Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

"I must admit, your communication skills are quite superb. Based on our two conversations, your compatibility with me is indeed the best in the examples. Perhaps, I should use a different word to describe it—"

No longer using the pronunciation prevalent in Hastings, she used her mother tongue, English words and phrases, to describe her feelings at this moment.

"Made For Each Other".

"I can say no more. Due to the constraints of the rules, as an example of ideology, my time in this realm is limited. Therefore, from now on, I will communicate with you in another form."

Before he finished speaking, the walls of the entire church trembled slightly, and the gear pattern on the stained glass rotated accordingly, gradually restoring the archbishop's face to the appearance of an ordinary human.

Only da, da, da...

A steam piston was spinning in Charlotte's palm, like a comical top.

"Where were we? About cultivating strains..." Adeline's expression returned to its official and distant state, as if the conversation had never happened.

Ke Liren simply tightened her five fingers slowly, feeling the faint pulsation emanating from the metallic hum.

She gave a gentle smile: "I'd be happy to cooperate with the church, after all—"

"You and I are not alone."

P.S.: I'd like to recommend a book by a friend. If you're interested, you can check it out. The title is below.

Back to the Future, I'm Really Not a Mystic

But even if it's all in the past, don't forget me, or you'll cry.

Chapter 178 The Traitor

For Charlotte, Adeline was nothing short of a tremendous surprise.

She was groping her way forward through the fog of the truth, but unexpectedly received the light and guidance of the lamp, allowing her to glimpse the direction of the future.

This land might not be the game setting she envisioned, where she could indulge herself at will, but rather a parallel line to the world in her memory, where she could simply close her eyes and blink, and a thousand years would pass in a dream.

“Miss Isabella?” The landlady’s soft call from outside the door interrupted my thoughts. “A gentleman delivered this last night.”

Since her story of going to the conference alone and managing the plague was told by word of mouth and published in newspapers, both nobles and commoners have admired and respected her more, and Lady Savarin is no exception.

I took the item from the window; it was an exquisite brass specimen box, its surface etched with the gear emblem of the Steam Church. Inside, twelve glass test tubes were neatly arranged, each labeled: 'Camelot Village Water Sample - Southeast Quadrant' 'Eling Bay Soil Sample - Third Lane'...

After the day's negotiations concluded, she was granted certain privileges by the Steam Supremacy Church as an external employee, including the right to borrow from the library and be assigned tasks.

These are the relevant experimental materials. There is also a booklet embedded in the lower layer, titled "High-Pressure Steam Sterilization Operation Guide," with the words "Step by Step" written in pencil on the title page.

Is this a sign that you're worried I don't understand practical skills?

With a slight upturn of her lips, Charlotte's fingertips traced the coordinate numbers engraved on the inside of the gears. In a world where even the Pasteurization method was not yet widespread, the value of this manual was self-evident.

She could almost imagine how carefully Adeline compiled this knowledge, ensuring its scientific accuracy without being too ahead of its time and triggering some kind of 'correction'.

"Press your fingers, sit upright, and remain still. Is this how you rest? I notice your pupils are dilated. It's already early morning, a time when you should be relatively energetic."

The piston of steam turned in her palm, bringing a slight tingling sensation, and the words written by the spirit surfaced directly in Charlotte's mind.

Upon hearing this, she gently closed the copper clasp of the specimen box, lowered her gaze amidst the rustling sound, and watched the morning light filter through the thin gauze curtains, casting fine spots of light on the table.

"I'm pondering an interesting question." Raising her eyelashes, the brown-haired beauty responded only in her mind, "How do you manage to maintain a mechanical mindset while also developing a human sense of humor?"

The copper sheet warmed slightly, and tiny words appeared on its surface: "The fastest way to learn is through observation and imitation, just like how you adapt to the ways of this era. However, I must admit that some dialogue patterns are indeed...puzzling."

Silent communication, like ripples echoing in the ocean of the spirit, is their tacit way of communicating.

Although she lost the privacy of being alone, Charlotte didn't find it troublesome to have such an external brain, after all, what resided in her hands was the end of the sequence of one of the three major orthodox churches.

How to use this assistance and rationalize her own needs is the key she should consider.

“Observing allies with your own eyes is a suspicious act; being mindful of your gaze will make your companions feel respected.”

A casual mention can elicit a string of conversations to pass the time.

"Are you expressing your dissatisfaction with polite language? I'm sorry, my database cannot analyze the full meaning of human expressions. Given the limited sensory experience in this state, perhaps I should try a different approach to communicate with you."

Iron filings, like mist, gathered upwards from the gaps between the wall and the floor, weaving together to form a graceful, curvaceous figure. She raised her slender fingers, conjuring a delicate face from the empty space, and then slowly placed it on her smooth head.

Thus, a beautiful woman came to mind.

"Based on your personalized content settings, I think this facial expression would be more appropriate. Of course, given your sluggishness in the morning, I should also show a sleepy expression to show empathy."

"Breathing during different eye movement phases, the rise and fall of the chest accordingly, oh, perhaps I should close my eyes first."

As Charlotte gazed at the mechanical lifeform mimicking a human sleeping posture, she unconsciously raised her eyebrows.

Adeline's eyelashes trembled so deliberately that even the curve of her lips when she yawned looked like a standard curve measured with a compass.

“Your acting skills…” She reached out a fingertip and brushed away the stray hairs from her forehead, “would get you slammed with rotten tomatoes if you performed this in the Kingdom’s opera house.”

Adeline's eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked down at her newly constructed body, the gears at her joints still faintly visible.

"According to the database, a similar incident did indeed occur at the Royal Theatre in Florence in 1794. Perhaps I should pay more attention to details? Observations show that women tend to relax in private spaces, and examples indicate that 87% of the subjects immediately adjust to a social state after realizing they are being watched. Therefore, I should—"

As she spoke, she straightened her back and deliberately let a strand of hair fall over her shoulder, a gesture that perfectly replicated Charlotte's little habit of fixing her hair earlier.

"Are you making fun of me?" Charlotte picked up her teacup, the rising steam concealing the smile on her lips.

“No, this is learning.” The former’s voice suddenly became lively, even mimicking the rise and fall of his chest perfectly. “Look, I can even pretend to drink water now.”

She conjured up a non-existent teacup out of thin air, the curve of her metal fingers perfectly mirroring the beauty's. The overly deliberate imitation finally made Charlotte burst into laughter, filling the room with life in the early morning.

After the laughter subsided, Adeline gradually regained her mechanical composure. She walked to the window, lightly touched the glass with her fingertips, and the scenery outside immediately became hazy, like the surface of water.

“I have already pre-treated the specimens that were sent this morning. The water sample from the third tunnel still contains a large number of germs, which indicates that Mr. Murman spread the plague in more than one ditch.”

"With your and your colleagues' help, I think it won't be long before the impact of this epidemic completely fades away."

"I really like the term 'colleague,' as it implies that we work together from the same perspective."

"How long can you maintain this state, measured in seconds?"

It was a deliberate inquiry.

"Theoretically, it can be maintained for 72 hours without interruption, but considering energy consumption and spiritual limitations, it is not recommended to exceed half a calendar day each time."

"After all, there are no readily available charging stations in this era, and the power consumption of water propulsion and coal combustion is too high, making them extremely inefficient."

Adeline's fingertips touched the windowsill, the metal and wood colliding with a crisp sound. She turned and glanced sideways, the pressure gauge pattern on her skirt shimmering slightly.

"You seem quite interested in energy issues?"

Charlotte placed the last test tube into the specimen box and explained, “More than that, I’d like to know why you chose steam as the core of your doctrine. Electricity should have been more widespread in your time.”

The piston on the mechanical beauty's chest suddenly accelerated, steam seeping out from between the gears and turning into fine dust in the morning light.

"Because it makes sense."

It is a downward-pressed throat.

"Electric power systems can cause uncontrollable anomalies in this world. After that failed semiconductor experiment three years ago, I discovered that any science or technology that transcends the limitations of its time will lead to 'distortion.'"

Charlotte noticed that when she said this, the clouds outside the window seemed to freeze for a moment.

“But steam is different.” Adeline pursed her lips and continued, “It’s primitive enough, yet it falls perfectly within the logical progression of this world’s technological tree. Most importantly—”

"The working principle of the steam engine resonates subtly with the concept of 'boiling' in the potion system."

"So, what about the electromagnetic facilities currently being promoted, and those bachelors and professors featured in the newspapers?"

Recalling Eliza's hysteria and Theodore von's mention of electrotherapy, Charlotte, out of necessary concern, responsibly inquired about the little morpho butterfly.

"There is no relevant data in my database. If we extend human thinking, these should be unverified assumptions without theoretical support, just to attract public attention and attention for a short time."

"Of course, there is no shortage of relevant information in those uninformative and sensationalist newspapers. For example, Maester Pritt will hold a public clinic in a few days to show that he has tamed electricity."

Whether intentionally or not, Adeline's drawn-out tone, though flat, perfectly highlights the difference between the beginning and the end, showcasing her unique satire.

"For example, his gimmick was that the young lady of the Dickbatov family would attend his public clinic as a patient, and this novel medical theory would surely enable her to recover soon, get rid of the interference of her family bloodline, and no longer be tormented by this cruel 'curse'. Well, this famous scholar even drafted false theories and documents, and obtained the approval of the medical association with his sweet talk."

"Oh, reasonable and legal, what an inappropriate adjective."

It is an exclamation that fits the context.

"Miss Dickbatov..." Charlotte tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, and the image of those melancholy, watery blue eyes involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

“Yes.” Adeline nodded slightly, as if she was seriously considering the possibility of electrotherapy. “Bachelor Pritt is not an expert in electromagnetism. His dissertation is full of fluff, his resume is suspected of being fabricated in many places, and his advocated ‘electrotherapy theory’ has no scientific basis and may even cause irreversible nerve damage to patients.”

"But he received approval from the medical association. This means that, at least on the surface, his theory was accepted."

“The Medical Association’s review standards are not rigorous, or perhaps the current system itself has many loopholes.” Copper-colored fingertips lightly brushed the air, and metallic particles condensed into a virtual file in front of the beautiful woman. “Scholar Pritt has the support of nobles behind him, and the influence of the Dickbatov family in politics and wealth has gradually declined in recent years, which has allowed his ‘experiment’ to proceed smoothly.”

"Based on all the clues, Mr. Theodore von, as the current head of the family, should have either tacitly approved or actively promoted the public disclosure of this medical consultation."

After a moment of silence, Charlotte raised her eyes and looked at Adeline.

When exactly is this public consultation meeting?

“Three days from now, at noon, in the central auditorium of the Royal Medical Academy,” Adeline answered succinctly, then inquired again, “Are you planning to intervene?”

"If his treatment methods are merely sensationalist tactics, opportunistic pursuits of fame and fortune, and could even harm the patients I've treated and my friends—"

With her slender eyebrows raised sharply, the kind-hearted doctor made no attempt to conceal her sharpness, like a blade drawn from its sheath.

“I will not stand idly by, even if it is that girl’s own wish.”

“Your sense of morality is admirable,” Adeline said calmly. “But at its core, it was the dead spirits’ innate affinity that confused Miss Eliza’s senses, coupled with a series of tragic experiences, that caused hysteria and confusion to intertwine and destroy her rationality.”

"Even if you stop it this time, Miss Eliza will still suffer from mental instability, tormented by regret and fear, unless—"

"unless."

"She can be like you, combining spirituality and naturally becoming an extraordinary person, capable of controlling her own reason."

Upon hearing this, the brown-haired beauty straightened her clothes, picked up her suitcase, and echoed the words and determination that had been spoken with her receding figure.

"I believe in her, just as I believe in myself."

"I will not abandon it, just as I always have."

......

The Dikbatov family is one of the most prominent figures in Florentine opera history. Their bloodline flows with both captivating operatic talent and an inescapable tragic fate; these two enchanting figures together pluck at the heartstrings of the world, leaving audiences deeply enamored with the Dikbatov actresses...

This is not a door that is hard to find.

As horses' hooves trod across green lawns and flowerbeds, and cart tracks roll over streets and alleyways, anyone can pick up a yellowed newspaper in the evening breeze.

The Seven Layers of Veil That Once Stunned

The heavy ink spread across this first page, a debut hit song.

Since the passing of beloved Icarina, and the death of her eldest daughter Beatrice in the fire, Eliza, the sole surviving member of the Ditasdorf family, became the darling of the people of Florence. Just as the heavy expectations placed upon her, this Dikbatov actress lived up to her talent and ability, continuing the family's epic saga, but also stepping towards a tragic fate.

That performance was her debut, and also her social debut.

After that, the door was no longer hard to find. Reporters drawn by the aroma of meat and fervent movie fans would often gather around the entrance hall, all just to catch a glimpse of her beauty.

A noble door.

A door of sorrow.

Stepping over the grassy ground, she reached out her hand and pushed open the door.

The Dickbatov household was quieter than usual, and the passing servants hurried along as if afraid of being tainted by the bad luck that was there.

Charlotte's boots clicked crisply on the marble floor, echoing through the empty hall. The light from the crystal chandelier fell on her shoulders, but it couldn't illuminate the shadowy corners.

In her tidy bedroom, she saw Eliza again.

As always, she stood dignified and upright, slender, pale, with dark circles under her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Eliza, I didn’t foresee your lapse in composure at that party.”

It was a deep voice, a sincere apology.

"Thank you for your concern, doctor. I... I'll be fine. I can hold on. Please believe me, and please continue to treat me."

After a pause, Eliza slowly lowered her eyelashes, tears of struggle and anguish streaming down her face.

“My elder brother’s business, political resources, family honor… Dikbatov needs me more now than ever before. My reputation and status can only serve this purpose now.”

"So, I'm sorry, Bella... I've made up my mind to accept Dr. Pritt's treatment."

"Just once is enough, even if it doesn't work."

She sobbed softly, feeling betrayed by the person in front of her.