The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

Chapter Twenty-Seven: A Lament (The Old Man's Ring)

O,locus ille,beatus quondam,nunc deminuit. (The once blessed land is now broken and shattered.)

Nos,destinatae matribus,nunc fiunt turpes (The bride who is about to become a mother, also for the defilement and withering.)

Ploravimus lacrimavimusque, (We wail and sob.)

Sed nemo nos consolatur. (…but there is no one left to comfort him.)

Aureum, cui irascebaris? (O gold! Who has angered you to this?)

-

The melodious and sorrowful chant slowly began, Fran's voice ethereal and clear, like the cry of a cuckoo, or a mournful elegy.

Melodious, melancholic, and tranquil, like a songstress witnessing the collapse of a dynasty... as an observer, she laments the passing of an ancient era with despair and bewilderment.

The tides surge, buildings crumble, the sun sets and the moon rises... Who can stop it? Who can change it? All she can do is offer a lament.

Fran's eyes were slightly closed, seemingly completely absorbed in the chant. Even as the heavily armored knight raised his halberd high... he remained unmoved.

Haida arrived before the tree guardian, a captured royal army greatsword in her hand, ready to block his attack at any moment.

These kinds of swords are practically standard issue for every regular soldier in the Grek army; they're readily available. And surprisingly, the smelting quality is quite good… perfect for use. She couldn't bear to use her folding knife to directly confront the heavy halberd.

But the halberd guarded by the great tree did not fall. His warhorse seemed lost in the song, its proud head drooping. The knight, already heartbroken, showed a look of bewilderment and longing in his withered eyes. Even his weapon slipped from his hand.

"Gold...why are you angry? Why...why have you abandoned us?" Lu

He let out a question that was almost a sigh, and the crimson embers in the knight's eyes went out. (Part Three)

At the same time, his eyes became completely empty. He had lost his spirit and self as a living being, becoming like a mere shell with only remnants of life force.

Fran stopped humming, then her long eyelashes fluttered, revealing a slit in her amber eyes. 4

"Phew... It's been a long time since I sang, so I'm not very good at it anymore."

As he spoke, Fran touched the black stitches in her throat. The original melody of this song came from a singing humanoid bat, with a rather deep and melancholic female voice. Therefore, it would indeed be difficult for her to capture the essence of the song on her first attempt.

But thanks to Liberi's ancient talent and superb pronunciation skills... she still succeeded. "The Shepherd's Song" shook the last vestiges of the guardian's self, and subsequently shattered his will.

"Dr. Fran... what did you do to this knight?"

Haida was still somewhat worried that the heavily armored knight in front of her might suddenly turn on her and launch a counterattack, as the current distance was too close and somewhat dangerous.

“I calmed his obsession and ended his wandering. Hmm... and incidentally took over his control of his body.”

As he spoke, Fran raised his hand, and the Tree Guardian raised his arm-armored hand in the same gesture.

"Hmm... the secret art of manipulating corpses?" Haida instinctively felt a sense of disgust towards manipulating corpses.

In esoteric systems, only the Cult of the Deceased typically uses such rituals related to the dead. Furthermore, it is considered a thoroughly heretical and unorthodox practice.

However, Dr. Fran's previous actions had successfully raised her acceptance threshold, so she was not surprised that Fran could manipulate corpses.

When this doctor can command the mist to travel through an unknown world where gods still exist... whether she can manipulate corpses is really no longer important.

"He just looks a bit like a dead person. This knight is still alive... Do I look like the kind of doctor who likes to play with corpses? That's a stereotype!"

Fran corrected Haida's statement, gave a soft hum, and then opened the small medicine box to begin preparing to treat Ivenne.

"Don't worry about her. Although the Faded Ones are humanoid creatures, it's not entirely accurate to call them 'humans'... In terms of physical constitution alone, Miss Ivani is much stronger than the average person."

Fran clasped her hands together slightly and activated [Dispelling Dust and Impurities]. A soft, shimmering light spread out from her, forming a pristine, spherical isolation zone.

Emergency treatment begins.

She reached out and felt for Evian's chest and carotid artery to check for signs of shock.

"Her heart did not stop, her pulse was unstable, and she was still able to breathe on her own. She had several broken ribs, probably another puncture wound to her internal organs. Hmm... she had burst fractures in both hands, it seems she paid a heavy price to block that halberd."

"Although it feels a bit strange not being in the operating room, cleaning and removing dust can simulate a suitable surgical environment. I didn't bring too many instruments; it's barely enough for an open-chest surgery..."

Haida watched the entire surgery process silently and meticulously from the side.

At the same time, she had a sudden realization... she herself, who was exhausted and on the verge of death, probably received emergency treatment in the same way.

In Fran's hands, the complex and fragmented human tissues were like puzzle pieces waiting to be put back together. She reassembled Ivani's shattered body with unparalleled precision.

"No wonder she's a color-fading person. Even if I hadn't intervened, there's a greater than 40% chance she would have recovered on her own..."

In fact, such injuries do not necessarily require surgery for those who have faded. Fran can fully recover through medication.

The reason for performing the surgery was twofold: firstly, to obtain Ivani's clinical data, and secondly... to personally dissect her flesh and try to peer into her inner self using a more brutal method.

The conclusion remains the same: she has no illness.

-

Islay Church.

After being in a coma for a day, Evonne gradually woke up.

"...Am I still alive, Dr. Fran? Is everything I'm seeing a figment of my imagination after death, or is it reality?"

"Of course it's real. You were very brave and passed the pop quiz successfully. In the coming days, we'll take you to collect Shining Stone magic, combat skills, and runes... You can relax a bit."

Fran looked at Ivanie, who was gradually opening her eyes, and explained the situation to her with a smile.

"But why... is that knight standing at the door? Or am I hallucinating?"

She squinted and pointed to the large tree guards that stood obediently and respectfully by the church door, alongside her warhorse.

"I've won him over, and now he's friendly towards you."

Sanfran did not continue the topic, but instead smiled warmly and asked Ivenne for her opinion on the assessment.

"Ivanie, I put you in such a deadly situation, so it's understandable that you resent me. But I still want to hear your story... Did you truly feel the weight of life and death?"

Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Clue to Something (Old Man's Ring)

"It feels... wonderful. Everything in the world suddenly became clear and vivid, and I have never felt so truly alive."

Evonne pondered, recalling the inexplicable emotions that welled up within her when facing the barrage of thrusts from the golden halberd.

Life is beautiful and peaceful, and death is equally warm. In her final moments, she seemed to transform into a feather of the soul, freed from the weariness and constraints of the world. After a long, peaceful breath, she accepted death's embrace without regret.

"A polarized personality. Indeed, the mindset of ordinary people cannot be applied to those who have faded away..."

Fran showed great interest in the unusual qualities that Evangeline displayed.

This may be a very common psychological state in border areas, but it is also a unique mental model. It is worth recording and documenting.

Just as the Trisolarans generally believe that "the guilty should be sentenced to death and the innocent should be released," this is a difference in the way civilizations in different worlds think.

"Dr. Fran, could you explain the concept of 'bipolar personality' in more detail?"

Heda was clearly quite interested in this kind of psychological topic, so much so that she did not remain silent as usual, but wanted to hear Fran explain further.

“Oh? Sister Heda is quite interested in psychology? Then I’ll give you a brief description… In a broad sense, personality polarization refers to emotional instability, where the personality of an individual swings between gentleness and irritability.”

"Clearly, Evian's situation is a narrow one... When things are peaceful, she fears danger and imagines it; when she is on the verge of despair, she dares to cling to death."

Fran is never stingy with her answers to students who humbly seek her guidance on academic matters. She's happy to help others... Of course, since most of the technologies she possesses are somewhat dangerous, she selectively remains silent on certain questions. However, this is just a basic psychology question, and as the head nurse, Haida naturally receives some special treatment.

Evonne pursed her lips slightly, clearly curious about her own mental state. Although Fran almost never discussed illness in front of her, she was a living person, not a mushroom, and could naturally glean clues from Fran's words.

After each of Dr. Fran's physical examinations, he would somewhat disappointedly conclude, "You're perfectly healthy," yet he would never let go of any opportunity for an internal examination. He was persistent, as if he absolutely had to find something wrong with her…

"Hmm... then, Dr. Fran, is this psychological abnormality the 'disease' you're looking for in me?"

"Don't worry, this is certainly not a disease. Even in normal human society, this kind of personality is not uncommon. And in border areas where madmen are everywhere... it is even more common."

Fran gently comforted Ivanie.

"Don't worry about these trivial matters. As my patient, you just need to trust me. But don't you find it strange? You're perfectly healthy, yet I keep trying to find out what's wrong with you..."

“It’s not strange at all; you’re a very kind doctor.” Ivani shook her head and then began to share her thoughts.

"Everyone has their own responsibilities, and perhaps this is the mission that Dr. Fran bears."

“Hmm, that’s a very borderland-style insight…” Fran nodded slightly, understanding Ivani’s thoughts.

It was precisely because there were quite a few people in the border area whose behavior and mental state were somewhat abnormal that Fran seemed to appear much more normal...

"Today is a rest day. You can continue to sleep for a while, or do some low-intensity rehabilitation exercises."

"I want to go for a walk outside Islay Church and get some fresh air."

Ivanni stood up, and surprisingly, she felt no pain or soreness. Her chronic illness had vanished, leaving only a feeling of refreshed ease.

……

Irwin stood amidst the shimmering waves of grass swaying in the night breeze, gazing intently at the golden triumphing lights outside the church.

She breathed in almost greedily, letting the air and oxygen fill her lungs. She had never imagined that being alive could feel so sweet, so intoxicating.

At the same time, a cold and calm female voice rang out.

"...Nice to meet you, Faded One, I am Melina."

The man in the light brown leather robe removed the hood covering his face, revealing chestnut hair and only one brass-colored eye, and slowly walked towards her.

"Hello, my name is Ivy. What...do you want?"

Ivani snapped out of her reverie and cautiously took a step back. Although she politely acknowledged her name, she gripped her astrolabe and the King's straight sword tightly, ready to face any potential danger.

“I want to make a deal with you. Your two friends are quite powerful, but they are neither the ‘Finger Witches’ who can guide you, nor are they the Faded Ones destined to become king. I can replace the witches and transform the runes into your power.”

"Then what do you need me to do?"

Since it's a transaction, the exchange should be of equal value. So Ivani inquired about the other party's purpose.

"I would like to ask you to take me to the foot of the Golden Tree, where I need to complete my mission..."

Melina's speech was clear and rational, carrying a hint of unspoken sincerity. Aside from the wandering merchants, she was one of the few people Ivonne had encountered with whom she could have a normal conversation.

She was inclined to agree, but worried that it might conflict with her agreement with Dr. Fran, leaving her in a dilemma.

"Promise her."

Heda emerged from the shadows beneath the church ruins. Clearly, she had been present throughout the entire conversation and transaction.

“I agree to the deal, Miss Melina.”

Heda naturally represented Fran's stance, and the doctor didn't seem to mind Melina's involvement. So Ivani felt relieved and agreed to the deal.

"Alright, our contract is established. Now, please accept this ring. Using it will summon the spirit horse named Torret. It has chosen you, so please treat it well..."

Having said this, Melina handed a "Spirit Horse Sentinel Ring" to Ivonne, then transformed into a bright blue speck of soul light and resided within Ivonne's body. She slept, yet observed.

Haida glanced at her and noticed the special spirituality in Ivenne.

However, since Fran asked her to come and give her approval, she must have considered the risks involved... There's no need to worry too much; just maintain normal vigilance.

Moreover, Fran might only be happy if something truly dangerous happened to Ivenne...

—救

Inside the Church of Arey. (A total of 100 million)

Lani, dressed in the snow witch's greyish-white robes, stared directly at the doctor before her. Her skin was a deep indigo, with a delicate yet broken doll-like texture.

Two pairs of arms were placed in her velvet sleeves, and the faint light under the pointed brim of her hat was like the cold night sky.

“Hello, doctor. I should be calling myself Witch Lena right now. But if it's you... you can just call me 'Lani'.”

Fran had anticipated meeting this "god-like being" who walked the world in a puppet body, but the other's attitude was somewhat strange. It was an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if today was not their first meeting.

"Doctor, there's no need for introductions. We don't need to know each other."

Lani interrupted Fran, who was about to speak, and then handed him a bronze bell that emitted a faint glow of spirit.

"Please pass the 'Soul-Summoning Bell' to that child. This time, it's probably the end of everything..."

Without Fran uttering a single word, the witch Lani vanished into the vast starry night, leaving no trace or echo, as if she had never been there. Only the trembling soul bell in her hand proved that everything that had happened was not an illusion.

"Lani's behavior has deviated from its original trajectory... A 'difference' has emerged. But what exactly is the reason? Hmm... I don't dislike this kind of surprise."

Fran gazed calmly at the spot where Lani had disappeared, showing no surprise, only a hint of meaningful joy in his amber eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Golden King (Old Man's Ring)

Stoneville originally means the high city of storms and veils.

Fran was in the banquet hall in the center of the city tower, before him stood a "limb-splitting nobleman" covered in wounds. His swollen body, pierced with limbs from various creatures, was swaying unsteadily, as if he might collapse at any moment.

"Hmm, what an adorable child. I can't wait to understand your inner self... How exactly do you manage to get this broken body moving, and how exactly does your immune system work?"