Doctor Schneider had not moved into the hospital; his problem was not something an ordinary doctor could treat. When Shard and the old Priest met him in the doctor's bedroom on the third floor of the clinic, he was weakly leaning against the headboard in his pajamas, conversing with Miss Annette and Miss Louisa, who had arrived a step ahead.
There were two chairs by the bed, clearly prepared for two gentlemen.
The layout of the doctor's bedroom was very similar to that of the deceased Detective Spilo's bedroom: a four-poster bed with curtains placed against the wall, surrounded by bookshelves, wardrobes, and a desk. Even the design of the lotus-shaped gas lamp on the desk was very similar, though the doctor's lamp was clearly more expensive.
Shard noticed the gear knobs on the side of the metal apparatus, indicating that the lamp could finely adjust its brightness—a typical mechanical representative of this Steam Age.
"You've come."
Bill Schneider looked at the Priest and the Detective entering with a pale face. He tried to sit up straight, but unfortunately, he failed.
Miss Annette and Miss Louisa also stood up to greet the two. The former merely exchanged a glance with Shard, as if last night's conversation had never happened, while the latter appeared to have fully recovered her health; the ladies' luck was much better than the doctor's.
As Shard chose a chair to sit down, his eyes swept across the room. He didn't notice any gifts or similar items; it seemed the female Diviner and the female Writer had also come to visit the patient empty-handed. This discovery made Shard quite happy.
"I am glad to see you all here," the doctor said in a low voice, watching Shard and the Priest sit down.
"Bill, don't speak. How is he doing now?"
Augustus the Priest asked Miss Annette. The lady with short brown hair replied with some annoyance
"He forcibly used the Words of Sublimation without any preparation. The physical damage to his body is manageable; your potions can solve that. What's strange is that the depletion of his lifespan didn't occur, but his mind and soul have suffered extraordinary damage."
Shard thought of the smell of sulfur he had detected at the time, while the injured doctor gave an awkward smile. Fortunately, no one questioned him on this matter.
"In that case, the only method I can think of is using Holy Water No. 2 or No. 1 to resolve this issue completely without harm," Augustus the Priest said. He was the most skilled in potion formulation within the group and served as the group's healer. After all, although Doctor Schneider was a doctor, he was a psychiatrist.
"Holy Water?"
This was the first time Shard had heard this proper noun. Miss Louisa explained to him in a low voice
"The Holy See of the Natural Church possesses a set of five [Relics], ranging from Poet-grade to Angel-grade; they are said to be five angel statues. By immersing them in dew, the dew can be transformed into Holy Water with different effects, known as Holy Water No. 5 through No. 1.
The Holy Water concentrate itself is a very effective potion and possesses powerful exorcism properties. Once properly formulated, it can be used to concoct various potions. Among them, Holy Water No. 1 does not leak out, and Holy Water No. 2, through the Five Gods Church Agreement, is standard equipment for the Circle Wizards of the Orthodox Church. For an injury like the doctor's, which requires the treatment of the soul, one would likely need similar potions. Otherwise, it would require even more precious potions or Relics."
"Is there any stock in the local black market recently?" Augustus the Priest asked worriedly, sitting in his chair with a hunched back.
Miss Louisa explained softly again
"It is said that the expensive Holy Water that occasionally appears on the local black market is all released by the Church for sale."
"Not for the time being, but I have contacted a friend in Carsonric. He has some stock, but it won't be sent over for at least a month," Miss Annette replied.
"Are there any other ways?" Shard joined the conversation, but Augustus the Priest shook his head.
"If he rests quietly, Bill might not be able to get out of bed until the end of the year. Previously, our group possessed a Document-grade healing Relic called [The Physician's Severed Hand] that could heal the soul, but unfortunately, it was lost during a skirmish with others last year. We could try to find a way through the Academy, but the Academy's methods are usually... very expensive. This is no ordinary injury; a wound to the soul and mind cannot be treated even by your Vampire Ring."
"The Vampire Ring is destroyed. Yesterday, when facing the Shadow of the Evil God, both of my Relics were destroyed," Shard said regretfully.
"That is normal, Shard. You were truly brave." The doctor managed to force a smile at Shard. "You saved us all at Lakeview Manor."
"Certain special healing miracles, incantations, or divine arts can also heal soul and mental trauma, but none of us are proficient in those types of abilities," Augustus the Priest added.
"Among the free miracles given to me by the Academy, [Syndia's Silver Moon Grace] should belong to the healing category, and it specializes in mental and soul healing. I learned it last night," Shard said. His state of Divine Afterglow and his increased understanding of the [Silver Moon] gave him great confidence in this ability. Unfortunately, this ability could only be used at night.
[*Divine Afterglow does not make you omnipotent. I think you must at least reach the 3rd Circle before it is possible to use miracles that can affect the doctor's condition.*] the whispering voice reminded him.
"If it's the Silver Moon Grace..." The writer, Miss Louisa, thought for a moment. Aside from the heavily injured doctor, the 4th Circle writer was the strongest in the group. "That should work, but you are only a 1st Circle Wizard; I suspect the effect won't be very significant. Otherwise, we wouldn't need Holy Water No. 2 or No. 1."
Her view was consistent with the woman's voice in Shard's head.
Miss Louisa then instructed: "Then we must still find other ways. Annette, go see Old John in a moment. Priest, please inquire if the Natural Church will release the next batch of Holy Water soon. After I return, I will read that ancient fairy tale, *The Spring of Healing*, a few more times to see if I can obtain a healing miracle. As for you, Detective, do not show your face for the next few days."
All four looked at Shard. Shard hesitated for a moment before taking the initiative to bring up the topic: "That final Silver Moon Slash that night..."
"No need to explain; everyone has their own secrets. Moreover, it is thanks to you that Lasoya was killed; otherwise, our identities would have been exposed. In fact, we might now face pursuit from [Mercury Blood], and perhaps even the [Blood Spirit School]—the Priest mentioned them in his letter," Doctor Schneider said, leaning against the nightstand. He coughed, and Augustus the Priest hurriedly handed him a teacup. It wasn't tea inside, but a dark potion with a minty scent.
"What exactly is the Blood Spirit School? I have heard of this organization more than once recently, but I don't know much about it," Shard asked again. Miss Annette, coming from the Prophet's Association, provided more information
"Some data suggests that the [Blood Spirit School] can even be traced back to before the lost Third Era. This organization specializes in flesh and blood abilities and was already quite active during the era of the Fifth Era Witch Age. They attempt to purify blood..." The female Diviner paused, contemplating whether she should continue. "To make humans evolve. This group believes that our current Sixth Era is the lost Brass Era, and that only by purifying blood until it reaches a golden color—tracing back to the most primal power of the ancient human lineage—can the ultimate evolution of humanity be achieved, resulting in 'Golden Humans.' Of course, there is no evidence to prove these claims."
"Not only that, because of their massive human experimentation, slaughter, and destructive actions, the [Blood Spirit School] is hunted by both secular forces and the Five Gods Church. Decades ago, the main body of the organization moved to the New Continent. In the Kingdom of Delarion on the Old Continent, only a few strongholds remain," Miss Louisa said.
"Furthermore, there is a 13th Circle Wizard within the [Blood Spirit School, a 78-year-old known as 'The Blood Weeper,' Hermons. He is extremely powerful. If he hadn't been heavily injured during an ambush by the Orthodox Church thirty years ago when he was at the 12th Circle, the [Blood Spirit School] wouldn't have been so low-profile these past few decades," the Priest added.
The others in the group all seemed to possess different aspects of knowledge regarding this organization.