Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

She tried to dodge, but her nerves were a beat too slow. In an instant, a burning pain shot through her shoulder, and a charred black color was spreading outwards.

The rare injury, though not particularly gruesome, gave Charlotte a clear understanding.

This situation is similar to when Watson defeated an extraordinary being with an ordinary body, except that her body is now more fragile and her senses are more dulled. Of course, Miss O'Shaw also has her own advantages.

Only by showcasing something unique can one attract attention and receive preferential treatment in terms of resources.

Ignoring Ms. Z's instructions, she allowed her vision and hearing to extend into the boundless distance. Perhaps ordinary people cannot recognize the delusional ramblings and spiritual pollution, only feeling that under the influence of this sealed object, everything has become an indescribable existence.

In reality, Charlotte was more dizzy than disoriented. This was due to her brain consuming too much sugar from receiving too much color and sound, which was simply a physiological reaction.

As if ignoring the pollution of her mind, she only heard the hoarse sound of the waves gradually calm down and the sea breeze becoming more and more harmonious. The excessive information was slowly accepted by her, transformed into words, and consciously told her the secrets buried deep in her heart.

This wasn't how ordinary people understood the world; rather, it was as if this strange world was actively introducing itself to her.

Respectful and polite.

That's not something to be annoyed by.

With eyes closed, one's own spiritual ocean is still swirling with wind and rain, with waves rising and falling; with eyes open, the wind is gentle and the clouds are light, and all excessive things return to normalcy, returning to the ordinary material world.

Pederina opened and closed her eyes again, still clutching her instrument, still biting her lip, lost in her dream. Zelena's fingertips trembled slightly, as if she was about to break free from the influence and slowly wake up. As for the three-headed 'monster', it had lost its deformed ugliness and looked like a normal person. Although blood was flowing from its forehead, it still lunged at her in a dull manner.

The sealing artifact's function is clearly indiscriminate, covering a specific area regardless of friend or foe.

However, once the so-called monster's blessing is gone, these pawns of the Enlightenment Society are just fragile ordinary people, or to put it another way, extremely fragile.

Ignoring pollution is what makes her unique, and questioning herself has never been Charlotte's nature. She will naturally seek the root of the problem, but she will not refrain from using this ability out of fear.

Raising her wooden cane, she twisted her waist and swayed her shoulders, dodging the attack while closing the distance. She swept the cane horizontally like plucking a string, gently pulling the ankle of the person in front of her. The force sent that person flying out like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the hard brick wall.

Amidst the splattering of blood, Charlotte had already moved out of bounds, gracefully bending backwards without getting a speck of dust on her face, thus avoiding the third party's attack.

The dagger he swung just grazed his temple, shaving off a few strands of golden hair, before she used her hand to brace herself, turned sideways, and kicked out with her left leg, striking his forehead hard.

With a sudden rise and fall, the last person grinned, revealing his yellowed, jagged teeth. Fortunately, Charlotte reacted quickly, only raising her cane so that the former could bite the tip of the cane before his limbs could reach it.

At the same moment, she steadied herself and poured all her strength into the end of her staff. With a cracking sound, the tip of the staff pierced the monster's throat and emerged from the other side. This was no lady's staff; it was clearly a slender sword with a wooden sheath at its tip.

"Uh......"

Blood gushed from the gaping hole in the back of his neck. The man let out a low, painful howl. He was conscious but had no strength to resist. His skeletal body shuddered and then collapsed to the ground.

This wasn't because Charlotte was too bloodthirsty; it was simply that the opponent was an extraordinary being. Although due to cognitive contamination, the opponent only knew the most primitive form of attack, if the ability to resist wasn't decisively extinguished, there was a possibility that things might turn sour.

The world was purified, but the pollution of the spirit still affected her companions, namely the Conch Girl and Ms. Z.

Ignoring the possibility of spiritual contamination, she stepped forward and searched carefully. After a moment, she found a simple hand mirror on the body of the first person to fall.

Through her own senses, she could confirm that this was the sealed object that had caused the scene just now.

After taking a special suitcase from the carriage to store such items and putting everything in order, Zelena had already broken free from the previous illusion. Her eyes were filled with relief, but also with some self-reproach.

"Thank you for your hard work, Charlotte. This time, it was my negligence that put you in crisis."

Gently stroking Pederine's hair, Ms. Z merely dispelled the effects of cognitive pollution without waking her up again, letting the wounded girl drift into a sweet dream and then fall into a peaceful sleep.

"Let the child get a good night's rest."

As she bent down to examine the several dead bodies, Zelena took the items out of their pockets one by one and placed them at the back of the carriage.

Paper flowers, handkerchiefs, mirrors, books...

What they found were just ordinary things. Apart from that, even the two extraordinary individuals at the forefront did not carry anything of value or that could provide any relevant information.

It's as if the clues have been abruptly cut off, making it incredibly difficult to trace them back to the source.

"Ms. Z, what should we do with them?"

Pointing to the last remaining unconscious member, Charlotte deliberately asked the former.

"The dead are buried, and the living are cared for. If they do not have access to extraordinary abilities, their memories can be blurred after observation and correction, and they can be released to work in normal social jobs."

Contrary to what I had heard at the Extraordinary Gathering, the tribunal handled the matter quite humanely, even mercifully.

"Are they all members of the Enlightenment Society?"

"Yes, the translation I gave you a few days ago contained this information. The Enlightenment Society was founded during the extraordinary and prosperous Silver Age and is related to a sage of that time. However, nowadays, their way of practicing their doctrines is too extreme, and they are even deliberately stirring up public opinion and causing chaos in order to achieve their goals."

With a soft sigh, the dark-haired beauty patted Charlotte's shoulder, her tone becoming increasingly gentle.

"We don't know much about them, only that the Qiming Society has a large influence in the Duchy of the Golden Flower. We were able to get through this crisis without any casualties, thanks to your excellent response."

"You defeated three members of the Enlightenment Society and still had the strength to spare their lives to facilitate interrogation. This is your achievement, considering the potential risks and the benefits to both of us after the inspiration."

Slightly bending down, Zelena's gaze met Charlotte's eyes, her expression complex, a mixture of joy and worry.

she says:

You have one chance to choose.

"The opportunity to choose?"

The deal was made with this purpose in mind, and Charlotte is certainly aware of the implications of the former statement.

However, as a novice and as Miss O'Shaw, she still needed to ask more questions and consider things carefully.

"Yes, I promised that after you made a contribution or performed outstandingly, you would become a full member of the arbitration tribunal. Now, we have not only found the root of the chaos, but also thwarted the Enlightenment Society's plot."

“I have ample reason to declare your contributions and talents to the Church and await their approval. Of course, it is all up to you, Charlotte. Have you thought it through? Do you want to become an extraordinary one?”

The gentle smile faded from her lips, and Zelena's expression became solemn and serious, yet without a trace of oppression.

She has always been like this, like a caring and considerate mother who only worries about her children.

really......

Without any haste or hesitation, Charlotte didn't reveal any particular inclination, but simply frowned and asked naturally.

What options do I have to make choices?

Whether to accept or give up depends on the specific circumstances, although she had already made plans for the fate of her original self.

"First and foremost, naturally, is the path bestowed by the goddess herself, the complete sequence controlled by the Church, the 'Cultivator'. The initial abilities are not outstanding, but one can quickly calm inner turmoil through meditation, maintain composure and rationality, and has a strong resistance to spiritual interference from the realm. At the same time, one's physical and sensory abilities are slightly extended, allowing one to detect potential malice in advance. If one is proficient in incantations and spells, one can perform simple treatments and self-healing through rituals."

Listening quietly to Zelena's narration, Charlotte was not completely ignorant about the 'monk' path. On the contrary, through her conversations with Pederine these past few days, she had gained some understanding of many aspects of the church.

Without interrupting Zelena's explanation, she patiently waited for the other party to suggest other options.

"Secondly, there is the sequence of paths to knowledge. The Church possesses potion recipes and advancement rituals from Sequence Nine to Sequence Five. This path begins with the 'scholar,' who has a comprehensive but preliminary understanding and mastery of mystical knowledge such as witchcraft, divination, and spells. They know a lot of ritual magic and can also glimpse hidden information that ordinary people cannot perceive. They can even decipher lost knowledge from ancient documents and ruins. However, they are also prone to perceiving certain existences hidden behind events due to their excessive thirst for knowledge."

"Therefore, we must be cautious, suppress the influence of extraordinary characteristics, and have a sense of awe for the unknown."

This is a necessary reminder.

"Thank you for your guidance, Ms. Z."

Having heard the first two points, and understood the direction of knowledge and information, Charlotte naturally knew that the first two played a supporting role, while the third should be a more direct approach to combat.

"Finally, this path, although orthodox in the church, is subject to special conditions, and few people can go far on this path. It begins with 'favorites,' and abilities vary greatly depending on the individual, so it is not convenient to go into details."

“Just like Sylva, whom you and I both know, is a standout in this path. Even in the Cathedral of Florence, she is one of the most gifted individuals, having reached Sequence Five, ‘Guardian,’ at a young age.”

Her gentle voice faded into the distance with the sea breeze. Clearly, Zelena had said all she could, and simply gazed at the person before her, relinquishing the initiative to Charlotte.

These three paths are the mainstream of the church at present. They have a relatively complete sequence and there is no need to worry about being blocked in the middle way. This is also the greatest effort I can make for the girl in front of me.

Her thoughts raced, and even if it wasn't necessary, Charlotte couldn't help but hesitate for a moment among the three options. She couldn't be an ascetic, praying day and night in a secluded church, nor could she remain in the background as a scholar, detached from the events.

Therefore, there is only one choice from the very beginning.

“I hope to become a ‘favorite’.”

Without hesitation, without reason, and without needing to hesitate, Charlotte smiled gently, her smile as soft as silk.

Naturally, I am a 'favored one'. This body should be favored by the goddess, by fate, and by myself, and be a blessed one who will succeed in everything.

This is the identity she assigned to Miss Earl Shaw.

......

As day turned to night and dawn approached, after the smoke of gunfire cleared, a damp fog once again enveloped the streets of Florence.

Isabella is awake; it's time for the good doctor to go out and help others.

Chapter 133 The Little Peacock's Whereabouts

In the morning mist, the clock tower in Florence struck six times. Isabella drew back the curtains and looked out at the thick smoke rising from the factory and listened to the deafening roar of the machinery.

Her slender fingers traced a trail of water on the glass, leaving a winding downward streak.

Waking up means the past is gone; the wind blows and the sun scatters, and the past is like smoke.

Although the perceptions of different bodies have very little mutual influence, they still bring Charlotte a slight sense of unreality, causing her to become slightly lost in the transition between identities, as if the main body is still asleep, while the puppet is half-opening its eyes, welcoming the dawn of the day.

"If this goes on for too long, perhaps I myself should be sent to a psychiatric ward?"

With a slight smile, Charlotte combed her loose hair, letting the tangles from her deep sleep fade from her chestnut locks. However, as she put down the comb, she paused for a moment—a few dry strands of hair were tangled in the comb's teeth.

"It seems that Mi has less time left for Dr. Haohao than expected."

The poison I accidentally ingested years ago had already caused my organs to die. Even being made into a puppet only delayed the process, making death come a little slower.

Further estimation suggests that one year is probably the limit.

She turned sideways to the dressing table. Neither Charlotte nor Isabella had the habit of wearing makeup. However, she wanted to disguise her increasingly pale complexion, at least to appear healthier in front of those pretty girls.

With her five fingers spread out, under the mirror, her fingertips appeared even sharper, then covered by a carapace as clear as black silk, transforming into deadly yet beautiful claws.

The Sequence Eight 'Monster' possesses the ability to modify the body, but in terms of extent, it only involves minor changes to the skin and flesh. Therefore, it cannot eradicate the necrotic organs within the body at their source.

To put it concretely, this sequence is merely a key, barely unlocking the body's hidden depths and arousing subsequent desires, but lacking the strength to push open the door and delve deeper.

Distracted by her thoughts, Charlotte took in her surroundings.

The house she rented yesterday was a small and exquisite one. There was a small living room with a fireplace and soft sofas at the entrance. Further in from the living room was a family room with an attached bathroom and a large bathtub that was big enough for two people to soak in.

In addition, the living room connects to the kitchen and balcony. The kitchen is designed like a bar counter, narrow but making efficient use of the space. The balcony, on the other hand, protrudes from the left side of the living room and connects to the living room, like another corridor, which is large and spacious.

Aside from the kitchenware, all the furniture was readily available, convenient and quick, yet elegant, which was Charlotte's main reason for choosing this place.

Light the fireplace and quietly enjoy the warmth that dispels the morning chill. In fact, the lady Savarin had suggested that she hire another maid to take care of the house and do the cleaning, but she naturally refused the suggestion for safety and privacy reasons.

After all, Isabella was a frugal, self-reliant young woman who focused her energy on her work as a doctor.

Donning a dark coat and without much adornment, gentleness and tranquility became the mask she wore in public.

Picking up the rather heavy suitcase, I found some simple medical instruments inside, including tweezers and scalpels, as well as several thick medical books, though they were mostly just for show.

Pushing open the door, the cold morning wind blew into my clothes, carrying a hint of damp earth. There were already a few pedestrians on the street, but with the epidemic raging, everyone seemed to be in a hurry, unwilling to talk to others for fear of infecting each other.

Of course, because this place is in a relatively good location, there aren't many homeless people.

She boarded the carriage as usual, and soon after, she crossed the roadblock and arrived at the almshouse she had visited that day.

"Ms. Valenti, you've arrived."

Her voice was filled with joy. The nurse she had met that day walked over quickly, but her face was covered by an overly thick mask, so her smile and respect were barely visible.

Good morning, Miss Per.

Charlotte remembered the girl who had first shown her around the asylum. She nodded to her and spoke softly.

"How is Ryan doing?"

It was because of the boy in the story, his younger brother, that sweet-looking nurse, that she was willing to risk infection and work tirelessly in the hospital full of patients.

“Well, his condition is... very bad; the cough and fever are making it almost impossible for him to sleep.”

Just as he was about to say something more, an itch in his throat made Per taste a sweetness in his mouth, and he couldn't help but cough twice.

"I will take good care of him. You should also get some rest after your shift."

Charlotte gently patted the former's shoulder. Her voice was calm and even, yet it had the power to calm people and instill confidence.

"Thank you, Ms. Valenti."

The nurse managed a forced smile, but the exhaustion in her eyes was undeniable.

"It's my duty, but there's no need to address me as 'Madam,' just call me Dr. Bella."

Without saying much, Charlotte simply turned and headed to the area assigned to her by the almshouse.

Because it was a special period, coupled with a severe shortage of manpower, Valenti, being of the first generation, naturally received what was euphemistically called "care," namely, the majority of patients with slightly better social standing.

Those who are capable are often given more work; this is generally true.