O, locus ille, beatus quondam, nunc deminuit. (That once-blessed place is now shattered.)
Nos, destinatae matribus, nunc fiunt turpes. (Brides destined to be mothers are now defiled and withered.)
Ploravimus lacrimavimusque, (We have wailed and wept,)
Sed nemo nos consolatur. (…yet none comfort us any longer.)
Aureum, cui irascebaris? (Golden one! At whom do you rage?)
---
A sorrowful, plaintive chant rose softly. Fran's voice was ethereal and clear, like the cry of a cuckoo, or an elegy of mourning.
Melodious, somber, serene, like a songstress witnessing the collapse of a dynasty… lamenting the lost ancient era with the despairing, dazed sigh of an observer.
The tide surges, the great mansion collapses, the sun sets and the moon rises… Who can stop it, who can change it? All she could do was offer an elegy.
Fran's eyes were gently closed, as if wholly immersed in the song. Even as the heavily armored knight raised his halberd high… she showed no wavering.
Haida stepped before the Tree Sentinel, holding a Lordsworn's Greatsword she had acquired. She was ready to block his attack at any moment.
Nearly every regular Godrick soldier carried such a sword; they were easy to come by. And surprisingly, the craftsmanship wasn't bad… It would do just fine. She didn't want to use her own clasp knife to parry a great halberd.
But the Tree Sentinel's halberd never fell. His warhorse seemed to sink into the song, lowering its proud head. In the knight's withered eye sockets, a look of confusion and longing appeared. He even let his weapon slip from his hand.
"Golden one… Why are you angry? Why… have you forsaken us?"
He uttered a query that was almost a sigh, and the burning embers in his eyes extinguished.
At the same time, his gaze became utterly vacant. He lost the spirit and self of a living being, like a shell with only remnants of life force remaining.
Fran stopped her humming, then opened her eyes slightly, a sliver of amber showing.
"Phew… Haven't sung in a long time, not very skilled anymore."
As she spoke, Fran touched the black sutures at her throat. The original song came from a certain singing humanoid bat, a relatively low and somber female voice. So, it was a bit difficult for her voice to capture its essence on the first try with her vocal range.
But relying on the Liberi's ancient talent and superb vocal technique… she still succeeded. The [Shepherd's Song] shook the Sentinel's last remaining shreds of self and dismantled his will.
"Dr. Fran… what did you do to this knight?"
Haida was still somewhat worried the heavily armored knight might suddenly erupt and counterattack; the current distance was dangerously close.
"I settled his obsession, ended his wandering. Hmm… and incidentally took control of his body."
As she spoke, Fran raised her hand, and the Tree Sentinel raised his gauntleted hand in the same gesture.
"Hmm… A secret art for controlling corpses?" Haida instinctively felt some aversion to corpse manipulation.
In the system of secret arts, generally only the Withered Crown cult used such death-related techniques. And it was thoroughly heretical.
However, Dr. Fran's previous displays had successfully raised Haida's acceptance threshold, so she wasn't surprised that Fran could control a corpse.
When this doctor could traverse an unknown world where gods still existed using the Pale Mist… whether she could manipulate corpses really wasn't that important anymore.
"He just looks a bit like a dead person. This knight is still alive, you know… Do I look like a doctor who enjoys playing with corpses? That's a stereotype!"
Fran corrected Haida's wording, gave a light hum, then opened her small medical kit to begin treating Yvonne.
"Don't worry about her. Although Tarnished are humanoid creatures, calling them 'humans'… isn't entirely accurate. In terms of physique alone, Miss Yvonne is much more resilient than an ordinary person."
Fran clasped her hands lightly and activated [Drive Away Dust and Filth]. A gentle, warm light expanded from her, forming a flawless spherical isolation zone.
Emergency treatment began.
She felt around Yvonne's chest and carotid artery, checking for shock.
"Heart hasn't stopped, pulse is unstable, still capable of autonomous breathing. Several broken ribs, likely penetrating visceral damage again. Hmm… Explosive fractures in both hands. Seems she paid quite a price to block that halberd."
"Though I'm not used to it not being in an operating room, Drive Away Dust and Filth can simulate a suitable surgical environment. Didn't bring too many instruments, but it's just enough for a thoracotomy…"
Haida watched the entire surgical process in silent, meticulous detail.
Simultaneously, she gained some clarity… This was probably how she, on the verge of death from exhaustion, had received emergency treatment back then.
The complex, shattered human tissues were like puzzle pieces waiting to be assembled in Fran's hands. With incredible precision, she "reassembled" Yvonne's fragmented body.
"Truly befitting a 'colorless one.' Even without my intervention, she had over a forty percent chance of healing on her own…"
In fact, such injuries didn't necessarily require surgery for a Tarnished. Fran could have restored her completely through medication.
The reason for performing surgery was, first, to obtain Yvonne's clinical data, and second… to personally dissect her flesh, attempting to peer within using a more brutal method.
The conclusion remained the same: she had no illness.
---
Church of Elleh.
Yvonne gradually woke up after being unconscious for a day.
"…Am I still alive? Dr. Fran. Is everything before me a delusion after death, or reality?"
"It's reality, of course. You were very brave and passed the pop quiz. In the coming time, we'll take you to collect Glintstone sorceries, Ashes of War, and Runes… You can relax a bit."
Fran looked at the gradually awakening Yvonne and explained the current situation with a smile.
"But why… is that knight standing at the entrance? Or am I hallucinating?"
She squinted, pointing at the Tree Sentinel standing obediently and respectfully by the church door with his horse.
"I… persuaded him. Now he's friendly towards you."
Fran didn't continue on that topic but smiled warmly and asked Yvonne for her thoughts on the assessment.
"Yvonne, I placed you in mortal danger. It would be natural if you resented me. But I still want to hear you say… did you truly feel the weight of life and death?"
"The feeling… was wonderful. Everything in the world suddenly became clear and vivid. I've never felt so truly alive."
Yvonne pondered, recalling the inexplicable emotions that surged when facing the descending golden halberd.
Life was beautiful and peaceful, death was equally warm. At the moment of dying, she felt like a feather of soul, able to break free from worldly weariness and shackles. After a long sigh of relief, she could accept death's embrace without regret.
"A polarized personality. As expected, you can't simply apply ordinary human psychological models to Tarnished…"
Fran showed keen interest in the aspects where Yvonne differed from normal people.
Perhaps this was an extremely common psychological state in the Lands Between, but it was also a unique cognitive model. Worth recording and collecting.
Just as Trisolarans generally considered "guilty: execution, innocent: release" reasonable; it's a difference in thinking patterns between civilizations of different worlds.
"Could Dr. Fran explain the concept of 'polarized personality' in more detail?"
Haida was clearly quite interested in such psychological topics, so instead of staying silent as usual, she wanted Fran to elaborate.
"Oh? Sister Haida is interested in psychology? Then I'll give a simple description… Broadly, personality polarization refers to emotional instability, where a person's character swings between gentleness and irritability."
"Clearly, Yvonne's case falls under a specific narrow definition… In peaceful times, she fears imagined dangers; on the brink of peril, she dares to embrace death."
Fran never hesitated to answer students seeking academic knowledge. She delighted in enlightening others… Of course, since most of the techniques she mastered were a bit dangerous, she sometimes chose to remain silent on certain questions. But this was a basic psychology question, and Haida, as Head Nurse, naturally received some special treatment.
Yvonne pursed her lips slightly, obviously also curious about her own psychological state. Although Fran hardly discussed illness in front of her, she was a living person, not a mushroom, and could vaguely sense something from Fran's words.
Dr. Fran always seemed a bit disappointed after each physical exam, concluding "you're healthy," yet never missed an opportunity for an internal examination. Persistently, as if she had to find some illness on her…
"Hmm… So, Dr. Fran, is this psychological anomaly the 'illness' you've been looking for in me?"
"Don't worry, this is certainly not an illness. Even in conventional human society, such personalities aren't rare. And in the Lands Between, where madness is everywhere… it's even more common."
Fran comforted Yvonne gently.
"Don't fret over such small matters. As my patient, you just need to trust me. But don't you find it strange? Clearly your body is very healthy, yet I keep trying to find an illness…"
"It doesn't seem strange. You're a very kind doctor." Yvonne shook her head and began to share her view.
"Everyone has their duty. Perhaps this is the mission Dr. Fran carries."
"Hmm, that's a very Lands Between-style perspective…" Fran nodded slightly, understanding Yvonne's thinking.
It was precisely because so many people in the Lands Between had somewhat abnormal behaviors and minds that Fran appeared much more normal in comparison…
"Today is a rest day. You can sleep some more or do some light rehabilitation exercises."
"I'd like to take a walk outside the Church of Elleh, get some fresh air."
Yvonne stood up. Surprisingly, there was no pain or weakness. As if all lingering ailments were gone, leaving only a sense of refreshing lightness.
…
Yvonne stood amidst the grass rippling in the night breeze, gazing at the faint golden glow of Grace outside the church.
She breathed almost greedily, letting air and oxygen fill her lungs. She had never imagined the feeling of being alive could be so sweet, so intoxicating.
At the same time, a cold, calm female voice sounded.
"…We meet at last, Tarnished. I am Melina."
The figure in a light brown leather robe lowered the hood covering her face, revealing chestnut hair and a single, open brass-colored eye, walking slowly toward her.
"Hello, I'm Yvonne. You… what do you want?"
Yvonne snapped out of her intoxicated state and took a cautious step back. Though she gave her name out of courtesy, her Astrologer's staff and Lordsworn's Straight Sword were already gripped tightly, ready for any potential danger.
"I wish to make a deal. Your two friends are quite capable, but they are not 'Finger Maidens' who can guide you, nor are they Tarnished bearing the destiny to become Lord. I can serve as a substitute for a maiden, turning Runes into strength for you."
"And what do you need me to do?"
Since it was a deal, it should involve equivalent exchange. So Yvonne inquired about the other's purpose.
"I want you to take me to the foot of the Erdtree. I need to fulfill my purpose there…"
Melina's words were clear and rational, carrying a hint of ineffable sincerity. Apart from the nomadic merchants, this was one of the few times Yvonne had encountered someone she could communicate with normally.
She was inclined to agree but worried it might conflict with her agreement with Dr. Fran, leaving her momentarily conflicted.
"Agree with her."
Haida emerged from the shadows within the church ruins. Clearly, she had been present for this entire conversation and proposition.
"I accept this deal, Miss Melina."
Haida naturally represented Fran's attitude; this doctor didn't seem opposed to Melina's intervention. So Yvonne set her mind at ease and accepted the deal.
"Good. Our accord is struck. Then, please take this ring. Use it to summon the spectral steed named Torrent. It has chosen you. Please treat it well…"
With that, Melina handed the "Spectral Steed Whistle" to Yvonne, then transformed into azure soul-light particles, taking up residence within Yvonne. She was sleeping, yet also observing.
Haida glanced briefly, noting this special spiritual presence on Yvonne.
But since Fran had her come to give the approving opinion, she must have considered the risks involved… No need to worry too much, just maintain normal vigilance.
Besides, Fran might actually be pleased if something genuinely dangerous appeared on Yvonne…
---
Inside the Church of Elleh.
Ranni, clad in the Snow Witch's gray-white robes, gazed directly at the doctor before her. Her skin was a deep indigo, bearing the exquisite yet broken texture of a doll.
She had two pairs of arms within her fur-lined sleeves. The faint light beneath her pointed hat brim was like a cold night sky.
"Greetings, doctor. I should introduce myself as the witch Renna at this moment. However, for you… you may address me directly as 'Ranni.'"
Although Fran had anticipated meeting this "Empyrean" who walked the world using a puppet body, the other's attitude was somewhat strange. It held an inexplicable familiarity, as if today was not their first meeting.
"Doctor, introductions are unnecessary. We do not need to know each other."
Ranni interrupted Fran just as she was about to speak and placed a bronze bell, emanating faint soul-light, into Fran's hand.
"Help me give the 'Spirit Calling Bell' to that child. This time… it will likely be the end of everything…"
Without Fran ever uttering a word, the witch Ranni faded into the starry night, leaving no trace or aura, as if she had never been there. Only the faintly trembling spirit bell in her hand proved the previous events were not illusory.
"Ranni's actions have deviated from the original course… A 'discrepancy' has appeared. But what is the cause? Hmm… I don't dislike this kind of surprise."
Fran gazed calmly at the spot where Ranni vanished, showing no astonishment. Only a hint of meaningful delight shone in her amber eyes.
….
Stormveil Castle, originally meaning the high city of storm and veil.
Fran was currently in the banquet hall at the castle's center, facing a heavily wounded "Grafted Scion." Its swollen body, studded with limbs from various creatures, swayed unsteadily, as if it might topple at any moment.
"Hmm, what a cute child. I can't wait to understand your inner workings… How exactly do you make this tattered body move, and how does your immune system function?"
+++
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