Chapter 148
At this moment, the underground sanctuary had been mostly cleared out, leaving only the parties involved, a few assistant "physicians," and the "Ascetic" who was keeping an eye on the sealed object. The sanctuary was eerily quiet.
Lucy said nothing, her gaze fixed intently on Professor Ashford, not blinking even as her eyes began to sting and dry out.
"I understand."
Professor Ashford nodded and beckoned to one of his assistants.
The assistant "physician" opened a black leather square toolbox. From Charles's angle, she noticed that the toolbox seemed to be made of extraordinary materials, though she couldn't tell if it contained a sealed object.
She couldn't see what was inside the toolbox, but she could see the professor's gloved hand reaching in, grasping something.
"Roar—!"
A strange, eerie roar erupted from the toolbox, followed by a violent wailing sound. The tearing noise was akin to a knife scraping across a chalkboard, sending a shiver down Charles's spine.
After a moment, she realized that the source of the buzzing and wailing seemed to be emanating from her own mind.
She held her breath, but looking at the others' faces, they appeared unaffected...
Was it fear?
From that box?
Professor Ashford slowly withdrew his hand from the toolbox.
The once pure white cotton gloves were now stained with a purplish-red unknown viscous substance, and in his hand, he held a bizarre, marble-sized yellow-green eyeball with three purple irises.
"Lady Silufah, in your current state, it's not advisable to consume the paralysis potion. I’ve already given you a high-quality stimulant made by my student. It will keep you awake but will amplify your perceptions... Please bear with it."
After saying this, Professor Ashford used two instruments to pry open Lucy's eyelids, while two assistants helped him steady the tools.
Then, the professor picked up a sharp scalpel and, with precision, made a cut on Lucy's reddened eyeball, slicing downwards.
Blood-tinged aqueous humor and vitreous fluid flowed out from the opening in her eye, as the professor carefully inserted the marble-sized eyeball into the wound.
The tendrils beneath that eyeball seemed to come alive, writhing as they burrowed into the slit.
"Ugh!!!!"
The pain was indescribable, causing Lucy's hands to tense with bulging veins. She clutched the white bedsheet beneath her, her strength so intense that it began to tear.
Professor Ashford worked quickly and appeared quite professional.
He swiftly retrieved various items from the toolbox: pieces of skin with unknown markings, soft green brain worms with limbs and cerebral patterns, and fragments of various unidentified monstrous corpses, stitching them onto Lucy's face or directly inserting them into the cracks of her skull.
Watching this scene made Charles feel parched, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself.
Is this how you people operate on patients?
"Newborns"... are you literally changing her race?
If she has to live with a face like that... well, that could only be considered survival, not to mention the potential side effects.
About ten minutes later, the operation concluded.
Lucy lay unconscious on the ground, her face contorted with countless indescribable "objects" writhing chaotically, her skin devoid of its original color.
Though the surgery was performed on her head, the flesh beneath her black dress began to writhe as if undergoing some transformation of life.
The other "physicians" had turned away, no longer looking directly at the scene. Even the "Ascetic" behind Charles had turned his back, slowly beginning to murmur a prayer.
Professor Ashford, who had been half-kneeling, slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and turned to face Charles.
"Did you call for me, my lady?"
He took a few steps toward Charles and continued, "The 'treatment' is complete. How well she can withstand the impact of the potions... depends on her."
"Mm."
Charles nodded and replied, "When she wakes up, I'll have her send you the payment—three times the amount."
"Haha..."
Professor Ashford chuckled and shook his head, saying, "The opportunity to complete the 'Reproduction Ritual' is rare. I’ll only charge for materials; I must thank you, Miss Charles, for this opportunity."
After saying this, the professor turned to instruct the other "physicians" to leave, even sending away the "Ascetic" behind Charles.
Before long, the sanctuary was left with only the unconscious Lucy and the two standing apart—Charles and Ashford.
"I often hear your name from Adele, Miss Charles. Please don’t mind my directness in addressing you by name."
Professor Ashford raised his hand and removed the silver raven mask from his face, saying, "I haven't formally introduced myself yet. I am Ashford, a professor of the Redemption Society."
The old man beneath the silver mask looked surprisingly ordinary.
His head was bald, with a tuft of white mustache on his upper lip, and his face bore several dark spots. If he were just walking down the street, Charles might mistake him for an average old man.
However, something seemed to bulge beneath his bald skull, resembling mutated bone growth, almost breaking through the skin.
"Charles, assistant to Avelina Russell."
Charles nodded, not saying much more.
After all, she didn’t seem to have any notable identity to introduce.
Upon hearing Charles's introduction, Professor Ashford paused for a moment, then awkwardly chuckled, saying, "Haha... you truly have a humorous spirit."
Charles remained silent, waiting for him to bring up a topic.
He was a third-tier "Newborn" of the Redemption Society, and his respectful attitude likely meant he had something to ask of her.
"Actually, the reason I came here is due to a particular matter."
After a few exchanges, Professor Ashford seemed to have grasped the general character of the girl before him.
She was the type who preferred to be straightforward; with someone like her, he only needed to state his needs, and whether it would lead to success depended on her own thoughts.
"You must have heard, and I feel quite ashamed to admit it, but I am Shiren's mentor..."
Professor Ashford shook his head helplessly and continued, "I have been so engrossed in my new research that I neglected to guide my disciples, leading to this outcome. I bear some responsibility for what has happened."
"I came here specifically for one thing."
At this point, Ashford paused, but unable to read Charles's expression, he continued, "I would like you to persuade Adele to return to the Redemption Society."
Seemingly worried that Charles might refuse, he quickly explained:
"Adele has a remarkable talent in medicine, especially in alchemical pharmacology. If she stays with the Redemption Society, she can fully utilize her abilities."
"Moreover, if she is with the Redemption Society, her safety will be better protected... Didn't I see in that 'Manager Jiti's' spiritual notes that she wants to investigate Adele? If she can return to Ansu with me, she will receive more protection, which will also benefit her academic research."
"If you are willing to help me with this, I will pay you 2000 Su pounds as a reward, along with a favor from a third-tier extraordinary being. What do you think?"
2000 Su pounds plus a favor from a third-tier extraordinary being?
That sounded like a good deal.
But Charles simply shook her head and replied, "I'm afraid not, Mr. Ashford. Adele's decision is entirely up to her; I have no reason or right to interfere."
Hearing Charles's response, Ashford took a deep breath. After a long pause, he finally said, "I apologize for the disturbance. Lady Lucifa will likely awaken soon. If there are any further treatment issues, feel free to consult me again. I should be in Brolun City for a while longer."
Professor Ashford put the mask back on, turned, and walked toward the dark passage, sighing inwardly.
Adele's friends... how come each one is harder to communicate with than the last?
That young lady from the Russell family goes without saying, her demeanor as cold as ice, and completely uninterested in Su pounds.
2000 Su pounds! That could buy a countryside villa or a spacious house in the center of Ansu.
Not to mention the favor from a third-tier extraordinary being.
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