Truly worthy of being an Abyss (Apollyon) rated house call. Sidonia's condition was far more complex than it appeared.
The composition of the green capsule was specifically targeted for humans, therefore it was difficult to achieve its maximum efficacy on her. However, the drug contained certain extracts from Fran's blood, so it could still provide strong stability on a mental level.
But healing this Heyl Siren with just one capsule... was not enough.
Soul essence, spiritual energy, thought, physical body—all elements determining Sidonia's biological state were in a broken and depleted condition, already at the end of their rope. If not for the inherent resilience of a mythical creature supporting her, she would likely have died long ago.
"The ideal state for a Heyl Siren is to recover spiritual energy through nourishment from the Abyssal Sea. However, Sidonia was imprisoned within the secret realm, drastically reducing the spiritual energy she could draw upon, while also constantly having to maintain the stability of the surrounding environment..."
"No wonder she appeared so exhausted."
Seeing this, Fran couldn't help but feel contempt for the Stellar Abyss Society's captive breeding techniques.
They seemed to not care at all about Sidonia's survival state. And on that basis, they kept using her abilities in an unsustainable manner, draining the pond to get the fish. Continuously taking blood every full moon, with no consideration for the sustainability of the experimental subject.
"Clearly, individual mythical creatures are the most convenient type to maintain, yet they still managed to mess it up like this. They're all lab people; how could they be so wasteful with a rare specimen..."
She made a sigh-like comment, then remembered Luyala, who had barged into her clinic last year.
Oh, that child had an excellent feel, and only required some dreams as nourishment from time to time, making her incredibly low-maintenance.
Most importantly, she didn't even have the excretion needs of a conventional creature, requiring no cleaning...
Just then, Sidonia opened her eyes, somewhat dazed, and looked at the doctor before her.
"Ms. Fran... you, what did you do to me?"
"Just some minor examinations, no need to worry. As a doctor with strong professional ethics, I will abide by the established doctor-patient confidentiality agreement and not disclose your private information."
The items for a comprehensive examination were numerous, and the subject was an ancient mythical creature, with a structure fundamentally different from humans. There were many organs inside Sidonia that didn't exist in humans, and it was difficult to guess their specific functions without activating spiritual energy.
Therefore, Fran simply made clear and detailed records.
Sidonia wouldn't be leaving Fog Street anytime soon; the details could be observed slowly later.
By the way... to preserve Sidonia's dignity as a pure-blooded noble and her mental state, she resisted conducting items during the comprehensive examination process such as "primary sex characteristic examination," "Skene's gland examination," or things like a "digital examination."
It was truly quite regrettable.
Sidonia only remembered falling into a dream, then a deer-like creature continuously licking her cheeks. And it seemed to be chewing something.
It was a pleasant and enjoyable feeling.
Both spirit and flesh were nourished in the deep dream of slumber. The blood-and-tear-soaked memories of the past also no longer eroded her reason. It was as if all the chaotic noise quieted down with the deer's chewing.
All that could be heard clearly was the other's rhythmic chewing sounds.
After fully awakening, Sidonia thought back on what just happened. It seemed she had fallen into a delirium after answering a question.
"I apologize. My mental state is somewhat abnormal, prone to brief loss of control due to some memories."
"This is a sequela of long-term imprisonment and spiritual exhaustion. It can recover with some medication. Mmm... I will complete all treatment phases within this month."
Fran's gaze lowered slightly, then she offered a comforting word.
Unlike other patients' situations, Sidonia's treatment would require some time; it couldn't be accomplished in one go. Although she was extremely patient with every patient and didn't mind the time issue, the emergency consultation requirement mandated the patient's recovery within this month.
Therefore, this doctor didn't mind appropriately using some highly effective, potent drugs...
"Lady Sidonia, although this palace has been incorporated into Fog Street and strictly speaking has become part of my clinic... you can still regard it as your own asset. Please don't feel uncomfortable residing here."
"During the convalescence period, you can choose to stay in your residence, or accompany me on house calls in Gormouth. I will be responsible for your safety."
Hearing her words, Sidonia thought for a moment, then carefully worded her response.
"I... would indeed like to leave here and see the outside world. I don't know how many years it has been since I last saw sunlight."
As she spoke, a trace of puzzlement appeared in her gaze.
"Dr. Fran, why do you carry, besides the scent of Carapace Kind scales, a wisp of the warm scent of sunlight? Is it noon outside now?"
"No, it's the dead of night now. Probably only a few hours away from dawn."
The light in Fran's amber eyes shifted slightly; she immediately knew the source of the sunlight scent.
Sigrid.
She just didn't expect her spiritual energy to be so internalized that Sidonia could still smell it. The olfactory system of mythical creatures might also warrant in-depth research...
"As for the scent of sunlight, that's a specially appointed maid at my clinic. You can call her Sigrid."
As she spoke, Fran opened her doctor's coat and took out the ceremonial sword "False Sun," forged from Sigrid, from the sheath at her waist.
Blinding sunlight transformed into burning incandescence, and Sigrid reformed into her human shape. She didn't speak, merely giving a reserved, slight nod and bow to Sidonia.
A Sun-Forgers Cult alchemical construct? No, her existence was even more peculiar. She possessed both the humanity and reason of a living creature and was close to being a pure Forged Sacred Spawn.
Even with Sidonia's knowledge and experience, it was difficult to accurately describe what Sigrid exactly was.
After introducing Sigrid, Fran suddenly seemed to remember something, raising her hand to rub her eye socket.
"Now, the entire Sea Ridge secret realm will be maintained by Fog Street. Lady Sidonia, you are truly 'free.' But before that, I have one more thing I want to ask you..."
"This isn't related to the Heyl Sirens' past; it shouldn't trigger your mental illness."
As she spoke, she released the hand rubbing her eye socket.
When that eye opened again, the eyeball and pupil had flipped, turning into a deep crimson, blood-like color.
"Do you recognize this eye?"
Seeing the blood-soaked-looking pupil, Sidonia was momentarily surprised, the confusion between her brows growing stronger.
"It's that mad monk Karmion... Why do you have his eye?"
"A small material obtained from a house call. It doesn't exist in reality; it's just a wisp of faint spiritual energy."
To avoid stimulating this patient in poor mental state, Fran flicked her index finger, changing the eye back to its deep amber-gold color.
"Since Lady Sidonia knows something about him, please enlighten me."
Sidonia organized her fragmented impressions, then slowly began to narrate.
"Karmion... He was a fearsome high priest. Although he never received divine favor in his lifetime, failing to enter the ranks of disciples, his obsession with prolonging life was so intense it was almost tangible."
"He possessed an immense amount of forbidden knowledge and didn't care about any cost to achieve his goals. Siphoning the life of infants, drinking the flesh and blood of his kind, even consuming the marrow of Sacred Spawn... That mad monk once attempted to launch a large-scale sacrifice in Gormouth, but was ultimately stopped by us."
"Stopped by 'you'?"
Sidonia's wording caught Fran's attention.
If Karmion's failed sacrifice was the work of the Heyl Sirens, then their knowledge wasn't hearsay but firsthand experience.
Sidonia nodded in confirmation.
"Yes."
"He wanted to use the entire city as a hall, the flesh and spirit of all living things as a feast, to set up an unprecedented grand banquet. If this ritual succeeded, he might have transformed himself into a pure mythical creature and thereby step into the ranks of the 'Drinkers.'"
"As one rejected by the gods, already at the end of the road, this might have been the only method of ascension."
As she said this, her gaze carried a hint of emotion.
"At that time, we were still fighting side by side with the Stellar Abyss Society. Our relationship could even be described as 'intimate.'"
Fran lightly licked the corner of her lips with the tip of her tongue, a thoughtful light appearing in her eyes.
The striking similarity with the present piqued her interest.
Karmion wanted to become a mythical creature, and so did the Gailethson Royal Court's Crown Prince Murphy. However, one was stopped by the Heyl Sirens, and the other was assassinated by the Burial Primus.
"This intelligence is very valuable and quite practical. Thank you for informing me."
She thanked her, then calmly instructed.
"Lady Sidonia, if you wish to go out, you can first leave the palace and stroll around Fog Street. Walking towards Foy's direction will lead you to my temporary clinic. Besides, during this time, Sigrid will provide you with some care."
"If you wish to see me, you can call for my messenger, Luyala, after falling asleep. Oh, you've already met her; it shouldn't be unfamiliar."
"She's a bit shy, but actually a warm-hearted child."
"Alright... I understand."
Sidonia reached down to touch the slender, fair skin of her ankle. No feeling of shackles tightly bound... she even felt strangely unaccustomed to it.
At the same time, she felt an indescribable sense of familiarity towards that messenger from the depths of dreams.
Even though their forms were vastly different and they shared no similarities, Sidonia could determine with just one glance... that was her "kindred." Not belonging to the same species, but undoubtedly, both had the ancient bloodline of mythical creatures flowing within them.
After the instructions, Fran waved her hand, dispersing the surrounding mist curtain, and prepared to leave for now.
With Fog Street clinics now established in both Moldway and Foy Port, she could appear anywhere in these two cities, allowing her to leave Sigrid to care for Sidonia.
The difficulty of treating an Abyssal-rated patient couldn't be judged by ordinary standards. Impatience for quick results was a doctor's major taboo.
She planned to prepare a sufficiently effective final treatment phase within this month, perfectly concluding this emergency consultation.
"Please wait."
Sidonia called Fran to a halt, a hint of complexity appearing in her gaze.
"Ms. Fran, thank you for everything you have done. But I am still puzzled... Why exactly did you help me? And what exactly are you seeking?"
Faced with her question, Fran stopped walking and responded with a leisurely gaze.
"Mmm~ Let me think about how to answer this question."
"Being a doctor is my main profession. And contacting, understanding, and curing patients with various symptoms... is my personal interest. In most cases, the consultation fee I require is collected during treatment and will not exceed the patient's capabilities."
"And not charging a fee is preferential treatment for special patients. The process of treating you is more valuable than any so-called consultation fee."
"In fact, you have already paid the price in an intangible way, Lady Sidonia."
After saying this, she left the Sea Ridge Palace with Haida and Vivian, stepping into the boundless, hazy grey-white mist.
Sidonia, seated on the pale bone throne, fell silent for a moment.
She could feel that Fran's words were not false. The reason was simple... Although this doctor gave off a gentle and somewhat approachable feeling, there was an indescribable arrogance in her essence.
It seemed that when discussing matters in the field of "medicine," she disdained using lies.
Just then, Sigrid, wearing maid attire, placed her hands before her abdomen and greeted her shyly yet warmly.
"Um, Lady Sidonia... You may call me Sigrid. I am currently a maid at the Fog Street Clinic and can also be considered a Sun-Forgers Cult artisan."
"If you don't mind, I will provide companionship and care for you during this time."
Although the Forged Sun was a severe and merciless deity, after the Lost Age, the believers who followed Him gradually began to exhibit enthusiastic traits. It was as if they were like that primordial sun of old...
Who asked for no reward, giving light and warmth to all living beings indiscriminately.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Although Sidonia was a pure-blooded Heyl noble, she didn't possess the arrogance of a superior ordering others about. She responded to Sigrid in an easygoing manner.
"Speaking of which, I am somewhat hungry as well. In the past, the Tide-Listeners from the Stellar Abyss Society would deliver spiritual-infused materials every half month that provided no sense of satiety, just keeping me at the most basic level of life signs."
Hearing this, Sigrid patted her chest.
"Leave it to me."
"Now, it's almost dawn, so... Lady Sidonia, what would you like for breakfast? Are there any dietary restrictions?"
As she said this, she actually felt a bit unsure inside.
Although under Dr. Fran's careful guidance, her cooking skills had gradually approached normal levels, not becoming a charcoal-making machine every time... But having to provide food for a discerning Heyl noble right off the bat was quite a challenge for her.
"Fish. Preferably silver pomfret, or cod."
"Whether sliced thin and eaten raw or grilled, I can accept it."
After some thought, Sidonia stated her dietary preference.
"Ah, you actually like eating fish?"
Sigrid was somewhat surprised by this and couldn't help but slightly raise her eyes to carefully examine the Heyl noble before her.
The fish-like bony scales around the eyes, the tentacles resembling marine invertebrates beneath the formal skirt, and the fine, glossy small gill flaps on the neck.
Lady Sidonia's image was like something out of a fairy tale, a magical being that could communicate with marine life.
Thinking that the Heyl Sirens, akin to sea sprites, also fed on other creatures of the Abyssal Sea, she couldn't help but feel the harshness of reality...
"Is this... difficult to understand?"
Sidonia tilted her head slightly, a hint of "of course" within her clear gaze.
"Living in the Abyssal Sea, what else is there to eat besides fish? Even fish can only eat fish."
+++
T/N: Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter and want to support my work, I have a Patreon!
[email protected]/PeakTL