After a quick look, Fran couldn't help but curve the corner of her mouth, revealing a slight smile.
Initially, she had actually been somewhat worried... Wondering if letting this human-shaped, self-propelled little sun help her organize materials was a bit dangerous... But in reality, as long as Sigrid didn't activate her alchemical state, temperature control generally wasn't a concern.
Moreover, she had considerable talent in both secret arts and metallurgy, truly worthy of being called a "genius."
Haida was about the same age as Sigrid, but currently only mastered the single secret art [Tear the Secret Rite]. Meanwhile, Sigrid could proficiently use at least five secret arts of the same second-category... and could even perform overlapping casting.
She possessed an almost microscopic sense of perception for high-heat solids, able to detect every instantaneous change in a forging. But she showed an abnormal insensitivity to low-heat objects. The reason for this phenomenon wasn't clear yet...
Actually, Fran already had a guess about this, but currently hadn't had a chance to confirm it.
Haida's eyes focused slightly, clearly seeing the manuscript Sigrid handed to Fran.
The handwriting was messy yet fluid, unrestrained yet carrying a captivating charm, suggesting the writer was in some state of inspired fervor.
Simultaneously, it had a rather poetic name... Night Ballad of the Mist Raven.
"I've been too lazy to look for it; I thought I'd lost it. Good thing the Fog Street Clinic doesn't have security issues, at least."
Fran patted her chest, seeming relieved.
After a brief look, she handed both the manuscript and the notebook to Haida.
"Sister Haida, please find an opportunity to return this manuscript along with that Raven Research Notes to the Secret Rite Research Institute at the Burial Court for me. Consider it a return gift."
Haida took the two paper documents, understanding immediately, and couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly.
Since it was a "return gift," it meant Dr. Fran had indeed obtained something from Master Zoparos before. The source of the Raven Research Notes seemed quite clear now...
"Alright."
Although she had no idea how to return the texts without being discovered, Haida agreed. After all, she was now a Burial Court supervisor; there would always be opportunities.
"But, Dr. Fran, don't you need these two documents anymore?"
"I've already memorized the contents. I can just look them up in my head if needed. There's no better copying device than this."
Fran lightly tapped her forehead, clearly quite confident about this.
"Although I deciphered Night Ballad of the Mist Raven before, I've forgotten most of it. To redo the mystical knowledge analysis will probably take another week or two."
She pursed her lips, somewhat helplessly spreading her hands.
Fran's forgetfulness about the past contrasted sharply with her almost photographic memory... Sigrid was completely baffled by this, but Haida, who had participated in several joint consultations, was somewhat aware.
Those memories were lost in the "Separation Experiment" before the Great Plague. But she only knew that much; the specific details were also unknown to her.
No matter... I'll find out someday.
Fran slowly settled onto the plush sofa, then took an ancient wooden box from her white coat pocket and handed it to Sigrid.
"Sigrid, put this box of Gormouth 'Winter Bud' tea in the storage cabinet. Hmm... place it in the first position of the third row. Although it can barely be called a treasure, its uniqueness makes it worth collecting."
"Alright, please leave it to me."
Sigrid deftly took the tea box and quite familiarly placed it in the storage cabinet on one side of the main hall. She had worked at the Fog Street Clinic for over five months now and was already adept at such tasks.
Meanwhile, Haida gazed at that box of "Winter Bud" lost in thought.
Haida vaguely remembered that the Mirror of Enlightenment Club seemed to use exactly this type of tea when entertaining their highest-grade guests.
Ahem... Suspecting others rashly is indeed somewhat impolite, as she didn't witness Fran actually committing the act.
But this doctor was indeed quite accomplished at the act of "theft," and had a long record... She could even steal a deity's crown right in front of its material avatar. One could only say she had somewhat reached the pinnacle in this field.
Fran noticed Haida's stare and quite naturally smiled back at her, her amber eyes clear and gentle.
"Although that eyeball was stated as completely free in the agreement, treating Miss Dawn is a separate charge. I believe the wealthy and generous Priestess Dorothy will accept that."
Non-transparent medical bills are also an indispensable part of a private physician's practice. If you don't like it, don't get treated...
For Fran, this conveniently replenished her tea stock, increased the proficiency of [Crown-Thief], and also annoyed the Lamp cult's riddle-loving members. Such a three-birds-with-one-stone deal seemed to have no reason not to do it.
At this moment, she raised an index finger to her lips, as if remembering something.
"The annual house call was quite enjoyable; I didn't pay much attention to many things. Sister Haida, keep Yvonne's gift to you safe."
"If Dr. Fran needs it... Please don't hesitate; take it."
Haida never paid much mind to her own interests, being open-minded to the point of generosity.
Besides, she had already received too much from the doctor before her, to the point where no matter what she gave back, it seemed insufficient.
Robust physique, the power sword "Nirvana," and the life that continued from that snowy night's battle...
Fran merely narrowed her eyes and tapped Haida's forehead with her index finger.
"I'm not some incompetent boss who can't pay wages and likes to find fault and dock employee performance for no reason. Why would I take Yvonne's gift to you?"
Saying this, she opened Haida's hand and placed two "Flask of Wondrous Physick" bottles deftly into her palm.
Golden exterior, glass interior, with either crimson or azure-hued Graceful Dewdrops rippling inside.
Besides the portion given to Dawn to stabilize her spirit, Haida had also consumed a part earlier. And these vacancies were now filled with dense, swirling white mist.
"Not being in the Lands Between means there's no 'Site of Grace,' so naturally, the tears can't be replenished. If these two flasks run out, you can refill them with dew from outside Fog Street. It will have a similar effect."
Fran gave quite thoughtful instructions.
"...I understand. Thank you, Dr. Fran."
Haida took the tear bottles and placed them in the pouch at her waist.
Gradually, her expression became somewhat subtle, already sensing something wasn't right.
She had been carrying these two flasks with her all along. But just now, they suddenly ended up in Fran's hands, then were handed to her by Fran. Everything felt natural, as if that's how it should have been...
Hmm... When exactly were they taken?
---
As an experienced Burial Attendant, Haida had a habit of keeping a schedule. She would list pending tasks by category and arrange time according to the situation.
And right now... there was something that concerned her greatly that needed answering.
"Dr. Fran, speaking of which, there's something I'd like to ask."
"Hmm~ Please go ahead."
Fran was idle at the moment and naturally didn't mind satisfying Haida's curiosity. After all, she already knew enough... As the saying goes, when you're in enough debt, you stop worrying. Knowing a bit more wouldn't hurt.
Haida took out "Nirvana" from the sheath hanging behind her used for the power sword and presented it before Fran. Sigrid also blinked her eyes, curiously coming closer.
For a Sun-Forging artisan, her creations were like her own children, with a natural sense of closeness... Not to mention this power sword represented Sigrid's highest standard since starting her career, embodying her utmost effort.
As the jet-black, baked-on greatsword lay fully flat on the solid wood table in the main hall, a cold, stern aura accompanied by a faint, lingering smell of blood quietly spread.
In terms of form, it had undergone subtle changes from when the forging was just completed.
Its hilt and guard had become exceptionally streamlined, while the blade and spine had become thicker and heavier. The original "Executioner Greatblade," while possessing undeniable practical strength, still had qualities of a command symbol and ceremonial object.
But now, it leaned more towards being a pure weapon.
Fran gently placed her hand on the hilt, beginning to understand the sword's current specific information.
-
[Nirvana]
[Quality: Flawless (99.8% remaining to 'Perfect')]
[Effect: This sword has absorbed sufficient 'spirit' from the lives it has slain; the ascent has been completed. It can now tear spiritual entities, and its spirit-absorbing effect has deepened accordingly. (Disruption field module not loaded. Phase module not loaded.)]
[Note: "The past me was buried in mountains of alien monstrosities' bones, drowned in seas of blood from demonic foes... But the present me has returned from the abyssal inferno."]
-
Her fingertips traced the blade spine, her spiritual awareness immersing into it, meticulously sensing the power sword's state.
"Hmm... It seems the little one inside this sword has received a degree of nourishment and is starting to awaken."
Although Fran had originally suggested removing all the original mechanisms, leaving only the pure blade blank, at Sigrid's insistence, "Nirvana" ultimately retained most of its precision engineering.
And combined with the biological properties of living metal, it allowed this sword to plunder "spirit" or even "soul" from the evil beings it slew. This enabled its spiral self-ascent.
Thinking of this, she counted on her fingers one by one, listing the beings this sword had slain.
"Evil Spawn, Blood Servants, Blood Kin, Red Cup High Priest, demons from Silent Hill, and..."
"Ahem."
Just as Fran was about to say "me," Haida raised a hand to her lips and gave a neat, light cough, perfectly interrupting her.
She had to stop this doctor from categorizing herself with the aforementioned creatures...
Sigrid, meanwhile, pressed her cheek against the sword guard, meticulously listening to its internal changes with the intimacy of a creator for her work.
For a split second, Haida even saw a certain kindness in those molten-gold eyes...
Seemingly also remembering that the power sword "Nirvana" was now Sister Haida's possession, Sigrid composed herself slightly, regaining her dignified posture.
Then, she began introducing the sword's specific characteristics to Haida in detail, as if counting her treasures.
"Sister Haida, the biological traits of the 'Living Metal' material allowed Nirvana to become a carrier for 'spirit.' And under the accumulation of vast amounts of alien remnant spirits... it was able to complete its first stage of self-transformation."
"But its growth speed is much faster than I expected... Has Sister Haida been hunting some exceptionally powerful evil beings recently? Like Sacred Spawn, or perhaps some evil spirits, devils, or the like?"
Haida thought briefly, then gave her answer.
"Yes, a Sacred Spawn transformed from a Sufferer-Walker High Priest."
"Sufferer-Walker?"
Sigrid pinched her chin, somewhat puzzled.
"An ordinary flesh-source Sacred Spawn shouldn't be enough to cause Nirvana's transformation, especially since that guy was probably just a remnant body... Was my data expectation too pessimistic?"
Haida and Fran exchanged a glance, tacitly not answering this question.
Getting slashed by Sister Haida wasn't exactly a glorious thing no matter how you looked at it. To maintain her own image, Fran ultimately didn't reveal the details of the quarterly house call to Sigrid.
With the matter somewhat concluded, the three at Fog Street Clinic each began their own tasks.
Haida studied Aphoristic Silence, Sigrid meticulously maintained the power sword, and Fran drafted new academic projects, mostly related to alchemy.
As twilight deepened, the mist outside the clinic also took on a somewhat somber hue.
Haida raised her wrist to check her watch, realizing it was time to return to the Burial Court.
Although becoming a supervisor gave her much more freedom in scheduling, staying out all night without a mission still warranted reporting.
"Preparing to return to the Burial Court?"
Fran, who was sketching an alchemical formula, put down her pen and raised her eyes to look at Haida.
"Yes."
"Go ahead. Remember to help me return the Raven Research Notes to that guy Zoparos. Also, secret art study isn't just about piling on time and effort. You need to give yourself proper rest and seek 'inspiration.'"
While giving instructions, Fran reached out and meticulously adjusted the collar of Haida's nun's habit.
"Dr. Fran doesn't need to worry too much... I'll be careful."
Haida looked into the doctor's amber eyes, initially wanting to say, "My routine is very healthy."
But for some reason, she suddenly recalled getting lost in a book during a night reading session once, resulting in reading all night, so she ultimately changed her phrasing.
After that, she pushed open the clinic door and stepped into the misty veil filled with swirling, illusory vapors.
After seeing Sister Haida off, Fran sat back on the plush sofa, ready to resume drawing the alchemical formula.
Meanwhile, Sigrid had already brewed a cup of "Winter Bud" tea and placed the porcelain cup before her.
The artisan lady now wore an expression of some contentment. For her, witnessing her creation further develop in the hands of a suitable person gave rise to an inexplicable joy akin to "my child has grown up."
Sigrid raised an index finger, as if suddenly remembering something.
"Speaking of which, the spiritual essence of 'Nirvana' gave me a familiar feeling of Dr. Fran. How strange..."
Hearing this, Fran pursed her lips slightly, somewhat guiltily lowering her gaze and taking a sip of tea.
Noticing her current expression, Sigrid leaned closer with a hint of suspicion.
"Dr. Fran, you didn't really use yourself to catalyze 'Nirvana,' did you...? That's not just ordinarily dangerous. Although generally, this sword can only plunder a small amount of spirit each time, if the injury is too severe, it can also cause damage at the soul level."
"The race that developed 'Living Metal' possesses the trait of devouring and transforming souls. That was a research topic we worked on together."
Maintaining her smile, Fran denied having been slashed.
"Of course not, that was just a coincidence. Sigrid, you know me; I'm never interested in things that sound this high-risk."
"Really..."
Upon hearing this, Sigrid narrowed her molten-gold eyes, deeply skeptical.
+++
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