Some maniacs' madness is incurable. In such cases, death becomes the only cure, the final destination, and the ultimate release.
If Solani hadn't yet used her family's flesh and blood to conduct the blood sacrifice, Fran wouldn't have minded considering an alternative treatment plan.
Even though she hadn't undergone mental corruption from heterodox rituals—her faith in the malevolent deity was completely spontaneous, a classic case of self-degradation—it wasn't entirely hopeless.
Fran could modify Solani's subconscious, even tamper with and fabricate her "self," erasing the fervent belief and madness from her mind, helping her live out the rest of her life respectably and happily as a noble lady.
If the madness in her spirit was so deeply rooted it couldn't be stripped away, then reshape her personality.
If antivirus software doesn't work, then format! If formatting doesn't work either, then physically destroy and replace the hardware… Fran's medical plans were very extensive; there was always one that would suit her.
But now, the ancient rite of blood and flesh had been completed. Crimes cast in iron had been committed. There was no room for change left.
Even Fran found it difficult to use her proud medical techniques to save those already transformed by the "Flesh-Shaping Ritual."
After all, they had already been sacrificed to the Red Cup, becoming part of its endless bone and blood… Was she supposed to go snatch people back from the Red Cup?
Thus, Solani also lost the qualification for other medical plans. After all, Fran was just a doctor. She had no interest in forgiving the criminal on behalf of the victims.
Fran had some study and reflection in law and could be said to have considerable expertise. But her legal concepts were simple and plain, summarized by the phrase "an eye for an eye."
"Sigh, encountering troublesome and unpleasant patients is unavoidable… A heterodox believer who doesn't know restraint and is ignorant and arrogant. What bad luck."
Fran stroked the black suture marks on her finger joints, her brows showing a hint of helplessness.
With some patients, simply curing their illness and restoring their health suffices. But with others…
Living itself is the plague.
——
Three days later.
Norlington Central District, Secrets-Hunter Cult Preparation Room.
"Sister Haida, when exactly will Dr. Fran contact us? This is already the third day…"
Vivian was half-lying on the preparation room sofa, neatly adorned with various standard-issue equipment, almost armed to the teeth.
But now she seemed somewhat bored, even having a popular knight novel covering her face.
"It's only been three days, Vivian. Stay calm… Don't be impatient."
Haida wiped the wooden-handled switchblade engraved with obscure patterns in her hand, her gaze calm and unrippled, like a cold pond or ancient well.
Patience is one of the essential qualities of a Burial Attendant.
Haida had once spent three months with a senior tracking a heterodox Deacon. It was a long hunt that spanned five cities and crossed countless wildernesses…
In the end, the hunt concluded with the Evil Spawn's head severed. When she cut off that Deacon's head, she sincerely felt pleasure and satisfaction.
Haida didn't mind waiting, nor did she mind silence, as long as it was meaningful.
Because of direct contact with Dr. Fran, Vivian had been directly assigned to Haida's action team. This forced her to spend these past few days with Haida, on standby in the preparation room whenever possible, waiting to execute the purge mission.
"Whatever… Let's just treat it as a break. I might as well finish reading this copy of Steam City Female Knight vs. Hulking Goblins."
Vivian sighed, took a soda cracker from the small basket on the table, and put it in her mouth, continuing to read her novel.
She had previously complained about the Confidential Division's packed task schedule, but getting two days off inexplicably in this situation made her somewhat restless instead.
Haida narrowed her eyes, glanced sideways, her expression slightly odd.
"Sometimes it's really hard to understand what modern popular writers are thinking."
She was the type who never read popular novels. Besides some classic literature, she usually browsed occult texts. For example, she was currently reading The Crimson Visage just borrowed from the Secrets-Hunter library.
This book was one of the Red Cup's skin scriptures, but it had no occult influence. Within the Secrets-Hunters, it was considered general information on the Red Cup sect. However, due to its taboo nature, certain authorization was required to borrow it.
"Sister Haida, what exactly is Dr. Fran? The General Affairs Division actually agreed to execute the purge plan against the Red Cup sect's lair according to her plan and issued the purge order."
Generally, to eliminate unstable factors in missions, the General Affairs Division wouldn't agree to let someone like Fran—of unknown identity and posing a safety hazard—participate in purge missions.
"Unfortunately, I don't know." Haida indicated she knew nothing about it, very honestly.
"But based on our previous collaboration, I personally agree with the 'friendly' description of her in the General Affairs Division's response. Dr. Fran is unimaginably reliable in most situations. It even makes one be unconsciously led by her."
"I see…"
Vivian subtly shifted her gaze back to the novel in her hands.
She had thought that Haida, as Chief Hunter Ahern Moira's daughter, might know more secrets…
As a Confidential Division member, collecting information anytime, anywhere had almost become Vivian's instinct. This sometimes made her seem inexplicably not very proper.
"We're not going to be on standby in the preparation room all day again, are we? Putting on and taking off this equipment is a hassle…"
Vivian rubbed her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of helpless weakness.
Just then, the preparation room door slowly opened.
A wisp of pale gray, luminous mist carrying a slight cool dampness drifted in.
"She's here."
Haida's eyes focused sharply. She had seen Dr. Fran's method of movement once before in the Medical Division's recovery ward and recognized it instantly now.
"Here? But this is the Cult's internal preparation room…"
Vivian showed astonishment again. She had thought Fran would go through an inspection and reporting process at the door first. Instead, she just opened the door and arrived?
Does the teleportation ability she displays even bypass the "Anchor" of the Pure Land?
Fran's slender figure in her white coat gradually appeared from the hazy, chaotic pale mist.
"Good day, you two."
Fran stretched and gave Haida and Vivian a simple greeting. Then she slightly covered her mouth, suppressing a yawn.
Without patients or commissions, Fran generally maintained a lazy state. Sometimes she even slept until noon before hanging up the "Open for Business" sign at the small clinic.
Although Fog Street was hidden in Norlington North District's non-existent thirteenth street, ordinarily no visitors would ever come.
But sometimes, a lucky one would receive the goddess of fate's call… arriving at the Fog Street Clinic's door by a stroke of fortune.
"Good morning, Dr. Fran."
Haida gave a slight nod, responding briefly before getting to the point.
"Has Mrs. Solani returned to the Red Cup sect's lair?"
Fran admired Haida's serious and dedicated work attitude. Clapping her hands together, she answered Haida's question.
"Yes, she has. After wandering in the wastelands of the city outskirts and among the crowds in the central district with over ten different appearances for two days, she finally went to a place full of her kind."
"Then there's no time to lose. I'll go inform the General Affairs Division immediately. The two 'Error-Purgers' from the White Cup sect who came to assist have been waiting in the Cult for two days."
"Oh? It seems the White Cup scholars are quite serious about this matter."
Fran very naturally walked into the preparation room, casually taking a soda cracker from the wicker basket on the table.
Vivian carefully covered the cover of her Steam City Female Knight vs. Hulking Goblins, bit by bit hiding it behind her.
Though she didn't mind exposing her usual reading material in front of Haida, her colleague, having Dr. Fran see it felt inexplicably a bit shameful.
After doing that, Vivian picked up on Fran's earlier topic.
"The people from the White Cup sect were all like they'd eaten gunpowder after seeing the byproducts of the Flesh-Shaping Ritual. They sent out Error-Purgers to assist with the investigation early on. They even stayed at our headquarters for two days, ready to participate in the purge at any time."
She recalled the image of the well-dressed, refined, gold-rimmed-spectacled, amiable elder from the White Cup sect suddenly slamming a pistol on the table.
"And they were very dissatisfied with the General Affairs Division's requirement to only send two Error-Purgers, constantly asking if more personnel were needed… If they could locate the heterodox lair themselves, they'd have already prepared for the assault."
Haida inserted the freshly wiped and maintained wooden-handled switchblade back into the sheath in her nun's habit and came to the door.
The chaotic pale mist from Fran's arrival had already dissipated. Outside the door was a normal corridor again.
Before leaving, Haida also made a slight joke about the White Cup sect:
"They say only three things can move the White Cup's old scholars. First, the appearance of epoch-making new technology. Second, theoretical breakthroughs in mathematics. Third, news of the Red Cup sect."
Watching Haida leave, Fran obediently sat down on the sofa and stretched her slender waist.
Her posture was dignified yet possessed a certain elegant agility, like a cat arriving for the first time.
"Once bitten, twice shy. They're always like that."
Having said that, she picked up another soda cracker and put it in her mouth. Clearly, she was quite fond of such snacks.
——
"These two are the White Cup sect's 'Error-Purgers,' Professor Terence and Mr. Child."
"Professor Terence is an 'Ancient Relic Researcher.' He carries three relics and masters the White Cup sect's related secret arts. Child is his assistant and bodyguard."
After completing the report to the General Affairs Division, Haida returned to the preparation room and briefly introduced the two Error-Purgers before Fran.
Terence appeared to be in his fifties, with graying hair, dressed in a refined khaki winter coat, wearing round-framed glasses with an anti-slip chain. He perfectly fit the image of a middle-aged professor, even holding a hefty tome under his arm.
Child seemed to be only in his twenties. He looked sturdy and tall, handsome and sunny, his face wearing an eager expression.
Notably, he carried a specially made leather gun holster on his back, holding an exceptionally long, huge firearm.
"This is the Secrets-Hunter Cult's specially hired physician and medical examiner, Dr. Fran."
Haida then introduced Fran to the two, using phrasing the other party could accept as much as possible.
"Glad to meet you, Dr. Fran." Professor Terence glanced at Fran, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
For the medical profession, she seemed somewhat too young.
Although Terence had some doubts whether such a young doctor could handle this purge mission, out of cultivation, knowledge, and trust in the Secrets-Hunter Cult, he didn't voice any skepticism.
"The pleasure is mine, Professor Terence. Oh, and Mr. Child. Good day."
The corner of Fran's lips maintained that service-oriented smile, amiable without seeming obsequious.
"Me, me too. Glad to meet you, Dr. Fran."
Child appeared youthful and enthusiastic, seeming to hesitate whether to come forward for a handshake, but held back considering his teacher hadn't moved.
Then he noticed the black suture marks on Fran's skin and asked with concern: "Dr. Fran, why do you have so many suture lines on your hands and neck? Were you injured?"
"Oh, that's a past event. I did get a little hurt… But it's fine now. Thank you for your concern."
Fran charmingly raised an eyebrow, seemingly not expecting Child to notice and actually ask. But out of response to others' concern, she gave a brief explanation.
"Sigh, this kid…"
Professor Terence narrowed his eyes, looking at his somewhat rash assistant, couldn't help but sigh.
Asking a member of a secretive sect such a question was impolite. He had reminded him before coming…
"I still don't understand one point: why did the General Affairs Division heads only agree to let us send two Error-Purgers? Are we supposed to clear out a completely unknown heterodox lair with just the five of us?"
"Our task is only location and peripheral reconnaissance. Four action teams from the Burial Court will follow and assist with the purge when needed."
"Planning to monopolize the credit… Alright, I understand. As long as the purge is completed normally, the White Cup sect has no objections."
Haida began explaining the specific plan of this mission to Terence, which slightly alleviated his concerns.
"Time is tight. Let's set off quickly."
Fran slightly frowned, urging everyone.
She had already located the Red Cup sect's lair through the medicine Solani took.
But simultaneously, she received some not-so-wonderful news… These heterodox heretics were beginning to relocate. In about half a day's time, the entire lair would be empty.
Fran stepped out of the preparation room first, her figure vanishing into the shadows of the narrow, long corridor.
——
——
Norlington North District, Outskirts.
This area was close to the boundary of Norlington's northern region. A bit further ahead would enter undeveloped wilderness.
Therefore, this place was sparsely populated. Only secretive sect members and fugitives evading pursuit would stay here for extended periods.
Generally, the public security here actually wasn't bad. Orthodox cult patrol groups would regularly conduct sweeps and investigations. And secretive sects weren't necessarily all outright cults; some small orthodox organizations would also gather here.
+++
T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL