The eccentric doctor never makes a misdiagnosis!

However, judging from the exhibits, they all seem to be objects of unknown significance... The White Cup Order was probably prepared for this.

……

The occult section was mostly frequented by young people, who were filled with a strong curiosity about these kinds of things that defy common sense. Some authors of supernatural novels also came here to find inspiration.

For ordinary people who want to safely access a large amount of esoteric knowledge without joining a legitimate religion, this is almost the only way.

Every now and then, people gazing at the exhibits would look up at Fran, only to look away again. After all, staring at a lady for too long was impolite.

The funeral maids' attire was indeed quite conspicuous, easily attracting attention. However, the advantage was that they could pass directly through the museum's access control without further checks.

Fran carried a small first-aid kit with quite a few contraband items, but it always felt strange not to carry it, as if something important was missing...

"The nun's robe of the Hunter is indeed beautiful and of excellent quality... I must thank Sister Haida for having their logistics department send me one."

Fran did not activate her usual "psychological concealment" at this moment, which often attracted the attention of passers-by, and some people even came up to greet her.

The psychological trick of concealment, reinforced by the "swinging of the heart bell," can make most ordinary people ignore and forget its existence. But if you finally have a legitimate opportunity to change into a new outfit and then don't let others see it, wouldn't that be like wearing fine clothes in the dark, casting pearls before swine?

The only risk is being arrested on the spot by the hunters, nothing to worry about!

“My colleague, your patrol route is a bit strange… and you’re spending too much time lingering between the exhibits. Um, may I ask which funeral maid’s task force you’re from?”

A somewhat weak female voice rang in Fran's ear.

She turned her head slightly, and the dark, cold muzzle of a gun was pointed directly at her amber eyes, inches away.

"Don't move. Wait here for 30 seconds, our team leader will be here soon. I know you're not a Hunter."

Vivian was wearing a dark coat typical of Secret Service agents, with her pistol discreetly hidden in the shadows of her cuff.

She could pull the trigger at any time, but she wouldn't cause panic before firing.

“What a coincidence, Miss Vivian. We meet again.”

Fran clearly noticed the gun in Vivian's sleeve, but still greeted her kindly and politely.

The smile on her lips was relaxed and natural, unchanged even in the face of imminent death.

"Ah, Dr. Fran? What are you doing here?" Vivian's eyes widened, momentarily surprised.

She took a moment to suppress her slightly trembling hands before fastening the safety of the gun hidden in her sleeve.

"Going to see the exhibition. As a resident of Norlington North, it's perfectly normal to participate in the Norlington Central Museum's spring exhibition, isn't it?"

Fran blinked, then spread his hands slightly in an innocent manner, as if to say, "How could I have bad intentions?"

"That is indeed a very valid and irrefutable reason..."

Vivian felt she was struggling to keep up with Fran's train of thought, but she knew she would soon be free from the headaches caused by the mysterious doctor's appearance.

Once Sister Heda arrives... she'll be the one with a headache.

A dozen seconds later, Haida arrived at the scene right on time.

She looked at Fran, dressed in the uniform of a funeral attendant, and paused for a moment, seemingly surprised. But this expression vanished in an instant.

Quickly accepting and understanding the current situation is also an essential quality for a hunter, and besides, he gave away the clothes himself.

Good day, Dr. Fran.

After a brief greeting, Sister Heda calmly inquired about Fran.

Are you here to see the exhibition too? Or is there some other reason?

“Dear Sister Heda, I was just browsing around. There are a few exhibits that are quite interesting. But since Agent Vivian caught me, let’s stop here for now. Don’t worry, I won’t cause any trouble for your work.”

Fran clasped her hands together slightly, appearing very understanding. Her gaze toward Haida even carried a hint of apology... and a barely perceptible trace of pity.

Oh, only a few days after completing a large-scale purge, Haida has already been assigned to security at the Norrington Museum? Don't you get any vacation time?

She works so hard, how could I possibly increase her workload for my own selfish reasons...?

"No need for formalities. Dr. Fran's cooperation with our church last time went very smoothly, so there's no need for you to avoid him."

Heda, however, seemed to have no intention of driving Fran away. On the contrary, she calmly tried to persuade her to stay.

“Although I have already paid the fee for the last commission, you are still recorded in the cult’s files as the ‘autopsy examiner’.”

Fran raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, then smiled and accepted Haida's explanation.

“I see…then I will accept Sister Haida’s kindness.”

After receiving Fran's permission, Haida immediately changed the subject.

"However, we would appreciate it if Dr. Fran would accompany us on the tour. After all, your current role is that of a 'funeral maid'."

"Hmm...that makes sense. Well then, I'll have to trouble Sister Haida to lead the way for me, okay?"

The role of a funeral maid was quite novel for Fran, who was someone whose ultimate goal was to pursue fun, so she naturally accepted Haida's invitation.

-

In the preparation room of the Hunters Order before the exhibition at the Central Museum begins.

Security work doesn't require much protective gear or weaponry; it's similar to routine patrols. Therefore, Vivian simply checked the ammunition for the firearms.

With thirty minutes left before departure, she sat on the sofa and squeezed in a novel.

Although Haida forced herself not to turn her head to look, she still caught a glimpse of it unintentionally.

Today, Vivian has a copy of "The Doctor and the Slave Girl," which seems to be a recent bestseller, telling a poignant love story. Hmm... the title is quite normal; it shouldn't be an odd book.

After Vivian closed the book and pinned a bookmark on it, Heda spoke.

"Vivian, what are your thoughts on the hypnotic artifacts that Dr. Fran used?"

“I remember it,” Wu recalled Fran’s initial description, “It was called ‘Four-Pendulous Heart Bell,’ capable of briefly manipulating others twice a day by firing a mental beam, right?”

“That’s right. But besides that, it can also amplify consciousness disturbance behavior, meaning that Dr. Fran’s hypnosis will be enhanced by this relic.”

"Hmm...that's right."

Vivian continued, somewhat puzzled, unsure why Haida had suddenly brought this up.

Heda stared at Vivian and asked, "Don't you think the infiltration of the 'Hunger Club' went too smoothly this time?"

“That’s true to some extent. But that’s because Professor Terence was able to recite the Red Cup Prayer, and Dr. Fran also provided some assistance…”

“If Sayens is merely an assistant priest, then the above statement is plausible. Because Terence is also disguised as an assistant priest, and given their equal status, the other party would not dare to easily pry into his identity.”

“But she is the ‘high priest’. And back then, our only disguise was a traveling robe. That probably couldn’t have fooled a high priest.”

Vivian also found the key point; she frowned and fell into thought.

"But Sayens truly never discovered it until her death. In other words, someone made her overlook the flaws in us?"

Haida nodded.

"This is probably the true use of the 'Swinging Heart Bell'. It subtly influences the spirit. It can even make a high priest lose his guard without him noticing."

"If the General Affairs Department hadn't reminded me in the new reply, I probably wouldn't have thought of this..."

“This…” Vivian coughed lightly, her eyes narrowed, and she felt a slight stomach ache.

“I feel I need to go to the medical ward to see Ms. Marian when I have time. I’m suddenly feeling quite uneasy about my mental state…”

-

Chapter 18 Crimson Lead Dancer

Under Haida's guidance, Fran quickly and efficiently browsed through all the exhibits in the entire occult exhibition area.

Clearly, neither of them is the type to enjoy aimlessly strolling around.

This resulted in their swift and efficient actions, with a strong sense of purpose. After viewing one artifact, they would move on to the next, to the point that Vivian could hardly keep up.

It has to be said, it looks quite like a theft gang scouting the location...

Sister Heda had planned a detailed route, which allowed them to maintain Fran's view while continuing their original patrol procedures, ensuring that security measures were not neglected.

Following Haida's footsteps, Fran arrived at the modern academic exhibition area.

Placed at the very center of the exhibition area is a somewhat crudely made but advanced mechanical object. Although some parts are slightly lacking in completion, it already has a cylinder block and crankshaft connecting rod assembly, among many other features... It is an internal combustion engine.

Moreover, this internal combustion engine is not a prototype; its design concept is already close to mature, and it only needs slight modifications to be put into use.

The introduction to the White Cup Cult below is also very fitting, and could even be described as carrying a touch of the arrogance unique to researchers.

"What is it? It is a new machine that creates power with flame and atmosphere, the tireless heart that drives steel creations, and the clarion call to end the steam age. It is an 'internal combustion engine.' If you understand its existence and principles, you will know... that we stand at the very top of this era."

"These guys at White Cup are getting faster and faster at academics..."

Fran stroked his chin, slightly marveling at the changes of the times.

She wasn't sure if a technological explosion was still possible in a civilization with a "god" existing as an objective entity. But she didn't dislike this change, because development and progress were inevitable trends.

Based on the experience of the Warhammer universe, the existence of gods and the development of civilizations can coexist.

"Is Dr. Fran also interested in modern science?"

Vivian noticed that Fran had lingered by the internal combustion engine for quite some time, so she asked him curiously.

She has spent some time getting to know Fran, and now she is in a state of mixed fear and lack of fear towards the doctor.

As long as medical topics are avoided, Fran is gentle to the point of being harmless and very easy to get along with. But if she gets excited... Vivian still remembers the Red Cup High Priest who is nothing but a skeleton.

"Of course. Information is time-sensitive and must be constantly updated to stay fresh. Even I sometimes have to chase after the most cutting-edge knowledge like a moth to a flame."

Fran quickly looked away from the internal combustion engine.

She wasn't particularly interested in this machine that could potentially usher in a new era. After all, she had already witnessed it in her original world, so there was nothing new or exciting about it...

"Actually, this internal combustion engine is a very old model within the White Cup Cult, and many parts have been reduced to prevent technology leaks. If those old scholars hadn't encountered any major technical bottlenecks, they should have already replaced the vast majority of the cult's steam-powered systems..."

As an agent of the Secret Service, Vivian deals with such secrets every day. She also knows a little about the inner workings of White Cup.

"That does seem like something the White Cup Order would do."

Fran did not doubt the veracity of Vivian's rumors; after all, the researchers at White Cup did indeed like to keep things to themselves.

"I've heard that the White Cup Order has made some breakthroughs in exoskeleton-style armor, but the specific details are classified at a very high level, so I don't know anything about it..."

As Vivian and Fran discussed some anecdotes about the White Cup Order, Haida, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up.

"Dr. Fran, I've had a question for the past few days, and I'd like to ask you to answer it." lin

"Please ask, Sister Haida, there's no need to be so polite."

Fran never shies away from other people's questions. Generally, she is very enthusiastic about answering them.

"When you dissected the high priest in the Hunger Club, why did you say she was only 'half-priest'?"

"That's it... because Sains' body only had half a heart, which means we were only dealing with half of her. Her other half is still alive. If she had been whole, things would have been more complicated."

Fran touched his lips with his index finger, recalling the specific circumstances.

Heda's eyes narrowed; Fran's answer clearly confirmed some of her thoughts.

“The other half of Sayens is still alive… So, I guess that’s why you’re here at the exhibition today, isn’t it, Dr. Fran?”

"Um……"

Fran looked at Haida, a knowing smile playing on his amber eyes.

"You guessed right, Sister Heda. Is there anything you'd like as a prize?"

Heda received an affirmative answer from Fran, and then asked, "Then please continue with my next question. Will the other half of Sayens attack the museum today?"

"I don't know?"

Fran shrugged slightly, his answer decisive and without any hesitation.

“Fate and human nature are both unpredictable, and I cannot be certain whether the Red Cup's followers will come today. But based on the information we have so far... the probability of her visiting the exhibition is not small. In fact, the White Cup and the General Affairs Department are also aware of this, they just haven't told you.”

"For the past five years, White Cup has been solely responsible for security during the museum's spring exhibitions. But this year, they've chosen to join forces with the Hunter's Order. The truth is obvious... isn't it?"

"…Indeed."

Although Fran did not give a direct answer, Haida got the answer she wanted.

-

Dylan Sions is a down-on-his-luck supernatural fiction writer.

After producing several impressive works in his youth, he fell into a creative slump. The descriptive language in his novels became increasingly lengthy and bloated, like over-pickled vegetables, losing its former vibrancy.

At the same time, Dylan also maintained a strange arrogance due to his past seniority. Beneath this arrogance lay a sensitive inferiority complex and confusion.