The splendid days of July had ended, and August arrived in quick succession.
Inside the newly constructed forging chamber, Sigrid stood amidst a sea of fire, hammering the red-hot sword with machine-like precision.
Beneath her feet on the ground, several overlapping Category Three rituals of the Sun-Forging system were inscribed. Liquid-like fire flowed within the ritual arrays, and those fiery lights swirled around her like the solar wind accompanying stellar pulsations.
The air temperature in the entire room reached several hundred degrees, but Sigrid's alchemical-constructed body allowed her to ignore this high-temperature environment lethal to carbon-based life.
She should have felt instinctive revulsion towards her monstrous self, but this artisan lady had now completely forgotten everything except the sword in her hands... even herself.
With the final hammering complete, she began engraving Forging Sun prayers onto the blade, activating the alchemical formula. Several rose-red, blood-like Philosopher's Stones transformed into indescribable fluids, merging into the blade.
"Hiss—"
The exhaust valves in the forging chamber started operating. The high-temperature air in the entire room rapidly dissipated as the blade began cooling before quenching.
Sigrid ran her palm over the now-formed blade edge. A fluid that could not be called blood welled from the wound, pouring onto the blade, then erupted in intense vaporization.
Even as an experienced artisan, she felt nervous and excited now. Something seemed to be vibrating and resonating beside her ear, like a barely suppressed heartbeat.
Sigrid couldn't tell if it originated from herself or the sword before her that had regained new life. But neither she nor this sword... should have a heart capable of beating.
Soon, the entire forging chamber returned to normal temperature. Fran, wearing heavy protective gear, then stepped inside.
"Finally reached the last step."
She sighed lightly in relief, picked up a rectangular metal box, and placed it into the central groove of the straight sword. The metal box unfolded as if alive, interlocking, finally merging seamlessly with the entire sword.
This was living metal reconstructed according to [Mechanized Biology]. Although not as simple and brutal as a disruption field, it could fill the technological gap on the sword, better than nothing.
"Spirits of this land, heed my call! To save my people, I willingly bear any curse... pay any price."
Fran stroked the sword hilt, reciting Arthas's famous line with strange amusement.
"Hmm... Dr. Fran, what are you saying?"
Sigrid narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at Fran beside her. Over this period, she had almost gotten used to the other's occasional strange words and actions and gradually accepted them as normal.
"Dear Miss Sigrid, these are the lines spoken by a filial foreign prince when he obtained his destined sword. Just a spontaneous feeling... Please don't mind."
Fran offered a brief explanation, not rushing to pick up the sword. Compared to that, she was more concerned about Sigrid's mental state.
"How are you feeling now?"
"Happy. I never imagined I could complete a casting of this scale... It's like a dream."
Sigrid's excitement was visibly high, to the point where a smile was evident between her brows.
Fran, however, slightly pursed her lips, gradually toning down her usual smile. Her gaze was calm and gentle.
"Sigrid, look, you still have things you love and cherish; all is far from hopeless. The fanatics who pursued the forbidden have already been punished... As a sacrificial victim, you have no need for self-reproach."
Sigrid's previously high spirits gradually cooled like the quenched blade. She shook her head in confusion, not accepting Fran's words.
"But I am not Sigrid... I am the 'False Sun' sword. A creation forged from the souls of my Sun-Forgers Cult colleagues."
"You could say that."
Fran didn't oppose this point; instead, she nodded quite approvingly.
"But not everyone gets a chance for rebirth. Even if you are unwilling to admit it, you are still the continuation of Sigrid's life."
"Remember what you said to me in the alley before? 'Please end my suffering.' But asking a doctor to take a life that still holds hope is also a cruelty to the doctor. Yet sometimes, we indeed have to witness living things turn to stillness with our own eyes... even have to carry it out personally."
As she spoke, she blinked quite coquettishly.
"I'm sorry..."
Sigrid lowered her head, apologizing to Fran.
"No need for self-blame. What's wrong with wanting to end torment? But if living isn't entirely torment for you yet, if you can still find some small pleasures in leisure... then please don't speak lightly of death."
Saying this, Fran took out a parchment contract and a quill from the inner pocket of her white coat, handing them to her.
"The Sun-Forgers Cult likely no longer has a place for you, unless you're willing to lose your freedom forever. If you don't mind, stay at Fog Street Clinic. You will have ample time to ponder how to use a long life."
"Dr. Fran, you're willing to let me stay here?"
"Mmm... I happen to be short a maid."
Sigrid instinctively took the paper and pen. Her brilliant golden eyes flickered slightly, revealing some complexity. Finally, she signed her name on the parchment.
"Contract established. Welcome to Fog Street Clinic... Sigrid."
Fran was actually a bit worried the recruitment might fail, but fortunately, the artisan lady ultimately didn't choose to abandon herself.
"Is this the feeling of a 'contract'?"
Sigrid looked at her hands with some novelty, as if an invisible thread, imperceptible to the eye, now connected her to this place.
"You can sense the contract?"
Fran touched her cheek, seeming somewhat surprised. This was originally just going through the motions out of habit.
"This contract points directly to the soul. And you can connect with it using your true name. This means Sigrid's soul is still within your vessel, not dissipated during the sacrifice."
"So that's how it is..."
Sigrid felt a flicker of astonishment, then an inexplicable sense of absurd amusement.
Because she realized she didn't actually care whether her soul was pure. The resounding declarations earlier... probably truly came from the instinctive desire to escape at all costs.
The newly appointed maid lady patted her own face, trying hard to muster her spirits.
--
After concluding Sigrid's psychological counseling, Fran finally began examining the reforged sword. The crossguard was flat, the hilt straight, sharp and profound, with a minimalist feel.
[Nirvana]
[Quality: Fine (12% remaining to 'Flawless')]
[Effect: This blade can self-repair. This blade can self-evolve. This blade... possesses self-awareness.]
[Note: "Adamantium and living metal, casting and alchemy, Philosopher's Stone and False Sun's blood. Intertwined, perfect."]
"To think it's close to Flawless quality... I'm almost reluctant to give it away."
Fran lightly tapped her glossy fingernail on the blade. A faint metallic hum resonated in response.
….
"Hello, dear viewer. I am Fran Herschel. Next is the technical summary of this forging session."
"First, the primary material of the power sword is Adamantium. This is a unique and precious material. It possesses almost unreasonable physical strength, even higher than strong-interaction force material, meaning higher than the 'Droplet.'"
"This makes conventional melting, casting, and engraving nearly impossible. But the rituals of the Sun-Forging system can specifically reconstruct metal at the particle level... This provided the basic feasibility for this repair."
Fran lightly tapped the blackboard with her knuckle, like a young lecturer highlighting key points for students.
"Second, is the living metal box made according to the Necrons' [Mechanized Biology]. Living metal technology originates from the Star Gods. It is itself a material with mystical properties, possessing unparalleled ductility and malleability... Even in my collection room, there is only about a hundred grams."
"Using it to fill the fuller can to some extent compensate for the technological gap and grant the sword a certain degree of 'biological activity'. Might make the machine spirit more active?"
"Finally, I had Sigrid use alchemy to incorporate Philosopher's Stone. This will make the aggregation of all materials harmonious."
Fran took off her silver-rimmed round glasses, placing them into a small case and returning it to her white coat pocket.
"Alright, the technical summary is now complete."
"...Dr. Fran, what are you doing?"
Sigrid, now dressed in black-and-white maid attire, stood beside Fran, looking at her somewhat bewildered.
Because the audience for this doctor's lecture was actually a small metal box... This scene did indeed look strange.
Although Sigrid had gotten used to Fran's many unique habits, she still couldn't help but ask each time she encountered them.
Because sometimes, she was simply looking for fun, but other times... every word and action might have a deep purpose, serving as "foreshadowing" to guide a certain outcome.
"This is the 'technical manual' containing [Mechanized Biology]. It can not only project holograms but also record in real-time."
Fran lightly tapped this Necron technological product. A projection identical to her instantly appeared beside her, then vanished just as quickly.
"Perfect for recording insights, and also for mass-producing learning materials."
"So advanced. It doesn't carry even a trace of mystical aura, utterly inconceivable..."
Sigrid wanted to touch the metal box but hesitated, afraid that any careless movement on her part might damage such an exquisitely precise instrument.
"Don't be so careful; you can be rough with it. This thing probably couldn't be opened even with a chainsaw..."
Seeing her cautious demeanor, Fran curled the corner of her lips slightly in advice.
"Alright, Sigrid. I plan to visit the Secrets-Hunter Cult next... Let's get ready and head out soon."
"To deliver the sword to Sister Haida? I can come too? But... wouldn't it be dangerous?"
She was actually quite happy about returning to Norlington, but thinking that the Sun-Forgers Cult was still hunting her... made her hesitate momentarily.
She was a forbidden creation forged from the souls of everyone in the spire.
Even with Sigrid's appearance and personality, in the eyes of secret cults, she represented taboo and uncontrollability. She must be contained and neutralized as much as possible, then studied.
Perhaps the decision-makers of the Sun-Forging Main Temple wouldn't execute her, but they would very likely label her a "Sacred Artifact" and permanently seal her away.
"Don't worry, I can give you a simple disguise. And my method of travel is quite discreet... probably no risk?"
"And even if there is danger, they won't catch you."
As she spoke, Fran took out a deep-gray colored work ID from her white coat pocket, hanging it on Sigrid's slender neck.
"As long as you hold this work ID, you can always return to the clinic through the Mist Within the Door. Remember to look for a door first if in danger; street corner shadows work too."
She then went to the wardrobe, taking out a set of the Burial attendants' black robes, showing it to her briefly.
"This one suits you well. Although the dimensions are not quite right, adjusting the seams should make it wearable."
Saying this, Fran picked up tailoring scissors to modify the specifications.
After roughly cutting open a few seams, she held the thread end against her lips for a moment, then deftly threaded the needle.
The sewing process carried a sense of precise, efficient beauty. Her movements were unbelievably meticulous, as if what she held wasn't tough leather but a patient's skin awaiting sutures.
After a brief period of work, Sigrid changed into this Burial attendant's combat uniform. Apart from her molten-gold hair and eye color being somewhat eye-catching, she didn't look much different from an ordinary Secrets-Hunter.
"Fits well. Seems my skills haven't deteriorated too much."
Fran examined her shoulders, chest, and waist, confirming the fit was snug, then squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
"As for the disguise... Sigrid, do you prefer makeup or surgery? The Red Cup's Category Three secret art [Transfiguration] is also an option; I'm somewhat versed in it..."
Sigrid vaguely caught a whiff of danger from Fran's excited gaze. She pursed her lips, politely declining.
"Um, well, Dr. Fran, I can actually change my appearance to a certain extent myself. No need to trouble you..."
"I see... Then we'll depart once you're ready."
Fran put away the scalpel and the Skin Creed scripture with slight regret, then sat back on the velvet sofa, swinging her legs as she began to wait.
--
Haida finished a day of training, using a towel to wipe the sweat from her face, preparing to go to the bathroom for a quick wash.
She had just opened the bathroom door when she noticed pale, dust-like mist beginning to seep from the edges of the doorframe. But due to inertia, the door still opened... and immediately, a familiar figure bumped squarely into her.
"Ah, apologies, Sister Haida. It seems the timing of this visit is somewhat inappropriate..."
Fran stepped back slightly unsteadily, somewhat dazed from the collision.
The ribs in Haida's chest had already formed bone plates comparable to ballistic inserts, but fortunately, there were still soft fatty tissues to provide some cushioning, preventing a concussion.
"...It's fine, please don't mind."
Haida then reached out to steady her. "What brings Dr. Fran here today?"
Based on her understanding of Fran, this doctor would most likely choose to stay at Fog Street Clinic during leisure times. She only went out for house calls or matters that interested her.
The so-called "not visiting the temple without a purpose."
"I intend to fulfill my promise and give you one of my collection pieces. Of course, you've already seen it in advance, so it probably doesn't count as a surprise anymore."
As Haida moved aside from the bathroom door, Fran stepped into her bedroom. Accompanying her was a black-haired young woman in Burial attendant attire, with ordinary looks, completely inconspicuous.
+++
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