“A clinic?”

 

Violet stared at the large sign on the front door of the building and pronounced the two big characters clearly.

 

Although the translation tool could only convert spoken language, Violet hadn’t spent her entire month in this world just having fun. With Lilya’s help, she had already learned the common language of the Human United Kingdom.

 

Compared to when she could only read books with the help of tools at the beginning, the transmigrator now could identify words and terms that were not too obscure more smoothly.

 

This convenience was probably brought by Violet’s body. Learning a language in a month—back on Earth, that would have been…

 

This clinic was located in a remote part of the eastern city, and the surroundings were quiet. In terms of the size of the building alone, it might even be bigger than the Countess Anastasia’s Mansion.

 

Moreover, the sign didn’t have any prefix, it was just called “Clinic.” The guards at the gate were not security personnel or attendants but two soldiers in red armor, each holding a long spear from the Flame Dragon City.

 

There was no doubt that this was an officially established medical facility.

 

“Lord Mayor!”

 

When the soldiers saw Anastasia, they immediately stood at attention, saluting her with an unmistakable look of respect. It seemed that this young lady of the city was quite popular in the Flame Dragon City.

 

“Well, what’s the situation inside?”

 

The soldiers exchanged glances, and the one on the left, who seemed to have more leadership qualities, lowered his voice and said, “It’s not looking good at all. It’s said that they can barely suppress the symptoms, but the condition is still deteriorating. You know, Dragon’s Blood Disease is something that can’t be…”

 

“Moreover… they just brought in someone from the Central District, an elderly person. I won’t say more; you should go inside and see for yourself.”

 

“The Central District? Why is it spreading there too…?” Anastasia’s eyebrows displayed increased concern, mixed with some confusion.

 

“What about close contacts?”

 

“According to the regulations, they’re all being kept for observation. There haven’t been any secondary transmission cases yet.”

 

“Well, that’s good.”

 

She turned to Violet and nodded, “Both of you, please come with me. The ones inside are the ones who need your diagnosis.”

 

“Dragon’s Blood Disease?”

 

“Yes, Dragon’s Blood Disease. By the way, there have been no cases of recovery from this disease so far. Except for the part that is still being delayed, the rest have already… Please be careful when you come into contact with them.”

 

As Lady Anastasia entered the clinic’s main entrance, what crowded into Violet’s ears were the low groans and coughing sounds.

 

It wasn’t that the people here had exceptionally good manners and knew to keep quiet in a public place, it was that they simply didn’t have the strength to shout. Judging by the sound, their breaths were weak, and most of them showed signs of being critically ill.

 

Although Violet wasn’t a conventional healer, with her high attributes and high-level perception, she could easily tell such things.

 

In the clinic’s main hall, there were rows of white beds and small rooms partitioned with makeshift dividers. Most of the beds were already occupied, probably by at least a hundred patients.

 

A dozen or so doctors and priests in isolation suits were constantly moving back and forth. The entire space was filled with a pungent medicinal scent and a mixture of a burnt-like odor, combined with the smell of blood.

 

Strange, what kind of illness smells burnt?

 

Anastasia put on a set of heavy isolation suits of the same type as those worn by the medical staff, and she also handed two new sets to Violet and Xiao Guang.

 

“Put these on. Although it might be a bit uncomfortable, these were specially sent from the capital city, and they provide excellent protection.”

 

Seemingly worried that these two newcomers might not understand the severity of the situation, Lady Anastasia patiently explained, “Dragon’s Blood Disease is a spreading disease. While it’s not highly contagious, prolonged close contact, especially if the patient’s blood comes into contact with your mucous membranes or wounds, can significantly increase the infection rate.”

 

Anastasia paused.

 

“Let me remind you again, there are no known cases of recovery from this disease, and it can be fatal.”

 

“Well… okay.”

 

Even though Violet felt there was no actual virus that could breach her multiple resistances and protections, Xiao Guang, being a true-blooded dragon, was even less susceptible…

 

But Anastasia seemed like a very responsible and serious person, and if Violet refused to wear this gear, she might not agree to let her treat the patients. To avoid pointless arguments, it was better to just wear it.

 

It couldn’t hurt to be extra cautious.

 

And maybe it was just her imagination, but Violet couldn’t shake the feeling that Anastasia suddenly became unusually verbose when explaining the infectious and fatal nature of the disease, as if she were deliberately emphasizing something.

 

Is it just her imagination…?

 

Giving a resistant look to the little dragon lady by her side, Violet signaled for her to reluctantly take the suit that looked almost identical to the hazmat suits from Earth and put it on. She found it puzzling how this medieval-like civilization in another world had come up with such modern equipment.

 

With these thoughts in mind, Violet also dressed in her “work attire” and approached the group of patients with Anastasia.

 

“Praise the Goddess! Lady Anastasia, your timing is perfect! Several patients’ symptoms are getting out of control, and they urgently need your assistance, quickly…”

 

Before Violet had a chance to carefully observe the patients, a tall figure in protective gear, with quite a bit of dark red bloodstains and sweat on the surface, rushed over. This startled the little dragon lady, who was almost about to swipe at the person, but she was stopped in time by Miss Priestess.

 

The newcomer appeared to be a temple priest. Although he looked disheveled due to the blood and sweat, the holy symbols on his wrist and neck were easily recognizable features.

 

Anastasia seemingly casually raised her hand to stop the priest from getting closer, soothing him with a gentle tone.

 

“Bishop Isaac, please don’t be in a hurry. There’s an old saying in your temple: ‘If a blacksmith wants to craft a fine weapon, they must first possess a sturdy forging hammer.’ Being frantic will only make the situation worse.”

 

Violet couldn’t help but roll her eyes at hearing this modified version of the Earth saying, “You need the right tool for the job.” Could it be that some previous transmigrator had adapted it for easier understanding in this world?

 

Anastasia, of course, couldn’t hear someone’s inner monologue and took a step to the side, revealing Violet standing behind her.

 

“This is Miss Violet, the latest physician who has come to offer her assistance. I can tell that her medical skills are quite high, so why don’t we let her take a look at the patients first?”

 

This temple bishop named Isaac seemed to hold a high position in the Flame Dragon City. Even Anastasia, as the city’s ruler, spoke to him with a tone more akin to a discussion, using a friendly and respectful manner rather than giving orders.

 

Violet had a feeling that if Isaac were to shake his head at this moment, things might become somewhat troublesome.

 

The temple wasn’t an external organization under the Holy Empire, yet they had reached such a level of influence within the Human United Kingdom’s cities? Fortunately, he didn’t seem to be the unreasonable and high-handed type.

 

“Such a young girl? Is she of age… well, since Lady Mayor says so, I’ll give her a chance.”

 

With that said, Isaac changed the topic.

 

“But I must be frank. The so-called doctors and priests you brought with you are not very reliable individuals, and it’s not the first time they’ve wasted our time. Ultimately, even the temple is helpless in the face of this disease, so I don’t hold much hope for ordinary people…”

 

“I don’t understand why you persist in not seeking help from the kingdom’s higher-ups, but… if we don’t see any meaningful progress this time, I will have to report to the higher levels of the temple and request the dispatch of more powerful priests to assist. Otherwise, the Dragon’s Blood Disease will become uncontrollable and lead to a tremendous catastrophe.”

 

Anastasia’s expression faltered.

 

After a pause, he took a deep breath. “You… you’re right, we can’t afford to delay any longer. Let’s go with this plan, and give it one last try.”

 

The mature and graceful lady turned to the black-haired girl and gave her a slight bow. “So, I entrust everything to you, Miss Violet.”

 

“I’ll do my best.”

 

From the seemingly simple conversation between the two, Violet sensed an unusual undertone.

 

Could it be that beneath the surface of this so-called Dragon’s Blood Disease, there were deeper reasons at play?

 

Why did Anastasia persist in not seeking help from higher authorities? Did she know something or have some reservations? Even though they had posted notices to recruit civilian physicians, she was keeping it hidden from the kingdom’s higher-ups. It was strange…

 

Regardless of what secrets the Flame Dragon City and Lady Anastasia might be hiding, it seemed that the first step to unraveling them was indeed to start with the “disease.”