Hearing this, Haida, who had been calm and unruffled all along, inexplicably paused, and even Vivian beside her gave a slight tremble of the shoulders, her expression taking on a hint of nervousness.
What's going on? Why did Sister Haida only react to Gormouth? Is there something special there?
In fact, Haida simply felt that all of this was too coincidental but hadn't yet found the true point of dissonance.
The spirit-infused material for Mechanized Spirit, the Stellar Abyss Society, the Nightmare Guest—everything seemed to converge upon that frontier nation bordering the Abyssal Sea.
But even before this year's series of events showed any signs, Fran had already mentioned she wanted to go there. For that, she herself had applied for a quarter's transfer order...
And now, thinking back, her seemingly casual vacation plan back then also seemed like some kind of premeditated arrangement.
"Dr. Fran, what exactly... is in Gormouth?"
As if guided by some ghost, Haida asked a question that even she felt was somewhat unclear in meaning.
Fran raised an eyebrow slightly, gazing at the sister before her for a few seconds.
Although the way the question was asked was a bit direct, it fit Haida's consistent style... She truly had noticed some of her own thoughts.
Relying on the spirit of the Hunter Phase, the intuition and spiritual perception of Secrets-Hunters would become increasingly sharp with each step of promotion.
Avoiding terrifying things in the darkness, hunting locked-on heretical progeny, even reversing a war that seems as catastrophic as a mountain collapsing...
Although Haida was far from reaching the level described in the precepts as "a hundred various matters, all resolved effortlessly," she had already shown some tendency in this direction.
"What's there? Hmm... let me think."
After brief consideration, Fran spoke slowly, carefully weighing her words.
"A sea that eats people, a bunch of madmen with worms crawling out of their wounds, a group of mediocrities trying to glimpse the stars from the seafloor... and a few clumsy thieves."
"At least that's my impression of it. Don't know if these folks have made any progress over the past few years."
Hearing this, Haida's brows slightly furrowed as she tried to understand the meaning of Fran's words.
The Abyssal Sea has long had a reputation for devouring people, so being called that isn't strange.
But the description "madmen with worms crawling out of their wounds"... Does that refer to the Moth cult's followers? And "mediocrities trying to glimpse the stars from the seafloor" should be the Stellar Abyss Society.
Then... what about the "clumsy thieves"?
Just as Haida was matching those nicknames with their corresponding cults one by one, she suddenly saw someone hurriedly approaching from a distance.
The newcomer had brown hair and blue eyes, tall and handsome. He wore a neat teaching assistant's uniform, and on his back was a rather conspicuous violin case.
It was Child. Judging by his somewhat pleasantly surprised expression, he probably also didn't expect to directly encounter the Secrets-Hunter responsible for this case on the road.
He quickly approached the three, raising a hand to wipe away non-existent sweat from his brow.
"Good day, esteemed members of the Secrets-Hunter cult."
"Likewise, Mr. Child."
Haida returned the courtesy.
Because this case involved a fallen, fanatical White Cup teaching assistant, the Secrets-Hunters had notified the White Cup cult. However, according to their usual efficiency, it would take several hours before they dispatched an envoy to respond. It was unexpected they came so quickly today...
Even with such haste, Child still arrived a bit late. But he was indeed quite lucky today. Fran didn't return directly to the clinic via the Mist Within the Door, so he eventually caught up with them.
Child didn't engage in small talk but quickly steered the conversation to the main topic, proceeding with routine formalities.
"Sister Haida, were there any special discoveries regarding the Star Chart Research Society case?"
"Specific files are already being organized by the Burial Court. We will share them with the White Cup cult within two working days. Schmidt's body will also be returned after the autopsy is completed."
Haida skillfully maintained her official tone, her gaze as calm as an ancient well without ripples.
However, out of some acquaintance with Child, she offered a reminder.
"In recent years, many potential dangerous incidents have been more or less connected to the White Cup. Although the number of general followers is vast, making true restraint difficult... Schmidt was a White Cup teaching assistant, also an Error-Purger."
"His corruption deserves greater attention."
"Yes, that is our oversight."
Child lowered his head slightly, not disputing this point.
His demeanor was humble and sincere, as if he had been reprimanded by Professor Terence like this often, to the point of developing a kind of muscle memory.
But Haida's original intent wasn't to lecture. Seeing his attitude, she instead began to wonder if her own tone had been too harsh...
Fran's voice sounded at just the right moment.
"Mr. Child, I presume you came not only to investigate the case this time... but also for something else?"
If it were an official investigation, the White Cup cult should follow their usual basic configuration of two-person teams, sending Professor Terence as well. Since Child came alone, it likely meant he had some other task.
"How did you know?" Child opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Just a random guess."
Fran waved her hand, subtly skirting past the topic.
If this scene had occurred inside the Mirror of Enlightenment Club, her answer would probably have been something like "the guidance of fate" or "the revelation of dreams"... But today she was the Secrets-Hunters' medical examiner, not a fortune-teller, so she had no idle desire to play mysterious.
Of course, Child didn't really think Fran was just guessing randomly... Ever since receiving this doctor's divination at the Mirror of Enlightenment Club, he had developed a certain faith in her ability to foretell the future.
And after receiving that Death card and later learning his teaching assistant assessment would be conducted within the ruins of the Whiskered Tree Sons' library, this trust became even more deeply rooted...
One could even say a bit superstitious.
"Norlington Central Academy is holding an academic symposium and several academic lectures. The Headmaster hopes several of you can attend. Here are the invitations."
"If your duties are too busy to attend, that's also fine. Please accept them for now."
As he spoke, Child handed Haida three exquisitely sealed letters. The white-madder colored wax seals bore the upright triangle holy emblem of the White Cup.
The sister accepted the letters. After a brief look, her grey-hazel eyes held a touch of puzzlement.
"It says 'Participant,' not 'Invited Audience'?"
"Yes." Child bowed slightly.
A hair's breadth difference in name carries completely different implications.
The threshold for Invited Audience isn't high; after all, most people just go to watch the spectacle. For non-mystical content, almost anyone can listen. Even for mystical content, the audience only needs to show their cult affiliation token.
But "Participant" requires joining the academic conference's discussions. Therefore, invitees are generally high-ranking disciples, professors, or supervisors.
In no time, Haida had sorted out the underlying context.
In previous years, the symposium seemed to generally have the Medical Department's Ms. Marian attend. This time the White Cup handed the invitations to her... probably wanting to seize the opportunity to invite Dr. Fran to attend.
"Lectures?"
Fran, of course, was also aware of this, though she wasn't yet quite clear what Grantham was scheming.
"...I regret that the clinic has been quite busy recently. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to attend."
She habitually declined, ready to see Child's reaction.
"Dr. Fran, this conference won't take up much of your time, and the White Cup cult will provide you with a spirit-infused material as remuneration. Of course, it can also be converted into 800 Norlington standard silver coins."
"If you are unwilling, you don't have to participate in the lecture. At the same time, we will keep your identity confidential throughout."
Hearing this, Fran glanced sideways slightly, her amber gaze appearing rather meaningful.
Haida beside her was already quite familiar with this; it was her expression when she was about to agree...
"Hmm... I sense your sincerity. Barring unforeseen circumstances, I will attend."
"We await your visit."
Child breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Obtaining Dr. Fran's consent meant his trip wasn't in vain. At least he could report back to the Headmaster.
"By the way... there's one more thing."
"The library ruin exploration proposed by the 'Whiskered Tree Sons' has been scheduled. Please prepare in advance. Additionally, they will also participate in this academic symposium."
"I understand." Haida nodded in acknowledgment.
As a supervisor of the Burial Court, she had also heard about the Whiskered Tree Sons' visit, just didn't expect to get involved with them so soon herself...
Child, having completed his task, quickly departed. Before leaving, he couldn't help but pat his chest, somewhat relieved at the smoothness of this trip.
The symposium's regulation was "each participant can bring one companion and one pet." Fortunately, Headmaster Grantham was quite generous this time, sending out three invitations at once... Otherwise, he really wouldn't know how to face Miss Vivian.
As the figure of this White Cup teaching assistant gradually disappeared around the street corner, Fran reached into Vivian's embrace, gently rubbing the crow's beak, waking the little bird still sleeping soundly with its eyes closed.
The crow awoke from its sweet dream, blinked its eyelids a few times somewhat drowsily, then lazily flew up onto Vivian's shoulder.
"Vivian, as I said at the beginning, I hope you keep last night's secret. Don't let it appear in the Confidential Division's archives. Although the Burial Court won't pursue it, I don't wish to attract too much unnecessary attention."
"Otherwise, I know which department you belong to, and I know who your superior is..."
Vivian pursed her lips, responding somewhat meekly.
"I... I won't tell anyone..."
"Ahem."
Sister Haida beside them, seeing Fran so blatantly threatening her subordinate in front of her, couldn't help but raise a hand to cover her mouth and cough lightly.
Sometimes she truly found it difficult to understand this doctor's strange taste; was scaring a child really that interesting...
—
Fog Street Clinic, Isolation Room.
In most cases, Fran preferred to complete the disassembly of consultation fees and related work within her own operating room.
It was sterile, dust-free, fully equipped with instruments, with a pleasant environment, and could withstand the intrusion of most pollution and diseases... The reason she was conducting research in the special isolation room today was mainly because the sample in her hands was somewhat special.
It was a complete Necron "Flayer."
It was a special unit contaminated by the Flayer Curse, having abandoned its original advanced Gauss weapon modules in favor of abnormally proliferating metal claws.
Although the claws also had monomolecular coating for cutting, overall it weakened the comprehensive strength...
In return, it gained single-unit transition ability to tear through dimensions for movement.
This made them move like ghosts. Even with their cold mechanical consciousness completely filled with a morbid desire to devour flesh and blood, they could still maneuver with ease on the battlefield, wantonly reaping mortal lives.
The craving for warm flesh and blood also gave it an extra layer of cunning akin to a predatory beast, making it even more troublesome to deal with.
However, once dimensional transition was blocked, the Flayer lost its greatest reliance. Though not exactly at the mercy of others, it became a cornered trapped beast.
Clearly, without the consent of Fog Street's master, this time it failed to tear through dimensions as it usually would.
Although Haida wasn't armored, relying on the power sword "Nirvana" in her hand and Sigrid's assistance, defeating it head-on only required some additional effort.
"The isolation room hasn't been used in so long, I almost forgot this room existed in the clinic."
The main reason Fran was conducting in-depth research on the Flayer here was primarily due to the virus-like curse on its body.
This thing spreads through contact and can hack into mechanical instruments and electronic systems. According to records, a Tech-Priest of the Adeptus Mechanicus was once infected by this virus and began frantically self-mutilating.
She certainly didn't want her operating room's medical equipment turning into some kind of bloodthirsty machine monster...
Fran let out a light sigh, taking out a grey, cold casing from the Flayer's body.
The hardness of living metal far exceeded conventional materials, and it could slowly self-heal... Even though it had been mostly dismantled, she still expended some effort.
"What a pity. Besides improving the Parsing Rate for Mechanized Biology, this Flayer holds almost no other value."
A complete Necron body contains a large number of precision components and a sufficient quantity of living metal.
Her previous collection of this metal was only around a hundred grams, and a lot was used just to recast Sister Haida's power sword.
This should have been an opportunity to replenish inventory in one go... But this fellow was highly polluted by the Flayer Curse, rendering all its components virus-carrying and unusable.
When Fran pierced it with the Chimera Spine "Sphinx" tailbone, she could feel the pollution about to cling on. If she hadn't quickly broken contact, she herself might have been infected.
"However, the Flayer Curse itself also counts as a kind of gain."
Fran consoled herself, calling Sigrid over to place the remaining parts into a display cabinet in the collection room.
The Flayer's propulsion system and combat modules had been completely removed; now it was no different from a life-sized model.
Instead, Sigrid discovered in the collection room that the "Dreamweaver," which resembled a mechanical brain, had somehow completed another escape, having gotten out of its display cabinet…
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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