Eldritch Horror Theatre

An experienced doctor absolutely had to break the bad habit of acting on assumptions.

Every conclusion had to be based on reliable examination results.

Not being naive enough to assume that merely chopping off the legs would solve everything showed that Olinter possessed a rigorous side—though unfortunately, not much of one.

Fu Qian had missed almost none of the changes that occurred in Jane’s body following Olinter’s treatment.

His first point of focus was the charred ash scattered by the blast. It had not drifted to the floor like the tattered fragments of her nightgown.

Given the earlier conclusion that her clothing, as a part of her whole, was still affected by the commandment, it was natural to deduce that this ash remained subject to the commandment as well.

Thus, this reversal of time was not particularly strange.

Overall, the commandment-like effect remained as stable as ever. Olinter’s treatment had achieved nothing.

As for whether it had caused any adverse effects, since perception was not particularly sensitive to the commandment, Fu Qian had simply run a few basic tests.

These included attempting to move closer.The facts proved that the symptoms were obvious.

Fu Qian quickly realized that an upper limit had been set on his movement speed.

Just like the duration of the dream.

”It seems I’ve only provoked it... How could this happen...”

As mentioned before, while Olinter was not particularly sharp, he was at least open to guidance.

Prompted by Fu Qian’s reminder, he stared at the slowly regenerating legs, took two steps, decisively reached a conclusion, and promptly crashed once more.

”According to your diagnostic theory, the contamination must be too heavy. Merely purifying the most severely afflicted areas is no longer of any use.”

Despite having the upper hand, Fu Qian possessed the magnanimity of an attending physician. He respected Olinter’s turn and drew inferences based on his treatment plan.

Of course, the implication behind this inference was excessively pessimistic, which instantly excited a certain governess.

”Are you saying I was too conservative, and she needs to be completely purified?”

As the one being respected, Olinter did not seem particularly pleased. He stared coldly at Fu Qian.

”You do not have to be so extreme. We could proceed gradually.”

Maintaining his rigorous principles, Fu Qian offered a more reasonable suggestion.

”Heh... You are right. Things must be done methodically.”

Surprisingly, Olinter sounded as though he were readily accepting good advice.

Yet the next moment, a Lead Flame Long Serpent slowly slithered out of each of his hands, their glow making the light in Nathalie’s eyes shine even brighter.

That light dimmed slightly a moment later, however, when the two serpent heads aimed squarely at Fu Qian.

”Did you think I would leave a dangerous element like you here, giving you the chance to escape?”

Olinter’s icy voice rang out.

”If a total purification is inevitable, I would rather buy Jane a little more time and let her witness the culprit’s fate with her own eyes!”

”Taking control of the consultation by eliminating the dissenting doctor? That is indeed an approach.”

While Olinter’s cruel yet merciful declaration left Mr. and Mrs. Winslow with complicated expressions, Fu Qian gave a slight nod, praising the sheer novelty of the idea.

”However, for the patient’s sake, this method easily falls short of optimal results. You will have to bear a much greater responsibility.”

”You do not get to decide whether the results are good or not.”

Controlling two serpents at once was clearly placing considerable strain on Olinter, and their generation speed was noticeably slower than before.

However, given that his target showed no intention of dodging, the long serpents were soon swaying above Fu Qian’s head. As they crossed and joined together, their momentum far exceeded their previous display.

”That is indeed the core point of this plan. Unfortunately, as the attending physician, I must reject it.”

Fu Qian sighed, appearing completely unconcerned by the threat looming above him.

”Because my diagnostic opinion remains unchanged. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Miss Winslow, and she will make a full recovery before dawn.”

”Really?”

In the face of the survival instinct, the power of superstition truly grew strong. Confronted with Fu Qian’s utterly irrational diagnosis, the frantic Mrs. Winslow immediately sought joyful confirmation.

”Of course. Can you not see that her external injuries have already healed?”

Fu Qian pointed upward. In the span of just a few sentences, Jane’s severed legs had grown back completely, right down to the bloody striations covering them.

The only flaw was that the tattered hem of her nightgown clearly had not received the same treatment, stripping away its high-end elegance at a glance.

...

”You call this a recovery?”

While Mr. and Mrs. Winslow were left speechless, a sharp rebuke rang out first.

The governess, Nathalie, wore an expression of pure fury. Under Fu Qian’s repeated remarks, the light had vanished from her eyes once more.

”Has Jane not suffered enough because of you?”

This condescending judgment was practically airtight. For a moment, even the Winslow Family could not find the words to refute it.

Her thirst for vengeance was so resolute, tirelessly cutting off every avenue of survival for Jane.

Looking at Nathalie’s righteously indignant face, Fu Qian murmured another word of praise.

Truly wonderful!

It was only when everyone went all out for their own goals that more interesting things could emerge.

”Do you know why I don’t buy your story of revenge?”

The next moment, Fu Qian shook his head with a beaming smile.

”I don’t know what you mean.”

The confusion in Nathalie’s eyes was perfectly natural, as if she had rehearsed it dozens of times.

The subtext Fu Qian read from it was that no matter what he said, she would never show a flaw.

”Obstetrics is not my specialty, so I am not entirely certain if you have had a child before. But confirming that you currently have one in your womb is no problem at all.”

Unfortunately, young people ultimately knew too little about this world. Shaking his head a moment later, Fu Qian spoke with earnest gravity.

As if struck by lightning, the actor’s composure on Nathalie’s face instantly shattered, turning as stiff as cardboard.

”Next, you had best devote all your energy to finding the child’s father.”

Yet Dr. Fu’s earnest teachings were not over.

”What nonsense are you spouting?”

Nathalie finally snapped out of it. She subconsciously jerked her head to look around, her voice rising to a shrill pitch.

”It seems you have already found him.”

Sadly, Fu Qian had no intention of entertaining her. He glanced at Olinter, whose face was ashen.

”They say that the moment a woman learns she is pregnant, she will subconsciously look at the child’s father.”

”Congratulations. The test results indicate that you are not the father.”

The Lead Flame churned. Olinter could no longer sustain the two fire serpents in his hands. They exploded amidst their swagger, tearing his hands into bloody ribbons.

Yet Olinter seemed entirely oblivious to the pain. He stared fixedly at Nathalie, and at the butler she had looked at first just moments ago.

Like I said, Brother Olinter is very receptive to guidance.

Fu Qian nodded in gratification.

He was confident that this upcoming surge of emotion could replace Nathalie’s vengeance, driving an even more intense scenario to issue an invitation to the ”eyes” lurking behind the scenes.