"The danger of this ritual lies in the fact that what it summons isn't just seawater, but also the extreme high pressure of the deep sea. Gases dissolved in bodily fluids would rapidly be released, forming embolisms. In worse cases, people could be directly crushed flat by the pressure."
"Besides, this ritual would also trigger the alarm of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower."
She had some level of collection and study of the secret arts systems of various sects. Although she had forgotten some of the forbidden first-category rituals, [Sea Ridge Prison] was just a not-uncommon second-category ritual, and interpreting it wasn't difficult for her.
Haida looked at the ant-like rows of prayer text on the stone door, sensing its spiritual flow for a moment before proposing a solution.
"If we can intercept the alarm trigger, I can destroy this ritual directly using [Tear the Secret Rite], along with the door itself."
Tear the Secret Rite could forcibly sever the operation of a ritual array and dispel any potential malignant consequences, such as self-detonation caused by chaotic spiritual element dispersion and loss of control, or some trap reaction mechanisms.
"But that kind of damage would be too conspicuous and might leave traces identifiable as a Secrets-Hunter's work."
After deep consideration, she herself ruled out that plan.
Although Haida had previously eliminated all traces at the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower in Foy Port using some methods, the approach at the time was "eliminating evidence" and "destroying the scene."
The idea was to mislead pursuers, directing their suspicion towards Evil Spawn aberrations.
But here was the core of the Moldway Bell Tower. If the door was damaged, the Stellar Abyss Society would inevitably conduct strict, large-scale investigations afterward. Using the same method again would clearly be inappropriate.
Fran, naturally aware of her thoughts, gave a light chuckle, then spread open her pale palm, revealing two azure, prismatic gems.
"No need to worry, Haida. Besides medicine, I also have some experience with the skill of 'opening doors'..."
"What's this?"
Seeing the two gems shimmering with blue light, Vivian blinked and leaned closer.
Munin the raven also quietly poked its head out from the breast pocket of her academic robe, its black pearl-like eyes completely captivated by the clear, sparkling color.
"Heyl Sirens' Tears, a rare spiritual-infused material used to power ritual arrays. Mhm... probably could also be used to fuel a secret arts furnace core."
Fran explained the situation of these two Heyl Sirens' Tears, then picked up one and handed it to Munin. The latter deftly and neatly took the gem in its beak, then carefully hid it in Vivian's pocket.
Watching this scene, Haida thought for a moment, then guessed the source of this material with a confident tone.
"Dr. Fran, the source of this Heyl Sirens' Tear... is it from the ritual array inside the stone door?"
"Correct."
Fran gave a light nod, readily admitting it.
"To prevent the spiritual-infused materials in the ritual array from being taken, they nested a small ritual for sounding the alarm... In my opinion, this behavior is almost no different from covering one's ears while stealing a bell. Just take away the power source materials for both rituals at the same time, wouldn't that work?"
"No matter how powerful a ritual's effect, once it loses the spiritual elements that empower it, it's just a meaningless string of prayers."
As she spoke, she gently rubbed the cool blue gem, then put it into the pocket of her doctor's coat.
"The secret arts master who inscribed the ritual did have some ingenious ideas, but not devious enough. If it were me, I'd install an identification mechanism inside the room behind the door. If not opened in a specific way, it would lead the intruder into a trap and certain death..."
Fran commented somewhat regretfully, as if lamenting wasted potential, then reached out and opened the massive stone door.
Almost the instant the door opened, the environment around the three underwent a sudden, drastic change. They had been in the dark, empty tower base, but now it was as if they were in the lightless depths of the Abyssal Sea. Ocean currents carrying seawater surged and roared, almost forming vortexes that could crush a person.
Tap.
Fran snapped her fingers.
The field of [Drive Away Dust and Filth] immediately expanded. The surrounding icy torrents were repelled by the clear, faint light, forming a perfectly clean spherical space.
Additionally, Drive Away Dust and Filth could repel the seawater while retaining the oxygen dissolved within it, avoiding a vacuum state.
"Cough, cough!"
Thanks to Fran's help, Vivian wasn't swept away by the current. But even so, she was drenched and choked on a mouthful of bitter seawater, looking quite disheveled for a moment.
"Dr. Fran..."
Vivian pushed back her dripping wet hair, casting a slightly resentful look at Fran.
Soon, fine white water vapor rose from the parts of her soaked by seawater. The clothing that had been drenched returned to dryness in the blink of an eye.
Fran blinked her amber eyes innocently, comforting Vivian.
"The fabric fibers are in a bound state after absorbing moisture; it takes a little time to completely separate. Don't worry, Vivian, I won't let you complete the infiltration while wet."
"The seawater is too cold; that would easily lead to a cold. Prevention should be the priority for all kinds of illnesses..."
As she spoke, she took out the ceremonial sword "False Sun," forged by Sigrid, from her waist, gripping the hilt lightly.
As its searing spirituality slowly dispersed, Vivian felt the loss of warmth in her limbs quickly dissipate, and the tense state her body had entered due to the deep-water reaction gradually eased.
"Dr. Fran, didn't you say there was no trap..."
Vivian narrowed her eyes, looking at Fran beside her with some suspicion.
Out of trust in this doctor's abilities, Vivian didn't believe she had failed to detect the nested trap inside the stone door. Rather, she suspected this might be intentional...
After all, judging from past experiences, Dr. Fran did have a peculiar penchant for teasing others. Oh, it could also be called a rather mischievous sense of humor.
"Vivian, this isn't a trap; it's a 'secret realm.' This is precisely where we needed to go."
Fran restrained the smile at the corner of her lips, then lightly raised her index finger, pointing forward along the faint light of [Drive Away Dust and Filth].
It was a magnificent palace standing on the seafloor.
Sea beast statues flanking the palace gates, golden stone pillars inscribed with prayers... Both in style and scale, everything displayed the resplendent and dignified architectural style of the Order of Dust era.
Even in the lightless abyssal depths, its outlines obscured by dark, cold seawater, it still possessed an intensely strong presence.
"The palace isn't isolated; this place... is a city."
Haida looked around and found that as far as the eye could see were layers upon layers of architectural clusters. But they seemed neglected, eroded over the years by seawater and currents, already turned into half-destroyed ruins. There was only a dark, dead silence all around.
Besides the heavy, somber sound of seawater flowing, there was no other noise.
Maintaining [Drive Away Dust and Filth], Fran led Haida and Vivian slowly towards the palace with its blurred outlines.
As they walked, she couldn't help but purse her lips, letting out a soft sigh tinged with regret.
"To think the prison beneath the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower would be a secret realm. It's truly... such a pity."
When she said this, her voice was almost imperceptible, so much so that neither of the two beside her, nor the sword, heard it.
Based on previously gathered intelligence, Fran knew the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was essentially a special prison, with the core layer being the holding cell. But she didn't know the cell's form would be a secret realm.
Otherwise, she would have sent a formal notice to the Stellar Abyss Society in advance, then infiltrated the bell tower alone to steal the entire secret realm... Such a vast, spiritually rich hidden space would definitely be rated "Flawless" or above in quality.
The central palace was the only intact structure within the seafloor city ruins. The three followed a path paved with seashells and coral skeletons, taking several dozen minutes to arrive before the palace.
"Finally here..."
After stepping onto the broad steps, Fran let out a light sigh, speaking with a hint of weariness.
She then lifted her leg back, rubbing her slightly sore ankle through the black sheer stockings, somewhat alleviating the discomfort from the long walk.
Because the structure was so massive, it didn't seem far when viewed from a distance, but the actual walk took considerable time.
If only Haida had come alone this time, Fran might have even considered having her carry her, fully utilizing this sister's excellent function as a humanoid vehicle...
But Vivian was also here, so that idea had to be abandoned... After all, she couldn't let a child see her in such a state; it would be very harmful to maintaining the doctor's reputation.
"So quiet."
Haida slightly narrowed her eyes, saying somberly.
Originally, she thought there should be the song she had heard before within the core layer of the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower, but upon actually entering, there was only the silence of the deep sea. Cold, lonely, almost suffocating.
Just as her words fell, a lazy, slightly annoyed female voice came from within the palace.
"This is not a theater; there is no audience, nor any singer. Only a prisoner awaiting death."
"Isn't quietness good?"
The owner of this voice sounded in poor spirits, but her words still carried a beautiful, soft, ethereal cadence, like an intoxicating aria.
The interior of the palace wasn't flooded with seawater like the city ruins; it was filled with breathable air. Fluorescent spiritual elements could be seen flowing on the floor, as if some ancient ritual was in operation.
The direction of the voice was the very center of the entire Sea Ridge Palace. A lady could be seen lying on her side on a pale throne forged from jagged bone, her cheek resting on one hand.
Her hair was an almost cold, pale cyan, like Gormouth's broken, frigid moonlight.
Her attire was a set of Order of Dust era noble formal wear, but the style wasn't similar to common human designs. Beneath her translucent gauze skirt, which reached past her calves, soft, transparent tentacles could vaguely be seen curling and writhing... as if they were living creatures.
"My apologies for the disturbance, Madam."
Following her usual habit, Fran maintained a standard professional smile and bowed slightly to the figure before her.
"Madam? Has it only been half a month since your last visit that the Tide-Listeners have forgotten my title?"
She seemed to find this somewhat laughable, then spoke again with a hint of confusion.
"Wait, that's not right... today isn't the full moon, so why have you come? On orders from that freak Gunther? Relay a message for me: tell him to give up sooner."
"Humans who habitually bandy the word 'love' about all day are truly detestable. Gunther merely confuses it with his thirst for power; he's not even as good as his despicable ancestors, who at least dared to face their desire for power."
Hearing this lady's words, Haida and Vivian exchanged a glance, roughly understanding why Prince Gunther had the rumor of being "celibate."
The object of his pursuit... was indeed not human.
"Actually, we are not Tide-Listeners and are not familiar with Prince Gunther either. Coming to the Sands of Slumber Bell Tower was just to investigate the secrets of the Stellar Abyss Society."
Faced with her almost disgusted dismissal, Fran showed immense patience. No displeasure showed in her amber eyes.
After all, this doctor was always tolerant towards patients.
Just moments ago, she had received an emergency consultation bounty for an Abyssal patient.
[Dear Dr. Fran, an emergency consultation for a special patient has been triggered (fixed rating; Abyss 'Apollyon'). The consultation target is the pure-blooded noble 'Sidonia Heyl' of the Mythical Creature 'Heyl Sirens.']
[The patient suffers from 'Spiritual Exhaustion Syndrome (Moderate),' 'Depression (Mild),' and 'Imprisonment Syndrome (Severe).']
[The patient is not in immediate life-threatening danger, but please complete the treatment process within this month.]
"Lady Sidonia, allow me to make a brief self-introduction. I am a doctor with strong professional ethics; you may call me Fran."
"And your medical condition... is not looking good."
At this moment, the excitement in Fran's gaze was almost impossible to conceal, and the corners of her moist lips were curling up uncontrollably.
Oh, to chance upon such a heavyweight research subject... cough, patient, of such great research value. Today is truly too fortunate. Perhaps the Grey Knights' talisman has started bringing me luck?
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[email protected]/PeakTL