Chapter 126: Do the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus truly understand the fertile spirit?
「 Seeing Stelle, a Mara-struck stood before Danshu: "Master, stand back. Let me handle this."
"They call you 'master.' "
Stelle was slightly surprised. She had thought that Danshu was a disciple of Sanctus Medicus, but never expected her to be the boss.
"It's fine, she is my friend," Danshu instructed the nearby Mara-struck to retreat. She turned toward Stelle, sighing, "I didn't expect you to come looking for me."
"You lied to me." Stelle stared at her coldly.
"I am very sorry… I have lied to you about many things, but I only apologize for deceiving you into taking that medicine. As for the other lies, they were merely to allow me to communicate with you as an equal."
Danshu asked calmly, "Did you take the [ Brumedew Concentrate Pellet ] I gave you?"
Stelle did not want to hide anything: "I did."
"Did you feel the shift?" Danshu's tone seemed to grow faintly excited. She raised her head, directing her pair of turbid, colorless eyes toward the sky: "So many Elixir Seekers arrive on the Xianzhou in the hope of obtaining the formula to immortality, but none have succeeded."
"But they guessed correctly. The Xianzhou does indeed harbor the secret to becoming immortal. I admire you, so I thought I'd give you the chance to obtain it."
"By taking the [ Brumedew Concentrate Pellet ], you can personally experience the infinite freedom that the Merciful Medicus brings to the flesh and blood body."
But Danshu suddenly seemed to perceive something, frowning slightly: "...and yet you don't sound any different. Your breaths are not prolonged, and your presence doesn't feel like it's been altered in any way..." 」
「 .....」
〜JoJo's Bizarre Adventure World, Golden Wind Timeline〜
Naples, Italy—
"Hahahaha, Danshu probably never thought Stelle's constitution would be different from ordinary people, right? With a Stellaron inside her, Stelle's body is already fully occupied."
Even outside the villa, the organization's bodyguards could hear Guido Mista's hearty laughter.
"However, missing out on longevity due to physical constitution isn't exactly a huge win either."
Trish pouted. Thinking about girls like Fuxuan and Qingque in Xianzhou who remain youthful and beautiful even after hundreds of years, it was hard not to be envious.
Especially for Stelle like her, one Brumedew Concentrate Pellet would be more effective than all the skincare products combined.
Moreover, although Stelle's conduct was somewhat unconventional, her appearance was certainly flawless—a genuinely beautiful girl.
If she were to watch her own beauty fade one day, even she would be heartbroken, wouldn't she?
"Regardless of whether this medicine is good or bad, we need to be more cautious."
Fugo set down his teaspoon and slowly began to speak:
"If an ordinary outworlder takes the medicine, they would likely only turn into a Mara-struck. In the eyes of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, the Mara-struck state is the most complete form bestowed upon them by the Merciful Medicus."
"Danshu treats Stelle as a friend—that feeling exists, but not strongly. Perhaps she wants to pull Stelle onto this pirate ship through the transformation of longevity? The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have hidden in Xianzhou for thousands of years. The current chaos in Xianzhou is the most suitable time for them to make their move. If they can secure Stelle, they might be able to divide the strength of the Cloud Knights."
Fugo's calm voice made Mista squint slightly.
"You're quite the speaker, Fugo…"
"Isn't that the reason you asked me to come?"
"Heh, indeed."
Giorno smiled faintly. That was certainly an important reason, but not the only one.
Fugo's ability was too dangerous—any living creature infected by the [ Killer Virus ] sprayed by Purple Haze would gradually rot, dissolve, and finally die.
Crucially, this virus was undefendable, and there was no means to control the infection.
As the boss of the organization, Giorno could not allow such a dangerous Stand to escape his sight, which is why he found a way for Fugo to return to his side.
"Until the light screen disappears, Fugo, you will 'temporarily' offer us counsel."
—
「 "Why is that? Is your constitution somehow different from the average person?" Danshu asked, astonished.
"I have a Stellaron residing inside me."
"A Stellaron? That's impossible." Danshu frowned deeply, but she quickly calmed down, shaking her head: "Even if that were true, housing a Stellaron in the body of a Short-Life species likely spells disaster. It seems you are destined to be without longevity."
"Stelle, please, I urge you to leave the Luofu... Abandon this struggle, the truth isn't what it appears to be."
"What did the minions at the Seat of Divine Foresight tell you about this conflict? That the Reignbow Arbiter is the emissary of the righteous? That the Arbiter is chasing the heathen Plagues Author across the stars, while the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus abet their heresy?"
"Is that truly the case? You don't understand the Merciful Medicus, nor the Devilish Archer Author, but you understand me. In your eyes, am I such a person?"
"I do not ask for you to pick a side... I just wish for you to leave the Luofu — to leave this all behind. This isn't your fight, and I do not wish to make an enemy of you." 」
「 .....」
〜Type-Moon World, Carnival Phantasm Worldline〜
Emiya Residence—
"Saber, I also feel that Miss Danshu has some unspeakable difficulty…"
Watching Danshu's genuine expression, Emiya Shirou suddenly found that the fried shrimp in his bowl was tasteless.
Looking at the situation, a fight between Stelle and Danshu seemed unavoidable.
"Kid, don't be fooled by that woman's smooth words."
Cú Chulainn, who was enjoying delicious grilled fish and beer, rarely managed to squeeze a serious expression out of his look of enjoyment.
"Have you forgotten? Every elixir made by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus contains the bone marrow of the Vidyadhara people. Anyone can spout lofty principles, but the fact that they trample on the lives of other species cannot be covered up by pretty words."
"Moreover, when this woman spoke, she mentioned that Stelle doesn't understand the Aeon of 『 Abundance 』, attempting to silence her with that. But the question is… do the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus themselves understand the Aeon of 『 Abundance 』?"
Saber also cast a questioning look toward Cú Chulainn.
"Lancer, what do you mean by that?"
Cú Chulainn smiled slightly, setting down his chopsticks.
"Understanding the [ True Aeon ] intention and understanding the [ Aeon of their Imagination ] are completely different concepts. Ultimately, the Merciful Medicus has never positively responded to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. "
"The poor believers have, from beginning to end, been worshipping the Aeon of their fantasy. Whether it is benevolence or kindness… these are all footnotes added by humanity."
"They call the Merciful Medicus the Aeon of『 Abundance 』, as if the deity possesses infinitely sublime virtues. But if the deity truly were as benevolent as they claim, why would She turn a blind eye to the suffering endured by the Xianzhou people for thousands of years?"
"In contrast, the Aeon of the『 Hunt 』is at least a deity who responds to their followers and is willing to grant power to the humans who follow their—based on that alone, they is infinitely superior to the Merciful Medicus, the Aeon of『 Abundance 』"
Saber nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
"Indeed, although the Merciful Medicus granted longevity to the Xianzhou, there are few records concerning their true self… but their followers are all satisfying their own selfish desires in the name of the deity."
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