nest.

Although she couldn't penetrate the electrostatic shielding of the double Faraday cage, Heda could see that part of the outer cage was already starting to glow red-hot. Clearly, the metal Sigrid used for temporary plasticization was not copper or silver, and therefore heat accumulation was unavoidable.

With time limited, Haida stopped thinking about anything else and activated the Black Erosion Dragon's genome.

One could see her originally fair skin being covered with jet-black scales at a visible speed, and her slender dragon tail was also visible from under the skirt of the funeral maid's robe, swinging excitedly and restlessly.

At the same time, the nun's vision rapidly dulled, so she closed her eyes.

A few breaths later, "Logic" 8 stopped driving the crimson arc, seemingly unwilling to maintain the extremely energy-intensive saturation lightning cover for some reason. Instead, it activated the pipe pile's heating trough, which then spewed out heated high-temperature gas towards the group.

Although it is called the god of machines, the current "logic" is still a man-made thing and is subject to some of the laws of physics.

The almost uninterrupted release of ultra-high voltage arcs just now put it into an overloaded and high-heat state, but for it, the heat dissipation process can also become a means of damage, namely the "overload reaction".

Indiscriminate wide-area killing method.

Almost as soon as the thermal vents began to release massive amounts of gas, Heda realized the type of attack. Normally, she could simply withstand the intense heat and draw her sword to retaliate, but now, she had to prevent Flamel behind her from being affected.

Haida opened her lungs, inhaling the hot, dry air, and then exhaled her dragon breath of scales and dust towards the oncoming hot air.

In an instant, the high-temperature gas was blasted away by the dragon's breath, along with the six tubular heat sinks of "Logic," which were destroyed along with it, and fine, ominous dust filled the entire room.

Although her eyes were tightly closed, completely blocking her vision, Haida's perception was sharper than ever before.

The black, etched dragon scale dust around her varied in density. In the denser areas, ominous black mist could be seen, while in the thinner areas, it was almost invisible, revealing nothing unusual, yet still within her sensory perception.

The mechanical god "Logic" has completed its heat dissipation and is currently preparing for the next round of red electric arcs. It can be inferred that its mechanical structure has an overheating threshold.

In short, it is afraid of high temperatures.

"Sigrid."

Heda didn't turn around, but simply extended her other free hand to Sigrid.

Thanks to their tacit understanding, Sigrid immediately complied and transformed herself into the straight sword "False Sun," which came into the nun's hands.

Heda, wielding two swords, leaped to the base of "Logic." She treaded through the lingering heat waves, her flaming nun's robes billowing with fire and dust, like a black steed treading on snow, swirling frost and shattering clouds.

The metal floor, which had been stepped on by her hunting boots and used as a stepping stone, was now twisted and bent due to the external force, revealing cracked shoe prints.

The Hunters are accustomed to ending any dangerous encounter in the shortest time and with the least damage. Therefore, after undergoing Primarchization surgery, Haida often restrains her power, to the point that she herself does not know where the limits of her body are.

Now, she finally has a target she can destroy without any scruples.

Since it surpasses the weak new god, since it is regarded by the Yellow King as the hope to lead humanity into a new afterlife, since it can make him feel real danger... then there should be no problem in bearing its full power.

The purpose of this trip was to "witness" the birth of the God of Machines, not to destroy him. Oh, actually, Heda didn't care. If the other party was friendly, she could indeed refrain from interfering.

But that is clearly not the case.

They wield fangs against me, and I will retaliate with weapons.

The power sword "Nirvana" in her hand transformed into a deep black blade of light that fell directly onto the base of the mechanical god "Logic". The cooling system, which had already been deeply corroded by the black dragon breath, immediately shattered and burst open, exposing the gears and pipes, with sparks flashing everywhere.

"—"

The crimson arc of electricity crackled several times, and Haida threw the power sword out of her hand, embedding it diagonally into the ground and channeling the current into the earth once again.

With her other hand, she plunged the straight sword [False Sun] into the already half-destroyed cooling system. The intense light and heat suddenly erupted, and the intricate mechanical structure melted and collapsed at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into molten iron droplets.

The massive amount of heat could not be released, and more than 60% of the main structure was damaged. If the other party was just an ordinary mechanical creation, then at this moment, there was only one possibility: destruction.

But Haida had a vague premonition.

What I was doing was not destruction or execution, but rather reaching out to peel back the constantly trembling cocoon. Something was being conceived and emerging from the complex steel structure, about to hatch.

A sickeningly loud sound of steel bending rang out, and two enormous hands, large enough to completely cover a human body, emerged from the crack in the pillar and suddenly closed towards where Haida was.

At this moment, the cube-shaped human figure at the center of the divine pillar also opens up, revealing a human figure inside that resembles a corpse.

The power sword "Nirvana," thrown by Haida to guide the lightning, was now too weak to raise its head for a block. 8

Therefore, she stretched out her hands to both sides, forcefully blocking the two giant, closed hands. At least for this moment, there was no contest of secret rituals or techniques between the two sides, but a pure clash of strength.

The difference in size and status caused Haida to feel pressure for the first time in a long time. She could feel the weight from the hand of the mechanical god "Logic" constantly intensifying, as if the physical limits of materials and transmission structures had ceased to exist.

If the current mechanical balance cannot be maintained, Haida will instantly be crushed into a paste of blood and flesh.

The threat to her survival, the oppression of death—none of this frightened Haida…she remained calm. Yet her body, gradually entering a state of combat readiness, became excited and activated; the misty, deep black scales solidified and liquefied, their dim light growing ever more intense.

“Sister Haida, your arm…” Lin

Sigrid's voice rang out from the sword [False Sun].

Haida also noticed the strangeness in her hands. She didn't know when, but her right arm had begun to swell at a visible rate, proliferating with hideous growths. Her left arm, on the other hand, was rapidly withering and shriveling, its cells losing vitality under some kind of influence.

All of this stems from the two arms that extend from the mechanical god "Logic".

The word "CREATO" is engraved on its right palm, while "INTERITUS" is on its left. The former can be understood as creation and manufacturing, while the latter means destruction and extinction in Latin.

Life and death, glory and decay, flourishing and withering—these contradictory forces are simultaneously acting upon Haida. This power is infinitely close to the principles, though not yet complete… it is enough to be called a great force.

As the process of birth deepened, the power belonging to the gods grew stronger, and the oppressive force that could shake one's mind reverberated layer by layer.

Haida's breathing gradually became erratic.

Of course, this does not mean that the nun is being affected by the severe external situation.

She was just thinking about one thing.

At this moment, would it be too arrogant to resist or retain that power originating from the dragons? Have I subconsciously become so accustomed to restraining myself that I've forgotten how to release it?

Maybe yes.

Hesitation is the first emotion a Hunter must discard; once a clear answer is found in one's heart, action will put that decision into practice. She no longer suppressed the biological characteristics of her Primarch and the Black Dragon... unleashing the full potential of this body.

"despair."

In the blink of an eye, the hands of creation and destruction of the mechanical god "Logic" shattered together, revealing the flesh and blood contained within the steel structure.

Heda stood still, her nun's robe torn into several strips at the shoulder blades, revealing her neat back covered with porcelain scales and two dragon-shaped forearms that resembled wings and claws.

The massive wing membranes spread backward, shimmering with a velvety, veil-like texture.

With a flap of its wings, the dragon stirred up a wave of dust, and Haida leaped toward "Logic," which had lost its last protection, as if the night had swallowed the day and obscured the sky.

When they looked again, all that remained of the object that had been given the name of a god was a pile of wreckage.

-

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Soup! (The next chapter will end the house call! Probably.)

Chapter Sixty-Four: Frozen Sorrow [The Last Sacrifice]

How should one describe death?

After the candles burn out, after the roses wither, after the hearth grows cold and silent... death follows. Whether one ultimately returns to the cycle of life or falls into a colorless and lightless void, there is no definitive answer.

However, for deities, celestial beings, or individuals about to ascend the final step of the hidden staircase, death often does not signify the end. On the contrary, it is the only key they can use to unlock the final door.

The mechanical god "Logic" has now been completely destroyed.

At this moment, all that can be seen in the core chamber of the white bunker are scattered components covered in blood, half-melted and half-destroyed scrap steel, and Sister Heda, who is crawling on the ground with four claws and two legs, tirelessly destroying everything.

"Ho-"

A thunderous growl rumbled in Haida's throat, and though her eyes were tightly closed, one could still sense the intense, burning ferocity in them.

The Primarchization Surgery not only altered the physical body but also reshaped the deeper layers of the being, including the spirit and soul. Even with the Black Dragon's genome highly activated, she still had the capacity to restrain her desires and regain her rationality.

The reason she continues to wreak havoc is due to some kind of instinctive unease.

She could sense that although the physical body of the mechanical god "Logic" was completely destroyed, it was far from being annihilated. Moreover, it had fully formed and could descend at any moment... and the consequences of its descent were something even she, in her current state, might not be able to bear.

Just then, a beam of light appeared from the crack in the center of the collapsed pillar.

The sharp clang of steel transmission resounded.

The divine pillar unfolded fully with the sound, and even though Haida didn't open her eyes, she felt her entire field of vision was enveloped in a deep green light. At this moment, the Black Devouring Dragon's appetite and destructive instincts seemed to be stripped from its consciousness, leaving only its pure personality.

Even when Dr. Fran used the [Swinging Heart Clock] for mental intervention, he could not so easily shake her consciousness.

...This is a true miracle.

There is no way to defy it, no way to resist it; the only option is to submit. It's as if we are standing in front of a collapsing mountain. No matter how much honor humanity enjoys, what ideals it holds, what its status is, or what its experiences are, all we can feel is our own insignificance.

Tiny, smaller than a grain of sand, smaller than a speck of dust.

For a fleeting moment, Heda understood why the silent, weakened new gods in the banquet hall were so eager for divinity. Before true perfection and transcendence, the yearning is an instinct that cannot be resisted.

Just as fireflies dream of flying up into the sky and replacing that pale crescent moon.

The ever-changing eerie green light also enveloped Sigrid and Flamel. Driven by a sense of crisis, she suddenly unleashed a blinding solar flame, the radiance intertwining and clashing. However, the effects were not completely neutralized.

Sigrid's spirit was rapidly depleting, and her humanity was drastically enhanced. This caused her to passively transform from the Sword of the False Sun into a human form, and her soul and spirit were about to be absorbed into the artificial realm constructed by the "Logic" stream of consciousness.

Just before her consciousness was about to leave her body, she melted open the Faraday cage that was encasing Flamel, then reached into the pocket of the waiter's robe, took out a bottle of whiskey, and handed it to Flamel in the distance.

"Sister Sigrid!"

No one answered her call. Sigrid once again shed her human form, leaving only a straight sword surrounded by rose-red sunlight, standing silently and constantly dispelling the approaching dark green.

Wu—